January/February 2007


Volume VII No. 1/2

A publication of the National Association of Theatre Owners

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February Preview

Because I Said SoBecause I Said So
Comedy about an overprotective mother who places personal ads to help steer her daughter’s love life. Directed by Michael Lehmann (“My Giant,” “40 Days and 40 Nights”) from a screenplay by Karen Leigh Hopkins (“Welcome Home, Roxy Charmichael,” “Stepmom”) and Jessie Nelson (“The Story of Us,” “I Am Sam”). With Diane Keaton (“The Family Stone”), Mandy Moore (“American Dreamz,” “Alpha Dog”), Piper Perabo (“The Prestige”), Lauren Graham (“The Pacifier”), Tom Everett Scott (“Boiler Room”), Gabriel Macht (“The Good Shepherd”) and Sophina Brown. Flat. PG-13: Sexual content including dialogue; some mature thematic material; partial nudity. Feb. 2. Universal.

 

 

Black Snake MoanBlack Snake Moan
Drama about a sex-addicted small-town girl who develops a relationship with an older, God-fearing blues musician. Written and directed by Craig Brewer (“Hustle & Flow”). With Samuel L. Jackson (“Snakes on a Plane,” “Home of the Brave”), Christina Ricci (“Cursed,” “Home of the Brave”), Justin Timberlake (“On the Line,” “Alpha Dog”), Michael Raymond-James, Adriane Lenox (the TV-movie “Griffin and Phoenix”), John Cothran, Jr. (“The Cell”) and S. Epatha Merkerson (“Jersey Girl”). R: Strong sexual content; language; some violence and drug use. Feb. 23. Paramount Vantage.

 

Blind DatingBlind Dating
Comedy about a young blind man whose burgeoning relationship with an Indian woman is tested by their cultural differences. Directed by James Keach (the TV movie “Moms on Strike”) from a screenplay by Christopher Theo. With Chris Pine (“Just My Luck”), Jayma Mays (“Flags of Our Fathers”), Jennifer Alden (“Wedding Crashers”), Anjali Jay, Dhamender Verma, Dee Macaluso (“Lone Star”), Eddie Kaye Thomas (“Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle”), Jane Seymour (“Wedding Crashers”). PG-13: Sexual content; language. March 16 limited. Samuel Goldwyn.

 

Bridge to TerabithiaBridge To Terabithia
Fantasy about two outcast preteens who create a fantasy world of giants and trolls to escape reality. Based on the 1978 novel by Katherine Paterson (“Jacob Have I Loved”). Veteran producer Gabor Csupo (“Rugrats Go Wild!”) makes his feature directorial debut from a screenplay by Jeff Stockwell (“The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys”) and David Paterson. With AnnaSophia Robb (“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “The Reaping”), Josh Hutcherson (“R.V.”), Zooey Deschanel (“Failure to Launch”), Robert Patrick (“Flags of our Fathers,” “We Are Marshall”), Latham Gaines (“The World’s Fastest Indian”) and Bailee Madison. Flat. PG: Thematic elements including bullying; some peril; mild language. Feb. 16. Buena Vista.

 

FidoFido
Comedy about a boy and his devotion to his best friend: a rotting, flesh-eating pet zombie named Fido. Directed by Andrew Currie from a screenplay by Currie and Robert Chorniak. With Billy Connolly (“Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties”), Carrie-Anne Moss (“The Chumscrubber”), Henry Czerny (“Conversations with God”), Sonja Bennett (“Where the Truth Lies,” “Catch and Release”), Peter Stormare (“Nacho Libre”) and Tim Blake Nelson (“Hoot,” “The Amateurs,” “The Astronaut Farmer”). Scope. 91 min. March 9 limited. Lionsgate.

 

Ghost RiderGhost Rider
Fantasy actioner about a motorcycle stunt performer named Johnny Blaze who is cursed to spend his nights as host to a fiery spirit of vengeance. Based on the character featured in Marvel Comics (“X-Men,” “Spider-Man,” “Daredevil,” “Hulk,” “Blade,” “The Punisher,” “Elektra,” “Fantastic Four”). Written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson (“Daredevil”). With Nicolas Cage (“The Wicker Man”), Wes Bentley (“The Game of Their Lives”), Sam Elliott (“Off the Map”), Donal Logue (“The Groomsmen,” “Zodiac”) and Eva Mendes (“Hitch”). Scope. PG-13: Horror violence; disturbing images. Feb. 16. Sony.

