Film News & Trailers

So what’s out there this week?  Well today we’ll take a look at the films scheduled to be released which include The Last King of Scotland (on Wednesday), Billy Bob Thorton and Jon Heder going mano e mano in School for Scoundrels, Ashton Kutcher as a dimwitted cartoon (and he stars in an animated film out today too!).

All that and more; c’mon in and let us get you ready for the week! 

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Here’s what’s scheduled to hit theaters this week.  Want to know more?  Just click on the title for film info including a full cast list.  Want a closer look?  Just click on the poster to watch the trailer.

Opening Wednesday, in Limited Release:

The Last King of Scotland

James McAvoy plays a Scottish doctor who becomes the personal physician of the vicious and brutal President of Uganda (Forest Whitacker); he discovers he can no longer stand the dictator’s tyrannical rule and attempts to flee the country.  Oscar buzz is swarming all over this one which is based on the novel by Giles Foden describing the real life dictatorship of Idi Amin who ruled Uganda with an iron fist in the 1970’s.  Kevin MacDonald (Touching the Void, and the 2000 Oscar winning documentary One Day in September) directs, and Gilian Anderson and Kerry Washington also star.  The film opens Wednesday in limited release in select cities.

Opening Friday:

School for Scoundrels

A lovelorn loser (Jon Heder) enrolls in a secret confidence building class to improve his self-esteem and win the girl of his dreams (Jacinda Barrett), only to see his self-absorbed instructor (Billy Bob Thorton) attempt to beat him to the girl.  Zany comedy abounds in this one in a somewhat sweeter version of the humor Thorton used so well in Bad Santa.  Todd Philips (Old School, Road Trip, Starsky & Hutch) directs.  The supporting cast includes Sarah Silverman, Ben Stiller, Michael Clarke Duncan, Todd Louiso, Horatio Sanz, and David Cross.  The film opens on Friday and we’ll have the review.

Open Season

You know what we needed?  Another mediocre animated film about critters in the woods.  Yeah…  just exactly what we need.  This one follows the story of a bear (Martin Lawrence) raised in captivity by a forest ranger (Debra Messing) who must adapt to life in the forest as Open Season for hunting begins.  The film also includes the voice talents of Ashton Kutcher as his nit-wit friend (what else?), Billy Connolly, Jon Favreau, Patrick Warburton, Nika Futterman, Jane Krakowski, and Gary Sinese as the obessed hunter Shaw.  Somebody please explain Ashton Kutcher’s career to me, please!  The film opens on Friday, so check back for our review.

The Guardian

Speaking of films we don’t want to see starring Ashton Kutcher…  Kutcher stars as Maverick cocky Jake Fisher, the “best of the best,” who trains with famous rescue swimmer Ben Randall (Kevin Costner) to work in Alaska saving lives and learning about life.  Anybody else think this sounds like Lifetime Television for guys?  The supporting cast includes Clancy Brown, Shelby Fenner, John Heard, Leigh Hennessy, Dule Hill, Sela Ward, Bonnie Bramlett, Matt Laub, Neal McDonough, Melissa Sagemiller, and (the awesomely named) Danny Cosmo Higginbottom.  The Guardian starts drowning theater goers this Friday.

Currently in Limited Release, Opening Wide on Friday:

The U.S. vs. John Lennon

If you’re not a Beatles fan just scroll down to the next film.  John Lennon was the man.  More than just the front man for the biggest rock band in England, or the world, Lennon was an idealist and visionary.  The new documentary examines the life of Lennon and his struggles against the war in Vietnam.  The documentary is the latest from the writer/director team of David Leaf and John Scheinfeld (The Unknown Marx Brothers, Dean Martin: That’s Amore, Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of “Smile”).  After playing two weeks in select cites, the film will be release wide on Friday.  (Read our review here).

