A publication of the National Association of Theatre Owners

Advertise in In Focus

©

Zathura Loose sequel to the 1995 thriller “Jumanji,” this time introducing an intergalactic board game that integrates itself into the players’ reality. Based on the novel by Chris Van Allsburg (“Jumanji,” “The Polar Express”). Directed by Jon Favreau (“Made,” “Elf”) from a screenplay by John Kamps (“The Borrowers”) and David Koepp (“Spider-Man,” “Secret Window”). With Tim Robbins (“War of the Worlds”), Josh Hutcherson (“Kicking & Screaming,” “Little Manhattan”), Kristen Stewart (“Undertow”), Dax Shepard (“Without a Paddle”) and Jonah Bobo (“Around the Bend”). Flat. PG: Fantasy action and peril; some language. Nov. 11. Sony.     April’s Shower Comedy about a chef trying to host the perfect bridal shower – despite the the secret feelings she harbors for the bride. Trish Doolan makes her feature directorial debut from her own screenplay. With Doolan, Maria Cina (“The Amanti Girls”), Randall Batinkoff (“As Good As It Gets”), Zach Ward (“Resident Evil: Apocalypse”), Molly Cheek (“A Lot Like Love”), Samantha Lemole (“Legally Blonde”), Lara Harris (“Demolition Man”) and Delaina Mitchell (“Vanilla Sky”). Flat. Oct. 7. Regent.     Good Morning, Night Italian-language drama about a conflicted young woman who aids in the 1978 kidnapping and murder of Italian prime minister Aldo Moro. Based on the book by Anna Laura Braghetti and Paola Tavella. Written and directed by Marco Bellocchio. With Maya Sansa (“The Best of Youth”), Luigi Lo Cascio (“The Best of Youth”), Roberto Herlitzka (“It’s Easier For A Camel”) and Giovanni Calcagno. Also known as “Buongiorno, notte.” Flat. 106 min. Oct. 14. Wellspring.     The Gospel Drama about a successful young R&B singer who returns home when his estranged clergyman father turns ill, only to discover that it is up to him to help save the ailing man’s church. Written and directed by Rob Hardy (“Trois”). With Boris Kodjoe (“Brown Sugar”), Keisha Knight Pulliam (“Beauty Shop”), Omar Gooding (“Baby Boy”), Nona Gaye (“XXX: State of the Union”) and Clifton Powell (“Ray”). Flat. PG: Thematic elements including suggestive material; mild language. Oct. 7 limited. Sony.     Little Manhattan Drama, set in New York City, about an 11-year-old who develops a crush on a slightly older girl he meets in karate class. Screenwriter Mark Levin makes his feature directorial debut from a screenplay by “Madeline”-”Wimbledon” writing partner Jennifer Flackett. With Charlie Ray, Josh Hutcherson (“Kicking & Screaming,” “Zathura”), Bradley Whitford (“Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”), Paul Borghese (“Perfect Lies”), Josh Pais (“It Runs in the Family”), Willie Garson (“Just Like Heaven”), Tonye Patano (“The Hurricane”), and Cynthia Nixon (“Igby Goes Down”). Scope. PG: Mild thematic elements; language; brief action. 90 min. Oct. 28. Fox.     Overture Thai-language period drama about a revered master musician who pursues his career against a backdrop of Thailand’s tumultuous political change. Directed by Ittisoontorn Vichailak from a screenplay by Vichailak, Peerasak Saksiri and Dolkamok Sattatip. With Anuchit Sapanpong, Sumeth Ong-ard, Phoovarit Phumpuang and Chumphorn Thepphithak. Also known as “Hom Rong.” Flat. 104 min. Oct. 7 in San Francisco. Kino.   Saw II The sadistic Jigsaw turns his attention to a new set of victims, and his elaborate, brutal murder scenarios attract the attention of a detective named Eric Mason. A sequel to the 2004 horror hit. Returnees from part one include screenwriter Leigh Whannell and actors Dina Meyer (“Star Trek: Nemesis”), Tobin Bell (“Overnight Delivery”) and Shawnee Smith (“The Island”). Newcomers to the franchise include writer-director Darren Lynn Bousman and actors Donnie Wahlberg (“Dreamcatcher”), Beverley Mitchell (“The Crow: City of Angels”), Franky G (“Wonderland”), Emmanuelle Vaugier (“Secondhand Lions”), Erik Knudsen (“The Prizewinner of Defiance, Ohio”) and Glenn Plummer (“Day After Tomorrow”). R: Grisly violence and gore; terror; language; drug content. Oct. 28. Lions Gate.     