The Unforseen” - In “The Unforseen” an ambitious west Texas farm boy with grandiose plans tires of living at the mercy of nature and sets out to find a life with more control. He heads to Austin where he becomes a real estate developer and skillfully capitalizes on the growth of this 1970s boomtown. At the peak of his powers, he transforms 4,000 acres of pristine Hill Country into one of the state’s largest and fastest selling subdivisions. When the development threatens a local treasure, a fragile limestone aquifer and a naturally spring-fed swimming hole, the community fights back. In the conflict that ensues, we see in miniature a struggle that today plays out in communities across the country. “The Unforseen” was produced by Terrence Malick & Robert Redford.
STARRING: Robert Redford, Gary Bradley, William Greider, Ann Richards, Dick Brown
DIRECTOR: Laura Dunn
STUDIO: The Cinema Guild
RATING: Not Rated
THEATER COUNT (Opening Weekend): 1
RUNNING TIME: TBD
TOTAL DOMESTIC BOX OFFICE: TBD
U.S. DVD RELEASE DATE: TBD
“Penelope” is the story of a young woman, Penelope Wilhern (Christina Ricci), born to wealthy socialites (Richard E. Grant and Catherine O’Hara).
“Penelope” is afflicted by a secret family curse that can only be broken when she is loved by one of her own kind. Hidden away in the family’s majestic home, she is subjected to meeting a string of blue-bloods through her parent’s futile attempt to marry her off and break the curse. Each suitor is instantly enamored with “Penelope” (and her sizable dowry)… until the curse is revealed.
When a willing mate cannot be found, mischievous tabloid reporter Lemon (Peter Dinklage) hires Max (James McAvoy) to pose as a prospective suitor in hopes of snapping a photo of the mysterious “Penelope.” Max, who is really a down-on-his-luck gambler, finds himself drawn to “Penelope” and not wanting to expose or disappoint her, disappears and leaves Lemon in the lurch. Fed up by this latest betrayal and determined to live life on her own terms, Penelope breaks free from her family and goes out into the world in search of adventure - curse be damned.
The feature filmmaking debut of director Mark Palansky, “Penelope” was produced by Reese Witherspoon - “Penelope.”
Originally scheduled for a Spring 2007 release, and then an August 17, 2007 release, “Penelope,” well, her future, was in jeopardy. Until Rob Friedman, CEO of Summit Entertainment, saved the film and snatched it up. “Penelope” is now scheduled for a February 29, 2008 release.
STARRING: Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O’Hara, Reese Witherspoon, Peter Dinklage, Richard E. Grant, Simon Woods, Ronni Ancona, Nick Frost, Richard James
DIRECTOR: Mark Palansky
STUDIO: Summit Entertainment
RATING: PG (Mild Language)
RUNNING TIME: 100 Minutes
Two sisters, Anne and Mary Boleyn, are driven by their ambitious Father and Uncle to advance the family’s power and status by courting the affections of the King of England. Leaving behind the simplicity of country life, the girls are thrust into the dangerous and thrilling world of court life–and what began as a bid to help their family develops into a ruthless rivalry between Anne and Mary for the love of the King. Initially, Mary wins King Henry’s favor and becomes his mistress, bearing him two illegitimate children. But Anne, clever, conniving and fearless, edges aside both her sister and Henry’s wife, Queen Katherine of Aragon, in her relentless pursuit of the King. Despite Mary’s genuine feelings for Henry, her sister Anne has her sights set on the ultimate prize; Anne will not stop until she is Queen of England. As the Boleyn girls battle for the love of a King–one driven by ambition, the other by true affection–England is torn apart.
City Of Men” - In “City Of Men,” producer Fernando Meirelles (The Constant Gardner) returns to the Brazilian favelas of his Academy Award-nominated film, City of God. Growing up in a culture dictated by violence and run by street gangs, teenagers Acerola (Douglas Silva) and Laranjinha (Darlan Cunha) have become close as brothers. With their eighteenth birthdays fast approaching, Laranjinha sets out to find the father he never met, while Acerola struggles to raise his own young son. But when they suddenly find themselves on opposite sides of a gang war, the lifelong friends are forced to confront a shocking secret from their shared past.
