So what’s out there this week. Well today we’ll take a look at the films scheduled to be released this Friday including a sinking boat (nope, not Titanic), Lindsey Lohan’s latest (why?), a film about soccer (sadly without Keira Knightly), a documentary on Frank Gehry, and a new flick with Eward Notron, David Morse and Evan Rachel Wood. All that and more; read on…
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Here’s what’s scheduled to hit theaters this week. Want to know more, just click on the title for film info including a full cast list. Want a closer look, just click on the poster to watch the trailer.
Poseidon
A luxury liner filled with beautiful people sinks when it hits an iceberg is capsized by a tidal wave. As the ship sinks the passengers struggle to stay alive and come up with a plan to save themselves from a watery grave. The latest from director Wolfgang Petersen (Troy, Air Force One, In the Line of Fire) includes quite a cast with Kurt Russell, Richard Dreyfuss, Josh Lucas, Mia Maestro, and Jacinda Barrett. The film is a remake of 1972’s The Poseidon Adventure with Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Roddy McDowall, and Shelly Winters.
Just My Luck
Lindsay Lohan plays the lucky Ashley Albright whose luck changes when her fate is switched with that of an rather unlucky young man (Chris Pine) when they kiss. Other cast members include Bree Turner, Missi Pyle, Faizon Love, and Samare Armstong. Sounds like another insipid romantic comedy from director Donald Pertie (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Welcome to Mooseport, Mystic Pizza). Looks like another moderate hit in the making for Lohan (Herbie:Fully Loaded, Mean Girls, Freaky Friday);someone please explain to me her appeal to me. Seriously, I’m not joking.
Down in the Valley (limited release)
A young suburban teenager (Evan Rachel Wood) develops a crush on a recently arrived cowboy (Edward Norton) who seems out of place in sunny L.A. Despite the reservations of her father the girl persues a relationship with a man who is both more and less than he seems. The latest from writer director David Jacobson (Dahmer) who doesn’t shy away from tough subject matter. The supporting cast includes Bruce Dern, Rory Culkin, and Ellen Burstyn. Wood prove she could hold her own with actors twice her age in last year’s The Upside of Anger and this steamy role should help her breakthrough into more adult roles.
Keeping Up with the Steins (limited release)
In competing against other parents Hollywood agent Adam Fiedler (Jeremy Piven) decides to throw the most extravagant Bar Mitzvah for his son (Daryl Sabara) who hopes to use the opportunity to try and reconcile his separated parents. Rounding out the cast are Cheryl Hines, Daryl Hannah, Miranda Cosgrove, Doris Roberts, and Bill O’Reilly. The film is the first for director Scott Marshall (son of Gary Marshall, who has a role in the film) and early reviews have been positive (it won the audience award at the US Comedy Arts Festival) though it has taken shots for what some are calling its anti-semitic humor.
Goal! (limited release)
A Mexican immigrant to Los Angeles (Kuno Becker) tries to make his dreams of playing professional soccer come true by earning a tryout for Newcastle United. The film also stars Tony Plana, Miriam Colon, Anna Friel, Stephen Dillane, Cassandra Bell and soccer stars David Beckham, Alan Shearer, and Brian Johnson. Directed by Danny Cannon (I Still Know What You Did Last Summer) after Michael Winterbottom (Wonderland) left the project when FIFA demanded script approval for the right to use real teams, locations and players. Will this film Bend it Like Beckham?
Wah-Wah (limited release)
The film tells the story of the independence of the Kingdom of Swaziland from Great Britain in the mid-60’s through the eyes of a young boy (Zac Fox). The semi-autobiographical piece was written and directed by first-timer Richard E. Grant about his own childhood during that period in history and includes Gabriel Byrne, Miranda Richardson, Emily Watson, Nicholas Hoult, Ian Roberts, Julian Wadham, and Celia Imrie. Completed in 2005 the film hit the festival circuit and won nominations at the British Independent Film Awards (for Watson and Grant) and the IFTA Awards (for Byrne).
Dead Man’s Shoes (limited release)
Paddy Considine, who also co-wrote the film with director Shane Meadows (The Stairwell, Once Upon a Time in the Midlands), plays a soldier who returns home taking what he has learned and applies it in order to exact vengeance from a group of gang members who brutalized his mentally-challenged brother (Tob Kebbell) some years ago. The 2004 British film was well received in its home country and won Meadows awards at the Dinard British Film Festival and the Director’s Guild of Great Britain. Considine pulled in Best Actor awards from the Empire Awards (UK) and the Evening Standard British Film Awards.
Sketches of Frank Gehry (New York and Los Angeles only)
Director Sydney Pollack (Tootsie, The Interpreter, Three Days of the Condor) tackles this documentary on his friend the renown architect that includes interviews with Gehry, his friends, associates, and therapists in an attempt to understand Gehry’s creative ambition and artistic process. Included are Michael Eisner, Bob Gelof, and Dennis Hopper. Pollack spent five years working on the project that delves deep into Gehry’s personal life but stays away from his private family life.
