Movie Listings (September 29, 2006)
Accepted Release Date: August 18, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 30 min. Rating: PG-13 - language, sexual material and drug content Cast: Justin Long, Blake Lively, Lewis Black Director: Steve Pink Genre: Comedy Synopsis: High school senior Bartleby B Gaines is on his way to scoring eight out of eight rejection letters from colleges--which isn't going to go over big with Mom and Dad. At least he's not alone in the exclusion. Several of his crew of outcast friends are in the same, college-less boat. So, how does a guy facing a bleak career please his parents, and get noticed by dream girl Monica? Simple: open his own university. B and his band of misfit freshmen take liberal arts literally when they fool their parents and peers and create the esteemed South Harmon Institute of Technology. Just as they are settling in, B and company realize they've done their jobs too well. Dozens of other college rejects show up for classes at this less-than-lofty institute. Under the scornful eyes of the privileged students from the neighboring college, B and his friends forge ahead with maintaining a fake, functioning university. With his future in the balance, it's going to take more than just sleight of hand to keep B out of jail as he strives to get the girl, impress his parents and just become 'accepted'. All the King’s Men Release Date: September 22, 2006 Run Time: 2 hr. 8 min. Rating: PG-13 - an intense sequence of violence, sexual content and partial nudity Cast: Sean Penn, Jude Law, Patricia Clarkson Director: Steven Zaillian Genre: Drama Synopsis: Based on the Robert Penn Warren novel and loosely based on real-life politician Gov. Huey Long of Louisiana, the film follows politician Willie Stark as his good intentions and idealism give way to corruption when his political career soars. Unfortunately for Stark, his right-hand man still carries the same moral character he did when the two entered the arena. Barnyard: The Original Party Animals Release Date: August 4, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 23 min. Rating: PG - some mild peril and rude humor Cast: Kevin James, S. Scott Bullock, Courteney Cox Director: Steve Oedekerk Genre: Animated, Comedy, Family Synopsis: Down on the farm, the farmer thinks he's in charge, keeping all the animals safe and sound. But when the farmer is out of sight, the lookout sheep shouts Clear! and all of the barnyard animals spring up on two legs, walk, talk, watch TV, and orchestrate practical jokes. For Otis the cow that last one is the most important. He and his best friends--Pip the mouse, Freddy the ferret, Peck the rooster, and Pig the pig--are world-class pranksters and always in the mood for a laugh. Otis is in the state of arrested development and quite happy that way. Otis's dad, Ben, is the cow who makes sure the farm is running on all cylinders. Each morning, Ben leads a meeting to take care of farm business and to issue warnings about their common enemy, the coyotes. (It's a position that Ben takes seriously: As long as I'm still kickin', he says, no animal will be harmed inside that fence!) Ben wants Otis to grow up and take responsibility. Much to Ben's chagrin, Otis's main project comes to life every evening. As soon as the Farmer hits lights out, the barn is transformed into Party Central. On this night, there's even a pretty new cow, Daisy--Otis hams it up for her, and she can't help but be attracted to his fun-loving personality. That world is not for Ben. He's outside, guarding the fence and protecting the farm from the coyotes. When Otis explains to Ben that being on watch isn't his thing. Ben responds: Otis, a strong man stands up for himself, a stronger man stands up for others. When Ben is no longer able to lead, Otis tries to keep order but the role of leader does not come as naturally for him. Without Ben to keep everyone in line, absolute mayhem breaks loose and it isn't long before the farmer begins to get to the bottom of the animals' secret--and the scheming coyotes begin to think that the farm could be theirs for the taking. The Black Dahlia Release Date: September 15, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 59 min. Rating: R - strong violence, some grisly images, sexual content and language Cast: Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Aaron Eckhart Director: Brian De Palma Genre: Suspense/Thriller Synopsis: Elizabeth Betty Short, a 22-year-old aspiring actress from the East Coast who wore a delicate flower in her raven hair and became many things to many people--dear friend, beloved sister, estranged daughter, frequent girlfriend and accused