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Other flicks that are hitting the theaters.

By STEVE PERSALL
Published October 12, 2006

Wrestling with a movie role

World Wrestling Entertainment champion John Cena makes his movie debut in The Marine (PG-13), the latest production from WWE Films.

Wrestling impresario Vince McMahon enjoyed raking in a share of box office revenues when he still had Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson under contract. McMahon got a producer's credit for merely loaning out Johnson to star in The Scorpion King and The Rundown. Now that Johnson works independently, McMahon created WWE Films to showcase other wrestlers with camera appeal.

Kane starred as a deranged killer in See No Evil. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin has The Condemned coming later this year. Cena's good looks and hero status make him a natural for The Marine, playing a vigilante veteran searching for his kidnapped wife (Kelly Carlson). Robert Patrick (Terminator 2: Judgment Day) co-stars as the villain getting what he deserves.

Before a recent WWE event in Tampa, Cena briefly spoke about his new career and how it compares with his current one.

"Don't get me wrong," he said. "What we do (in the ring) is sports entertainment but it's very, very different than acting on film.

"I was thrown into the deep end when I took this role. I went onto that set thinking I could tackle anything; that's just how I take on any challenge. But, man, it's a lot different than I thought. My hat's off to any actor who makes a living at it."

The hardest part about making The Marine? "Definitely the kissing scenes (with Carlson)," he said. "I'm an old-fashioned guy who likes to know somebody before getting into that."

We assume the violent stuff was easy.

The Marine wasn't screened in time for Weekend.

- STEVE PERSALL, Times film critic

Another 'Grudge'

Japanese director Takashi Shimizu has made a nice living from the same creepy idea, starting with Ju-on in his native country in 2000. Since then he created a foreign language sequel, released both in home video versions, then brought the idea to U.S. audiences.

You may recognize Ju-on as The Grudge, a 2004 release starring Sarah Michelle Gellar as an American nurse in Tokyo where a curse threatens her life.

Since he already made a sequel in Japan, Shimizu does the same for the United States with The Grudge 2 (PG-13). This time Amber Tamblyn (TV's Joan of Arcadia) stars as the sister of Gellar's character and apparently the curse is genetic. She'll face a similar assortment of people driven crazy with contagious rage. I'm guessing that co-star Jennifer Beals will be one of them since Flashdance already established her as a maniac (on the floor, at least).

Shimizu has already agreed to make The Grudge 3 for release next year. Like part two, it probably won't be screened in time for Weekend review.

- S.P.

Religious themes hit the silver screens

Movies with a Biblical theme seem to be strong in Tampa Bay theaters.

Facing the Giants - written, starring and produced by members of a South Georgia church - is entering its third weekend in a half dozen of the Tampa Bay area's largest multiplexes. The story involves a high school football team that starts winning when it turns its focus to God.

Love's Abiding Joy (PG), directed by Michael Landon Jr. and the fourth film based on a series of Christian books, opened in two theaters last week.

And this weekend to almost a dozen theaters comes One Night with the King (PG), the story of the young Jewish girl Hadassah, who wins the love of King Xerxes and becomes Queen Esther, saving her people along the way.

It stars Tiffany Dupont (TV's The Bedford Diaries) as Esther, Luke Goss (The Man) as the king and features Peter O'Toole as the prophet Samuel, Omar Sharif as Prince Memucan and The Lord of the Rings' John Rhys-Davies as Mordecai.

- Times staff writer

[Last modified October 11, 2006, 11:59:51]