|
  


Volume
V No. 6
A
publication of the National Association of Theatre Owners
Advertise
in In Focus
©
|
| Murderball
Documentary chronicling the lives of young quadriplegic
athletes who play “murderball,” or quadriplegic
rugby, with hopes of competing in the Paralympics
Games in Athens, Greece. Co-directed by Henry Alex
Rubin and Dana Adam Shapiro. 85 min. July 8 in New
York and Los Angles; wider July 15. ThinkFilm.
|
|
Night
Watch
Episodic Russian-language fantasy-thriller, set
in a present-day Moscow, about a hapless vampire
slayer dealing with an outbreak of evil. Based
on the novel by Sergei Lukyanenko. Directed by
Timur Bekmambetov from a screenplay by Bekmambetov
and Lukyanenko. With Konstantin Khabensky, Vladimir
Menshov, Valeri Zolotukhin, Mariya Poroshina, Galina
Tyunina, Yuri Kutsenko, Aleksei Chadov, Zhanna
Friske, Ilya Lagutenko, Viktor Verzhbitsky, Rimma
Markova and Mariya Mironova. Also known as “Nochnoy
dozor.” R: Strong violence; disturbing images;
language.
July 29 limited. Fox Searchlight.
|
|
November
Drama about a Los Angeles photographer struggling
with the loss of her husband, who was shot in a
convenience store. Directed by Greg Harrison (“Groove”)
from a screenplay by Benjamin Brand. With Courteney
Cox Arquette (“Scream 3”), Anne Archer
(“Man of the House”), James LeGros
(“World Traveler”), Michael Ealy (“Barbershop
2: Back in Business”), Nick Offerman (“Cursed”),
Matthew Carey (“Imaginary Heroes”)
and Nora Dunn (“Laws of Attraction”).
98 min. R: Violence; language. July 22 in New York
and Los Angeles. Sony Pictures Classics.

|
|
Saraband
Swedish-language sequel to 1973’s “Scenes From A Marriage,” this
time about a lawyer who decides to visit the ex-husband she left 32 years earlier – a
man mired in the difficulties of his new family. Returnees from “Scenes” include
writer-director Ingmar Bergman (“Fanny and Alexander”), as well as
actors Liv Ullman (“Mindwalk”) as Marianne and Erland Josephson (“Faithless”)
as Johan. Newcomers to the series include Börje Ahlstedt (“Best Intentions”)
and Julia Dufvenius. 107 min. R: Brief nudity; language; a violent image. July
8 in New York and Los Angeles. Sony Pictures Classics.

|
Sky
High
Comedy about a freshman attending a high school for superheroes – despite
the fact that he inherited none of his parents’ superpowers. Directed by
Mike Mitchell (“Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigalo,” “Surviving Christmas”)
from a screenplay by Jonathan Aibel (TV’s “King of the Hill”),
Paul Hernandez and Mark McCorkle & Robert Schooley (TV’s “Kim
Possible”). With Michael Angarano (“The Dust Factory,” “Lords
of Dogtown”), Kurt Russell (“Miracle,” “Jiminy Glick
in La La Wood”), Kelly Preston (“Eulogy”), Bruce Campbell (“Spider-Man
2”), Dave Foley (“My Boss’ Daughter”), Kevin McDonald
(“The Ladies Man”), Cloris Leachman (“The Longest Yard”),
Danielle Panabaker (“Surviving Christmas”), Mary Elizabeth Winstead
(“The Ring 2”), Steven Straight, Nicholas Braun, and Lynda Carter
(“Super Troopers,” “The Dukes of Hazzard”) as Principal
Powers. July 29. Buena Vista.

|
Summer
Storm
German-language coming-of-age drama, set in a German
summer camp, about a teen who comes to realize
he is homosexually attracted to his best friend
and rowing teammate. Directed by Marco Kreuzpaintner
from a screenplay by Thomas Bahmann and Kreuzpaintner.
With Robert Stadlober (“Enemy at the Gates”),
Jürgen Tonkel (“The Downfall”),
Alicja Bachleda-Curus, Tristano Casanova, Kostja
Ullmann, Miriam Morgenstern and Marlon Kittel.
Also known as “Sommersturm.” 97 min.
July 22. Regent.

