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 second week in a row with a film starring Paul Walker and a new animated film from the Weinstein Company. And make sure to check back tomorrow when we’ll check out the new DVD releases (which includes on of my ton ten films of 2005 and one of my hidden gems). Read on…
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Here’s what’s scheduled to hit theaters this Friday. 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.
Running Scared
Paul Walker plays a mob flunkie given the task of getting rid of murder weapons but instead decides to collect them and hide them in his basement where his son’s friend finds them and uses on to shoot his abusive step-father. Written and directed by Wayne Kramer who gave us The Cooler but is also responsible for the screenplay for Aaron’s worst film of 2005 Mindhunters. Chazz Palminteri and Cameron Bright also star.
Doogal
UK animated film about a dog named Doogal who loves candy and bands together with friends to stop an evil sorcerer who escapes his prison and plans to exact revenge on the earth by freezing the sun. Voices include Danile Tay, Juid Dench, Chevy Chase, Jimmy Fallon, William H. Macy, Ian McKellen, Kevin Smith, Whoppi Goldberg, and Jon Stewart as the wizard. Can they save the day? Well, it’s a kids film after all.
Madea’s Family Reunion
Comedy about a gun-totting grandma who attends the reunion of her dysfunctional family that includes a runaway and a pair of love-troubled neices. The latest from director Tyler Perry (Diary of a Mad Black Woman which had a divided reaction with both critics and movie watchers). The cast includes Lynn Whitfield, May Angelou, Keke Palmer, Cicely Tyson, Blair Underwood, China Anderson, and Tyler Perry himself in drag for the role of Mable “Madea” Simmons.
Night Watch (limited release)
Russian film about the others (vampires, witches and sorcerers) who live amongst humanity in present day Moscow. They are divided into a group of light (good) and dark (evil) who live acoording to a centuries old truce. The night watch is a group of the light who watch over the dark forces during the night trying to control and limit their effect on the world. The film has been hugely successful in Russia since its release in 2004 and already has a hit sequel (2006’s Day Watch) and a new Enlgish language sequel in production now.
Tsotsi (limited release)
South African film showcasing a week in the life of a violent gang leader in Johannesburg. The crime drama won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival, got nominations from The Golden Globes, BAFTA, and is in contention for Best Foreign Language Film at this year’s Academy Awards. The film is in various tribal dialects and presented with English subtitles. Presley Chweneyagae, Mothusi Magano, Israel Makoe, and Percy Matsemela star.
Unknown White Male (Los Angeles & New York only)
A documentary look at Doug Bruce who woke up in Coney Island with no memories and is diagnosed with amnesia. The film focuses on Doug’s rediscoving the world around him and his retun home to Europe in an attempt to reconnect with both friends and family. Mixed early reactions to the film, but it was nominated at last year’s Sundance and first time director Rupert Murray got a nomination for his direction from the Directors Guild.