prostitute. On January 15, 1947, she was discovered brutally splayed in a vacant lot near Leimert Park in downtown Los Angeles. Enter onto the scene two ex-pugilist police officers, Lee Blanchard and Dwight Bucky Bleichert, the poster boys for 1940s LAPD. The new partners' first homicide case starts with a call from their supervisor, Detective Millard, to investigate the slaying of the ambitious silver screen B-lister Betty Short, just as they leave a deadly shootout. Blanchard and Bleichert, like the rest of the fascinated city, become drawn into the lurid world of the Dahlia's L.A. While Blanchard's growing preoccupation with the Dahlia's murder threatens his relationship with girlfriend Kay Lake, Bleichert finds himself irresistibly drawn to the enigmatic Madeleine Linscott, the daughter of one of the city's most prominent families--who just happens to have an unsavory connection (and resemblance) to the Dahlia. Blanchard spins into obsession trying to solve the case, seeing in Betty the chance to redeem himself for letting down the other women in his life that he failed to protect. Bleichert, too, begins to question his own footing as his feelings fluctuate wildly between two disparate dames: the seemingly innocent Kay and the knowingly seductive Madeleine--whose unhinged mother, Ramona, proves to hold more than a passing clue to the mystery. Determined to be famous, destined to be infamous, Betty Short affected more lives dead than she could possibly alive. She dreamed of being photographed for the big screen but wound up the pin-up girl of tabloid autopsy photos. The Covenant Release Date: September 8, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 37 min. Rating: PG-13 - intense sequences of violence, action, sexual content, partial nudity, language Cast: Steven Strait, Sebastian Stan, Laura Ramsey Director: Renny Harlin Genre: Horror, Suspense/Thriller Synopsis: As the new school year begins at Spenser Academy, a New England boarding school for the region's reigning elite, students have gathered for a wild outdoor party to mark the end of the summer. Hundreds of feet above the gyrating bodies, Caleb Danvers and his three best friends walk to the edge of a dizzying precipice and drop unseen and unscathed before casually joining the fray. At the party, gorgeous newcomer Sarah Wenham is introduced to the boys by her equally stunning roommate Kate. The girls also meet an intriguing transfer student named Chase Collins, who quickly ingratiates himself into the group. When the police arrive to disperse the partiers, they discover the body of a student, dead of an apparent drug overdose. The school headmaster immediately suspects Caleb and his friends are somehow involved. Meanwhile, as Sarah, a former Boston public school student, tries to adjust to dorm life at the elite prep school, she can't shake the creepy feeling that someone--or something--is watching her every move. With tensions rising at school, Caleb and his friends close ranks. Although they appear to be normal teenagers, they share an unspoken bond: Not only are they descendants of the original families that settled Ipswich Colony around the time of the Salem witch trials, they also inherited their ancestors' supernatural powers. But their ability to shape-shift, defy gravity and perform superhuman feats of strength comes at a terrible cost: Every time one of the Sons of Ipswich uses his magical powers, he ages prematurely, and the temptation to abuse the power makes it more addictive than any drug. What's more, life is only going to get harder for the young friends: At the moment each boy turns 18, he will ascend, gaining far more potent--and addictive--powers. With Caleb's birthday just a few days away, his mother Evelyn is terrified her son will find it impossible to resist the lure of the power like his father before him. Caleb assures her he'll be able to handle his new abilities. But will he really? And what if he needs his power to fight an evil force that threatens everything he loves? Everyone’s Hero Release Date: September 15, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 28 min. Rating: G Cast: Jake T. Austin, Brian Dennehy, Whoopi Goldberg Director: Colin Brady,Dan St. Pierre Genre: Animated, Comedy, Drama, Family Synopsis: A young boy finds himself at an extraordinary crossroads: He has a chance to be a hero--and make a difference against incredible odds--or he can play it safe. With faith in himself instilled by his family, he teams up with a sassy young girl and some off-the-wall sidekicks and embarks on a sometimes perilous, often funny, cross-country quest to return Babe Ruth's bat before the deciding game of the 