The Perfect Holiday

PG | 1 hr 36 mins | Romantic Comedy
The first African American ensemble comedy for the Christmas season.
Synopsis:
It’s Christmas in the city, and angels and scrooges, believers and nonbelievers roam the streets spreading good cheer or longing for it. Too busy to think about herself, Nancy, a divorced mother of three, has been single so long she’s forgotten what it’s like to have romance in her life. But her son John-John, who has taken on the role of “the man of the house,” and her youngest daughter Emily, who wants nothing for Christmas except to see her mother happy, can’t help but feel that the holiday is missing something with their father no longer there. He’s big-time famous rapper J-Jizzy, a man who talks about the meaning of love and family in front of the cameras, but behind the scenes is all about money and fame. She’s looking for a man of good heart and goodwill, a man with true spirit and true love, a man just like--Santa? Yes, unbeknownst to her, the man of Nancy’s dreams is waiting in the mall disguised in a fake white beard and dressed in a jolly red suit. He’s a struggling songwriter named Benjamin, who’s making ends meet selling office supplies and granting children’s wishes as a department store Santa. One of those children is Nancy’s daughter Emily. Sensing her mom’s sadness, little Emily has a big idea. She’s going to use her time on Santa’s lap to see to it that her mom is granted happiness again. And Emily knows just how to help Santa fill her mom with joy. Just a few days before coming to the mall, she overheard her mom talking to some friends. It seems all Nancy needs to boost her spirits is a simple compliment from a man. Hearing this from Emily, Benjamin asks her to point out her mom, and after one glimpse of Nancy across the mall, he has no problem coming up with just the right thing to say-all he has to do is look into his heart.

Director: Lance Rivera
Starring : Gabrielle Union, Morris Chestnut, Queen Latifah, Terrence Howard
Trailer The Perfect Holiday

National Treasure: Book of Secrets

PG | Action, Adventure, Sequel Movie
Treasure hunter Benjamin Franklin Gates looks to discover the truth behind the assassination of Abraham Lincoln by uncovering the mystery within the missing pages from his assassin's diary
Synopsis:
When a missing page from the diary of John Wilkes Booth surfaces, Ben''s great-great grandfather is suddenly implicated as a key conspirator in Abraham Lincoln''s death. Determined to prove his ancestor''s innocence, Ben follows an international chain of clues that takes him on a chase from Paris to London and ultimately back to America. This journey leads Ben and his crew not only to surprising revelations--but to the trail of the world''s most treasured secrets.

Director: Jon Turteltaub
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger
Movie Trailer National Treasure: Book of Secrets

Margot at the Wedding

R | 1 hr 33 mins | Comedy, Drama Movie
Margot visits her sister Pauline after she announces that she is getting married, but in short order a battle between the sisters begins.
Synopsis:
Margot Zeller, a savagely bright, razor-tongued short-story writer who creates chaos wherever she goes, sets off on a surprise journey to the wedding of her estranged and free-spirited, unassuming sister Pauline. Margot, with her all-too-rapidly maturing son Claude in tow, arrives with the gale force of a hurricane. From the minute she meets Pauline''s fiancé-the unemployed artist Malcolm-Margot starts to plant seeds of doubt about the union. As the wedding approaches, one complication crashes into the next: vengeful neighbors, a beloved tree in the backyard and Margot''s own marital turmoil. The two sisters find themselves at the precipice of an unexpected transformation ultimately revealing that even when your family is about to implode the one thing you can cling to for solace and comfort is your imploding family.

Director: Noah Baumbach
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Movie Trailer Margot at the Wedding

Really?

Pleeeeeasse, just like the story about Sanaa Lathan and that random football dude, don't let this be true.... I was just giving this girl props the other day:

A highly placed source close to actress Lauren London exclusively tells Bossip Lil Wayne recently slapped a “huge rock” on her finger and the two are engaged. The source tells Bossip “they have been on and off for years and have had an open relationship. Lauren is very hood and likes thugs”.

Lauren London has been linked to Baron Davis, T.I., and Pharrell before deciding to get serious with Weezy.

From IW: A) Weezy is extremely weird and B) he consistently dates Trina and Supahead (as well as boodie-calls Solange, Beyonce's Y-list sister). This situation would be a sad waste.

Update: Damn how could I possibly forget this one? Thembi also reminded me that his sexuality has been questioned a lot more than a few times.....c'mon, Lauren--I really thought you had it together--I'm hoping that this travesty is just a stupid rumor.

And here is a little taste on how most people feel about Lil Wayne aka Gollum:

Today In B'Days

The Cheadle is 43.

Robin Givens turned 43 yesterday.

Butterfly - Film Indonesia

85 MIN | Drama | Indonesia Movie
The story revolves around a point in the friendship of Vano, (Andhika Pratama), Tia (Poppy Sovia), and Desi (Debby Kristi). A love triangle lies between them, where Vano secretly falls for Desi, while Desi is very protective of Tia and knows of Tia’s long-withheld feelings for Vano. Tia and Desi have agreed to both be friends with Vano and nothing more. The tale continues when they embark on a trip on Desi’s 20th birthday, a trip the trio have long planned. But Desi falls ill in the middle of the trip. Vano and Tia had wanted to bring Desi to the hospital, but Desi insisted on completing their journey, a journey where they learn the true meaning of love, friendship, and life.

Director : Nayato Fio Nuala
Artis Indonesia : Andhika Pratama, Poppy Sovia, Debby Kristi

John Rambo (2008)

R | Action, Adventure, Thriller, Sequel movie
Also known as : "Rambo IV: In the Serpent's Eye". This ultra-violent sequel set in Burma returns Stallone to one of his most iconic roles: the titular John Rambo.
Synopsis:
John Rambo has retreated to northern Thailand, where he''s running a longboat on the Salween River. On the nearby Thai-Burma (Myanmar) border, the world''s longest-running civil war, the Burmese-Karen conflict, rages into its 60th year. But Rambo, who lives a solitary, simple life in the mountains and jungles fishing and catching poisonous snakes to sell, has long given up fighting, even as medics, mercenaries, rebels and peace workers pass by on their way to the war-torn region. That all changes when a group of human rights missionaries search out the "American river guide" John Rambo. When Sarah and Michael Bennett approach him, they explain that since last year''s trek to the refugee camps, the Burmese military has laid landmines along the road, making it too dangerous for overland travel. They ask Rambo to guide them up the Salween and drop them off, so they can deliver medical supplies and food to the Karen tribe. After initially refusing to cross into Burma, Rambo takes them, dropping off Sarah, Michael and the aid workers. Less than two weeks later, pastor Arthur Marsh finds Rambo and tells him the aid workers did not return and the embassies have not helped locate them. He tells Rambo he''s mortgaged his home and raised money from his congregation to hire mercenaries to get the missionaries, who are being held captive by the Burmese army. Although the United States military trained him to be a lethal super soldier in Vietnam, decades later Rambo''s reluctance for violence and conflict are palpable, his scars faded, yet visible. However, the lone warrior knows what he must do.

