ENTERTAINMENT
Weekend First at HNN: Weekly Movie Comings and Goings
By Tony RutherfordHuntington News Network Columnist
Huntington, WV (HNN) -- New Mainstreamers … Hollywood’s Christmas has been trickling since November, but now, the final blast before January 2006. Some open Wednesday (Dec. 21), others on Friday, Dec. 23 and the final ones on Christmas Day (Sunday, Dec. 25). Here’s a rundown:
“CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN 2” - Mounting to take on the same audience that enlivened “Yours, Mine and Ours,” Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt challenge Dennis Quaid and Rene Russo, for squeaky clean family comedy kudos. “Yours” has a blended family of 18 kids attempting to adapt to their new step parents, while “Cheaper” plunges Martin and Hunt’s dozen tykes into a “Meatballs”-like summer camp water Olympics laugh-a-thon. (Those who prefer Martin in more seriously humorous fare may opt for “Shopgirl,” in which he plays a fiftysomething lover of a starving artist (Claire Danes) working at an upscale department store, who finds herself also attracted to a struggling musician. (Dec. 21)
“FUN WITH DICK AND JANE” – A re-make of a 1977 film starring George Segal
and Jane Fonda as a suddenly unemployed upwardly mobile couple who turn to
robbing banks to pay their bills. Jim Carrey and Tea (“Spanglish”) Leoni
inherit the leading roles with direction by Dean (“Galaxy Quest”) Parisot,
whose credits stem mostly from the tube. Although the mainstream critics
have not had a slice at it yet, preview viewers comments range from “funny
as hell” (particularly singing in the elevator and a Mexican deportation
scenes) to the aforementioned sections are the only “particularly amusing”
sections. No matter, when I first saw the original, I nearly fell out of my
seat from continuous laughter. (Dec. 21)
“MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA” - Set in the pre-World War II era, a young woman is taken from her poverty stricken Japanese family to work in a geisha house. She becomes the legendary Sayuri, who captivates many powerful men, but her true love remains out of reach. Both director Rob (“Chicago”) Marshall and Chinese actress, Zhang Ziyi, are on the short list of Academy Award and Globe nomination possibilities. Among those who have attended advance screening, the word ranges from “a great love story with a breath of fresh air” to “gorgeous to look at --- but that’s about it.” Opens Dec. 23
“THE PRODUCERS” – Attempting to make the worst Broadway show in history,
Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick return to their stage roles as a shady
producer and nerdy accountant who suddenly find that their overly financed
production is, well, a HIT! Adapted from a 1968 Mel Brooks comedy featuring
Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder (termed by some as a “filmmaking milestone”),
the musical remake has been labeled a send up to “old time musicals” which
featured Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Whether it’s all “electricity,
gasoline and bombastic one-liners” or too stagy for movie audiences will be
determined when it hits screens Dec. 25.
“RINGER” – From the sidelines, the Farrelley brothers encourage Barry (screenwriter of “Nutty Professor,” “Police Academy 2,” “The Honeymooners”) Blaustein’s debut as a feature director in this sports-oriented romp. Johnny Knoxville stars as a man trying to fix the Special Olympics by entering as a contestant. One commentator initially thought the premise might be exploitive of those with disabilities, but discovered that the flick showed athletes the way they are: Fun loving young adults who get in trouble, get out of trouble, play with each other, and compete against each other. The reviewer labeled “Ringer” as “the feel good movie of the year.” (Dec. 23)
