Jan. 10, 2007
 
ENTERTAINMENT
Weekend First at HNN: Weekly Movie Comings and Goings
 
By Tony Rutherford
Huntington News Network Columnist
 
Huntington, WV (HNN) – New Mainstreamers … January’s second Friday brings the first of Tinsel Town’s “award favorite” films into full nationwide release i.e. “Dreamgirls,” which will likely give “Night at the Museum,” “Pursuit of Happyness” and “We Are Marshall” strong competition. As for the three other films opening, well, remember, what I said about “left overs” last week?
 
PRIMEVAL: A news crew goes to South Africa to capture a legendary 25-foot crocodile, but become entangled with a group of warlords. Combining Anaconda with politics, one writer suggested it be called “Blood Croc.” Dominic Purcell and Orlando Jones star.
 
DREAMGIRLS: Heralded as “best picture” material, this film loosely tells of the rise of Diana Ross and the Supremes with a cast list that includes “American Idol” and “A” list performers. Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Fox and Eddie Murphy are among the stars.
 
ALPHA DOG: Crafted from the real life story of Jesse James Hollywood, the story reveals how a high rolling pot dealer (Emile Hirsch) abducts the little bro of a rival dealer and triggers events police and FBI pursuit as the dealers father (Bruce Willis) tries to keep his son out of the pen. Justin Timberlake also stars in this tale of the youngest man ever to be one of the FBI’s most wanted.
 
STOMP THE YARD: After avoiding a juvenile hall sentence on an order to enroll at an Atlanta black university, the young man (Columbus Short) finds himself wooed by two frats who envision his street-dance creativeness as awesome enough to win a national stepshow.
 
ARTHUR AND THE INVISIBLES: A ten year old boy (Freddie Highmore) tries to save his grandfather’s house from demolition by looking for fabled hidden treasure in the land of the Minimoys --- tiny people who live in harmony with nature. A blend of live action and animation, the film has been regarded as a kid’s flick that grown ups haven’t experienced before.
 
HOLD OVERS
 
We Are Marshall: The lines are starting to lessen so if you arrive a half hour before showtime , you will likely find a good seat. Of course, if you must have a particular time, the on line sales continue at many of the cinemas playing this combination uplifting story of climbing from tragedy through continuing to take the football field to honor those lost in the plane crash. The MU movie continues on three screens in Huntington, two at Marquee Southridge (Charleston), one at Park Place Stadium (Charleston) and two in Beckley. The film continues on one screen at most other surrounding cinemas.
 
Rocky Balboa: After considering a low-profile return to the ring, Rocky Balboa (Stallone) is granted a shot at the title held by heavyweight champ Mason "The Line" Dixon (Tarver). Don’t count on much boxing time, but you will find insight into the ex-champ’s character.
 
Good Shepherd: The history and evolution of the CIA, seen through the eyes of James Wilson (Damon), one of its founding officers, and the toll his spy games took on his home life.
 
Night at Museum: A dim-witted guy (Stiller) gains employment at the Museum of Natural History as the nighttime security guard. Tipped off by a pair of day shift old-timers (Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney), his first night on the job is full of danger and surprises, as the humans and other animals on display come to life, looking for trouble
 
Code Name: The Cleaner: In a mixed race action-comedy, Cedric the Entertainer, Lucy Liu and Nichollette Sheridan engage in cloak and dagger business. The crime caper has the amnesiac janitor (Cedric) believing he’s an undercover agent embroiled in an international arms ring.
 
Freedom Writers: Using the premise of music and ballroom dance applied to teach hardened children, a new teacher at Long Beach’s Wilson High School (Hilary Swank) uses writing to foster expression and compassion from the class so they contemplate life after high school.
 
Happily N’Ever After: An animated re-contextualization of “Cinderella” in the vein of last years “Hoodwinked.” An alliance of evil doers led by Frieda (Sigourney Weaver) attempts to take over Fairy Tale Land, but when Ella (Sarah Michelle Gellar) realizes her stepmother is out to ruin storybook land, she turns into a leader of the resistance.
 
Children of Men: Clive Owen and Julianne Moore star in this futuristic tale where human can no longer conceive. A former activist then agrees to help sneak a miraculously pregnant woman to a sanctuary where the birth of her child could save mankind.
 
