Popular books and real life stories are the basis of most of this week’s new releases. The most highly anticipated is the film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ popular novel about a deadly competition.
As part of the celebration for winning last year’s Games, Katniss Everdeen and fellow tribute Peeta Mellark travel throughout the districts in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. During their journey, they get the impression that the citizens are looking revolt, just in time for the 75th Annual Hunger Games. Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Lenny Kravitz, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Woody Harrelson, Jena Malone and Philip Seymour Hoffman star in the PG-13 sequel. The sci-fi adventure runs for two hour and twenty-six minutes. It’s available in 2D and IMAX theaters.
Following an accident at a fertility clinic, a slacker finds out that twenty years ago he has fathered over 500 children in Delivery Man. Twenty year after he made the donation, some of his children file a lawsuit to find out who he is. He goes on a mission to be their guardian angel while trying not to expose his identity. The PG-13 comedy stars Vince Vaughn, Chris Pratt and Cobie Smulders. It plays for one hour and forty-five minutes.
A young minister is blamed for ruining a Christmas legend in The Christmas Candle. According to the legend, every 25 years, an angel touches a candle and whoever lights it receives a miracle on December 24. The townspeople are upset when David Richmond comes to town and brings electricity. The one hour and thirty-one minute drama is based on Max Lucado’s novel. The PG film is available in limited theaters.
A BBC journalist, known for covering hard hitting news, takes on a human interest story in Philomna. The PG-13 film is based on the true story of an Irish woman who became pregnant as a teen and was forced to move into a convent where her child was later taken away. Now, fifty years later and with the help of the reporter, she finally has the opportunity to meet the son she lost. The one hour and thirty-eight minute drama stars Judi Dench and Steve Coogan. It’s playing in limited theaters.
A one night stand becomes deadly in Contracted. After a night of putting caution to the wind, Samantha wakes up hung over and feeling symptoms which she cannot explain. What appears to be an STD, ends up creeping up on her and turning her into the undead. The unrated horror film is running for one hour and eighteen minutes in limited theaters.
Sir Jackie Stewart’s road to the Monaco Grand Prix is documented in Weekend of a Champion. The one hour and thirty-three minute film takes place over the course of a three day weekend in 1971 when director Roman Polanski had an all access pass into the champion driver’s life. Now over forty years later, the two meet again at the same hotel and reminisce about the film and how the sport has changed. The unrated, one hour and thirty-three minute documentary is available in limited theaters.
Contracted gives a sci-fi type of scare, but next week the thrills come from more reality based films. Josh Brolin and Samuel L. Jackson’s Old Boy hit theaters on Nov. 27 alongside Jason Statham and James Franco’s Homefront.
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