July 2008 
                (as seen in the Scottsdale Airpark News) 
              Movies in theaters are alive and well as Hollywood 
                continues to release some very exciting films. Why see these films 
                in a theater instead of at home on your great home theater system? 
                Some movies are best experienced on a massive screen with amazing 
                sound, with audience interaction, or maybe that guilty pleasure 
                -- with hot liquid butter poured all over that big bag of popcorn. 
                 
                 
                There could be one annoyance though -- deciding just what to see, 
                given there are often five or more new movies released every week. 
                So with your busy life, if you could see just one newly released 
                movie per week, which four in July should they be? 
              
                 
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                    For 
                      the weekend of July 4, and the Scottsdale Airpark Movie 
                      of the Month, it is “Hancock”, 
                      starring Will Smith, Charlize Theron, and Jason Bateman, 
                      directed by Peter Berg (The Kingdom). Genre: action / adventure, 
                      fantasy, drama, rated PG-13. The plot: Hancock (Smith) is 
                      a conflicted, edgy, sarcastic, and misunderstood superhuman. 
                      His well-intentioned heroics might get the job done and 
                      save countless lives, but they always seem to leave jaw-dropping 
                      damage in their wake. The public has had enough – 
                      as grateful as they are to have their local hero, the citizens 
                      of Los Angeles are wondering what they ever did to deserve 
                      this guy. Furthermore, he isn't the kind of man who cares 
                      what other people think – until the day that he saves 
                      the life of PR executive Ray (Bateman), and the sardonic 
                      superhero begins to realize that he may have a vulnerable 
                      side after all. Facing that will be Hancock's greatest challenge 
                      yet – and a task that may prove impossible, as Ray's 
                      wife Mary (Theron), insists that he is a lost cause. 
                       
                      The other movie opening this weekend is: The Wackness.  | 
                 
                 
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                  For the 
                    weekend of July 11, it is “Journey to the Center 
                    of the Earth”, starring Brendan Fraser, Josh 
                    Hutcherson (Firehouse Dog), Anita Briem (The Tudors), directed 
                    by Eric Brevig (Xena: Warrior Princess). Genre: action / adventure, 
                    family fantasy, rated PG. The plot: in this update of Jules 
                    Verne's "Journey to the Center of the Earth," a 
                    geologist (Fraser) with a tarnished reputation and his teenage 
                    son (Hutcherson), discover a message hidden in an ancient 
                    artifact. This leads them into a previously unseen world filled 
                    with bizarre and terrifying creatures. "Journey 3-D" 
                    will be shot in live action, with the otherworldly landscapes 
                    and creatures supplied by high-definition, photo-real 3-D 
                    technology. 
                     
                    The other two movies opening this weekend are: Hellboy 
                    II: The Golden Army and Meet Dave. | 
                 
                 
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                  For the 
                    weekend of July 18, it is “The Dark Knight”, 
                    starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Morgan Freeman, Michael 
                    Caine, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart (No Reservations), Maggie 
                    Gyllenhaal, Eric Roberts, Anthony Michael Hall (The Dead Zone), 
                    Michael Jai White (Why Did I Get Married), and Cillian Murphy 
                    (Sunshine), directed by Christopher Nolan (Batman Begins). 
                    Genre: action / adventure, fantasy, suspense, rated PG-13. 
                    The plot: the follow-up to the action hit "Batman Begins," 
                    where Batman/Bruce Wayne (Bale) raises the stakes in his war 
                    on crime. Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal 
                    organizations that plague the city streets with the help of 
                    Lieutenant Jim Gordon (Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey 
                    Dent (Eckhart). The partnership proves to be effective, but 
                    they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed 
                    by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens 
                    of Gotham as The Joker (Ledger). 
                     
                    The other two movies opening this weekend are. Mamma 
                    Mia! and Space Chimps. | 
                 
                 
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                  For the 
                    weekend of July 25, it is “The X-Files: I Want 
                    to Believe”, starring David Duchovny, Gillian 
                    Anderson, Amanda Peet (Studio 60), Billy Connolly (The Last 
                    Samurai), and Mitch Pileggi (Stargate Atlantis), directed 
                    by Chris Carter (The X-Files). Genre: mystery / science fiction, 
                    not yet rated. The plot: undisclosed at press time but we 
                    are sure it will be excellent. 
                     
                    The other two movies opening this weekend are American 
                    Teen and Step Brothers. | 
                 
                 
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              These are 
              expected to play at the multiplexes in the Scottsdale, AZ - Airpark 
              area including: 
               Harkins Scottsdale 101 at 7000 E. Mayo Blvd. 480-538-1707
               AMC Desert Ridge 18 at 21000 N. Tatum Blvd. 480-606-0806
               United Artists (Regal) Sonora Village 10 at 15512 N. Pima 
                Rd. 480-998-1300
               Farrelli’s Cinema Supper Club at 14202 N. Scottsdale 
                Rd. 480-905-7200
               
              Furthermore, gong to the movies still gives you the most entertainment 
              “bang for the buck” when compared to a similar two hour 
              venture at any professional sporting event, play or music performance. 
                 
                See you at the movies! 
                 
                Note: While the release dates & ratings for 
                these movies were correct at the time of printing, studios sometimes 
                make last-minute changes. If this happens, we apologize for any 
                inconvenience.
                  
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