NOTE: Cinemas that base their weekday daytime showings on “school schedules” have returned to their matinee on Sat/Sun only. Check websites to verify show times. Some theatres have Monday matinees due to Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.
 
Limited Release /Art House Films
 
CURSE OF THE GOLD FLOWER: Yi-Mou Zhang, the Chinese director who helmed “House of the Flying Daggers,” “Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles,” and “Hero,” offers what has been called a historic grand opera set in the 10th Century on the eve of the Chong Yang Festival. The story surrounds the Emperor (Chow Yun Fat) and Empress (Gong Li) who has had an illicit affair with her step-son, Crown Prince Wan (Liu Ye). However, Wan dreams of escaping the palace with the Imperial Doctor’s daughter Chan (Li Man). Eventually, during the golden flowers festival the imperial family’s elaborate charade leads to the revelation of tumultuous surprises and ugly secrets. Some writers have compared “Gold Flower” to “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon,” but although it has kung-fu scenes, it is more of a grand melodramatic tragedy. (Exclusive, Marquee Cinemas Pullman Square and Teays Valley Cinemas)
 
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. This week the troupe celebrates the 80s. Major announcement at this weeks show about a forthcoming Huntington event. Don’t miss it!
 
(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: Arthur & the Invisibles 12:10-2:15-4:45-7:15-9:25; Dreamgirls:12:05-3:05-6:30-9:40; Alpha Dogs 12:20-3:10-6:20-9:30; Stomp the Yard 12:50-3:40-6:40-9:10; Primeval 12:05-2:15-4:40-7:00-9:25; Curse of the Gold Flower 12:00-2:25-4:55-7:25-9:55 ; TIME CHANGES: Code Name Cleaner 7:10-9:30; Happily N’ever After 12:00-2:15-4:30-6:45; Thr3e 1:00 only; Night at Museum 1:30-3:15-3:50-6:15-9:10-9:40; Charlotte’s Web: 12:00-2:20-4:40; Good Shepherd 9:00 only; Note: “We Are Marshall” continues on THREE screens: 12:00-12:15-12:45-3:00-3:15-3:45-6:05-6:15-6:45-9:00-9:15-9:45; ENDS THURSDAY: Rocky Balboa, Eragon, The Holiday, Happy Feet, Black Christmas
 
DISCOUNT CINEMA 4: (all shows after 6 p.m. $3.00; Tuesday $2; $2.00 all shows before 6 p.m.) : Eragon 5:15-7:20-9:25, Sat/Sun/Mon Mat. 1:05-3:10; Santa Clause III 5:20, Sat/Sun/Mon Mat. 1:10-3:15; Stranger than Fiction 4:30-7:10; Casino Royale 9:25, Sat/Sun/Mon Mat. 1:20; Borat 5:15-7:15-9:15, Sat/Sun/Mon Mat. 1:15-3:15; Queen 7:25-9:30; ENDS THURSDAY: Flushed Away; Unaccompanied Minors; FRIDAY MIDNIGHT: “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Stranger Than Fiction, Eragon
 
ASHLAND, KY
 
Starts Friday
 
CINEMARK CINEMA 10: Arthur and the Invisibles 1:40-4:45-7:25-9:45; Dreamgirls 1:05-4:10-7:05-10:00; Primeval: 1:30-4:15-7:30-10:10; Stomp the Yard 1:15-4:15-7:10-10:05; TIME CHANGES: Charlotte’s Web 1:25-6:45; Code Name Cleaner 1:45-4:40-7:15; Happily N’Ever After 4:30-9:25; Good Shepherd 9:30 p.m. only; ENDS THURSDAY: Happy Feet, Eragon, The Holiday
 
MIDTOWN CINEMA 3: ($2.50/$3.50) : Black Christmas, Eragon, The Holiday, Nativity Story; Ends Thursday: Turistas, Unaccompanied Minors, Déjà vu, Deck the Halls, Casino Royale, Santa Clause III BECKLEY, WV
 
Starts Friday:
 