Haven

A businessman (Bill Paxton) flees the United States for the Cayman Islands with his daughter (Agnes Bruckner) to avoid prosecution.  After arriving their fates become intertwined with a local (Orlando Bloom) planning a crime that will shock the nation.  Written and directed by Frank E. Flowers (Swallow) the film also stars Zoe Saldana, Victor Rasuk, Lee Ingleby, Sarah Carter, Rachel Miner, and Robert Wisdom.  The film has languished in the festival circuit for two years (it premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2004).  It’s been playing in select cities for a few weeks and opens wide on Friday.  Check back for our review.

The Science of Sleep (Science des reves, La)

As the lights came up I sat in the theater trying to put my experience of watching this film into words.  What I came up was simply this – bizarrely fascinating.  The film centers around a man (Gael Garcia Bernal) who lacks the ability to separate his dream world from reality, with dizzying results, and his love for his new neighbor (Charlotte Gainsboroug).  Nowhere near conventional, the film reminds me of Terry Gilliam’s early work (before he went crazy and started making “films” like Tideland and The Brothers Grimm).  It was released in select cities last week (read our review) and Friday begins its wider release.

Opening Friday, in Limited Release:

A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints

Writer/director Dito Montiel’s autobiopic stars Robert Downey Jr. ad Montiel returning home to Astoria, NY to come to terms with his past.  Seriously, how cool is it for Robert Downey Jr. to play you in your life story?  Shia LaBeouf plays Mentiel’s young self, and the film has a nice supporting cast that includes (RazorFine fav) Rosario Dawson, Chazz Palminteri, Dianee Weist, Channing Tatum, Melonie Diaz, and Eric Roberts.  Montiel’s personal story did well at Sundace pulling in both the Director’s Award and the Special Jury Prize for ensemble performance.  The film opens Friday exclusively in New York and Los Angeles.

Jesus Camp

Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady (the pair gave us 2005’s The Boys of Baraka) present this documentary look at children who attend the “Kids on Fire” summer camp for born again children.  The film focuses on three children from 9 to 12 years-old, and examines the broader impact of the Evangelical movement still strong in the Midwest.  Oddly enough, the film is being marketed to Christians despite it’s slightly slanted view in the other direction (Michael Moore looooves it).  It’s been a big hit on the festival circuit, including here in Kansas City.  Jesus Camp opens in select cities on Friday.

Facing the Giants

Another football coach movie?  Grant Taylor (Alex Kindrick, who also directs and co-wrote the script with his brother Stephen) isn’t the great football coach or motivator; his teams have lost consistantly for years, he’s about to be fired, and his wife is infertile.  Deciding he has nothing left to lose he turns to God to help inspire his players.  Not to misquote Star Trek, but what does God need with football?  The film was put together by an all volunteer Baptist cast in Albany, GA.  The inspirational pro-Christian message is sure to play better in red states.  It opens Friday in select cities.

So what’s out there this week?  Well today we’ll take a look at the films scheduled to be released on Friday.  They include James Franco, Jean Reno and David Ellison in Flyboys, Sean Penn takes a turn as a southern govener in All the King’s Men, Jet Li in perhaps his last ever action flick, Johnny Knoxville and his idiot friends prove they really are jackasses, and Feast, the final Project Greenlight film finally finds itself in a theater..

We’ll also give you the scoop on films out this week in limited release including the reality bending The Science of Sleep, a documentary on the American hardcore punk movement of the 1980’s, and an animated action flick starring the newest James Bond.

All that and more; c’mon in and let us get you ready for the week! 

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Here’s what’s scheduled to hit theaters this week.  Want to know more?  Just click on the title for film info including a full cast list.  Want a closer look?  Just click on the poster to watch the trailer.

Opening Friday:

Flyboys

Before America entered WWI a small group of American pilots volunteered to serve in the French military air force known as Lafayette Escadrille.  The film focuses on a small group of Americans that journeyed overseas for different reasons and became fighter pilots in the war against Germany.  The film stars James Franco, Philip Winchester, Abdul Salis, Tyler Labine, David Ellison, and Jean Reno.  Aside from a few problems, like having all the subtlety of a Michael Bay film and the complete absence of dust, dirt, or wear on clothing, or anything, the film is worth seeing for the acting and some good dogfight sequences.  Check back Friday for the review.