1932 World Series.. In the process, he restores his family's honor, befriends the world's biggest sports superstar, and reveals the hero within. Facing the Giants Release Date: September 29, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 52 min. Rating: PG - some thematic elements Cast: Alex Kendrick, Shannen Fields, Chris Willis Director: Alex Kendrick Genre: Drama, Family Synopsis: A Christian high school football coach uses his undying faith to battle the giants of fear and failure. In six years of coaching, Grant Taylor has never led his Shiloh Eagles to a winning season. After learning that he and his wife Brooke face infertility, Grant discovers that a group of fathers are secretly organizing to have him dismissed as head coach. Devastated by his circumstances, he cries out to God in desperation. When Grant receives a message from an unexpected visitor, he searches for a stronger purpose for his football team. He dares to challenge his players to believe God for the impossible on and off the field. When faced with unbelievable odds, the Eagles must step up to their greatest test of strength and courage. What transpires is a dynamic story of the fight between faith and fear. "Facing the Giants" is a powerful experience for the whole family inspiring viewers to live with faith, hope, and love. Flyboys Release Date: September 22, 2006 Run Time: 2 hr. 19 min. Rating: PG-13 - war action violence and some sexual content Cast: James Franco, Martin Henderson, Jean Reno Director: Tony Bill Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama Synopsis: In 1914, The Great War --WWI--began in Europe. By 1917, the Allied powers of France, England, Italy and others were on the ropes against the German juggernaut. Some altruistic young Americans disagreed with the war. They volunteered to fight alongside their counterparts in France; some in the infantry, some in the Ambulance Corps. A handful of others had a different idea: they decided to learn how to fly. The first of them--a squadron of only 38-- became known as the Lafayette Escadrille. This is their story. Forced to abandon his family's ranch, Blaine Rawlings finds his future in a newsreel chronicling the adventures of young aviators in France. At a small train station in rural Nebraska, William Jensen promises to make his family proud. In New York, spoiled Briggs Lowry embarks on a trans-Atlantic passage. Meanwhile, in France, black expatriate boxer, Eugene Skinner, vows to repay his debt to his adopted racially tolerant country. Together, these American boys arrive at an aerodrome in France, eager to learn how to fly. What they didn't realize was that they were about to embark on a great, romantic adventure, becoming the world's first combat pilots. Gridiron Gang Release Date: September 15, 2006 Run Time: 2 hr. 0 min. Rating: PG-13 - startling scenes of violence, mature thematic material and language Cast: The Rock, Xzibit, Vanessa Ferlito Director: Phil Joanou Genre: Drama Synopsis: Columbia Pictures' Gridiron Gang tells the gritty and powerfully emotional story of juvenile detention camp probation officer Sean Porter (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson), who, along with another officer, Malcolm Moore (Xzibit), turns a group of hard core teenage felons into a high school football team in four weeks. Confronted with gang rivalries and bitter hatred between his teammates, Porter teaches some hard lessons (and learns a few himself) as the kids gain a sense of self-respect and responsibility. In a world where 75% of these juvenile inmates return to prison or meet with violent ends on the streets, Porter and Moore face seemingly insurmountable barriers. No one wants to compete against convicted criminals, but through relentless pursuit and a jolt of inspiration, Porter and his team fight their way to redemption and a second chance. The Guardian Release Date: September 29, 2006 Run Time: 2 hr. 15 min. Rating: PG-13 - intense sequences of action/peril, brief strong language and some sensuality Cast: Kevin Costner, Ashton Kutcher, Neal McDonough Director: Andrew Davis Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama Synopsis: After losing his crew in a fatal crash, legendary Rescue Swimmer, Ben Randall, is sent to teach at A School, an elite training program for Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers. Wrestling with the loss of his crew members, he throws himself into teaching, turning the program upside down with his unorthodox training methods. While there, he encounters a young, cocky swim champ, Jake Fischer, who is driven to be the best. During training, Randall helps mold Jake's character, combining