Horror sequel, superhero tale to light up silver screen this weekend
A horror sequel (“The Hills Have Eyes 2”), a children’s tale (“The Last Mimzy”), a sports melodrama (“Pride”), an unsettling drama (“Reign Over Me”), an action thriller (“Shooter”) and a superhero tale (“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”) are the top titles arriving in theaters on this first weekend of spring. The new films (with all dates subject to change) opening at a theater near you include:
– “Avenue Montaigne, with Cecile de France (“Russian Dolls”) in a European comedy about a waitress who becomes involved with people from the worlds of art, theater, fashion and music who eat at an affordable caf? in Paris. The PG-13 import will be shown in French with subtitles.
– “The Dead Girl,” with Brittany Murphy (“Sin City”), Toni Collette (“Little Miss Sunshine”) and Kerry Washington (“I Think I Love My Wife”) in an R-rated dramatic mystery. The film follows seemingly unrelated stories that revolve around the murder of a young woman.
– “The Hills Have Eyes 2,” with Michael McMillian (TV’s “Big Love”) and Jessica Stroup (“School for Scoundrels”) in an R-rated follow-up that has some new recruits to the National Guard stopping at a remote research post in New Mexico. They then battle deadly cannibalistic beings who are seeking women to use as “breeders” to keep their mutant clan alive.
– “The Last Mimzy,” with Rainn Wilson (TV’s “The Office”), Timothy Hutton (“Ordinary People”) and Michael Clarke Duncan (“The Green Mile”) in a PG-rated family adventure about a brother and sister who discover a toy from the future. They then develop incredible and frightening talents while playing with it.
– “Pride,” with Terrence Howard (“Hustle & Flow”) and Bernie Mac (“Ocean’s Eleven”) in an uplifting, fact-based sports tale about Jim Ellis, an educator/coach who founded Philadelphia’s first African-American swim team. In the PG-rated picture, the caring teacher must convince administrators and politicians that the program is worthwhile after the pool is scheduled for demolition.
– “Reign Over Me,” with Adam Sandler (“Click”), Don Cheadle (“Hotel Rwanda”) and Jada Pinkett Smith (“Collateral”) in an R-rated drama about a man who has been emotionally withdrawn since losing his family on Sept. 11, 2001 and sees an opportunity to recover from his grief after he rekindles a friendship with his old college roommate. Mike Binder (“The Upside of Anger”) wrote and directed.
– “Shooter,” with Mark Wahlberg (“The Departed”), Danny Glover (“Lethal Weapon”) and Ned Beatty (“Deliverance”) in a thriller about a former Marine sniper who’s framed for an assassination attempt and then must use his deadly skills to stay alive and prove his innocence. The R-rated picture is based on the popular novel “Point of Impact” by Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic Stephen Hunter.
– “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT),” with director-screenwriter Kevin Munroe bringing back the karate-kicking turtles Michelangelo, Leonardo, Donatello and Raphael via computer animation. In the PG-rated action adventure, the heroes use their hand-to-hand combat skills to stop an evil industrialist from unleashing an army of monsters capable of taking over the world.
Frumkes talks ‘Trash’
During “Exhumed Films Presents: A Night with Producer/Director/Writer Roy Frumkes,” the filmmaker will discuss and show his cult favorite “Street Trash.”
The event, being held March 24 at Philadelphia’s International House, 3701 Chestnut St., will also include a question-and-answer session and some surprises. Frumkes will sign memorabilia.
For show times, ticket prices and other information go to www.ExhumedFilms.com.
At the buck$ office
The Spartans ruled at the box office for the second weekend in a row.
“300,” the bloody R-rated action epic about a small group of Spartan warriors challenging the Persian army, grossed more than $32 million, bringing its total gross to $127.5 million in just two weeks.
Also riding high were John Travolta, Martin Lawrence and Tim Allen in “Wild Hogs.” The PG-13 comedy about some middle-aged guys going on a motorcycle road trip, grossed more than $18 million last weekend. In three weeks, “Hogs” has grossed $104 million.
Sandra Bullock proved a modest box-office draw in “Premonition.” The psychological thriller, about a woman who has a vision of her husband dying, opened with $18 million.
According to the Associated Press, the top-10 movies last weekend were:
1. “300” ($31.2 million)
2. “Wild Hogs” ($18.8 million)
3. “Premonition” ($18 million)
4. “Dead Silence” ($7.8 million)
5. “I Think I Love My Wife” ($5.7 million)
6. “Bridge to Terabithia” ($5.1 million)
7. “Ghost Rider” ($4 million)
8. “Zodiac” ($3.1 million)
9. “Norbit” ($2.7 million)
10. “Music and Lyrics” ($2.2 million)
Gaul on the Web
Lou Gaul’s film reviews, features and columns can be read on our Web site at lougaul.phillyburbs.com.