Movies

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118012123.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

PREMIERES
All films are from the United States unless otherwise noted

• "Abel" (Mexico-U.S.), the directorial debut of actor Diego Luna, written by Luna and Agusto Mendoza, about a peculiar young boy who, as he blurs reality and fantasy, takes over the responsibilities of a family man in his father's absence. With Jose Maria Yazpik, Karina Gidi, Carlos Aragon, Christopher Ruiz-Esparza, Gerardo Ruiz-Esparza. World premiere.
• "Cane Toads: The Conquest" - Director-writer Mark Lewis' 3D feature-length follow-up to his classic 1988 short, "Cane Toads: An Unnatural History," a documentary horror film about the environmental devastation left in the wake of the giant toads' unstoppable march across Australia. World premiere.
• "The Company Men," the first feature directed and written by "ER" producer John Wells, a corporate downsizing drama starring Ben Affleck, Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper and Rosemarie DeWitt. World premiere.
• "The Extra Man" - Directed by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini and written by the directors with Jonathan Ames, a comedy-drama about a down-and-out playwright and escort to wealthy Upper East Side widows who takes a young aspiring writer under his wing. Toplines Katie Holmes, John C. Reilly, Paul Dano, Kevin Kline and Alicia Goranson.
• "Get Low" - Directed by Aaron Schneider and written by Chris Provenzano and C. Gaby Mitchell, the offbeat story of a mysterious '30s hermit who schemes to stage his own funeral while still alive. Stars Robert Duvall and Bill Murray. Previously shown in Toronto, the Sony Classics release will serve as the Salt Lake City gala film.
• "Jack Goes Boating" - Directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman and written by Bob Glaudini from his own play about a limo driver whose blind date trggers an offbeat love story that involves two working-class New York City couples. With Hoffman, Amy Ryan, John Ortiz, Daphne Rubin-Vega and Tom McCarthy. The world premiere of the Overture release.
• "The Killer Inside Me" - Directed by Michael Winterbottom and written by John Curran, a new version of crime novelist Jim Thompson's yarn about a small-town Texas deputy sheriff who turns into a murderer. Stars Casey Affleck, Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba, Simon Baker and Elias Koteas. World premiere.
• "Nowhere Boy" (U.K.) - Directed by Sam Taylor-Wood and written by Julia Baird and Matt Greenhaigh, the biographical story of the family secrets and musical influences that shaped the teenage John Lennon in late '50s Liverpool. Features Aaron Johnson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Thomas Sangster, Anne-Marie Duff, David Morrissey. Previously seen at the London Film Festival, the Weinstein Co. release is making its international premiere.
• "Please Give" - Directed and written by Nicole Holofcener, a character study about a New York City husband and wife who come into conflict with the granddaughters of the old woman who lives next door. Toplines Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Rebecca Hall, Catherine Keener and Sarah Steele. The world premiere of the Sony Classics relese.
• "The Runaways" - Directed and written by Floria Sigismondi, about the launch of the eponymous '70s all-girl band by tough teen Joan Jett and an eccentric producer. Stars Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning, Scout Taylor-Compton, Michael Shannon, Alia Shawkat and Tatum O'Neal. The world premiere of the Apparition release.
• "Shock Doctrine" - Directed by Michael Winterbottom and Mat Whitecross, a documentary based on the book by journo Naomi Klein exposing how shock is used to implement economic policy in vulnerable environments. The North American premiere of a film shown in different form in Berlin and already broadcast on British television.
• "Twelve" - Directed by Joel Schumacher, written by Jordan Melamed and based on the popular novel by Nick McDonell, who was 17 when wrote a tome spinning on excesses involving sex, drugs and murder among the young Upper East Side elite. With Chace Crawford, Emma Roberts, Kiefer Sutherland, 50 Cent and Zoe Kravitz. This closing-night attraction will be seen in its world premiere.
• "Untitled Duplass Brothers Project" - Directed and written by Jay Duplass and Mark Duplass, in which a recently divorced guy meets a new lady, and then her son. With John C. Reilly, Marisa Tomei, Jonah Hill, Catherine Keener. World premiere.