his raw talent with the heart and dedication required of a Rescue Swimmer. Upon graduation, Jake follows Randall to Kodiak, Alaska, where they face the inherent dangers of the Bering Sea. In his initial solo rescue, Jake learns firsthand from Randall, the true meaning of heroism and sacrifice, echoing the Swimmer's motto--So Others May Live! The Illusionist Release Date: August 18, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 50 min. Rating: PG-13 - some sexuality and violence Cast: Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel Director: Neil Burger Genre: Drama, Romance, Suspense/Thriller Synopsis: When mysterious stage magician Eisenheim begins to perform his astounding illusions in Vienna, word quickly spreads of his otherworldly powers--even reaching the ears of one of Europe's most powerful and pragmatic men, Crown Prince Leopold. Certain that the illusionist is nothing more than an accomplished fraud, Leopold attends one of Eisenheim's shows, convinced that he can debunk him during the performance. But when the Prince's beautiful fiancé and companion, Sophie von Teschen, assists the magician onstage, Eisenheim and Sophie recognize each other from their childhoods--and a dormant love affair is rekindled. With Eisenheim and Leopold vying for Sophie's affection, it quickly becomes apparent that both will go to any length to claim and keep her love. As the clandestine romance continues, Vienna's shrewd Chief Inspector Uhl, a man committed to uphold the law, is charged by Leopold to intensify his efforts to expose Eisenheim, even while the magician gains a devoted and vocal public following. With Uhl doggedly searching for the reasons and the man behind the trickery, Eisenheim prepares to execute his greatest illusion yet. Invincible Release Date: August 25, 2006 Run Time: 2 hr. 8 min. Rating: PG - sports action and some mild language Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear, Elizabeth Banks Director: Ericson Core Genre: Drama Synopsis: It's every sports fan's wildest, craziest fantasy--the chance to play on the field and go toe-to-toe with the larger-than-life heroes they idolize. Yet, in 1976, this seemingly fairy-tale scenario happened in real life. It was then that Vince Papale, a 30-year-old teacher and part-time bartender with little football experience other than being a season ticket-holder, entered the unprecedented public tryouts for his NFL favorites, the Philadelphia Eagles, and defied all expectations. Not only did Papale make the team--he remade the team, helping to inspire them to break through their 11-season losing and streak and rediscover their winning spirit. In the bicentennial year of 1976, Papale lived out the dreams of a city and a nation by taking on the impossible with an unsinkable attitude and becoming the NFL's most unlikely rookie ever. Jackass: Number Two Release Date: September 22, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 35 min. Rating: R - extremely crude and dangerous stunts throughout, sexual content, nudity and language Cast: Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Steve-O Director: Jeff Tremaine Genre: Comedy Synopsis: After smearing the world with all sorts of ridiculous crap, the original creators and cast of the MTV series are back at it again: significantly raising the stakes and lowering the bar, this installment in the jackass and jackass the movie series unleashes a spirited mess of absurdity as the cast and crew gets even more ugly around the globe. Jet Li’s Fearless Release Date: September 22, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 44 min. Rating: PG-13 - violence and martial arts action throughout Cast: Jet Li, Betty Sun, Dong Yong Director: Ronny Yu Genre: Action/Adventure Synopsis: The son of a great fighter who did not wish for his child to follow in his footsteps, the bullied Huo Yuanjia resolves to teach himself how to fight--and win. Years of training enable him to ace match after match in his home region of Tianjin. But as his fame as a martial arts master grows, so does his pride. After an ill-advised fight leads to another master's death, members of Huo's family are slain in revenge. Grieving and ashamed, Huo wanders the country in shock. Near death, he is rescued by women from an idyllic village, and is offered simple kindness and generosity that help him heal and regain his equilibrium over a period of several years. Huo realizes that the future of martial arts lies in sportsmanship and not brutality, and he rejoins society to apply what he has learned. Returning to Tianjin, Huo takes steps to come to terms with his past and restore his family's name. His evolving, graceful