 

The Hills Have Eyes 2The Hills Have Eyes 2
Sequel to the 2006 horror thriller, this time about National Guard trainees who, on their last day of desert training, find themselves in a battle to the death against a sadistic mutant family. Directed by Martin Weisz from a screenplay by Jonathan Craven and father Wes Craven (“Pulse”), who wrote and directed both the 1977’s original “The Hills Have Eyes” and 1985’s “The Hills Have Eyes II.” Returnees from part one include actor Michael Bailey Smith (“The Master of Disguise”). Actors new to the franchise include Jacob Vargas (“Bobby”), Lee Thompson Young (“Akeelah and the Bee”), Jessica Stroup (the CBS TV-movie “Vampire Bats”), Michael McMillian (“Dorian Blues”), Flex Alexander (“Snakes on a Plane”) and Daniella Alonso (“The Black Knight”). March 2. Fox.

 

I Could Never Be Your WomanI Could Never Be Your Woman
Comedy about a middle-aged woman who falls for a younger man. Written and directed by Amy Heckerling (“Clueless,” “Loser”). With Michelle Pfeiffer (“White Oleander”), Paul Rudd (“A Night at the Museum,” “Reno 911!: Miami”), Tracy Ullman (“A Dirty Shame”), Sarah Alexander (“Bridget Jones’ Diary”), Stacy Dash (“View from the Top”), Fred Willard (“Monster House,” “For Your Consideration,” “Street Poet”), Henry Winkler (“Click”) and Graham Norton (TV’s “So Graham Norton”). PG-13: Sexual content; language. Feb. 14. MGM.

The Astronaut FarmerThe Astronaut Farmer
Family comedy-drama about a space-program dropout who leaves NASA to rescue his family’s farm, then years later decides to build a homemade rocket in his barn and make it to space on his own. The “Jackpot”-”Northfork” team of screenwriter Mark Polish and screenwriter-director Michael Polish reunite. With Billy Bob Thornton (“School for Scoundrels”), Virginia Madsen (“A Prairie Home Companion,” “The Number 23”), J.K. Simmons (“Thank You for Smoking”), Tim Blake Nelson (“Hoot,” “The Amateurs,” “Fido”), Jon Gries (“Stick It”), Bruce Dern (“Down in the Valley”) and Bruce Willis (“16 Blocks,” “Fast Food Nation”). Scope. PG: Thematic material; peril; language. 104 min. Feb. 23. Warner Bros.

 

Black BookBlack Book
Dutch-, English- and German-language drama, set during World War II, about a Dutch-Jewish singer who adopts an alias and joins the resistance movement in an effort to learn who betrayed her family as it attempted to escape the Nazis. Directed by Paul Verhoeven (“Starship Troopers,” “Hollow Man”) from a screenplay by Verhoeven and Gerard Soeteman. With Carice van Houten, Sebastian Koch (“The Lives of Others”), Halina Reijn (“Moonlight”), Christian Berkel (“Guys and Balls”) and Thom Hoffman (“Dogville”). Also known as “Zwartboek.” 144 min. R: Some strong violence; graphic nudity; sexuality; language. March 2 in New York and Los Angeles. Sony Pictures Classics.

 

Blades of GloryBlades of Glory
Comedy about two rival men’s figure skaters, stripped of their Olympic medals and banned from future competitions, who exploit a loophole and return to the sport as a pairs team. Josh Gordon & Will Speck make their feature directorial debuts from a screenplay by John Altschuler & Dave Krinsky (TV’s “King of the Hill”) and Craig & Jeff Cox. With Will Ferrell (“Stranger than Fiction”), Jon Heder (“School for Scoundrels”), Will Arnett (“Let’s Go to Prison”), Jenna Fischer (“Slither”), Craig T. Nelson (“The Family Stone”), Romany Malco (“The 40-Year-Old Virgin”), William Fichtner (“Ultraviolet,” “The Amateurs”), Nick Swardson (“Art School Confidential,” “Reno 911!: Miami”), Rob Corddry (“Unaccompanied Minors,” “Pleasure of Your Company”), Smith Cho (“Bad Boys II”), William Daniels (“Her Alibi”) and Amy Poehler (“Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny”). March 30. Paramount.

