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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 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.