Movie Listings (March 9, 2007)
300 Release Date: March 9, 2007 Run Time: 1 hr. 57 min. Rating: R - graphic battle sequences throughout, some sexuality and nudity Cast: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, Dominic West, David Wenham, Vincent Regan Director: Zack Snyder Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama, Romance Synopsis: In 480 B.C. a state of war exists between Persia, led by King Xerxes, and Greece. At the Battle of Thermopylae, Leonidas (Gerard Butler), king of the Greek city state of Sparta, leads his badly outnumbered warriors against the massive Persian army. Though certain death awaits the Spartans, their sacrifice inspires all of Greece to unite against their common enemy. Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller (Sin City) and Lynn Varley. Amazing Grace Release Date: February 23, 2007 Run Time: 1 hr. 51 min. Rating: PG - thematic material involving slavery, and some mild language Cast: Ioan Gruffudd, Ramola Garai, Benedict Cumberbatch Director: Michael Apted Genre: Drama Synopsis: Based on the true life story of William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd), a leader of the British abolition movement, the film chronicles his epic struggle to pass a law to end the slave trade in the late 18th century. Along the way, Wilberforce meets intense opposition from members of Parliament who feel the slave trade is tied to the stability of the British Empire. Several friends, including Wilberforce's minister, John Newton (Albert Finney), a reformed slave ship captain who penned the hymn ''Amazing Grace,'' urge him to see the cause through. The Astronaut Farmer Release Date: February 23, 2007 Run Time: 1 hr. 44 min. Rating: PG - thematic material, peril and language Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Virginia Madsen, Bruce Dern Director: Michael Polish Genre: Drama Synopsis: Dismissed from NASA’s space program, former astronaut-in-training Charles Farmer (Billy Bob Thornton) pursues his lifelong dream by building his own rocket. On the eve of his launch, Farmer must battle foreclosure on his ranch and a small-town community of disbelievers, while simultaneously drawing heavy scrutiny and surveillance from the FBI, CIA and the U.S. military, all of which see him as a potential risk to civilian safety and will take the necessary steps to shut down his operation. But he remains determined to reach his goal and instill in his children the courage to pursue their own dreams, no matter the odds. Because I Said So Release Date: February 2, 2007 Run Time: 1 hr. 42 min. Rating: PG-13 - for sexual content including dialogue, some mature thematic material and partial nudity Cast: Diane Keaton, Mandy Moore, Gabriel Macht Director: Michael Lehmann Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance Synopsis: Daphne Wilder (Diane Keaton) is the proud mother of three daughters: Milly (Mandy Moore), Maggie (Lauren Graham) and Mae (Piper Perabo). Her love for her offspring knows no bounds. Seeing that Milly, her youngest, always chooses the wrong man, Daphne decides to take action. To prevent Milly from repeating the mistakes of the past, Daphne decides to find Mr. Right for her. Dating disaster ensues when Daphne tries to achieve her goal by placing an online personal ad for Milly. Black Snake Moan Release Date: March 2, 2007 Run Time: 1 hr. 56 min. Rating: R - strong sexual content, language, some violence and drug use Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Christina Ricci, Justin Timberlake, S. Epatha Merkerson, John Cothran, Jr. Director: Craig Brewer Genre: Drama, Romance Synopsis: After her lover (Justin Timberlake) leaves to serve in the military, Rae (Christina Ricci) gives in to her raging libido and leaps into a life of wild abandon. Lazarus (Samuel L. Jackson), a troubled bluesman, finds Rae beaten and left for dead. He takes her in and holds her captive in an attempt to help her find a cure for her affliction. Breach Release Date: February 16, 2007 Run Time: 1 hr. 50 min. Rating: PG-13 - violence, sexual content and language Cast: Chris Cooper, Ryan Phillippe, Laura Linney Director: Billy Ray Genre: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Thriller Synopsis: Eric O'Neill, a low-level surveillance expert with the FBI, believes his dream of becoming a full-fledged agent is coming to pass with his unexpected promotion and assignment to work with renowned agent Robert Hanssen. He soon learns the reason for his promotion is to gain Hanssen's trust and find proof that he is a traitor to the country. Based on a true story. Hanssen was ultimately convicted of selling secrets to the Soviet Union. Bridge to Terabithia Release Date: February 16, 2007 Run Time: 1 hr. 35 min. Rating: PG - thematic elements including bullying, some peril and mild language Cast: Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Robb, Zooey Deschanel Director: Gabor Csupo Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama, Family, Sci-Fi/Fantasy Synopsis: The life of adolescent Jesse changes when he befriends Leslie, the class outsider. The children create an imaginary world called Terabithia, which is inhabited by all manner of magical