Friday
Across the Universe
The songs of the Beatles score this love story set against the political and social upheaval of the 1960s. Julie Taymor (Broadway's "The Lion King") directs. With Evan Rachel Wood, Jim Sturgess (below), Joe Anderson. Written by Dick Clement & Ian La Frenais from a story by Taymor & Clement & La Frenais. Columbia Pictures
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Sunday, September 16, 2007 Home Edition Sunday Calendar Part E Page 2 Calendar Desk 5 inches; 209 words Type of Material: Correction
Sneaks list: The Warner Bros. Pictures release "Rails & Ties," opening Oct. 26, was omitted from the Fall Sneaks list last Sunday. Kevin Bacon plays a railroad engineer who, with his wife, played by Marcia Gay Harden, forms a bond with a boy whose mother is killed on his track. It is directed by Alison Eastwood. Two other films were omitted: "Colma: The Musical" stars Jake Moreno, composer-lyricist-screenwriter H.P. Mendoza and L.A. Renigen as post-high school friends facing down suburban Bay Area ennui, the dreary prospect of working at the mall and the romantic rigors of youth -- all while performing indie-pop tunes. Directed by Richard Wong. Roadside Attractions will release the film Oct. 12. "The Ten Commandments," a 3-D CGI-animated version of the story of Moses and the tablets, is the first in a 12-part series of "Epic Stories From the Bible." With the voices of Ben Kingsley, Christian Slater, Alfred Molina and Elliott Gould. Directed by Bill Boyce and John Stronach from a screenplay by Ed Naha. From Promenade Pictures Oct. 19...CX: The information for "Razor Eaters" included an incorrect distributor. It will be released this fall by Anywhere Road, not IFC First Take.The release date for the documentary "Darfur Now" from Warner Independent Pictures moved to Nov. 2.
Blame It on Fidel
A 9-year-old girl copes with an unstable home life and her parents' political activism in this imported drama directed by Julie Gavras, daughter of filmmaker Costa-Gavras ("Missing," "Z"). With Nina Kervel-Bey, Julie Depardieu, Stefano Accorsi. Written by Julie Gavras, Arnaud Cathrine. Based on the Italian novel "Tutta colpa di Fidel" by Domitilla Calamai. Koch Lorber Films / Red Envelope Entertainment
The Brave One
A New York City crime victim (Jodie Foster) resorts to vigilantism in this urban thriller directed by Neil Jordan ("The Crying Game"). With Terrence Howard, Naveen Andrews, Mary Steenburgen. Written by Roderick Taylor & Bruce A. Taylor and Cynthia Mort; story by Taylor & Taylor. Warner Bros.
Dragon Wars
Rampaging reptiles wreak havoc in Los Angeles in this effects-laden creature feature. With Jason Behr and Amanda Brooks. Written and directed by Hyung-rae Shim. Freestyle Releasing
Eastern Promises
Viggo Mortensen reunites with director David Cronenberg ("A History of Violence") in this thriller about a London gangster entangled in murder, deceit and revenge. With Naomi Watts, Vincent Cassel, Armin Mueller-Stahl. Written by Steve Knight ("Dirty Pretty Things"). Focus Features
Fierce People
A teen and his drug-addict mother escape New York City seeking a fresh start among the country club set in this drama set in 1978. With Diane Lane, Anton Yelchin, Donald Sutherland, Kristen Stewart, Elizabeth Perkins, Paz de la Huerta, Blu Mankuma, Chris Evans. Directed by Griffin Dunne. Dirk Wittenborn adapted his novel. Autonomous Films
I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With
"Curb Your Enthusiasm's" Jeff Garlin is an overweight Chicago actor looking for the right girl in this offbeat ensemble comedy. With Sarah Silverman, Bonnie Hunt, Gina Gershon, Amy Sedaris, Elle Fanning, Joey Slotnick, Roger Bart, Dan Castellaneta, Richard Kind. Written and directed by Garlin. IFC First Take / the Weinstein Co.
In the Valley of Elah
An Iraq war veteran mysteriously disappears shortly after returning home. Tommy Lee Jones (above), Susan Sarandon and Charlize Theron star in this drama written and directed by Paul Haggis ("Crash"). Based on a story by Mark Boal and Haggis. Warner Independent Pictures
Ira & Abby
Neurotic New York types ride the romance roller coaster in this comedy. With Jennifer Westfeldt, Chris Messina ("Six Feet Under"), Jason Alexander, Judith Light, Fred Willard, Chris Parnell, Frances Conroy. Directed by Robert Cary. Written by Westfeldt. Magnolia Pictures
King of California
A troubled teen (Evan Rachel Wood) gets caught up in her mentally unstable father's (Michael Douglas) quixotic quest for a long-buried fortune in Spanish gold in this contemporary fable. Written and directed by Mike Cahill. First Look Pictures
Milarepa: Magician, Murderer, Saint
Centuries-old tale of black magic and spiritual transformation from Tibet. With Jamyang Lodro, Orgyen Tobgyal, Kelsang Chukie Tethong. Directed by Buddhist lama Neten Chokling. Written by Chokling & Tenzing Choyang Gyari. Luminous Velocity
Moving McAllister
An ambitious law firm intern is tasked with transporting his boss' niece cross-country in this comedy. With Ben Gourley, Mila Kunis, Jon Heder, Rutger Hauer. Directed by Andrew Black. Written by Gourley. First Independent Pictures
Mr. Woodcock
A self-help author is shocked to discover that his mother is dating the gym teacher who tormented him in high school in this comedy. With Billy Bob Thornton, Seann William Scott, Susan Sarandon, Amy Poehler, Ethan Suplee. Directed by Craig Gillespie. Written by Michael Carnes & Josh Gilbert. New Line Cinema
Shadow Company
The use of private companies as U.S. military contractors in hot spots such as Iraq -- a multibillion-dollar business -- comes under scrutiny in this documentary. Directed by Nick Bicanic and Jason Bourque. Purpose Films
Silk
Adaptation of novelist Alessandro Baricco's tale of romance and commerce in 19th century Japan. With Michael Pitt, Keira Knightley, Koji Yakusho, Alfred Molina. Directed by François Girard. Screenplay by Girard and Michael Golding. Picturehouse
Vanaja
A teenage girl defies India's caste system to achieve her dream of learning dance. With Mamatha Bhukya, Urmila Dammannagari, Krishnamma Gundimalla, Karan Singh. Written and directed by Rajnesh Domalpalli. Emerging Pictures
What's Up, Scarlet?
Screwball comedy about a tough L.A. matchmaker whose domineering mother and pothead brother are obstacles to her making a match of her own. With Susan Priver, Musetta Vander, Sally Kirkland, Jere Burns. Written by Priver and Anthony Caldarella. Directed by Caldarella. Open City Productions
Sept. 21
Antonia
