A thriller about the hijacking of a New York City subway train, The Taking of Pelham 123 stars John Travolta as a desperate, armed man who masterminds the crime. Denzel Washington plays the transit worker who just happens to be on duty when the hijacking takes place and has to negotiate with the hijackers. James Gandolfini (Tony on The Sopranos) plays the city's tough mayor who doesn't want to give in to the hijackers' demands. The film is a remake of a Seventies classic. Directed by Tony Scott. With Victor Gojcaj. Categories: Thriller. Year: 2009.
The Taking of Pelham 123
Dennis Quaid stars as the head of a secret army unit that fights terrorism. Based on the popular animated television series, it tells the story of the unit's fight against a shadowy crime organization headed by a Scottish arms dealer (Christopher Eccleston). Sienna Miller and Rachel Nichols are among the well-toned crime fighters. Directed by Stephen Sommers. With Channing Tatum and Marlon Wayans. Categories: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller. Year: 2009.
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Denis Cooverman (Paul Rust) is a nerd who is his high-school valedictorian. During his graduation speech, he tells Beth Cooper (Hayden Panettiere), the most popular girl in the school, that he loves her. She and two of her friends decide to show him the greatest time of his life the night after graduation. The only trouble is, a bunch of creepy jocks are so jealous, they're out to get him. Directed by Chris Columbus. With Jack Carpenter, Shawn Roberts, Lauren London, Alan Ruck, Cynthia Stevenson and Lauren Storm. Categories: Comedy. Year: 2009.
I Love You, Beth Cooper
Fearing deportation to Canada, high-powered book editor Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) coerces her male assistant Andrew (Ryan Reynolds) to marry her. Andrew agrees to the deal, but only if Margaret will accompany him to Alaska to meet his parents (Mary Steenburgen and Craig T. Nelson) and Grandma Annie (Betty White). Even with an immigration official on their trail and a surprise wedding in the works by Andrew's quirky family, Margaret and Andrew decide to stick to their plan no matter the consequences. Directed by Anne Fletcher. With Denis O'Hare, Malin Akerman, Oscar Nuñez and Aasif Mandvi. Categories: Comedy, Romance. Year: 2009.
The Proposal
Kate Beckinsale plays Annie, a waitress and single mother in a small town. During a very cold winter, problems with her alcoholic ex-husband (Sam Rockwell) develop into a crisis. Michael Angarano is a sensitive teen who has had a crush on Annie since she was his babysitter years before. He tries to help her as best he can, and also struggles to figure out his own relationship with his girlfriend (Olive Thirlby). Directed by David Gordon Green. With Nicky Katt and Gracie Hudson. Categories: Drama, Romance. Year: 2007.
Snow Angels
This is a provocative film about Christine (Sasha Grey), an ordinary 22-year-old woman living in New York. She has a boyfriend, a personal trainer, who earns $125 an hour. Christine charges $2,000 an hour for her work as a call girl. It's a life she keeps secret from everyone who knows her. A direct, non-judgmental look at what draws a woman to become a prostitute. Directed by the Oscar-winning Steven Soderbergh. With Chris Santos. Categories: Comedy. Year: 2009.
The Girlfriend Experience
In high school, Rose Lorkowski (Amy Adams) was a popular cheerleader, but now, at 30, she finds herself a single mother working as a maid. In order to get her son into a better school, Rose talks her sister Norah (Emily Blunt), who still lives at home with their father Joe (Alan Arkin), to go into business with her cleaning up crime scenes. Up to their necks in murders, suicides and other messy situations, Rose and Norah build a successful business and find a closeness they've always wanted. Directed by Christine Jeffs. With Jason Spevack, Steve Zahn, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Clifton Collins Jr. and Eric Christian Olsen. Categories: Comedy, Drama, Independent Film. Year: 2008.
Sunshine Cleaning
This drama with a documentary feel was the surprise winner of the top award at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in 2008. Based on the memoirs of François Bégaudeau, a high school teacher in a Paris suburb where most students are minorities, it stars François Bégaudeau himself. He tries to keep order and teach in a school where most students don't feel any connection to the country where they live and rebel against him constantly. Directed by Laurent Cantet. Categories: Drama. Year: 2008.
Entre les murs
After picking up two runaways, taxi driver Jack Bruno (Dwayne Johnson) discovers that the pair are actually siblings with paranormal powers. What's more, Tia (AnnaSophia Robb) and Tony (Alexander Ludwig) are being hunted by evil organization that wants to use their powers for their nefarious ends. Though he initially doesn't want to get involved in their trouble, ultimately it's up to Jack to protect the siblings and get them to Witch Mountain before it's too late. Directed by Andy Fickman. With Carla Gugino, Christine Lakin, Cheech Marin, Ciarán Hinds, Tom Everett Scott and Garry Marshall. Categories: Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Family. Year: 2009.
Race to Witch Mountain
A coming-of-age comedy-drama, the film is about Art Bechstein (Jon Foster), a recent college graduate with mixed feelings about his gangster father (Nick Nolte). Art has always kept his family life separate from his friends, but during the summer after he graduates, he meets Cleveland (Peter Sarsgaard), who makes collections for a loan shark buddy of his father's. He also has a romance with a strange girl named Phlox (Mena Suvari) and lusts after Cleveland's girlfriend (Sienna Miller). Based on a novel by Michael Chabon (Wonder Boys). Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber. With Jack Baun and Omid Abtahi. Categories: Adventure, Comedy, Drama. Year: 2008.
