Upcoming releases: 'The Odd Life of Timothy Green,' 'Sparkle'

Upcoming releases: 'The Odd Life of Timothy Green,' 'Sparkle'


Wednesday
"The Odd Life of Timothy Green": Fantasy drama about two wannabe parents who bury a box containing all of their wishes for a child in their backyard. Soon, a boy arrives on the scene, though Timothy Green is not all that he appears to be. With Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton. Rated PG for mild mature themes and language.

Aug. 17

"The Expendables 2": Sequel to the 2010 adventure that reunited an all-star pack of '80s action stars. This time, Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture and Terry Crews are joined by new members Billy the Kid (Liam Hemsworth) and Maggie (Yu Nan) on a new mission handed to them by Mr. Church (Bruce Willis). Rated R for action, bloody violence and language.

"ParaNorman": Animated tale for kiddies about a boy who can speak with the dead and who battles ghosts, zombies and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse. With the voices of Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, John Goodman and Casey Affleck. Rated PG for scary action and images, mature themes, rude humor and language.

"Sparkle": In the 1960s, three sisters form a girl group and soon become Motown sensations, but fame becomes a challenge as the close-knit group begins to fall apart. Whitney Houston and Jordin Sparks star in the eagerly awaited made-in-Detroit drama. Rated PG-13 for mature themes, content involving domestic abuse and drugs, violence and language.

Aug. 24

"The Apparition": A young couple (Ashley Greene and Sebastian Stan) are haunted by a presence that was accidentally conjured during a parapsychology experiment. Rated PG-13 for terror, frightening images and sensuality.

"Celeste and Jesse Forever": A husband and wife in the midst of a divorce try to maintain their friendship while they both pursue other people. With Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg. Rated R for language, sexual content and drug use.

"Hit & Run": Michigan natives Dax Shepard and Kristin Bell star in an adventure comedy about a former getaway driver who jeopardizes his protected identity to help his girlfriend get to L.A. They're pursued en route by both the feds and gang members. With Bradley Cooper. Rated R for language, sexual references, graphic nudity, violence and drug content.

"Premium Rush": A Manhattan bike messenger picks up an envelope that attracts the interest of a dirty cop, who pursues the cyclist throughout the city. With Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Michael Shannon. Rated PG-13 for violence, intense action and language.

"The Queen of Versailles": Documentary about a billionaire couple and the construction of a mansion inspired by Versailles. Things change when the economy fails and the couple's wealth, fueled by the real estate bubble and cheap money, takes a hit. Rated PG for mature themes and language.