Movie Listings (January 26, 2007)
Alpha Dog Release Date: January 12, 2007 Run Time: 2 hr. 2 min. Rating: R - pervasive drug use and language, strong violence Cast: Emile Hirsch, Bruce Willis, Ben Foster Director: Nick Cassavetes Genre: Drama Synopsis: Teenage drug dealer Johnny Truelove and his friends kidnap the impressionable younger brother of a junkie who refuses to pay his debt to Truelove. Events take an unexpected turn when Frankie, one of Johnny's pals, befriends the youth. Based on a true story. Arthur and the Invisibles Release Date: December 29, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 43 min. Rating: PG - fantasy action and brief suggestive material Cast: Freddie Highmore, Madonna, David Bowie Director: Luc Besson Genre: Family, Sci-Fi/Fantasy Synopsis: From the creative mind of talented filmmaker Luc Besson, comes a larger-than-life, family adventure about a boy who, after his grandfather disappears, sets out to save his family home from emerging real estate developers. Arthur learns that he must follow his grandfather's ancient clues to a vast treasure – and unlock the passageway to a spectacular new world filled with mysterious little people, so tiny they are considered invisible, and enlist their help. But once in the magical land, Arthur must join swords with a beautiful princess and a reckless army of defenders to save the land from the evil wizard. It seems like an impossible task, but as he discovers along the way, sometimes the smallest heroes can make the biggest difference. Blood and Chocolate Release Date: January 26, 2007 Run Time: 1 hr. 38 min. Rating: PG-13 - violence/terror, some sexuality and substance abuse Cast: Agnes Bruckner, Hugh Dancy, Olivier Martinez Director: Katja von Garnier Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi/Fantasy Synopsis: Blood and Chocolate stars Agnes Bruckner (24), Hugh Dancy (Basic Instinct 2) and Olivier Martinez (Taking Lives) and is directed by German independent film director Katja von Garnier (Bandits). The story takes place in modern day Bucharest and tells the tale of 19-year-old Vivian Gandillon (Bruckner), who has spent her life on the run from the truth...that she is a werewolf. When her affections for a visiting American artist threaten to expose her family's secret society, she must choose between her love for an outsider and betraying the secret vows of her family. Blood Diamond Release Date: December 8, 2006 Run Time: 2 hr. 18 min. Rating: R - strong violence and language Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, Djimon Hounsou Director: Edward Zwick Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama Synopsis: Set against the backdrop of civil war and chaos in 1990's Sierra Leone, Blood Diamond is the story of Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio) - a South African mercenary - and Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou) - a Mende fisherman. Both men are African, but their histories as different as any can be, until their fates become joined in a common quest to recover a rare pink diamond that can transform their lives. While in prison for smuggling, Archer learns that Solomon - who was taken from his family and forced to work in the diamond fields - has found and hidden the extraordinary rough stone. With the help of Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly), an American journalist whose idealism is tempered by a deepening connection with Archer, the two men embark on a trek through rebel territory, a journey that could save Solomon's family and give Archer the second chance he thought he would never have. Catch and Release Release Date: January 26, 2007 Run Time: 2 hr. 4 min. Rating: PG-13 - sexual content, language and some drug use Cast: Jennifer Garner, Juliette Lewis, Timothy Olyphant Director: Susannah Grant Genre: Drama, Romance Synopsis: A woman (Jennifer Garner) struggles to rebuild her life in the wake of her husband's untimely death and the discovery of secrets he kept from her. Along the way, she receives help from a clownish friend (Kevin Smith) and her husband's roguish former pal (Timothy Olyphant). Charlotte’s Web Release Date: December 15, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 53 min. Rating: G Cast: Dakota Fanning, Julia Roberts, Steve Buscemi Director: Gary Winick Genre: Drama, Family Synopsis: The classic story of loyalty, trust, and sacrifice comes to life in this live-action adaptation. Fern (Dakota Fanning) is one of only two living beings who sees that Wilbur is a special animal as she raises him, the runt of the litter, into a terrific and radiant pig. As Wilbur moves into a new barn, he begins a second profound friendship with the most unlikely of creatures – a spider named Charlotte – and their bond inspires the animals around them to come together as a family. When the word gets out that Wilbur's days are numbered, it seems that only a miracle will save his life. A determined Charlotte – who sees miracles in the ordinary – spins words into her web in an effort to convince the farmer that Wilbur is "some pig" and worth saving. Children of Men Release Date: December 25, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 49 min. Rating: R - strong violence, language, some drug use and brief nudity Cast: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Chiwetel Ejiofor Director: Alfonso Cuarón Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Thriller Synopsis: When infertility threatens mankind with extinction and the last child born has perished, a disillusioned bureaucrat, named Theo Faron (Clive Owen), becomes an unlikely champion in the fight for Earth's survival. He must confront his own demons and protect the planet's last remaining hope from danger. Based on the novel by P.D. James. 