June 20, 2007
 
WEEKEND FIRST: Weekly Movie Comings and Goings
 
By Tony Rutherford
Huntington News Network Critic
 
After a couple of slack weekends, the studios turn up the competitive heat with a new film from four genres --- comedy, horror, drama, and action.
 
Angelina Jolie has been snagging lots of media buzz time for her role as the wife of journalist Daniel Pearl. She’s told Larry King that he really was a good guy and that his widow made a visit to the set (if I recall correctly). Wall Street Journal Reporter Pearl, as you headline readers already know, was kidnapped and beheaded while on assignment in Pakistan in 2002. Jolie indicated that the killing is not part of “A Mighty Heart.”




(c) Paramount Pictures

 
For a little levity, you can check out a flood during our languishing drought. Steve Carell plays a self absorbed congressman who receives a visit from God (no, not George Burns -- Morgan Freeman). His commandment --- build an ark; a flood is coming. “Evan Almighty” is the sequel to “Bruce Almighty.”
 





(c) Universal Pictures
(c) Universal Pictures









Have you recovered from “Hostel II?” If so, you can join John Cusack as he checks into the mysterious hotel room “1408” which has a haunted rep. Based on a Stephen King short story, you have to think that Cusack’s character (a best selling horror novelist) might be King writing about himself.
 






Finally, a little thriller and dark comedy awaits as a hit man (Ben Kingsley) happens to draw a mark that’s closely related to his Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor. “You Kill Me” sends Kingsley off to the West Coast to cure his drinking problem. While there, he works in a mortuary. Sound like cinematic potential for dysfunctional laughs, right?
 
And, for those who must have “event” blockbusters, you will find a couple just prior to our nation’s birthday: The live-action Transformers opens July 3 and a promising comedy , “License to Web,” with Robin Williams opens then also. And, on June 29, the Bruce Willis actioneer, “Live Hard , Die Hard” starts setting off fireworks.
 
HEADS UP: There WILL be a showing of “Live Free , Die Hard” late on Tuesday, June 28. Check on line theatre schedules for specific theatres and time. The Wednesday opening means that SOME of the “hold over” films will END on TUESDAY, June 28, rather than THURSDAY, June 30.
 
HOLD OVERS
 
DISTURBIA: From the previews, you have Al Hitchcock thoughts of James Stewart looking out the rear window; however, the scenario is that a teen (Shia LaBeouf) under house arrest spies on neighbors and determines that he’s living next door to a serial killer. (Wonder if Paris Hilton would have succumbed to picture taking spying if she had been left on home confinement?)
 
DOA: Dead or Alive: Here come the kung fu assassins and they are all female. The ladies are summoned to an island for a slaying tournament. ( Ends Thursday, Exclusive, Park Place Stadium Cinemas, Charleston)
 
FANTASTIC FOUR RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER: Stan Lee’s Marvel Comic franchise introduce a quasi-villain, The Silver Surfer, (catch the large cool do not touch displays at certain cinemas) who’s arrival foreshadows the death of the host planet. However, The Thing, Human Torch, Invisible Girl and Mr. F have to deal with the return another challenging nemesis.
 
HOSTEL II: Three American women end up in an Eastern Europe torture chamber after accepting a woman’s invitation to a burning springs spa off the beaten track. The first two-third actually stresses suspense, but the last third delivers the anticipated grisly shock and awe.
 
KNOCKED UP: Here comes a new film from the director of “40 Year Old Virgin.” Judd Apatow has a sorta follow up, though, the virgin part is missing. An average guy (Seth Rogen) gets lucky for one night with a beauty (Katherine Heigl). So, she moves on and so does he…no, the gal’s going to have a little one. Gee, what should the dude do, keep the kid to keep the beauty or ….
 
MR BROOKS: An all star cast pits Demi Moore as a detective tracking a probable serial killer (Kevin Costner) who’s “ordinary” but has a devious alter ego (William Hurt).
 
NANCY DREW: The teen icon of every school girl jumps onto the big screen as Emma Roberts (Drew) assists her father in solving cases, particularly cases which lead her on her own path. Drew might be one of the first empowered women for even during the 30s , a series of films featured the teen detective. Too, she shared co-billing with the male icon Hardy Boys on TV (with Pamela Sue Martin as Drew), so Warner Bros. hopes to start a new mystery series.
 
OCEAN'S THIRTEEN: Regaining its complexity and rekindling empathy for the caper team, the film has just the right ingredients that blend “Mission Impossible” and James Bond with “Soprano” type hero/villains.
 