The Mysteries of Pittsburgh
A futuristic story of a world owned by corporations that control a machine that can transform all humans into mutants, the film is about the leader (Ron Perlman) of an ancient brotherhood. He recruits an army of 20 warriors to save the human race. Led by Major Hunter (Thomas Jane), they include Devon Aoki and Anna Walton. John Malkovich plays an evil corporate executive. Can this small band really save the world? Directed by Simon Hunter. With Shauna Macdonald. Categories: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi. Year: 2008.
Mutant Chronicles
After tumbling down the stairs on prom night, Eugene Bell (Zach Cregger) falls into a four year coma. Woken up by his best friend Tucker (Trevor Moore), Eugene learns that his once innocent girlfriend Cindi (Raquel Alessi) has become a Playboy centerfold. To try to win Cindi back, Eugene and Tucker set out on a cross-country mission to gain entry to the Playboy mansion. Directed by Zach Cregger and Trevor Moore. With Craig Robinson, Molly Stanton, Alexis Raben and Eve Mauro. Categories: Comedy. Year: 2009.
Miss March
A group of friends from college live together in a kind of urban commune in New York. They are both gay and straight and are from all different backgrounds and races. Seven years after they move to New York, things start to change. Julie (Nicole Bilderback) and Andrew (Ryan Locke) announce they are engaged. Everyone is happy for them, but their adult commitment seems to spell the end of the group's idyll. The arrival of Louie (Terry Serpico), a charismatic older figure, also changes the group dynamic forever. Directed by Chris Mason Johnson. With Thomas Sadoski, Colin Fickes, Andrew Wei Lin, Bill Sage, Larisa Polonsky, Cordelia Reynolds and Heather Litteer. Categories: Drama. Year: 2009.
The New Twenty
John Malkovich stars as Buck Howard, an aging hypnotist/magician whose career takes a turn for the better when he hires an eager young assistant (Colin Hanks, son of Tom Hanks). Toby, the assistant, is a law-school dropout, happy to get some life experience, and genuinely impressed by the antics of his temperamental boss. Emily Blunt plays a tough publicist who helps Buck get his name back in the headlines, and also becomes involved in a romance with Toby. Tom Hanks has a brief role as Toby's disapproving father, and several other celebrities have cameos, including Jon Stewart, Martha Stewart, Regis Philbin, Kelly Ripa and George Takei (Star Trek). Directed by Sean McGinly. With Steve Zahn. Categories: Comedy, Drama. Year: 2008.
The Great Buck Howard
After moving from Michigan to Oregon, Coraline Jones (Dakota Fanning), a feisty, adventurous young girl, finds a mysterious door that transports her to a parallel world. There, Coraline finds alternate versions of her mother (Teri Hatcher) and father (John Hodgman) and her eccentric neighbors, Miss Forcible (Dawn French), Miss Spink (Jennifer Saunders) and Mr. Bobinsky (Ian McShane) and the Cat (Keith David). Where Coraline felt ignored and neglected in the real world, she feels like the center of attention in this strange new land. But, when things start to get a little scary and her alternate mother sets out to keep her trapped in this other world, Coraline will have to use all her strength and courage to get back home. Directed by Henry Selick. Categories: Animation, Family, Fantasy, Based on a Novel. Year: 2009.
Coraline
A romantic drama based on the life of poet Dylan Thomas, it stars Matthew Rhys as the hard-drinking poet and Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller as the women who compete for his love. Knightley plays Vera, his first love, whom he left behind years ago. They reconnect when she is a singer in London during World War II. But he is married then to the tempestuous Caitlin (Miller), a free spirit who loves him fiercely. Although they are rivals, the two women form a close friendship. Cillian Murphy plays a soldier who falls in love with Vera. Directed by John Maybury. Categories: Biography, Drama, Romance, War. Year: 2008.
The Edge of Love
Twelve jurors must decide the fate of a Chechen teenager (Apti Magamaev) who allegedly killed his Russian stepfather. While all signs point to the boy being the killer, one juror (Sergei Makovetsky) votes for aquittal. With the knowledge that they hold a life in their hands, the jurors review every detail of the case to see if they can come to a unanimous decision. Directed by Nikita Mikhalkov. With Mikhail Yefremov, Nikita Mikhalkov, Sergey Garmash, Aleksei Petrenko, Yuriy Stoyanov, Sergei Gazarov, Valentin Gaft, Mikhail Yefremov, Aleksey Gorbunov, Sergei Artsybashev, Viktor Verzhbitsky and Roman Madyanov. Categories: Crime, Drama, Thriller, War, Foreign Film. Year: 2007.
12
Casey Beldon (Odette Yustman) never knew she had a twin. But, when the dead boy's spirit begins to torment her soul from within, she must turn to Rabbi Sendak (Gary Oldman), a spiritual advisor, in order to save herself from total possession. Directed by David S. Goyer. With Cam Gigandet, Meagan Good, Jane Alexander, Idris Elba, Carla Gugino and James Remar. Categories: Horror, Thriller. Year: 2009.