Movie Trailer Rambo 4

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

PG-13 | 2 hr | Action, Adventure, Sequel Movie
In 1957, Indiana Jones is thrust back in action, venturing into the jungles of South America in a race against Soviet agents to find the mystical Crystal Skull.
Synopsis:
Set in the desert Southwest in 1957, at the height of the Cold War,Indy and his sidekick Mac have barely escaped a close scrape with nefarious Soviet agents on a remote airfield.Now, Professor Jones has returned home to Marshall College--only to find things have gone from bad to worse. His close friend and dean of the college explains that Indy's recent activities have made him the object of suspicion, and that the government has put pressure on the university to fire him. On his way out of town, Indiana meets rebellious young Mutt, who carries both a grudge and a proposition for the adventurous archeologist: If he'll help Mutt on a mission with deeply personal stakes, Indy could very well make one of the most spectacular archeological finds in history;the Crystal Skull of Akator, a legendary object of fascination, superstition and fear. But as Indy and Mutt set out for the most remote corners of Peru,a land of ancient tombs, forgotten explorers and a rumored city of gold,they quickly realize that they are not alone in their search. The Soviet agents are also hot on the trail of the Crystal Skull. Chief among them is icy cold, devastatingly beautiful Irina Spalko, whose elite military unit is scouring the globe for the eerie Crystal Skull, which they believe can help the Soviets dominate the world, if they can unlock its secrets. Indy and Mutt must find a way to evade the ruthless Soviets, follow an impenetrable trail of mystery, grapple with enemies and friends of questionable motives,and above all, stop the powerful Crystal Skull from falling into the deadliest of hands.

Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring : Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone, Karen Allen, John Hurt, Jim Broadbent
Indiana Jones 4 Teaser Trailer

Movie Trailer Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Avatar (2009)

NR | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Movie
A band of humans are pitted in a battle against a distant planet''s indigenous population.
The story is about a wounded ex-marine, thrust unwillingly into an effort to settle and exploit an exotic planet rich in bio-diversity. He eventually crosses over to lead the indigenous race in a battle for survival.

Director : James Cameron
Starring : Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Peter Mensah, Laz Alonso, Wes Studi, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez
James Cameron's Avatar Teaser Trailer

Ayat-Ayat Cinta

Film Indonesia, Drama Movie
Adapted from Habiburrahman El Shirazy’s novel Ayat Ayat Cinta
Synopsis:
Fahri bin Abdillah (Fedi Nuril) is a poor, intelligent student who wins a scholarship to complete his graduate degree at Egypt’s esteemed Al Azhar University. Very disciplined and dedicated by nature, Fahri embraces his life in Cairo, completing his studies and translation of religious books with full enthusiasm, exactly according to pre-determined targets.
Only one goal is left unattempted: the pursuit of marriage.For Fahri is innocent and pure, and doesn’t believe in the concept of relationships prior to marriage. He is inarticulate and shy around women. All his life, only two women have been close to him – his mother and grandmother.

Life changes drastically in Egypt for he suddenly finds himself surrounded by four beautiful, distinctly different women.

Maria Girgis (Carissa Putri), a shy, open-minded Coptic-Christian neighbor who is attracted to the teachings of the Holy Al Quran, finds herself falling in love with Fahri (a fact she only reveals to her diary).

Nurul (Melanie Putria), a student at Al Azhar like Fahri, is the Muslim daughter of a renowned Indonesian cleric. Fahri feels unworthy of her and thus ignores his feelings for her, leaving her confused and guessing.

Noura (Zaskia Adya Mecca), an abused Egyptian neighbor, develops strong romantic feelings for Fahri, who in turn simply sympathizes with her situation. His romantic rejection destroys her and eventually leads to a false accusation of rape

Aisha (Rianti Cartwright), a German Turkish student in Cairo haunts Fahri with her beautiful eyes. Following an incident on the metro where Fahri defends her against narrow minded bigoted Muslims, both immediately develop feelings for each other

As the story unravels, the protagonist makes the audience face the daunting decisions he himself faces, and forces us to marvel at his undying loyalty to the true ideals of Islam as he ultimately makes the choice of a lifetime

Director : Hanung Bramantyo
Artis Indonesia : Fedi Nuril, Rianto Cartwright, Carissa Putri, Zaskia Adya Mecca, Melanie Putria, HJ. Mieke Wijaya

Movie Trailer Ayat-Ayat Cinta

Interesting....

Spotted this on AOL:

Most rappers take baby steps in the acting world before they even get recognition and respect, but for some, they are treated as if they were #1 draft pick. Take 50 Cent for example. His first film, 'Get Rich or Die Tryin'' was directed by acclaimed director Jim Sheridan, and his second film, 'Home of the Brave', had him co-starring with Samuel L. Jackson.

For his third role, and one that every actor would kill to be in, 50 Cent will be featured in 'Righteous Kill', which reunites two of the biggest actors of this era, Robert De Niro and Al Pacino.

Robert De Niro and Al Pacino star as a pair of veteran New York City police detectives on the trail of a vigilante serial killer in the adrenaline fueled psychological thriller "Righteous Kill", directed by Jon Avnet (Red Corner, Fried Green Tomatoes) and written by Russell Gewirtz (Inside Man). The cast also features hip-hop superstar Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson (Get Rich or Die Tryin'), Brian Dennehy, John Leguizamo, Carla Gugino, Dan Futterman, Donnie Wahlberg, Rob Dyrdek, and Trilby Glover.

After 30 years as partners in the pressure cooker environment of the NYPD, highly decorated Detectives David Fisk and Thomas Cowan should be ready for retirement, but aren't. Before they can hang up their badges, they are called in to investigate the murder of a notorious pimp, which appears to have ties to a case they solved years before.

From IW: I can't wait to see 50 try to act his tiresome ass around DeNiro and Pacino...maybe it's a comedy!

Today In B'Days

She of the unusual name, S. Epatha Merkerson, is 55. I loved her in "Black Snake Moan" and "Lackawanna Blues".

