Volume IV No. 6

A publication of the National Association of Theatre Owners

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Intimate Strangers
French-language drama, set in Paris, about a woman who forms a relationship with a tax attorney after she mistakenly ends up in his office rather than a psychiatrist’s. Directed by Patrice Leconte (“The Widow of Saint-Pierre,” “The Man on the Train”) from a screenplay by Jerome Tonnerre (“Bon Voyage”). With Sandrine Bonnaire (“East/West”), Fabrice Luchini (“On Guard’), Michel Duchaussoy (“La Mentale The Code”), Anne Brochet (“All the Mornings of the World”), Gilbert Melki (“Monsieur Ibrahim”) and Laurent Gamelon (“The Closet”). 104 min. July 28 limited. Paramount Classics.

 

King Arthur
Period drama about how King Arthur decided to consolidate his power – with the guidance of a former enemy named Merlin – after he came to realize the Roman Empire’s dominion over England was nearing its end. Directed by Antoine Fuqua (“Training Day,” “Tears of the Sun”) from a screenplay by John Lee Hancock (“The Alamo”) and David Franzoni (“Gladiator”). With Clive Owen (“Beyond Borders”) as Arthur, Stephen Dillane (“The Hours”) as Merlin, Keira Knightley (“Love Actually”) as Guinevere, Stellan Skarsgård (“Dogville”) as Cedric, Hugh Dancy (“Ella Enchanted”) as Galahad, Ioan Gruffudd (“Black Hawk Down”) as Lancelot, Mads Mikkelsen (“Wilbur Wants To Kill Himself”) as Tristan, Til Schweiger (“Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life”) as Cynric, Charlie Creed-Miles (“The Fifth Element”) as Ganis, Ken Stott (“I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead”) as Marcus Honorius, Ivano Marescotti (“The Talented Mr. Ripley”), Pat Kinevane (“Ella Enchanted”) as Horton and Ray Winstone (“Cold Mountain”) as Bors. Scope. July 7. Buena Vista.

 

L.A. Twister
Comedy, set in Los Angeles, about the harebrained journey two friends embark upon to get their film made in Hollywood. Sven Pape makes his feature directorial debut from a screenplay by Geoffrey Saville-Read. With Tony Daly, Zack Ward (“Freddy Vs. Jason”), Sarah Thompson (“Malibu’s Most Wanted”), Jennifer Aspen (“The Others”), Colleen Camp (“Trapped”) and Susan Blakely (“Dream a Little Dream”). Flat. 92 min. July 16. Indican.

Maria Full of Grace
Spanish-language drama about a rural Colombian teen who seeks to escape her life of impoverishment by acting as a “mule,” smuggling packets of drugs to New York by hiding them inside her body. Written and directed by Joshua Marston. With Catalina Sandino Moreno, Yenny Paola Vega, Guilied Lopez, Jhon Alex Toro, Orlando Tobon and Patricia Rae. Also known as “Maria, Ilena Eres de Gracia.” Flat. 101 min. R: Drug content; language. July 16. HBO/Fine Line.

 

 

 

Monsieur N.
French-language mystery thriller, set in the early 19th century, exploring the supposition that the exiled emperor Napoleon faked his own death and somehow escaped his exile on St. Helena Island. Directed by Antoine de Caunes from a screenplay by René Manzor (“Highlander III”). With Philippe Torreton (“It All Starts Today”), Richard E. Grant (“Gosford Park,” “Bright Young Things”), Jay Rodan (“The Triumph of Love”), Elsa Zylberstein (“Time Regained”) and Roschdy Zem (“My Wife is an Actress”). 120 min. July 23. Empire.

 

Off The Map
Coming-of-age drama, set in rural New Mexico’s high desert during the 1970s, about an 11-year-old who witnesses her father’s harrowing struggle with depression. Based on the play by Joan Ackerman. Directed by Campbell Scott (“Big Night,” “Final”) from a screenplay by Ackerman. With J.D. Hawkins, Sam Elliott (“Hulk”), Joan Allen (“The Contender,” “The Notebook,” “The Bourne Supremacy”), Amy Brenneman (“The Suburbans”), J.K. Simmons (“The Ladykillers,” “Spider-Man 2”), Kevin Skousen (“The Hand That Rocks the Cradle”), Jim True-Frost (“Affliction”) and Valentina de Angelis. 105 min. PG-13: Nudity; thematic elements. July 16. Manhattan.

 

Rosenstrasse
German- and English-language drama, based on a true story of World War II Berlin, about a group of gentile women who fought to prevent their Jewish husbands from being deported, fearful that the men would face extermination if they left the city. Directed by Margarethe von Trotta (“The Promise”) from a screenplay by Von Trotta and Pamela Katz. With Katja Riemann (“The Harmonists”), Maria Schrader (“Aimée & Jaguar”), Martin Feifel, Jürgen Vogel (“Good Bye, Lenin!”), Jutta Lampe and Doris Schade (“Beyond Silence”). 136 min. July 30. IDP.

