close

Weekend film release feature ‘Captain America,’ hip-hop history

By Lou Gaul calkins Media Film Critic 4 min read

Associated Press

In this film publicity image released by Paramount Pictures, Chris Evans is shown in a scene from the film “Captain America: The First Avenger.”

 

A hip-hop history (“Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest”), a superhero epic (“Captain America: The First Avenger”), a romantic comedy (“Friends With Benefits”), a special engagement (“The Man Who Fell to Earth”), and an acclaimed documentary (“Project Nim”) are among the releases arriving for this fourth July weekend.

The films scheduled for this weekend are:

“Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest,” with actor-turned-filmmaker Michael Rapaport (“Mighty Aphrodite”) directing an R-rated documentary that follows Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi White of the legendary hip-hop group during  2008 when they performed sold-out concerts almost 10 years after the release of their last album, “The Love Movement.” The Beastie Boys, Kanye West, Mos Def, and the one-named Common are interviewed.

“Captain America: The First Avenger,” with Chris Evans putting on the red, white and blue costume of a volunteer who enters a military project that turns him into a superhero charged with defending our country. Tommy Lee Jones, Natalie Dormer, Derek Luke and – as the villain Red Skull – Hugo Weaving co-star in the $140 million action fantasy, rated PG-13. Joe Johnston (“The Rocketeer”) directed.

“Friends With Benefits,” with Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake in an R-rated romantic comedy about a guy who sees no reason to stop having a physical-only relationship with a close friend. Patricia Clarkson, Richard Jenkins, Woody Harrelson and Andy Samberg co-star. Will Gluck (“Easy A”) directed.

“Love Etc.,” with Jill Andresevic directing a documentary that follows the romantic feelings of a young, an old, a straight and a gay person over the course of a year.  The unrated film was inspired by the day one of its producers spent waiting in line with his fiancée for their marriage license at New York City’s marriage bureau. They found themselves surrounded by diverse couples, all united in hope and a belief in love.

“The Man Who Fell to Earth,” with David Bowie in a 35th anniversary uncut version of British director Nicolas Roeg’s unrated sci-fi tale about an extraterrestrial who lands on our planet and soon succumbs to decadent habits such as too much alcohol and sex.  A new 35mm print, which contains 20 minutes of previously cut footage from its original U.S. run, will be shown for this limited engagement.

“Project Nim,” with James Marsh (“Man on Wire”) directing a PG-13 documentary about a family that raised a chimpanzee like a human in its Upper West Side apartment in the 1970s.

“Snow Flower and the Secret Fan,” with Vivian Wu and Hugh Jackman in a PG-13 import about two women who develop a secret code of communication as a way to sidestep the rigid cultural roles imposed on Chinese women in the 19th century. Wayne Wang (“The Joy Luck Club”) directed.

“Tabloid,” with Errol Morris (“The Thin Blue Line”) directing an R-rated documentary on a beauty-contest winner from Wyoming who was charged with kidnapping and imprisoning a Mormon missionary.

At the Buck$ Office

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” cast a spell on moviegoers.

The final “Potter” title enjoyed the biggest weekend opening in history, grossing an astronomical $168.5 million just in the U.S. and Canada. The PG-13 picture should continue its lucrative run through Labor Day.

“Transformers: Dark of the Moon” dropped to the No. 2 spot with a gross of $21.2 million. In three weeks, Michael Bay’s action film, which is based on a toy line, has grossed $302.8 million.

“Horrible Bosses” grossed more than $17 million for the No. 3 spot. In just two weeks, the R-rated comedy has taken in $60 million.

According to Box Office Mojo, the top-10 films last weekend were:

1. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” ($168.5 million)

2. “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” ($21.2 million)

3. “Horrible Bosses” ($17.6 million)

4. “Zookeeper” ($12.3 million)

5. “Cars 2” ($8.3 million)

6. “Winnie the Pooh” ($8 million)

7. “Bad Teacher” ($5.2 million)

8. “Larry Crowne” ($2.5 million)

9. “Super 8” ($1.9 million)

10. “Midnight in Paris” ($1.8 million)

Gaul on the Web

My film reviews, features and columns can be read under entertainment/movies on our website, www.phillyBurbs.com.

 

Lou Gaul can be reached at 609-871-8055 or lgaul@phillyBurbs.com.

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $4.79/week.

Subscribe Today