The movies opening in wide release this Friday are: Arthur, Soul Surfer, Your Highness and Hanna. Arthur is the remake of the 1981 comedy which starred Dudley Moore, Liza Minnelli and Sr.John Gielgud.

Hanna

Synopsis: Raised by her father (Eric Bana of Star Trek), an ex-CIA man, in the wilds of Finland, Hanna’s upbringing and training have been one and the same, all geared to making her the perfect assassin. The turning point in her adolescence is a sharp one; sent into the world by her father on a mission, Hanna journeys stealthily across Europe while eluding agents dispatched after her by a ruthless intelligence operative with secrets of her own (Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett). As she nears her ultimate target, Hanna faces startling revelations about her existence and unexpected questions about her humanity.

Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana, Cate Blanchett, Jason Flemyng, Olivia Williams; Directed by: Joe Wright

Your Highness

Synopsis: Throughout history, tales of chivalry have burnished the legends of brave, handsome knights who rescue fair damsels, slay dragons and conquer evil. But behind many a hero is a good-for-nothing younger brother trying just to stay out of the way of those dragons, evil and trouble in general. Danny McBride and James Franco team up for an epic comedy adventure set in a fantastical world—Your Highness. As two princes on a daring mission to save their land, they must rescue the heir apparent’s fiancée before their kingdom is destroyed.

Thadeous (McBride) has spent his life watching his perfect older brother Fabious (Franco) embark upon valiant journeys and win the hearts of his people. Tired of being passed over for adventure, adoration and the throne, he’s settled for a life of wizard’s weed, hard booze and easy maidens. But when Fabious’ bride-to-be, Belladonna (Zooey Deschanel), gets kidnapped by the evil wizard Leezar (Justin Theroux), the king gives his deadbeat son an ultimatum: Man up and help rescue her or get cut off.

Half-assedly embarking upon his first quest, Thadeous joins Fabious to trek across the perilous outlands and free the princess. Joined by Isabel (Natalie Portman)—an elusive warrior with a dangerous agenda of her own—the brothers must vanquish horrific creatures and traitorous knights before they can reach Belladonna. If Thadeous can find his inner hero, he can help his brother prevent the destruction of his land. Stay a slacker, and not only does he die a coward, he gets front row seats to the dawn of an all-new Dark Ages.

Cast: Danny R. McBride, James Franco, Natalie Portman, Zooey Deschanel, Justin Theroux, Toby Jones; Directed by: David Gordon Green

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Release date: Friday April 8, 2011 (Wide)
Genre: Comedy
Director: David Gordon Green
Studio: Universal Pictures
Producer(s): Scott Stuber
Screenplay: Danny McBride, Ben Best
Cast: Danny McBride, James Franco, Natalie Portman, Zooey Deschanel, Justin Theroux, Toby Jones
Official Site: yourhighnessmovie.net
Rating: R for strong crude and sexual content, pervasive language, nudity, violence and some drug use.
Available film art: Your Highness movie posters

Synopsis
Thadeous (Danny McBride) has spent his life watching his perfect older brother Fabious (James Franco) embark upon valiant journeys and win the hearts of his people. Tired of being passed over for adventure, adoration and the throne, he’s settled for a life of wizard’s weed, hard booze and easy maidens. But when Fabious’ bride-to-be, Belladonna (Zooey Deschanel), gets kidnapped by the evil wizard Leezar (Justin Theroux), the king gives his deadbeat son an ultimatum: Man up and help rescue her or get cut off.

Half-assedly embarking upon his first quest, Thadeous joins Fabious to trek across the perilous outlands and free the princess. Joined by Isabel (Natalie Portman)—an elusive warrior with a dangerous agenda of her own—the brothers must vanquish horrific creatures and traitorous knights before they can reach Belladonna. If Thadeous can find his inner hero, he can help his brother prevent the destruction of his land. Stay a slacker, and not only does he die a coward, he gets front row seats to the dawn of an all-new Dark Ages.

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Without much competiton, No Strings Attached open in wide release this weekend. The Ivan Reitman romantic comedy starring Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher looks like it will do well this weekend. The Way Back, starring Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Ed Harris, Jim Sturgess and Mark Strong also open in wide release this weekend.

No Strings Attached

Rated: R for sexual content, language and some drug content

Synopsis: Lifelong friends Emma (Natalie Portman) and Adam (Ashton Kutcher) take their relationship to the next level by having sex. Afraid of ruining their friendship, the new lovers make a pact to keep things purely physical, with no fighting, no jealousy and no expectations. Emma and Adam pledge to do whatever they want, wherever they want, as long as they do not fall in love. The question then becomes, which one will fall first?

Cast: Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher, Kevin Kline, Greta Gerwig, Cary Elwes; Director: Ivan Reitman

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The new Natalie Portman movie, Black Swan will open in only 18 theaters this Friday, while The Warrior’s Way will debut in 1,622 theaters.

Black Swan

Synopsis: Black Swan follows the story of Nina (Portman), a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life, like all those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance. She lives with her retired ballerina mother Erica (Barbara Hershey) who zealously supports her daughter’s professional ambition. When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre (Winona Ryder) for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice. But Nina has competition: a new dancer, Lily (Kunis), who impresses Leroy as well. Swan Lake requires a dancer who can play both the White Swan with innocence and grace, and the Black Swan, who represents guile and sensuality. Nina fits the White Swan role perfectly but Lily is the personification of the Black Swan. As the two young dancers expand their rivalry into a twisted friendship, Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side with a recklessness that threatens to destroy her.

Cast: Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder, Toby Hemingway; Directed by: Darren Aronofsky

The Warrior’s Way

Synopsis:The Warrior’s Way is a visually-stunning modern martial arts western starring Korean actor Dong-gun Jang who plays an Asian warrior assassin forced to hide in a small town in the American Badlands. Rounding out the ensemble cast are Kate Bosworth, Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush, Danny Houston, and Tony Cox. The fantasy action film was written and directed by newcomer Sngmoo Lee, and is being produced by Barrie Osborne, Michael Peyser and Jooick Lee

Cast: Geoffrey Rush, Kate Bosworth, Danny Huston, Jang Dong Gun, Tony Cox, Ti Lung; Directed by: Sngmoo Lee

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Release date: Wednesday December 1, 2010 (Limited
Genre: Drama, Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Suspense
Running Time: 1 hr. 48 min.
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Producer(s): Arnold Messer, Brian Oliver, Scott Franklin, Mike Medavoy
Screenplay: Mark Heyman, Andrés Heinz, John McLaughlin
Cast: Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder, Toby Hemingway
Official Site: foxsearchlight.com/blackswan
Rating: R for strong sexual content, disturbing violent images, language and some drug use
Available film art: Black Swan movie posters

Synopsis
Nina (Natalie Portman) is a ballerina whose passion for the dance rules every facet of her life. When the company’s artistic director decides to replace his prima ballerina for their opening production of “Swan Lake,” Nina is his first choice. However, Nina has competition: Lily, a newcomer. While Nina is perfect for the role of the White Swan, Lily personifies the Black Swan. As the rivalry between the two dancers transforms into a twisted friendship, Nina’s dark side begins to emerge.

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