ENTERTAINMENT
Weekend First at HNN: Weekly Movie Comings and Goings
By Tony RutherfordHuntington News Network Columnist
Huntington, WV (HNN) -- New Mainstreamers …
Hollywood resumes its pre-Christmas on-rush of flicks that have enough ‘legs’ to play into January 2006.
Today, Hollywood unveils the already much lauded “King Kong,” from “Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson, who rumor has it put up about $20 million of his own money to finish the pic the way he wanted it. Promising amazing 21st Century visuals and a three hour running time, early reports propel giant kudos on the island fight scenes betweens monsters and other creatures. HNN will have its own review up late Wednesday.
Friday, the first of the Christmas dysfunctional family flicks opens as “The Family Stone” seeks to reap the audience that loved last year’s “Meet the Fockers.” The premise is simple: Man brings home prospective fiancé; family intent on discouraging the engagement. Result --- pandemonium and laughs.
Catch ‘Em While You Can
Artistic / Limited Openings and Hold Over’s …
“First Descent” follows five snowboarders on Big Mountain rides in Alaska. The buzz indicates terrific cinematography in this documentary which explores the human drama of the athletes bonding and battling personal dilemmas. (last chance, Thursday at Keith Albee)
Good Night and Good Luck: Chronicling the 1950’s conflict between CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow , Sen. Joseph McCarthy and the House Unamerican Activities Committee, the network’s staff and producers defy corporate and sponsorship pressures to find out the truth about communist witch hunts and country wide scaremongering tactics. Critics across the country have raved calling this “an important movie,” “a call to civic responsibility and renewed purpose in broadcast journalism,” and “the right movie at the right time.” It continues at the Cinema Theatre, Huntington; Mid Town Cinema 3, Ashland.).
Shopgirl- Based on Steve Martin’s novella, the modern day love story has Mirabelle(Claire Danes), struggling artist, working the glove counter at a high end Beverly Hills department store where she meets rich, handsome Ray Porter (Martin) who’s about 25 years older than she. Swept off her feet, Mirabelle has a subconscious inkling that the relationship will not last. Now, she has to decide between Martin and a struggling musician closer to her age (Jason Schwartzman). Cinema, Huntington
(Note: Times and Titles subject to change at discretion of film bookers. Double check websites to verify times or to purchase on line tickets.)
HUNTINGTON, WV
Starts Friday
“The Family Stone” 5:25-7:35-9:45, Sat/Sun Mat. 1:05-3:15 (Keith Albee)
“King Kong” (started Dec. 14) 11:45 a.m.-12:30-1:15-3:30-4:15-5:00-7:15-8:00-8:45 (Marquee Pullman)
Ended Tuesday: Zathura, Get Rich, Jarhead, Ice Harvest (Marquee Pullman)
Ends Thursday: First Descent (Keith Albee)
ASHLAND, KY
Starts Friday
Cinemark Cinema 10: King Kong 11:10 a.m.- 2:40-3:00-6:30-6:50-10:20 (started Wednesday); The Family Stone 11:40-2:10-4:40-7:15-9:50
Midtown Cinemas ($2/$3): Good Night , Good Luck 7:20-9:20; Polar Express 12:30-2:45-7:30; Rent 5:00-9:45; Wallace and Gromit 11:30-1:20-3:15-5:15; Ends Thursday: Get Rich, Ice Harvest, In the Mix, Zathura