“RUMOR HAS IT” - Can’t call it a prequel or a sequel, so this flick wins the prize for most clever association with a prior popular classic. Its premise: Sarah (Jennifer Aniston) learns that her family was the source of inspiration for “The Graduate,” a 1967 Mike Nichols film in which a recent college grad fell in love first with Mrs. Robinson then her daughter. I’m told to look for classy lines from Mark Ruffalo and Shirley MacLaine in this “chick film with class.” Opens Christmas Day
“WOLF CREEK” – Every holiday needs a snuggle up and grab his shoulder when the on-screen characters serve up visual horrors, well, this Australian flick has been called a combination of the sadistic “Funny Games” and the equally gory “Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” At least it’s set in the outback country of Australia, rather than some hollow in West Virginia (“Wrong Turn”) or on a New Jersey dead end street (“Mother’s Day”). Opens Christmas Day
Catch ‘Em While You Can
Artistic / Limited Openings and Hold Over’s …
Bee Season – Richard Gere toplines this indie about family’s obsessions, meditations, and spiritual quests that are always found in doing something for others, while the family members themselves split apart from neglect. The unwinding of the norm starts when 12 year old Eliza, whose family includes academics, musicians, and Jewish mystics, wins both the district and regional spelling bees. Her father immediately starts tutoring her obsessively to win the national competition; meanwhile, the mother (Juliette Binoche) heads for the asylum. (Exclusive, Dec. 23, Marquee Pullman) (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
Started Wednesday:
Fun With Dick and Jane 12:40-1:10-3:15-3:45-5:50-6:15-8:05-8:45-10:15 (Marquee Pullman)
Cheaper by the Dozen 4:30-5:20-7:00-7:25-9:00-9:30 (Keith Albee)
Ended Tuesday: Legend of Zorro (Keith Albee)
Starts Friday
Bee Season 12:30-3:00-5:25-7:50-10:15 (Marquee Pullman
Memoirs of a Geisha 1:00-4:00-7:00-9:50 (Keith Albee)
The Ringer 1:00-3:15-5:30-7:45-10:00 (Marquee Pullman)
Ends Thursday: Derailed, Saw 2 (Marquee Pullman);
Ends Saturday Dec. 24: Good Night & Good Luck, Shop Girl, In the Mix
Starts Sunday Dec. 25
The Producers 1:10-4:10-7:00-9:45 (Cinema)
Rumor Has It 1:00-2:00-3:10-4:30-5:20-7:05-7:30-9:10-9:40 (Cinema)
Wolf Creek 1:05-3:10-5:15-7:20-9:25 (Camelot)
Time Changes: Chicken Little (mat) and Rent (eve) (Camelot)
ASHLAND, KY
Starts Friday, Dec. 23
Cinemark Cinema 10: Cheaper by the Dozen 11:50 a.m.-2:15-4:45-7:10-9:40; Fun With Dick and Jane 12:10-2:30-5:00-7:35-10:00; Ringer (Starts Dec 23) 11:40 a.m.-2:05-4:35-7:00-9:35; Rumor Has It 2:25-4:55-7:25-10:05 (Starts Dec. 25); Wolf Creek 11:55 a.m.-2:20-4:50-7:20-9:35 (Starts Dec. 25); Ends Thursday, “Walk the Line;” Ends Saturday: Harry Potter, Yours Mine and Ours
Midtown Cinemas ($2/$3): Chicken Little 11:45 a.m.- 1:25- 3:05-4:45-6:25-8:05; Just Friends 11:30 a.m.- 1:30-3:30-5:30-7:35; Walk the Line 11:25 a.m.-2:00-4:30-7:00-9:35; Ends Thursday: Dreamer, Rent, Wallace and Gromit, Polar Express, Good Night and Good Luck
Ended Tuesday: (Cinema 10)
Time Changes: (Cinema 10)
BARBOURSVILLE, WV
Started Wednesday Dec 21:
Huntington Mall Cinemas: Cheaper by the Dozen 12:00-2:20-4:40-7:00-9:20; Fun with Dick and Jane 12:15-2:35-4:50-7:10-9:30 ; Starts Friday Dec. 23 , Yours Mine and Ours 1:00-3:10-5:20-7:30-9:40; Starts Sunday Dec. 25 Rumor Has It 11:45-2:10-4:35-7:10-9:40; Ended Tuesday: Chicken Little, Walk the Line, Harry Potter.