PIRATES: AT WORLD’S END: Unlike the earlier sequels which tossed special effects, action, Johnny Depp wisecracks and occasional hugs, the third installment has lengthy spells of indirection where you join the cast in a whirlpool of confusion. It’s still another intricately choreographed swashbuckling feast in the wettest and grandest tradition of Errol Flynn/Tyrone Power and other classic pirates.
 
SHREK THE THIRD: Many showstopping moments, but too many story book characters clutter up this one. More geared for the younger folks than previous installments. Still, sidesplitting at times.
 
SPIDER-MAN 3: Marvel’s third installment of Spider-man initially has Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) on the verge of a full time job at the Daily Bugle and cuddling up to Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst), his long time gal, until three villains force him to don his mask and uniform. Sandman , Venom and New Goblin Indeed, he also must contend with a substance that turns his suit black, bring out the dark side of his personality and alienating him from Mary Jane, his mom and himself.
 
Limited Release /Art House Films
 
RECOMMENDATION :
 
THE WAITRESS: A can’t be missed drama with biting, witty dialogue any time someone opens their mouth. In the southern tradition of “Steel Magnolia’s” or “Night Mother,” but far less serious. Even the men at this hilarious rural chic flick indicated they had a good time.
 
Having received a warm reception at Sundance, this marks the last movie written and directed by Adrienne Shelly, who was found murdered at her New York apartment in November. “Waitress” tells the story of an unhappily married small town woman (Keri Russell) discovers she is pregnant, she decides she must leave both her husband and the town. The woman find encouragement in making her long put off decision when a handsome doctor (Nathan Fillion) moves in. (Exclusive, Pullman Square 16)
 
The Rocky Horror Picture Show – Although squirt guns, rice, lighters, and other projectiles are forbidden, you can brush up on your Time Warp dance and check out those character costumes. The long running and cult favorite continues a multiple weekend run at the Cinema with the shadow cast now accompanying the on screen action.
 
(Note: Times and Titles subject to change at discretion of film bookers. Double check websites to verify times or to purchase on line tickets. Some cinemas have changed to school session hours i.e. no matinees on weekdays. Consult individual cinema for schedule.)
 
HUNTINGTON, WV
 
Starts Friday
 
MARQUEE PULLMAN: Evan Almighty: 11:45-12:15-2:00-2:30-4:10-4:40-6:15-7:00-8:45-9:15; 1408, 12:00-2:20-4:45-7:10-9:30; A Mighty Heart 11:30-2:05-4:30-6:50-9:20; TIME CHANGES: Ocean’s Thirteen 1:00-3:50-6:45-9:40; Hostel II 1:15-9:40; Mr. Brooks 4:00-6:45; Shrek the Third, 12:00-2:15-4:30-6:45-9:00; Surf’s Up 11:30-2:00-4:20-6:40-9:00; ENDS THURSDAY: Spiderman III; Pullman 16 switches to Digital Projection week of June 25.
 
DISCOUNT CINEMA 4: (all shows after 6 p.m. $3.00; Tuesday $2; $2.00 all shows before 6 p.m.) : Twenty Eight Weeks Later 1:15-3:20-5:25-7:30-9:35; Delta Farce 7:10-9:10; Disturbia 1:00-3:10-5:20-7:30-9:40; Wild Hogs 1:10-3:15-5:20-7:25-9:30; Are We Done Yet 1:15-3:15-5:15; Blades of Glory 7:30-9:35; ENDS THURSDAY: Blades of Glory ; Friday 12 Midnight: "Rocky Horror Picture Show" (Interactive preshow begins 11:30 p.m.), Disturbia, 28 Weeks Later; FREE KIDS FLIX, “Over the Hedge” Wed. June 27 @ 10 a.m.
 
ASHLAND, KY
 
Starts Friday
 
CINEMARK CINEMA 10: 1408: 12:00-2:30-4:55-7:30-9:55; Evan Almighty 12:10-2:35-5:00-7:25-9:50; TIME CHANGES: Shrek the Third 2:40-7:15; Surf’s Up 12:25-5:05-9:35; Pirates 12:30-4:05-7:45; ENDS THURSDAY: Hostel II
 
PHOENIX 10 KYOVA MALL: Evan Almighty 11:25 a.m.-2:05-4:35-6:55-9:15; 1408, 11:55 a.m.-2:20-4:55-7:40-10:15; ENDS THURSDAY: Spiderman III, Mr. Brooks
 