A Home at the End of the World
Drama, set in New York, about two best friends who fall into a love triangle with an older woman. Based on the novel by Michael Cunningham (“The Hours”). Directed by Michael Mayer from a screenplay by Cunningham. With Colin Farrell (“Intermission”), Robin Wright Penn (“The Singing Detective”), Sissy Spacek (“Tuck Everlasting”), Ryan Donowho (“The Mudge Boy”), Matt Frewer (“Dawn of the Dead”) and Dallas Roberts. R: Strong drug content; sexuality; nudity; language; a disturbing accident. July 23. Warner Independent Pictures.

 

I, Robot
Sci-fi actioner, set in 2050, about a detective trying to solve a murder apparently committed by a robot whose hardwired programming would not allow it to murder. Based on the anthology “I, Robot” by Isaac Asimov (“Bicentennial Man”). Directed by Alex Proyas (“Dark City,” “Garage Days”) from a screenplay by Jeff Vintar (“Final Fantasy”) and Akiva Goldsman (“A Beautiful Mind”). With Will Smith (“Bad Boys II”), Bridget Moynahan (“The Recruit”), Alan Tudyk (“Hearts in Atlantis,” “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story”), Chi McBride (“Paid in Full,” “Terminal”), Bruce Greenwood (“Hollywood Homicide”) and James Cromwell (“The Sum of All Fears”). Scope. July 16. Fox.

 

Last Life in the Universe
Thai- and Japanese-language drama about an ex-Yakuza Japanese librarian hiding in Bangkok to escape his dangerous past. Directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang from a screenplay by Ratanaruang and Prabda Yoon. With Asano Tadanobu, Sinitta Boonyasak, Laila Boonyasak, Matsushige Yutaka (“Godzilla 2000”) and Riki Takeuchi. Also known as “Ruang Rak Noi Nid Mahasan.” 112 min. July 23. Palm.

 

 

The Manchurian Candidate
Remake of the 1962 political thriller about a prisoner of war brainwashed by a foreign government into an unwitting assassin. Based on the 1959 novel by Richard Condon (“Prizzi’s Honor”). Directed by Jonathan Demme (“Beloved,” “The Truth About Charlie,” “The Agronomist”) from a screenplay by Daniel Pyne (“The Sum of All Fears”) and Dean Georgaris (“Paycheck”). With Denzel Washington (“Man on Fire”), Liev Schreiber (“The Sum of All Fears”), Meryl Streep (“The Hours”), Kimberly Elise (“John Q”), Jon Voight (“Holes”), Jeffrey Wright (“Ali”), Vera Farmiga (“Dummy”), Adam LeFevre (“Dummy”), Ted Levine (“Wonderland”), Charles Napier (“Nutty Professor II: The Klumps”), Dean Stockwell (“Buffalo Soldiers”), Anthony Mackie (“Hollywood Homicide,” “She Hate Me”) and Jude Ciccolella (“Daredevil,” “The Terminal”). July 30. Paramount.

 

 

Metallica: Some Kind of Monster
Documentary about the 23-year-old heavy-metal band Metallica, whose contentious members – under pressure from their record company – sought group therapy to keep the band together long enough to finish its long-in-the-works “St. Anger” album. The “Brother’s Keeper” writing-directing team of Joe Berlinger (“Paradise Lost,” “Blair Witch 2”) and Bruce Sinofsky reunite. 120 min. July 9 limited. IFC.16. Warner Bros.

 

 

 

My Wife Maurice
French-language romantic comedy about a gigolo whose promiscuous lifestyle becomes cramped by his wealthy, hard-nosed wife and his seethingly jealous mistress. Based on the play by Raffy Shart. Directed by Jean-Marie Poiré (the “Visitors” series) from a screenplay by Poiré and Shart. With Alice Evans (“102 Dalmations”), Régis Laspalès, Philippe Chevallier, Götz Otto (“Tomorrow Never Dies”), Anémone (“Marquise”), Martin Lemotte (“Beaumarchais the Scoundrel”) and Guy Marchand (“Beaumarchais the Scoundrel”). Also known as “Ma Femme S’Appelle Maurice.” 98 min. July 16. TLA.

 

Riding Giants
Documentary exploring the history and origins of surfing. Directed by Stacy Peralta (“Dogtown and Z-Boys”). Written by Peralta and Sam George. Featuring interviews with and footage of professional surfers Darrick Doerner, Laird John Hamilton and Dave Kalama. Flat. 101 min. PG-13: Brief strong language. July 9. Sony Pictures Classics.

 

 

 

 

"Anchorman" – "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle"

"Seducing Dr. Lewis" – Late Additions to June

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