Star Trek (2009)

PG-13 | 2 hr 6 mins | Sci-Fi, Adaptation, Sequel Movie
A chronicle of the early days of James T. Kirk and his fellow USS Enterprise crew members.
Synopsis:
The story of a young crew’s maiden voyage onboard the most advanced starship ever created: the U.S.S. Enterprise. On a journey filled with cosmic peril, the new recruits must find a way to stop an evil being whose mission of vengeance threatens all of mankind. The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals. One, James T. Kirk, is a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy. The other, Spock, was raised in a logic-based society that rejects all emotion. As fiery instinct clashes with calm reason, their unlikely but powerful partnership is the only thing capable of leading their crew through unimaginable danger, boldly going where no one has gone before.

Director: J.J. Abrams
Starring: John Cho, Ben Cross, Bruce Greenwood, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Winona Ryder, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Anton Yelchin, Eric Bana, Leonard Nimoy

YouTube - Star Trek (2008) Teaser 1 [fan made]
Star Trek Trailer

Aliens vs Predator : Requiem (2007)

R | Action, Sci-Fi, Sequel Movie
The two scariest monsters are meets again in the sequel of Alien vs Predator.
Synopsis:
When a Predator scout ship crash lands in a Colorado town. The Aliens on board escape and kill all the Predators except one. The last remaining Predator must now destroy all the Aliens as well as the horfic Pred-Alien that was spawned in the first AVP. Meanwhile the towns people are helplessly caught in the middle of the ultimate face-off between these two mythic creatures

Director : Greg Strause, Colin Strause
Starring : Reiko Aylesworth, Steven Pasquale, John Ortiz, Shareeka Epps, Johnny Lewis, Sam Trammell, David Paetkau
Trailer Aliens vs Predator : Requiem

Kung Fu Panda

Animated, Comedy Movie | Release Date : June 6, 2008
a lazy, irreverent slacker panda named Po Po who must somehow become a Kung Fu Master in order to save the Valley of Peace from a villainous snow leopard, Tai Lung. Prophecy said that Po is the “Chosen One” to save the day. But he appears to be the laziest of all the animals in ancient China. A group of martial arts masters are going to need a black belt in patience if they are going to turn this slacker panda into a kung fu fighter before it’s too late.
Director : John Stevenson, Mark Osborne
Starring : Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, Dustin Hoffman, Ian McShane
Movie Trailer Kung Fu Panda

This N' That

Got this in my email for those who may be interested:

Hey All -

At Flixster, we've always believed that we the people are the REAL critics.
In that spirit, Flixster has partnered with VH1 to send one of you to the 2008 Critics Choice Awards in Los Angeles... and have your vote count in the awards!

You at the 2008 Critics Choice Awards!

All you have to do is make a video of yourself reviewing any movie from this year. The best video review wins.

That's it. Have fun and may the best critic win.

From IW: This is the link to enter: http://ecritic.vh1.com/

Here are 2 guys that did a review for "Why Did I Get Married"...wow. Let's just say my advice would be not to invest in any new luggage.


If you can't see the video click here.

"This Christmas" Update...

I neglected to write about "This Christmas " yesterday, which actually did a very respectable 2nd place over the holiday weekend behind "Enchanted" (??!!) a movie I only heard about the day before it came out. How did a film like that break records? But I digress...

When I first saw "This Christmas", I wasn't exactly bowled over by it. To me, it was an extra large helping of "Soul Food" (even Mekhi Phifer was in it!) with a side of "Mo Betta Blues" with "Waiting To Exhale" for dessert. But in hindsight, there were some elements that did bring some thoughtfulness (spoilers ahead):

- Why does every movie like this have a long suffering matriarch that always says "family is family, no matter what"?

-Why is there always so much drama at one family dinner? I don't know about y'all, but on a typical holiday get-together with my family no one is being chased by thugs for money, no one is AWOL from the armed services, no one is secretly married to a white girl with a baby on the way, no one gets caught having an affair within two days of said event, no one pushes a car off a cliff, no one pulls a gun out on somebody at a club, two siblings don't have a knock down drag out fight in the rain on the front lawn, and nobody gets caught trying to have sex in the closet. (Yes, all of these happened in a 2 day span in the movie). Even one of these factors would be enough for my family to talk about for the next 10 holidays.

- Was it wrong for me not to feel sorry for the YT secret wife when she showed up and her AWOL man was in jail? He ruined his whole military career over her, and from what I could tell, she had no discernible attributes that seemed worthy of ruin. She didn't seem to have a job, much less a career, no money, not particularly charming or charismatic...she wasn't even that pretty...I mean, could they have cast someone else? Even Paris Hilton would have been more interesting.

- Was it wrong that I thoroughly enjoyed the scene where Regina King hands down whupped her husband's ass with a belt and a ton of baby oil? (Sorry guy readers, haha)

-Lauren London is so very, very pretty....wow. Keith Robinson (Dreamgirls, Half & Half), on the other hand, always seems stiff and uncomfortable to me, tho this is the loosest I've ever seen him. Regina King has obviously been working out a lot--her body looks great.

-Who knew Sharon Leal could be so sassy and actually hold screen time? She seemed like an entirely different person. In "Why Did I Get Married" she was like a lump on a log. Maybe cause she had to kiss Tyler Perry in that film, instead of Mekhi, like in this one. I would've been sour too. LMAO at her line "You decided to be with that fraction of a man!"

-I love Chris Brown and all (as I stated in my Omarion comments the other day), but why do they keep sending a boy to do a man's job? First, a remake of a Donny Hathaway song, which is admirable, but let's be real, no one can eff with The Don. Then they have him sing "Try A Little Tenderness" originally sung by Otis Redding in the film? Painful! That song is to be sung by someone that looks like Idris Elba or Delroy Lindo (both in the film), not some teeny-bopper that makes it sound like a pop song. And what is up with the older women attraction for him? He looks like someone's 16 year old kid brother. Damn, Gabrielle Union.

-Speaking of Chris Brown, why is it in the first scene where he had his shirt off, all I could hear was WOOOOOO!!! By all males by the way. Interesting.

The positives are that everyone had something valuable to contribute to the world (except YT), the film looked crisp and professional, and there were no bad wigs and weaves (the make-up was on point, too). Cooning was kept to a bare minimum...as a matter of fact, I don't remember any to speak of. People had nice cars without rims, and no one seemed to live in the ghetto.

If anyone had time to see this, I would really like to know what you thought of it....sucio!