All the King’s Men

A stellar cast (Sean Penn, Anthony Hopkins, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Patricia Clarkson, James Gandolfini) under the direction of Steven Zaillian (A Civil Action and the under-appreciated Searching for Bobby Fischer) are on hand for this adaption of Robert Penn Warren’s novel about the populist Southern Governer Willie Stark which was loosely based on the political career of Gov. Huey Long of Louisiana.  Sony’s pushing this one hard for award season, and the talented cast make it a must see, but has anyone else been left cold by the trailer?  That and the fact the film was delayed due to re-editing and you have to wonder…  Check back Friday for the review.

Fearless (Juo Yuan Jia)

Jet Li stars and Martial Arts master Huo Yuanjia, the founder of the Jin Wu Sports Federation and the most famous Chinese fighter at the turn of the 20th Century.  Rumors have run rampant that this would be Li’s last action film and that alone should flock his fans to the theaters.  The film also stars Nathan Jones, Shido Nakamura, Brandon Rhea, Nan Sun, and Michelle Yeoh (who’s role was severly shredded in the editing room).  Directed by Ronny Yu (Freddy vs. Jason, Bride of Chucky,

, Wu Lin sheng dou shi) who left that project with Samuel L. Jackson, and those M*@F%#ing airborne snakes, for this one.

Feast

The third, and final, Project Greenlight movie.  The film that chose the oddest cat to direct, and an average horror script to produce, and all manner of lunacy ensued.  The director tried to push his friends into the starring roles, the casting director went behind the director and producers to get her friend a role, and the producers went crazy with worry.  Remember?  Well now you get to see it!  The film will open midnight Thursday and only play through Saturday, hoping to market the DVD release in October.  Well you know I’ll be there!  The cast includes Krista Allen, Balthazar Getty, Navi Rawat, Jenny Wade, and Henry Rollins.  Check back for our review.

Jackass: Number Two

And in a film destined to make Feast look Oscar worthy, Johnny Knoxville and gang return to make a sequel to 2002’s Jackass: the Movie which was based of the bottom of the barrel exploitative short-lived MTV “reality” show which was little more than idiot stunts mixed with America’s Funniest Home Videos.  Why, oh why, do we need a sequel?  Four words – The Dukes of Hazard.  Knoxville’s career’s in the toilet and the rest of the gang has blissfully faded into oblivion, so why not dig deep in the trash for one last attempt at mediocre glory.  The film opens Friday, but you’ll have to do without a review for this one folks.

Opening Friday, in Limited Release:

The Science of Sleep (Science des reves, La)

As the lights came up I sat in the theater trying to put my experience of watching this film into words.  What I came up was simply this – bizarrely fascinating.  The film centers around a man (Gael Garcia Bernal) who lacks the ability to separate his dream world from reality, with dizzying results, and his love for his new neighbor (Charlotte Gainsboroug).  Nowhere near conventional, the film reminds me of Terry Gilliam’s early work (before he went crazy and started making “films” like Tideland and The Brothers Grimm).  It will be released in select cities on Friday so check to see if it’s showing at your local art house, and come back on Friday for our review.

American Hardcore

Director Paul Rachman and American punk historian Steven Blush come together in this new documentary, based of Blush’s book American Hardcore: A Tribal History, that focuses on America’s hardcore punk movement of he early to mid-eighties.  The documentary is packed with never before seen footage and interviews from those involved in the scene, including Henry Rollins, and music from the likes of Green Gang, SS Decontrol, Circle Jerks, Jerry’s Kids and more.  It’s been the year for the documentary so will see if American Hardcore can measure up.  The film opens in limited release in select cities on Friday.

