Volume IV No. 7

A publication of the National Association of Theatre Owners

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Iron Ladies 2
Thai-language comedy about a volleyball team – comprised of homosexuals and transexuals – that decides to reunite after a copycat team appears. Sequel to the 2001 comedy. Returnees include director-screenwriter Youngyooth Thongkonthun and actors Kokkorn Benjathikoon, Anucha Chatkaew, Shiriohana Hongsopon and Giorgio Maiocchi. Newcomers include Sujira Arunpipat, Surapun Chawpaknam and Peter Maiocchi. Also known as “Sa Tree Lex 2.” 100 min. Aug. 13 in New York. Strand.

 

 

Little Black Book
Romantic comedy about a daytime talk show producer who, while pretending to do research for the show, phones her noncommittal boyfrend’s old girlfriends and questions them about past relationships. Directed by Nick Hurran (“Virtual Sexuality,” “Undertaking Betty”) from a screenplay by Elisa Bell (“Vegas Vacation,” “Sleepover”) and Melissa Carter. With Brittany Murphy (“Uptown Girls”), Ron Livingston (“The Cooler”), Holly Hunter (“Thirteen”), Julianne Nicholson (“Seeing Other People”), Rashida Jones (TV’s “Boston Public”), Sharon Lawrence (“Gossip”), Kathy Bates (“About Schmidt”), Rick Overton (“Off the Lip”) and Michael Allman. Aug. 6. Sony.

 

 

Proteus
Documentary about 19th-century artist and biologist Ernst Haeckel, whose early paintings of underwater organisms tested the common philosophy that science and art existed separately. Written and directed by David Lebrun. Flat. 60 min. July 30 in New York; Aug. 27 in Los Angeles. Strand.

 

 

Red Lights
French-language comedy about a pugnacious married couple’s quarrelsome trip to the South of France to collect their offspring. Based on the novel by Georges Simenon (“Monsieur Hire”). Directed by Cédric Kahn (“L’Ennui”) from a screenplay by Kahn, Laurence Ferreira Barbosa and Gilles Marchand (“Harry Is Here to Help”). With Jean-Pierre Darroussin (“The Town is Quiet”), Carole Bouquet (“Wasabi”), Vincent Deniard, Charline Paul and Jean-Pierre Gos (“Demonlover”). Also known as “Feux Rouges.” Flat. 106 min. Aug. 20 limited. Wellspring.

 

 

Tom Dowd & The Language of Music
Documentary about pre-digital recording engineer Tom Dowd, who worked with such famed musicians as Dizzy Gillespie, Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton, Ray Charles and the Allman Brothers. Mark Moormann makes his feature directorial debut. Aug. 13 limited. Palm.

 

Yu-Gi-Oh!
Japanese animated adventure about a teen who unlocks the mystery behind the dangerous Egyptian playing cards that beckon mythological monsters and magical forces. Based on the popular kids’ TV series based on a Japanese comic book. Written and directed by Ryosuke Takahashi. Flat. Aug. 13. Warner Bros.

 

Without a Paddle
Comedy about a trio of friends who embark on a canoe trip in an effort to find $200,000 in hidden treasure. Directed by Steven Brill (“Little Nicky,” “Mr. Deeds”) from a screenplay by Jay Leggett, Mitch Rouse, Harris Goldberg (“Deuce Bigelow,” “The Master of Disguise”) and Tom Nursall (“I’ll Be Home For Christmas”). With Seth Green (“Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed”), Matthew Lillard (“The Perfect Score”), Dax Shepard (“Cheaper by the Dozen”), Burt Reynolds (“Hotel”), Abraham Benrubi (“Open Range”), Antony Starr and Ethan Suplee (“The Butterfly Effect”). Scope. PG-13: Some drug content; sexual material; language; crude humor; some violence. Aug. 20. Paramount.

It’s Easier for a Camel
French- and Italian-language comedy about an overly-privileged woman who finds freedom from her stifling riches in an imaginary world she creates in her mind. Actress Valeria Bruni Tedeschi (“Those Who Love Me Can Take The Train”) makes her directorial debut from a screenplay by Tedeschi, Noémie Lvovsky (“La Sentinelle”) and Agnès de Sacy. With Tedeschi, Chiara Mastroianni (“Carnage”), Jean-Hugues Anglade (“Taking Lives”), Denis Podalydès (“Safe Conduct”), Marysa Borini, Lambert Wilson (“Timeline”) and Emmanuelle Devos (“Read My Lips”). Also known as “Il est Plus Facile Pour un Chameau.” Flat. 116 min. Aug. 13 in New York. New Yorker.