Quickie Express

117 MIN | Film Indonesia, Comedy Movie
Quickie express is an attempt at bringing adult comedy in a tasteful manner into Indonesian cinema.
Synopsis:
Jojo (Tora Sudiro), a twenty-five-year-old man who lives in Jakarta and always changes his job. He knows that he’s complete screw-up. But he never gives up trying out a new job after being fired from the last one. His good fortune started when he got an offer to work at a male escort service company. To avoid being attacked by religious group in Indonesia, the owner of company runs a pizza delivery service called “Quickie Express” as a cover up. Jojo begins his adventure in satisfying the sexual needs of lonely wives of rich and high-ranking officials. Jojo gets a better life, he’s financially secured; but his bright career as gigolo leads him to very complicated turns that he can ever imagined

Jojo enters Quickie Express with two other new “recruits”, Marley (Amink) and Piktor (Lukman Sardi). With their looks and uniqueness, shortly the three of them become the top, most wanted escorts in the company. Their life gets better, they enjoy the easy and classy job that gives them a lot of money

But their happiness is disturbed when Jojo meets a medicine student an fall in love with her, who also has relation with one of Jojo’s client and the mobster Jan Pieter Gunarto

Director: Dimas Djayadiningrat
Scriptwriter: Joko Anwar
Artis Indonesia: Tora Sudiro, Amink, Lukman Sardi, Tino Saroengallo, Sandra Dewi, Ira Maya Sopha, Rudy Wowor, Tio Pakusadewo

Teaser Quickie Express
Movie Trailer

Alvin and the Chipmunks

PG | Comedy, Family, Animation Movie
The cartoon classic comes to the big screen, starring the lovable chipmunks Alvin, Simon, and Theodore.
Synopsis:
Songwriter Dave Seville transforms singing chipmunks Alvin, Simon and Theodore into pop sensations--while the out-of-control trio lays waste to Dave''s home, wreaks havoc with his career, and turns Dave''s once-orderly life upside-down.

Director: Tim Hill
Starring: Jason Lee, Ross Bagdasarian Jr., Janice Karman, Cameron Richardson
Movie Trailer Alvin and the Chipmunks

Enam

97 MIN | Film Indonesia, Teen Horror Movie
A group of teenage independent filmmakers ric (Mandala Hoji), Casey (Winni Y), Bowo (David Charter), David (Duran Vaentino), Maya (Junita Labbaika), Novi (Shasya Veruzka) and Tian wants to make a short horror film for their entry at a short film festival. For their location, they chose an old house occupied by Pak Su'ud (Barry Prima). After warning the kids to respect the house, which he says have a living soul of its own, Pak Su'ud leaves them. And so begins the shooting night at the old, decrepit house.

Director: Stephen Odang
Starring: Winnie Yanthi, Mandala Shoji, David Saragih, Duran Valentino, Barry Prima, Jeremy Thomas, Putri Patricia

I Am Legend

NR | 1 hr 49 mins | Action, Adaptation, Sci-Fi Movie
Just one man remains on Earth after a virus has transformed the population into vampire-like creatures.
Synopsis:
Robert Neville is a brilliant scientist, but even he could not contain the terrible virus that was unstoppable, incurable and manmade. Somehow immune, Neville is now the last human survivor in what is left of New York City, and maybe the world. But he is not alone. He is surrounded by "the Infected"-victims of the plague who have mutated into carnivorous beings who can only exist in the dark and who will devour or infect anyone or anything in their path. For three years, Neville has spent his days scavenging for food and supplies and faithfully sending out radio messages, desperate to find any other survivors who might be out there. All the while, the Infected lurk in the shadows, watching Neville''s every move, waiting for him to make a fatal mistake. Perhaps mankind''s last, best hope, Neville is driven by only one remaining mission: to find a way to reverse the effects of the virus using his own immune blood. But his blood is also what The Infected hunt, and Neville knows he is outnumbered and quickly running out of time.

Director: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Will Smith, Salli Richardson, Alice Braga,
Movie Trailer I Am Legend
Buy I Am Legend [Blu-ray] (2007)

Atonement (2007)

R | 2 hr 3 mins | Adaptation, Romance, Period, War Movie
Synopsis:
In 1935, 13-year-old fledgling writer Briony Tallis and her family live a life of wealth and privilege in their enormous mansion. On the warmest day of the year, the country estate takes on an unsettling hothouse atmosphere, stoking Briony''s vivid imagination. Robbie Turner, the educated son of the family''s housekeeper, carries a torch for Briony''s headstrong older sister Cecilia. Cecilia, he hopes, has comparable feelings; all it will take is one spark for this relationship to combust. When it does, Briony--who has a crush on Robbie--is compelled to interfere, going so far as accusing Robbie of a crime he did not commit. Cecilia and Robbie declare their love for each other, but he is arrested--and with Briony bearing false witness, the course of three lives is changed forever. Decades later, Briony continues to seek forgiveness for her childhood misdeed. Through a terrible and courageous act of imagination, she finds the path to her uncertain atonement, and to an understanding of the power of enduring love.

Director: Joe Wright
Starring : James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Saoirse Ronan, Brenda Blethyn
Movie Trailer Atonement
Buy Atonement (Widescreen Edition) (2007)

The Golden Compass

PG-13 | Drama, Adventure, Fantasy, Adaptation Movie
In a parallel universe, young girl travels to the far North to save her best friend and other children from terrible experiments by a mysterious organization.
Synopsis:
There is a world where witches rule the northern skies, where ice bears are the bravest of warriors, and where every human is joined with an animal spirit who is as close to them as their own heart. This world is dominated by the Magisterium, which seeks to control all of humanity, and whose greatest threat is the last remaining Golden Compass and the one child destined to possess it. Twelve year-old Lyra Belacqua lives an extraordinary life as a ward of distinguished Jordan College. Tearing unsupervised through the streets on mad quests for adventure with her loyal friend Roger, Lyra is accompanied everywhere by her daemon, Pantalaimon--a small, ever-changing animal that serves as a constant voice of reason. But Lyra’s world is changing. Her uncle, Lord Asriel, is embarking on a trip to the Arctic Circle to investigate a mysterious element called Dust, but the Magisterium would go to any lengths to stop him. At the same time, rumors of children mysteriously disappearing and being taken north become terrifyingly real when Lyra''s best friend Roger goes missing. She swears to go to the ends of the earth to rescue him, and when a new figure appears at the college--Marisa Coulter, a beguiling scientist and world traveler--she sees her best chance to get away. But Lyra''s been drawn into a trap designed to take from her the one thing she possesses that the Magisterium desperately seeks--the Golden Compass. It is a mystical device that can tell the truth, reveal what others wish to hide and foreshadow--and even change--the future. Lyra realizes that she will have to embark on her own journey to rescue Roger and stop the Magisterium. But fate puts her in the protection of a tribe of seafaring Gyptians led by Lord Faa, Ma Costa and Farder Coram. Banding together an unlikely alliance with the Gyptians, the mysterious witch Serafina Pekkala and Texas airman Lee Scoresby, Lyra is flung into an adventure that will take her over sky and ocean, to the wilds of the icy north, where she gains a powerful ally in a great armored bear named Iorek Byrnison. A great war is coming--with her band of friends and allies, and the power of the Golden Compass, Lyra will need all her skill and all her courage, to stop it.