Mizong (Missing) Fist method of fighting brings Huo renewed success, and he forms the progressive Jingwu Sports Federation. Taking note, duplicitous members of the Foreign Chamber of Commerce engineer a Shanghai tournament pitting Huo against four fighters, each representing the major foreign powers in China. Huo commits to the bout and faces off against, respectively, a British boxer, a Spanish swordsman, a Belgian soldier and a Japanese martial artist. What happened that day in 1910 has never been, and will never be, forgotten in China. The Last Kiss Release Date: September 15, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 55 min. Rating: R - sexuality, nudity and language Cast: Zach Braff, Casey Affleck, Michael Weston Director: Tony Goldwyn Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance Synopsis: Four friends face the prospect of turning 30 and losing the freedom of their youth. For one, Michael (Zach Braff), the transition is especially difficult; although he is in love with Jenna, the mother of his child, his panicked reaction to the onset of adult responsibilities sends him into the arms of another woman. A remake of the Italian film "L'Ultimo Bacio." Little Miss Sunshine Release Date: July 26, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 42 min. Rating: R - language, some sex and drug content Cast: Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette Director: Jonathan Dayton,Valerie Faris Genre: Comedy Synopsis: No one among the Hoovers quite has it together, but it's not for lack of trying. Father Richard, a hopelessly optimistic motivational speaker, is desperately attempting to sell his 9-step program for success--without much success. Meanwhile, the Hoovers' pro-honesty mother Sheryl is constantly harried by her family's eccentric secrets, especially those of her brother, a suicidal Proust scholar fresh out of the hospital after being jilted by his gay lover. Then there are young Hoovers with their unlikely dreams--the four-eyed, slightly pump, seven year-old would-be beauty queen Olive and Dwayne, an anger-fueled, Nietzche-reading teen who has taken a staunch vow of silence until he gets into the Air Force Academy. Topping off the family is the grandfather, a foul-mouthed pleasure-seeker recently kicked out of his retirement home for snorting heroin. They might not be the picture of the perfect mental health, but when a fluke gets Olive invited to compete in the fiercely competitive Little Miss Sunshine competition in California, the whole Hoover family rallies behind her. They pile into their rusted-out VW bus and head West on a three-day tragicomic journey filled with madcap surprises and leading up to Olive's big debut--which will change the entire misfit family in ways they could never imagine. Open Season Release Date: September 29, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 40 min. Rating: PG - some rude humor, mild action and brief language Cast: Martin Lawrence, Ashton Kutcher, Gary Sinise Director: Jill Culton,Anthony Stacchi,Roger Allers Genre: Animated, Comedy, Family Synopsis: A 900-pound domesticated grizzly bear named Boog, with no survival skills, has his perfect world turned upside-down when he meets Elliot, a scrawny, fast-talking wild mule deer. When Elliot convinces Boog to desert his idyllic existence living in a garage decked out with all the comforts of home, and try the wild life, things quickly spiral out of control. With open season upon them, and the hunters arriving in force, Elliot must help Boog get in touch with his inner grizzly to unite the woodland creatures and take the forest back! Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest Release Date: July 7, 2006 Rating: PG-13 - intense sequences of adventure violence, including frightening images Cast: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley Director: Gore Verbinski Genre: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Family Synopsis: Captain Jack Sparrow is caught up in another tangled web of supernatural intrigue. Although the curse of the Black Pearl has been lifted, an even more terrifying threat looms over its captain and scurvy crew: it turns out that Jack owes a blood debt to the legendary Davy Jones, Ruler of the Ocean Depths, who captains the ghostly Flying Dutchman, which no other ship can match in speed and stealth. Unless the ever-crafty Jack figures a cunning way out of this Faustian pact, he will be cursed to an afterlife of eternal servitude and damnation in the service of Jones. This startling development interrupts the wedding plans of Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann, who once again find themselves