MIDTOWN CINEMA 3: ($2.50/$3.50) : Hostel II 9:30 p.m. ONLY; Mr. Brooks 7:00-9:20; Delta Farce 9:15; Wild Hogs 1:30-3:30-5:30-7:30; Spiderman III 1:15-4:00-6:20; Are We Done Yet 1:20-3:15-5:10; ENDS THURSDAY: NONE
 
BECKLEY, WV
 
Starts Friday:
 
CROSSROADS CINEMAS: Georgia Rule 1:10-3:50-7:05-9:30; Blades of Glory 12:20-2:30-4:45-7:10-9:20; Lucky You 1:00-4:00-7:00; Wild Hogs 12:25-2:45-5:00-7:20-9:40; 28 Weeks Later 7:15-9:35; Condemned 6:55-9:25; Vacancy 9:45 only; Are We Done Yet 12:30-2:40-4:50; Bridge to Terabithia 12:15-2:25-4:40; ENDS THURSDAY: Ghost Rider, Next
 
GALLERIA CINEMAS: (Now All Digital Projection!) Evan Almighty 12:10-12:40-2:30-3:00-4:45-5:15-7:00-7:30-9:15-9:45; 1408, 12:05-2:30-5:00-7:20-9:40; A Mighty Heart 12:00-2:25-4:50-7:20-9:45; TIME CHANGES: Ocean’s Thirteen 12:30-3:30-6:30-9:15; Surf’s Up 12:15-2:30-4:45-7:00-9:15; Hostel II 1:00-9:50 only; Mr. Brooks 4:00-7:00; Pirates 12:30-4:00-7:30; Shrek 12:00-2:15-4:30-6:45-9:00; Knocked Up 12:45-3:45-6:50-9:35; ENDS THURSDAY: Spiderman III; KIDS SUMMER MOVIE SERIES, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings 10 a.m., FREE Admission, June 26-27, Ant Bully, Happy Feet
 
BLUEFIELD, WV
 
Starts Friday:
 
MERCER MALL: Evan Almighty 12:30-2:50-5:10-7:25-9:45; 1408: 1:30-4:15-7:00-9:30; ENDS THURSDAY: Surf’s Up, Hostel II
 
COMMONS 8 (Marquee Cinemas, Wytheville, Va.): Evan Almighty 12:20-2:45-4:55-7:15-9:25; 1408, 12:10-2:25-4:45-7:10-9:30; TIME CHANGES: Nancy Drew 12:30-2:40-5:00-7:20-9:40, Mon-Thurs. 12:30-2:40-5:00; Ocean’s Thirteen 12:50-4:15-7:05-9:50, Mon-Thurs. 7:15-9:50; Surf’s Up 12:25-2:40-4:50 Fri-Sun. ONLY; Knocked Up 6:55-9:35, Fri-Sun Only; Pirates 2:00-5:30-9:00 Fri-Sun Only; NOTE: Theatre Switching to Digital Projection Week of June 25; ENDS THURSDAY: Hostel II, Shrek the Third
 
CHARLESTON, WV
 
Starts Friday:
 
MARQUEE SOUTHRIDGE: Evan Almighty 10:00 a.m.*-10:30 a.m.*-12:15-12:45-2:30-3:00-4:45-5:15-7:00-7:30-9:15-9:45; 1408, 10:20 a.m.*- 12:40-3:00-5:20-7:40-10:00; A Mighty Heart 10:05 a.m.*- 12:25-2:50-5:15-7:35-9:55; TIME CHANGES: Ocean’s Thirteen 10:50 a.m.*-1:45-4:30-7:15-10:00; Pirates 12:30-4:15-8:00; Shrek 10:00 a.m.*- 12:00-2:15-4:30-6:50-9:10; ENDS THURSDAY: Hostel II, Mr. Brooks, Spiderman III; Advance Tickets on Sale , “Transformers,” Monday, July 2 @ 8 p.m. 2007 Kid’s Summer Movie Camp, June 19-20, “Curious George,” and “Night at the Museum”, 9:30 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Coming June 26 & 27, “The Wizard of Oz” and “Monster House,” Free Admission; Switch to Digital Projection the week of July 9; (Note: *Saturday Early Morning Shows Only)
 
PARK PLACE STADIUM CINEMAS: Evan Almighty 12:05-1:05-2:05-3:05-4:05-5:05-7:05-8:05-9:05-10:05; 1408, 12:35-3:10-5:20-7:30-9:35; Starts June 27, “Die Harder;” Free Kid’s Flix “Charlotte’s Web,” Web. June 20 @ 10 a.m., FREE
 