CROSSROADS CINEMAS: Santa Clause III 5:00-7:15-9:35, Sat-Mon. Mat. 12:35-2:50; Flushed Away 5:10-7:30-9:45, Sat-Mon. Mat. 12:40-2:55; Déjà vu 3:50-6:45-9:30, Sat-Mon. Mat. 1:00; Deck the Halls 4:45-7:10-9:25, Sat-Mon Mat. 12:20-2:40; Saw III 7:20-9:50 only; Open Season 4:40, Sat-Mon Mat. 12:30-2:35; Marine 7:25-9:40 only; Flicka 5:05, Sat-Mon Mat. 12:25-2:45; ENDS THURSDAY: Employee of the Month, Prestige, Let’s Go to Prison, Turistas, Borat
 
RANDOLPH MALL CINEMAS: CLOSED
 
SHOWPLACE CINEMAS: CLOSED
 
GALLERIA CINEMAS: Arthur and Invisibles 12:15-2:30-4:45-7:00-9:15; Dreamgirls 12:40-4:00-6:40-9:35; Stomp the Yard 12:45-3:30-6:45-9:20; Primeval 12:15-2:30-4:45-7:00-9:15; Alpha Dog 12:45-3:35-6:50-9:40; TIME CHANGES: Code Name Cleaner 7:00-9:25; Happily N’ever After 12:20-2:30-4:40; We Are Marshall: 12:45-3:15-3:45-6:15-6:45-9:15-9:45; Night at the Museum: 12:30-2:25-3:00-4:50-6:40-7:20-9:15-9:45; Good Shepherd 9:30 only; Charlotte’s Web 12:00-2:20-4:40-7:00; Eragon 12:00 noon only; Happy Feet 12:15 only; ENDS THURSDAY: Nativity Story, Holiday, Black Christmas
 
BLUEFIELD, WV
 
Starts Friday:
 
MERCER MALL: Primeval 7:45-10:00, Sat/Sun Mat. 1:05-3:15-5:30; Stomp the Yard 8:30 p.m.., Sat/Sun Mat. 12:45-3:20-5:55; Dream Girls 7:00-10:00, Sat/Sun Mat. 1:00-4:00; TIME CHANGES: Thr3e 9:50 only; Happily N”Ever After 7:30, Sat/Sun Mat. 1:00-3:10-5:20; ENDS THURSDAY: Rocky Balboa, Charlotte’s Web, Eragon, Good Shepherd
 
COMMONS 8 (Marquee Cinemas, Wytheville, Va.): Arthur and the Invisibles 4:30-6:45-9:00, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:00-2:15; Primeval 4:45-7:00-9:15, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:10-2:30; TIME CHANGES: Charlotte’s Web 5:00-7:15, Sat/Sun. Mat. 12:20-2:40; Eragon 9:25 only; Happily N’ever After 5:00-7:10, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:40-2:50; Black Christmas 9:15 only; ENDS THURSDAY: The Holiday, Rocky Balboa
 
CHARLESTON, WV
 
Starts Friday:
 
MARQUEE SOUTHRIDGE: Dreamgirls 12:45-3:45-6:45-9:45; Stomp the Yard 11:40-2:10-4:45-7:30-10:10; Arthur and the Invisibles 12:20-2:40-5:00-7:15-9:35; Alpha Dog 1:30-4:20-7:05-9:50; Primeval 12:40-3:00-5:15-7:35-9:55
 
PARK PLACE STADIUM CINEMAS: Dreamgirls 1:20-4:20-7:00-9:50; Primeval 1:00-3:05-5:10-7:15-9:20; Arthur and the Invisibles 1:10-3:10-5:15-7:20-9:25; Stomp the Yard: 12:40-3:15-6:40-9:05; Bargain Tuesday, All Seats $4.00 limited time
 
Time Changes:
 
Marquee Southridge:: Code Name Cleaner 7:30-9:40; Thr3e 11:50 a.m. ONLY; Happily N’ever After 12:50-3:00-5:10; We Are Marshall 12:30-3:30-6:30-7:10-9:20-10:00; Rocky Balboa 2:20-4;55-7:20-9:50; Charlotte’s Web 12:00-2:25-4:50
 
Park Place Stadium Cinemas: Happily N’ever After 12:50-2:45; Code Name Cleaner 9:30 only; Good Shepherd 4:40-8:00; Charlotte’s Web 12:45-2:55-5:05-7:20
 
ENDS THURSDAY
 
Marquee Southridge: Happy Feet, Holiday, Eragon, Good Shepherd, Black Christmas
 
Park Place Stadium: Black Christmas, Eragon, Rocky Balboa
 
HINTON, WV
 
Ritz Theatre: The Pursuit of Happyness, Friday and Saturday, 6 and 8:30 p.m.; Sunday, 6 p.m.
 
