“Spiral” – In “Spiral” a reclusive telemarketer has only one semblance of a friend: His telecommuter boss. But the telemarketer’s social circle seems to improve greatly when a whimsical co-worker enters his life. Only, as he begins to sketch his new friend’s portrait, disturbing “voices” from the phone man’s past threaten to lead him into a network of destruction.
STARRING: Amber Tamblyn, Joel Moore, Zachary Levi, Tricia Helfer, David Muller, Annie Neal
DIRECTORS: Adam Green and Joel Moore
STUDIO: Anchor Bay
RATING: PG-13 (For disturbing behavior, violence, some partial nudity and language)
THEATER COUNT (Opening Weekend): TBD
RUNNING TIME: TBD
TOTAL DOMESTIC BOX OFFICE: TBD
U.S. DVD RELEASE DATE: TBD
“In Bruges” – This darkly comic suspense thriller from Academy Award-winning writer/director Martin McDonagh tells the story of hit men Ray and Ken (Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson). After a botched job in London, the team is ordered by their boss Harry (two-time Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes) to cool their heels in the storybook city of Bruges, Belgium. Very much out of their comfort zones, the men find themselves drawn into increasingly dangerous entanglements with locals, tourists, and a film shoot. As their stay in Bruges gets weirder, they realize Harry may have other plans for them than a simple vacation. “In Bruges” makes its debut at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.
STARRING: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes
DIRECTOR: Martin McDonagh
STUDIO: Focus Features
RATING: R (For graphic violence, language, drug use)
THEATER COUNT (Opening Weekend): TBD
RUNNING TIME: TBD
TOTAL DOMESTIC BOX OFFICE: TBD
U.S. DVD RELEASE DATE: TBD
The Hottie And The Nottie” – Anyone who has seen a Paris Hilton movie, (the self made porn movie not withstanding), knows she can’t act. Remember “House Of Wax?” OK. Well, Regent Releasing, the studio, until now, known for delivering primarily gay themed movies, many straight to video, may have their first box office hit and impending cult classic on their hands with “The Hottie And The Nottie” – in theaters February 2008. Kathy Griffin would agree that for Hilton to poke fun at herself in this outrageous comedy is, well, “That’s Hot.”
What’s “The Hottie And The Nottie” all about?
Nate (Joel Moore) moves to L.A. to track down Cristabel (Paris Hilton) – “The Hottie” – the woman he’s been in love with since childhood, only to discover that his plan to woo her only has one hurdle to overcome: what to do with June (Christine Lakin) – “The Nottie” – Cristabel’s ever-present, not-so-hot best friend? What’s even more complicating is Nate’s growing feelings for June, whose true beauty starts to emerge.
STARRING: Paris Hilton, Christine Lakin, Joel Moore
DIRECTOR: Tom Putnam
STUDIO: Regent Releasing
RATING: PG-13 (For everything but full frontal of Paris Hilton)
THEATER COUNT (Opening Weekend): TBD
RUNNING TIME: TBD
TOTAL DOMESTIC BOX OFFICE: TBD
U.S. DVD RELEASE DATE: TBD
Fool’s Gold” – Ben “Finn” Finnegan (Matthew McConaughey) is an affable, modern-day treasure hunter who is obsessed with finding the legendary 18th century Queen’s Dowry–40 chests of priceless treasure that was lost at sea in 1715. In his quest, Finn has sunk everything he has, including his marriage to Tess (Kate Hudson). Just as Tess has begun to rebuild her life, working aboard a mega-yacht owned by billionaire Nigel Honeycutt (Donald Sutherland), Finn discovers a vital clue to the treasure’s whereabouts. Much to Tess’ consternation, Finn maneuvers himself aboard Nigel’s yacht and, using his roguish charm, convinces the tycoon and his celebutante daughter, Gemma (Alexis Dziena), to join him in the pursuit of the Spanish riches. Even Tess can’t resist the lure of finally uncovering the treasure that had eluded them for so long. But they are not the only ones after the prize. Finn’s one-time mentor, Moe Fitch (Ray Winstone), and a ruthless local gangster named Bigg Bunny (Kevin Hart) are intent on beating Finn to the trove. Let the treasure hunt begin…
The romantic comedy adventure “Fool’s Gold” was directed by Andy Tennant, who broke records at the box office with the comedy “Hitch.” The film also reunites Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson, who had previously teamed on the romantic comedy “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.”
