All Pictures © Weinstein Company
May 14, 2008
WEEKEND FIRST: Movie Comings and Goings
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Entertainment Editor
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Blast! Boom! Thud!
The blockbuster, event tent-pole season has hit megaplexes in full swing. Two of May’s biggest adventures await and , perhaps, the season’s most anticipated comedy follows. “Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” and “Indiana Jones & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” debut Friday, May 16 and on Thursday May 22 (technically one minute past midnight on Wed. May 21 when it comes to standing in line and grabbing advance tickets).
Of course, the big screen treatment of HBO’s “Sex in the City” follows on May 30.
So far, “Iron Man” has exceeded expectations and “Speed Racer” has seemingly spun out of control just after the gentlemen started their engines.
And, for those of you who want a break from the CGI adventure, Park Place Stadium Cinemas has West Virginia native Morgan Spurlock’s new feature, “Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?” with two showings daily beginning May 16.
Told as a comedy/documentary, Morgan with no military experience or other expertise, heads to the Middle East seeking to do what the CIA, FBI, US military and bounty hunters have failed --- find the world’s best known terrorist. During his quest, his interview subjects make one thing perfectly clear: They do not hate Americans; they dislike U.S. foreign policy.
Warnings: First, “Bin Laden” has two shows daily; it may not play more than a week. If you want to see it on the big screen, find a car pool of Spurlock fans and get your bod to Charleston. Second, Indiana Jones will open on THURSDAY. That means all those also-ran put-offs you have been planning to catch on the last week, well, they end a day early.
Incidentally, “Chronicles” will be this summer’s first giant family friendly feature, and, according to publicist Ernie Malik (he also worked in a similar capacity on “We Are Marshall”), a third sequel will soon be shooting. Malik explains that “Prince Caspian” has more “swashbuckling action” (maybe more “Pirates of the Caribbean”-esque? , rather than its fairy tale predecessor).
“The same four children return, all ably supported by a big screen newcomer named Ben Barnes. While swashbucklers may appeal to a male audience, girls will swoon over this matinee-idol handsome young Brit,” Malik said.
Evil personified jumps off the screen in the guise of the story’s villain, Miraz, wonderfully embodied by Italian movie star Sergio Castellitto,” Malik said.. “He was a delight to watch on the set.”
The sequel returns Aslan the Lion, but anticipate new CGI characters, brand new special F/X make up from Oscar winners Howard Berger and Tami Lane (who took home the coveted gold statue for the first film), and an amazing array of costumes as well.
Publicist Malik has written the “official Making of…” book which contains lots of scenes from “Prince Caspian” and remembering Empire Books from his stay in Huntington, he projects “it may be available in that wonderful bookstore you folks have in the new downtown mall.”
May 16:
Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian: Aiming for more of a swashbuckling action audience than the fairy tale world, virtually the entire cast and crew reprise. When the children are brought back to Narnia, 1,300 years have passed and the kingdom is now controlled by the evil King Miraz. The kids meet the rightful heir, Prince Caspian, who they must restore to the throne to restore magic and glory in the land.
May 21:
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: Steven Spielberg directs the return of everyone’s favorite globetrotting adventurer who’s been on the shelf for nearly 20 years. George Lucas teams with David Koepp on the screenplay, but it’s under wraps. However, Harris Ford reprises his role, even though his age is starting to limit his death defying stunts.
May 30:
Sex and the City: The movie picks up four year after the six-year-run wrapped in 2004 on HBO. Sarah Jessica Parker returns as Carrie Bradshaw, the style conscious journalist whose romantic exploits ruled the series. As the story continues, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda prepare for Carrie to take the marital plunge
HOLD OVERS:
21: How do you crack a Vegas casino bank? Bring in six MIT students and a professor (Kevin Spacey) trained in the art of counting cards. Based on a true story in which the academics won millions at blackjack It drags in places, and, pardon my ignorance, but the non-crime of card counting that leads to beatings to the pulp of the counters leaves me pondering… if it isn't illegal, then, how come you get away with picking on the brainy talented dudes?