STARRING: Douglas Silva, Darlan Cunha, Rodrigo dos Santos
DIRECTOR: Paulo Morelli
STUDIO: Miramax Films
RATING: R (For nudity, drug use, graphic violence, sexual situation, pervasive language)
THEATER COUNT (Opening Weekend): TBD
RUNNING TIME: TBD
TOTAL DOMESTIC BOX OFFICE: TBD
U.S. DVD RELEASE DATE: TBD
Bonneville” - Yes, the movie“Bonneville,” the title, is based on the name of the car of the same name!
Oscar winners (and nominees) Jessica Lange, Joan Allen and Kathy Bates hit the road in “Bonneville,” a story about three friends who ”come of age” for a second time on a trip across the great American West. Faced with the decision of a lifetime, Arvilla Holden (Lange) loads up her 1966 Bonneville convertible and, with her friends in tow, sets out from Pocatello, Idaho en route to Santa Barbara.
As they detour to spots like Bryce Canyon and Las Vegas, it doesn’t take long for the women to realize Arvilla has something unexpected in store. But what none of them realize is that what began as a simple trip will end up becoming a chance to rediscover themselves, their friendship, the importance of promises - and of letting go. Also starring Tom Skerritt and Christine Baranski, “Bonneville,” unites three of the most acclaimed actresses of our time in a story that celebrates fun, adventure and living life to the fullest.
STARRING: Jessica Lange, Joan Allen, Kathy Bates, Tom Skerritt, Christine Baranski
DIRECTOR: Christopher N. Rowley
STUDIO: Miramax
RATING: PG (For mild language)
THEATER COUNT (Opening Weekend): TBD
RUNNING TIME: 94 minutes
TOTAL DOMESTIC BOX OFFICE: TBD
U.S. DVD RELEASE DATE: TBD
Chop Shop” - “Chop Shop” is the story of Alejandro (Alejandro Polanco), a twelve-year-old Latino street orphan in Willet’s Point, also known as the “Iron Triangle,” a vibrant, sprawling, industrial neighborhood teeming with auto-body repair shops, scrap yards, and garbage dumps on the outskirts of Queens, New York. Alejandro, like many young boys in the area, works at one of the many auto body repair shops that line the street. Alejandro spends his days in an adult world, running errands, convincing customers to come to his boss’s garage instead of a competitor’s, and learning how to paint and repair cars. Although conditions are harsh, his life is sprinkled with moments of happiness as he carves out a life for himself in the wasteland of the Iron Triangle. The brightest of these moments is the arrival of his sister Isamar (Isamar Gonzales), who moves in with him in the tiny room that he has found for them perched in the back of the shop where he works. Knowing that creating a better life for the two of them is their best bet at staying together, Alejandro finds her a job in a food van cooking and selling meals to the workers in the Iron Triangle. With a mixture of childlike naiveté and adult ambition, Alejandro begins obsessively saving his money to buy a mobile-food van as the two dream about owning and running a small business of their own. But when their dream, and their loving relationship, is threatened by the hard truths of life, work, and one another, the children find themselves forced to make the kinds of difficult decisions that most adults never have to face. Intimate, heartbreaking and yet ultimately hopeful, “Chop Shop” is a portrait of a young boy navigating his way through a chaotic adult world. Set in a stunning and unique location, it is subtle and simple, but tells a profound story about the people who live, work, and dream there.
STARRING: Alejandro Polanco, Isamar Gonzales
DIRECTOR: Ramin Bahrani
STUDIO: Koch Lorber
RATING: Not Rated
THEATER COUNT (Opening Weekend): TBD
RUNNING TIME: TBD
TOTAL DOMESTIC BOX OFFICE: TBD
U.S. DVD RELEASE DATE: TBD
Witless Protection” - Larry the Cable Guy returns for another comic misadventure as a small town sheriff who unwittingly gets involved in a high profile FBI case in Lionsgate’s new comedy, “Witless Protection.” During a routine day spent patrolling his small town, Larry witnesses a beautiful, high-class woman, Madeleine, being held against her will by four mysterious, black-suited men. Recognizing the opportunity to save the day, Larry “kidnaps” her, only to learn that Madeleine is actually a key witness in a high-stakes Chicago crime case and her captors are FBI agents assigned to protect her. Madeleine is furious. But Larry, who rightly suspects the agents are crooked and Madeleine is in danger, forces her on a harebrained trip to Chicago to solve the case himself. Together, the hilariously mismatched duo must grapple with angry FBI agents, quack doctors and Chicago high society in his funniest, most unpredictable adventure yet.
