A number of new movies will hit theaters this week, including the following films opening in wide release:
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island Genre: Action, adventure, science fiction and fantasy Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Josh Hutcherson, Michael Caine, Vanessa Hudgens and Kristin Davis Director: Brad Peyton Rated: PG
The new 3-D family adventure "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" begins when 17-year-old Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson) receives a coded distress signal from a mysterious island where no island should exist.
Unable to stop him from tracking the signal to its source, Sean's new stepfather, Hank (Dwayne Johnson), joins the quest that will take them first to the South Pacific, and then to a place few people have ever seen. Or lived to tell about. It's a place of stunning beauty, strange and threatening life forms, volcanoes, mountains of gold and more than one astonishing secret.
Together with Gabato (Luis Guzmán), the only helicopter pilot willing to risk the trip, and Gabato's beautiful, strong-willed daughter Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens), they set out to find the island, rescue its lone human inhabitant and escape before seismic shockwaves force the island underwater and bury its treasures forever, in this follow-up to the 2008 worldwide hit "Journey to the Center of the Earth."
Safe House Genre: Thriller and action Cast: Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Brendan Gleeson, Sam Shepard and Vera Farmiga Director: Daniel Espinosa Rated: R
Oscar winner Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds star in the action-thriller “Safe House.”
Washington plays the CIA's most dangerous traitor, who stuns the intelligence community when he surfaces in South Africa. When brutal mercenaries attack the safe house to which he’s remanded, a rookie (Reynolds) is forced to help him escape. As the masterful manipulator toys with his reluctant protégé, the young operative finds his morality tested and idealism shaken. Now, they must stay alive long enough to uncover who wants them dead.
Legendary spy Tobin Frost (Washington) has eluded capture for almost a decade. One of the best ops men that the CIA's ever trained, the brilliant ex-intelligence officer has betrayed assets and sold military codes to enemies of the state since he turned. From aiding splinter cells to trading incendiary secrets to the highest bidder, the damage he's done to the U.S. is immeasurable. Now, Frost is back on the grid with the most explosive Intel he's ever gotten his hands on.
Fox Searchlight Pictures recently acquired worldwide rights to the inspirational true story “The Surrogate.”
Directed and written by Ben Lewin, “The Surrogate” stars John Hawkes as Mark O’Brien, Helen Hunt as Cheryl Cohen Greene and William H. Macy as Father Brendan. The film was produced by Judi Levine of Suchmuch Films and Stephen Nemeth of Rhino Films and is scheduled to be released in 2012.
“Ben Lewin has created a touching, uplifting look at one man’s desire to experience life to the fullest,” said Gilula and Utley. “The brave and indelible performances by John Hawkes, Helen Hunt and William H. Macy left us floored.”
Fox Searchlight Pictures recently acquired U.S. rights to the fantastical drama “Beasts of the Southern Wild.”
Directed by Benh Zeitlin and written by Lucy Alibar and Zeitlin, “Beasts of the Southern Wild” stars Quvenzhané Wallis and Dwight Henry. The film was produced by Michael Gottwald, Dan Janvey and Josh Penn. Philipp Engelhorn, Paul Mezey and Michael Raisler are executive producers. The film is scheduled to be released in 2012.
“In his feature film debut, Benh Zeitlin has crafted a visually stunning and deeply poetic film that captured our hearts,” said Utley and Gilula in a press release. “The amazing performances by newcomer Quvenzhané Wallis and Dwight Henry are a wonder to behold.”
There is a reason why “Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos” is only being shown at one venue in the Tampa Bay area: It’s target audience is exceedingly limited.
The 2011 anime film “Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos,” directed by Kazuya Murata, will be presented Friday, Jan. 27, 10 p.m., at Clearwater Cinema Café, 24095 U.S. 19 N., Clearwater.
Based upon the Fullmetal Alchemist franchise, the film is being distributed in America by Eleven Arts Inc.
“Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” isn’t laden with pulse-pounding chase sequences, fiery earth-shattering explosions or protracted shoot-outs.
Its divergence from all the deep-seated conventions of Hollywood blockbusters make this low-key, cerebral film appealing and distinctive.
The film’s distributor, Focus Features, hasn’t exactly gone out of its way to hype it, but “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” is getting noticed - for good reason. It is one of the smartest, most multifaceted narratives to hit the big screen in some time. A clever espionage thriller, it is based on the 1974 novel of the same name by John le Carré. Set in 1973 at the height of the Cold War, the story opens with a shake-up within Britain's Secret Intelligence Service, code-named “the Circus.”
Becky Shaw “Becky Shaw,” by Gina Gionfriddo, presented by freeFall Theatre Company, Feb. 2-19, at freeFall, 6099 Central Ave. Performances are Thursday, 7 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. Matinees are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. Ticket prices vary according to performance date and time. Call 498-5205 or visit www.freefalltheatre.com. Starting with a fateful blind date, Becky and Max are subjected to a series of comically unfortunate events.
contain it!, Trashy Treasures and Eat This!, contain it!, Trashy Treasures and Eat This!, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10-11, at Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd, Dunedin. The DFAC will host a triple-header of events including contain it!, in which hand-selected artists rework the interior of PODS containers; and Trashy Treasures, a fabulous art garage sale. New this year is Eat This!, featuring a variety of food trucks selling enticing cuisine. Participating in the food truck rally will be Ballers Traveling Bistro, FoodeeZ Mobile Catering, La Creperia Café with crepes to go, Michelle Faedos On The Go, Tamales and South Of The Border and Wicked Wiches. The annual fringe arts festival will will kick off Friday, Feb. 10, with a party and silent auction, at the center, 1143 Michigan Blvd. Admission is $5. The exhibition will be open to the public Saturday, Feb. 11, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. For event information, call 298-3322 or visit www.dfac.org.
Greg Proops Greg Proops, Friday, Feb. 10, 9 p.m., at The Club at Treasure Island, 400 Treasure Island Causeway, Treasure Island. Tickets are $35 plus service charge. Call 367-4511 or visit theclubti.com. Proops is best known for his participation in the television show “Whose Line Is It Anyway.” He also has appeared on “Drew Careys Green Screen Show” and “Drew Careys Improv-A-Ganza.” He has established himself as a lightning-witted comedic sharpshooter. In addition to improv, Proops also has lent his voice to a number of films and television shows such as Tim Burton's “The Nightmare before Christmas,” “Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace,” “Bob the Builder” and Nickelodeon's “True Jackson, VP.” Described as unpredictable and utterly unorthodox, Proops will bring his show off his improv skills in the clubs intimate setting for one night only.
Lie, Cheat and Genuflect “Lie, Cheat and Genuflect,” by Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore, presented by Early Bird Dinner Theatre, Jan. 5 through Feb. 26, at the Italian-American Club, 200 S. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater. Seating for performances is Thursday through Sunday, 4 p.m. Seating for matinees is Thursday and Saturday, 11 a.m. Cost is $29.90 a person. For reservations, call 446-5898. Visit www.earlybirddinnertheatre.com. The Buckle brothers, Billy and Tom, are in big trouble: Tom's infallible eye for slow horses has drained away all of Billy's savings and he has borrowed from loan shark Pizza Face Petrillo, who now wants his money back or else. There's plenty of money in grandfather Buckle's will, but these two black sheep are pretty sure they'll never see any of that. What else to do but dress Billy up as a nun and have him pose as their cousin who is to inherit the entire fortune?
