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Spotlight is on metro Atlanta in early fall movies
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta’s movie mogul Tyler Perry leads a heady list of Hollywood players with local ties who will be releasing films this fall.
First up, of course, is Perry’s “The Family That Preys” featuring Oscar winner Kathy Bates. It opens Sept. 12.
And soon after that we’ll see features involving Oscar-winner Alan Ball (originally from Marietta), Dakota Fanning (originally from Conyers) and double Oscar nominee Spike Lee.
Here’s what will be in theaters soon:
Sept. 12 — “Tyler Perry’s The Family that Preys.” It was filmed in metro Atlanta earlier this year.
Sept. 19 — “Towelhead,” writer-director Alan Ball’s drama about an Arab-American girl with Aaron Eckhart, Toni Collette and Maria Bello. Ball wrote “American Beauty” and the TV series “Six Feet Under.”
Sept. 19 — “Hounddog,” the controversial drama featuring Dakota Fanning as an obsessive Elvis fan who is sexually assaulted. The film co-stars Atlanta-based actor Afemo Omilami.
Sept. 26 — “Miracle at St. Anna,” the Spike Lee drama set in World War II and involving African-American soldiers.
Oct. 17 — “The Secret Life of Bees,” the film adaptation of the Sue Monk Kidd novel that stars Fanning, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson and Paul Bettany.
Oct. 24 — “High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” which co-stars Justin Martin of Acworth.
Oct. 31 — “RocknRolla,” the Guy Ritchie drama that co-stars Chris “Ludacris” Bridges.
And if you happen to catch the summer comedy “College,” which opens Aug. 29, look for another actor with local ties — Earl Maddox — as a character labeled “Farmer.”
Are you looking forward to any or all of these movies? Which ones will you definitely see?
Permalink | Comments (27) | Post your comment | Categories: Bob Longino
Comments
By Julie
August 13, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
I will always watch anything Tyler Perry and am also looking forward to ‘The Secret Life of Bees’. The book was great. I hope the movie does it justice.
By KC
August 13, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
just put TYLER PERRY on it and I am there!!!!..nuff said!!!!
By KC
August 13, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
just put TYLER PERRY on it and I am there!!!!..nuff said!!!!
By Nicole Fitzgerald
August 13, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
Oh, I will definitely be going to see Tyler Perry’s movie! I have seen all of his movies and they just keeping getting better and better!
By makeeazymoneytoday.com
August 13, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
Perry and lee new movies look very promising
By KJ Sampson
August 13, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
Count me as another Tyler Perry fan. Although I’ve missed each of his non-Madea films in the theaters, I’ve been catching up on DVD this year and am increasingly impressed with his work. His mix of broad (and bawdy) comedy with a big helping of melodrama and, most of all, themes of redemption make his stuff well worth watching.
By sharon
August 13, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
Does anyone know when Mama I Wanna Sing and The Women will be released?
By frmawhiteboy
August 13, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
I enjoy watching his movies as well! I caught Madea’s family reunion the other night on cable and was cracking up!
By sharon
August 13, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
frmawhiteboy I watched Madeas Family Reunion the other night too. I laughed until my sides hurt when the woman’s date was waiting for her to come downstairs and Joe kept passing gas.
By Blanca
August 13, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
I liked the one with the donkey in it.
By Delighted
August 13, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
Tyler Perry is way overrated. I did enjoy a couple of his plays(Madea is sooo hilarious). House of Payne is not funny and his movies are predictable and “just okay”. I think SOME of his movies are unrealistic and I wish that he would do a better job at depicting the AVAERAGE black family. I am proud of all of his accomplishments, but he could stand to come out with better material. His new movie looks to be just that and I am looking forward to it.
By Jodi
August 13, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
I like Tyler Perry and I love that his movie plots have real depth and meaning. Looking forward to the Family that Preys.
By Real Dakoda Fan
August 13, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
I truly love Dakota Fanning. Such a talented young lady with a huge fan base and a TRUE SOUTHERN GIRL! Keep up the good work Dakota! Can’t wait to see your next big one! Yeah, I love Tyler Perry too…..
By Jamie
August 13, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
@Delighted, Why is it that so much scrutiny is put on how Black families are depicted? If it’s Cosby Show, folks complain that a doctor/lawyer couple is unrealistic. If it’s the Wayans Bros., then there are complaints about the bafoonery. Honestly, as a black person myself, I think blacks are far too concerned about depictions in movies/tv. Just do you and depict YOURSELF in a positive manner and it’s all good.
By Dee
August 14, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
Justin Martin will also appear in “The Express” in Sept./Oct., and “Black Water Transit” and “The Soloist” later this year and early 09.
By Dee
August 14, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
Justin Martin will also appear in “The Express” in Sept./Oct., and “Black Water Transit” and “The Soloist” later this year and early 09.
By Lee
August 14, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Tyler Perry movies are getting boring … his characters are getting tiring …. and why not use some other major cities in filming? Atlanta is boring also … come on Tyler, you can do better.
By j.e.
August 14, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
I am a big Tyler Perry movie fan too….but I do agree he should do movies in other diverse cities not just Atlanta every time….you would think he would do one in New Orleans since he is from there.
Anyway, I can’t wait for the Madea Goes to Jail movie that is due out in 2009.
By anne
August 14, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
Im very proud of everything that Mr Perry does. He has overcome so much to get to this point. I wish that instead of some people putting down everything he does get up off your Butt and make your dreams come true If you have any……
By Pat
August 14, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
Hey Lee…. GTFOH!!!!!!!! And “here” being the city of Atlanta, if it’s such a boring and unworthy city!
By Jodi
August 14, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
LOL @ Pat!
By diehard movie fan
August 14, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
Atlanta is becoming the new Hollywood.
East Hollywood -
However, why there isn’t more aggressive marketing on the behalf of Atlanta to get the studios and indies to shoot here more.
Props to Tyler Perry - he doing what he want to do.
Can’t hate on another person because if you do - you’re wasting time when you can do it as well.
By JLS
August 14, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Lee must be from “New York”. I get so tired of hearing about how Atlanta isn’t, this that or the other compared to “New York” or any other city…if you don’t like it, leave! Oh wait, b/c you actually have a decent career here and can afford to have a house and car, that’s the only reason you’re staying…
By DarkBrown
August 14, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
I think The House of Payne would be better television if it wasn’t written FOR laughs. There are actually some pretty good story lines. However, the forced feeling of the laugh track fuels the fact that the jokes sometimes fall flat.
That being said, it’s still a decent show that with some tweaking could be a GOOD show.
By bigboom NY
August 14, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
By JLS Beleive it Atlanta would not be half the city you want it to be with out us. the NEW YORKERS, please beleive.
By do what
August 14, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
The funny thing is that most of the NY’s that move here don’t even live in Atlanta. They all move to Lithonia and Stone Mountain! Guess they cant make it here either.
By Cane
August 14, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
Atlanta Hollywood East? Please. Maybe for movies that are bestsellers at barbershops and in front of gas stations, but the “ATL” as a backdrop is decent, but I cannot remember any blockbusters. I am sure someone will try to remind me, but I cannot recall any. Atlanta as a backdrop doesnt have the mysticism, magic, or beauty. Just trees, strip malls, and a downtown skyline which other cities already have.