Volume VI No. 8/9

A publication of the National Association of Theatre Owners

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Pathfinder
Actioner, set in North America around the year 1000, about a Viking boy – left behind by retreating warriors and raised by Native Americans – who comes to help combat the returning Vikings who abandoned him. A remake of the 1987 Norwegian film of the same name. Directed by Marcus Nispel (“Texas Chainsaw Massacre”) from a screenplay by Laeta Kalogridis (“Night Watch”). With Karl Urban (“Doom”), Clancy Brown (“The Hurricane”), Moon Bloodgood (“Eight Below”), Russell Means (“Thomas and the Magic Railroad”), Jay Tavare (“Cold Mountain”), Nathaniel Arcand (“Elektra”) and Ralf Moeller (“The Scorpion King”). Sept. 8. Fox.

 

 

Renaissance
Animated sci-fi action thriller, set in a 2054 Paris, about a detective on the trail of a kidnapped young geneticist. Directed by Christian Volckman from a screenplay by Alexandre de La Patellière & Mathieu Delaporte, Jean-Bernard Pouy and Patrick Raynal. Featuring the voices of Daniel Craig, Romola Garai, Catherine McCormack, Jonathan Price, Ian Holm and Rick Warden. 103 min. Sept. 22 in New York and Los Anglees; expands Sept. 29, Oct. 6 and Oct. 13. Miramax.

 

 

Running With Scissors
Drama about a boy raised by the bizarre family of an unorthodox psychiatrist after being given away by his delusional mother. Based on the memoir by Augusten Burroughs (“Possible Side Effects”). TV writer-director Ryan Murphy (“Nip/Tuck”) directs from his own screenplay. With Annette Bening (“Being Julia”), Alec Baldwin (“Fun with Dick and Jane,” “The Departed”), Brian Cox (“Match Point”), Joseph Cross (“Strangers With Candy,” “Flags of Our Fathers”), Kristen Chenoweth (“R.V.”), Viola Davis (“Solaris”), Joseph Fiennes (“The Great Raid”), Gwyneth Paltrow (“Proof,” “Infamous”), Jill Clayburgh (“Never Again”), Gabrielle Union (“The Honeymooners,” “Say Uncle”) and Evan Rachel Wood (“Down in the Valley”}. Scope. R: Strong language and elements of sexuality; violence; substance abuse. Oct. 27 limited. Sony.

 

 

School For Scoundrels
Comedy about a sad-sack male meter maid who enrolls in a confidence-building class in an effort to woo the woman of his dreams, only to find that his new teacher has designs on the same girl. The “Road Trip”–”Old School”–”Starsky & Hutch” team of writer-director Todd Phillips and screenwriter Scot Armstrong reunite. With Jon Heder (”The Benchwarmers,” “Monster House”), Billy Bob Thornton (“Ice Harvest”), Jacinda Barrett (“Poseidon,” “The Last Kiss”), Sarah Silverman (“Rent”), David Cross (“She’s the Man”), Horatio Sanz (“The Man”), Luis Guzman (“Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story”), Matt Walsh (“Christmas with the Kranks”) and Michael Clarke Duncan (“The Island,” “Talladega Nights”). Sept. 29. Weinstein.

 

Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
Thriller about the horrifying origins of the infamous Leatherface and his equally bloodthirsty family, who again find victims among a group of unsuspecting teen travelers. Returnees from 2003’s “Massacre” include Heather Kafka (“Where The Heart Is”), R. Lee Ermey (“Man of the House”), Andrew Bryniarski (“Scooby-Doo”), Marietta Marich (“Rushmore”), Kathy Lamkin (“Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang”) and Terrence Evans (“What’s Love Got To Do With It?”). Newcomers to the series include director Jonathan Liebesman (“Darkness Falls”), screenwriter Sheldon Turner (“The Longest Yard,” “Snakes on a Plane”), and actors Jordana Brewster (“Annapolis”), Diora Baird (“The Wedding Crashers”), Matthew Bomer (“Flightplan”), Taylor Handley (“Jack Frost”), Lew Temple (“Domino”), Lee Tergesen (“The Forgotten”) and Tim De Zarn (“Spider-Man”). Flat. R: Strong horror violence/gore; language; some sexual content. Oct. 6. New Line.

 

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas In 3-D
Digital 3D re-release of the 1993 animated musical about Jack Skellington, the Halloween king who decides to take over Christmas – despite an imperfect understanding of the holiday. Directed by Henry Selick (“James and the Giant Peach,” “Monkeybone”) from a screenplay by Michael McDowell (“Thinner”) and Caroline Thompson (“Buddy,” “Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride”). Those lending their voices to the project include Danny Elfman, Catherine O’Hara, Chris Sarandon, Paul Reubens, Greg Proops, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix and Ken Page. Available exclusively in 3D. Oct. 20. Buena Vista.