BABY MAMA: A Single businesswoman has put off having a baby. Now at 37, she finds there's only a one in a million chance for her to conceive. So, she hires a South Philly working girl to be a surrogate. But the expectant mom is full of vibrancy so it's a tug of war attempting to structure the blonde lady into following all the rules necessary to have a perfect child. Tina Fey , Amy Poehler and Sigourney Weaver star
COLLEGE ROAD TRIP: An overachieving high school student (Raven Symone) wants to travel the country in search of the perfect college. Her overprotective father (Martin Lawrence) insists on accompanying her. (Walt Disney)
DRILLBIT TAYLOR: I wish I had thought of hiring a mercenary during my middle and high school days of providing both physical and verbal punching bags for numerous bullies. Now, Ryan, Wade and Emmit find themselves victimized by a Hannibal Lector-like bully when they first step through their new high school doors. Unable to handle the mistreatment, they place an ad in Soldier of Fortune Magazine for a protector (Owen Marshall) (Paramount)
FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL: Produced by “Knocked Up” comedy guru Judd Apatow, the story has Jason Segel unsuccessfully handling the break up with his ex-TV star girl friend (Kristen Bell). Friends persuade him to take a trip to Hawaii to forget her, but, oops, she’s there with her new boyfriend. (Universal)
HAROLD AND KUMAR ESCAPE FROM GUANTANAMO BAY: While the title characters munch at White Castle, Harold learns that a girl he lusts after is heading to Amsterdam. They decide to follow her and due to an overzealous airline employee and mistaken identities, the duo are seized as terrorists.
IRON MAN: Robert Downey Jr. stars as the armor plated hero. Updating the scenatio, Tony Stark remains a billionaire industralist, but has been kidnapped in Afghanistan where he is forced to work on weapons for the bad guys. The villain, none other than perennial nemesis , The Mandarin.
LEATHERHEADS: Although the people of Maysville, Ky. Received an early showing since George Clooney calls the small Bluegrass State community home, the rest of the country can watch an aging football legend (Clooney, who else?) and a college star (John Krasinski) vying both for spots on a professional team but for the romantic offerings of a gutsy, female sports journalist (Renee Zellweger). Oh, the flick takes place in 1925.
MADE OF HONOR: Opening opposite the Marvel juggernaut, Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan star in MADE OF HONOR, a romantic comedy about a procrastinating lover who ends up as his love’s “maid of honor” instead of the groom. Can he somehow manage to manipulate the situation so he can win her from the rick Scotsman who has swept her off her footsies?
NIM’S ISLAND: Jodie Foster plays an author attempting to assist a fan whose father is missing on a secret island. Billed as a possible Indiana Jones for the sweeter gender, Of course, the author has her share of psychological dilemmas --- she has a fear of leaving her house and , well, the “fan” with the missing father is actually the title character in her novels. Advance word: goofy, sweet, comedic.
Limited Release /Art House Films
ONGOING INTERACTIVE FUN
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. Pre Show begins @ 11:30 p.m.
Starts Friday:
HUNTINGTON, WV
MARQUEE PULLMAN: (Now ALL digital projection) Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian 11:50-12:20-1:15-1:45-3:00-3:30-4:30-5:00-6:10-6:40-7:45-8:15-9:20-9:50; Starts Thurs. May 22: Indiana Jones Crystal Skull (Advance Showing 12:01 a.m.); TIME CHANGES: Speed Racer no 9:45 p.m. showing; Iron Man (3 prints) 11:30-12:30-1:00-2:30-3:30-4:00-5:30-6:30-7:00-8:45-9:30-9:45-9:50; Harold and Kumar 7:20-9:50 only; Prom Night 9:30 only; Nim’s Island 12:00-2:20-4:40-7:00; Horton Hears Who 12:30-2:45-5:00 only; ENDS THURSDAY: Leatherheads, 21, 88 Minutes, Forbidden Kingdom; For Full Schedule, click: http://www.marqueecinemas.com/Default.aspx?tabid=584