Sounds like a combo of “How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days” and “Sahara,” two Matthew McConaughey box office bombs. When will the sexiest man alive get a great movie? Well, maybe never. Certainly not with “Fool’s Gold.” Because Matthew McConaughey is not a great actor. And “Fool’s Gold” is one of the most foolish movies in recent memory.
STARRING: Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson, Donald Sutherland, Ewen Bremner
DIRECTOR: Andy Tennant
STUDIO: Warner Bros.
RATING: PG-13 (For action violence, some sexual material, brief nudity and language)
THEATER COUNT (Opening Weekend): TBD
RUNNING TIME: TBD
TOTAL DOMESTIC BOX OFFICE: TBD
U.S. DVD RELEASE DATE: TBD
“Strange Wilderness” - “Strange Wilderness” follows the hosts of a failing wildlife show as they go searching for Bigfoot. The quest is meant to boost their dwindling ratings. Steve Zahn, Allen Covert, Jonah Hill, Justin Long, Jeff Garlin and Kevin Heffernan star.
Paramount’s cocky president of publicity, Rob Moore, recently stated, “It’s a terrific addition to our 2008 slate, and we think audiences are demonstrating a strong appetite for edgy R-rated COMEDY material, as evidenced by recent hits such as ‘Knocked Up’ and ‘Borat.‘” Unfortunately, Moore, who obviously has not seen the movie, doesn’t realize that “Strange Wilderness” is poised to be a great candidate for Worst Movie of 2008. Neither of which “Knocked Up,” nor “Borat” suffered the indignity of the years that they were released. Furthermore, “Strange Wilderness” has been in the can, on the shelf, for over a year. It was supposed to be a 2007 release, but reportedly tested so poorly it was almost a direct-to-DVD title.
“Strange Wilderness” is so bad, (no matter what Rob Moore babbles on about), that Paramount is refusing to post a trailer of the film. Surprisingly, the official website of “Strange Wilderness,” listed on the poster, at both www.strangewilderness-themovie.com, and www.strangewilderness-movie.com, directs viewers to the 20th Century Fox movie website – a studio that has absolutely nothing to do with “Strange Wilderness.” The incompetence at movie studios – the higher up you go, especially – never ceases to amaze!
Someday our good friend Michael Agulnek, VP of publicity at Paramont pictures National Publicity, one of the only remaining brains at Paramount, (along with Stu Gottesman), will take control and fix things. Bet on that. And a much better slate of Paramount films and employees.
STARRING: Steve Zahn, Allen Covert, Jeff Garlin, Justin Long, Jonah Hill, Robert Patrick, Harry Hamlin
DIRECTOR: Fred Wolf
STUDIO: Paramount Pictures
RATING: R (For non-stop vulgar language, drug use, crude and sexual humor)
Over Her Dead Body” – Devastated when his fiancée Kate (EVA LONGORIA Parker) is killed on their wedding day, Henry (Paul Rudd) reluctantly agrees to consult a psychic named Ashley (Lake Bell) at the urging of his sister Chloe (Lindsay Sloane). Despite his skepticism over her psychic abilities, Henry finds himself falling hard for Ashley, and vice versa. But there is a big snag. Ashley is being haunted by Kate’s ghost, who considers it her heavenly duty to break up Henry and Ashley’s fledgling romance, if it is the last thing she does on this earthly plane…
STARRING: Eva Longoria, Paul Rudd, Lake Bell, Jason Biggs, Lindsay Sloane, Stephen Root
DIRECTOR: Jeff Lowell
STUDIO: Universal Pictures
RATING: PG-13 (For sexual situations, language)
THEATER COUNT (Opening Weekend): TBD
RUNNING TIME: TBD
TOTAL DOMESTIC BOX OFFICE: TBD
U.S. DVD RELEASE DATE: TBD
The Eye” – Sydney Wells (Jessica Alba) is an accomplished, independent, Los Angeles-based concert violinist. She is also blind, and has been so since a childhood tragedy. As our story opens, Sydney undergoes a double corneal transplant, a surgery she has waited her whole life to have, and her sight is restored. After the surgery, neural ophthalmologist Dr. Paul Faulkner (Alessandro Nivola) helps Sydney with the difficult adjustment, and with the support of her older sister Helen (Parker Posey), Sydney learns to see again. But Sydney’s happiness is short-lived as unexplainable shadowy and frightening images start to haunt her. Are they a passing aftermath of her surgery, Sydney’s mind adjusting to sight, a product of her imagination, or something horrifyingly real? As Sydney’s family and friends begin to doubt her sanity, Sydney is soon convinced that her anonymous eye donor has somehow opened the door to a terrifying world only she can now see.
