Animated tale and television adaptation arrive on silver screen
An animated tale (“The Ant Bully”), a teen farce (“John Tucker Must Die”), a television adaptation (“Miami Vice”) and a comedy import (“Scoop”) are the top titles arriving in theaters on this last weekend of July. The new films (with all dates subject to change) opening at a theater near you include:
– “The Ant Bully,” with the voices of Nicolas Cage (“Leaving Las Vegas”), Julia Roberts (“Erin Brockovich”), Meryl Streep (“The Devil Wears Prada”), Regina King (“Daddy Day Care”), Paul Giamatti (“Lady in the Water”), Lily Tomlin (“A Prairie Home Companion”) and Bruce Campbell (the “Evil Dead” trilogy) in a computer-animated tale. The PG-rated picture follows the underground mayhem caused by a 10-year-old boy who meanly floods and tramples ant colonies. The misguided child learns a lesson about bullying after he’s shrunk to the size of an insect and sees how his random acts of meanness destroy the tiny creatures and their surprisingly sophisticated world.
– “John Tucker Must Die,” with Jesse Metcalfe (TV’s “Desperate Housewives”) as a handsome star athlete who dates three popular girls at the same time without them knowing it. When the trio – Arielle Kebbel (“American Pie: Band Club”), singer-turned-actress Ashanti (“Coach Carter”) and Sophia Bush (“National Lampoon’s Van Wilder”) – find out, they plot revenge and convince a beautiful high-school newcomer (Brittany Snow of “The Pacifier”) to help them. Betty Thomas (“Private Parts”) directed the PG-13 teen comedy, which features 1993 Playboy Playmate of the Year, Jenny McCarthy (“Scream 3”).
– “Lower City,” with Lazaro Ramos, Wagner Moura and Alice Braga in an R-rated Brazilian import about two lifelong buddies and business partners whose friendship is tested when they both become infatuated with the same exotic dancer.
– “Miami Vice,” with Jamie Foxx (“Ray”) and Colin Farrell (“Alexander”) as Ricardo Tubbs and Sonny Crockett, respectively, in director Michael Mann’s R-rated adaptation of the slick TV series (NBC; 1986-1989) about two stylish detectives with quick trigger fingers and fancy work clothes. In the story, the undercover officers are fighting to stop the drug flow into Florida and trying to solve the murders of two detectives. Gong Li (“Memoirs of a Geisha”), Naomie Harris (“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”) and Justin Theroux (“Mulholland Dr.”) co-star. Anthony Yerkovich created the original television show, and Mann, who went on to direct films such as “Last of the Mohicans,” “Heat,” “Ali” and “Collateral,” gave the series its slick visuals and edgy action.
– “Scoop,” with Scarlett Johansson (“Lost in Translation”), Hugh Jackman (“X-Men: The Last Stand”), Ian McShane (HBO’s “Deadwood”) and Woody Allen, who also wrote and directed, in a London-set comedy about a college journalism student who works with a small-time magician to track down and write a story on a serial killer. The PG-13 picture marks the second teaming of Allen and Johansson, who previously worked together on “Match Point,” which was also set and shot in England.
A ‘Rings’ celebration
Followers of J.R.R. Tolkien and the adaptation of his Middle-earth trilogy by Peter Jackson should find Creation Entertainment’s “ELF: The Lord of the Rings Fan Convention” a golden opportunity to meet “ringers” (the nickname for Tolkien buffs) who share their interests and stars who appeared in the films.
The East Coast’s first fan convention for the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy – “The Fellowship of the Ring,” “The Two Towers” and “The Return of the King” – will be held July 28 (2 to 7 p.m.), July 29 (noon to 7 p.m.) and July 30 (noon to 7 p.m.) at the Crowne Plaza Meadowlands Hotel, 2 Harmon Plaza, just off the New Jersey Turnpike in Secaucus.
The celebrity guests will include: John Rhys Davies who plays Gimli the dwarf (July 28); Sean Astin, who plays Samwise Gamgee (July 29); and Billy Boyd who plays Peregrin “Pippin” Took (July 30). Also available July 28 and 29 will be Daniel Reeve, the artist who created the calligraphy and cartography on the film trilogy.
In addition, the convention will include panel discussions, contests, autograph sessions, photo opportunities and memorabilia vendors.
General admission tickets ($25 for adults and $20 for children 7 to 12) will be available at the door. Children under six are admitted free.
For more information, call (818) 409-0960 or go to creationent.com.
At the buck$ office
Johnny Depp and his cutthroat cohorts continued to plunder the box office last weekend.
“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” grossed $35 million, bringing its total to $321.7 million after 17 days of release. According to the Associated Press, the PG-13 sequel ranks as the fastest movie to cross the $300 million mark, topping “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith,” which was released last year.
The computer-animated “Monster House” enjoyed a strong opening of $23 million, while M. Night Shyamalan’s “Lady in the Water,” floated away with only $18.2 million.
“My Super Ex-Girlfriend,” a high-concept romantic comedy about a woman superhero (Uma Thurman) who uses her powers to torment the guy (Luke Wilson) who dumped her, was weaker than expected. The PG-13 picture opened with less than $9 million.
According to AP, the top-10 movies last weekend were:
1. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” ($35 million)
2. “Monster House” ($23 million)
3. “Lady in the Water” ($18.2 million)
4. “You, Me and Dupree” ($12.8 million)
5. “Little Man” ($11 million)
6. “Clerks II” ($9.6 million)
7. “My Super Ex-Girlfriend” ($8.7 million)
8. “Superman Returns” ($7.46 million)
9. “The Devil Wears Prada” ($4.73 million)
10. “Cars” ($4.9 million)
Coming soon!
The major titles scheduled to open Aug. 4 include: “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” (with Will Ferrell in a NASCAR-set comedy) and “Little Miss Sunshine” (with Steve Carell and Toni Collette in a road picture involving a dysfunctional family).
Gaul on the radio
My “At the Movies” radio segment will air live at 11:30 p.m. on Friday as part of “The Dom Giordano Show” (WPHT-AM/1210).
The broadcast, which can be heard every Friday night, will include discussions of newly released movies and DVDs, as well as motion picture news and trends.