The Unborn
Hiding in China from a secret US government agency, Cassie Holmes (Dakota Fanning), Nick Gant (Chris Evans), Alyssa English (Camilla Belle) and the other members of a group of young American expats with telekinetic and clairvoyant abilities must band together to fight for their freedom. Using their unique talents, the group faces off with Agent Henry Carver (Djimon Hounsou), a government official with powers of his own. Directed by Paul McGuigan. With Maggie Siff, Cliff Curtis, Joel Gretsch, Neil Jackson and Nate Mooney. Categories: Sci-Fi, Thriller, Action. Year: 2009.
Push
After a recent breakup, Leonard (Joaquin Phoenix), an aspiring photographer, moves back to his childhood home in Brooklyn. Concerned fo rhis future, Leonard's parents set him up with Sandra (Vinessa Shaw), the kind, sweet daughter of a close family friend. But, around the same time, Leonard becomes infatuated with Michele (Gwyneth Paltrow), a beautiful woman who is having a self-destructive affair with a married man. Forced to make a choice between the two women, Leonard must decide between love and desire, and risks the possibility that he could end up all alone. Directed by James Gray. With Isabella Rossellini, Elias Koteas and Moni Moshonov. Categories: Drama, Romance. Year: 2008.
Two Lovers
After her father is kidnapped, Chun-Li (Kristin Kreuk) sets out into the streets of Hong Kong looking for revenge. With her sights set on a seemingly unstoppable foe, Chun-Li will have to push the limits of her martial arts skills to bring him to justice. Directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak. With Michael Clarke Duncan, Moon Bloodgood, Neal McDonough, Chris Klein and Robin Shou. Categories: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller. Year: 2009.
Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li
Charlie Banks (Jesse Eisenberg) is an insecure college student who reconnects with Mick (Jason Ritter), a bully who tormented him when they were kids. Now he is drawn into a strange friendship with Mick, but then he learns that Mick may have committed a horrible crime and isn't sure what to do. The film was directed by Fred Durst, the frontman for the band Limp Bizkit. Directed by Fred Durst. With Eva Amurri, Sebastian Stan, Gloria Votsis and Chris Marquette. Categories: Drama. Year: 2007.
The Education of Charlie Banks
Chaz Davenport (Gabriel Mann) is the proprietor of what promises to be the most popular nightclub in town. Although Chaz is surrounded by the music he loves and has his pick of gorgeous women, he also has to deal with the city's constant blackouts and a menacing loan shark, both of which threaten his dream. Making matters worse, Chaz finds himself in a love triangle with Crystal (Bijou Phillips), the club's star performer, and Madelaine (Izabella Miko), a mysterious and seductive new singer. And, when people close to him begin turning up dead, Chaz must decide who he can trust as he's drawn into the city's darkest recesses. Directed by Rachel Samuels. With Elias Koteas, Jarreth J. Merz and Michael Fairman. Categories: Drama, Thriller, Music, Musical. Year: 2008.
Dark Streets
Discovering that he has no memory of an Israeli Army mission he participated in during the first Lebanon War of the early 1980s, filmmaker Ari Folman sets out on a journey to recover a piece of his life that has been missing for over 20 years. Interviewing old friends and comrades around the world, Folman begins to remember the events as a series of surreal images that lead him deeper and deeper into the mystery of this lost period. Directed by Ari Folman. With Ori Sivan. Categories: Documentary, Animation, Biography, Drama, War. Year: 2008.
Waltz with Bashir
Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher) lives to shop. Dreaming of working at a top fashion magazine, she lands a job as an advice columnist for a new financial magazine published by the same company. But, when her rampant spending threatens her career and her love life, Rebecca is forced to reevaluate her way of life and decide what's really important to her. Directed by P.J. Hogan. With Hugh Dancy, Krysten Ritter, Joan Cusack, John Goodman, Leslie Bibb, John Lithgow and Lynn Redgrave. Categories: Comedy, Romance, Based on a Novel. Year: 2009.
Confessions of a Shopaholic
Phoebe (Elle Fanning) is a little girl who loses herself completely in fantasies about the book "Alice in Wonderland." She imagines that one of her teachers (Patricia Clarkson) is her guide to a secret world of magic. Her parents (Felicity Huffman and Bill Pullman) can't quite understand her. She begins to exist so much in the fantasy world that they start to worry. Is her obsession with Alice healthy and imaginative, or dangerous? Has she withdrawn so much from the real world that she won't be able to find her way back? Directed by Daniel Barnz. With Campbell Scott and Peter Gerety. Categories: Drama. Year: 2008.
Phoebe in Wonderland
Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Steve Martin), the bumbling French detective, returns in a new adventure. Teaming up with an equally inept squad on international law enforcement officers, Clouseau must stop a globe-trotting thief who specializes in stealing historical artifacts. Directed by Harald Zwart. With Jean Reno, Emily Mortimer, Andy Garcia, Yuki Matsuzaki, Alfred Molina, Aishwarya Rai and John Cleese. Categories: Comedy, Mystery, Crime. Year: 2009.