Ended Tuesday: Chicken Little , Rent (Cinema 10) Time Changes: Aeon Flux 9:35 only (Cinema 10)
BARBOURSVILLE, WV
Starts Wednesday:
Huntington Mall Cinemas: King Kong 11:45-1:35-7:25, late show 11:15 Fri/Sat; Family Stone (Starts Friday) 1:30-4:10-7:00-9:30; Ends Thursday: Aeon Flux; Time Changes: Chicken Little 1:00-3:00-5:00, “Walk the Line” 7:00-9:55
BECKLEY, WV
Starts Friday: King Kong (Starts Dec. 14) 12:30-1:30-4:15-5:15-8:00-9:00 (Showplace Cinemas) ; The Family Stone 12:30-2:50-5:10-7:30-9:50 (Crossroads, Starts Friday)
Ends Thursday: Rent, In the Mix, Ice Harvest, Good Night and Good Luck (Crossroads); Pride and Prejudice, Dereailed, Chicken Little (Showplace)
Time Changes: “Pride and Prejudice” 12:55-4:10-6:50-9:30 (moves to Crossroads); Chicken Little 12:35-2:30-4:35-7:00 (moves to Crossroads)
BLUEFIELD, WV
Starts Wednesday:
Mercer Mall: “King Kong: 11:45-12:00-3:30-4:00-7:25-8:00; “Family Stone” 1:30-4:10-7:00-9:30 (starts Friday Dec. 16) ; Ends Thursday : Just Friends, Aeon Flux; Ended Tuesday, “Rent”
Marquee Cinemas 8 (Wytheville) “King Kong” 1:30-5:15-9:00; “Family Stone” (Starts Fri. Dec. 16) 12:20-2:55-5:15-7:40-10:00; Ended Tuesday, “Rent;” Ends Thursday, “Aeon Flux”
CHARLESTON, WV
Starts Friday
Park Place Stadium Cinemas: “The Family Stone” 12:30-2:45-5:00-7:15-9:30; “ King Kong,” Started Dec 14 , 12:00-1:00-3:45-4:45-7:30-9:00
Marquee Southridge: “King Kong” 11:45-12:30-1:45-3:30-4:15-5:30-7:15-8:00-9:15 (Started Dec. 14); Family Stone 12:10-2:35-5:00-7:30-10:00
Ended Tuesday:
Park Place Stadium: Chicken Little, In the Mix
Marquee Southridge: Rent, In the Mix, Saw II
Time Changes: “Harry Potter” 11:50-3:05-6:20-9:35 (Marquee Southridge); “Harry Potter” 12:00-3:15-6:50-10:00 (Park Place Stadium)
HURRICANE, WV
Starts Friday
Teays Valley Cinema 10: “King Kong” 10:00 a.m.-11:00-1:40-2:40-5:20-6:20-9:00-10:00 (started Wednesday); “Family Stone” 10:45 a.m.-1:10-4:00-7:00-9:35 (* Early Shows daily except Sunday this week);
Ends Thursday: Rent
Time Changes: Chicken Little 11:00 a.m. * -1:00; Just Friends 3:00-5:10-7:20- 9:35 (only)
NITRO, WV
Great Escape Nitro 12: http://greatescapetheatres.com or 769-0405
SUMMERSVILLE, WV
Starts Wednesday
Nicholas Showplace: King Kong 4:15-8:00; Ended Tuesday, “Walk the Line;” Ends Thursday, “Harry Potter” WELCH, WV
Starts Wednesday:
Marquee Cinemas 3: “King Kong 4:15-8:00; Ended Tuesday “Yours Mine and Ours” UPCOMING RELEASES *:
COMING DEC 21: Fun with Dick and Jane, Cheaper by the Dozen II
COMING DEC. 23: Munich. The Ringer, Memoirs of a Geisha
COMING DEC 25: Rumor Has It, Wolf Creek, Casanova, Producers
COMING JAN 6: Blood Rayne, Grandma’s Boy, Hostel
* Release dates subject to change; not all films will play in every market and/or every theatre.
On line ticket purchases for Marquee’s Huntington Pullman Square 16, Charleston Southridge, Welch Cinemas 3, Wytheville Cinemas 8 at http://www.marqueecinemas.com.
On line tickets available for Charleston theatres at: http://ourshowtimes.com (Park Place Stadium Cinemas) and http://www.marqueecinemas.com (for Southridge); for Teays Valley, http://allstarcimemas.com/Teays.asp , and for Ashland's Midtown at: http://midtowncinemas3.com.