thrust into Jack's misadventures, leading to escalating confrontations with sea monsters, very unfriendly islanders, flamboyant soothsayer Tia Dalma and even the mysterious appearance of Will's long-lost father, Bootstrap Bill. Meanwhile, ruthless pirate hunter Lord Cutler Beckett of the East India Trading Company sets his sights on retrieving the fabled Dead Man's Chest. According to legend, whoever possesses the Dead Man's Chest gains control of Davy Jones, and Beckett intends to use this awesome power to destroy every last Pirate of the Caribbean once and for all. For times are changing on the high seas, with businessmen and bureaucrats becoming the true pirates--and freewheeling, fun-loving buccaneers like Jack and his crew threatened with extinction. The Protector Release Date: September 8, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 49 min. Rating: R - pervasive strong violence and some sexual content Cast: Tony Jaa, Johnny Nguyen, Nathan Jones Director: Prachya Pinkaew Genre: Action/Adventure Synopsis: Kham's life is turned upside down when an international mafia syndicate, based in Australia, captures his two beloved elephants and smuggles them thousands of kilometers away to Sydney. The two elephants are far more than mere animals to Kham and his father; they are part of his family and were being prepared to be presented as a token of devotion to his Majesty the King of Thailand. The only way Kham can possibly save the animals is by venturing into a foreign land for the first time. Taking on a mafia group to rescue two elephants from a foreign country presents a huge challenge, even for a martial arts master like Kham. Despite the help of Sergeant Mark, a Thai police Sergeant based in Australia, and Pla, a Thai girl forced into modern day slavery, the going gets tough. They must take on the ruthless gang of Madame Rose, whose henchmen include Johnny, a Vietnamese thief and martial arts expert, and the hulking TK. Kham has no choice but to risk his own life for the animals he loves. School for Scoundrels Release Date: September 29, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 40 min. Rating: PG-13 - language, crude and sexual content, and some violence Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Heder, Jacinda Barrett Director: Todd Phillips Genre: Comedy Synopsis: Roger is a beleaguered New York City meter maid who is plagued by anxiety and low self-esteem. In order to overcome his feelings of inadequacy, Roger enrolls in a top-secret confidence-building class taught by the suavely underhanded Dr. P. Aided by his assistant, Lesher, Dr. P uses unorthodox, often dangerous methods, but he guarantees results: Employ his techniques and you will unleash your inner lion.Surrounded by a band of misfit classmates-- Walsh, who's dying to move out of mother's basement; Diego, a punching bag for his hen-pecker of a wife; and Eli, a shy guy just looking for female companionship--Roger's confidence grows and he makes his way to the head of the class, even finding the courage to ask out his longtime crush, Amanda. But Roger quickly discovers that star students have a way of catapulting Dr. P's competitive side into high gear. Soon enough, the teacher sets out to infiltrate and destroy Roger's personal and professional life. Nothing is off limits for Dr. P, not even the object of Roger's affection. In order to show Amanda Dr. P's true colors, Roger must rally his new friends and find a way to beat the master at his own game. A remake of the 1960 British film. The Science of Sleep Release Date: September 22, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 45 min. Rating: R - language, some sexual content and nudity Cast: Gael García Bernal, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alain Chabat Director: Michel Gondry Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi/Fantasy Synopsis: The Science of Sleep is a playful fantasy set inside the topsy-turvy brain of Stephane Miroux (Gael Garcia Bernal), an eccentric young man whose dreams constantly invade his waking life. While slumbering, he is the charismatic host of "Stephane TV," expounding on The Science of Sleep in front of cardboard cameras. In "real life," he has a boring job at a Parisian calendar publisher and pines for Stephanie (Charlotte Gainsbourg), the girl in the apartment across the hall. While Stephanie is initially charmed by Stephane, she is confused by his childishness and shaky connection to reality. Stephane's co-worker, Guy (Alain Chabat) a vulgar but practical man, offers advice on the opposite sex, but Stephane is too far in the clouds to listen. Unable to find the secret to Stephanie's heart while