Movie Listings (December 1, 2006)
Babel Release Date: October 27, 2006 Run Time: 2 hr. 22 min. Rating: R - violence, some graphic nudity, sexual content, language and some drug use Cast: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Gael Garcia Bernal Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu Genre: Art House/Foreign, Drama Synopsis: In the remote sands of the Moroccan desert, a rifle shot rings out--detonating a chain of events that will link an American tourist couple's frantic struggle to survive, two Moroccan boys involved in an accidental crime, a nanny illegally crossing into Mexico with two American children and a Japanese teen rebel whose father is sought by the police in Tokyo. Separated by clashing cultures and sprawling distances, each of these four disparate groups of people are nevertheless hurtling towards a shared destiny of isolation and grief. In the course of just a few days, they will each face the dizzying sensation of becoming profoundly lost--lost in the desert, lost to the world, lost to themselves--as they are pushed to the farthest edges of confusion and fear as well as to the very depths of connection and love. Bobby Release Date: November 22, 2006 Run Time: 2 hr. 0 min. Rating: R Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Harry Belafonte, William H. Macy Director: Emilio Estevez Genre: Drama Synopsis: Bobby, written and directed by Emilio Estevez, revisits the night Robert F. Kennedy was gunned down at the Ambassador Hotel in 1968. With an incredible ensemble cast portraying fictionalized characters from a cross-section of America, the film follows 22 individuals who are all at the hotel for different purposes but share the common thread of anticipating Kennedy's arrival at the primary election night party, which would change their lives forever. This historic night is set against the backdrop of the cultural issues gripping the country at the time, including racism, sexual inequality and class differences. Borat Release Date: November 3, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 24 min. Rating: R - pervasive strong crude and sexual content including graphic nudity, and language Cast: Sacha Baron Cohen, Pamela Anderson, Ken Davitian Director: Larry Charles Genre: Comedy Synopsis: Journalist Borat Sagdiyev leaves his native Kazakhstan to travel to America to make a documentary on what makes America a great nation. As he zigzags across the nation, Borat meets real people in real situations with hysterical consequences. His backwards behavior generates strong reactions around him, exposing prejudices and hypocrisies in American culture. In some cases, Borat's interview subjects embrace his outrageous views on race and sex by agreeing with him, while others attempt to offer a patriotic lesson in Western values. Along the way, Borat manages to offend just about everyone he meets, falls in love with actress Pamela Anderson, and sets forth on a cross-country journey to make her his wife. Casino Royale Release Date: November 17, 2006 Run Time: 2 hr. 24 min. Rating: PG-13 - intense sequences of violent action, a scene of torture, sexual content and nudity Cast: Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Judi Dench Director: Martin Campbell Genre: Action/Adventure Synopsis: After receiving a license to kill, British Secret Service agent James Bond (Daniel Craig) heads to Madagascar, where he uncovers a link to Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), a man who finances terrorist organizations. Learning that Le Chiffre plans to raise money in a high-stakes poker game, MI6 sends Bond to play against him, gambling that their newest "00" operative will topple the man's organization. Based on Ian Fleming's novel. Deck the Halls Release Date: November 22, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 35 min. Rating: PG - some crude and suggestive humor, and for language Cast: Danny DeVito, Matthew Broderick, Kristin Chenoweth Director: John Whitesell Genre: Comedy, Family Synopsis: Steve (Matthew Broderick), suburban dad and Christmas enthusiast, finds a wrinkle in his well-ordered existence with the arrival of his new neighbor Danny (Danny DeVito). Danny has big dreams and plans to illuminate his house with enough holiday lights to make it visible from space. Not to be outdone, Steve declares a war of one-upmanship with Danny that threatens to drag the Christmas spirit through the slush. Deja Vu Release Date: November 22, 2006 Run Time: 2 hr. 8 min. Rating: PG-13 - intense sequences of violence and terror, disturbing images and some sensuality Cast: Denzel Washington, Val Kilmer, Jim Caviezel Director: Tony Scott Genre: Action/Adventure, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Thriller Synopsis: Everyone has experienced the unsettling mystery of deja vu – that flash of memory when you meet someone new you feel you've known all your life or recognize a place even though you've never been there before. But what if the feelings were actually warnings sent from the past or clues to the future? In the captivating new action-thriller from producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Tony Scott, written by Terry Rossio and Bill Marsilii, it is deja vu that unexpectedly guides ATF agent Doug Carlin (Denzel Washington) through an investigation into a shattering crime. Called in to recover evidence after a bomb sets off a cataclysmic explosion on a New Orleans Ferry, Carlin is about to discover that what most people believe is only in their heads is actually