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: South Boston cop Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) goes under cover to infiltrate the organization of gangland chief Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). As Billy gains the mobster's trust, a career criminal named Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) infiltrates the police department and reports on its activities to his syndicate bosses. When both organizations learn they have a mole in their midst, Billy and Colin must figure out each other's identities to save their own lives. Dreamgirls Release Date: January 19, 2007 Run Time: 2 hr. 5 min. Rating: PG-13 - language, some sexuality and drug content Cast: Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Hudson Director: Bill Condon Genre: Drama, Music/Performing Arts Synopsis: Three girlfriends from Chicago form a singing trio and take steps toward musical stardom. After several dramatic shifts, they begin to realize their dreams. Fame and fortune, though, turn out not to be exactly what they had envisioned. Epic Movie Release Date: January 26, 2007 Run Time: 1 hr. 26 min. Rating: PG-13 - crude and sexual humor, language and some comic violence Cast: Kal Penn, Adam Campbell, Faune Chambers Director: Jason Friedberg,Aaron Seltzer Genre: Action/Adventure, Comedy Synopsis: Centers on four not-so-young orphans: one raised by a curator at the Louvre (where an albino assassin lurks), another a refugee from Mexican libre wrestling, the third a recent victim of snakes on her plane, and the fourth a normal resident of a mutant X community. The hapless quartet visits a chocolate factory, where they stumble into an enchanted wardrobe that transports them to the land of Gnarnia (with a G). There they meet a flamboyant pirate captain and earnest students of wizardry--and join forces with, among others, a wise-but-horny lion to defeat the evil White Bitch of Gnarnia. Eragon Release Date: December 15, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 39 min. Rating: PG - fantasy violence, intense battle sequences and some frightening images Cast: Edward Speleers, Jeremy Irons, Djimon Hounsou Director: Stefen Fangmeier Genre: Action/Adventure, Family, Sci-Fi/Fantasy Synopsis: Searching for food for his family during a harsh winter, a boy named Eragon happens upon a shiny blue stone in the forest. Soon, he's helped hatch a dragon who takes him on an adventure through a mystical land. Freedom Writers Release Date: January 5, 2007 Run Time: 2 hr. 3 min. Rating: PG-13 - violent content, some thematic material and language Cast: Hilary Swank, Patrick Dempsey, Scott Glenn Director: Richard LaGravenese Genre: Drama Synopsis: A dedicated teacher (Hilary Swank) in a racially divided Los Angeles school receives a class of at-risk teenagers the system deems incapable of learning. Instead of giving up, she inspires her students to take an interest in their education and planning their futures. She assigns reading material that the youths can relate to and encourages them to keep journals of their daily lives. Based on the true story of Erin Gruwell. The Good Shepard Release Date: December 22, 2006 Run Time: 2 hr. 40 min. Rating: R - some violence, sexuality and language Cast: Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, Billy Crudup Director: Robert De Niro Genre: Drama, Suspense/Thriller Synopsis: Discreet, idealistic and intensely loyal, Edward Wilson (Matt Damon) finds that service in the OSS and later as a founding member of the Central Intelligence Agency is the perfect career for a man of his talents. His methods become standard operating procedure for the CIA while he combats his counterparts in the KGB. But, as the country slips deeper into the Cold War, Edward finds that dedication to duty above family has a price. The Hitcher Release Date: January 19, 2007 Run Time: 1 hr. 30 min. Rating: R - strong bloody violence, terror and language Cast: Sean Bean, Sophia Bush, Zachary Knighton Director: Dave Meyers Genre: Horror, Suspense/Thriller Synopsis: Dave Meyers makes his feature directorial debut on this new thriller, an update of the 1986 film of the same name. The film tracks the terrifying trajectory of Grace Andrews (Sophia Bush) and Jim Halsey (Zachary Knighton), a collegiate couple who are tormented by the mysterious hitchhiker John Ryder, a.k.a. The Hitcher (Sean Bean). The young couple hit the road in a 1970 Oldsmobile 442, en route to spring break. But their pleasure trip soon turns into a waking nightmare. The initial encounters with Ryder are increasingly off-putting for Grace and Jim, and they bravely fight back when he ambushes them. But they are blindsided when he implicates them in a horrific slaying and continues to shadow them. The