Jack the Giant Slayer
February 15, 2013 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2013 Releases, In Theaters
An ancient war is reignited when a young farmhand unwittingly opens a gateway between our world and a fearsome race of giants.
Unleashed on the Earth for the first time in centuries, the giants strive to reclaim the land they once lost, forcing the young man, Jack (Nicholas Hoult), into the battle of his life to stop them. Fighting for a kingdom and its people, and the love of a brave princess, he comes face to face with the unstoppable warriors he thought only existed in legend… and gets the chance to become a legend himself.
In theaters in Real D and Imax 3D Friday March 1, 2013.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
January 10, 2013 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2012 Releases, In Theaters
From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” the first of a trilogy of films adapting the endearingly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. The three films tell a continuous story set in Middle-earth 60 years before “The Lord of the Rings,” which Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar®-winning “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.”
The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Sorcerers.
Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever…Gollum.
Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of ingenuity and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities… A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.
Opens in theaters in four different formats on Friday, December 14, 2012.
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Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters
January 10, 2013 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2013 Releases, In Theaters
After getting a taste for blood as children, Hansel (Jeremy Renner) and Gretel (Gemma Arterton) have become the ultimate vigilantes, hell bent on retribution. Now, unbeknownst to them, Hansel and Gretel have become the hunted, and must face an evil far greater than witches…their past.
Opens in theaters Friday, January 25, 2013.
Cloud Atlas
October 25, 2012 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2012 Releases, In Theaters
From acclaimed filmmakers Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer, and Andy Wachowski, the powerful and inspiring epic drama “Cloud Atlas” explores how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another throughout the past, the present and the future. Action, mystery and romance weave dramatically through the story as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and a single act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution in the distant future.
In theaters and IMAX Friday, October 26, 2012.
Resident Evil: Retribution
September 13, 2012 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2012 Releases, In Theaters
The wildly successful film franchise adaptation that has grossed nearly $700 million worldwide to date returns in its highly anticipated fifth installment, RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION, written and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, in state-of-the art 3D.
The Umbrella Corporation’s deadly T-virus continues to ravage the Earth, transforming the global population into legions of the flesh eating Undead. The human race’s last and only hope, ALICE (Milla Jovovich), awakens in the heart of Umbrella’s most clandestine operations facility and unveils more of her mysterious past as she delves further into the complex. Without a safe haven, Alice continues to hunt those responsible for the outbreak; a chase that takes her from Tokyo to New York, Washington, D.C. and Moscow, culminating in a mind-blowing revelation that will force her to rethink everything that she once thought to be true. Aided by newfound allies and familiar friends, Alice must fight to survive long enough to escape a hostile world on the brink of oblivion. The countdown has begun.
Survive the next zombie apocalypse Friday, September 14, 2012.
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The Amazing Spider-Man
June 26, 2012 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2012 Releases
One of the world’s most popular characters is back on the big screen as a new chapter in the Spider-Man legacy is revealed in The Amazing Spider-Man™. Focusing on an untold story that tells a different side of the Peter Parker story, the new film stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Irrfan Khan, with Martin Sheen and Sally Field. The film is directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay written by James Vanderbilt, based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach are producing the film in association with Marvel Entertainment for Columbia Pictures, which will open in theaters everywhere in 3D on July 3, 2012.
The Amazing Spider-Man is the story of Peter Parker (Garfield), an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Sheen) and Aunt May (Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. Peter is also finding his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy (Stone), and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents’ disappearance – leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Ifans), his father’s former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors’ alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero.
Swinging into theaters in IMAX and 3-D Tuesday, July 3, 2012.
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Rock of Ages
June 5, 2012 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2012 Releases
New Line Cinema’s film adaptation of the smash hit Broadway musical “Rock of Ages” has begun principal photography under the direction of Adam Shankman (“Hairspray”). The movie musical stars Julianne Hough (“Burlesque”), with actor/singer Diego Boneta in his feature film debut, Oscar® nominee Paul Giamatti (“Cinderella Man”), Russell Brand (“Arthur,” “Get Him to the Greek”), R&B queen Mary J. Blige, Malin Akerman (“The Proposal”), multiple Emmy® winner Bryan Cranston (TV’s “Breaking Bad,” “The Lincoln Lawyer”) and Academy Award® winner Catherine Zeta-Jones (“Chicago”), with Oscar® nominees Alec Baldwin (“The Cooler”) and Tom Cruise (“Born on the Fourth of July”).
