Louie Psihoyos’s “The Cove,” a new documentary, which premiered in January at Sundance Festival and will be released by Roadside Attractions in July 31, is getting a lot of attention (and awards) and for good reasons.

The movie centers on Ric (Richard) O'Barry and his work in Taiji.  Psihoyos says: I was curious at first about why he wasn't allowed to talk at this conference. Then, when I found him, he explained that he was going to talk about this secret cove in Japan where the dolphin traffickers select most of the dolphins for dolphinariums and parks. He told me they were slaughtering the ones they didn't choose and using them for school lunch programs. I couldn't imagine any civilization killing dolphins and Richard invited me along the following week to see Taiji, the little town with this big secret.

“Taking of Pelham 1 2 3,” directed by Tony Scott and starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta, is released June 12 by Columbia.

Playing an Ordinary Man

Denzel Washington says that he was attracted to the role by finding a most unusual character at the center of the action-thriller.  “He’s not a cop, he is a civil servant,” the actor explains. “When he’s confronted with Ryder’s demands, he’s like, ‘Look, where’s the hostage negotiator? This is not what I do.’ Walter Garber is not a superhero. He’s scared.”

“Moon,” starring Sam Rockwell, world-premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival to great acclaim.  Sony Classics will release the film in late June.

I have always been a fan of science fiction films. In my mind, the golden age of SF cinema was the 1970s, early 1980s, when films like Silent Running, Alien, Blade Runner and Outland told human stories in future environments. I've always wanted to make a film that felt like it could fit into that canon.

If my reading is right, “The Hangover” the clever, hilariously funny comedy directed by Todd Phillips, should be a smash hit with viewers.

Director Todd Phillips acknowledges that they pushed the envelope on “The Hangover” for the sake of comedy, but remains convinced that there are real bachelor party stories out there that could make any one of these elements pale by comparison. With that in mind, he offers this sage advice to potential grooms or brides embarking on their own boys' or girls' night out. “Use the buddy system. Everyone in the party is responsible for one other person. Use name tags if you have to.”