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| ‘Popcorn’ photo by Petr Kratochvil |
It’s time to make weekend family entertainment plans and see if this week’s current crop of films will be part of your schedule. The following report covers motion picture theatrical releases opening nationwide beginning Friday, September 23, 2011 along with current film industry news.
The movies listed below have a rating, which has been established by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and have been provided with an italicized commentary from the Classification and Ratings Administration (CARA).
If a film has not been provided with an official rating, additional information may, or may not be provided.
If a film is designated NC-17, very limited information will be furnished.
For your convenience, each film title links directly to the Internet Movie Data Base, which provides the most comprehensive listing about the movie’s storyline, and includes a trailer, cast and crew information, initial audience reaction (if prior screenings have taken place) and parent advisories when available.
As always, you are the single best judge for determining your child’s choice of entertainment.
NEWS
Disney’s The Lion King REIGNS ONCE AGAIN
3D Release Takes Top Spot With $30 Million Domestic Gross; Beloved Tale Continues to Captivate Global Audiences on Screen and Stage
The Circle of Life continues as The Walt Disney Studios’ The Lion King 3D opened at #1 in theaters last weekend with an estimated gross of $30 million. The Lion King is now the third highest-grossing animated film of all time at the domestic box office. This release of The Lion King marks the fifth biggest September opening in industry history, the second biggest September opening in Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures history, and the first reissue to open #1 in 14 years. The film will remain in theaters for a limited engagement ahead of its Blu-ray™ and Blu-ray 3D™ premiere on October 4.Meanwhile, the London production of the hugely popular stage show recently celebrated its 5000th performance on September 13. The award-winning musical is also preparing to launch its Spanish premiere in Madrid, the largest stage musical ever presented in Spain. Opening October 21 at Lope de Vega Theatre, it is the first time the musical has been performed in the Spanish language. Since opening in 1997, The Lion King has been performing to sold-out crowds on Broadway with a remarkable 5,757 shows thus far.
The Lion King has proven again and again the transcendent power of great stories and characters,” said Rich Ross, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios. “From the screen to the stage, this timeless classic continues to touch the hearts of audiences of all ages around the world.”
Notable Facts:
- First released in 1994, The Lion King is the third highest-grossing animated film of all time with $358.6 at the domestic box office (includes all releases), the highest-grossing traditional hand-drawn animated film of all time, and the highest-grossing film from Walt Disney Animation Studios.
- The Lion King is the top-performing home entertainment release ever. The Blu-ray™ debut marks the first time it has been available in any form since 2004.
- The Lion King is Disney’s best-selling soundtrack. It received Diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (10x platinum). Only four other soundtracks in history have been certified Diamond.
- Best of The Lion King, a collection of songs from and inspired by the films and the show, is currently the #3 soundtrack on iTunes.
- The Lion King has won 2 Academy Awards®, 3 Golden Globes®, 6 Tony Awards® and 3 Grammys®, among other accolades, including over 70 major theatrical honors worldwide.
- The stage show has been seen by more than 60 million people worldwide, grossing over $4.6 billion in 18 productions across 14 countries, spanning 5 continents and 8 languages.
- Current productions include Broadway, North American Tour, Las Vegas, London, Hamburg, Tokyo and Singapore.
- The Lion King opened on Broadway in 1997 and in January 2011 became its seventh longest-running show ever; it continues to be one of the highest-grossing on a weekly basis.
- The North American tour recently completed a record-breaking, sold-out, 32-show premiere engagement at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier in Montreal, grossing more than $7 million – the highest-grossing theatrical production in the venue’s history.
ABOUT “THE LION KING”
An unforgettable story, breathtaking animation, beloved characters and award-winning music sets the stage for The Lion King, a Disney classic that follows the adventures of Simba, the feisty lion cub who “just can't wait to be king.” But his envious Uncle Scar has plans for his own ascent to the throne, and he forces Simba’s exile from the kingdom.
Alone and adrift, Simba soon joins the escapades of a hilarious meerkat named Timon and his warmhearted warthog pal, Pumbaa. Adopting their carefree lifestyle of “Hakuna Matata,” Simba ignores his real responsibilities until he realizes his destiny and returns to the Pride Lands to claim his place in the “Circle of Life.”
The all-star vocal talents—including Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Whoopi Goldberg, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Ernie Sabella, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Robert Guillaume, Cheech Marin and Moira Kelly—rip-roaring comedy and uplifting messages of courage, loyalty and hope make this a timeless tale for all ages. Produced by Don Hahn and directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff from a script by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts and Linda Woolverton, The Lion King is rated G by the MPAA.
NEW TRAILERS FOR THE MOST ANTICIPATED UPCOMING FILMSAlone and adrift, Simba soon joins the escapades of a hilarious meerkat named Timon and his warmhearted warthog pal, Pumbaa. Adopting their carefree lifestyle of “Hakuna Matata,” Simba ignores his real responsibilities until he realizes his destiny and returns to the Pride Lands to claim his place in the “Circle of Life.”
The all-star vocal talents—including Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Whoopi Goldberg, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Ernie Sabella, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Robert Guillaume, Cheech Marin and Moira Kelly—rip-roaring comedy and uplifting messages of courage, loyalty and hope make this a timeless tale for all ages. Produced by Don Hahn and directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff from a script by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts and Linda Woolverton, The Lion King is rated G by the MPAA.
Below for your enjoyment the newly released parody trailer “The Pig with the Froggy Tattoo” for
THE MUPPETS.
THE MUPPETS opens nationwide November 23, 2011.
FILMS OPENING THIS WEEK
Opened September 23, 2011 Abduction – Action, Drama, Mystery-PG-13- because of “sequences of intense violence and action, brief language, some sexual content and teen partying.”
Opened September 23, 2011 Dolphin Tale – Drama, Family- PG- because of “some mild thematic elements.”
Opened September 23, 2011 Killer Elite – Action, Thriller- R- because of “strong violence, language and some sexuality/nudity.”
Opened September 23, 2011 Machine Gun Preacher– Action, Crime- R-because of “violent content including disturbing images, language, some drug use and a scene of sexuality. “ NOTE: Los Angeles and New York City only.
Opened September 23, 2011 Moneyball – Biography, Drama, Sport- PG-13-because of “some strong language.”
Opened September 20, 2011 Pearl Jam Twenty – Documentary, Music- NOT RATED- NOTE: In limited release.
Opened September 23, 2011 Puncture – Drama- R- because of “drug use, language, some nudity and a sexual reference.” NOTE: In limited release.
Opened September 23, 2011 Thunder Soul – Documentary, Music- PG-because of “brief language and momentary historical smoking.” NOTE: In limited release.
The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies
The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies
For information on films that opened August 26, 2011, which included: Chasing Madoff; Circumstance; Colombiana; The Debt; Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark; The Family Tree; Higher Ground; Our Idiot Brother, and Swinging with the Finkels, please click on the link below.
The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies
For information on films that opened August 19, 2011, which included: Amigo; 5 Days of War; Conan the Barbarian; Flypaper; Fright Night; Griff the Invisiible; One Day, and Spy Kids: All the Time in the World in 4D, please click on the link below.
The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies
For information on films that opened June 24, 2011 to August 12, 2011.
For information on films that opened May 20 to June 17, 2011, please click on the link below.
For information on films that opened April 1 to May 13, 2011, please click on the link below.
For information on films that opened the weeks of Friday, February 4 to Friday March 25, 2011 please click on the link below, where you will also find previous listings and links for prior weeks in January, as well as films that opened in 2010:
The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies
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