Escape the cold weather in the multiplex

“The Nativity Story”

New Line Cinema

Starring: Keisha Castle-Hughes, Oscar Isaac, Hiam Abbass, Shaun Toub, Alexander Siddig, Said Amadis, Ciaran Hinds, Shohreh Aghdashloo
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Story: You likely know this plot: When Mary (Castle Hughes) finds herself pregnant in Judea before her marriage to Joseph (Isaac), she faces the scorn of the community. But an angel of God visits her and tells her she will give birth to Jesus. When King Herod (Hines) forces Joseph to register for the census in Bethlehem, the pregnant Mary accompanies him. Aghdashloo plays Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist.
Buzz: It’s a bit distracting that the 16-year-old Castle-Hughes recently announced she’s pregnant (kind of does in that whole virgin mother image a bit). And this is certainly a change of pace for director Hardwicke (“thirteen,” “Lords of Dogtown”). Mel Gibson proved that Christian movie audiences will show up in theaters — if Hardwicke can repeat even half of his success, she’ll have a hit.
Web site: http://www.thenativitystory.com/

“Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj”

MGM, Bauer Martinez Distribution

Starring: Kal Penn, Shobu Kapoor, Dan Percival, Holly Davidson, Anthony Cozens
Director: Mort Nathan
Story: In this sequel to 2002’s “Van Wilder,” Van Wilder’s star student (Taj) heads to England's prestigious Camden University, where he takes a group of misfits under his wing and teaches them how to be cool.
Buzz: Penn was undeniably funny as Kumar in “Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle.” This film, however, looks a bit less promising. Nathan’s only other directorial effort was the disastrous “Boat Trip” and this is writer David Drew Gallagher first produced screenplay. You might want to wait for the “Harold and Kumar” sequel instead — it’s coming in 2007.
Web site: http://www.riseoftaj.com/

“Turistas”

Fox Atomic

Starring: Josh Duhamel, Melissa George, Olivia Wilde, Desmond Askew, Beau Garrett, Max Brown, Raul Guterres, Andréa Leal
Director: John Stockwell
Story: When a young group of American backpackers gets stranded in a Brazilian village, their trip goes from glorious to downright scary. There’s something ominous in the little village — something that may take their lives. Duhamel, George and Wilde all play members of the backpacking crew.
Buzz: Stockwell hasn’t had much of a track record lately. He definitely loves beautiful settings and nubile leading actors, but doesn’t seem to care as much about story (see “Into the Blue”). Still, there could be a potential guilty pleasure here, as he’s been known to make those in the past (see “Blue Crush”). A spate of TV actors star: George is best known for her role as Lauren on “Alias”; Duhamel for his role on “Las Vegas”; Wilde for her role as Alex on “The O.C.”
Web site: http://www.myspace.com/turistasmovie

“10 Items or Less”

THINKfilm

Starring: Morgan Freeman, Paz Vega, Anne Dudek, Jonah Hill, Alexandra Berardi
Director: Brad Silberling
Story: Freeman stars as a movie star who’s had a lengthy absence from the big screen. When he considers taking a role as a supermarket manager, he decides to research it by going to a small ethnic market. There he meets a feisty cashier (Vega); through their conversations, Freeman starts to remember why he became an actor and Vega realizes she might have the confidence to interview for a job she really wants.
Buzz: Director Silberling is the man behind “Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events” and seems to want to simplify with this feature, which he both wrote and directed. The Hollywood Reporter’s Michael Rechtshaffen wrote, “Silberling's wisp of a script just doesn't give [the actors] much to sink their chops into.”
Web site: NA

“3 Needles”

ThinkFilm

Starring: Shawn Ashmore, Lucy Liu, Stockard Channing, Olympia Dukakas, Chloe Sevigny, Sandra Oh
Director: Tom Fitzgerald
Story: This story about the AIDS epidemic takes place in three countries: South Africa, China and Canada. In South Africa, a young nun (Sevigny) wants to convert Africans to Christianity and finds herself trying to save a group of young orphans. In the tiny village of Tonghu, China, a woman (Lui) tries to set up a blood collection service; and one man (Tanabadee Chokpikultong) tries to figure out what mysterious disease killed his daughter and wife. In Canada, a porn actor (Ashmore) fakes his blood test every month by providing samples from his geriatric father.
Buzz: Variety’s Dennis Harvey wrote that the film is “a great discussion tool for World AIDS Awareness Day that never achieves coherent shape as a three-paneled drama.” The Toronto Star’s Peter Howell called the film, “unfocussed and listless.” Writer-director Fitzgerald is best known for indie treats like “The Hanging Garden” and “The Event.” He may have gotten in over his head with this ambitious story.
Web site: http://www.wolfevideo.com/wolfereleasing/
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