“Rock of Ages” tells the story of small town girl Sherrie and city boy Drew, who meet on the Sunset Strip while pursuing their Hollywood dreams. Their rock ‘n’ roll romance is told through the heart-pounding hits of Def Leppard, Joan Jett, Journey, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Whitesnake, and more.
Shankman directs “Rock of Ages” from a screenplay by Chris D’Arienzo, based on his musical. The film is being produced by Matt Weaver, Scott Prisand, Carl Levin, Tobey Maguire and Jen Gibgot.
Rounding out the “Rock of Ages” creative team are cinematographer Bojan Bazelli (“Hairspray”), production designer Jon Hutman (“It’s Complicated”), Oscar®-nominated costume designer Rita Ryack (“How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Hairspray”), editor Emma E. Hickox (“A Walk To Remember”), Grammy-nominated music supervisor Matthew Rush Sullivan (“Dreamgirls,” “Nine”), executive music producer Adam Anders (TV’s “Glee”) and Emmy Award-winning choreographer Mia Michaels (“So You Think You Can Dance”).
Rockin’ in theaters and IMAX Friday, June 15, 2012.
Prometheus
May 22, 2012 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2012 Releases
Ridley Scott, director of “Alien” and “Blade Runner,” returns to the genre he helped define. With PROMETHEUS, he creates a groundbreaking mythology, in which a team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a thrilling journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.
Opens in theaters Friday, June 8, 2012.
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Men in Black 3
May 22, 2012 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2012 Releases
In Men in Black™ 3, Agents J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) are back… in time. J has seen some inexplicable things in his 15 years with the Men in Black, but nothing, not even aliens, perplexes him as much as his wry, reticent partner. But when K’s life and the fate of the planet are put at stake, Agent J will have to travel back in time to put things right. J discovers that there are secrets to the universe that K never told him — secrets that will reveal themselves as he teams up with the young Agent K (Josh Brolin) to save his partner, the agency, and the future of humankind.
In theaters Friday, May 25, 2012.
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Dark Shadows (2012)
May 4, 2012 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2012 Releases
In the year 1752, Joshua and Naomi Collins, with young son Barnabas, set sail from Liverpool, England to start a new life in America. But even an ocean was not enough to escape the mysterious curse that has plagued their family. Two decades pass and Barnabas (Johnny Depp) has the world at his feet—or at least the town of Collinsport, Maine. The master of Collinwood Manor, Barnabas is rich, powerful and an inveterate playboy…until he makes the grave mistake of breaking the heart of Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green). A witch, in every sense of the word, Angelique dooms him to a fate worse than death: turning him into a vampire, and then burying him alive. Two centuries later, Barnabas is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972. He returns to Collinwood Manor to find that his once-grand estate has fallen into ruin. The dysfunctional remnants of the Collins family have fared little better, each harboring their own dark secrets. Matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (Michelle Pfeiffer) has called upon live-in psychiatrist, Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter), to help with her family troubles. Also residing in the manor is Elizabeth’s ne’er-do-well brother, Roger Collins, (Jonny Lee Miller); her rebellious teenage daughter Carolyn Stoddard (Chloe Moretz); and Roger’s precocious 10-year-old son, David Collins (Gulliver McGrath). The mystery extends beyond the family, to caretaker Willie Loomis, played by Jackie Earle Haley, and David’s new nanny, Victoria Winters, played by Bella Heathcote.
Opens in theaters Friday, May 11, 2012.
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Marvel’s The Avengers
May 4, 2012 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2012 Releases
Marvel Studios present’s “Marvel’s The Avengers” – the superhero team-up of a lifetime., featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.
Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Remmer and Tom Hiddleston, with Stellan Skarsgård and Samuel L. Jackson, and directed by Joss Whedon, from a story by Zach Penn and Joss Whedon and screenplay by Joss Whedon, Marvel’s The Avengers is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects, when “Marvel’s The Avengers” assembles in summer 2012.
Opens in theaters Friday, May 4, 2012.
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Titanic (1997)
March 30, 2012 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2012 Releases
Titanic is a 1997 American epic romance and disaster film directed, written, co-produced and co-edited by James Cameron. A fictionalized account of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, it starts Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack Dawson, Kate Winslett as Rose DeWitt Bukater and Billy Zane as Rose’s fiancee Cal Hockley. Jack and Rose are members of different social classes who fall in love aboard the ship during its ill-fated maiden voyage.
