Volume V No. 7

A publication of the National Association of Theatre Owners

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Asylum
Drama, set in the 1950s, about a psychiatrist’s wife who falls for a murderous inmate of her husband’s maximum-security hospital for the criminally insane. Based on the novel by Patrick McGrath. Directed by David Mackenzie (“Young Adam”) from a screenplay by Patrick Marber (“Closer”). With Natasha Richardson (“Maid in Manhattan”), Marton Csokas (“Kingdom of Heaven”), Ian McKellan (the “Lord of the Rings” series), Sean Harris (“24 Hour Party People”), Joss Ackland (“K19: The Widowmaker”) and Hugh Bonneville (“Stage Beauty”). R: Strong sexuality; some violence; brief language. Scope. 96 min. Aug. 19. Paramount Classics.

 

 

Broken Flowers
Romantic comedy about a staunchly single man who, after receiving a letter suggesting he may have a son, goes on a cross-country journey to visit his past loves. Written and directed by Jim Jarmusch (“Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai,” “Coffee and Cigarettes”). With Bill Murray (“The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou”), Alexis Dziena (“Wonderland”), Pell James (“Uptown Girls,” “Undiscovered”), Jessica Lange (“Big Fish”), Chloë Sevigny (“Melinda and Melinda”), Sharon Stone (“Catwoman”) and Tilda Swinton (“Constantine”). Flat. 107 min. Aug. 5. Focus.

 

 

The Chumscrubber
Comedy-drama, set in a drug-saturated suburban neighborhood, about a high school loner who discovers his purpose in life when another student is kidnapped. Directed by Arie Posin from a screenplay by Zac Stanford. With Jamie Bell (“Undertow”), Camilla Belle (“The Ballad of Jack & Rose”), Glenn Close (“The Stepford Wives”), Ralph Fiennes (“Maid in Manhattan”), Carrie-Anne Moss (“Suspect Zero”), Rory Culkin (“Mean Creek”), Caroline Goodall (“The Princess Diaries 2”), Lauren Holly (“What Women Want”), Allison Janney (“How to Deal”) and Rita Wilson (“Raise Your Voice”). Scope. 107 min. Aug. 26. Newmarket.

 

 

The Dukes of Hazzard
Comedy, based on the popular 1979-1985 CBS TV series, about a pair of car-crazy country cousins who decide to bring down their primary adversaries, Hazzard County’s corrupt politicians. The “Super Troopers”-”Club Dread” team of writer-director Jay Chandrasekhar and screenwriters Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter & Erik Stolhanske reunite. John O’Brien (“Starsky & Hutch”) and Jonathan Davis also contributed to the screenplay. With Seann William Scott (“The Rundown”) as Bo, Johnny Knoxville (“Lords of Dogtown”) as Luke, Jessica Simpson (TV's “Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica”) as Daisy, Burt Reynolds (“The Longest Yard”) as Boss Hogg, M.C. Gainey (“Are We There Yet?”) as Sheriff Coltrane, David Koechner (“Anchorman,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”) as Cooter and Willie Nelson (“The Big Bounce”) as Uncle Jesse. Also with Joe Don Baker (“Joe Dirt”) and Lynda Carter (“Super Troopers”). Scope. Aug. 5. Warner Bros.

 

Four Brothers
Drama about four brothers of varied ethnic backgrounds who reunite at their adoptive mother’s funeral, then come to believe that she might have been murdered. John Singleton (“Baby Boy,” “2 Fast 2 Furious”) directs from a screenplay by David Elliot (“The Watcher”) and Paul Lovett. With Mark Wahlberg (“I Heart Huckabees”), André Benjamin (“Be Cool”), Sofia Vergara (“Lords of Dogtown”), Garrett Hedlund (“Friday Night Lights”), Tyrese Gibson (“Flight of the Phoenix”), Josh Charles (“S.W.A.T.”), Terrence Dashon Howard (“Ray,” “Hustle & Flow”). Fionnula Flanagan (“Tears of the Sun”) and Ravina Dax. Scope. Aug. 12. Paramount.

 

 

Grizzly Man
Documentary about an activist who left the human world behind and spent 14 summers living among the grizzlies in Alaska – until he and another were killed there in 2003. Directed by Werner Herzog (“Invincible,” “My Best Fiend”). With Tim Treadwell and Amie Huguenard. Flat. 103 min. R: Language. Aug. 5. Lions Gate.

