Film News & Trailers

So what’s out there this week.  Well today we’ll take a look at the films scheduled to be released this Friday including the Josh Hartnett in a case of mistaken identity, Antonio Banderas shaking his booty with a bunch of high school kids, a film that stars Rob Schneider and David Spade (God help us!), Jennifer Aniston in her first film of the year, 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.

Lucky Number Slevin

A case of mistaken identity leads an unsuspecting man (Josh Hartnett) into a battle between two crime bosses (Morgan Freeman, Ben Kingsley), the sights of a killer (Bruce Willis) and the bed of a beautiful woman (Lucy Liu).  I’m not a big Hartnett fan but hey, any movie where he gets punched repeatedly in the face I’m all for!  Directed by Paul McGuigan (Wicker Park) the film wants to be Kiss Kiss Bang Bang but never makes it to that level.  Still, the cast is good and the story is interesting enough to keep your attention through its twists and turns.  Check back for a full review on Friday.

Take the Lead

Hey I think I’ve seen this before!  Antonio Banderas plays a former professional dancer who takes a gig teaching high school students dance (funny, they don’t have a budget for drama, music, or band programs but they can offer a class on classical dance??  Just what kind of public school is this?)  At first his style clashes with his students and then they learn to respect each other and discover that classic dance is really cool as their teacher decides he can incorporate some hip hop movies into the dancing.  The film is directed by music video veteran Liz Fridlander and also stars Alfrie Woodard and Ray Liotta.

The Benchwarmers

Three luckless losers (David Spade, Rob Schneider, and Jon Heder) decide to make up for missed childhood experiences and form a three-man baseball team.  Even Heder fans have slim hopes for this one.  Directed by Dennis Dugan who’s given us such classics as Saving Silverman, Big Daddy, Problem Child, and Beverly Hills Ninja.  Yet another Adam Sandler produced film starring his bud Schneider (see Dooche Bigelow, The Hot Chick, The Animal and more) so expect tons of SNL cameos from the likes of Jon Lovitz, Norm MacDonald, and Tim Meadows (is he still alive and acting?) and tons of dick and fart jokes. 

Phat Girlz

Mo’Nique (Domino, Soul Plane) stars as a plus-size fashion designer looking for love.  Mo’Nique has been good in supporting performances but can she carry this film on her own?  This bare-budget indie was brought to screen by first time writer/director Nnegest Likke (so what this is going to be like is anybody’s guess).  Also starring in the film are Jimmy Jean-Louis Godfrey, Jack Noseworthy, Eric Roberts (Eric Roberts? soooo…who does he kill and/or have sex with?), Kendra C. Johnson, and Crystal Rivers.  Don’t expect this one to stay around too long before it hits the DVD shelves.

Friends with Money (Limited Release)

Great cast for writer/director Nicole Holofcener’s (Lovely & Amazing, Walking and Talking) latest film.  Jennifer Aniston (in her first of two films including this summer’s The Break-Up with Vince Vaughn) plays a successful career woman who quits her teaching job to work as a part time maid and then questions whether she still fits in with her successful friends (Joan Cusack, Catherine Keener, Frances McDormand).  The film as stars Greg Germann, Simon McBurney and Jason Isaacs.  As the opening film at Sundance it recieved some notice but the the buzz you’d expect from a quality ensemble cast (though the film does cast Aniston firmly as the main lead). 

On a Clear Day (Limited Release)

In a last ditch effort to salvage his self-esteem after losing his job a 55 year-old shipbuilder (Peter Mullan) decides to swim the English Channel.  In training he grows closer to his friends (Billy Boyd, Ron Cook, Sean McGinley) keeping his quest a secret from his wife (Brenda Blethyn) and estranged son (Jamie Sives).  And as always in films like this the journey teaches the lead character truth about life, how to confront his problems, and how to reconnect to those around him.  The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and McGinley took home Best Supporting Actor at the IFTA Awards.  Directed by Gaby Dellal, the film was shot in Glasgow and Dover.

When Do We Eat (Limited Release)

Passover was never so funny!  When one of the kids slips his overbearing father (Michael Lerner) a hit of Ecstasy right before the seder the night becomes one to remember.  The cast includes Jack Klugman, Lesly Ann Warren, Max Greenfield, Mili Avital, Shiri Appleby, and Adam Lamberg.  Co-written and directed by Slavador Litvak who waited 11 years to put out his second film.  Distributed by ThinkFilms (who did a great job getting The Aristocrats out last year) so unless you live in NY or LA expect this one to take a little while to get to your town.

We’ve found out a little about some comic book films you just might be interested in.  It seems somebody finally spilled the beans about Topher Grace and Spidey 3 on the record.  Think you know who he’s playing?  Think again!  Also Christopher Nolan announced an end to the search to find the next Joker as the director has settled on his choice and has narrowed the Harvey Dent role down to three.  Check inside for all the comic book movie goodness.