Director: Chris Weitz
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Dakota Blue Richards, Eva Green
Movie Trailer The Golden Compass

Susahnya Jadi Perawan

Film Indonesia, Drama, Musical Movie
Susahnya Jadi Perawan (Difficult to be a virgin), a comedy, centers around the life of Halle (Nova Eliza) a gorgeous young cocktail waitress. While making a living and serving up drinks in Jakarta’s V Bar, Halle has the chance to step up on stage and share her true passion, singing. She doesn’t however; sing the same old tired western cover songs, but her own original tracks with a fresh and unique brand of pop that is uniquely her.

The crowd loves the powerful melodies and from-the-heart lyrics. Halle’s talent is soon recognized by Kevin Purba (Restu Sinaga), a sketchy fast talking music producer. Kevin offers Halle a recording contract, but his interest in her doesn’t end with her singing and songwriting.

In the cut throat world of the music industry, few things are what they seem. Jaded and bitter Halle is on the verge of giving up when she meets Andra Ramadhan (Andra & The Backbone, Dewa) and Rama (Al Fathir), both heavy weights in the rock and roll arene. Andra and Rama are blown away by her lyrics and style, with their help, Halle begins her rise to the top of the pop charts

Director : MIRWAN SUWARSO
Starring : NOVA ELIZA, ANDRA DEWA 19, RESTU SINAGA, AL FATHIR, TIIO PAKUSADEWO, JULIA PEREZ
Movie Trailer Susahnya Jadi Perawan

Awake (2007)

NR | Drama, Thriller Movie
A psychological thriller about a man who is awake but paralyzed as he undergoes heart surgery.
Synopsis:
During surgery, more than 60,000 people domestically each year experience “anesthetical awareness,” a condition when anesthesia fails during surgery, leaving one completely conscious and feeling every incision, but paralyzed and incapable of doing anything about it. This is what happens to Clay.

Director: Joby Harold
Starring: Hayden Christensen, Jessica Alba
Movie Trailer Awake

From Bad To Worse....

Last month I posted here about Tyrese being considered to play the Green Lantern in the new Justice League movie. The consensus was pretty equally divided; the men weren't too thrilled about it, the women just wanted to see Tyrese in a tight costume (including me, haha).

But who did they actually get to play G.L? Common of all people. Don't get me wrong, me love him and all, but superhero material? Maybe if the hero was named Wheatgrass & Incense Man.....good luck to him just the same.

WTF?.....Volume 11

Dayum, Snoop. I'm gonna really have to see the rest of this; I'm hoping this just looks hella crazy out of context.

Hitman (Fox) (2007)

R | 1 hr 40 mins | Action, Adventure, Crime, Adaptation Movie
A hitman known only as Agent 47 is ensnared in a deadly political conspiracy, which finds him pursued by both Interpol and the Russian military.
Synopsis:
The "Hitman" is a genetically-engineered, elite assassin known only as Agent 47. His hallmarks are lethal grace, unwavering precision, and resolute pride in his work. But even 47 couldn''t anticipate a "random equation" in his life exactitude: the unexpected stirrings of his conscience and the unfamiliar emotions aroused in him by a mysterious Russian woman.

Director: Xavier Gens
Starring: Timothy Olyphant, Dougray Scott, Lisa Jacobs, Olga Kurylenko
Movie Trailer hitman

Pulau Hantu

Film Indonesia, HorroR Movie
Eight close friends go on a vacation, but their yacht is then derouted to a secluded beautiful island. They decided to spend their holiday there. Out of their knowing, behind the beauty of the virgin island, there is a dark secret. While these eight teenagers are having fun in the beach, the spirit that haunts the island is lurking from behind and below, bringing death to them one by one.

Director: Jose Poernomo
Starring: Ricky Harun, Kartika Ayuningtyas, Yedihel Luntungan, Indri Yanuarti, Ufara Dzikri, Abdurrahman Arif, Bramasto
Website: Pulau Hantu

August Rush

PG | 1 hr 54 mins | Comedy, Drama, Music Movie
A young musical prodigy uses his skills to find his birth parents.
Synopsis:
Twelve years ago, on a moonlit rooftop above Washington Square, Lyla Novacek, a sheltered young cellist, and Louis Connelly, a charismatic Irish singer-songwriter, were drawn together by a street musician''s rendition of "Moondance" and fell in love. After the most romantic night of her life, Lyla promised to meet Louis again but, despite her protests, her father rushed her to her next concert--leaving Louis to believe that she didn''t care. Disheartened, he found it impossible to continue playing and eventually abandoned his music while Lyla, her own hopes for love lost, was led to believe months later that she had also lost their unborn child in a car accident. Years passed with neither of them knowing the truth. Now, the infant secretly given away by Lyla''s father has grown into an unusually gifted child who hears music all around him and can turn the rustling of wind through a wheat field into a beautiful symphony with himself at its center, the composer and conductor. He holds an unwavering belief that his parents are alive and want him as much as he wants them. Determined to search for them, he makes his way to New York City. There, lost and alone, he is beckoned by the guitar music of a street kid playing for change and follows him back to a makeshift shelter in the abandoned Fillmore East Theater, where dozens of children like him live under the protection of the enigmatic Wizard. He picks up a guitar for the first time and unleashes an impromptu performance in his own unique style. Wizard names him August Rush, introduces him to the soul-stirring power of music and begins to draw out his extraordinary talent. Wizard has big plans for the young prodigy but, for August, his music has a more important purpose. He believes that if his parents can hear his music, they will find him. Unbeknownst to August, they have already begun that journey.

Director: Kirsten Sheridan
Starring: Freddie Highmore, Keri Russell, Robin Williams, Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Movie Trailer August Rush

Movies, Movies, And More Movies....