The U.S. Vs. John Lennon
Documentary about the famous musician’s transition from Beatles frontman to anti-war activist. Veteran TV documentarians John Scheinfeld & David Leaf (“Rosemary Clooney: Girl Singer,” “Ricky Nelson Sings”) make their feature directorial debuts. Featuring Yoko Ono and archival footage of Lennon. Sept. 15 in New York and Los Angeles; wider Sept. 29. Lionsgate.

The Wicker Man
Thriller about a sheriff who comes to a remote island to investigate a girl’s disappearance and discovers there a community of pagans who practice bizarre fertility rites. A remake of the 1973 film. Written and directed by Neil LaBute (“Possession,” “The Shape of Things”). With Nicolas Cage (“The Weather Man,” “World Trade Center”), Leelee Sobieski (“London”), Molly Parker (“Nine Lives,” “Hollywoodland”), Kate Beahan (“Flightplan”), Ellen Burstyn (“Down in the Valley,” “The Fountain”), Diane Delano (“The Ladykillers”), and Frances Conroy (“Shopgirl”). PG-13: Disturbing images and violence; language; thematic issues. Sept. 1. Warner Bros.

The Prestige
Thriller, set in early 1900s London, about two bitter rival magicians who envy each other’s astonishing signature tricks. Based on the novel by Christopher Priest (“The Affirmation”). Directed by Christopher Nolan (“Insomnia,” “Batman Begins”) from a screenplay by Nolan and brother Jonathan Nolan. With Hugh Jackman (“X-Men: The Last Stand,” “Scoop,” “The Fountain”), Christian Bale (“The New World”), Scarlett Johansson (“Match Point,” “Scoop,” “The Black Dahlia”), Michael Caine (“The Weather Man,” “Children of Men”), David Bowie (“Basquiat”), Ricky Jay (“Last Days”) and Piper Perabo (“Imagine Me & You,” “10th & Wolf”). Oct. 27 limited. Buena Vista.

 

 

Riding Alone For Thousands of Miles
Drama, featuring dialogue in Japanese and Mandarin Chinese, about a Japanese man who – as a favor to his estranged, hospitalized son – travels to China to videotape a legendary actor’s folk-drama performance. Directed by Zhang Yimou (“Hero,” “House of Flying Daggers”) from a screenplay by Zhang (“Hero,” “House of Flying Daggers”) and Jingzhi Zou. With Ken Takakura, Kiichi Nakai, Jiang Wen and Shinobu Terajima. 107 min. PG: Mild thematic elements. Sept. 1 in New York and Los Angeles. Sony Pictures Classics.

 

 

The Science of Sleep
Romantic comedy-drama, set in Paris, about a childlike, dream-obsessed graphic artist who strikes up an unlikely relationship with his pretty new neighbor. Michael Gondry (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” “Dave Chappelle’s Block Party”) directs from his own screenplay. With Gael García Bernal (“The King,” “Babel”), Charlotte Gainsbourg (“21 Grams”), Alain Chabat (“The Taste of Others”) and Emma de Caunes (“Ma Mere”). 105 min. Sept. 15. Warner Independent Pictures.

 

 

Stormbreaker
Family actioner about a teen whose guardian is mysteriously killed, leading him to discover his education has been preparing him to become an elite British spy, and it is now time for his first mission. Based on the popular young adult Alex Rider novels by Anthony Horowitz (the “Gatekeepers” series). Directed by Geoffrey Sax (“White Noise”) from a screenplay by Horowitz. With Alex Pettyfer, Ewan McGregor (“Stay”), Alicia Silverstone (“Beauty Shop”), Sophie Okonedo (“Aeon Flux”), Bill Nighy (“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”), Mickey Rourke (“Domino,” “Killshot”), Missi Pyle (“Just My Luck”), Andy Serkis (“King Kong”), Sarah Bolger (“In America”), Stephen Fry (“V for Vendetta”), Damian Lewis (“An Unfinished Life”) and Robbie Coltrane (“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”). PG: Sequences of action violence; some peril. Oct. 6. MGM.

 

This Film is Not Yet Rated
Documentary delving into the activities of the Classification and Rating Administration, which assigns films their G, PG, PG-13, R and NC-17 ratings. Directed by Kirby Dick (“Twist of Faith”). Written by Kirby Dick and Eddie Schmidt. Filmmakers interviewed include directors Darren Aronofsky (“Requiem For A Dream,” “The Fountain”), Atom Egoyan (“Ararat,” “What Lies Beneath”), John Waters (“A Dirty Shame”), Kevin Smith (the “Clerks” series) and Kimberly Peirce (“Boys Don’t Cry”), actor-screenwriter Matt Stone (“South Park,” “Team America”), actress Maria Bello (“Thank You for Smoking,” “Flicka”), producer Mark Urman (“Monster’s Ball”) and October Films founder Bingham Ray. NC-17: Some graphic sexual content. Sept. 1. IFC.