TIME CHANGES
 
MARQUEE SOUTHRIDGE: Hostel II 7:30-9:45 only; Mr. Brooks 6:40-9:25 only (no 6:40 show on 6/16); Spiderman 12:40-3:40 only; Pirates: 12:30-4:15-5:45-8:00-9:15; Shrek the Third: 10:10 a.m.* - 10:40 a.m. *- 12:00-1:15-2:15-3:00-3:30-4:30-5:15-6:50-9:10
 
PARK PLACE STADIUM CINEMAS: TIME CHANGES: Ocean’s 13 1:00-3:30-7:00-9:30; Hostel II 7:10-9:20; Surf’s Up 1:15-3:15-5:15;
 
ENDS THURSDAY:
 
Marquee Southridge: Hostel II, Mr Brooks, Spiderman III
 
Park Place Stadium Cinemas: DOA
 
HINTON, WV
 
Ritz Theatre: Ocean's Thirteen: Friday and Saturday, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., Sunday, 6:30 p.m.
 
HURRICANE, WV
 
Starts Friday
 
TEAYS VALLEY CINEMA 10: Evan Almighty 10:40 a.m.-1:05-3:10-5:25-7:30-9:35; 1408, 10:30 a.m.-12:45-3:30-5:30-7:45-10:05; TIME CHANGES: Spiderman 9:20 only; Surf’s Up 11:10 a.m.-1:10-3:05-5:10-7:10; Shrek the Third 10:20 a.m.-5:05-10:10; ENDS THURSDAY: Hostel II, Spiderman II; (*No Early Show Sunday); “Charlotte’s Web ” Tues/Thursday 9:30 a.m. ONLY, FREE.
 
LEWISBURG , WV
 
Starts Friday
 
SENECA SHOWPLACE: Evan Almighty 4:30-7:00-9:30, Sat/sun Mat. 12:00-2:15; Fantastic Four Rise of Silver Surfer 4:30-7:00-9:30, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:00-2:15; ENDS THURSDAY: Knocked Up , Shrek the Third
 
LOGAN , WV
 
Starts Friday
 
FOUNTAIN PLACE CINEMA 8: Evan Almighty 12:25-2:55-5:05-7:35-9:45; 1408, 12:35-2:40-4:50-7:10-9:25; TIME CHANGES: Surf’s Up 12:45-2:35-4:35; Oceans 13, 7:00-9:30 only; ENDS THURSDAY: Hostel II; Advance Showing of “Live Free, Die Hard,” 12:01 a.m. June 26; Kid’s Morning Show: “Charlotte’s Web,” Wed. June 27 @ 10 a.m. FREE
 
NITRO, WV
 
Great Escape Nitro 12: http://greatescapetheatres.com or 769-0405
 
SUMMERSVILLE, WV
 
Starts Friday
 
NICHOLAS SHOWPLACE: Evan Almighty 4:50-7:00-9:20, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:30-2:40; 1408, 5:10-7:30-9:45, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:20-2:45; Fantastic Four Rise of Silver Surfer 5:00-7:20-9:40, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:40-2:50; Nancy Drew 4:50-7:10-9:30, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:15-2:30; ENDS THURSDAY: Surf’s Up . Pirates of the Caribbean
 
WELCH, WV
 
Starts Friday
 
McDOWELL 3: Evan Almighty 4:50-7:00-9:10, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:40-2:45; Fantastic Four Rise of Silver Surfer 5:00-7:10-9:20, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:30-2:50; Knocked Up 4:00-6:45-9:30, Sat/Sun Mat. 1:00; ENDS THURSDAY: Ocean’s Thirteen, Pirates of the Caribbean; FREE KID’S SUMMER MOVIES: “Night at the Museum,” 10 a.m. June 26
 
UPCOMING RELEASES
 
June 29: Ratatouille, Live Free or Die Hard, Mama’s Boy, Martian Child, Death at a Funeral
 
July 3: Transformers, License to Wed
 
July 13: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, The Strangers, Clubland
 
July 20: Hairspray, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
 
July 27: Skinwalkers, The Simpsons Movie, No Reservations, Stardust
 
August 3: Underdog, Bourne Ultimatum, Hot Rod, Charlie Bartlett, Becoming Jane, Resurrecting the Champ
 
August 10: Rush Hour III, Rocket Science, Daddy Day Camp
 
August 17: The Invasion, Superbad, Fanboys, Wedding Daze, Bratz the Movie
 
August 24: The Comebacks, Virgin Territory, Good Luck Chuck, Last Legion
 
August 31: Brothers Solomon, Wristcutters a Love Story, Mr. Bean’s Holiday