Renaissance

The man who would be James Bond (Daniel Craig) stars as cop in a futuristic Paris (think Alan Moore’s V for Vendetta with pastries) where a woman (Cahterine McCormack) searches for her kidnapped sister (Romola Garai).  The film is animated in black and white and the style, not to mention the tone, of the story will surely bring about Sin City references and comparisons.  If it’s half that good I’ll be satisfied; it will face tougher competition at the box office, being released this late in the year.  The film also stars the voices of Jonathan Pryce, and Ian Holm.  An ambitious undertaking for second time director Christain Volck (Maaz).  It opens in select cities on Friday.

So what’s out there this week?  Well today we’ll take a look at the films scheduled to be released on Friday.  They include Ben Affleck getting to take a turn as Superman (kind of), Tony Jaa kickin some ass in Australia, a new film from the director of Cutthroat Island and Mindhunters (yikes!), and yet another summer film starring Maggie Gyllenhaal.  Read on…

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Here’s what’s scheduled to hit theaters this week.  Want to know more?  Just click on the title for film info including a full cast list.  Want a closer look?  Just click on the poster to watch the trailer.

Opening Friday:

Hollywoodland

The life and death of George Reeves, TV’s Superman, are explored.  Adrian Brody plays a private detective investigating the mysterious “suicide” of George Reeves (Ben Affleck) and uncovers the star’s secrets including hidden affair with the wife (Diane Lane) of a studio big shot (Bop Hoskins).  Robin Tunney, Joe Spano, Brad William Henke, and Molly Parker also star.  The film marks the theatrical directing debut of longtime HBO director Allen Coulter (Rome, The Sopranos, Sex in the City).  Nice to see Affleck in a good role again; Brandon Routh may have gotten to put on the new rubber super-suit, but this film could really fly (hopefully not under the radar).

The Protector (Tom yum goong)

After his elephant is stolen by an Asian gang, a young Muy Thai fighter (Tony Jaa) is called on to travel to Sydney, Australia and retrieve the elephant, avenge the wrongs done, and reclaim the honor and heritage of his people.  Prachya Pinkaew directs this sequel, of sorts, to his 2003 hit Ong-bak.  Petchtai Wongkamlao, Bongkoj Kongmalai, Xing Jing, Nathan Jones, Johnyy Nguyen, Damien De Montemas, Sotorn Rungruaeng, Amonphan Gongtragan, and Jackie Chan also star.  Ong-bak received mixed praise and indifference from martial arts fans.  The real question here is does Jaa finally take on the role of “the next Bruce Lee,” or not?

The Covenant

The O.C. meets The Skulls meets Underworld (a trifecta of ultimate pain and suffering – for the audience at least) in this new film about four magically empowered young men descended from a centuries old supernatural legacy.  Directed by Renny Harlin (Mindhunters, Cutthroat Island, The Long Kiss Goodnight… sorry, I have to stop for a second and vomit.  Whew, okay, now why is this guy still allowed behind a camera?); the film is filled with no-name good looking twenty-somethings like Steven Stait, Sebastain Stan, Toby Hemingway, Chace Crawford, Talor Kitsch, Jessica Lucas, Sarah Smyth, and Laura Ramsey.

Opening Friday in Limited Release:

Sherrybaby

After three years in prison for robbery, a 19 year-old heroin addict (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is released and goes in search of remaking her life and reclaiming her daughter (Ryan Simpkins).  Brad William Henke, Kate Burton, Bridgit Barkan, Danny Trejo, and Sam Bottoms also star.  I guess no one’s afraid of over-exposure.  I like Maggie Gyllenhaal as much as any warm blooded heterosexual male, but releasing three movies where she plays a prominent role in less than a month and a half (World Trade Center, Trust the Man, and now this) is a little too much for me.  It opens exclusively in New York and Los Angeles on Friday.

So what’s out there this week?  Well today we’ll take a look at the films scheduled to be released on Friday.  They include hip-hop street basketballers stylin’ and profilin’ in Crossover, Jason Stratham going all Rambo on everybody’s ass in Crank, and Nicholas Cage in the remake of the 1973 horror flick The Wicker Man.