|
|
Julie
Johnson
Drama about a thirtysomething housewife and high-school
dropout who decides to pursue an education, kick
out her disapproving husband, and contemplate a
lesbian affair with her best friend. Based on the
play by Wendy Hammond. Directed by Bob Gosse (“Niagra,
Niagra”) from a screenplay by Gosse and Hammond.
With Lili Taylor (“High Fidelity”),
Courtney Love (“Man on the Moon”),
Mischa Barton (“Lost and Delirious”),
Noah Emmerich (“Cellular”), Spalding
Gray (“Kate & Leopold”) and Gideon
Jacobs (“Mr. Deeds,” “House of
D”). 94 min. July 8. Regent.

|
Must
Love Dogs
Comedy about a divorced 40-year-old preschool
teacher who, dateless for more than two years,
jump-starts her romantic life by taking out a
classified ad. Based on the novel by Claire Cook
(“Ready to Fall”). Written and directed
by Gary David Goldberg (“Dad”). With
Diane Lane (“Under the Tuscan Sun”),
John Cusack (“Identity”), Dermot
Mulroney (“The Wedding Date”), Elizabeth
Perkins (“The Ring Two,” “Jiminy
Glick in La La Wood”), Stockard Channing
(“Le Divorce”), Brad Hanke (“The
Assassination of Richard Nixon,” “Me
and You and Everyone We Know”) and Julie
Gonzalo (“Christmas with the Kranks”).
July 29. Warner Bros.

|
9
Songs
Romantic drama, set in London, about an American
student who finds herself attracted to a British
research geologist who shares her passion for
live music. Written and directed by Michael Winterbottom
(“24 Hour Party People,” “Code
46”). With Kieran O’Brien (“24
Hour Party People”) and Margot Stilley.
Also with appearances by The Dandy Wharhols,
Franz Ferdinand and Elbow. 69 min. July 22. Tartan.

|
Rebound
Comedy
about a college basketball coach who, having
behaved badly at a game, is reduced to coaching
a junior high school team. Directed by Steve
Carr (“Dr. Dolittle 2,” “Daddy
Day Care”) from a screenplay by Ed Decter & John
Strauss (“The Santa Clause 2,” “The
Lizzie McGuire Movie”), William Wolff
(TV’s “G vs E”), Scott Moore
and Jon Lucas. With Martin Lawrence (“Bad
Boys II”), Patrick Warburton (“Men
in Black II”), Horatio Sanz (“Boat
Trip”), Steven Anthony Lawrence (“Kicking & Screaming”),
Oren Williams (“The Players Club”),
Tara Mercurio (“Daddy Day Care”),
Amy Bruckner (TV’s “Phil of the
Future”), Alia Shawkat (“Three
Kings”) and Fred Stoller (“Daddy
Day Care”). Flat. PG: Mild language;
thematic elements. July 1. Fox.

|
Shoujyo:
The Adolescent
Japanese-language romantic comedy about a quirky, adventurous 17-year-old girl
who becomes infatuated with a young local policeman. Eiji Okuda makes his feature
directorial debut from a screenplay by Katsuhiko Manabe and Izuru Narushima.
With Okuda, Hideo Murota (“Heaven and Earth”), Mayu Ozawa, Akira
Shoji and Mari Natsuki. Scope. 122 min. July 1. Indican.
|
Stealth
Actioner about a battle-savvy group of pilots on a mission to destroy a deadly
robotic craft before it can precipitate a third world war. Directed by Rob
Cohen (“The Fast and the Furious,” “XXX”) from a
screenplay by Cohen and W.D. Richter (“Needful Things,” “Home
for the Holidays”). With Josh Lucas (“Around the Bend”),
Jessica Biel (“Blade: Trinity”), Jamie Foxx (“Ray”),
Richard Roxburgh (“Van Helsing”), Ian Bliss (the “Matrix” series),
Jason Chan (TV’s “Power Rangers: Ninja Force”), Sam Shepard
(“The Notebook”), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (“Winter Solstice”)
and Joe Morton (“Paycheck”). July 29. Sony.

|
Undead
Australian comedy-thriller, set in a small fishing
village outside Queensland, about a meteor shower
that transforms much of the local populace into
flesh-craving zombies. Twins Michael and Peter
Spierig write and direct. With Robyn Moore (“Race
the Sun”), Felicity Mason, Mungo McKay, Rob
Jenkins, Lisa Cunningham, Emma Randall and Steve
Grieg. 104 min. R: Strong violence and gore; language.
July 1. Lions Gate.
|
|
|