Cameron’s inspiration for the film was predicated on his fascination for shipwrecks; he wanted to convey the emotional message of the tragedy and felt that a love story interspersed with the human loss would be essential to achieving this. Production on the film began in 1995 , when Cameron shot footage of the actual Titanic wreck. The modern scenes were shot on board the Akademik Mstislav Keldysh, which Cameron had used as a base when filming the wreck. A reconstruction of the Titanic was built at Playas de Rosarito, Baja California, and scale models and computer-generated imagery were also used to recreate the sinking. The film was partially funded by Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox – respectively its American and international distributors, and at the time, it was the most expensive film ever made, with an estimated budget of $200 million.
James Cameron’s “TITANIC” will be re-released in 2D, Real D 3D and Imax 3D worldwide on April 4, 2012
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Wrath of the Titans
March 12, 2012 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2012 Releases
A decade after his heroic defeat of the monstrous Kraken, Perseus—the demigod son of Zeus—is attempting to live a quieter life as a village fisherman and the sole parent to his 10-year old son, Helius. Meanwhile, a struggle for supremacy rages between the gods and the Titans. Dangerously weakened by humanity’s lack of devotion, the gods are losing control of the imprisoned Titans and their ferocious leader, Kronos, father of the long-ruling brothers Zeus, Hades and Poseidon. The triumvirate had overthrown their powerful father long ago, leaving him to rot in the gloomy abyss of Tartarus, a dungeon that lies deep within the cavernous underworld. Perseus cannot ignore his true calling when Hades, along with Zeus’ godly son, Ares (Edgar Ramírez), switch loyalty and make a deal with Kronos to capture Zeus. The Titans’ strength grows stronger as Zeus’ remaining godly powers are siphoned, and hell is unleashed on earth. Enlisting the help of the warrior Queen Andromeda (Rosamund Pike), Poseidon’s demigod son, Argenor (Toby Kebbell), and fallen god Hephaestus (Bill Nighy), Perseus bravely embarks on a treacherous quest into the underworld to rescue Zeus, overthrow the Titans and save mankind.
A Warner Bros. Pictures presentation, in association with Legendary Pictures, a COTT Productions LLC – Furia de Titanes II, A.I.E. Co-production, a Thunder Road Film production, “Wrath of the Titans” is being distributed in IMAX 3D and RealD 3D and 2D worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
Coming to theaters in IMAX and 3-D Friday, March 30th, 2012.
Hunger Games
March 12, 2012 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2012 Releases
Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains.
Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
THE HUNGER GAMES is directed by Gary Ross, with a screenplay by Gary Ross and Suzanne Collins and Billy Ray, and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel, the first in a trilogy published by Scholastic that has over 23.5 million copies in print in the United States alone, has developed a massive global following. It has spent more than 160 consecutive weeks/more than three consecutive years to date on The New York Times bestseller list since its publication in September 2008, and has also appeared consistently on USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists.
In theaters Friday, March 23rd, 2012.
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John Carter
February 23, 2012 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2012 Releases
From Academy Award®–winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes John Carter—a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). John Carter is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and the captivating Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). In a world on the brink of collapse, Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes that the survival of Barsoom and its people rests in his hands.
Opens in theaters Friday, March 9, 2012.
The Lorax
February 23, 2012 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2012 Releases
From the creators of Despicable Me and the imagination of Dr. Seuss comes the much anticipated feature Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, a 3D-CG adaptation of the classic tale of a forest guardian who shares the enduring power of hope. The animated adventure follows the journey of a 12-year-old as he searches for a real Truffula Tree, the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To get it he must find the story of the Lorax, the acerbic yet charming character who fights to protect his world.
Lending their vocal talents to the project are Danny DeVito as the iconic title character of the Lorax and Ed Helms as the enigmatic Once-ler. Also bringing their voices to the adventure are global superstars Zac Efron as Ted, the idealistic youth who searches for the Lorax, and Grammy Award winner Taylor Swift as Audrey, the girl of Ted’s dreams. Rounding out the cast are Rob Riggle as the villain O’Hare, Jenny Slate as Ted’s protective mother and beloved actress Betty White as Ted’s wise Grammy Norma.
Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is the third feature created by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment (Despicable Me, Hop). It opens in theaters Friday, March 2, 2012.
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Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
February 6, 2012 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2012 Releases
In this follow-up to the 2008 worldwide hit “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” the new 3D family adventure “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” begins when young Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson, reprising his role from the first film) receives a coded distress signal from a mysterious island where no island should exist. It’s a place of strange life forms, mountains of gold, deadly volcanoes, and more than one astonishing secret. Unable to stop him from going, Sean’s new stepfather, Hank (Dwayne Johnson), joins the quest. Together with a helicopter pilot (Luis Guzman) and his beautiful, strong-willed daughter (Vanessa Hudgens), they set out to find the island, rescue its lone inhabitant and escape before seismic shockwaves force the island under the sea and bury its treasures forever.
Opens in theaters Friday, February 10, 2012.
Underworld Awakening
January 16, 2012 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2012 Releases
UNDERWORLD AWAKENING brings a stunning new dimension to the epic battle between Vampires and Lycans, as the first film in the franchise to shoot in 3D.
Kate Beckinsale, star of the first two films, returns in her lead role as the vampire warrioress Selene, who escapes imprisonment to find herself in a world where humans have discovered the existence of both Vampire and Lycan clans, and are conducting an all-out war to eradicate both immortal species.
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
December 15, 2011 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2011 Releases
Director Brad Bird and Producer J.J. Abrams bring us the action packed, entertainment event of the holiday season with MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL.
The new film in the series, which has grossed $2 billion dollars worldwide, will feature a new team: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton and Simon Pegg.
This is not just another mission.
The IMF is shut down when it’s implicated in a global terrorist bombing plot. Ghost Protocol is initiated and Ethan Hunt and his rogue new team must go undercover to clear their organization’s name. No help, no contact, off the grid. You have never seen a mission grittier and more intense than this.
Opens in theaters and IMAX Friday, December 16, 2011.
Happy Feet Two
November 11, 2011 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2011 Releases
The sequel to “Happy Feet,” the Academy Award®-winning animated smash hit, “Happy Feet Two” returns audiences to the magnificent landscape of Antarctica in superb 3D.
Mumble, The Master of Tap, has a problem because his tiny son, Erik, is choreo-phobic. Reluctant to dance, Erik runs away and encounters The Mighty Sven—a penguin who can fly! Mumble has no hope of competing with this charismatic new role model.
But things get worse when the world is shaken by powerful forces.
Erik learns of his father’s “guts and grit” as Mumble brings together the penguin nations and all manner of fabulous creatures—from tiny Krill to giant Elephant Seals—to put things right.
“Happy Feet Two” is directed by George Miller, who won an Oscar® as the creator of the original “Happy Feet.” The film features the voices of Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Hank Azaria, Alecia Moore (P!nk), Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Sofia Vergara, Common, Hugo Weaving, Magda Szubanski, Anthony LaPaglia, Richard Carter and Benjamin “Lil P-Nut” Flores, Jr.
George Miller co-wrote the screenplay with Gary Eck, Warren Coleman and Paul Livingston. Miller is also producing the film, along with Doug Mitchell and Bill Miller. Chris deFaria, Graham Burke and Bruce Berman serve as executive producers. Tap phenom Savion Glover rejoins the production to create the dances that will be performed onscreen by the penguin characters. The director of photography is David Peers and the animation director is Rob Coleman. The film features vocals by P!nk, with music by John Powell.
Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Kennedy Miller Mitchell production, with Dr. D. Studios, a George Miller film, “Happy Feet Two.” The film will be released in 3D and 2D in select theaters and in IMAX on November 18, 2011.
Real Steel
September 29, 2011 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2011 Releases
A gritty, white-knuckle, action ride set in the near-future, where the sport of boxing has gone hi-tech, “Real Steel” stars Hugh Jackman as Charlie Kenton, a washed-up fighter who lost his chance at a title when 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots took over the ring. Now nothing but a small-time promoter, Charlie earns just enough money piecing together low-end bots from scrap metal to get from one underground boxing venue to the next. When Charlie hits rock bottom, he reluctantly teams up with his estranged son Max (Dakota Goyo) to build and train a championship contender. As the stakes in the brutal, no-holds-barred arena are raised, Charlie and Max, against all odds, get one last shot at a comeback.
