Volume III No. 5

A publication of the National Association of Theatre Owners

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Once Upon a Time in the Midlands
Comedy, set in contemporary Nottingham, England, about a Scottish criminal who decides to visit his ex-wife after he spots her turning down a marriage proposal on a live, nationally televised confessional show. The “TwentyFourSeven”-”Room For Romeo Brass” team of writer-director Shane Meadows and screenwriter Paul Fraser reunite. With Robert Carlyle (“Formula 51”), Rhys Ifans (“Formula 51”), Kathy Burke (“Love, Honor and Obey”), Shirley Henderson (“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” “Hypnotic”), Ricky Tomlinson (“Formula 51”) and Finn Atkins. 104 min. June 20 in New York and Los Angeles. Sony Pictures Classics.

Rugrats Go Wild
Animated comedy-adventure about what happens when a cruise ship carrying the cast of “Rugrats” crashes into an island deserted by all save the cast of “The Wild Thornberrys.” The third installment of the “Rugrats” movie series and the second of the “Thornberrys” movie series. Directed by Norton Virgien (“The Rugrats Movie”) and John Eng (TV’s “Duckman” series) from a screenplay by Kate Boutilier (“Rugrats in Paris: The Movie,” “The Wild Thornberrys Movie”). Featuring the voices of Nancy Cartwright, Lacey Chabert, Tim Curry, E.G. Daily and Danielle Harris. Bruce Willis voices Spike the dog. Scope. 84 min. June 13. Paramount.

Valentin
Spanish-language drama, set in 1960s Argentina, about a 10-year-old whose father uses him to attract women, and what happens when the boy connects with one of his dad’s girlfriends. Written and directed by Alejandro Agresti. With Agresti, Julieta Cardinali, Carmen Maura (“Alice and Martin”), Jean Pierre Noher, Mex Urtizberea and Rodrigo Noya. Flat. 86 min. June 27 in New York and Los Angeles; wider July 2. Miramax.

Prozac Nation
Drama, set in the mid-1980s, about a writer who uses a journalism scholarship to attend Harvard, where she battles an acute depression that eventually lands her in therapy as a prime Prozac candidate. Based on the memoir by Elizabeth Wurtzel. Directed by Erik Skjoldbjaerg (the Norwegian version of “Insomnia”) from a screenplay by Larry Gross (“Crime and Punishment in Suburbia”) and Frank Deasy. With Christina Ricci (“Pumpkin”), Anne Heche (“John Q”), Michelle Williams (“Me Without You”), Jason Biggs (“American Pie 2”), Jessica Lange (“Titus”), Nicolas Campbell (“New Waterford”) and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers (“Bend it Like Beckham”). Flat. 99 min. R: Language; drug content; sexuality/nudity; some disturbing images. June 6. Miramax.

2 Fast 2 Furious
Brian O’Connor goes undercover again, this time to take down a shady Miami-based importer-exporter involved in money laundering. A sequel to the 2001 action blockbuster “The Fast and the Furious.” Returnees from part one include Paul Walker (“Joy Ride”) and Thom Barry (“Rules of Engagement”). Newcomers to the series include director John Singleton (“Shaft,” “Baby Boy”), screenwriters Michael Brandt & Derek Haas (the TV movie “Invincible”) and actors Tyrese (“Baby Boy”), Cole Hauser (“Tears of the Sun”), Eva Mendes (“All About the Benjamins”), Matt Gallini (“End of Days”) and Lahmard J. Tate (“Barbershop”). June 6. Universal.

Whale Rider
Contemporary drama, set in rural New Zealand, about a 12-year-old Maori girl who defies her tradition-bound grandfather to secretly train for sacred leadership rituals heretofore reserved for males. Based on the novel by Witi Ihimaera. Written and directed by Niko Caro. With Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene (“Rapa Nui”), Cliff Curtis (“Collateral Damage”), and Taungaroa Emile (“Once Were Warriors”). Scope. 104 min. June 6 in New York and Los Angeles. Newmarket.

Down With Love
Romantic comedy, set in early 1960s New York, about a best-selling advice columnist who finds herself flustered by a playboy journalist. Directed by Peyton Reed (“Bring It On”) from a screenplay by Dennis Drake and Eve Ahlert. With Renée Zellweger (“Chicago”), Ewan McGregor (“Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones”), Sarah Paulson (“What Women Want”), David Hyde Pierce (“Full Frontal”), Tony Randall (“Fatal Instinct”) and John Aylward (“Bad Company”). Scope. PG-13: Sexual humor and dialogue. May 16. Fox.

L'Auberge Espagnole
Multilingual comedy about a young Frenchman who leaves his family and girlfriend behind for a year-long study abroad in Barcelona, Spain – where he moves into an apartment with an odd assortment of Europeans and takes an interest in an alluring doctor’s wife. Written and directed by Cédric Klapisch (“Un Air de Famille,” “When the Cat’s Away,” ). With Romain Duris (“CQ”), Audrey Tautou (“He Loves Me … He Loves Me Not”), Judith Godrèche (“The Man in the Iron Mask”), and Kelly Reilly (“Last Orders”). Also known as “Euro Pudding.” 116 min. May 16 limited. Fox Searchlight.

The Three Marias
Portuguese-language drama, set in early 1970s Brazil, about a wealthy aristocrat who seeks bloody revenge after his fiancée abandons him for his worst enemy. Directed by Aluisio Abranches from a screenplay by Heitor Dalia and Wilson Freire. With Tuca Andrada, Cassiano Carneiro, Enrique Díaz, Taveira Júnior, Júlia Lemmertz and Wagner Moura (“Behind the Sun”). Also known as “As Três Marias.” Flat. 90 min. May 30. Empire.

 

Gigantic: A Tale of Two Johns
Documentary about John Flansburgh and John Linnell, collectively known as the 20-year-old Brooklyn-based alternative-pop band They Might Be Giants. Directed by AJ Schnack. Featuring appearances by Janeane Garofalo, Conan O’Brien, Jon Stewart, Frank Black, and Michael McKean. Flat. 102 min. May 9 in New York and Los Angeles. Cowboy.

 

The Man on the Train
French-language drama about two people – a retired poetry teacher and an aging criminal – who meet in a pharmacy and become unlikely friends. Directed by Patrice Leconte (“Girl on the Bridge,” “The Widow of Saint-Pierre”) from a screenplay by Claude Klotz (“The Hairdresser’s Husband”). With Jean Rochefort (“The Closet”), Johnny Hallyday, Charlie Nelson (“On Guard”), Pascal Parmentier (“The Truth About Charlie”), and Isabelle Petit-Jacques (“Girl on the Bridge”). Also known as “L’Homme du Train.” Scope. 90 min. R: Some language; brief violence. May 9 limited. Paramount Classics.

 

 

 

 

"Alex & Emma"- "Love the Hard Way"

 

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