Thursday, April 21, 2011

New Theatre set to open in Chicago Area and Upcoming Movie News

There are so many great movies coming out this Spring & Summer!  My email box is overflowing with movie news and I wanted to take a moment to list a few so you can make a mental note or mark your calendars. I think you'll agree something is bound to appeal to one of you family members.

But first some info for local Chicago-land area readers: 


AMC Randhurst 12 (an all new, all digital theatre) is having it's Grand Opening on Friday, April 29th. It is located in Mount Prospect, IL in the Randhurst Village across the parking lot from its former location. The new theatre highlights include:  Signature Seating including box seats, front-row recliners and extra leg room in back, An ETX auditorium with seat rattling sound, Coca-Cola Free Style with more than 100 drinks to choose from MacGuffins Lounge with a full cocktail bar, and Being Chicago's 1st Environmentally Sustainable LEED Certified Theatres.

No need to hold your visit until April 29th to see the new digs, you can visit Saturday April 23rd for Free Movie Day and be one of the first in Mount Prospect, IL to experience the new theatre! Visit Gofobo.com and search by zip code 60056 for a complete list of free screenings.*

Plus join them for an Easter Event!  Take your picture with the characters from the new movie HOP. Children will receive an Easter Egg, and then adults will have the chance to win a movie promotional item.  *Prizing is limited to one per person, while supplies last and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Disneynature’s AFRICAN CATS hits theaters on Earth Day, April 22nd

An epic true story set against the backdrop of one of the wildest places on Earth, “African Cats” captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna. Narrated by Oscar®-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson, the story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion and his sons.  Disneynature brings “The Lion King” to life on the big screen in this True Life Adventure directed by Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill (“Earth”).  An awe-inspiring adventure blending family bonds with the power and cunning of the wild, “African Cats” leaps into theatres on Earth Day, April 22, 2011.


EXPORTING RAYMOND opens in theaters Friday, April 29th

EXPORTING RAYMOND tells the hilarious journey of Phil Rosenthal, considered an expert in his country having created one of the most popular television shows of all time, who travels to a foreign land to help people who don't seem to want his help. When Rosenthal joins forces with Hollywood studio Sony Pictures Television to recreate "Everybody Loves Raymond" for Russian TV audiences as "Everybody Loves Kostya," he finds himself lost in Moscow, lost in his mission, lost in translation. Rosenthal tries to connect with his Russian colleagues but runs into unique characters and situations that conspire to drive him insane. The movie is a true international adventure, a genuine, "fish out of water" comedy that could only exist in real life.

Disney's “Prom” hits theaters April 29th

At “Prom,” every couple has a story and no two are exactly alike. Several intersecting stories unfold at one high school as the big dance approaches; “Prom” portrays the precarious passage from high school to independence as some relationships unravel and others ignite. For Nova Prescott (Aimee Teegarden), it’s a battle of wills as she finds herself drawn to the guy (Thomas McDonell) who gets in the way of her perfect prom. Fellow seniors Mei (Yin Chang) and Tyler (De’Vaughn Nixon) harbor secrets, while others face all the insecurity and anticipation that surrounds one of high school’s most seminal events. There are hundreds of nights in high school, but there’s only one “Prom.” Featuring an emerging ensemble cast and a powerful soundtrack, “Prom” hits theaters April 29, 2011.


Coming to Theaters June 24th: Disney Pixar's Cars 2

Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new places in “Cars 2” when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage. Mater finds himself torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret mission orchestrated by master British super spy Finn McMissile (voice of Michael Caine) and the stunning spy-in-training Holley Shiftwell (voice of Emily Mortimer). Mater’s action-packed journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe, trailed by his friends and watched by the whole world. The fast-paced fun includes a colorful new all-car cast, complete with menacing villains and international racing competitors.

“Winnie the Pooh” hits theatres on July 15th!

Walt Disney Animation Studios returns to the Hundred Acre Wood with “Winnie the Pooh.” Featuring the timeless charm, wit and whimsy of the original featurettes, this all-new movie reunites audiences with the philosophical “bear of very little brain” and friends Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Owl, Kanga, Roo—and last, but certainly not least, Eeyore, who has lost his tail. “Ever have one of those days where you just can’t win, Eeyore?” asks Pooh. Owl sends the whole gang on a wild quest to save Christopher Robin from an imaginary culprit. It turns out to be a very busy day for a bear who simply set out to find some honey. Inspired by three stories from A.A. Milne’s books in Disney’s classic, hand-drawn art style, “Winnie the Pooh” hits theatres on July 15th!



Dreamworks' THE HELP opens in theaters everywhere on August 12th.

Based on one of the most talked about books in years and a #1 New York Times best-selling phenomenon, “The Help” stars Emma Stone (“Easy A”) as Skeeter, Academy Award®–nominated Viola Davis “(Doubt”) as Aibileen and Octavia Spencer as Minnie—three very different, extraordinary women in Mississippi during the 1960s, who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project that breaks societal rules and puts them all at risk. From their improbable alliance a remarkable sisterhood emerges, instilling all of them with the courage to transcend the lines that define them, and the realization that sometimes those lines are made to be crossed—even if it means bringing everyone in town face-to-face with the changing times.