something far more powerful – and will lead him on a mind-bending race to save hundreds of innocent people. The Departed Release Date: October 6, 2006 Run Time: 2 hr. 29 min. Rating: R - strong brutal violence, pervasive language, some strong sexual content and drug material Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson Director: Martin Scorsese Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama, Suspense/Thriller Synopsis: In South Boston the state police force is waging war on organized crime. Young undercover cop Billy Costigan is assigned to infiltrate the mob syndicate that is run by gangland chief Costello. While Billy is quickly gaining Costello's confidence, Colin Sullivan, a hardened young criminal who has infiltrated the police department as an informer for the syndicate, is rising to a position of power in the Special Investigation Unit. Each man becomes deeply consumed by his double life, gathering information about the plans and counter-plans of the operations he has penetrated. But when it becomes clear to both the gangsters and the police that there's a mole in their midst, Billy and Colin are suddenly in danger of being caught and exposed to the enemy--and each must race to uncover the identity of the other man in time to save himself. Flushed Away Release Date: November 3, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 26 min. Rating: PG - crude humor and some language Cast: Simon Callow, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen Director: Henry Anderson,David Bowers,Sam Fell Genre: Animated, Comedy, Family Synopsis: Beneath the streets of London, Roddy St. James is a pampered pet mouse who thinks he's got it made. But when a sewer rat named Sid--the definition of "low life"--comes spewing out of the sink and decides it's his turn to enjoy the lap of luxury, Roddy schemes to rid himself of the pest by luring him into the loo for a dip in the "whirlpool." Roddy's plan backfires when he inadvertently winds up being the one flushed away into the bustling world down below. Underground, Roddy discovers a vast metropolis, where he meets Rita, a street-wise rat who is on a mission of her own. If Roddy is going to get home, he and Rita will need to escape the clutches of the villainous Toad, who royally despises all rodents and has dispatched two hapless henchrats, Spike and Whitey, as well as his cousin--that dreaded mercenary, Le Frog--to see that Roddy and Rita are iced, literally. For Your Consideration Release Date: November 17, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 26 min. Rating: PG-13 - sexual references and brief language Cast: Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy, Michael McKean Director: Christopher Guest Genre: Comedy Synopsis: Christopher Guest and company (Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman) take direct aim at the Hollywood machine in this comedy about the making of an independent movie and its cast who become victims of the dreaded awards season buzz. The Fountain Release Date: November 22, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 36 min. Rating: PG-13 - some intense sequences of violent action, some sensuality and language Cast: Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz, Ellen Burstyn Director: Darren Aronofsky Genre: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy Synopsis: An odyssey about one man's eternal struggle to save the woman he loves. His epic journey begins in 16th-century Spain, where conquistador Tomas commences his search for the Fountain of Youth, the legendary entity believed to grant immortality. As modern-day scientist Tommy Creo, he desperately struggles to find a cure for the cancer that is killing his beloved wife, Isabel. Traveling through deep space as a 26th-century astronaut, Tom begins to grasp the mysteries that have consumed him for a millennium. The three stories converge into one truth, as the Thomas of all periods--warrior, scientist, and explorer--comes to terms with life, love, death and rebirth. Happy Feet Release Date: November 17, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 38 min. Rating: PG - some mild peril and rude humor Cast: Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Brittany Murphy Director: George Miller Genre: Action/Adventure, Animated, Family, Music/Performing Arts Synopsis: Happy Feet is set deep in Antarctica. Into the land of Emperor Penguins, where each needs a heart song to attract a soul mate, a penguin is born who cannot sing. Our hero Mumble, son of Memphis and Norma Jean, is the worst singer in the world...however, as it happens, he is a brilliant tap dancer! Let’s Go to Prison Release Date: November 17, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 24 min. Rating: R - language, sexual content, some violence and drug material Cast: Dax Shepard, Will Arnett, Chi McBride Director: Bob Odenkirk Genre: Comedy Synopsis: Career criminal John Lyshitski (Dax Shepard) wants revenge on the now-dead judge who put him away. He gets a prime opportunity when the judge's son, Nelson (Will Arnett), though innocent of a crime, is convicted and sent to jail. John immediately has himself thrown back into the clink to become Nelson's cellmate and make sure he gets the full prison experience. National Lampoon’s Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj Release Date: December 1, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 35 min. Rating: R - strong sexual content, gross humor, language and some drug content Cast: Kal Penn, Amy Steel, Holly