 

BreachBreach
Drama, based on a true story, about a young FBI agent on the hunt for another agent selling secrets to the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War. Directed by Billy Ray (“Shattered Glass”) from a screenplay by Ray, Adam Mazer and Bill Rotko. With Ryan Phillippe (“Flags of Our Fathers”), Chris Cooper (“Syriana”), Laura Linney (“Driving Lessons”), Caroline Dhavernas (“Hollywoodland”), Dennis Haysbert (“Jarhead”), Kathleen Quinlan (“The Hills Have Eyes”), Mary Jo Deschanel (“Winter Passing”) and Bruce Davison (“Going Shopping”). Flat. PG-13: Violence; sexual content; language. Feb. 16. Universal.

 

The ComebacksThe Comebacks
Comedy about a college football coach with a terrible record who tries to turn things around with his inept team of players. Directed by Tom Brady ("The Hot Chick") from a screenplay by Brady, Ed Yeager (TV's "Still Standing"), Adam Jay Epstein & Andrew Jacobson ("Not Another Teen Movie"), Joey Gutierrez (TV's "Yes, Dear" and "Still Standing") and Kevin Sabbe. With David Koechner ("Let's Go to Prison," "Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny," "Unaccompanied Minors,""Reno 911!: Miami" ), Matthew Lawrence ("The Hot Chick"), DJ Qualls ("Hustle & Flow"), Chris Parnell ("Looking For Kitty"), Carl Weathers ("Little Nicky"), Lindsay Gareth, Jackie Long ("Idlewild") and Paige Peterson ("The Hot Chick"). March 23. Fox.

 

Full Of ItFull of It
Comedy about a bellboy at a posh hotel who suddenly and magically becomes the person he always pretended to be. Directed by Christian Charles (“Comedian”) from a screenplay by TV writers Yoni Berkovitch & Tony Dreannan (“Rock Me Baby”). With Ryan Pinkston (“Soul Plane”), Craig Kilborn (“The Shaggy Dog”), Carmen Electra (“Date Movie”), John Carroll Lynch (“Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World,” “Zodiac”), Teri Polo (“Meet the Fockers”) and Cynthia Stevenson (“Agent Cody Banks 2”). Also known as “Nothing But the Truth” and “The Whole Truth.” PG-13: Sexual content; drug references; teen partying; crude humor. March 2. New Line.

 

Hannibal RisingHannibal Rising
Prequel to 2002’s “Red Dragon,” chronicling Hannibal Lecter’s childhood in Lithuania and time – and crimes – in America prior to his capture. Based on the 2006 novel by Thomas Harris (“The Silence of the Lambs,” “Hannibal,” “Red Dragon”). Directed by Peter Webber (“Girl with a Pearl Earring”) from a screenplay by Harris. With Gong Li (“Miami Vice”) as Lady Murasaki and Gaspard Ulliel (“A Very Long Engagement”) as the titular cannibal. Also with Dominic West (“The Forgotten,” “300”), Rhys Ifans (“The Science of Sleep”), Kevin McKidd (“Kingdom of Heaven,” “The Last Legion”), Stephen Walters (“Batman Begins”), Joe Sheridan (“Marie Antoinette”), Hugh Ross (“The Four Feathers”), Paul Ritter (“The Libertine”), Ivan Marevich (“Bright Young Things”), Charles Maquignon (“Manderlay”), Lana Likic (“Last Holiday”), Robert Kay (“The Illusionist”), Martin Hubb (“XXX”), Ota Filip (“Hostel”), Ingeborga Dapkunaite (“Shadow of the Vampire”), Dominique Bettenfeld (“A Very Long Engagement”), Pavel Bezdek (“Alien Vs. Predator”), Jean-Pierre Marielle (“The Da Vinci Code”) and Richard Brake (“The Black Dahlia”). Previously known as “Young Hannibal: Behind the Mask” and “The Lecter Variation.” Feb. 9. Universal.

 

Hot FuzzHot Fuzz
Comedy about a top London cop reassigned to a sleepy village. The “Shaun of the Dead” team of writer-director Edgar Wright and actor-screenwriter Simon Pegg reunite. With Pegg (“Mission: Impossible III”), Nick Frost (“Kinky Boots”), Jim Broadbent (“Art School Confidential”), Steve Coogan (“Marie Antoinette,” “A Night at the Museum”), Paddy Considine (“Dead Man’s Shoes,” “The Half Life of Timofey Berezin”), Martin Freeman (“Confetti,” “Breaking and Entering”) and Timothy Dalton (“Looney Tunes: Back in Action”). March 9. Focus.

 

 

 

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