We’ll also give you the scoop of films out this week in limited release like the new documentary examining the MPAA – This Film is Not Yet Rated, Lassie runs cross country again, Edward Burns’ latest Looking for Kitty, as well as the latest from Yimou Zhang titled Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles.

All that plus a few films in limited release hitting the big time like The Illusionist, Once in a Lifetime, The Quiet, and Trust the Man.

All that and more; c’mon in and let us get you ready for the week!

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Here’s what’s scheduled to hit theaters this week.  Want to know more?  Just click on the title for film info including a full cast list.  Want a closer look?  Just click on the poster to watch the trailer.

Opening Friday:

Crossover

Think ESPN promoting street basketball.  Um, yeah.  Silly tale of “secret” underground basketball league with their own uniforms, bling’d out court, stars, cheerleaders, and gambling.  The film stars Wesley Jordan and Anthony Mackie who get drawn into the games, money, ladies, and lifestyle furnished by promoter Vaughn (Wayne Brady).  Forgettable movie that contains a no name cast, poor acting (the “actresses” were obviously chosen for their “talents” considering their lack of talent), a ridiculous premise, but does carry a nice message about the importance of education over basketball, money, and fame.  Check back Friday for our review.

Crank

Jason Statham (The Transporter) plays a hitman on a rampage after he’s been poisoned and only has 24 hours to retrieve a doomsday device from the penal colony of Los Angeles to get the cure, and he must keep his heart rate above 55 mph or the bus will explode.  Amy Smart, Juan Pablo Cantillo, Efren Ramirez, Reno Wilson, and Dwight Yokum (?) also star.  Written and directed by the first time team of Mark Neveldine, a former stunt coordinator (The Siege), and Brain Taylor, a former cinematographer (The Mothman Prophecies).  What could possibly go wrong?  That sound you hear is two trains on a collision course.

The Wicker Man

Directed by Robin Hardy, the film stars Christopher Lee and Brit Ekland …whoops!  That was the the original!  Writer/director Neil LaBute (Your Friends and Neighbors, In the Company of Men) takes a new look at the Anthony Shaffer novel and tries to add his own spin on the mysterious disappearance of a young girl.  Nicholas Cage, Ellen Burstyn, Kate Behan, and Leelee Sobieski star.  Another horror remake?  Didn’t anybody learn their lesson from The Omen?  Though the film’s early comparisons to The Exorcism of Emily Rose do leave me a little curious just what LeBute has in mind for these characters.

Currently in Limited Release, Opening Wide on Friday:

The Illusionist

Edward Norton as a magician?  Hmmm…  A magician (Norton) uses his abilities to win the love of a noble woman (Jessica Beil) from the Crown Prince of Vienna (Rufus Sewell), who is determined to prove the magician a fraud with the help of his chief inspector (Paul Giamatti).  The big question here is can the film overcome the curse of Jessica Beil – who somehow always chooses the worst films to star in (Blade Trinity, Summer Catch, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Stealth, Elizabethtown).  There’s not enough magic in the world to kill this curse!  Opens wide on Friday (check out our review).

Once in a Lifetime (limited)

ESPN Films tells the story of the rise and fall of the first great American soccer team in the 1970’s that brought Pele to America – The NY Cosmos.  Filled with footage and music of the time, the documentary also includes new interviews as it looks back at the short period when soccer took America by storm and captured the hearts and minds of millions.  Narrated by Matt Dillon the film has appearances from Marv Albert, Mia Hamm, Pele, Giorgio Chinaglia, Franz Beckenbauer, and more.  Soccer fans should eat this up, but will wider audiences give it a chance?  Currently in limited release (read our review here), it opens wide on Friday.

The Quiet

After the death of her father, an unpopular deaf high school student (Camilla Belle) moves in with a cheerleader (Elisha Cuthbert) and her parents (Edie Falco, Martin Donovan).  Her arrival leads to a series of discoveries as secrets and lies are exposed.  The latest from Jamie Babbit (But I’m a Cheerleader) also stars Shawn Ashmore, Katy Mixon, and Shannon Woodward.  The film opens Friday in New York and Los Angeles.  An interesting but flawed film much in the same vein as the recently released The Night Listener (seriously, what’s up with Hollywood and incest films lately?).  It opens in wide release Friday (check out our review).

