Coming to theaters 8/20/04

'Benji: Off the Leash'

Starring Nick Whitaker, Chris Kendrick, Christy Summerhays, Neil Barth, Randall Newsome, Duane Stephens and Carlton W. Bluford. The lovable dog Benji and another hound, Shaggy, fight to save Benji's mom from a mean backyard breeder in Gulfport, Miss. Rated PG for thematic elements and some mild language, running time 100 minutes. (Town Plaza Cinema)

'Exorcist: The Beginning'

Starring Stellan Skarsgård, James D'Arcy, Izabella Scorupco, Ralph Brown, Alan Ford and Andrew French. This prequel to the classic 1973 horror flick "The Exorcist" recounts Father Merrin's early-20th-century journey to Africa, where, while doing missionary work as a young priest, he has his first encounter with Satan. Rated R, running time 114 minutes. (Town Plaza Cinema)

'Open Water'

Starring Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis, Saul Stein, Estelle Lau, Michael E. Williamson and Cristina Zenarro. Two scuba divers are accidentally abandoned in the ocean by their boat and crew and left to fend for themselves while sharks begin to circle. Rated R language and some nudity, running time 79 minutes. (Cape West Cine)

'Without a Paddle'

Starring Seth Green, Matthew Lillard, Dax Shephard, Burt Reynolds, Bonnie Somerville and Christina Moore. Three buddies go rafting on an Oregon river in search of lost treasure, but before they can find the loot, they run into a bunch of crazy mountain men. Rated PG-13 for drug content, sexual material, language, crude humor and some violence, running time 99 minutes. (Cape West Cine)

-- From wire reports