 

 

Open Water
Thriller, based on a true story, about two scuba divers who are accidentally stranded in shark-infested waters after their tour boat leaves without them. Written and directed by Chris Kentis. With Blanchard Ryan (“Super Troopers”), Daniel Travis, Saul Stein (“The Holy Land”) and Estelle Lau. Flat. 79 min. Aug. 6 limited; wider Aug. 20. Lions Gate.

 

 

 

The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Sequel to the 2001 blockbuster, this time about American-bred Genovian royal Mia Thermopolis’ close encounter with arranged marriage. Based on the young adult novels by Meg Cabot (“Boy Meets Girl,” “When Lightning Strikes”). Returnees from part one include director Garry Marshall (“Runaway Bride,” “Raising Helen”), screenwriter Gina Wendkos (“Coyote Ugly”) and actors Anne Hathaway (“Ella Enchanted”) as Mia, Julie Andrews (“That’s Life!”) as Clarisse Renaldi, Hector Elizondo (“Raising Helen”) as Joe, Heather Matarazzo (“Saved!”) as Lilly Moscovitz, Caroline Goodall (“Chasing Liberty”) as Helen Thermopolis and Kathleen Marshall (“Raising Helen”) as Charlotte. Newcomers to the franchise include John Rhys-Davies (the “Lord of the Rings” series) and Callum Blue. Flat. 120 min. Aug. 11. Buena Vista.

 

 

Stander
Drama, based on a true story, about a young South African cop who, disgusted at having to kill rioters in the line of duty, quits the force and embarks upon a life of crime. Directed by Bronwen Hughes (“Forces of Nature”) from a screenplay by Ken Friedman (“Bad Girls”) and Bima Stagg. With Thomas Jane (“The Punisher”), Deborah Unger (“Thirteen”), David O’Hara (“Made”), Dexter Fletcher (“Below”), Marius Weyers (“Bopha!”) and Ashley Taylor. 116 min. R: Violence; language; some sexuality; nudity. Aug. 6 in New York and Los Angeles; wider Aug. 20. Newmarket.

 

 

Warriors of Heaven
& Earth

Mandarin-language epic drama, set in the Gobi desert, about two revered warriors: a renegade Chinese soldier wanted for leading a violent mutiny; and a Japanese emissary, whose one ticket back to Japan is the execution of the Chinese soldier. Directed by He Ping (“Red Firecracker, Green Firecracker”) from a screenplay by Ping and Zhang Rui. With Jiang Wen (“Devils on the Doorstep”), Kiichi Nakai, Wang Zueqi, Zhao Wei (“Shaolin Soccer”), Hasi Bagen and He Tao. Also known as “Tian di Ying Xiong.” Scope. 120 min. R: Violence. Aug. 27. Sony Pictures Classics.

 

 

We Don’t Live Here Anymore
Drama about two couples whose longtime friendship is tested by infidelity. Based on the short stories “Adultery” and “We Don’t Live Here Anymore” by Andre Dubus (“In the Bedroom”). Directed by John Curran (“Praise”) from a screenplay by Larry Gross (“True Crime,” “Crime and Punishment in Suburbia”). With Naomi Watts (“Ned Kelly,” “Untertaking Betty”), Mark Ruffalo (“13 Going On 30,” “Collateral”), Peter Krause (“The Truman Show”), Laura Dern (“I am Sam”), Sam Charles and Haili Page. Also known as “Anymore.” Scope. 103 min. Aug. 13. Warner Independent Pictures.

 

Zelary
Czech-language drama, set during the German occupation of the Czech Republic, about a young nurse who forms a unique bond with a rural mountain-man – whose life she saves with her blood. Based on the novel by Kveta Legatova. Directed by Ondrej Trojan from a screenplay by Petr Jarchovsky. With Anna Geislerova, György Cserhalmi, Jaroslava Adamova, Miroslav Donutil and Jaroslav Dusek (“Divided We Fall”). Flat. 148 min. Aug. 27. Sony Pictures Classics.

 

Zatoichi
Japanese-language actioner, set in the 19th century, about a blind, nomadic master swordsman who runs afoul of a ruthless gang leader’s henchmen. Based on the series of novels by Kan Shimozawa. Written and directed by Takeshi Kitano (“Kikujiro,” “Brother”). With Kitano (“Brother”), Tadanobu Asano (“Taboo”), Yui Natsukawa, Michiyo Ookusu, Gadarukanaru Taka (“Warm Water Under a Red Bridge”) and Yuuko Daike (“Fireworks”). R: Strong stylized bloody violence. July 16 in New York and Los Angeles. Miramax.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Alien vs. Predator" – "Hero"

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