Davidson Genre: Comedy Synopsis: College student Taj (Kal Penn) heads to a British university to further his studies and shows his uptight classmates how to party. Sequel to the 2002 release ``National Lampoon's Van Wilder.'' The Nativity Story Release Date: December 1, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 41 min. Rating: PG - some violent content Cast: Keisha Castle-Hughes, Oscar Isaac, Hiam Abbass Director: Catherine Hardwicke Genre: Drama Synopsis: Betrothed to much-older Joseph, Mary must remain a maiden for one year, but she subsequently receives a visit from the angel Gabriel, who tells her of her destiny. When Joseph and now-heavily pregnant Mary journey to Bethlehem for the Roman census, they face a threat from King Herod, whose obsession with an ancient prophecy endangers soon-to-be-born Jesus. The Queen Release Date: September 30, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 43 min. Rating: PG-13 - brief strong language Cast: Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell Director: Stephen Frears Genre: Drama Synopsis: A revealing, witty portrait of the British royal family in crisis immediately following the death of Princess Diana. The setting for this fictional account of real events is no less than the private chambers of the Royal Family and the British government in the wake of the sudden death of Princess Diana in August of 1997. In the immediate aftermath of the Princess's passing, the tightly contained, tradition-bound world of the Queen of England clashes with the slick modernity of the country's brand new, image-conscious Prime Minister, Tony Blair. The result is an intimate, yet thematically epic, battle between private and public, responsibility and emotion, custom and action - as a grieving nation waits to see what its leaders will do. In the balance is the family's need for privacy and the public's demand for an outward show of mourning. The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause Release Date: November 3, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 38 min. Rating: G Cast: Tim Allen, Peter Boyle, Spencer Breslin Director: Michael Lembeck Genre: Comedy, Family Synopsis: It's Christmas time once again and Scott Calvin juggles a full house of family and the mischievous Jack Frost, who is trying to take over the big guy's holiday. At the risk of giving away the secret location of the North Pole, Scott invites his in-laws to share in the holiday festivities, and upcoming birth of baby Claus with expectant wife, Carol. Along for the adventure are Scott's extended family, son Charlie, ex-wife Laura Miller, her husband, Neil Miller and their daughter, Lucy who, together with head elf Curtis, foil Jack Frost's crafty scheme to control the North Pole. Saw III Release Date: October 27, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 47 min. Rating: R - strong grisly violence and gore, sequences of terror and torture, nudity and language Cast: Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith, Bahar Soomekh Director: Darren Lynn Bousman Genre: Horror Synopsis: Jigsaw has disappeared; and with his new apprentice Amanda--the puppet-master behind the cruel, intricate games that have terrified a community and baffled police--he has once again eluded capture and vanished. While city detectives scramble to locate him, Dr. Lynn Denlon is unaware that she is about to become the latest pawn on his vicious chessboard. One night, after finishing a shift at her hospital, Lynn is kidnapped and taken to an abandoned warehouse where she meets Jigsaw, bedridden and on the verge of death. She is told that she must keep the madman alive for as long as it takes another one of his victims, Jeff, to complete a game of his own. Racing against the ticking clock of Jigsaw's own heartbeat, Lynn and Jeff struggle to make it through each of their vicious tests, unaware that he has a much bigger plan for both of them. Shut Up & Sing Release Date: November 10, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 39 min. Rating: R Cast: Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines, Emily Robison Director: Barbara Kopple,Cecilia Peck Genre: Documentary, Music/Performing Arts Synopsis: Shut Up And Sing travels with the Dixie Chicks, from the peak of their popularity as the national-anthem-singing darlings of country music and top-selling female recording artists of all time, through the now infamous anti-Bush comment made by the group's lead singer Natalie Maines in 2003. The film follows the lives and careers of the Dixie Chicks over a period of three years during which they were under political attack and received death threats, while continuing to live their lives, have children, and of course make music. The film ultimately presents who the Dixie Chicks are as women, public figures, and musicians. Stranger Than Fiction Release Date: November 10, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 53 min. Rating: PG-13 - some disturbing images, sexuality, brief language and nudity Cast: Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman Director: Marc Forster Genre: Comedy, Sci-Fi/Fantasy Synopsis: One morning, a seemingly average and generally solitary IRS agent named Harold Crick begins to hear a female voice narrating his every action, thought and feeling in alarmingly precise detail. Harold's carefully controlled life is turned upside down by this narration only he can hear, and when the voice declares that Harold Crick is facing imminent death, he realizes he must find out who is