Edwards to Increase Security for ‘Juice’

Newport Beach-based Edwards Cinemas has beefed up security at theaters screening “Juice,” a film opening today about four teens in Harlem, N.Y., one of whom goes on a killing spree.

Some law enforcement officials have expressed concern that screenings of “Juice,” despite having what has been described as an anti-violence message, could be accompanied by the type of violence reported last year at the openings of “Boyz N the Hood” and “New Jack City.”

Edwards, Orange County’s largest movie chain, will add two security personnel at each of its six county theaters screening “Juice,” an Edwards spokeswoman said Thursday.

The cost is being absorbed by the film’s distributor, Paramount Pictures.

Officials could not be reached for comment at AMC, which is showing “Juice” on three Orange County screens, nor at UA Cinemas and Stadium Drive-In 8, each showing “Juice” on one screen.

Last summer, 11 people were reported injured when gunfire erupted during showings of “Boyz N the Hood.” TV ads and trailers for “Juice” have been criticized for emphasizing the film’s more violent elements.