Wasabi Tuna Comedy, set on Halloween in West Hollywood, Calif., about a group of drag queens who conspire to return reality-show star Anna Nicole Smith’s kidnapped dog Sugar-Pie. Directed by Lee Friedlander from a screenplay by Celia Fox. With Jason London (“Grind”), Antonio Sabato, Jr. (“Testosterone”), Tim Meadows (“The Cookout”), Alanna Ubach (“Herbie: Fully Loaded”), Guillermo Diaz (“The Terminal”) and Alexis Arquette (“Lords of Dogtown”). Flat. 92 min. R: Sexual content. Oct. 28. Indican.   Domino Action thriller, based on a true story, about a former Ford Agency model turned female bounty hunter. Directed by Tony Scott (“Enemy of the State,” “Man on Fire”) from a screenplay by Richard Kelly (“Donnie Darko”). With Keira Knightley (“Pure,” “Pride & Prejudice”), Mena Suvari (“Beauty Shop”), Lucy Liu (“Kill Bill”), Mickey Rourke (“Sin City”), Christopher Walken (“Wedding Crashers”), Shondrella Avery (“Napoleon Dynamite”), Dabney Coleman (“Moonlight Mile”), Jacqueline Bisset (“Latter Days”), Delroy Lindo (“Sahara”), Macy Gray (“Around the World in 80 Days”), Ian Ziering (“Endless Love”) and Brian A. Green (TV’s “Beverly Hills 90210”). R: Strong violence; pervasive language; sexual content/nudity; drug use. Scope. R: Strong violence; pervasive language; sexual content/nudity; drug use. Oct. 14. New Line.     Good Night, and Good Luck Drama, based on true events, about CBS news anchor Edward R. Murrow’s efforts in the 1950s to expose the tactics employed by U.S. senator Joseph McCarthy. Directed by George Clooney (“Confessions of a Dangerous Mind”) from a screenplay by Clooney and actor Grant Heslov (“The Scorpion King”). With David Strathairn (“Twisted”) as Murrow, Robert Downey Jr. (“Eros,” “Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang”) as Joe Wershba, Patricia Clarkson (“Miracle,” “The Woods,” “The Dying Gaul”) as Shirley Wershba, Tate Donovan (“The Pacifier”) as Jesse Zousmer, Robert John Burke (“Hide and Seek”) as Charlie Mack, Jeff Daniels (“Because of Winn-Dixie”) as Sid Mickelson, Reed Diamond (“Spider-Man 2”) as John Aaron, Ray Wise (“Jeepers Creepers II”) as Don Hollenbeck, Frank Langella (“House of D”) as William Paley, Heslov as Don Hewitt and Clooney (“Ocean’s Twelve,” “Syriana”) as Fred Friendly. 93 min. PG: Mild thematic elements; brief language. Oct. 7 in New York and Los Angeles. Warner Independent Pictures.     Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Actioner about an actor who turns private-eye after he begins discovering a series of female corpses. Screenwriter Shane Black (“Last Action Hero,” “The Long Kiss Goodnight”) makes his directorial debut from his own script. With Robert Downey Jr. (“Eros,” “Good Night, and Good Luck”), Val Kilmer (“Mindhunters”), Michelle Monaghan (“Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” “Syriana”), Joel Michaely (“Wonderland”), Ali Hillis (MTV’s “Undressed”), Kathy Lamkin (“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”), Vincent Laresca (“Lords of Dogtown”) and Corbin Bernsen (“Major League: Back to the Minors”). 102 min. Scope. R: Language; violence; sexuality/nudity. Oct. 21 limited. Warner Bros.     Marebito Japanese-language horror thriller about a cameraman who journeys into the subway tunnels beneath Tokyo to investigate the legends of spirits who reside there. Directed by Takashi Shimizu (“The Grudge”) from a screenplay by Chiaki Konaka. With Shinya Tsukamoto, Tomomi Miyashita, Miho Ninagawa, Kazuhiro Nakahara and Shun Sugata (“The Last Samurai”). Oct. 28. Tartan.     Sacred Stage Documentary about the Mariinsky Theater, the legendary St. Petersburg opera and ballet venue that has endured through many of Russia’s numerous political regimes. Directed by Joshua Waletzky. Featuring Valery Gergiev, Yevgeny Nikitin, Yulia Makhalina, George Trypin, Elizabeth Kendall and Placido Domingo. Oct. 7. First Run.   Ushpizin Hebrew-language drama, set in Jerusalem, about a young Orthodox Jewish man with a criminal past who finds himself obliged to welcome two old friends who recently escaped from prison. Directed by Giddi Dar from a screenplay by Shuli Rand. With Rand, Michal Bat-Sheva Rand, Shaul Mizrahi and Ilan Ganani. Flat. 91 min. PG: Mild thematic elements. Oct. 19. Picturehouse.