writing his story and persuade her to change the ending. The voice in Harold's head turns out to be the once celebrated, but now nearly forgotten, novelist Karen "Kay" Eiffel, who is struggling to find an ending for what might be her best book. Her only remaining challenge is to figure out a way to kill her main character, but little does she know that Harold Crick is alive and well and inexplicably aware of her words and her plans for him. To make matters worse, Kay's publisher has dispatched a hard-nosed "assistant," Penny Escher, to force Kay to finish her novel and finish off Harold Crick. Desperate to take control of his destiny and avoid an untimely demise, Harold seeks help from a literary theorist named Jules Hilbert, who suggests that Harold might be able to change his fate by turning his story from a tragedy into a comedy. Professor Hilbert suggests that Harold try to follow one of comedy's most elemental formulas: a love story between two people who hate each other. His suggestion leads Harold to initiate an unlikely romance with a free-spirited baker named Ana Pascal. As Harold experiences true love and true life for the first time, he becomes convinced that he has escaped his fate, as his story seems to be taking on all the trappings of a comedy in which he will not, and cannot, die. But Harold is unaware that in a Karen Eiffel tragedy, the lead characters always die at exactly the moment when they have the most to live for. Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny Release Date: November 22, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 33 min. Rating: R - pervasive language, sexual content and drug use Cast: Jack Black, Kyle Gass, Amy Poehler Director: Liam Lynch Genre: Comedy, Documentary, Music/Performing Arts Synopsis: When 10-year old Lil' JB serenades his ultra-conservative family with a rocking rendition of Kickapoo, a song with lyrics that would make a sailor blush, his father unleashes his belt and shows him no mercy, tearing down all of his beloved rock posters. JB then implores Dio, one of his rock Gods, for guidance. Dio reassures him that he is on the right path but he must leave his stifling home environment and go to Hollywood to find the secrets of his art. JB spends the next several years on the road stopping at numerous towns called Hollywood until he finally arrives in rock 'n roll Mecca--Hollywood, California. Strolling along the Venice boardwalk, he is enthralled by the music of KG, a troubadour playing Bach's Bourrees in E Minor on a classical guitar. Although his naïve suggestion that they form a band together is rebuffed, JB joins in on KG's melody. To JB they are jam-ming; to KG, the neophyte is driving away his crowd. After the dust settles, a friendship is formed and a band is born. KG's funds having been cut off by his parents, the two are in desperate straits. Their only hope is to win Open Mic Night at Al's Bar. When their first performance is met with less than a stellar response, they determine that to win the contest they need to write a masterpiece. They soon realize this is much harder than they ever imagined. Then Fate intervenes: they notice that every cover photo in their collection of Rolling Stone magazines show all the great rockers using the same peculiar guitar pick. Racing to The Guitar Center to buy one, the store manager has an acute reaction when they show him the covers. Leading them to a private room, the ex-guitar tech turned rock historian tells them the history of The Pick of Destiny--the darkest secret in the history of rock. The Pick, he informs them, now resides in the Rock and Roll History Museum--an impenetrable fortress. Turistas Release Date: December 1, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 32 min. Rating: R - strong graphic violence and disturbing content, sexuality, nudity, drug use and language Cast: Josh Duhamel, Melissa George, Olivia Wilde Director: John Stockwell Genre: Horror, Suspense/Thriller Synopsis: Brazil. Beautiful women, pristine beaches, a friendly, open culture. Alex is accompanying his sister Bea and her best friend Amy for their first time abroad--young Americans who have come to exotic Brazil for fun, adventure and the promise of foreign pleasures. On a rickety bus rocketing up a twisting mountain road, they meet the beautiful Pru, who speaks the native language Portuguese, and Finn and Liam, in Brazil for the sole purpose of experiencing the beautiful Brazilian women they've heard so much about first hand. After enduring a harrowing bus crash which strands them in what seems to be the middle of nowhere, Alex, Bea, and their band of traveling companions attempt to salvage their day by seeking out a cabana bar on a nearby beach rather than wait an endless amount of time for the next bus to come by. The discovery of the beautiful and secluded beach gives way to a day in the sun and surf, an afternoon at the bar, and a night of exotic liquors and hot dancing with the locals. It's everything their vacation is supposed to be, until they wake up face down in the sand the following morning, drugged and robbed, their possessions gone, and the trace of very real danger in the air. The farther the group travels into this mysterious and isolated Brazilian community, the further they are from the possibility of escape--and the closer they come to the dark secret that waits for them in the lush jungle and underground caverns of the Brazilian jungle, and they must fight a primal battle for their lives in the most terrifying of all human traps.