open road becomes a suspenseful battleground of blood and metal as, in trying to elude not only Ryder but also New Mexico State Police Lieutenant Esteridge's (Neal McDonough) officers, Grace and Jim must fight for their lives and face their fears head-on. The Holiday Release Date: December 8, 2006 Run Time: 2 hr. 16 min. Rating: PG-13 - sexual content and some strong language Cast: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law Director: Nancy Meyers Genre: Comedy, Romance Synopsis: Two women on opposite sides of the globe, Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz) and Iris Simpkins (Kate Winslet) find themselves in a similar predicament. Desperate for a change of scenery, the two women meet on the internet and swap houses for the Christmas holiday discovering that a change of address really can change your life. The Last King of Scotland Release Date: September 27, 2006 Run Time: 2 hr. 3 min. Rating: R - some strong violence and guesome images, sexual content and language Cast: Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Kerry Washington Director: Kevin Macdonald Genre: Drama Synopsis: While in Uganda on a medical mission, Scottish doctor Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy) becomes the personal physician and close confidante of dictator Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker). Although at first Dr. Garrigan feels flattered by his new position of power, he soon comes to realize that Amin's rule is soaked in blood, and that he is complicit in the atrocities. Garrigan faces the fight of his life as he tries to escape Amin's grasp. Based on the novel by Giles Foden. Letters From Iwo Jima Release Date: December 20, 2006 Run Time: 2 hr. 21 min. Rating: R - graphic war violence Cast: Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya, Shido Nakamura Director: Clint Eastwood Genre: Drama Synopsis: Long-buried missives from the island reveal the stories of the Japanese troops who fought and died there during the World War II battle. Among them are Saigo, a baker; Baron Nishi, an Olympic champion; and idealistic soldier Shimizu. Though Lt. Gen. Tadamichi Kuribayashi knows he and his men have virtually no chance of survival, he uses his extraordinary military skills to hold off the Americans as long as possible. Clint Eastwood's companion piece to Flags of Our Fathers. Night at the Museum Release Date: December 22, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 49 min. Rating: PG - mild action, language and brief rude humor Cast: Ben Stiller, Carla Gugino, Dick Van Dyke Director: Shawn Levy Genre: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi/Fantasy Synopsis: A night watchman (Ben Stiller) at a museum of natural history makes a startling discovery. Thanks to the unleashing of an ancient Egyptian curse, the museum's animals, birds, bugs and other exhibits spring to life after the building closes. Former President Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams) is among those the hapless guard encounters. Based on the book by Milan Trenc. Notes on a Scandal Release Date: December 27, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 32 min. Rating: R - language and some aberrant sexual content Cast: Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy Director: Richard Eyre Genre: Drama Synopsis: Barbara Covett (Judi Dench), a veteran teacher at St. George's, senses a kindred spirit in Sheba Hart (Cate Blanchett), the school's new art teacher. The charismatic younger woman draws Barbara, and the two become friends. Then she learns of Sheba's illicit affair with a teenage student and becomes the keeper of the explosive secret. Based on the novel ''What Was She Thinking?'' by Zoë Heller. The Painted Veil Release Date: December 20, 2006 Run Time: 2 hr. 4 min. Rating: PG-13 - some mature sexual situations, partial nudity, disturbing images and brief drug content Cast: Naomi Watts, Edward Norton, Liev Schreiber Director: John Curran Genre: Drama, Romance Synopsis: Caught in an affair with another man (Liev Schreiber), a scientist's callow wife (Naomi Watts) accompanies her husband (Edward Norton) to mainland China in the 1920s to fight a cholera epidemic. There, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery that leads to an unexpected chance at redemption. Pan’s Labyrinth Release Date: December 29, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 50 min. Rating: R - graphic violence and some language Cast: Sergi Lopez, Maribel Verdu, Ivana Baquero Director: Guillermo del Toro Genre: Art House/Foreign, Sci-Fi/Fantasy Synopsis: In 1944 Spain, young Ofelia and her ailing mother arrive at the post of her mother's new husband, a sadistic army officer who is trying to quell a guerrilla uprising. While exploring an ancient maze, Ofelia encounters the faun Pan, who tells her that she is a legendary lost princess and must complete three dangerous tasks in order to claim immortality. Written and directed by Guillermo del Toro. Primeval Release Date: January 12, 2007 Rating: R - strong graphic violence, brutality, terror, and language Cast: Dominic Purcell, Orlando Jones, Brooke Langton Director: Michael Katleman Genre: Action/Adventure, Horror, Suspense/Thriller Synopsis: In one of the most remote places on earth, a