Volume IV No. 5

A publication of the National Association of Theatre Owners

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Napoleon Dynamite
Comedy, set in rural Idaho, about a gangly high school nerd who, among other things, conspires to help his new best friend defeat a stuck-up coed in an election for student body president. Based on Jared Hess’ short film “Peluca.” Hess makes his feature directorial debut from a screenplay by the husband and wife team of Jared & Jerusha Hess. With Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez (“Kazaam”), Haylie Duff (TV’s “Lizzie McGuire”), Tina Majorino (“Waterworld”), Jon Gries (“The Big Empty”), Sandy Martin (“One Night At McCool’s”), Diedrich Bader (“Eurotrip”), Ellen Dubin (TV’s “Lexx”) and Aaron Ruell. Flat. 86 min. June 11 limited. Fox Searchlight.

 

 

Riddick
Sci-fi actioner, set in the 26th century, about an escaped convict who learns more about his special vision powers as he is drawn into a galactic war with an undead army. Sequel to 2000’s “Pitch Black.” Written and directed by David Twohy (“Imposter,” “Below”). With Vin Diesel (“A Man Apart”), Thandie Newton (“The Truth About Charlie”), Judi Dench (“Die Another Day”), Colm Feore (“Highwaymen”), Karl Urban (“Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”), Nick Chinlund (“Tears of the Sun”) and Alexa Davalos (TV’s “Angel”) as Kyra. Also known as “The Chronicles of Riddick” and “Pitch Black 2.” Scope. June 11. Universal.

 

 

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 (“Cadillac Man”) and Bima Stagg. With Thomas Jane (“Dreamcatcher,” “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. June 11. Newmarket.

 

 

The Story of the Weeping Camel
Mongolian-language drama, set in the desolate Gobi Desert, about a rural community that must recruit a musician from a far-off village for an ancient ritual they hope will save the life of a newborn camel. Written and directed by Byambasuren Davaa & Luigi Falorni. 90 min. PG: Some mild thematic content. June 4 limited. ThinkFilm.

 

 

 

White Chicks
Comedy about two black, male FBI agents who pose as white heiresses to foil a kidnap plot. From the team behind the first two “Scary Movie” installments: director-writer Keenen Ivory Wayans (“A Low Down Dirty Shame”) and writers Marlon & Shawn Wayans (“Don’t Be a Menace”). With Marlon Wayans (“The Ladykillers”), Shawn Wayans (the “Scary Movie” series), Jaime King (“Bulletproof Monk”), Jessica Cauffiel (“Stuck on You”), Michael Teigen (“A Guy Thing”), Rochelle Aytes and Anne Dudek (“The Human Stain”). June 25. Sony.

 

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,” “Ichii the Killer”), Yui Natsukawa, Michiyo Ookusu, Gadarukanaru Taka (“Warm Water Under a Red Bridge”) and Yuuko Daike (“Fireworks”). R: Strong stylized bloody violence. Miramax.

Kaena
Animated adventure about a teen’s quest to discover why the gigantic tree that cradles her home, situated 100 miles above the planet’s surface, is losing its sap. Directed by Chris Delaporte and Pascal Pinon from a screenplay by Delaporte and Tarik Hamdine. Featuring the voices of Kirsten Dunst, Richard Harris, Anjelica Huston and Keith David. Also known as “Kaena: The Prophecy.” Flat. 91 min. June 4. IDP.

 

 

The Notebook
Romantic drama about an elderly man who reads to his Alzheimer’s-stricken wife the story of their courtship. Based on the novella by Nicholas Sparks (“A Walk to Remember”). Directed by Nick Cassavetes (“She’s so Lovely” “John Q”) from a screenplay by Cassavetes and Jeremy Leven (“Crazy as Hell,” “Alex & Emma”). With Rachel McAdams (“The Hot Chick,” “Mean Girls”), Ryan Gosling (“Murder by Numbers,” “The United States of Leland”), Gena Rowlands (“Taking Lives”), James Garner (“Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood”), Joan Allen (“The Contender”), Heather Wahlquist (“John Q”), James Marsden (“X2”) and Sam Shepard (“Black Hawk Down”). Scope. 121 min. PG-13: Some sexuality. June 25. New Line.

 

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
Sci-fi action thriller, set in 1939, about an inquisitive female reporter who teams up with two pilots to investigate why scientists from all over the world have begun disappearing. Kerry Conran makes his feature directorial debut from his own screenplay. With Gwyneth Paltrow (“Sylvia”), Jude Law (“Cold Mountain”), Angelina Jolie (“Taking Lives”), Bai Ling (“My Baby’s Daddy”), Omid Djalili (“Spy Game”) and Giovanni Ribisi (“Cold Mountain”). June 25. Paramount.

 

The Stepford Wives
Remake of the 1974 thriller about suburban hausfraus who find themselves systematically replaced by more compliant, more fully endowed robots. Based on the novel by Ira Levin (“A Kiss Before Dying,” “Sliver”). Directed by Frank Oz (“In & Out,” “Bowfinger,” “The Score”) from a screenplay by Paul Rudnick (“Isn’t She Great,” “Marci X”). With Nicole Kidman (“Dogville”), Matthew Broderick (“You Can Count On Me”), Christopher Walken (“The Rundown,” “Man On Fire,” “Envy”), Glenn Close (“Le Divorce”), Bette Midler (“What Women Want”), Roger Bart (“The Insider”) and recording artist Faith Hill. Flat. June 11. Paramount.

 

 

The Terminal
Romantic comedy-drama about an Eastern European immigrant who, after the passport issued by his war-torn nation is voided, finds himself having to live in an airport transit lounge – where he falls for a pretty flight attendant. Directed by Steven Spielberg (“Minority Report,” “Catch Me If You Can”) from a screenplay by Sacha Gervasi (“The Big Tease”) and Jeff Nathanson (“Rush Hour 2,” “Catch Me If You Can”). With Tom Hanks (“The Ladykillers”), Catherine Zeta-Jones (“Intolerable Cruelty”), Chi McBride (“Cradle 2 the Grave”), Stanley Tucci (“The Core”), Diego Luna (“Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights”) and Zoe Saldana (“Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”). June 18. DreamWorks.

 

 

You’ll Get Over It
French-language drama, originally made for French TV, about a 16-year-old homosexual whose life unravels and transforms as he comes out of the closet. Directed by Fabrice Cazeneuve from a screenplay by Vincent Molina. With Julien Baumgartner, Julia Maraval (“Ronin”), François Comar, Jérémie Elkaïm (“Come Undone”), Patrick Bonnel and Christiane Millet (“The Adventures of Felix”). Also known as “À Cause d’un Garçon.” 90 min. June 18 in New York. Picture This.IFC.

 

 

 

 

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