The Pink Panther 2
Inga (Oscar-winner Marcia Gay Harden), a tormented woman struggling to be a responsible parent, is forced to confront her past. She realizes that unresolved conflicts she had with her own mother are affecting her relationship with her daughter (Eulala Scheel). Now is her chance to put right the wrongs in her past. Directed by Mary Haverstick. With Michael Gaston and Marian Seldes. Year: 2008
Home
After a high-speed chase on the freeway and an angry outburst in court, Madea (Tyler Perry) finds herself behind bars. While Madea's eccentric family, the Browns, rally behind her, Madea befriends a troubled young woman named Candy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) and protects her in her own unique, motherly way. Directed by Tyler Perry. With Sofía Vergara, Vanessa Ferlito, Derek Luke and David Mann. Categories: Comedy. Year: 2009.
Madea Goes to Jail
When a group of unfortunate young adults happen upon the boarded up Camp Crystal Lake, they quickly discover that Jason Voorhees (Derek Mears), a hockey mask-wearing psychopath, has no intention of letting them leave in one piece. Directed by Marcus Nispel. With Jared Padalecki, Amanda Righetti, Danielle Panabaker, Travis Van Winkle, Aaron Yoo and Jonathan Sadowski. Categories: Horror. Year: 2009.
Friday the 13th
Unable to get along with his grown children or his foreign neighbors, Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood), a surly, gruff widower set in his ways, passes his time taking care of a 1973 Gran Torino muscle car that he keeps in perfect condition. When Tao (Bee Vang), a young Hmong teenager, tries to steal his prize possession as part of a gang initiation, Kowalski sets out to reform the youth by teaching him the value of hard work. Eventually, Kowalski is begrudgingly drawn into the life of Tao's family and devotes himself to protecting the boy and his sister Sue (Ahney Her) from the dangerous gang. Directed by Clint Eastwood. With Geraldine Hughes, Brian Haley, Chee Thao, Brooke Chia Thao and Sonny Vue. Categories: Action, Drama, Thriller. Year: 2008.
Gran Torino
Faced with the prospect of another summer spent at football camp, Shawn Colfax (Nicholas D'Agosto) and Nick Brady (Eric Christian Olsen), the two most popular guys in their high school, decide to change things up and go to cheerleading camp instead. While their initial plan is just to take advantage of being surrounded by beautiful young women all day, Shawn and Nick eventually start to take things seriously so that they can do well in the cheer competition finals, and help Shawn win over Carly (Sarah Roemer), the head cheerleader. Directed by Will Gluck. With Molly Sims, John Michael Higgins and Danneel Harris. Categories: Comedy. Year: 2009.
Fired Up
Immigrants of different nationalities struggle to earn their legal status in Los Angeles. Their plight includes dealing with crossing the border, obtaining fraudulent documents, gaining asylum and the green card process. In addition to the difficulties of entering the US and living in a new countries, the immigrants must also deal with work-site enforcement and the office of counter terrorism. Directed by Wayne Kramer. With Harrison Ford, Sean Penn, Ray Liotta, Ashley Judd, Summer Bishil, Cliff Curtis and Alice Braga. Categories: Drama. Year: 2009.
Crossing Over
Tuvia (Daniel Craig), Zus (Liev Schreiber), Asael (Jamie Bell) and Aron Bielski (George MacKay), four Jewish brothers, escape Nazi-occupied Poland and join a group of Russian resistance fighters. While building a village deep inside the forest to be a home for other Jewish refugees, the brothers help to save hundreds of lives and prepare to protect themselves from the Nazi's wrath. Directed by Edward Zwick. With Tomas Arana and Alexa Davalos. Categories: Drama, War, Independent Film, Based on a True Story. Year: 2008.
Defiance
A group of relationship-challenged twenty and thirtysomethings try to understand the mixed signals they receive from the opposite sex. While Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin) just wants a man who will call her back, Alex (Justin Long) tries to convince her to stop waiting by the phone. Beth (Jennifer Aniston) is growing tired of waiting for Neil (Ben Affleck) to pop the question. And, Mary (Drew Barrymore) searches in vain for a loving, supportive man who is straight. Directed by Ken Kwapis. With Jennifer Connelly, Scarlett Johansson, Bradley Cooper and Kevin Connolly. Categories: Comedy. Year: 2009.
He's Just Not That Into You
Unable to deal with the suspense any longer, Eric (Sam Huntington), Linus (Chris Marquette), Hutch (Dan Fogler), Zoe (Kristen Bell) and Windows (Jay Baruchel), five huge Star Wars fans and best friends, set out on a cross-country road trip in order to infiltrate Skywalker Ranch and steal an early print of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Along the way, they run into William Shatner, Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), some obsessed Trekkies and a gang of unruly bikers. Directed by Kyle Newman. With Jaime King, Craig Robinson, Seth Rogen, Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, Ethan Suplee and Billy Dee Williams. Categories: Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Drama. Year: 2008.
