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Thursday, May 31, 2012

Synopsis: Visionary filmmaker Ridley Scott returns to the genre he helped define, creating an original science fiction epic set in the most dangerous corners of the universe. The film takes a team of scientists and explorers on a thrilling journey that will test their physical and mental limits and strand them on a distant world, where they will discover the answers to our most profound questions and to life’s ultimate mystery.

Release Date: June 8, 2012 (US)



Watch the Movie Clips and Featurette after the jump.



Official Synopsis: Les Misérables is the motion-picture adaptation of the beloved global stage sensation seen by more than 60 million people in 42 countries and in 21 languages around the globe and still breaking box-office records everywhere in its 27th year. Helmed by The King’s Speech‘s Academy Award®-winning director, Tom Hooper, the Working Title/Cameron Mackintosh production stars Hugh Jackman, Oscar® winner Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway and Eddie Redmayne, with further casting to be announced.

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption–a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Jackman plays ex-prisoner Jean Valjean, hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe) after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever.

In December 2012, the world’s longest-running musical brings its power to the big screen in Tom Hooper’s sweeping and spectacular interpretation of Victor Hugo’s epic tale. With international superstars and beloved songs–including “I Dreamed a Dream,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More” and “On My Own”Les Misérables, the show of shows, is now reborn as the cinematic musical experience of a lifetime.

Release Date: December 14, 2012 (US)



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Official Synopsis: In the film, Georges (Jean-Louis Trintignant) and Anne (Emmanuelle Riva) are in their eighties. They are cultivated, retired music teachers. Their daughter (Isabelle Huppert), who is also a musician, lives abroad with her family. One day, Anne has an attack. The couple’s bond of love is severely tested.

Release Date: November 16, 2012 (UK)



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Official Synopsis: Veteran paranormal researchers Dr. Margaret Matheson (Sigourney Weaver) and Tom Buckley (Cillian Murphy) debunk fraudulent claims of ghost whispering, faith healing and other psychic phenomena by detecting what Matheson calls “red lights,” the subtle tricks behind every staged supernatural occurrence. But when the legendary blind psychic Simon Silver (Robert De Niro)comes out of retirement after 30 years, his once-fearless adversary Matheson warns Buckley to back off, fearing reprisal from the powerful Silver. Determined to discredit Silver, Buckley and his star student (Elizabeth Olsen) use every tool at their disposal to uncover the truth behind the charismatic, spoon-bending, mind reader. But Buckley is forced to reexamine his own core beliefs as his quest builds to a mind-blowing conclusion in this taut psychological thriller from award-winning writer and director Rodrigo Cortes (Buried).

Release Date: July 13, 2012 (US - Limited)



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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Man on a Ledge


Synopsis: In the film critics call a "white-knuckle action thriller," ex-cop Nick Cassidy (Sam Worthington, Avatar & Clash of the Titans) escapes from prison to plan the ultimate heist: steal a $40 million diamond from cutthroat businessman David Englander (Ed Harris), and in the process prove his innocence. From the ledge of the famous Roosevelt Hotel, with the whole world watching, Cassidy plays a clever game of cat & mouse with the NYPD while his dutiful brother Joey (Jamie Bell) works against the clock to extract the diamond and clear his brother’s name.

Genre: Thriller, Crime

Worldwide Box-Office: $42M

Buy from Amazon.com:

Trailers & Clips

DVD/Blu-Ray Special Features :
  • The Ledge
  • Trailer with commentary by Elizabeth Banks



Run Time : 106 Min.

Distributor : Warner Home Video

Rated : PG-13 (disturbing content and some language).



Coriolanus


Synopsis: The classic legend of honor and betrayal has been astonishingly re-imagined in this exhilarating action thriller that wields a profound relevance for today. Caius Martius 'Coriolanus' (star and director Ralph Fiennes) is a feared and revered Roman General, suddenly pitted against his own city and fellow citizens. Rebelling against the power-hungry designs of his manipulative mother (Vanessa Redgrave) and rejected by his own people, Coriolanus incites a riot that expels him from Rome. The banished hero joins forces with his sworn enemy Tullus Aufidius (Gerard Butler) to exact his revenge -- and determine his destiny.