“Real Steel” is directed by Shawn Levy (“Night at the Museum” franchise and “Date Night”).
Opens Friday, October 7th.
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Transformers: Dark of the Moon
June 19, 2011 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2011 Releases
The Autobots Bumblebee, Ratchet, Ironhide and Sideswipe led by Optimus Prime, are back in action, taking on the evil Decepticons, who are determined to avenge their defeat in 2009s Transformers Revenge of the Fallen. In this new movie, the Autobots and Decepticons become involved in a perilous space race between the U.S. and Russia, and once again human Sam Witwicky has to come to the aid of his robot friends. There’s new characters too, including a new villain in the form of Shockwave, a longtime “Transformers” character who rules Cybertron while the Autobots and Decepticons battle it out on Earth.
Opens June 29 in 3-D and IMAX.
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Super 8
May 31, 2011 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2011 Releases
In the summer of 1979, a group of friends in a small Ohio town witness a catastrophic train crash while making a super 8 movie and soon suspect that it was not an accident. Shortly after, unusual disappearances and inexplicable events begin to take place in town, and the local Deputy tries to uncover the truth – something more terrifying than any of them could have imagined.
Opens Friday, June 10.
Thor
May 3, 2011 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2011 Releases
Marvel Studios expands its film universe with a new type of superhero: THOR. This epic adventure spans the Marvel Universe; from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth. Kenneth Branagh directs this fantasy epic which stars Australian actor Chris Hemsworth as the ancient Norse god, Tom Hiddleston as his evil brother Loki, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, a young woman who befriends Thor on Earth, and Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Thor’s father and king of Asgard.
Opens Friday, May 6.
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Jonas Brothers: 3D Concert Experience
Like most parents, I often feel like I’ve sold my soul to Disney for the sake of smiles on the faces of my children. I certainly was dreading the money ($18 a ticket for the “experience” on IMAX) and the 76 minutes of my life I would never get back when it came time to take my pleading teen to this carefully packaged showcase for the boy band of the hour, the Jonas Brothers.
The money and the time aside, you can’t help but tap your feet to the catchy tunes of this sugary sweet trio. I will admit that the film on IMAX, along with the 3D, gave me the argument with my teen that there was no way she would ever see them that up close at a concert. It was better than being stuck in nosebleed seats of some arena and certainly was a bargain compared to concert ticket prices. I may win that argument and get out of the anxiety of trying to get tickets the next time they are in our area.
Add to that the added bonus of her being able to see glimpses of them in bed, at breakfast and backstage, along with a couple music video clips and she got a real deal for her $18! She even got a shirtless Joe Jonas (and don’t think that was lost on me – as I am still smarting from no shirtless Chris Evans in Push)!
The film was a variety show. Carefully orchestrated clips and peeks into a life of teen idols. They do their job well and the joy in the faces of the fans in the film isn’t fake. They even use the word “fanatics” glaringly projected onscreen with its meaning, “A person marked or motivated by an extreme, unreasoning enthusiasm.” Damn….maybe they do “get it,” which is to say, they don’t get it. No reason, but sincere appreciation and overwhelmed awe for their following and savoring the moment before reason wins. They may not be the best of singers (the girls, Demi Lovato and Taylor Swift, were far stronger in their one song appearances), but they play to their strengths and fill the screen with flirtatious energy.
Music is the universal language and the lyrics and pop ditties this trio produces makes these kids happy. Even though I haven’t been a kid for a very long time, I can still appreciate the power of a lyric that speaks to them about their world and the catchy, infectious tunes that go with them. The little girls were dancing out of the theater with their home made t-shirts proclaiming their love for one, two or all three of the brothers. The smiles were huge. That’s what the parents paid for, and we got it in spades.
So, where will these boys be in five years? Who knows.
Where are my teen idols? Shaun Cassidy produces for television and Rick Springfield is still fostering a living on General Hospital and making music. They both had their ups and downs. No doubt the JoBros will too.
For the moment, they are still just a pre-packaged product for Disney who will take my money and use it for the greater good of fixing the PR nightmare that is Miley Cyrus or finding the next Hilary Duff. That is clear with this film. The kids will love it. The parents better bring earplugs if they are sensitive to screaming and squealing, but it is still a viable and cost effective alternative to attending an actual concert. Disney may have done me a favor this time around.





