“The Eye” is a bone-chilling supernatural thriller that tests the boundaries of perception and reality.
Hannah Montana Miley Cyrus: Best Of Both Worlds Concert Movie 3D
“Hannah Montana” fans everywhere will have a chance to see their favorite singer, songwriter and actress, Miley Cyrus, perform her sold-out “Hannah Montana Miley Cyrus – Best of Both Worlds Concert” on the big screen for one-week only with a special Disney Digital 3D presentation exclusively to movie theaters in the US and Canada. February 1-7, 2008. (Bet on the “Hannah Montana Concert Movie” being HELD OVER, too).
“Hannah Montana Miley Cyrus – Best of Both Worlds Concert Movie” will also open in several international markets in spring 2008 which include UK, Australia, New Zealand, German speaking Europe, Latin America and other selected Asian and European territories.
The filmed version of the “Hannah Montana Concert Movie” was shot in state of the art 3D at several venues during the 54-city tour.
In the movie, Miley Cyrus, the 14-year old singing sensation and star of Disney Channel’s hit series, “Hannah Montana,” performs as both a solo artist and as her hugely popular television character, “Hannah Montana.” The “Hannah Montana” television series, costarring 31 year old Jason Earles (who plays Hannah’s 16 year old brother), is about to start its third season, and has attracted legions of fans all over the world.
STARRING: Miley Cyrus
DIRECTOR: Bruce Hendricks
STUDIO: Walt Disney Pictures
RATING: G
Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Trailer
When Did You Last See Your Father?” – Arthur Morrison (Jim Broadbent), and his wife Kim (Juliet Stevenson), are GPs in the same medical practice in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. They have two children, Gillian (Claire Skinner), and her older brother Blake (Colin Firth), from whose perspective the story is told. Blake is 40, married with two children, an established author, and having to face the fact that his father is terminally ill. The film opens during a summer bank holiday family trip in the late 1950s. Arthur hits the hard shoulder to skip a long queue of traffic at a car racing event, and eight year old Blake, and the rest of the family, are crippled with embarrassment. It’s the first of many flashbacks that illustrate Arthur’s bluff attitude to life and his pride in getting something for nothing. These childhood episodes also introduce Beaty (Sarah Lancashire) and her daughter, Josie. It soon becomes clear that Beaty and Arthur are more than just friends and that Josie is potentially Arthur’s child. Adult Blake strives to find out the truth about Josie, and in doing so uncovers the interesting parameters of his father’s marriage. The essence of this father and son relationship is further expressed through flashbacks to Blake’s teens – a family holiday, a fumbled affair with the au pair – where the awkward and introverted Blake is constantly crushed by his father’s flirtatious ways and need to be the centre of attention. There are happy and tender memories too; of Arthur teaching Blake to drive, a camping trip in the rain, and Arthur saying goodbye to Blake as he leaves for university. In the present it becomes clear that Arthur still dominates his grown-up son, a dynamic to which Blake is resigned much to his wife, Kathy’s (Gina McKee) annoyance. But when he and his family confront the reality of Arthur’s cancer, Blake is forced to reconcile himself with the past. Blake’s recollections are interspersed with heart-rending and often uncompromising scenes of Arthur’s decline and submission to the disease that is killing him. It is ironic that Arthur’s battle with his failing health is paralleled by Blake’s struggle to come to terms with their relationship but there’s a human inevitability here we can all identify with. It is only after Arthur’s death; only when the tears come, that Blake is finally able to make peace with his memories.
STARRING: Colin Firth, Jim Broadbent, Juliet Stevenson, Gina Mckee
DIRECTOR: Anand Tucker
STUDIO: Sony Classics
RATING: PG-13 (For sexual content, thematic material and brief strong language)