STARRING: Larry the Cable Guy, Ivana Milicevic, Yaphet Kotto, Peter Stormare, Eric Roberts, Joe Mantegna, Jenny McCarthy
DIRECTOR: Charles Robert Carner
STUDIO: Lionsgate
RATING: PG-13 (For language, crude humor)
THEATER COUNT (Opening Weekend): TBD
RUNNING TIME: TBD
TOTAL DOMESTIC BOX OFFICE: TBD
U.S. DVD RELEASE DATE: TBD
The Signal” - Imagine every cell phone, radio, and television in your city suddenly broadcasting the same mysterious signal over and over. Now imagine these “terminus” transmissions evoking violent, uncontrollable, psychotic chaos from everyone who comes in contact with them.
“The Signal” invades the minds of everyday citizens living their workaday lives and having their sordid affairs. Suddenly struck by the power of the insidious transmissions, they are compelled to kill or be killed. Complicating matters is a zombielike resistance some characters have to the idea of remaining dead. The story violently explodes, blending bloody gore with psychological satire, for a truly original horror experience. The Atlanta filmmaking team of David Bruckner, Dan Bush, and Jacob Gentry tell the eerie tale in three parts (cleverly called “transmissions”), shifting perspectives to draw out a larger story that explores dark secrets and fears as well as jealousy and betrayal.
Not for the faint of heart, “The Signal” will nonetheless satisfy those looking for a smart exploration of the power of media to mutate our minds. It is truly inspired independent filmmaking that will stalk viewers from every dark corner while examining the surprising human madness lying deep within.
STARRING: A.J. Bowen, Anessa Ramsey, Cheri Christian, Justin Welborn, Scott Poythress, Sahr Ngaujah
DIRECTORS: David Bruckner, Dan Bush, Jacob Gentry
STUDIO: Magnolia Pictures
RATING: R (For strong brutal bloody violence throughout, pervasive language and brief nudity)
The Duchess of Langeais” - “The Duchess of Langeais”, a married coquette who frequents the most extravagant balls in 1820’s Paris during The Restoration, where hypocrisy and vanity reign. Upon the handsome general, Armand de Montriveau’s first meeting with her, he realized it was true love from that moment on. Flattered by his attentions, the alluring Antoinette orchestrates a calculating game of seduction, but she repeatedly refuses Montriveau. Despite his sincere romantic declarations, Montriveau’s passion remains unfulfilled. When the humiliated Montriveau eventually seeks his revenge, Antoinette’s love awakens. But it may well be too late for the star-crossed lovers.
STARRING: Jeanne Balibar, Guillaume Depardieu, Michel Piccoli, Bulle Ogier, Barbet Schroeder
DIRECTOR: Jacques Rivette
STUDIO: IFC
RATING: R (For nudity, sexual situations)
THEATER COUNT (Opening Weekend): TBD
RUNNING TIME: 2hrs. 17 min.
TOTAL DOMESTIC BOX OFFICE: TBD
U.S. DVD RELEASE DATE: TBD
In “Be Kind Rewind,” Jerry (Jack Black), a junkyard worker who attempts to sabotage a power plant that he believes is melting his brain. But when his plan goes awry, the magnetic field that he creates accidentally erases all of the videotapes in a local video store where his best friend Mike works. Fearing that the mishap will cost Mike his job, the two friends team up to keep the store’s only loyal customer - a little old lady (Mia Farrow) with a tenuous grasp on reality - from realizing what has happened by recreating and re-filming every movie that she decides to rent. From “Back to the Future,” to “Robocop,” to “Rush Hour,” to “The Lion King,” Jerry and Mike become the biggest stars in their neighborhood by starring in the biggest movies ever made.
“Be Kind Rewind” is brought to us by Michael Gondry, director of “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.”
STARRING: Jack Black, Mos Def, Danny Glover, Mia Farrow, Paul Dinello
DIRECTOR: Michael Gondry
STUDIO: New Line Cinema
RATING: PG-13 (For language and sexual references)