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Seriously, what did you expect?

Bruce Campbell returning to the role his fans still salivate for?  Ash taking on Jason Voorhees and Freddie Kruger in a battle to the death!  A fan’s wet dream?  Yes, but turns out this one will come true.  Campbell, despite previous comments saying he would never play the role again, has signed on for the film and this baby’s gonna’ get good.  Check out the interview inside for all the juicy tidbits including whose on deck to direct.

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Seriously, what did you expect?

Well fans of Ocean’s Eleven and Ocean’s Twelve have at least one more film to look forward to.  Warner Bros. announced plans to go ahead with another sequel that should reunite the original cast and director Steven Soderbergh for one more great heist adventure.  So who’s the newcomer to make it 13?  Ellen Barkin.  Ellen Barkin????  I thought she was dead!  What, was Patricia Arquette too expensive?  The plot of the film is still sketchy but it will take place in Las Vegas and Los Angeles and is scheduled to begin shooting in July and should be out next year.

Ocean’s Thirteen
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So what’s out there this week.  Well today we’ll take a look at the films scheduled to be released this Friday including the sequels to Ice Age and Basic Instinct, yet another horror film will Slither its way onto the screen 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 or link to watch the trailer.

Ice Age (2): The Meltdown

Sequel to the 2002 animated hit reunites director Carlos Saldanha with the voices of Ray Ramano, Dennis Leary, John Leguizamo, and Stephen Root (but no Jack Black, Cedric the Entertainer, or Alan Tudyk this time out).  Nope, this time we get voices of Seann William Scott, Queen Latifah and Will Arnett.  The sequel involves the end of the Ice Age as the animals worry the melting ice (hmmm….Global Warming inferences??) will destroy their home.  I wasn’t the biggest fan of the first film and don’t think it really earned a sequel (though it made enough $$ to make this film inevitable). 

Basic Instinct 2

Speaking of unnecessary sequels….  Sharon Stone reprises the role that made her a star.  Once again novelist Catherine Trammel is in the middle of murder only this time in England.  David Morrissey co-stars as the shrink called into evaluate her and falls under her spell of seduction….yeah, whatever.  Can a sequel (that took 14 years to get made) to a ridiculous film actually be any good?  Can a 48 year-old Stone still play the femme fatale?  Who at Sony thought this was a good idea?  Directed by Michael Caton-Jones (City by the Sea, The Jackal, Doc Hollywood), this one’s got train-wreck written all over it.

ATL

Four high school friends ponder life after high school down at the local rollerskating rink in Atlanta named Jellybeans.  With a cast of young unknowns (Ablie Clark, April Daniels, and T.I. and Big Boi) first time feature director Chris Robinson (whose done only music videos to date) and a script by Tina Gordon Chism (who gave us the underrated Drumline), how this one will turn out is anyone’s guess.

Slither

Yet another horror film dumped into the early year’s batch of “soon to be forgotten.”  Though to be fair this one’s got an interesting cast including Firefly star Nathan Fillion, B-movie tough guys Michael Rooker and Gregg Henry, Elizabeth Banks (The 40 Year Old Virgin), and Rob Zombie.  Written and directed by James Gunn (who wrote the Dawn of the Dead remake and both Scooby-Doo films…ugh) the story involves a small town invaded by an alien plague that slithers around and turns them into zombies and monsters.  Early response from the film has been less than enthusiastic.

In Limited Release:

Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing and Charm School – Robert Carlyle as a widower who finds meaning in taking ballroom dance lessons.  Based on director Randall Miller’s original 1990 short film, though you might remember a similar film with Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez called Shall We Dance.  This one’s got Marisa Tomei, Donnie Walberg, and John Goodman.  Joy.  View the trailer

Swimmers – Regional tale in a small Maryland fishing town tells the story of an 11-year old girl (Tara Devon Gallagher) forced to give up swimming due to an injury and her friendship with a woman (Sarah Paulson) who has just returned having dealt with her own tragedy.  View the trailer

Awesome; I Fuckin’ Shot That! – How do you like your Beastie Boys?  The film was taped by audience members at a 2004 performance.  Around 50 fans were chosen and given hand-held Hi8 cameras and the footage was pieced together to make the film.  View the trailer

Adam & Steve – Gay love story about two men who meet and fall in love only to discover that they met 20 years before under less happy circumstances.  Written and directer by Craig Chester (who also stars).  View the trailer

The Devil and Daniel Johnston (New York and Los Angeles only) – Manic-depressive singer/songwriter/painter/artist Daniel Johnson’s life and career are examined in this documentary by Jeff Feuerzeig that includes interviews with Johnston, his family and his friends.  View the trailer

Brick (New York and Los Angeles only) – A loner (Joesph Gordon Levitt) who in searching for the truth about the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend finds himself suddenly in the middle of a high school crime ring.  Written and directed by Rian Johnson.  View the trailer