Hope everyone had a wonderful day yesterday...I personally celebrate "Gratitude Day", out of affinity for my Native American brothers and sisters. Thank you to all who wished me well; back at you 100 fold :-)

I have folks in from Philly (whassup Thembi!), but I have been on a mini-marathon of films....I said last week that I would be watching some different types of films to mix it up, and since this blog is for my community and it's films, I'll make it brief:

Beowulf: Visually stunning, and was like reading those Greek mythology books you read when you were a kid....I loved it.

Video DVD of "Live Free and Die Harder": I love The Bruce, but put the leather jacket down, dude.

Lions For Lambs: I've always admired how Robert Redford makes movies for grown-ups. No matter what the critics say, it had a difference that is sorely missing in American film.

No Country For Old Men: The Cohen Brothers finally go back to their violent, dark comedy roots a la "Fargo" and I say welcome back....loved it.

And finally.....I rewatched "Talk To Me" on DVD. Damn. There were some parts where I was socializing in the lobby the first time..... I saw it in it's entirety this time. Ummm....let's address the scene where Don Cheadle and his girl Taraji P. Henson (Wilona on steroids) bust into the radio studio and demand a job? wtf???!!! I missed that scene the first time, and if I had seen it, I would have known that no matter happened afterward, this movie was doomed. Who goes to an office full of white folks and says ""F__k this s__t" , "F__k you!" and "What the f__k?" trying to get a job? Did this really happen? LMAO at justjudith talking about watching this movie with the captions on, and not only did they say "nigga" on film a hundred times over, the captions said "nigger" every time, and it drove her crazy. All in all, I really do think the dialogue coupled with Taraji P. Henson's cooning did this film in....better luck next time. Here is one of the reasons this movie didn't work:

The Mist

R | 2 hr 7 mins | Thriller, Sci-Fi, Horror, Adaptation Movie
Synopsis:
David Drayton and his young son Billy are among a large group of terrified townspeople trapped in a local grocery store by a strange, otherworldly mist. David is the first to realize that there are things lurking in the mist--deadly, horrifying things--creatures not of this world. Survival depends on everybody in the store pulling together, but is that possible, given human nature? As reason crumbles in the face of fear and panic, David begins to wonder what terrifies him more: the monsters in the mist--or the ones inside the store, the human kind, the people that until now had been his friends and neighbors?

Director: Frank Darabont
Cast: Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurie Holden, Andre Braugher
Youtube Trailer The Mist

This Christmas

PG-13 | 2 hr | Comedy, Family, Holiday Movie
A Christmastime drama centered around the Whitfield family's first holiday together in four years.
Synopsis:
Christmas has always been an elaborate production at the Whitfield home, and this year is no exception. With her grown children and their significant others all present for the first time in years, Shirley “Ma’ Dere” Whitfield is in her element. Stockings have been hung, cookies have been baked and old resentments are starting to bubble up. Oldest daughter Lisa, also known as Sister, is trying to convince the rest of the family to sell the dry cleaning business their mother has run for years so her overly-ambitious husband Malcolm will have the capital he needs to close an important business deal. Her sister Kelli, a high-powered business woman, is dead set against doing anything Malcolm wants. Youngest daughter Mel is home from college and primarily interested in finding a private place to canoodle with her latest beau, Devean. Ma’ Dere’s son Claude, an active duty Marine, arrives with some unexpected news while his younger brother Baby has a surprise of his own for the family. When estranged eldest son Quentin, a jazz musician, makes a surprise appearance, he neglects to tell the family he’s on the run from his gambling debts. Despite her extensive preparations, Ma’ Dere’s plans for a cozy holiday soon begin to evaporate. When the siblings head out to an L.A. nightclub for some fun, an off color remark by another patron sparks a fight and Claude ends up in jail. Later, Kelli spends the night with Gerald, a handsome fireman she meets at the club, Malcolm flies to New York on a last-minute “business trip” and a pair of thugs comes looking for Quentin with mayhem on their minds. Meanwhile, Ma’ Dere is harboring some secrets of her own, such as the full extent of her relationship with longtime boyfriend Joseph Black.

Director: Preston A. Whitmore II
Starring: Laz Alonso, Regina King, Chris Brown, Idris Elba, Loretta Devine
Movie Trailer This Christmas

Bukan Bintang Biasa

Release Date : July, 2007 | Film Indonesia, Teen Movie
a story about five teenagers who go to the same university. They are Bella, Raffi, Ayu, Dimas and Chelsea. The movie is about love story between these five different characters. Bella and Raffi were lovers but for some reason they have to break up. Dimas who falls for Chelsea, and Ayu who searches her soul mate through chat room.

Director : Lasja F. Susantyo
Writer : Lina, Titien Wattimena, Melly Goeslaw
Cast : Laudya C. Bella, Raffi Ahmad, Chelsea Olivia, Dimas Beck, Ayu Shita

Enchanted

PG | 1 hr 47 mins | Comedy, Family Movie
Princess Giselle suddenly finds herself banished to modern day New York City, but can she find true love in the mean streets of the Big Apple?
Synopsis:
The tale follows the beautiful princess Giselle as she is banished by an evil queen from her magical, musical animated land--and finds herself in the gritty reality of the streets of modern-day Manhattan. Shocked by this strange new environment that doesn''t operate on a "happily ever after" basis, Giselle is now adrift in a chaotic world badly in need of enchantment. But when Giselle begins to fall in love with a charmingly flawed divorce lawyer who has come to her aid--even though she is already promised to a perfect fairy tale prince back home--she has to wonder: can a storybook view of romance survive in the real world?

Director: Kevin Lima
Starring: Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Idina Menzel, Susan Sarandon
Movie Trailer Enchanted
Buy DVD Enchanted (Widescreen Edition) (2007)

No Country for Old Men

R | 2 hr 2 mins | Drama, Thriller, Western, Adaptation Movie
Violence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon some dead bodies, a stash of heroin and more than $2 million in cash near the Rio Grande.
Synopsis:
Llewelyn Moss finds a pickup truck surrounded by a sentry of dead men. A load of heroin and two million dollars in cash are still in the back trunk. When Moss takes the money, he sets off a chain reaction of catastrophic violence that not even the law--namely aging, disillusioned Sheriff Bell--can contain. Moss tries to evade his pursuers, in particular a mysterious mastermind who flips coins for human lives.

Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem
Movie trailer No Country for Old Men

Smiley Face

R | 1 hr 28 mins | Comedy Movie
A slacker actress trips her way through a series of life-changing misadventures after eating a batch of marijuana-laced brownies made by her stoner roommate.
Synopsis:
Jane F, an unsuccessful slacker actress, is having a bad day. And it’s getting more outrageous and surreal by the minute. Jane’s misadventures begin when she treats herself to a batch of cupcakes left unattended by her psycho roommate that prove not as innocent as they appear, Soon, she is trying to cross town so she can repay an unforgiving drug dealer, attend an audition, and somehow replace the precious cupcakes. Bumming a ride from her roommate’s friend--who is totally infatuated with her--she sets out on a long, strange trip. And when the original manuscript of the Communist Manifesto falls into her hands, things really get out of control. Sit back and enjoy the wild journey as Jane’s effort to get through her day proves an arduous task of epic proportions (like Sisyphus struggling with the biggest, craziest boulder ever).

Director: Gregg Araki
Starring: Anna Faris, John Krasinski, John Cho
Trailer Smiley Face

Omarion (or Omari) And The Blogosphere

I saw this post article on an odd blog James Lamb Jr. via The Assault on Black Folk's Sanity. I can clearly see both sides, tho the first one (from Racialicious) is a lot funnier, I must admit:

james lamb:
After reading a recent post on Racialicious.com by founder Carmen Van Kerckhove on September 21, 2007, I Can't Wait to 'Feel the Noise', I wrote the following response. The comment didn't appear on the Racialicious site (probably a technical error because of its length) so I have reproduced the comment here.

[from racialicious]
Yesssssssssssssss!I can't wait to Netflix this. Long-time Racialicious readers will know how much I love movies with multiple dance-offs. But this movie looks extra-special because it stars that tiny little magical dancing machine, Omarion!

(My dream dance-off would be Omarion vs. Chris Brown. Omarion would crrrrrrush him.)

It must be so effortless to make these movies, since they all follow the exact same script.

A young man gets into trouble at home, so his parents send him away for a change of scenery. He sees a hot girl and is immediately infatuated. But even though she clearly wants him, she doesn't want to leave her evil boyfriend because he's powerful and handsome.

The troubled young man gets involved in the subculture (stepping, marching bands, breaking) of this new environment but fumbles, humiliating himself. He finds out about A Big Event (competition, tournament, talent show) that will allow him to redeem his honor.

After a montage of him training, interspersed with him flirting with the girl, the movie culminates with The Big Event. Just when you think he's about to lose, he delivers a crushing blow to the Evil Handsome Guy, winning his dignity and the girl! Woohoo!!


[comment from James Lamb, Jr.]
Tiny little magical dancing machine? ....

I know what's worse. The undeniable fact that Black male entertainers like Omarion routinely appear in moralistic minstrel shows greenlit by Hollywood to consume African American entertainment dollars by devolving Black masculinity to complicated precision dancing and/or baby-oil drenched Mandingo warrior swagger clearly presents a more disgusting problem than an uncritical throwaway reference that dehumanizes a Black man by calling him a 'tiny little magical dancing machine'.

I can't say that I care very much right now, though. I read Racialicious.com because it focuses on racist symbolism in popular culture, the very phenomenon with which so many supposedly liberal, supposedly anti-oppression people have trouble.

In their defense of the mainstream, these faux liberals offer the point that obvious fiction can't possibly tell us much about ourselves, so if John Q. American sometimes enjoys watching hip hop movies with hypersexualized thugs who sport shiny nickel-plated Glocks and scantily clad women of color bouncing their rounder portions, then maybe market forces dictate the only useful morality.

Racialicious.com opposes such cynical logic, and I've always respected that. So, after reading this post, I felt confused. Carmen, you rightly discuss the obvious formula in these Stomp the Last Dance or Die Tryin' flicks, but your attempt to characterize Omarion as a skilled dancer immediately conjured images of immense physical skill masked in blackface, and cast Omarion as a copasetic Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson, skilled and subservient, whose fantastic entertainment forces forgetfulness of his personal political plight.

Omarion is not a machine. When we see acrobatic dancing from Black men, its all too easy to dissect the skill from the humanity, and focus on the skill alone. I find that dangerous, and believe that it only increases the gulf of racial difference that posits African Americans as the Other.

Maybe the real problem here remains the fact that entertainers like Omarion, Chris Brown, and Usher appear so happy to dance for mainstream audiences that cooning becomes an inevitable result for the American viewer. Every time people catch Chris Brown's genial smile during a performance - no small feat considering the rambunctious bouncing and epileptic jerking - I wonder if they mentally shade burnt cork and firetruck red Max Factor on Brown's broad smile. Perhaps people view Black male physical skill as something otherworldly and superhuman, so that Black male physical skill in general becomes something designed to entertain only, like a plastic toy from Mattel.

I don't think it matters though. It doesn't take much to remember the humanity of the Negro entertainer, and frankly, we have to. To lose that focus devolves athletic Black entertainers from shining examples of human focus and training to mechanical animals bred for mainstream merriment, and that's just a little too Dixie for my tastes.


From IW: Omarion is trying to pull a Larry/Laurence Fishburne on us and is letting us know lately that he might revert back to his gov'ment name, Omari (jeesh, what's the difference?). For those who didn't see my post on this gem of a movie--here is the formulaic trailer....if you've seen the trailer, basically you've seen the movie.

TERRENCE WATCH!-part VIII

Of course, you know my one-and-only is the only one that could wake this sleeping beauty out of her mini-vacation from the blogosphere...welcome back Terrence and IW!

I saw this from the New York Daily News:

Terrence Howard will make his Great White Way debut in February as Brick in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."

"It's confirmed. We're there," the show's producer, Stephen Byrd, told me Tuesday. "Terrence and I were together last week; he's on board."

Other stellar names strongly tipped for the African-American production of Tennessee Williams' classic play include Phylicia Rashad, Giancarlo Esposito and James Earl Jones as Big Daddy.

Sources says the plum role of Maggie the Cat - immortalized by Elizabeth Taylor in the 1958 film version opposite Paul Newman - is coming down to either Anika Noni Rose or Kerry Washington. The play will open at the Broadhurst Theatre, after three weeks of previews, on March 6.

Now let's see whether director Debbie Allen makes Brick gay, or fudges it like in the movie!

From IW: That will be the bomb cast to watch, and I love seeing plays on Broadway...the big name black productions are always the hot hot hot tickets...guess I'll be going to NY in February or March. Unfortunately, they'll probably get Kerry Washington to play Maggie the Cat, tho I feel Anika Noni Rose would fit the role and what it entails much, much better. And I love Debbie Allen, but she can sometimes spread enough corn around to feed Somalia.