Genre: Drama, Thriller

Worldwide Box-Office: $1M

Buy from Amazon.com:

Trailers & Clips

DVD/Blu-Ray Special Features :
  • Commentary by Director/Actor Ralph Fiennes
  • The Making of Coriolanus
  • Trailers
Run Time : 123 Min.

Distributor : The Weinstein Company

Rated : R (some bloody violence).



Gone


Synopsis: In the new suspense thriller Gone, Jill Parrish (Amanda Seyfried) comes home from a night shift to discover her sister Molly has been abducted. Jill, who had escaped from a kidnapper a year before, is convinced that the same serial killer has come back for her sister. Afraid that Molly will be dead by sundown, Jill embarks on a heart-pounding chase to find the killer, expose his secrets and save her sister.

Genre: Drama, Thriller

Worldwide Box-Office: $16M

Buy from Amazon.com:

Trailers & Clips

DVD/Blu-Ray Special Features :
  • None
Run Time : 95 Min.

Distributor : Summit Entertainment

Rated : PG-13 (violence and terror, some sexual material, brief language and drug references).



Goon


Synopsis: Not content with his job as a bouncer, Doug Glatt (Seann William Scott) dreams of a more rewarding job and gaining his parents respect. When a chance encounter with an on-ice thug leads to a fistfight that Doug easily wins, the on-looking coach sees Doug's potential, in spite of his lack of any hockey playing ability. Joining the team and with the encouragement of his best friend (Jay Baruchel), Doug quickly becomes a rising star. Soon he'll have the opportunity to face-off against the infamous league thug, Ross Rhea (Liev Schreiber), perhaps finally land a girlfriend and stick to a job he enjoys. Now all he needs to do is learn to skate.

Genre: Comedy, Sport

Worldwide Box-Office: $6M

Buy from Amazon.com:

Trailers & Clips

DVD Special Features :
  • Commentary with director Michael Dowse and co-writer/actor Jay Baruchel
  • Trailer with commentary by Elizabeth Banks
  • 6 Deleted Scenes
  • Outtakes / Blooper Reel
  • Goalie Audition
  • Fighting 101
  • Hockey Player Cards Gallery
  • A Look at Goon
  • Trailers

Blu-Ray Special Features :
  • [same as the DVD]
  • Power Play Clips
  • Liev Schreiber on Ice
  • Interview with the Real Guys : Doug and Jay

Run Time : 91 Min.

Distributor : Magnolia Home Entertainment

Rated : R (brutal violence, non-stop language, some strong sexual content and drug use).



We Need to Talk About Kevin


Synopsis: A suspenseful and gripping psychological thriller, Lynne Ramsay's We Need To Talk About Kevin explores the fractious relationship between a mother and her evil son. Tilda Swinton, in a bracing, tour-de-force performance, plays the mother, Eva, as she contends for 15 years with the increasing malevolence of her first-born child, Kevin (Ezra Miller). Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, We Need To Talk About Kevin explores nature vs. nurture on a whole new level as Eva's own culpability is measured against Kevin's innate evilness. Ramsay's masterful storytelling simultaneously combines a provocative moral ambiguity with a satisfying and compelling narrative, which builds to a chilling, unforgettable climax.

Genre: Drama, Thriller

Worldwide Box-Office: $6M

Buy from Amazon.com:

Trailers & Clips

DVD/Blu-Ray Special Features :
  • Behind the Scenes of Kevin
  • Trailer with commentary by Elizabeth Banks
  • Extra Footage from the "La Tomatina" Festival
  • In Conversation - Telluride Film Festival
  • Interview with Lionel Shriver
  • Original Theatrical Trailer


Run Time : 112 Min.

Distributor : Oscilloscope Laboratories

Rated : R (disturbing violence and behavior, some sexuality and language).