DISCOUNT CINEMA 4: (all shows after 6 p.m. $3.00; Tuesday $2; $2.00 all shows before 6 p.m.) : Leatherheads 4:30-7:10-9:25, Sat/Sun/Tues Mat. 1:30; 21, 4:20-7:05-9:35, Sat/Sun/Tues Mat. 1:20; Meet the Browns 7:25-9:30; Drillbit Taylor 5:25-7:35, Sat/Sun/Tues Mat. 1:0; Shutter, 7:15-9:15; Vantage Point 9:45, Sat/Sun/Tues Mat. 3:15; College Road Trip 5:10, Sat/Sun/Tues Mat. 1:10-3:10; ENDS THURSDAY: Shutter, Spiderwick Chronicles; Friday 12 Midnight: 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' (Interactive preshow begins 11:30 p.m.), Leatherheads, 21; For full schedule click and select date: http://www.ourshowtimes.com/cinema/index.html
ASHLAND, KY
CINEMARK CINEMA 10: Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian 11:50-1:30-3:10-4:40-6:30-7:50-9:40; Starts Thurs. May 22, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull 12:00-1:15-3:00-4:15-6:40-7:25-9:30-10:15; ENDS THURSDAY: Prom Night, 21, Nim’s Island; http://www.cinemark.com/metropolitan_opera.asp
PHOENIX 10 KYOVA MALL: Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian 12:30-1:00-3:30-4:00-6:30-7:00-9:30-10:00; Starts Thurs. May 22, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Chrystal Skull 12:00-1:00-3:00-4:00-6:05-7:00-9:15-10:00; Full schedule for May 16 unavailable, click here to see latest update: http://www.movietickets.com/house_detail.asp?house_id=10480
BECKLEY, WV
Starts Friday
CROSSROADS CINEMAS: Street Kings 3:20-6:15-8:55, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:20; Shutter 4:45-9:15, Sat/Sun Mat. 2:30; Drillbit Taylor 2:00-4:40-7:00-9:20, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:00; 10,000 BC, 6:10-8:45, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:40; Never Back Down 3:25-8:50; Bucket List 6:50 , Sat/Sun Mat. 12:15; Fool’s Gold 6:05, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:30; Spiderwick 3:30, Sat/Sun Mat. 1:00; ENDS THURSDAY: Other Boleyn Girl, Roscoe Jennings; For full schedule: http://www.marqueecinemas.com/Default.aspx?tabid=560
GALLERIA CINEMAS: (Now All Digital Projection!) : Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian 11:50-12:20-1:15-1:45-3:00-3:30-4:30-5:00-6:10-6:40-7:45-8:15-9:20-9:50; Advance Showing Indiana Jones 12:01 a.m. Thurs. May 22; Advance Tickets on Sale: Indiana Jones and Crystal Skull 12:50-3:45-6:50-9:40; TIME CHANGES: Speed Racer, no 9:30 p.m. showing; Iron Man (no 12:00-3:00 showings); Harold and Kumar 9:30 ONLY; Nim’s Island 12:30-3:30 ONLY; KIDSTOON, Seasame Street Dinosaurs, 12 noon, Sat/Sun May 3-4 ($3.50 all ages for Kidtoon); ENDS THURSDAY: 88 Minutes, Prom Night, Horton Hears a Who, Leatherheads, Forgetting Sarah Marshall; For full schedule: http://www.marqueecinemas.com/Default.aspx?tabid=680
BLUEFIELD, WV
Starts Friday
MERCER MALL: Features/Times To Be Announced; For full schedule, click: http://www.carmike.com/showtimesdetails.aspx?theatrenumber=075503
COMMONS 8 (Marquee Cinemas, Wytheville, Va.): (Now all digital projection!) Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian, Fri/Sat/Sun 11:50-12:20-3:00-3:30-6:10-6:40-9:20-9:50, Mon-Thurs. 3:00-3:30-6:10-6:40-9:20-9:50; Starts Thurs. May 22: Indiana Jones and Crystal Skull; TIME CHANGES: Speed Racer Fri/Sat/Sun 12:00-12:15-3:05-3:20-6:10-9:15, Mon-Wed. 3:05-3:20-6:10-9:15; Iron Man , Fri/Sat/Sun 1:00-4:00-6:30-7:00-9:30-10:00, Mon-Wed. 4:00-6:30-7:00-9:30-10:00; ENDS THURSDAY: Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Nim’s Island; For full schedule: http://www.marqueecinemas.com/Default.aspx?tabloid=580
CHARLESTON, WV
Starts Friday
MARQUEE SOUTHRIDGE: (Now All Digital Projection!) Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian 11:50-12:20-1:30-3:00-3:30-4:45-6:10-6:40-8:00-9:20-9:50; Advance Showing Thurs. May 22 12:01 a.m. Indiana Jones: Crystal Skull, 12:50-3:45-6:50-9:40; KIDTOONS, Sesame Street Dinosaurs 12 Noon, Sat/Sun May 10-11 (all seats $3.50); For full schedule click: http://www.marqueecinemas.com/Default.aspx?tabid=583
