At the Movies
A relationship comedy (“Because I Said So”), a classic re-issue (“Becket”), a family drama (“Constellation”) and a dark thriller (“The Messengers”) are the top titles arriving in theaters on this first weekend of February. For complete descriptions, critical evaluations of previewed films and explanations of the Motion Picture Association of America ratings in terms of violence, language and sexual content, please refer to the Movie Capsules.
The new films (with all dates subject to change) opening at a theater near you include:
“Because I Said So,” with Diane Keaton (“The Family Stone”) in a PG-13 comedy about a driven mother obsessed with finding an eligible bachelor for her youngest daughter (Mandy Moore of “A Walk to Remember”). Those suitors include a down-to-earth architect (Tom Everett Scott of “One True Thing”) and a head-in-the-clouds rocker (Gabriel Macht of “The Good Shepherd”). The well-meaning but misguided mom also meddles in the affairs of her other two daughters (Lauren Graham of TV’s “Gilmore Girls”) and Piper Perabo of “Coyote Ugly”). Michael Lehmann (“The Truth About Cats and Dogs”) directed.
“Becket,” with Richard Burton (“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”) and Oscar-nominee Peter O’Toole (“Venus”) as the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket and King Henry II, respectively. The 148-minute historical drama (1964) examines the friendship between the two men and how it unraveled when Becket put his church duties before the demands of the monarch. A new print of the film, which was directed by Peter Glenville (“The Comedians”), is being shown during this limited re-release. “Becket” received 12 Academy Award nominations (including best picture and best actor for both Burton and O’Toole), and Edward Anahalt won a best-adapted screenplay Oscar for bringing Jean Anouilh’s acclaimed play to the screen.
“Constellation,” with Billy Dee Williams (“Lady Sings the Blues”), Gabrielle Union (“Bad Boys II”) and Hill Harper (“The Breed”) in a PG-13 drama, set in the deep South. The story concerns the members of an African-American family who gather after the passing of the family matriarch and try to come to terms with their troubled past. Jordan Walker-Pearlman (“The Visit”) directed.
“The Messengers,” with Dylan McDermott (“In the Line of Fire”), Penelope Ann Miller (“Kindergarten Cop”), John Corbett (TV’s “Sex and the City”) and Kristen Stewart (“Panic Room”) in a PG-13 thriller about a couple who leave Chicago to escape the stress of city life and purchase a farm house in North Dakota. Once in the rural area, apparitions start appearing to their 16-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son. The horror thriller marks the U.S. filmmaking debuts of co-directors Danny Pang and Oxide Pang, identical-twin brothers whose credits include “The Eye” and “Bangkok Dangerous.” Director Sam Raimi (“Spider-Man”) and his producing partner, Rob Tapert (the “Evil Dead” trilogy), co-produced the picture via their company, Ghost House Pictures, which specializes in modestly budgeted fright fare.
At the buck$ office
A teen “Movie” enjoyed a box office take of “Epic” proportions last weekend.
The broad spoof “Epic Movie” opened with an impressive $19.2 million, easily taking the top spot at the box office.
It was followed by the dark R-rated crime-comedy “Smokin’ Aces,” which opened with more than $14 million.”
According to the Associated Press, the top-10 movies last weekend were:
1. “Epic Movie” ($19.2 million)
2. “Smokin’ Aces” ($14.3 million)
3. “A Night at the Museum” ($9.5 million)
4. “Catch and Release” ($8 million)
5. “Stomp the Yard” ($7.8 million)
6. “Dreamgirls” ($6.6 million)
7. “The Pursuit of Happyness” ($5 million)
8. “Pan’s Labyrinth” ($4.5 million)
9. “The Queen” ($4 million)
10. “The Hitcher” ($3.6 million)