     OTHER DVD/Blu-Ray Releases :

  • Michael Haneke won his second Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival for the drama "Amour". Haneke joins a select group of directors who have won the Palme d'Or twice which includes Francis Ford Coppola, the Dardenne brothers, Bille August and Emir Kusturica. Cristian Mungiu, director of "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" and previous winner of the Palme d'Or, won the award for Best Screenplay for the true story drama "Beyond the Hills" while his two leading ladies, Cosmina Stratan and Cristina Flutur shared the award for Best Actress. the Grand Prix went to Matteo Garrone ("Gomorrah") for the dramedy "Reality" and Carlos Reygadas was named Best Director for "Post Tenebras Lux". The award for Best Actor went to Mads Mikkelsen ("Casino Royale") for "The Hunt", the Jury Prize went to Ken Loach for "The Angel's Share" and the Camera d'Or award was won by Benh Zeitlin for "Beasts of the Southern Wild".


  • Gary Oldman has joined the "Robocop" remake directed by Jose Padilha ("Elite Squad"). The seasoned actor will star as Norton, the scientist who creates Robocop. According to the filmmakers, the character is "torn between the ideals of the machine trying to rediscover its humanity and the callous needs of a corporation." The remake stars Joel Kinnaman ("The Killing") as the man/machine titular character and is scheduled for release on August 9, 2013.

  • Gamers rejoice, you're about to witness a big-screen version of the famous "Need for Speed" videogame franchise. Screenwriter John Gatins ("Real Steel") is set to deliver a first draft and director Scott Waugh ("Act of Valor") is in talks to helm the adaptation. Stay tuned for more updates.

  • George Miller's reboot of "Mad Max" is finally scheduled to begin production this year after a long series of delays. According to Charlize Theron, who was set to star in the movie since 2009, filming will begin on June 2nd in Australia. "Mad Max: Fury Road" will star Tom Hardy ("Warriors", "The Dark Knight Rises") as the title character.

  • "Kick-Ass 2" is moving forward and is set to begin filming in September. The movie will be written and directed by Jeff Wadlow ("Never Back Down"). According to Wadlow, the sequel will focus even more on Hit-Girl and her part in the story is expanded far beyond the comic book : "If you’ve read the comic, you know, she gives up being Hit-Girl, which was a brilliant idea I thought on Mark’s part. It’s something I explore something quiet deeply in the movie because what happens in the comic is she sort of steps away from the story in many ways and she’s sort of sidelined while Dave is working with Justice Forever and Chris is becoming the Mother[frick]er. But I was quite interested in what happens to her when she’s not being Hit-Girl. Her story is a major, major part of the film and she’s excited about the ideas and we’re in talks."



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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Men in Black 3


Official Synopsis: In Men in Black 3, Agents J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) are back...in time. J has seen some inexplicable things in his 15 years with the Men in Black, but nothing, not even aliens, perplexes him as much as his wry, reticent partner. But when K's life and the fate of the planet are put at stake, Agent J will have to travel back in time to put things right. J discovers that there are secrets to the universe that K never told him -- secrets that will reveal themselves as he teams up with the young Agent K (Josh Brolin) to save his partner, the agency, and the future of humankind.

Genre: Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi

Critical Response:
  • Rottentomatoes: 67% (121 fresh, 60 rotten, score: 6/10).
  • Metacritic: 58 out of 100 (18 positive, 14 mixed, 5 negative).

Starring : Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Emma Thompson, Nicole Scherzinger, Alice Eve, Bill Hader.

Director : Barry Sonnenfeld.

Screenplay : Lowell Cunningham, Etan Cohen.

Running Time : 103 min.

Rating : PG-13 for sci-fi action violence, and brief suggestive content.





Chernobyl Diaries


Official Synopsis: Chernobyl Diaries is an original story from Oren Peli, who first terrified audiences with his groundbreaking thriller, Paranormal Activity. The film follows a group of six young vacationers who, looking to go off the beaten path, hire an "extreme" tour guide. Ignoring warnings, he takes them into the city of Pripyat, the former home to the workers of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, but a deserted town since the disaster more than 25 years ago. After a brief exploration of the abandoned city, however, the group soon finds themselves stranded, only to discover that they are not alone...

Genre: Horror

Critical Response:
  • Rottentomatoes: 25% (13 fresh, 38 rotten, score: 4.2/10).
  • Metacritic: 31 out of 100 (1 positive, 6 mixed, 8 negative).