HURRICANE, WV
 
Starts Friday
 
TEAYS VALLEY CINEMA 10: Curse of the Golden Flower 11:10 a.m.*-1:30-4:30-7:25-10:00; Freedom Writers 10:35 a.m.*-1:20-4;15-7:10-9:50; Arthur and the Invisibles: 11:05 a.m.*-1:15-4:30-7:00-9:30; Stomp the Yard 10:45 a.m.*-1:15-4:05-7:20-9:45; Dreamgirls 10:15 a.m.*-1:00-4:00-7:05-9:50; Primeval 10:50 a.m.-1:35-4:35-7:35-9:55; TIME CHANGES: Happily N’Ever After 11:00 a.m.*-1:00-3:00-5:00-7:00; Code Name Cleaner 9:45 only; We Are Marshall 10:00 a.m.*-5:00-7:30-10:05, Charlotte’s Web 12:40-2:45; ENDS THURSDAY: Black Christmas, Eragon, Holiday; Happy Feet, Good Shepherd, Rocky Balboa (* Early Bird Show Fri/Sat/Mon Only)
 
LEWISBURG , WV
 
Starts Friday
 
SENECA SHOWPLACE: We Are Marshall 3:30-6:30-9:30*, Sat/Sun/Mon Mat. 12:30; Mon-Thurs. 4:45-7:30; Night at the Museum , Fri-Sun 3:50-6:50-9:30*, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:50, Mon-Thurs. 5:00-7:40; (* no Mon. Night show)
 
LOGAN , WV
 
Starts Friday
 
FOUNTAIN PLACE CINEMA 8: FOUNTAIN PLACE CINEMA 8: Dreamgirls 4:00-7:00-9:35, Sat/Sun/Mon Mat. 12:05; Primeval 4:30-7:45-9:50, Sat/Sun/Mon Mat. 12:25-2:30; Arthur and Invisibles 4:40-7:30-9:25, Sat/Sun/Mon 12:30-2:40; TIME CHANGES: Happily N’Ever After 5:00-7:20, Sat/Sun/Mon Mat. 12:45-2:50; Code Name Cleaner 9:00 only; ENDS THURSDAY: Rocky Balboa, Black Christmas, Charlotte’s Web
 
NITRO, WV
 
Great Escape Nitro 12: http://greatescapetheatres.com or 769-0405
 
SUMMERSVILLE, WV
 
Starts Friday
 
NICHOLAS SHOWPLACE: Freedom Writers , Fri-Mon. 3:40-6:35-9:25*, Sat/Sun/Mon Mat. 12:30, Tues-Thurs 4:35-7:20; Eragon , Fri-Sun. 7:00-9:35, Mon. 7:00 only, Tues-Thurs. 7:25 only; Night at the Museum , Fri-Mon. 3:45-6:40-9:15*, Sat/Sun/Mon Mat. 12:45, Tues-Thurs. 4:50-7:25; We Are Marshall , Fri-Mon. 3:30-6:30-9:25*, Sat/Sun/Mon. Mat. 12:15, Tues-Thurs 4:30-7:20; Charlotte’s Web , Fri. 4:40 only; Sat/Sun/Mon 12:00-2:20-4:40, Tues-Thurs. 5:00; (*No late show on Monday Night).
 
WELCH, WV
 
Starts Friday:
 
McDOWELL 3: Freedom Writers , Fri-Mon 4:15-7:00-9:45*, Sat/Sun/Mon Mat. 1:30, Tues- Thurs. 4:40-7:20; Eragon , Fri-Mon. 4:20-7:20-9:40*, Sat/Sun./Mon Mat. 1:15; Tues-Thurs. 5:10-7:30; Night at the Museum , Fri-Mon, 4:30-7:10, Tues-Thurs. 5:05-7:35; We Are Marshall , Fri-Sun. 9:30 p.m., Sat/Sun/Mon Mat. 1:00 (*No late show Monday night); Ends Thursday: Rocky Balboa
 
UPCOMING RELEASES
 
Jan 19: Fast Track
 
Jan. 26: The Invisible, Catch and Release
 
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.