 

The Aristocrats
Documentary featuring dozens of comedians telling customized versions of the same famously filthy vaudeville joke. Comedian Paul Provenza makes his feature directorial debut from a concept by comedian-magician Penn Jillette. Featuring, among many others, Jillette, Jason Alexander, Lewis Black, Drew Carey, George Carlin, Billy Connolly, Andy Dick, Carrie Fisher, Whoopi Goldberg, Gilbert Gottfried, Dana Gould, Eric Idle, Eddie Izzard, Jake Johanssen, Richard Lewis, Bill Maher, Merrill Markoe, Michael McKean, Larry Miller, Rick Overton, Tom & Dick Smothers, Trey Parker & Matt Stone, Paul Reiser, Don Rickles, Chris Rock, Rita Rudner, Bob Saget, Sarah Silverman, Jon Stewart, Fred Willard, Robin Williams and Steven Wright. Flat. July 29. ThinkFilm.

 

 

 

The Baxter
Comedy about two nerve-wracking weeks leading up to a bachelor’s wedding. Actor-screenwriter Michael Showalter (“Wet Hot American Summer”) makes his feature directorial debut from his own script. With Showalter, Elizabeth Banks (“Heights” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”), Justin Theroux (“Duplex”), Michael Ian Black (“Wet Hot American Summer”), Peter Dinklage (“Elf”), Michelle Williams (“Imaginary Heroes”), Zak Orth (“Melinda and Melinda”) and Paul Rudd (“Anchorman,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”). PG-13: Brief sexual humor; some drug references. Flat. Aug. 12. IFC.

 

 

The Cave
Action adventure about a group of experienced divers who become trapped underwater and must battle cave creatures for survival. Second unit director Bruce Hunt (“Dark City,” “The Matrix”) makes his 1st-unit directorial debut from a screenplay by Michael Steinberg (“Sleep with Me”) and Tegan West. With Cole Hauser (“Paparazzi”), Piper Perabo (“Cheaper by the Dozen”), Morris Chestnut (“Ladder 49”), Eddie Cibrian (“Say It Isn’t So”), Daniel Dae Kim (“Crash”) and Rick Ravanello (“Hart’s War”). PG-13: Intense creature violence. Aug. 26. Sony.

 

 

Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo
Deuce travels to Amsterdam, where pimp T.J. tricks him into a return to life as a “man-whore.” Returnees from the 1999 comedy “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo” include actor-screenwriter Rob Schneider (“The Hot Chick”) and actor Eddie Griffin (“My Baby’s Daddy”). Newcomers include director Mike Bigelow, screenwriters David Garrett & Jason Ward (“Corky Romano”), and actors Fred Armisen (“Anchorman”), Til Schweiger (“King Arthur”), Douglas Sills (“Funny About Love”) and Jeroen Krabbe (“Ocean’s Twelve”). Flat. Aug. 12. Sony.

 

The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Comedy about a geeky, middle-aged electronics-store clerk (and owner of an extraordinary collection of poseable action figures) whose worldly co-workers learn of his virginity and – appalled – determine to help him to shed it. Longtime TV writer-director Judd Apatow (“The Larry Sanders Show,” “Freaks and Geeks,” “Undeclared”) makes his feature directorial debut from a script by Apatow and Steve Carell (TV’s “The Daily Show”). With Carell (“Melinda and Melinda,” “Bewitched”), Catherine Keener (“The Interpreter”), Paul Rudd (“Anchorman,” “The Baxter”), Seth Rogan (“Anchorman”), Romany Malco (“The Tuxedo”), Jane Lynch (“Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events”), Elizabeth Banks (“Heights,” “The Baxter”), Kat Dennings (“Raise Your Voice”), David Koechner (“Anchorman,” “The Dukes of Hazzard”), Leslie Mann (“Stealing Harvard”), Nancy Walls (“Anger Management”) and Shelley Malil (“Holes”). Flat. Aug. 19. Universal.

 

 

Games of Love and Chance
French-language drama, set in Paris, about a poor but smitten teen who agrees to take part in a theatrical production in order to get closer to its vain leading lady. Directed by Abdellatif Kechiche from a script by Kechiche and Ghalia Lacroix. With Osman Elkharraz, Sara Forestier, Sabrina Ouazani, Nanou Benhamou, Hafen Ben-Ahmed, Aurélie Ganito, Hajar Hamlili and Rachid Hami. Also known as “L’Esquive.” Flat. 123 min. Aug. 26. New Yorker.

 

Guys & Balls
German-language comedy about a young soccer player who – banned from his team because of his sexual preference – forms a new, all-homosexual team to take on his old team in a grudge match. Directed by Sherry Horman from a script by Benedikt Gollhardt. With Maximilian Brückner, Lisa Maria Potthoff and Rolf Zacher. Aug. 12. Regent.

 

 

 

 

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