BECKLEY, WV
Started Wednesday Dec 21
Fun With Dick and Jane 12:20-2:30-4:50-7:05-9:20; (Showplace Cinemas) ;
Cheaper by the Dozen 12:30-2:50-5:05-7:20-9:35 (Crossroads)
Ends Tuesday: Aeon Flux (Crossroads )
Starts Friday:
Memoirs of a Geisha 12:35-3:40-6:45-9:50 (Showplace); Ringer 12:15-2:30-4:45-7:05-9:25 (Crossroads)
Ends Thursday: Chicken Little, Saw 2, Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter
Time Changes:
Starts Sunday Dec. 25:
Rumor Has It 12:25-2:45-5:00-7:15-9:35 (Showplace); Wolf Creek 12:30-2:50-5:00-7:15-9:35 (Crossroads)
BLUEFIELD, WV
Starts Wednesday, Friday and Sunday:
Mercer Mall: Fun with Dick and Jane 12:15-2:35-4:50-7:10-9:30; Cheaper by the Dozen 2:20-4:40-7:00-9:20 (Starts Dec. 23); Rumor Has It 1:45-4:45-7:10-9:30 (Starts Dec. 25)
Marquee Cinemas 8 (Wytheville) “Cheaper by the Dozen” 12:40-2:40-4:55-7:05-9:30; Fun With Dick and Jane 12:45-2:50-5:05-7:10-9:40 ; The Ringer (Starts Dec. 23) 12:50-3:00-5:10-7:20-9:40 ; Rumor Has It 12:50-2:45-5:00-7:15-9:45
Ended Tuesday, Just Friends, Chicken Little, Walk the Line;” Ends Thursday, “Harry Potter;” Ends Sat. Dec. 24, “Yours Mine and Ours” (Marquee Cinema 8 Wytheville);
CHARLESTON, WV
Started Wednesday, Dec. 21:
Park Place Stadium Cinemas: “Fun With Dick and Jane” 12:00-1:00-2:05-3:05-4:10-5:10-7:00-8:00-9:30-10:00; “Cheaper by the Dozen” 12:30-2:40-4:45-6:55-9:00
Marquee Southridge: Fun With Dick and Jane 12:40-3:00-5:20-7:40-10:00; “Cheaper by the Dozen” 12:20-2:40-5:00-7:20-9:40
Ended Tuesday: Aeon Flux, Just Friends, Pride and Prejudice, Chicken Little (Marquee Southridge) ;
Starts Friday, Dec. 23:
Marquee Southridge: The Ringer 12:50-3:10-5:30-7:50-10:10; Memoirs of Geisha 12:15-3:20-6:40-9:45
Park Place: The Ringer 12:15-2:15-4:15-6:45-8:45
Starts Sunday Dec. 25
Marquee Southridge: Rumor Has It 12:30-2:50-5:10-7:30-9:50 Park Place: Rumor Has It 12:10-2:20-4:35-7:05-9:15; Wolf Creek 12:20-2:35-4:50-7:10-9:20
Ends Saturday Dec. 24: Harry Potter, Walk the Line (Park Place Stadium)
Time Changes: Syriana 10:05 only ; Walk the Line 6:50-9:50; Yours Mine Ours 1:20-3:20; Harry Potter 11:50-3:15; Chronicles
12:00-1:00-3:00-4:00-6:30-7:00-9:30 (Marquee Southridge)
HURRICANE, WV
Starts Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
Teays Valley Cinema 10: Cheaper by the Dozen II 10:20 a.m.-12:45-3:05-5:25-7:45-10:10; Fun With Dick and Jane 10:40 a.m..- 12:50-3:00-5:10-7:25-9:40; Ringer (opens Dec. 23) 10:40 a.m.-1:00-3:15-5:30-7:45-10:05; Rumor Has It 10:25 a.m.-12:45-3:10-5:25-7:45-10:10; Wolf Creek 11:10 a.m.-1:35-4:00-7:30-9:50 (* Early Shows daily except Sunday this week).
Ends Thursday: Harry Potter
Time Changes: Yours Mine and Ours 10:35 a.m.-1:00 only; Walk the Line 4:10-7:20 only; Syriana 9:55 p.m. only
NITRO, WV
Great Escape Nitro 12: http://greatescapetheatres.com or 769-0405
SUMMERSVILLE, WV
Starts Friday/Sunday: TBA
WELCH, WV
Starts Friday/Sunday: TBA
UPCOMING RELEASES *:
COMING JAN 6: Blood Rayne, Grandma’s Boy, Hostel, Munich
* 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.