 

Trade
Drama about a young Mexican man who teams up with a Texas cop to rescue his 13-year-old sister, who was kidnapped and sold as a sex slave. Based on a 2003 New York Times story by Peter Landesman. Directed by Marco Kreuzpaintner (“Summer Storm”) from a screenplay by Jose Rivera (“The Motorcycle Diaries”). With Kevin Kline (“A Prairie Home Companion”), Alicja Bachleda (“Summer Storm”), Cesar Ramos, Paulina Gaitan, Kate del Castillo, and Guillermo Ivan. Also known as “Welcome to America.” Oct. 13 in New York and Los Angeles; wider Oct 27. Lionsgate.

 

We Are Marshall
Drama about a new coach’s struggle to keep a university football program alive after a plane crash claims the life of the team’s old coach and the lives of many of team’s players and fans. Directed by McG (the “Charlie’s Angels” movies) from a screenplay by Jamie Linden. With Matthew McConaughey (“Failure to Launch”), Matthew Fox (“My Boyfriend’s Back”), Anthony Mackie (“Freedomland,” “Crossover”), Kimberly Williams (“Simpatico,” “How to Eat Fried Worms”), January Jones (“The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada”) Kate Mara (“Brokeback Mountain,” “Zoom”), Ian McShane (“Nine Lives,” “Scoop”) and David Strathairn (“The Notorious Bettie Page”). Oct. 27. Warner Bros.

Looking for Kitty
Comedy about a second-rate private investigator and a high school baseball coach who form a friendship as they search New York City for the coach’s runaway wife. Written and directed by Edward Burns (“She’s the One,” “Sidewalks of New York”). With Burns (“A Sound of Thunder”), David Krumholtz (“Serenity”), Connie Britton (“Friday Night Lights”), Rachel Dratch (“Click,” “Freshman Orientation”), Max Baker (“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”) and Chris Parnell (“Talladega Nights”). 95 min. R: Language; some sexual references. Aug. 18. Thinkfilm.

 

 

Pulse
Thriller about a college student who unwittingly opens the door to deadly evil by pirating a mysterious wireless signal. An English-language remake of Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Japanese thriller “Kairo.” Directed by Jim Sonzero from a screenplay by Wes Craven (“Wes Craven’s New Nightmare”), Vince Gilligan (“Home Fries”) and Ray Wright. With Kristen Bell (“Spartan”), Ian Somerhalder (“Rules of Attraction”), Christina Milian (“Be Cool”), Rick Gonzalez (“Roll Bounce”) and Samm Levine (“Broken Lizard’s Club Dread”). Scope. Aug. 11. Weinstein.

 

 

10th & Wolf
Crime thriller, set in Philadelphia, about a former street criminal who has to get mixed up in organized crime again to keep his brother out of jail. Screenwriter Bobby Moresco (“Crash”) directs from his own script. With James Marsden (“Superman Returns”), Piper Perabo (“Click,” “The Prestige”), Val Kilmer (“Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang”), Dennis Hopper (“Land of the Dead”), Giovanni Ribisi (“The Flight of the Phoenix”), Leslie Ann Warren (“When Do We Eat?”), Brian Dennehy (“Assault on Precinct 13”) and Brad Renfro (“The Jacket”). R: Strong brutal violence; pervasive language; some drug content; sexuality/nudity. Aug. 25. Thinkfilm.

 

My First Wedding
Romantic comedy about a bride-to-be who recruits what she believes to be a Catholic priest to help her overcome an urge to cheat on her fiancé, unaware that the “priest” is actually just a guy who thinks she’s hot. Directed by Laurent Firode from a screenplay by Joan Carr-Wiggin. With Rachael Leigh Cook (“Stateside”), Kenny Doughty (“The Great Raid”), Paul Hopkins (“Mambo Italiano”), Elizabeth Whitmere (“Head in the Clouds”), Valerie Mahaffey (“Seabiscuit”) and Claire Brosseau (“Confessions of a Dangerous Mind”). Flat. PG-13: Sexual content; language. Aug. 18. Indican.

 

Rolling Family
Spanish-language comedy about a large clan that sets out on a long road trip in a haphazard caravan to attend the wedding of an estranged sibling. Written and directed by Pablo Trapero. With Liliana Capurro, Ruth Dobel, Federico Esquerro, Leila Gomez, Carlos Resta, Sol Ocampo, and Laura Glave. Flat. Aug. 11. Palm.

 

 

 

 

 

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