Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun – For movies opening February 23, 2007
Big Budget Films
The Astronaut Farmer (PG for peril, mild profanity, and mature themes) Billy Bob Thornton portrays the title character in this family-oriented flick about an astronaut-in-training dismissed by NASA before he had a chance to fly in outer space who still decides to pursue his lifelong dream by building his own rocket inside of his barn. Cast includes Virginia Madsen, Bruce Dern and Tim Blake Nelson with cameos by Jay Leno and Bruce Willis.
The Number 23 (R for sexuality, profanity, violence, and disturbing images) Joel Schumacher directs Jim Carrey in this coincidence-driven, psychological thriller about a dog catcher whose life starts to unravel after his wife (Virginia Madsen) gives him a book for his birthday which he’s convinced is forecasting his impending demise.
Reno 911!: Miami (R for nudity, sexuality, profanity, drug use and crude humor) Over-the-top comedy, based on the Comedy Central TV-series, revolves around a motley crew of Keystone Cops who spring into action after terrorists attack a police convention. Ensemble cast includes Danny DeVito, Niecy Nash, Ben Garant, Lennie Loftin, Mary Birdsong, Kerri Kenney, Thomas Lennon, Cedric Yarbrough and Wendy McLendon-Covey.
Independent & Foreign Films
The Abandoned (R for nudity, profanity, disturbing images, and gory violence) Eastern bloc horror flick about a Russian orphan (Anastasia Hille), adopted by Americans as a baby, who returns to her homeland as an adult only to discover that the family farm she’s never known is now inhabited by ghosts.
Amazing Grace (PG for mature themes and mild epithets) Ioan Gruffudd stars in this biography of William Wilberforce (1759-1833), the British abolitionist who spearheaded a 20-year campaign pressuring Parliament to ban the slave trade. Costume drama directed by Michael Apted features stellar cast which includes Albert Finney, Rufus Sewell, Benedict Cumberbatch, Youssou N’Dour, Romola Garai and Michael Gambon.
Glastonbury (Unrated) Retrospective revisits, via archival footage, the annual musical festival launched on a 150 acre farm in Britain back in 1970. featuring a collage of cobbled from samples of appearances by artists ranging from James Brown to David Bowie to Bjork to Nick Cave to REM to Oasis to Radiohead.
Gray Matters (PG-13 for sexuality, profanity and mature themes) Heather Graham and Tom Cavanaugh co-star as seemingly inseparable siblings who decide to find mates for each other. Big name cast includes Bridget Moynahan, Molly Shannon, Sissy Spacek, Alan Cuming, and one-hit wonder Gloria “I Will Survive” Gaynor.
Premium (R for profanity) Romantic triangle comedy revolves around the efforts of a struggling actor (Dorian Missick) to prevent his ex-fiancee (Zoe Saldana) from marrying an attorney (Hill Harper) in 36 hours. Supporting cast includes Eva Pigford, Frankie Faison and Sean Nelson.
Starter for 10 (PG-13 for sex, expletives, and drug use) Coming-of-age comedy, set in 1985 and adapted by David Nicholls from his novel of the same name, revolves around the romantic misadventures of a nerdy freshman (James McAvoy) who finds himself juggling the attentions of a couple of cute coeds (Alice Eve and Rebecca Hall).
