A publication of the National Association of Theatre Owners

Advertise in In Focus

©

Boys Life 4: Four Play Anthology of four shorts centered around homosexual characters. 1) “Bumping Heads,” a 22-minute drama written and directed by Brian Sloan (“I Think I Do”), stars Craig Chester (“Circuit”) and Andersen Gabrych (“Hit and Runaway”) as two men – each sporting fresh bar-brawl injuries – who share love secrets while waiting in an emergency room. 2) “LTR,” a 16-minute comedy written and directed by Phillip Bartel (“Crush”), stars Weston Mueller (“Crush”) and Cole Williams as a young couple who allow a filmmaker to create a documentary about their relationship. 3) “O Beautiful,” a 29-minute drama written and directed by Alan Brown, stars Jay Gillepsie and David Rogers as two men who try to overcome their differences through forgiveness. 4) “This Car Up” is a 15-minute comedy written and directed by Eric Mueller (“World and Time Enough”). Flat. July 25. Strand.   Camp Drama, set at a retreat for aspiring young performers, about a group of kids struggling with the awkward unpleasantries of adolescence. Screenwriter Todd Graff (“Death To Smoochy”) makes his feature directorial debut from his own script. With Anna Kendrick, Daniel Leeterle, Chris Spain (“Kingpin”), Don Dixon, Sasha Allen, Robin De Jesus, Joanna Chilcoat and Tiffany Taylor. Flat. 110 min. PG-13: Mature thematic elements regarding teen sexual issues; some language. July 25 limited; wider Aug. 8. IFC.   The Embalmer Italian-language drama, set in a small coastal town outside Naples, about the relationship shared by a middle-aged dwarf taxidermist and his assistant – a tall, beauteous young man with a gentle passion for animals. Directed by Matteo Garrone from a screenplay by Garrone, Ugo Chiti and Massimo Procacci. With Ernesto Mahieux, Valerio Foglia Manzillo, Elisabetta Rocchetti, Lina Bernardi (“The Last Kiss”), Pietro Biondi and Bernardino Terracciano. Also known as “L’Imbalsamatore.” Flat. 100 min. July 11 in New York. First Run. Exorcist: The Beginning Prequel to the 1973 thriller, set in the early part of the 20th century, about a young priest’s journey through Africa and his first encounter with demonic possession. Based upon characters and events depicted in William Blatty’s novel “The Exorcist.” Directed by Paul Schrader (“Affliction,” “Auto Focus”) from a screenplay by novelist Caleb Carr (“The Alienist”) and William Wisher Jr. (“Judge Dredd,” “The 13th Warrior”). With Stellan Skarsgård (“City of Ghosts”), Clara Bellar (“A.I. Artificial Intelligence”), Gabriel Mann (“The Life of David Gale”), Antonie Kamerling (“Left Luggage”), Andrew French (“The Tailor of Panama”), Ralph Brown (“Mean Machine”) and Billy Crawford. July 18. Warner Bros.   How to Deal Romantic comedy about a teen who decides love does not exist – until she falls in love with the perfect guy. Based on the novels “Someone Like You” and “That Summer” by Sarah Dessen (“This Lullaby”). Directed by Claire Kilner from a screenplay by Neena Beber. With Mandy Moore (“A Walk to Remember”), Trent Ford (“Gosford Park”), Allison Janney (“The Hours”), Alexandra Holden (“The Hot Chick”), Dylan Baker (“Head of State”) and Peter Gallagher (“Mr. Deeds”). Flat. 101 min. PG-13: Sexual content; drug material; language; some thematic elements. July 18. New Line.   Langrishe Go Down Irish drama, set in Dublin, about a well-heeled spinster who finds herself embarking upon an unlikely affair with the impoverished German scholar who rents her family’s shed. A theatrical re-release of the 1978 made-for-British-TV drama. Based on the novel by Aidan Higgins (“The Whole Hog”). Directed by David Hugh Jones (“Jacknife”) from a screenplay by Harold Pinter (“The Comfort of Strangers”). With Jeremy Irons (“And Now Ladies & Gentlemen”), Judi Dench (“Die Another Day”), Pinter (“The Tailor of Panama”), Annette Crosbie (“Shooting Fish”), Susan Williamson (“Sharky’s Machine”) and Margaret Whiting. 