In Theaters: Hamlet 2

Opening wide in theaters August 27th is Hamlet 2, the story of one high school drama teacher's over-the-top quest to mount a high school musical of a different sort. Failed-actor-turned-teacher Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan) sees himself a theatrical guru when in reality he's blessed with more enthusiasm than talent, much to the chagrin of his fed-up wife (Catherine Keener). When his latest adaptation of a Hollywood film for the high school stage is panned by the school's 9th grade drama critic and the drama department -- and Dana's job along with it -- is suddenly in danger of being eliminated, his dubious creativity faces its greatest test. His solution? He devises an elaborate musical sequel to Hamlet that includes time travel, smoke machines, and yes, a sexy Jesus. However, the school administration deems the production unwholesome and threatens to shut it down, leaving the entire future of Dana's musical masterpiece resting on the shoulders of a plucky ACLU lawyer (Amy Poehler) and his favorite actress ever, Elisabeth Shue.

Get Showtimes: Visit the Official Site: Watch the Trailer: See the Photos. Hamlet 2, directed and written by Andrew Fleming and co-written by Pam Brady, is now playing everywhere.

Watch Short Films Now On IMDb Theaters!
IMDb and Withoutabox present IMDb Theaters, a major new initiative to create an online global showcase for top short films. IMDb users will now be able to watch short films from the world's most exciting new filmmakers right on IMDb title pages. Take a look at just a handful of the many short films we've received so far:
Unlocked: A teenage girl has to decide whether or not to donate her hair to charity.
Thursday Afternoon: When a school janitor hears the voice of God from a bottle of Lysol, questions arise from every corner.
The Common Sense Farm: Exploring the surrealities of growing up in the Twelve Tribes, an insulated community with fragile relations with the outside world.
Sincere: True love takes practice.
Never Bet the Devil Your Head: A young boy grows up in poverty and bets the devil his head in lieu of money, despite his best friends efforts to convince him not to.

Today: Director Penelope Spheeris (The Decline of Western Civilization, Wayne's World, Black Sheep, The Kid and I) on the down-and-dirty side to showbiz, and her own worst experience. See what she has to say in today's Ask a Filmmaker.

Have your own question for Ms. Spheeris? Submit it here: Ask a Director.

New to Ask a Filmmaker? Catch up on past columns in our archive.

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