creatures. Though difficulties fill their ordinary lives, Jess and Leslie rule as king and queen in Terabithia. Soon one of the friends must draw on the strength of their imaginary kingdom to cope with a terrible tragedy. Based on the Newbery Medal-winning novel by Katherine Paterson. Ghost Rider Release Date: February 16, 2007 Run Time: 1 hr. 50 min. Rating: PG-13 - horror violence and disturbing images Cast: Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Wes Bentley Director: Mark Steven Johnson Genre: Action/Adventure, Horror, Sci-Fi/Fantasy Synopsis: In order to save his dying father, young stunt cyclist Johnny Blaze (Nicholas Cage) sells his soul to Mephistopheles (Peter Fonda) and sadly parts from the pure-hearted Roxanne Simpson (Eva Mendes), the love of his life. Years later, Johnny's path crosses again with Roxanne, now a reporter, and also with Mephistopheles, who offers to release Johnny's soul if Johnny becomes the fabled, fiery Ghost Rider, a supernatural agent of vengeance and justice. Mephistopheles charges Johnny with defeating the despicable Blackheart, Mephistopheles's nemesis and son, who plans to displace his father and create a new hell even more terrible than the old one. 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. The Lives of Others Release Date: February 9, 2007 Run Time: 2 hr. 17 min. Rating: R - some sexuality/nudity Cast: Martina Gedeck, Ulrich Mühe, Sebastian Koch, Ulrich Tukur, Thomas Thieme Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck Genre: Art House/Foreign Synopsis: In 1983 East Berlin, dedicated Stasi officer Gerd Wiesler, doubting that a famous playwright is loyal to the Communist Party, receives approval to spy on the man and his actress-lover Christa-Maria. Wiesler becomes unexpectedly sympathetic to the couple, then faces conflicting loyalties when his superior takes a liking to Christa-Maria and orders him to get the playwright out of the way. Miss Potter Release Date: December 29, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 32 min. Rating: PG - brief mild language Cast: Renée Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Emily Watson, Barbara Flynn, Bill Paterson Director: Chris Noonan Genre: Drama Synopsis: Beatrix Potter (Renée Zellweger) overcomes many obstacles in her quest to become a writer, including a domineering mother and the chauvinism prevalent in Victorian England. She falls in love with her publisher, Norman Warne (Ewan McGregor), and his marriage proposal and a subsequent tragedy change her life forever. Music and Lyrics Release Date: February 14, 2007 Run Time: 1 hr. 36 min. Rating: PG-13 - some sexual content Cast: Hugh Grant, Drew Barrymore, Brad Garrett Director: Marc Lawrence Genre: Comedy, Romance Synopsis: Former music superstar Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) used to pack them in back in the 1980s, but now he is reduced to playing nostalgia tours and county fairs. Alex scores a chance at a major comeback when reigning pop diva Cora Corman asks him to write a song for her, but Alex hasn't written anything in years and cannot compose lyrics anyway. Noticing that Sophie (Drew Barrymore), the plant lady, has a way with words, Alex proposes that he and Sophie make beautiful music together. Norbit Release Date: February 9, 2007 Run Time: 1 hr. 42 min. Rating: PG-13 - crude and sexual humor, some nudity and language Cast: Eddie Murphy, Thandie Newton, Cuba Gooding Jr. Director: Brian Robbins Genre: Comedy Synopsis: Mild-mannered Norbit (Eddie Murphy) has always had it rough, since the day he was left abandoned at a combination Chinese restaurant and orphanage. Recently forced to marry the shrewish glutton Rasputia (also played by Murphy), he is at wit's end. Then his childhood sweetheart, Kate (Thandie Newton), moves back to town, and he tries to figure out a way back to his true love. The Number 23 Release Date: February 23, 2007 Run Time: 1 hr. 35 min. Rating: R - violence, disturbing images, sexuality and language Cast: Jim Carrey, Virginia Madsen, Logan Lerman Director: Joel Schumacher Genre: Suspense/Thriller Synopsis: Jim Carrey stars as a man whose life unravels after he comes into contact with an obscure book titled The Number 23. As he reads the book, he becomes increasingly convinced that it is based on his own life. His obsession with the number 23 starts to consume him, and he begins to realize the book forecasts far graver consequences for his life than he could have ever imagined. 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. 