Fanboys
Ten years ago as an inexperienced coal miner, Tom Hanniger (Jensen Ackles) was responsible for an accident that resulted in the deaths of five men and left Harry Warden (Richard John Walters) in a coma. On Valentine's Day exactly one year after the accident, Harry awoke and sought out revenge by massacring 22 people with a pickax. Returning to his hometown on the anniversary of the killings, Tom struggles to make amends for his past and reconnect with his ex-girlfriend, Sarah (Jaime King). But, when the killings start up again, Tom becomes a suspect and it seems that Sarah is the only one who believes he's innocent. Directed by Patrick Lussier. With Kerr Smith, Andrew Larson, Tom Atkins, Edi Gathegi, Betsy Rue and Megan Boone. Categories: Horror, Thriller. Year: 2009.
My Bloody Valentine 3-D
Transferred to rural Minnesota to oversee the restructuring of a manufacturing plant, Lucy Hill (Renée Zellweger), a high-powered Miami business woman, struggles to adjust to small town life. Overcoming an icy reception and her inital reluctance to embrace the isolated town's charm, Lucy is eventually accepted by the community and grows close to Ted Mitchell (Harry Connick Jr.), a no-nonsense voluntary transplant. But, when Lucy is ordered to close the plant, she in forced to re-examine her big city values and find a way to save the plant and its workers' jobs. Directed by Jonas Elmer. With Nathan Fillion, Siobhan Fallon, Frances Conroy, Rashida Jones and J.K. Simmons. Categories: Comedy, Romance. Year: 2009.
New in Town
After Carmen (Diane Lane) and Wayne Colson (Thomas Jane) witness a violent crime, they are placed into the Federal Witness Protection program. Although they think they are safe for a time, Carmen and Wayne find out that Armand "The Blackbird" Degas (Mickey Rourke), the vicious hitman they outed, and Richie Nix (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), his sociopathic partner, have tracked them down. In the tense struggle that follows, Carmen will have to take matters into her own hands and fight for her life. Directed by John Madden. With Hal Holbrook and Rosario Dawson. Categories: Action, Drama, Thriller. Year: 2009.
Killshot
This sequel to The Mummy takes place nine years after the events of the first film. Rick (Brendan Fraser) and Evelyn (Rachel Weisz) have married and are raising their son in England. But when the evil mummy Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) returns to life and breaks out of the British Museum, where he was housed, the couple gets involved in the struggle between Imhotep and the Scorpion King (Dwayne Johnson). It's a struggle that involves Meela (Patricia Velasquez), a sorceress, and threatens the life of their son. Directed by Stephen Sommers. Categories: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller. Year: 2001.
The Mummy Returns
Paul Blart (Kevin James), a single, suburban dad, makes his living as a security guard at a New Jersey mall, after falling short of his dream of being a police officer. Despite his disappointment, Blart takes his job seriously, though he struggles to get respect from shoppers at the mall. But, when the mall is overtaken by a gang of theives, it's up to Blart to save the day and prove he has what it takes to be a real cop. Directed by Steve Carr. With Keir O'Donnell, Jayma Mays, Bobby Cannavale, Adam Ferrara and Stephen Rannazzisi. Categories: Comedy. Year: 2009.
Paul Blart: Mall Cop
Joe (Chazz Palminteri) is a card sharp from Yonkers. But his comfortable life is disrupted when his 20-year-old son, Joe Jr. (Tom Guiry), who was institutionalized because of Down Syndrome over ten years ago, has to leave his residence because he has become violent. Although Joe's girlfriend, Janice (Christine Lahti), tries to befriend Joe Jr., he's a handful and Joe can't face having to take care of his son in the long run. So he comes up with a scheme to try to introduce rigged dice into a casino so he can make a big score that will give him enough cash to place Joe Jr. in a pricey private hospital. But things don't go quite as he planned. Directed by Robert Celestino. With Michael Lerner and Linus Roache. Categories: Drama. Year: 2008.
Yonkers Joe
When a criminal organization kidnaps his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace), former government operative Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) must use the special skills he developed while working as a spy to save her life. Following clues through the darkest reaches of Paris's underworld, as well as the rooms of it's richest mansions, Mills will stop at nothing to end this nightmare and make those responsible pay with their lives. Directed by Pierre Morel. With Xander Berkeley, Radivoje Bukvic, Katie Cassidy, Famke Janssen and Leland Orser. Categories: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller. Year: 2008.
Taken
Lucian (Michael Sheen), a young Lycan, emerges as their leader and compels them to rise up against Viktor (Bill Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has persecuted them for hundreds of years. Joining Lucian in this battle is his secret lover Sonja (Rhona Mitra), a beautiful vampire who helps to free the Lycans from their brutal enslavement. Directed by Patrick Tatopoulos. With Steven Mackintosh and Kevin Grevioux. Categories: Action, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller. Year: 2009.
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
Already on the verge of losing his job as a jingle writer, Harvey Shine (Dustin Hoffman) travels to London for his daughter's (Liane Balaban) wedding only to learn that she has asked her stepfather (James Brolin) to walk her down the aisle. Leaving the reception to hide his devastation and make his flight home, Harvey heads to the airport and learns that he has missed his plane anyway. While trying to drown his sorrows at an airport bar, Harvey ends up striking up a conversation with Kate Walker (Emma Thompson), a 40-something workaholic who ends up reinvigorating his lust for life and helps him see what really matters. Directed by Joel Hopkins. With Kathy Baker and Eileen Atkins. Categories: Drama, Romance. Year: 2008.
