November 2007
(as seen in the Scottsdale Airpark News)
Movies in theaters are alive and well as Hollywood
continues to release some very exciting films. Why see these films
in a theater instead of at home on your great home theater system?
Some movies are best experienced on a massive screen with amazing
sound, with audience interaction, or maybe that guilty pleasure
-- with hot liquid butter poured all over that big bag of popcorn.
There could be one annoyance though -- deciding just what to see,
given there are often five or more new movies released every week.
So with your busy life, if you could see just one newly released
movie per week, which five in November should they be?
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For the weekend of November
2nd, and the Feature of the Month, it is “American
Gangster” starring Denzel Washington, Russell
Crowe, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Chiwetel Ejiofor (Children of
Men), Josh Brolin (Planet of Terror), and Armand Assante
(ER), directed by Ridley Scott (Kingdom of Heaven). A suspense
drama, rated R.
The plot: American Gangster is the biopic of Frank Lucas
(Washington), a self-driven black man who escaped the segregation
era south to become a drug kingpin in Harlem. Lucas started
out as a driver for a mobster and learned the ropes. When
his patron died, Lucas seized the opportunity to build his
empire by smuggling cheap, high quality heroin in the coffins
of soldiers that died in Vietnam. Ultimately this examines
the parallels between Lucas and the cop that finally took
him down, Detective Richie Roberts (Crowe), both of whom
managed to stick to their own personal code of ethics despite
the greed and corruption around them.
There are six other new releases this weekend: Bee
Movie, Before the Devil Knows You’re
Dead, Darfur Now, The
Kite Runner, Mama, I Want to Sing!,
and Martian Child. |
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For the weekend of November 9th, it is “Lions
for Lambs” starring Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep,
Robert Redford, Michael Pena (Shooter), Derek Luke (Glory
Road), and Peter Berg (Smokin’ Aces), directed by Robert
Redford. A drama, rated R.
The plot: two determined students at a West Coast University,
Arian (Luke) and Ernest (Pena), follow the inspiration of
their idealistic professor, Dr. Malley (Redford), and attempt
to do something important with their lives. But when the two
make the bold decision to join the battle in Afghanistan,
Malley is both moved and distraught. Now, as Arian and Ernest
fight for survival in the field, they become the string that
binds together two disparate stories on opposite sides of
America. Meanwhile, in Washington D.C. the charismatic Presidential
hopeful, Senator Jasper Irving (Cruise), is about to give
a bombshell story to a probing TV journalist (Streep) that
may affect Arian and Ernest's fates. As arguments, memories
and bullets fly, the three stories are woven ever more tightly
together, revealing how each of these Americans has a profound
impact.
There are five other new releases this weekend: Fred
Claus, No Country for Old Men, Om
Shanti Om, P2, and Southland
Tales. |
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For the weekend of November
16th, it is “Beowulf” starring
Ray Winstone (The Departed), Crispin Glover (Epic Movie),
Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Robin Wright
Penn, Alison Lohman (Flicka), and Brendan Gleeson (Harry Potter),
directed by Robert Zemeckis (The Polar Express). An action
/ adventure, fantasy, rated PG-13.
The plot: In a time of heroes, the mighty warrior Beowulf
slays the demon Grendel and incurs the wrath of its monstrous
yet seductive mother, in a conflict that transforms a king
into a legend. Beowulf combines a great classic story, proven
writers, a talented director and a great cast to create a
unique movie going experience. With animation so crisp you
forget that it is animation, Epic battles, out of this world
scenery and sexy animated vixens, it will be 300 meets Lord
of The Rings.
There are four other new releases this weekend: Elegy,
Love in the Time of Cholera, Margot
at the Wedding, and Mr. Magorium’s
Wonder Emporium. |
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For the Thanksgiving weekend starting November
21st, it is “August Rush” starring
Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Keri
Russell (Waitress), Jonathan Rhys-Meyers (Mission: Impossible
III), Terrence Howard (The Brave One), William Sadler (Roswell),
and Robin Williams, directed by Kirsten Sheridan (Disco Pigs).
A drama, rated PG.
The plot: A boy who has lost his parents and embarks on a
magical musical journey to be reunited with them, set largly
in Central Park.
There are four other new releases this weekend: Enchanted,
Hitman, The Mist, and This
Christmas. |
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For the weekend of November 30th, it is “I’m
Not There” starring Richard Gere, Heath Ledger,
Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore, Bruce Greenwood,
and Adrien Brody, directed by Todd Haynes (Far from Heaven).
A musical drama, rated R.
The plot: A retrospective view of the incredible musician
Bob Dylan, where multiple characters tell the story of his
life through various stages in his long career.
There are three other new releases this weekend: The
Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Pathology
and Teeth. |
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These are
expected to play at the multiplexes in the Scottsdale, AZ - Airpark
area including:
Harkins Scottsdale 101 at 7000 E. Mayo Blvd. 480-538-1707
AMC Desert Ridge 18 at 21000 N. Tatum Blvd. 480-606-0806
United Artists (Regal) Sonora Village 10 at 15512 N. Pima
Rd. 480-998-1300
Farrelli’s Cinema Supper Club at 14202 N. Scottsdale
Rd. 480-905-7200
Furthermore, gong to the movies still gives you the most entertainment
“bang for the buck” when compared to a similar two hour
venture at any professional sporting event, play or music performance.
See you at the movies!
Note: While the release dates & ratings for
these movies were correct at the time of printing, studios sometimes
make last-minute changes. If this happens, we apologize for any
inconvenience.
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