As for Terrence, some wonder if he can handle Broadway...but as I remember it, Brick was a monumentally self-centered, closeted homosexual knucklehead with a deep seated hatred of himself and women. In other words, Terrence may be getting his first Tony award soon, no problem...kudos!

Tentang Cinta

Film Indonesia | DRAMA - REMAJA (TEENAGE) Movie
Sheren is so close to her fiancé Ray (Fedi Nuril), she was deeply struck when Ray died of brain cancer. Sheren distanced herself from her friends. But then Sheren meets Evan (Vino G. Bastian), who though annoying at first, eventually love blooms between the two. The situation thickens when then appears Evan's former fiancé, Audy (Hayria Faturrahman). Evan is forced to choose between Sheren and Audy.

Director: Soni Gaokasak
Starring : Vino G Bastian, Fedi Nuril, Sheila Marcia Joseph, Hayria Faturrahman
Website Tentang Cinta

Love in the Time of Cholera

R | 2 hr 18 mins | Drama, Romance, Adaptation Movie
Rejected by the beautiful Fermina at a young age, Florentino devotes much of his adult life to carnal affairs as a desperate attempt to heal his broken heart.
Synopsis:
In the complex, magical and sensual city of Cartagena, Colombia, a man waits over fifty years for his one true love. Florentino Ariza, a poet and telegraph clerk, discovers his life’s passion when he sees Fermina Daza through the window of her father’s villa. Through a series of passionate letters, Florentino gradually awakens the young beauty’s heart, but her father is furious when he learns of the affair, and vows to keep them apart forever. As the years go by, Fermina marries the sophisticated aristocrat Dr. Juvenal Urbino, who has brought order and medicine to Cartageña, stemming the waves of cholera that mysteriously besiege the city. He sweeps her away to Paris for years, and when they start their lives together back in Cartageña, she has all but forgotten her first love. But Florentino has not forgotten her. Now a wealthy ship-owner, Florentino engages in a series of affairs but still yearns for Fermina. His heart is patient, and he will wait a lifetime for the chance to be with her again.
Director: Mike Newell
Starring: Javier Bardem, Benjamin Bratt
Movie Trailer Love in the Time of Cholera
Love in the Time of Cholera - Shakira Trailer

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

G | 1 hr 33 mins | Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Children Movie
When Molly Mahoney inherits Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium a dark and ominous change begins to take over the once remarkable Emporium.
Synopsis:
Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium is the strangest, most fantastic, most wonderful toy store in the world. In fact, it’s a magic toy store and everything in it comes to life--including the store itself. The emporium asks only one thing of its customers--you must believe it to see it.

Director: Zach Helm
Starring: Natalie Portman, Dustin Hoffman, Jason Bateman, Zachary Mills
Movie trailer Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

Maaf Saya Menghamili Istri Anda

Film Indonesia | Comedy Movie
An Indonesian comedy movie that release in June 2007.
Synopsis:
Dibyo (Ringgo Agus Rahman), unemployed who really obsessed to become a famous actor. Despite often play roles in some TV series, but only as an extra. He is also unlucky in his love life. However when he meets Mira (Mulan Kwok), their relations even resulted in Mira being pregnant. Mira asks Dibyo’s responsible

Dibyo agrees to marry Mira, but not that simple. Evidently Mira is a married woman but in divorcing process. Mira wants Dibyo to ask her husband, Lamhot for a permit and to sign the divorce letter. But afterwards the other problem emerged when misunderstandings appear among them and making Lamhot force Dibyo to marry Butet (Shanty), Lamhot’s sister.

Director : Monty Tiwa
Cast : Ringgo Agus Rahman, Mulan Kwok, Shanty, Eddie Karsito, M.Miftahur Rizky
Trailer Maaf Saya Menghamili Istri Anda

Lions for Lambs

R | 1 hr 28 mins | Drama, War, Political Movie
Injuries sustained by two Army ranger behind enemy lines in Afghanistan set off a sequence of events involving a congressman, a journalist, and a professor.
Synopsis:
Two determined students at a West Coast University, Arian and Ernest, follow the inspiration of their idealistic professor, Dr. Malley, and attempt to do something important with their lives. But when the two make the bold decision to join the battle in Afghanistan, Malley is both moved and distraught. Now, as Arian and Ernest fight for survival in the field, they become the string that binds together two disparate stories on opposite sides of America. In California, an anguished Dr. Malley attempts to reach a privileged but disaffected student, who is the very opposite of Arian and Ernest. Meanwhile, in Washington D.C. the charismatic Presidential hopeful, Senator Jasper Irving, is about to give a bombshell story to a probing TV journalist that may affect Arian and Ernest''s fates. As arguments, memories and bullets fly, the three stories are woven ever more tightly together, revealing how each of these Americans has a profound impact on each other--and the world.
Director: Robert Redford
Starring: Robert Redford, Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, Michael Pena
Trailer Lions for Lambs

Fred Claus

PG | 1 hr 56 mins | Comedy, Holiday Movie
Santa's jealous big brother Fred is headed to the North Pole just in time for Christmas.
Synopsis:
Fred Claus has lived his entire life in his brother''s very large shadow. Fred tried, but could hardly live up to the example set by the younger Nicholas, who was just a perfect, well, saint. True to form, Nicholas grew up to be the model of giving, while Fred became the polar opposite: a fast-talking repo man who''s run out of luck and money. Over Mrs. Claus'' objections, Nicholas agrees to help his brother on one condition: that he come to the North Pole and earn the money he needs by working in Santa''s Toy Shop. The trouble is that Fred isn''t exactly elf material and, with Christmas fast approaching, Fred could jeopardize the jolliest holiday of the year.

Director: David Dobkin
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Paul Giamatti
Trailer Fred Claus
Buy Fred Claus Soundtrack

Beowulf

PG-13 | 1 hr 53 mins | Adventure, Fantasy Movie
The warrior Beowulf must fight and defeat the monster Grendel, and later, Grendel's mother, who begins killing out of revenge for her son.
Synopsis:
In the age of heroes comes the mightiest warrior of them all, Beowulf. After destroying the overpowering demon Grendel, he incurs the undying wrath of the beast’s ruthlessly seductive mother, who will use any means possible to ensure revenge. The ensuing epic battle resonates throughout the ages, immortalizing the name of Beowulf.

Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins, Ray Winstone, Brendan Gleeson
Beowulf Trailer Movie