Trust the Man

Writer/director Bart Freundlich’s (World Traveler, The Myth of Fingerprints) latest is about a couple of friends (David Duchovny, Billy Crudup) and their screwed-up relationships with the women they love (Julianne Moore, Maggie Gyllenhaal).  The supporting cast includes Justin Bartha, James LeGros, Eva Mendes, Ellen Barkin, Dagmara Dominczyk, and Garry Shandling.  Despite a near year long run at various film festivals the film has brought neither high praise, nor marketable anger.  Looks like what you see is what you get.  Currently in limited release, the film opens wide on Friday; check back for our review.

Opening Friday in Limited Release:

Lassie

What’s that Timmy?  Lassie’s stuck in yet another remake?  Oh, no!  What will we do now?  Writer/director Charles Sturridge (Where Angels Fear to Tread) goes where many have gone before in telling the story of a boy and his dog.  In a remake of Lassie Come Home, the story involves Lassie traveling hundreds of miles across the country to find her family after she’s sold to an evil and abusive Scottish bloke.  Samantha Morton, John Lynch, Peter O’Toole, and Peter Dinklage star.  It’s been years since the last attempt, will kids today even know who Lassie is?  Or care?  It opens Friday in select cities.

This Film is Not Yet Rated

Documentary filmmaker Kirby Dick (

, Showgirls: Glitz & Angst) examines the MPAA, the Motion Picture Association of America, also known as those crazy people who decide what rating (G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17) to give to films.  Filled with interviews from stars, directors, studio execs and more, the film tries to pen down how the MPAA decides to rate a film and why gratuitous violence is more acceptable than nudity.  Of course the documentary is unrated, which sadly means several of the big movie chains won’t screen it.  It opens exclusively in New York and Los Angeles on Friday; look for it in a fine arts theater near you this winter.

Mutual Appreciation

The second film from writer/director Andrew Bujalski (Funny Ha Ha) finds a musician (Justin Rice) trying to form a band after his arrival in New York City.  With the help of a radio DJ (Seung-Min Lee), who has her sights on him, and his old friend Lawrence (Andrew Bujalski) he just might succeed – if he can keep his obvious attraction for Lawrence’s girlfriend (Rachel Clift) a secret.  Pamela Corkey, Kevin Micka, Ralph Tyler, Bill Morrison, Tamara Luzeckyi, Kate Dolenmayer, and Peter Pentz also star.  The film opens exclusively in New York on Friday; look for a slowly widening release over the next few months.

Looking for Kitty

Writer/director/actor Edward Burns (She’s the One, The Brothers McMullen) gives us the story of a New York high school basketball coach (David Krumholtz) who searches for his missing wife with the help of a private eye (Burns) dealing with the loss of his own wife.  The only clue is a newspaper photograph of a rock star and his groupies, one which just might be Kitty.  Connie Britton, Rachel Dratch, Max Baker, Elizabeth Regen, Max Baker, and Craig Carlisle also star.  Expect Burns trademark traits including loving shots of the Big Apple and snappy dialogue.  The film opens today in limited release. 

Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles (Qian li zou dan qi)

Yimou Zhang (House of Flying Daggers, Hero) puts away the swords and special effects for a more personal tale.  A father (Ken Takakura) attempts to make amends with his dying estranged son (Kiichi Nakai) who refuses to see him by traveling from Japan to China to video tape an opera star’s legendary performance and complete his son’s documentary.  Presented in both Mandarin and Japanese, with English subtitles and was filmed on the Yunnan peninsula in China and in Tokyo, Japan.  The film opens today in limited release; look for it in the coming weeks at an art house near you.