Seven Guitars “Seven Guitars,” by August Wilson, presented by American Stage Theatre Company, Jan. 20 through Feb. 26, in the Raymond James Theatre, 163 Third St. N., St. Petersburg. Performances are Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. Matinees are Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m. Ticket prices vary. Call 823-7529 or visit www.americanstage.org. Floyd Barton is a natural musician with a hit song and, in the expansive atmosphere after World War II, he dreams of the big time. But as the play begins, his wife and friends mourn his death. In Wilsons only play constructed in flashback, “Seven Guitars” takes us back to explore what happened. Who killed Floyd Barton, but more importantly, why? This play contains mature subject matter and language.
Slipping “Slipping,” by Daniel Talbott, Feb. 9-12, 16-19, at The Studio@620, 620 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg. All performances are at 7 p.m. except Saturday, February 18, which will be a 3 p.m. matinee. For tickets, call 895-6620 or visit studio620.org. The Studio@620 is producing the Florida premiere of Talbotts controversial drama about teen gay bullying. Alone, numb and friendless after the violent death of his father and being dumped by his abusive boyfriend, openly gay high school senior Eli moves with his mom from San Francisco for a fresh start in Iowa. A possible relationship with a boy named Jake at school exposes Eli again to the possibility of closeness and the danger of being swallowed by it. “Slipping” is being directed by Bob Devin Jones and stars Bonnie Agan, Drew Smith, Vincent Stalba and Ian Muentener.
Becky Shaw “Becky Shaw,” by Gina Gionfriddo, presented by freeFall Theatre Company, Feb. 2-19, at freeFall, 6099 Central Ave. Performances are Thursday, 7 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. Matinees are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. Ticket prices vary according to performance date and time. Call 498-5205 or visit www.freefalltheatre.com. Starting with a fateful blind date, Becky and Max are subjected to a series of comically unfortunate events.
contain it!, Trashy Treasures and Eat This!, contain it!, Trashy Treasures and Eat This!, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10-11, at Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd, Dunedin. The DFAC will host a triple-header of events including contain it!, in which hand-selected artists rework the interior of PODS containers; and Trashy Treasures, a fabulous art garage sale. New this year is Eat This!, featuring a variety of food trucks selling enticing cuisine. Participating in the food truck rally will be Ballers Traveling Bistro, FoodeeZ Mobile Catering, La Creperia Café with crepes to go, Michelle Faedos On The Go, Tamales and South Of The Border and Wicked Wiches. The annual fringe arts festival will will kick off Friday, Feb. 10, with a party and silent auction, at the center, 1143 Michigan Blvd. Admission is $5. The exhibition will be open to the public Saturday, Feb. 11, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. For event information, call 298-3322 or visit www.dfac.org.
Fireside concert CLEARWATER - A fireside concert is set for Saturday, Feb. 11, 7 to 9 p.m., at Moccasin Lake Nature Park, 2750 Park Trail Lane. Suzanne and Jim Maintaining the Americana Roots Music Tradition is set to perform. There will be music, storytelling, dance, comedy, a campfire and smores. The concert and activities are free with admission to the park.
Visit www.suzanneandjim.com.
Lie, Cheat and Genuflect “Lie, Cheat and Genuflect,” by Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore, presented by Early Bird Dinner Theatre, Jan. 5 through Feb. 26, at the Italian-American Club, 200 S. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater. Seating for performances is Thursday through Sunday, 4 p.m. Seating for matinees is Thursday and Saturday, 11 a.m. Cost is $29.90 a person. For reservations, call 446-5898. Visit www.earlybirddinnertheatre.com. The Buckle brothers, Billy and Tom, are in big trouble: Tom's infallible eye for slow horses has drained away all of Billy's savings and he has borrowed from loan shark Pizza Face Petrillo, who now wants his money back or else. There's plenty of money in grandfather Buckle's will, but these two black sheep are pretty sure they'll never see any of that. What else to do but dress Billy up as a nun and have him pose as their cousin who is to inherit the entire fortune?
![[Image]](/content_images/020612_lemovies-01_front.jpg)
![[Image]](/content_images/012412_lemovies-02_thmb.jpg)
![[Image]](/content_images/011012_lemovies-02_thmb.jpg)