Starring : Jesse McCartney, Jonathan Sadowski, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Olivia Dudley, Nathan Phillips, Dimitri Diatchenko.

Director : Bradley Parker.

Screenplay : Shane Van Dyke, Carey Van Dyke, Oren Peli.

Running Time : 88 min.

Rating : R for violence, some bloody images and pervasive language.

Multimedia Content:




Composer
Alexandre Desplat, Various Artists

Running Time:
64:11

Label
ABKCO

Format:
CD/MP3

Release Date
May 22, 2012



Track List:

1. The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra, Op. 34: Themes A-F (Leonard Bernstein & The New York Philharmonic)

2. Camp Ivanhoe Cadence Medley (Peter Jarvis and His Drum Corps)

3. Playful Pizzicato from Simple Symphony, Op. 4 (English Chamber Orchestra, Benjamin Britten)

4. Kaw-Liga (Hank Williams)

5. Noye's Fludde, Op. 59: Noye, Noye, Take Thou Thy Company (Trevor Anthony, Owen Brannigan, David Pinto, Darian Angadi, Stephen Alexander, Caroline Clack, Marie-Therese Pinto, Eileen O'Donovan, Chorus Of Animals, English Opera Group Orchestra, Merlin Channon, Norman Del Mar)

6. The Heroic Weather-Conditions of the Universe, Part 1: A Veiled Mist (Alexandre Desplat)

7. The Heroic Weather-Conditions of the Universe, Part 2: Smoke/Fire (Alexandre Desplat)

8. The Heroic Weather-Conditions of the Universe, Part 3: The Salt Air (Alexandre Desplat)

9. A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act 2: On The Ground, Sleep Sound (Choir Of Downside School, Purley, Emanuel School Wandsworth, Boys' Choir, London Symphony Orchestra, Benjamin Britten)

10. Long Gone Lonesome Blues (Hank Williams)

11. Le Carnaval des Animaux: Volière (Leonard Bernstein & The New York Philharmonic)

12. Le Temps de l'Amour (Françoise Hardy)

13. An die Musik (Vocalist: Alexandra Rubner Pianist: Christopher Manien)

14. Ramblin' Man (Hank Williams)

15. Songs From Friday Afternoons, Op. 7: Old Abram Brown (ZChoir Of Downside School, Purley, Viola Tunnard, Benjamin Britten)

16. The Heroic Weather-Conditions of the Universe Parts 4-6: Thunder, Lightning, and Rain (Alexandre Desplat)

17. Noye's Fludde, Op. 59: The Spacious Firmament On High - David Pinto, Darian Angadi, Stephen Alexander, Owen Brannigan, Sheila Rex, Caroline Clack, Marie-Therese Pinto, Eileen O'Donovan, Patricia Garrod, Margaret Hawes, Kathleen Petch, Gillian Saunders, Trevor Anthony, Chorus Of Animals, English Opera Group Orchestra, Merlin Channon, Norman Del Mar)

18. Noye's Fludde, Op. 59: Noye, Take Thy Wife Anone (Trevor Anthony, Chorus Of Animals, Sheila Rex, David Pinto, Darian Angadi, Stephen Alexander, English Opera Group Orchestra, Merlin Channon, Norman Del Mar)

19. The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra, Op. 34 Fugue: Allegro Motto (Leonard Bernstein & The New York Philharmonic)

20. Songs From Friday Afternoons, Op. 7: Cuckoo! (Choir Of Downside School, Purley, Viola Tunnard, Benjamin Britten)

21. The Heroic Weather-Conditions of the Universe, Part 7: After The Storm (Alexandre Desplat)



     OTHER SOUNDTRACKS :



Official Synopsis: A biography of Formula 1 champion driver Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl) and the 1976 crash that almost claimed his life. Mere weeks after the accident, he got behind the wheel to challenge his rival, James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth).

Release Date: TBA 2013



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Official Synopsis: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter explores the secret life of our greatest President, and the untold story that shaped our nation. Visionary filmmakers Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov (director of Wanted) bring a fresh and visceral voice to the blood-thirsty lore of the vampire, imagining Lincoln as history’s greatest hunter of the undead.