Last Chance Harvey
Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) is born as an old man and physically ages backwards. Abandoned by his biological parents just after his birth, Benjamin struggles to live in a world where his appearance doesn't quite match up with what's inside of him. At 50, Benjamin falls in love with 30-year-old Daisy (Cate Blanchett). And, as Benjamin grows younger and Daisy grows older, the two must come to terms with the limits of their relationship and the unusual circumstances of Benjamin's life. Directed by David Fincher. With Tilda Swinton, Julia Ormond and Elle Fanning. Categories: Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance. Year: 2008.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
After writing a story about a government scandal in which she reveals the name of a covert CIA agent, political journalist Rachel Armstrong (Kate Beckinsale) finds herself facing a possible jail sentence for refusing to reveal her source. Struggling to defend the principles she has built her career upon, Rachel finds an ally in Alan Burnside (Alan Alda), an attorney who works to win her freedom. Directed by Rod Lurie. With Preston Bailey, Noah Wyle, Angela Bassett, Matt Dillon and Kristen Bough. Categories: Drama, Thriller, Independent Film. Year: 2008.
Nothing But the Truth
Emma (Anne Hathaway) and Liv (Kate Hudson) have been best friends their entire lives. And, when they both become engaged within hours of one another, they couldn't be happier. But, when a clerical error ends up having their weddings doublebooked at the Plaza Hotel, neither one will budge and the old friends find themselves in an all-out bridal feud. Directed by Gary Winick. With Candice Bergen, Kristen Johnston, Bryan Greenberg, Steve Howey and Chris Pratt. Categories: Comedy, Romance. Year: 2009.
Bride Wars
When Anna (Emily Browning) returns home after spending time in the hospital following her mother's death, she is surprised to learn that her father (David Strathairn) has become engaged to Rachel (Elizabeth Banks), her mother's former nurse. After Anna is visited by her mother's ghost and warned of Rachel's true intentions, she and her sister Alex (Arielle Kebbel) try to convince their father that his Rachel hides a dark secret and is not who she pretends to be. Directed by Charles Guard and Thomas Guard. With Maya Massar. Categories: Drama, Horror, Thriller, Remake. Year: 2009.
The Uninvited
When their new guardians forbid them from having a pet, Andi (Emma Roberts) and Bruce (Jake T. Austin) are forced to find a new home for their dog, Friday. Scouring the city, the siblings stumble upon an abandoned hotel and employ Bruce's mechanical talents to transform it into the ultimate doggie paradise. Eventually, the hotel attracts hundreds of stray dogs, and Andi and Bruce must use an array of amazing inventions to keep their canine friends a secret. Directed by Thor Freudenthal. With Don Cheadle, Lisa Kudrow, Kevin Dillon, Kyla Pratt, Johnny Simmons and Troy Gentile. Categories: Comedy, Family. Year: 2009.
Hotel for Dogs
Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke) is a former champion professional wrester whose glory days have passed him by. When the opportunity for a rematch with his former arch rival comes along, Randy begins to hope that the bout will be his ticket back into the big time. But, after suffering a heart attack, Randy is forced to reexamine his life and makes an effort to reconnect with his estranged daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) and admit his true feelings to an emotionally unavailable stripper (Marisa Tomei). Directed by Darren Aronofsky. With Mark Margolis and Judah Friedlander. Categories: Comedy, Drama, Sports. Year: 2008.
The Wrestler
Years after his affair with Hanna Schmitz (Kate Winslet), an attractive older woman, came to a mysterious end, Michael Berg (David Kross), now a law student, encounters his former love at the Nazi war trials. Hanna is on trial for a horrible crime, but refuses to defend herself. As the proceedings move along, Michael gradually realizes that Hanna is guarding a secret she considers to be more shameful than murder. Directed by Stephen Daldry. With Ralph Fiennes, Jeanette Hain, Hannah Herzsprung and Karoline Herfurth. Categories: Drama, History, Romance, Thriller, War. Year: 2008.
The Reader
Carl Allen (Jim Carrey) avoids unwanted human interaction and commitments by refusing every favor, request, suggestion and offer he receives. But, after attending a self-help seminar where he is challenged to say "Yes" to any and every opportunity that comes his way, Carl discovers the power of endless possibilities and finds his life changed in amazing, unexpected ways. Directed by Peyton Reed. With Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper, Danny Masterson, Terence Stamp, John Michael Higgins and Rhys Darby. Categories: Comedy. Year: 2008.
Yes Man
Looking for a neverending party, seven British tourists who meet at a Mediterranean nightclub board a luxury yacht and set out into the ocean. But, when a freak accident leaves one of them dead, the survivors must decide who they trust and fight for their lives. Directed by Oliver Blackburn. With Robert Boulter, Sian Breckin, Tom Burke, Nichola Burley, Julian Morris, Jay Taylor and Jaime Winstone. Categories: Thriller, Foreign Film. Year: 2008.
