‘Oz The Great and Powerful’ opens Friday

FAIRFIELD — Revenge and revelation are key pieces in this weekend’s nationwide box office openings.

James Franco stars as a small-time circus magician with questionable ethics who is hurled from Kansas to the Land of Oz, in “Oz The Great and Powerful.” There he meets three witches who aren’t convinced he’s the wizard everyone has been waiting for.

Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams star in the PG-rated film. It’s also being shown in 3D and IMAX.

Colin Farrell and Noomi Rapace star in “Dead Man Down,” about two strangers drawn together, each with a desire for revenge. It’s rated R.

Opening in limited release Thursday is:

The documentary, “Girl Rising,” rated PG-13, which focuses on nine girls born into unforgiving circumstances. It includes voice performances from Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett and Alicia Keys.

Opening in limited release Friday are:

“The ABCs of Death,” not rated, which is comprised of 26 chapters, each helmed by a different director and assigned a letter of the alphabet. The directors were given free rein in choosing a word to create a story involving death.

“Electrick Children,” which centers on a teen girl who finds a forbidden cassette tap with rock music on it. Three months later, she turns up pregnant and claims to have had an immaculate conception from listening to the music. It’s rated R.

“The Silence,” not rated, which is a drama about a girl murdered in a wheat field. Then, 23 years later, a girl turns up missing from the same spot.

“Beyond the Hills,” also not rated, which is based on an alleged demonic possession that happened in a Romanian monastery in 2005. It will be shown with English subtitles.

“Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey,” which focuses on the incredible journey of Filipino Arnel Pineda from YouTube to fronting the band Journey. It’s not rated.

“Emperor,” rated PG-13, stars Matthew Fox and Tommy Lee Jones. The plot centers on the bold and secret moves that won peace in the shadows of post-war Japan.

“The Girl,” rated PG-13, is about a single mom struggling with the loss of her child to Social Services. Abbie Cornish stars.

“Le Petit Soldat,” which is not rated, which tells the tale of an Army deserter caught in the middle of a covert war between the French government and the Algerian Liberation Front in Geneva. It will be shown in French with English subtitles.

“The Monk,” rated R, which tells the tale of a preacher who believes he’s immune to temptation. A mysterious apprentice changes that. It’s shown in French with English subtitles.

“Somebody Up There Likes Me,” not rated, which is a comedy that skips through 35 years of life for two pals and the woman they both adore.

“The We and The I,” which centers on a group of Bronx high schoolers being themselves on a city bus on the last day of the school year. It’s not rated.

“Adventures of Serial Buddies,” rated PG-13, which is about a gang of misfits who are thrown together and embark on a road trip.

For showtimes, call the Edwards Theatres at 432-2140, Brenden Theatres at 469-0180 or visit http://www.fandango.com/94533_movietimes.

Amy Maginnis-Honey

Amy Maginnis-Honey joined the staff of the Daily Republic in 1980. She’ll tell you she was only 3 at the time. Over the past three decades she’s done a variety of jobs in the newsroom. Today, she covers arts and entertainment and writes for the Living and news pages.

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