Release Date: June 22, 2012 (US)



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Official Synopsis: The astonishing conclusion to the series, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN - PART 2, illuminates the secrets and mysteries of this spellbinding romantic epic that has entranced millions.

Release Date: November 16, 2012 (US)



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Monday, May 28, 2012

Weekend Interval: 25-27 May

New Wide Releases: "Men in Black 3", "Chernobyl Diaries"

Weekend Total: aprox. $145M.

Biggest Drop : "Battleship" (-58%)

Smallest Drop : "The Hunger Games" (-8%)

Weekend Increase : "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" (+96%, increase in number of theaters)

Rank Title Weekend Domestic ForeignBudgetDays
1
Men in Black 3
$55M
$55M
$132M
$215M
3
2
The Avengers
$36.9M
$513M
$781M
$220M
24
3
Battleship
$10.8M
$44M
$232M
$209M
10
4
The Dictator
$9.6M
$41M
$50M
$65M
12
5
Chernobyl Diaries
$8M
$8M
N/A
$12.5M
3
6
Dark Shadows
$7.5M
$62M
$106M
$150M
17
7
What to Expect When You're Expecting
$7.1M
$22M
$1.3M
$40M
10
8
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
$6M
$16M
$78M
N/A
24
9
The Hunger Games
$2.7M
$395M
$244M
$78M
66
10
Think Like a Man
$1.4M
$88M
$1M
$12M
38
 


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Official Synopsis: Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “The Dark Knight Rises” is the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar(R) winner Christian Bale (“The Fighter”) again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar(R) winner Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en Rose”), as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake. Returning to the main cast, Oscar(R) winner Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules”) plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar(R) winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”) reprises the role of Lucius Fox. The screenplay is written by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer.

Release Date: July 20, 2012 (US)

See the Banners after the jump.

Synopsis: Visionary filmmaker Ridley Scott returns to the genre he helped define, creating an original science fiction epic set in the most dangerous corners of the universe. The film takes a team of scientists and explorers on a thrilling journey that will test their physical and mental limits and strand them on a distant world, where they will discover the answers to our most profound questions and to life’s ultimate mystery.

Release Date: June 8, 2012 (US)



Watch the Featurettes after the jump.



Official Synopsis: American writer Tom Ricks (Ethan Hawke) arrives in Paris to be closer to his young daughter who is living with his estranged ex-wife. Completely broke, he accepts a job as a night guard for a local crime boss. Stationed in a basement office, his only task is to push a button when a bell rings. The tranquility of the night, he hopes, will help him focus on his new novel. His days become more exciting when he starts a romance with Margit (Kristin Scott Thomas), a mysterious and elegant widow who sets strange rules to their meetings: she will only see him at her apartment in the fifth arrondissement, at 5 pm sharp, twice a week and he should ask no questions about her work or her past life. When people suddenly start dying around Tom, he begins to believe that a dark force has entered his life, punishing anyone who has recently done him wrong. After the police accuse him of murdering his neighbor, Tom tries to use his weekly visits to Margit’s apartment as an alibi, only to find out that she hasn’t lived at this address for the past 15 years.

Release Date: June 15, 2012 (US - Limited)



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Official Synopsis: Having awoken from their spring break extravaganza at Lake Victoria, the swarm heads upstream where they look to make a meal out of Big Wet, a local water park where when it comes to fun, nobody does it wetter! Though they came to get wet, get loaded and get some, the staff and patrons get more than they bargained for when they must face the fiercest, most bloodthirsty piranhas yet. Lead by the strong-willed, studious Maddy and her friends, Barry and Kyle, the trio must dive in and take on these man-eating creatures using every ounce of their being…but can they be stopped? Shot in 3-D and feauturing Esquire Magazine’s “2011 Sexiest Woman Alive” Katrina Bowden and the return of Christopher Lloyd, Paul Scheer and Ving Rhames alongside fresh bait Gary Busey and David Hasselhoff, the film that took an $80 Million bite out of the box office is back for more…only this time it has double the terror and double the D!

Release Date: June 1, 2012 (US)



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