serial killer has claimed over 300 victims, and is still at large. This horror-thriller follows an American news crew determined to capture this terrifying murderer alive. The danger begins as producer Tim Freeman (Dominic Purcell), cameraman Steven Johnson (Orlando Jones) and their rag-tag team set out on a journey up-river in search of their subject. But the deeper they probe into the mystery of this elusive assassin, the deadlier their trip becomes. The Pursuit of Happyness Release Date: December 15, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 56 min. Rating: PG-13 - some language Cast: Will Smith, Jaden Christopher Syre Smith, Thandie Newton Director: Gabriele Muccino Genre: Drama Synopsis: Chris Gardner (Will Smith) is a bright and talented, but marginally employed salesman. Struggling to make ends meet, Gardner finds himself and his five-year-old son evicted from their San Francisco apartment with nowhere to go. When Gardner lands an internship at a prestigious stock brokerage firm, he and his son endure many hardships, including living in shelters, in pursuit of his dream of a better life for the two of them. 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. Rocky Balboa Release Date: December 20, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 42 min. Rating: PG - boxing violence and some language Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Burt Young, Milo Ventimiglia Director: Sylvester Stallone Genre: Drama Synopsis: The grea-*test*-('") underdog story of our time is back for one final round of the Academy Award-winning Rocky franchise. Former heavyweight champion Rocky Balboa steps out of retirement and back into the ring, putting himself against a new rival in a dramatically different era. After a virtual boxing match declares Rocky Balboa the victor over current champion Mason "The Line" Dixon, the legendary fighter's passion and spirit are reignited. But when his desire to fight in small, regional competitions is trumped by promoters calling for a rematch of the cyber-fight, Balboa must weigh the mental and physical risks of a high profile exhibition match against his need to be in the ring. Smokin’ Aces Release Date: January 26, 2007 Run Time: 1 hr. 48 min. Rating: R - strong bloody violence, pervasive language, some nudity and drug use Cast: Jeremy Piven, Ben Affleck, Ryan Reynolds Director: Joe Carnahan Genre: Action/Adventure, Comedy Synopsis: Sleazy entertainer Buddy ''Aces'' Israel (Jeremy Piven) incurs the wrath of crime boss Primo Sparazza when he agrees to -*test*-('")ify against the Las Vegas mob. Two FBI agents (Ryan Reynolds, Ray Liotta) have the difficult task of protecting him from a motley assortment of bounty hunters, hit men and nefarious vixens who are converging on his Lake Tahoe encampment to rub him out and collect a hefty reward. Stomp the Yard Release Date: January 12, 2007 Run Time: 1 hr. 55 min. Rating: PG-13 - a scene of violence, some sexual material and language Cast: Columbus Short, Meagan Good, Laz Alonso Director: Sylvain White Genre: Drama, Music/Performing Arts Synopsis: After his brother's tragic death, a troubled but gifted street dancer enrolls in Atlanta's Truth University. As he tries to concentrate on his studies and woo a pretty classmate, he finds himself in the midst of a tug-of-war between fraternities, who want to utilize his talents in an upcoming dance competition. Volver Release Date: November 3, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 51 min. Rating: R - some sexual content and language Cast: Penelope Cruz, Carmen Maura, Chus Lampreave Director: Pedro Almodóvar Genre: Art House/Foreign, Drama Synopsis: Three generations of women survive the east wind, fire, insanity, superstition and even death by means of goodness, lies and boundless vitality. They are Raimunda, who is married to an unemployed labourer and has a teenage daughter; Sole, her sister, who makes a living as a hairdresser; and the mother of both, who died in a fire along with her husband. This character appears first to her sister and then to Sole, although the people with whom she has some unresolved matters are Raimunda and her neighbor in the village, Agustina. We Are Marshall Release Date: December 22, 2006 Run Time: 2 hr. 7 min. Rating: PG - emotional thematic material, a crash scene, and mild language Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox, David Strathairn Director: McG Genre: Drama Synopsis: We Are Marshall tells an inspiring true story set in Huntington, West Virginia, a small town steeped in the rich tradition of college football. For decades, players, coaches, fans and families have come together to cheer on Marshall University's "Thundering Herd." For this team and this community, Marshall football is more than just a sport, it's a way of life. But on a fateful night in 1970, while traveling back to Huntington after a game in North Carolina, 75 members of Marshall's football team and coaching staff were killed in a plane crash. As those left behind struggled to cope with the devastating loss of their loved ones, the grieving families found hope and strength in the leadership of Jack Lengyel, a young coach who was determined to rebuild Marshall's football program and in the process helped to heal a community.