So what’s out there this week?  Well today we’ll take a look at the films scheduled to be released on Friday.  They include Mark Wahlberg as a dumb jock and Greg Kinnear as Dick Vermeil, the latest from the Broken Lizard gang, kids eating worms, a musical about Prohibition, Camille Belle and Eliza Cuthbert in The Quiet and more; read on…

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Here’s what’s scheduled to hit theaters this week.  Want to know more?  Just click on the title for film info including a full cast list.  Want a closer look?  Just click on the poster to watch the trailer.

Opening Friday:

Invincible

From producers Mark Ciradi and Gordon Gray (The Rookie, Miracle) comes the true story of Dick Vermeil’s (Greg Kinnear, in as close to perfect casting as you will find) first season as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.  The story follows a 30 year-old part-time bartender, Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg), who goes to an open tryout and ends up making the team, and how it effects both his life and the lives of his friends and family.  A little schmaltzy?  Yeah, it is Disney after all, but definitely worth a look.  Elizabeth Banks, Kevin Conway, Michael Kelly, Michael Rispoli also star.  Check back Friday for our review.

Beerfest

The latest from the guys of Broken Lizard follows American brothers (Erick Stohlanske, Paul Soter) who, by accident, discover the secret underground drinking competition in Germany.  They return with three friends and the “Magnificent Five” enter to win the secret Olympics of beer drinking for the good ol’ USA.  Once again Jay Chandrasekhar directs.  Can the Broken Lizard gang find the funny (Super Troopers), or are we in for another disappointment (Club Dread), or utter catastrophe (The Dukes of Hazard – one of my worst of 2005)?  Check back Friday for the review to find out.

Idlewild

A musical about Prohibition?  HBO films gives us Big Boi and Andre Benjamin, as the manager and speakeasy performer and his piano player, who must contend with gangsters interested in their club.  Talented supporting cast includes Terrence Howard, Ben Vereen, Ving Rhames, Faizon Love, Cicely Tyson, Paula Patton, Bill Nunn, Jennifer Johnson, Stephanie Moseley, Patti LaBelle, and Macy Gray.  The cast alone should be worth the price of admission, but will audiences take a chance on this one?  The musical was written and directed by music video director Bryan Barber.  Check back on Friday for our review.

How to Eat Fried Worms

Guess what?  Gross out movies aren’t just for teenagers anymore!  The disgusting, but popular, kids book by Thomas Rockwell becomes a film.  The story involves a young fifth-grader (Luke Benward) who takes on a bully by accepting a dare to, well, eat worms (in every disgusting style imaginable).  Hallie Kate Eisenberg, Adam Hicks, Austin Rogers, Alexander Gould, Ryan Malgarini, and Thomas Cavanaugh (Ed, Love Monkey) also star.  Hopefully better than the 1985 animated made for television version.  At least it couldn’t be worse, right?  Popularity of the book should sell tickets, but it’s interesting director Bob Doman chose to go with an unknown cast.

Opening Friday in Limited Release:

The Quiet

After the death of her father, an unpopular deaf high school student (Camilla Belle) moves in with a cheerleader (Elisha Cuthbert) and her parents (Edie Falco, Martin Donovan).  Her arrival leads to a series of discoveries as secrets and lies are exposed.  The latest from Jamie Babbit (But I’m a Cheerleader) also stars Shawn Ashmore, Katy Mixon, and Shannon Woodward.  The film opens Friday in New York and Los Angeles.  An interesting but flawed film much in the same vein as the recently released The Night Listener (seriously, what’s up with Hollywood and incest films lately?).  Make sure you check back Friday for our review.

Queens (Reinas)

Spanish film about five mothers who prepare to marry off their sons at the same ceremony.  The catch?  It’s a mass gay ceremony.  Presented in Spanish with English subtitles.  Directed by Manuel Gomez Pereira (Between Your Legs, Off Key), the film stars Veronica Forque, Carmen Maura, Marisa Paredes, Betiana Blum, Mercedes Sampietro, Unax Ugalde, Hugo Silva, and Gusto Salmeron. The film opens this week in Los Angeles and New York on Friday; look for a slow wider release over the next few months.