PARK PLACE STADIUM CINEMAS: Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian 12:30-1:15-3:30-4:00-7:00-8:00-9:45; Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden 5:15-7:30; For full listing: http://www.ourshowtimes.com/parkplace/index.html
TIME CHANGES
MARQUEE SOUTHRIDGE: Forgetting Sarah Marshall 10:05 p.m. ONLY;
PARK PLACE STADIUM CINEMAS: Forgetting Sarah Marshall 12:50-3:05-9:45 only
ENDS THURSDAY:
Marquee Southridge: Harold and Kumar, Prom Night, Nim’s Island, Horton Hears a Who
Park Place Stadium Cinemas: Harold and Kumar, 88 Minutes
HURRICANE, WV
Starts Friday
TEAYS VALLEY CINEMA 10: Chronicles of Narnia 10:00 a.m.*-10:15 a.m.*-1:00-1:15-4:00-4:15-7:00-7:15-9:45-10:05; TIME CHANGES: Speed Racer No 9:45 pm show; Red Belt 9:45 ONLY; Harold and Kumar 2:00-10:05; Iron Man (split schedule on third print) 10:10 a.m.*10:40 a.m.*-11:10 a.m.*-1:10-1:40-4:10-4:40-5:10-7:10-7:40-8:00; ENDS THURSDAY: Forgetting Sarah Marshall; (* Fri/Sat Early Bird ); For full schedule click: http://boxoffice.printtixusa.com/allstar/movies?v=2756
LEWISBURG, WV
SENACA SHOWPLACE: Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian , Fri/Sat/Sun 3:10-6:20-9:30*, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:00, Mon-Thurs. 4:45-7:50; Iron Man, Fri/Sat/Sun 3:15-6:30-9:30*, Sat Mat 12:15, Sun/Tues 12:15-3:15-6:30; Mon.-Wed . 5:00-8:00; (* no Sun. Late Show); ENDS THURSDAY: Harold and Kumar
LOGAN, W.VA.
Starts Friday
FOUNTAIN PLACE CINEMA 8: Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian 4:00-7:00-7:15-9:45-10:00, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:00-1:05-3:05; TIME CHANGES: NONE; ENDS THURSDAY: Harold and Kumar, Sarah Marshall; For full schedule click: http://www.ourshowtimes.com/fountainplace/index.html
NITRO, WV
Great Escape Nitro 12: http://greatescapetheatres.com or 769-0405
SUMMERSVILLE, WV
NICHOLS SHOWPLACE: Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian , Fri/Sat/Sun 3:10-6:20-9:30*, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:00, Mon-Thurs. 4:45-7:50; Speed Racer , Fri/Sat/Sun 3:30-6:40-9:30*, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:30; What Happens Vegas , Fri/Sat/Sun 4:50-7:10-9:25*, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:00-2:20, Mon-Thurs. 4:50-7:10; Iron Man, Fri/Sat/Sun 3:15-6:30-9:30*, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:15, Mon-Thurs. 5:00-8:00; (*No Sun. Late Show); ENDS THURSDAY: Prom Night, Leatherheads
WELCH, WV
MCDOWELL 3: Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian , Fri/Sat/Sun 3:10-6:20-9:30*, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:00, Mon-Thurs. 4:45-7:50; Speed Racer, Fri/Sat/Sun 3:20-6:20-9:20*, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:10, Mon-Wed. 5:00-7:55; Iron Man, Fri/Sat/Sun 3:30-6:30-9:30*, Sat/Sun Mat. 12:15, Mon-Wed. 5:10-8:00; ENDS THURSDAY: Forgetting Sarah Marshall
UPCOMING RELEASES
May 21: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Postal
May 30: Sex and the City, Strangers
June 6: Kung Fu Panda, You Don’t Mess with Zohan
June 13: The Happening, The Incredible Hulk
June 20: Get Smart, The Love Guru
June 27: Wall-E, Wanted
July 2: Hancock
July 11: HB II (formerly Hellboy 2: Golden Army), Meet Dave (formerly Starship Dave)
July 18: Dark Knight, Mamma Mia! , Space Chimps
July 25: American Teen, The Longshots, Step Brothers, X Files II
Aug. 1: He’s Just Not That Into You, Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Rocker, Swing Vote
Aug. 8: Journey 3-D, Pineapple Express, Sisterhood of Traveling Pants II
Aug. 15: The International, Mirrors, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Tropic Thunder, Wild Child
Aug. 22: Accidental Husband, Bangkok Dangerous, Crossing Over, Fly Me to the Moon 3D, The House Bunny
Aug. 29: Babylon A.D., College, Traitor, Hamlet II
· Release dates subject to change; not all films will play in every market and/or every theatre.