105 min. July 11 in Los Angeles. Castle Hill. Autumn Spring Czech-language comedy about a 75-year-old prankster whose life becomes more complicated when he infuriates his wife – a penny-pincher frantically saving for twin funeral plots – with his childish antics. Directed by Vladimír Michálek from a screenplay by Jirí Hubac. With Vlastimil Brodský, Stella Zázvorková (“Kolya”), Stanislav Zindulka, Ondrej Vetchý (“Dark Blue World”) and Simona Stasová (“Divided We Fall”). Also known as “Babí Léto.” Flat. 95 min. July 25 in New York. First Look.   Bad Boys II Miami cops Marcus Burnett and Mike Lowrey head to London to team with Burnett’s half-sister, an undercover agent investigating a money laundering scheme. Sequel to the 1995 action comedy. Returnees from part one include director Michael Bay (“Pearl Harbor”) and actors Will Smith (“Men in Black II”) and Martin Lawrence (“National Security”). Newcomers to the franchise include screenwriters Ron Shelton (“Play it to the Bone,” “Hollywood Homicide”), John Lee Hancock (“Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”) and novelist Jerry Stahl (“Permanent Midnight”) as well as actors Gabrielle Union (“Cradle 2 the Grave”), Joe Pantoliano (“Daredevil”), Gino Salvano (“All About the Benjamins”) and Yul Vazquez (“Traffic”). Scope. July 18. Sony.   Don’t Tempt Me Spanish-, English- and French-language comedy about a land battle between Heaven and Hell over the soul of a popular boxer. Written and directed by Agustín Díaz Yanes. With Penélope Cruz (“Waking Up in Reno,” “Masked & Anonymous”), Gael Garcia Bernal (“The Crime of Father Amaro”), Victoria Abril (“101 Reykjavík”), Demián Bichir (“Santitos”) and Fanny Ardant (“8 Women”). Also known as “Sin Noticias de Dios.” Scope. 95 min. July 11. First Look.   Garage Days Australian comedy, set in Sydney, about a struggling garage band determined to succeed in the cutthroat world of rock & roll. Directed by Alex Proyas (“The Crow,” “Dark City”) from a screenplay by Proyas (“Dark City”), Dave Warner and Michael Udesky. With Kick Gurry, Maya Stange (“XX/XY”), Pia Miranda (“Queen of the Damned”), Chris Sadrinna, Brett Stiller, Russell Dykstra (“Lantana”), Yvette Duncan (“Praise”) and Marton Csokas (“Kangaroo Jack”). 105 min. R: Strong sexual content; drug use; language. July 18 limited. Fox Searchlight.   The Housekeeper French-language comedy, set in Paris and on the beaches of Normandy, about a lonely fiftysomething sound engineer who unexpectedly forms a close bond with the women he hires to take care of his apartment. Based on the novel by Christian Oster. Written and directed by Claude Berri (“Germinal,” “Lucie Aubrac”). With Jean-Pierre Bacri (“The Taste of Others”), Catherine Breillat, Émilie Dequenne (“Brotherhood of the Wolf”), Brigitte Catillon (“Merci pour le Chocolat”), Jacques Frantz and Axelle Abbadie. Also known as “Une Femme de Ménage.” 91 min. July 4 limited. Palm.   Johnny English Spy comedy about a rusty secret agent who sets out to catch a sneaky French jewel thief who threatens to topple the queen’s throne. Directed by Peter Howitt (“Sliding Doors,” “AntiTrust”) from a screenplay by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade (“Die Another Day,” “The Italian Job”) and William Davies (“Ghost in the Machine,” “Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde”). With Rowan Atkinson (“Scooby-Doo”), John Malkovich (“Knockaround Guys”), recording artist Natalie Imbruglia (Australian TV’s “Neighbours”), Ben Miller (“Birthday Girl”), Douglas McFerran (“AntiTrust”) and Tim Pigott-Smith (“Gangs of New York”). Flat. 87 min. PG: Comic nudity; some crude humor; language. July 18. Universal.