awake, Stephane searches for the answer in his dreams. Step Up Release Date: August 11, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 38 min. Rating: PG-13 - thematic elements, brief violence and innuendo Cast: Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan, Mario Director: Anne Fletcher Genre: Drama, Music/Performing Arts Synopsis: Tyler Gage has grown up all his life on the rough streets of the city and he knows he's unlikely to ever make it out of there. But after a brush with the law lands Tyler with a community service gig at the city's Maryland School of the Arts, everything changes. That's when he meets Nora, the school's prima ballerina, an alluring diva who is desperately searching for someone to replace her injured partner before the school's all-important Senior Showcase. Spying Tyler's moves, Nora can't help but notice he's got a raw but natural gift. She decides to take a chance on Tyler, but as they begin to train, the tension between them, and their polar opposite backgrounds, skyrockets. The only thing standing between Tyler and the void are his dreams of making it off the streets--and the only thing standing in the way of Nora's obviously brilliant future is the Senior Showcase. Now, with everything on the line, Tyler will have just one performance to prove to Nora, and to himself, that he can step up to a life for larger than he ever imagined. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby Release Date: August 4, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 50 min. Rating: PG-13 - crude and sexual humor, language, drug references and brief comic violence Cast: Will Ferrell, David Koechner, Sacha Baron Cohen Director: Adam McKay Genre: Comedy Synopsis: Ricky Bobby has always dreamed of driving fast--real fast--like his father, Reese Bobby, who left the family to pursue his racing dreams. Early on, Ricky's mother, Lucy Bobby worried that her boy was also destined to end up as a professional daredevil on wheels. Ricky enters the racing arena as a jackman for slovenly driver Terry Cheveaux and accidentally gets his big break behind the wheel when Cheveaux makes an unscheduled pit stop during a race to gorge on a chicken sandwich. Ricky jumps into the car and so begins the ballad of Ricky Bobby. Ricky quickly becomes one of NASCAR's top stars, supported by his pit boys--the impressively large crew chief Lucius Washington, a trio of lovably moronic but loyal crew members, Herschell, Kyle and Glenn, as well as racing partner and boyhood best friend, Cal Naughton, Jr. They are all part of the Dennit Racing team, headed by wealthy Dennit Senior and his petulant son, Dennit Junior, whose jealousy of Ricky Bobby increases with every victory. In a short time, Ricky Bobby is on top of the world. He has everything a championship NASCAR driver could ever want--a gorgeous wife, Carley, a lakeside mansion, two hell-raising sons, Walker and Texas Ranger, huge sponsor endorsements and a string of victories from Daytona to Darlington. Ricky Bobby's win at all costs approach had made him a natural hero. But after a frightening crash sends Ricky Bobby to the hospital, he loses his nerve and falls on hard times. When his career and his wife are taken over by his friend Cal, Ricky Bobby turns his back on racing and takes his sons back to his small hometown to live with his mother. But Ricky just isn't cut for the slow life away from the race track and soon hits rock bottom. His mother reluctantly turns to the only person she can think of to help her son--his estranged father Reese Bobby. Ricky Bobby will do anything to find a way back to the top, no matter how many speed bumps life throws his way. Trust the Man Release Date: August 18, 2006 Run Time: 1 hr. 43 min. Rating: R - language and sexual content Cast: Julianne Moore, David Duchovny, Billy Crudup Director: Bart Freundlich Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance Synopsis: Rebecca, a successful actress and her Mr. Mom husband, Tom, have two kids, a virtually nonexistent sex life, and a marriage counselor who is too baffled by the pair to offer any real help. Rebecca's slacker younger brother, Tobey, has been dating the exasperated Elaine for eight years but can't seem to commit to getting married and having a family. The status quo is given a serious jolt, however, when Tom is drawn into an affair with a mother at his son's school and Elaine finally gives Tobey an ultimatum, sending him into a fling with a sexy (and married) former college flame. When the fates of both couples culminate a very public finale on the stage at Lincoln Center, both Rebecca and Elaine will have to decide--do they trust the man?