What's new and/or interesting in Philly theaters this weekend.

Amazing Grace - The tagline ("Behind the song you love is a story you will never forget.") is absolutely awful, but the movie sounds like it might actually be pretty interesting. It's directed by Michael Apted, written by Steven Knight, and tells the true story (dramatized, of course) of the life of William Wilberforce, a British politician who successfully wages the first modern political campaign, and in the service of a noble goal: to end slavery. Wilberforce is even played by Mr. Fantastic! By which we mean, Ioan Gruffudd. Plenty of other talented and famous actors from the UK make appearances, as well, including Albert Finney, Rufus Sewell, and Michael Gambon. It could be good!
Trailer
Showing at: Ritz at the Bourse

Most Likely to Rule: The Lives of Others - An award-winning and critically acclaimed drama/political thriller about a member of the East German secret police (the film opens in 1984) slowly beginning to sympathize with the couple he's spying on - a celebrated writer and a beautiful actress. The trailer is beautiful and fascinating. This one looks like a winner.
Trailer
Showing at: Ritz Five

The Astronaut Farmer - We posted a review of this a bit earlier today, and previously we interviewed the writer/directors, and the star. So... no blurb for you!
Trailer
Showing at: The Roxy, The Riverview

Most Likely to Suck: The Abandoned - A woman living in the US on the search for her birth parents finds her way back to her home country of Russia where she learns she has inherited a spooky haunted farm, which none of the natives will take her to because it's cursed (we're imagining the opening scenes from Dracula here). If she can stay there overnight, she'll inherit a vast fortune! No, just kidding. Actually, she does eventually get there, with the help of a guide who promptly vanishes. Then she meets a guy named Boris, who just might be her twin brother, and then they start haunting themselves, and past events try to repeat themselves, and other really weird things. This movie has another one of those trailers that gives away practically the whole story, so watch out. Apparently this was an audience favorite at that Horror Fest thing that was going on a while back. We're not sure if it's your typical lame contemporary horror thriller, or something a little bit more interesting, but we're betting on the former.
Trailer
Showing at: The Riverview

The Number 23 - Look for a review of this Jim Carrey supernatural thriller later today.
Trailer
Showing at: The Riverview, The Bridge

Reno 911!: Miami - The movie version of the pseudo-improv "Cops" spoof TV show on Comedy Central. When the gang of freaks from Reno visit a police convention in Miami, a sudden biological attack by terrorists requires them to leap into fumbling action. No doubt the wacky results will be familiar to fans of the show. We can't say we're one of those, but if you are, enjoy. Also, keep an eye out for cameos by folks like Danny DeVito, Paul Rudd, Michael Ian Black, and Paul Reubens.
Trailer
Showing at: The Riverview, The Bridge

Half-Cocked & Radiation - This double-feature at the I-House consists of two rock and roll almost-documentaries, both featuring plenty of real and almost-bands, both trying to capture what it's like to tour and live on the road. The main appeal here appears to be the many cameos by real rock stars, and their music. Half-Cocked features music by Unwound, Polvo, Smog, Helium and others, and Radiation has Stereolab and Will Oldham. Keep in mind also that director Michael Galinsky will be there making a personal appearance.
Showing at: The International House, tonight @ 7PM ONLY

Aviva My Love - The I-House is screening this as part of an Israeli Film Festival, although how one film can constitute a festival we're not entirely clear. Anyway, it's an award-winning film about a hard-working hotel cook in a small northern Israeli town who must overcome the obstacles presented by her family in order to realize her dream of becoming a published author. Again, the director will be at the screening.
Showing at: The International House, Sat @ 8PM ONLY

The Tabadol Project - This sounds like a really interesting music/film/art project: "US composer Gene Coleman will create a music and video composition based on the Arab Institute (IMA) building in Paris, France (architect Jean Nouvel)." He will be joined by various Lebanese and American musicians and artists, including some folks from Philly's experimental music scene, and together they will improvise a live score to video of the building. The idea is to create a visual and auditory portrait of the building, while at the same time transforming it into sound and images, and exploring issues of cultural identity and globalization. Intense! Should be an interesting experience.
Showing at: The International House, Sun @ 7PM ONLY

Image Credit: The Internet Movie Poster Awards Gallery