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. Reno 911!: Miami Release Date: February 23, 2007 Run Time: 1 hr. 24 min. Rating: R - sexual content, nudity, crude humor, language and drug use Cast: Thomas Lennon, Ben Garant, Kerri Kenney Director: Ben Garant Genre: Comedy Synopsis: A bumbling team of Reno cops attending a national police convention in Miami, Florida. They are called to save the day when terrorists launch an attack. Based on the Comedy Central TV series. Tyler Perry’s Daddy’s Little Girls Release Date: February 14, 2007 Run Time: 1 hr. 35 min. Rating: PG-13 - thematic material, drug and sexual content, some violence and language Cast: Gabrielle Union, Idris Elba, Louis Gossett Jr. Director: Tyler Perry Genre: Drama, Romance Synopsis: A single father, Monty (Idris Elba) is a garage mechanic who lives in a poor neighborhood and struggles to make ends meet as he raises his three young daughters on his own. But when the courts award custody of his daughters to his corrupt, drug-dealing ex-wife, Monty desperately tries to win them back, enlisting the help of Julia (Gabrielle Union), a beautiful – and hard-nosed – attorney he meets during his short stint as a chauffeur. While Monty and the Ivy-League-educated Julia couldn’t be less alike, an unexpected romance blossoms…and it soon begins to feel like true love. But in order for their relationship to survive, the couple must reconcile their two very different worlds – and overcome the forces that threaten to tear Monty’s family apart. The Ultimate Gift Release Date: March 9, 2007 Run Time: 1 hr. 54 min. Rating: PG - thematic elements, some violence and language Cast: Drew Fuller, James Garner, Ali Hillis Director: Michael O. Sajbel Genre: Drama, Family Synopsis: When his wealthy grandfather dies, trust fund baby Jason Stevens anticipates a big inheritance. Instead, his grandfather has devised a crash course on life -- twelve gifts designed to challenge Jason in improbable ways, sending him on a journey of self-discovery and forcing him to determine what is most important in life: money or happiness. Based on the book by Jim Stovall. Wild Hogs Release Date: March 2, 2007 Run Time: 1 hr. 39 min. Rating: PG-13 - crude and sexual content, and some violence Cast: Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, William H. Macy, Ray Liotta, Marisa Tomei Director: Walter Becker Genre: Comedy Synopsis: Tired of their humdrum lives, some middle-aged friends (Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence) decide to temporarily ditch their responsibilities and take a motorcycle trip. The freedom of the open road holds many surprises for the group, including an encounter with the Del Fuegos, a hardcore gang, who take a dim view of the novice bikers. Zodiac Release Date: March 2, 2007 Rating: R - some strong killings, language, drug material and brief sexual images Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Edwards, Robert Downey, Jr. Director: David Fincher Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama, Suspense/Thriller Synopsis: In the late 1960s and 1970s, fear grips the city of San Francisco as a serial killer called Zodiac stalks its residents. Investigators (Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Edwards) and reporters (Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey) become obsessed with learning the killer's identity and bringing him to justice. Meanwhile, Zodiac claims victim after victim and taunts the authorities with cryptic messages, cyphers and menacing phone calls.

Re: Movie Listings (March 9, 2007)
300 This looks really good. I've watched a couple of things on the History Channel about this battle. It's hard to separate truth from legend in a story so old, yet the film still looks cool. I want to see this one. Amazing Grace I haven't seen or heard anything about this film until I saw it in this thread. Sounds good though. I may have to check it out. The Astronaut Farmer I'd rate this a "wait until it comes out on DVD and rent it" flick. Because I Said So Another rental. Black Snake Moan While I really like Samuel L. Jackson, I have zero interest in seeing this movie. Breach Maybe rent eventually. Bridge to Terabithia I've read and liked the novel. From the previews I've seen, it looks like the film takes a lot of liberties with the plotline...which is a HUGE pet peeve of mine! I probably won't even bother renting this one. I'd rather re-read the book. Ghost Rider Hubby and I both want to see this one (We're comic book geeks.) and had planned to do so the weekend of the ice storm. We will either get to it in the theater or rent it. The Last King of Scotland I have heard good things about t his one, but it seems like the kind of film that you've got to be in the right kind of mood to watch. The Lives of Others Possible rental. Miss Potter I do want to see this one, but probably won't see it in the theater. Music and Lyrics Rental. Norbit Pass. The Number 23 Definite pass, pass, pass! Pan’s Labyrinth Sounds interesting but this is the first I've heard of this one. The Queen Will rent Reno 911!: Miami PASS; not my style of humor. Tyler Perry’s Daddy’s Little Girls Giving this one a pass as well. The Ultimate Gift Another one I haven't heard of before. Wild Hogs A friend of mine saw this with his son. He said it was hilarious and highly recommended it. It was playing at our local theater last week. Not sure if it's still there or not. Zodiac Good cast, but the topic... If I watch this one at all, it will be as a rental.

I'm planning to see 300 with my nephew tomorrow. He already asked me last weekend if I would take him to it and I wanted to see it too so I agreed. I've seen Music & Lyrics once already but I'd like to see it again. I really liked it. Ghost Rider was great. Zodiac was disappointing. I'd definitely recommend waiting and renting it if you want to see it.