Donkey Punch
In 1964, Father Brendan Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) brings the winds of change to a Catholic school in the Bronx. Already upset with Father Flynn challenging her strict way of running the school, Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Meryl Streep) finds an even greater reason to face off against him when Sister James (Amy Adams) confesses that she suspects that he is abusing Donald Miller (Joseph Foster), the school's first black student. Beginning a crusade to discover the truth and remove Father Flynn from the school, Sister Aloysius moves forward with no proof but her moral certainity and enters a battle of wills that threatens to tear the community apart. Directed by John Patrick Shanley. With Viola Davis and Alice Drummond. Categories: Drama, Mystery. 2008.
Doubt
After over a decade of marriage, Dave (Morris Chestnut) and Clarice Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), find that their relationship has lost some of its luster. With Dave's big league aspirations dashed by an injury in college, he now finds himself in an unfulfilling job as the head of a small construction firm. Clarice on the otherhand is wrapped up in her desire to succeed as a real estate star. When Clarice is injured in a car accident, the couple are forced to deal with long hidden resentments and must decide if their marriage is truly meant to be. Directed by Bill Duke. With Maeve Quinlan and Cannon Jay. Categories: Drama, Based on a Novel. Year: 2009.
Not Easily Broken
Despereaux (Matthew Broderick), a tiny mouse with big ears and an even bigger heart, refuses to accept life as a mere mouse, learning how to read and befriending a beautiful princess named Pea (Emma Watson). Banished from Mouseworld for his unconventional ways, Depereaux sets out to rescue Princess Pea when he learns that she has been kidnapped by Roscuro (Dustin Hoffman), a rat whose affections the princess earlier dismissed. Inspired by stories of knights, dragons and fair maidens, Depereaux finds the courage to become a legendary hero. Directed by Sam Fell and Robert Stevenhagen. With Tracey Ullman, Kevin Kline, William H. Macy, Stanley Tucci and Sigourney Weaver. Categories: Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy. Year: 2008.
The Tale of Despereaux
Jamal Malik (Dev Patel), an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, finds himself on India's version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" But when the show breaks for the night, police arrest him for alleged cheating. To prove his innocence, Jamal tells the story of his life, from his adventures with his brother to encounters with gangs, and explains that he wanted to be on the show to find Latika (Freida Pinto), the girl he loved and lost. Directed by Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan. With Anil Kapoor, Irfan Khan and Madhur Mittal. Categories: Comedy, Drama, Romance. Year: 2008.
Slumdog Millionaire
John (Owen Wilson) and Jenny Grogan (Jennifer Aniston), two ambitious, recently married reporters, adopt a Yellow Lab named Marley to get a taste of parenthood. Before they know what hit them, the hyperactive puppy wreaks havoc on their lives, embarrassing them in public and even getting kicked out of obedience school. But, over the years, as Marley's behavior continues to rage out of control, he manages to become a rollicking, indespensable part of their growing family. Directed by David Frankel. With Haley Bennett, Eric Dane, Alan Arkin and Nathan Gamble. Categories: Comedy, Based on a Novel. Year: 2008.
Marley & Me
Ben Thomas (Will Smith), an IRS agent with a painful secret, sets out on a personal mission for redemption. Tracking down seven seemingly disconnected strangers, Thomas uses every means at his disposal to change the circumstances of their lives in order to redeem his past transgressions. Directed by Gabriele Muccino. With Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Michael Ealy, Bill Smitrovich, Robinne Lee and Barry Pepper. Categories: Drama. Year: 2008.
Seven Pounds
Les Franken (Michael Rapaport), a lonely, unremarkable metermaid, leads a boring life until he decides to enroll in a study for an experimental anti-depressant. Once on the drug, Les believes that he has developed special powers and quits his job in order to devote his life to becoming a superhero. Directed by Hal Haberman and Jeremy Passmore. With Paul Blackthorne, Josh Peck Robert Baker, Jack Kehler, Alexandra Holden and Michael Shamus Wiles. Categories: Drama, Comedy, Independent Film. Year: 2006.
Special
When Bella Swan( Kristen Stewart) is sent to live with her father, she meets a mysterious young man named Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson. Unlike anyone she's ever ment, Bella begins a passionate romance with Edward, even though she senses that there is more to his story than Edward is willing to admit. Before long, it is revealed that Edward is a vampire who hasn't aged since 1918, and Bella must come to grips with her love's true identity, even as he faces off with his most evil enemies. Directed by Catherine Hardwicke. With Taylor Lautner, Michael Welch and Justin Chon. Categories: Action, Horror,Romance, Thriller. Year: 2008.
Twilight
A.K. (Eugene Hutz), a Ukrainian immigrant living in England, moonlights as a cross-dressing dominatrix to fund his dreams of rock superstardom. A self-described poet and philosopher, A.K. believes that his rollicking gypsy punk bank, Gogol Bordello, is destined for greatness and will do whatever it takes to turn his dream into a reality. Joining A.K. in his crazy life are his flatmates, Holly (Holly Weston), an aspiring ballet dancer reduced to working as a stripper, and Juliette (Vicky McClure), a pharmacy assistant who dreams of going to Africa to help starving children. Directed by Madonna. With Ade, Olegar Fedoro, Stephen Graham, Richard E. Grant and Inder Manocha. Categories: Comedy, Drama, Music, Romance. Year: 2008.
