An intense thriller ("Body of Lies" ), a family fantasy ("City of Ember" ), a sports picture ("The Express" ) and a fright film ("Quarantine" ) are the top titles arriving on this Columbus Day weekend.
For complete descriptions, critical evaluations of previewed films and explanations of the Motion Picture Association of America ratings in terms of violence, language and sexual content, please refer to the Movie Capsules in the To Do section of Friday's Burlington County Times.
The films (with all dates subject to change) opening at a theater near you include:
* "Body of Lies," with the superstar teaming of Leonardo DiCaprio ("The Departed") and Russell Crowe ("A Beautiful Mind") in an R-rated thriller about a young CIA operative who uncovers information revealing that a major terrorist leader is operating out of Jordan. He then reaches out to a veteran agency agent to help him infiltrate the operation. Ridley Scott ("Gladiator") directed. Trivia note: DiCaprio and Crowe previously appeared together in Sam Raimi's 1995 Western, "The Quick and the Dead.).
*"City of Ember," with Bill Murray ("Rushmore") and Tim Robbins ("Mystic River") in a PG-rated family fantasy about an underground city and two youngsters seeking a magic box that will provide power to an aging generator. If they fail, their home will disappear. Gil Kenan ("Monster House") directed.
*"The Express," with Rob Brown ("Stop-Loss") and Dennis Quaid ("Vantage Point") in an insightful PG-rated sports picture about college football star Ernie Davis, the first black to win the Heisman Trophy. Gary Fleder ("Kiss the Girls") directed.
* "Quarantine," with Jennifer Carpenter ("The Exorcism of Emily Rose") and Johnathon Schaech ("Prom Night") in an R-rated fright film about a TV reporter who becomes trapped in a building containing victims who have contracted a rare strain of rabies and are hungry for human flesh. It's an American remake of the intense Spanish chiller [Rec].
* "Save Me," with Chad Allen ("End of the Spear") and Judith Light (TV's "Who's the Boss?") in an unrated melodrama about a sex- and drug-addicted man pressured to enter a retreat designed to convert gay men to heterosexuality.
A very busy Depp
Johnny Depp isn't worried about layoffs and job shortages.
According to Variety, the wildly popular 45-year-old actor has signed to again play Capt. Jack Sparrow for a fourth installment of Walt Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise.
In addition, the trade publication reported that Depp will portray Tonto in a big-screen adaptation of "The Lone Ranger" and the Mad Hatter in director Tim Burton's awaited re-imagining of "Alice in Wonderland."
Burton and Depp previously combined their talents on films such as "Edward Scissorhands," "Sleepy Hollow," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Sweeney Todd." According to the Internet Movie Database, the two may also be teaming on a big-screen adaptation of the gothic soap "Dark Shadows," in which Depp would play vampire Barnabas Collins.
On July 11, 2009, Depp's next film, "Public Enemies," directed by Michael Mann ("Heat"), will open. In the crime picture, Depp plays outlaw John Dillinger and Christian Bale ("The Dark Knight") co-stars as Melvin Purvis, the FBI agent who tracked him.
Law tackles Dr. Watson
Jude Law ("Alfie") is co-starring as Dr. Watson in "Sherlock Holmes," which has Robert Downey Jr. ("Iron Man") as the master sleuth.
In this updated version, based on the comic book by Lionel Wigram and inspired by the character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Holmes will be equally adept at fighting skills and crime-solving abilities. The story has Holmes and Watson unraveling a deadly plot that could destroy England.
Rachel McAdams ("Wedding Crashers") appears as Irene Adler, a woman who has bested Holmes and maintains a tempestuous relationship with the famous detective. Guy Ritchie ("Snatch") is directing the epic adventure, now filming in London.
Smith "legendary' once more
Superstar Will Smith has agreed to reprise his role as scientist Robert Neville, the last man alive, in a prequel to the box-office smash"I Am Legend," based upon the apocalyptic novel by Richard Matheson.
According to Variety, Francis Lawrence ("Constantine") will return as director.
At the Buck$ Office
Hollywood went to the dogs last weekend.
Walt Disney's "Beverly Hills Chihuahua," starring Jamie Lee Curtis ("Halloween") and the voice of Drew Barrymore ("My Date with Drew"), easily took the No. 1 spot. The PG-rated comedy opened with an extremely impressive $29 million.
Get ready for numerous family friendly "Chihuahua" sequels to follow.
The new teen title "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist" took the No. 3 position. The PG-13 romantic title opened with a very respectable $12 million.
According to Box Office Mojo, the top-10 films last weekend were:
1. "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" ($29 million)
2. "Eagle Eye" ($17.7 million)
3. "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist" ($12 million)
4."Nights in Rodanthe" ($7.3 million)
5."Appaloosa" ($5 million)
6."Lakeview Terrace" ($4.5 million)
7."Burn After Reading" ($4 million)
8."Fireproof" ($4 million)
9."An American Carol" ($3.8 million)
10. "Religulous" ($3.5 million)
Gaul on the radio
My"At the Movies" radio segment will air live at 11:30 p.m. on Friday as part of "The Dom Giordano Show" (WPHT-AM/1210 and www.thebigtalker1210. com).
The broadcast, which can be heard every Friday night, will include discussions of newly released movies and DVDs, as well as motion picture news and trends.
A different version of my "At the Movies" segment can be heard on Burlington County College radio station WBZC-FM/88.9, 95.1 and 100.7 on Fridays at 8:45 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. and on Saturdays at 10:45 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. The show can also be heard online at www.z889.org.
Gaul on the Web
My film reviews, features and columns can be read on our Web site at lougaul.phillyburbs.com.
Lou Gaul is film critic for the Burlington County Times and Calkins Media. He can be reached at lgaul@phillyBurbs.com.
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