Filth and Wisdom
Surveying a nearby hillside with a pair of binoculars, Hector (Karra Elejalde) spots a nude woman amidst the trees. While investigating, he is attacked by a man whose head is wrapped in a grotesque, pink bandages. Taking refuge in a laboratory atop the hill, Hector is ushered into a contraption that turns out to be a time machine by the laboratory's lone attendant (Nacho Vigalondo). Emerging moments later, Hector finds that he has traveled back hours in time, and ends up in a deadly confrontation with multiple versions of himself. Directed by Nacho Vigalondo. With Candela Fernández, Bárbara Goenaga and Juan Inciarte. Categories: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Foreign Film. Year: 2007.
Timecrimes
Sick of being bullied, Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant), a lonely, fragile 12-year-old, dreams of revenge, but can never work up the courage to confront his young tormentors. When Eli (Lina Leandersson), a pale, serious girl of his own age, moves into his apartment complex, Oskar believes that he has at last found a friend. But, when a series of murders, disappearances and attacks begin shortly after Eli's arrival, Oskar begins to suspect that Eli, who only comes out at night and seems unaffected by the freezing temperatures, is behind the killings. Directed by Tomas Alfredson. With Per Ragnar, Mikael Rahm and Pale Olofsson. Categories: Drama, Horror, Foreign Film. Year: 2008.
Let the Right One In
Frank Martin (Jason Statham), an ex-Special Forces operative, returns to complete one of his patented, high-risk deliveries. A mercenary delivery driver who will transport any cargo, no questions asked, Martin is tasked with escorting Valentina (Natalya Rudakova), the kidnapped daughter of Leonid Vasilev (Jeroen Krabbé), the head of the Ukraine's EPA, from Marseilles to Odessa. To make the trip alive, Martin must contend with his bosses, Vasilev's agents and Valentina's cynical disposition. Directed by Olivier Megaton. With François Berléand and Robert Knepper. Categories: Action. Year: 2008.
Transporter 3
Kym (Anne Hathaway), a troubled ex-model who has been in and out of rehab for the last decade, returns home for her sister Rachel's (Rosemarie DeWitt) wedding. With a long history of crisis and conflict with her family, Kym's dark humor and tendency for drama brings long standing tensions to the surface on what should be a happy occasion. Directed by Jonathan Demme. With Mather Zickel, Bill Irwin, Debra Winger and Tunde Adebimpe. Categories: Drama, Romance, Independent Film. Year: 2008.
Rachel Getting Married
Poppy (Sally Hawkins) is a freespirited school teacher who brightens up the lives of everyone she meets and brings unlimited optimism to every situation she encounters. But, when her bike is stolen, Poppy's positive attitude is put to the test. Forced to take driving lessons, Poppy meets her opposite in Scott (Eddie Marsan), an uptight cynic. In addition to her weekly tension-filled meetings with Scott, Poppy must also deal with a fiery flamenco instructor, her bitter pregnant sister (Caroline Martin), a troubled homeless man and a young bully in her class. But, despite in all, Poppy never loses sight of what's really important in life. Directed by Mike Leigh. With Alexis Zegerman, Andrea Riseborough, Samuel Roukin and Sylvestra Le Touzel. Categories: Comedy, Drama, Independent Film. Year: 2008.
Happy-Go-Lucky
Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody), founder of Chess Records, scours the South looking for hot new blues talent. After discovering some of the biggest names in music history, including Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright), Etta James (Beyoncé Knowles), Chuck Berry (Mos Def) and Willie Dixon (Cedric the Entertainer), Chess sets out to make them famous by selling records out of the trunk of his Cadillac. Directed by Darnell Martin. With Emmanuelle Chriqui, Gabrielle Union, Norman Reedus, Columbus Short, Jay O. Sanders and Eric Bogosian. Categories: Drama, Music, Musical. Year: 2008.
Cadillac Records
A thriller full of twists in which Eli (Alan Rickman), a brilliant chemist, wins the Nobel Prize, only to learn that his son has just been kidnapped. The kidnapper (Shawn Hatosy), demands the $2 million Nobel Prize money as the ransom. While Eli and his wife (Mary Steenburgen), try to decide what to do, a police detective (Bill Pullman), begins investigating and a mysterious woman (Eliza Dushku) gets involved in the case. Directed by Randall Miller. With Bryan Greenberg and Danny DeVito. Categories: Comedy, Crime, Drama. Year: 2007.
Nobel Son
Oscar-winning actor Roberto Benigni stars in and also directed this new version of the classic children's tale. This live-action film features beautiful costumes and lavish sets, along with Benigni's performance as a wooden doll who longs to be a boy. Directed by Roberto Benigni. With Nicoletta Braschi and Carlo Giuffrè. Categories: Comedy, Family, Fantasy. Year: 2002.
Pinocchio
After serving a 15 year prison sentence during which her family barely visited her, Juliette (Kristin Scott Thomas) finds herself welcomed into the crowded home of her younger sister Léa (Elsa Zylberstein). Initally uncomfortable with her new living arrangements, Juliette slowly opens up to her sister as she begins to feel a part of the family. Directed by Philippe Claudel. With Serge Hazanavicius, Laurent Grévill, Frédéric Pierrot and Claire Johnston. Categories: Drama, Mystery, Foreign Film. Year: 2008.
I've Loved You So Long