Monday, 10 October 2011 14:37 Last Updated on Wednesday, 26 October 2011 17:04 Written by Ruth J. Morrison

Margin Call

Opens: October 21, 2011

Stars: Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Stanley Tucci, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto

Directed by: J.C. Chandor

Plot: Set in the high-stakes world of the financial industry, MARGIN CALL is a thriller entangling the key players at an investment firm during one perilous 24-hour period in the early stages of the 2008 financial crisis. When entry-level analyst Peter Sullivan (Zachary Quinto) unlocks information that could prove to be the downfall of the firm, a roller-coaster ride ensues as decisions both financial and moral catapult the lives of all involved to the brink of disaster.

Genre: Drama, Thriller

 

Snowmen

Opens: October 21, 2011

Stars: Bobby Coleman, Josh Flitter, Ray Liotta, Christopher Lloyd, Beverley Mitchell

Directed by: Robert Kirbyson

Plot: SNOWMEN is a humorous and heartfelt coming-of-age story about three unlikely heroes and the winter that changed their lives forever. After a surprising discovery in the snow catapults three small-town boys into the spotlight, the best friends hatch a plan to be remembered forever by setting a Guinness World Records title. Along the way, the trio battles schoolyard bullies, unites their community and discovers that -- while fame may be fleeting -- true friendship lasts forever.

Genre: Family Drama

 

Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey

Opens: October 21, 2011

Stars:  Kevin Clash , Whoopi Goldberg

Directed by:  Constance Marks, Philip Shane

Plot:Filmmaker In this documentary, Constance Marks introduces viewers to Kevin Clash, the puppeteer who brings the Muppet Elmo to life. Clash, a big and burly-looking man with a large reserve of shyness, was born and raised in Baltimore and was something of a loner in his youth, but found a way to express himself when he discovered puppetry. In his teens, Clash began building his own puppets (once destroying one of his father's coats to use as material for his latest project), and showed a remarkable talent for the art. Clash worked on a variety of television shows and movies before being hired to work on Sesame Street, where he formulated his most famous character. Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey offers a backstage look at Clash's life. It also delves into his working methods, and insight into how he informs Elmo's personality and uses the character to send a positive message to the world.

Genres:  Documentary,  Family

 

Puss in Boots

Opens: October 28, 2011

Stars: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Amy Sedaris, Billy Bob Thornton

Directed by: Chris Miller

Plot: The swashbuckling feline, Puss in Boots (voice of Antonio Banderas), fights to save his town with the help of Kitty Softpaws (voice of Salma Hayek), and Humpty Dumpty (voice of Zach Galifianakis).

Genre: Action, Family-oriented

 

 

 

 

13

Opens: October 28, 2011

Stars: Sam Riley, Mickey Rourke, Jason Statham, Ray Winstone, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Ray Liotta

Directed by: Géla Babluani

Plot: Vince Ferro is a man in desperate circumstances. While on a quick fix-it job, he steals an envelope containing instructions for a mysterious job that promises a potential fortune. He assumes a false identity and follows the instructions, only to find himself a numbered participant in an underworld Russian roulette competition, where gamblers place bets on who'll survive when the trigger is pulled. The stakes are high, but the payout is more than he can resist. Many are competing for the first time, and a precious few have even returned to play again, but are his odds any better than other players in this most deadly game? What will it take to be the last man standing?

Genre: Crime and Mystery, Drama

Tuesday, 30 August 2011 12:21 Written by Ruth J. Morrison

CONTAGION

Opens:  September 9, 2011

Stars: Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Gwyneth Paltrow

Directed by:  Steven Soderbergh

Plot: Steven Soderbergh presents this look at what happens when an infectious disease threatens humanity through varied viewpoints from an ensemble cast, including Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Laurence Fishburne, and Kate Winslet.

Genre: Action

 

Creature

Opens: September 9, 2011

Stars:Serinda Swan, Mehcad Brooks, Sid Haig, Daniel Bernhardt, Dillon Casey

Directed by: Not Available at Press Time

Plot: An ex-Navy seal (Mehcad Brooks), his girlfriend (Serinda Swan) and their friends head out on a road trip to New Orleans. The group decides to stop at a roadside convenience store owned by Chopper (Sid Haig), who tells them the tale of Lockjaw, a fabled god-like creature who is half-man, half-alligator.

The legend has it that an inbred local man by the name of Grimley (Daniel Bernhardt) lost his family to a monstrous white alligator, which then drove him to madness and some believe he was transformed into that very creature that now haunts the depths of the swamps. Their curiosity heightened, the group decides to play along with the local tourist trap and journey deep into the backwoods to find the old dilapidated cabin which is supposed to be the birthplace of the creature.

As they set-up camp for the night, their faith is put to the test when Lockjaw turns out to be more than just a myth and they realize the locals are hiding a horrifying secret that jeopardizes them all.

Genre:Horror

 

Dolphin Tale

Opens: SEPTEMBER 23, 2011

Stars:  Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Harry Connick, Jr., Kris Kristofferson, Nathan Gamble

Directed by:  Charles Martin Smith

Plot:'Dolphin Tale' is inspired by the amazing true story of a brave dolphin and the compassionate strangers who banded together to save her life. Swimming free, a young dolphin is caught in a crab trap, severely damaging her tail.  She is rescued and transported to the Clearwater Marine Hospital, where she is named Winter. But her fight for survival has just begun. Without a tail, Winter's prognosis is dire. It will take the expertise of a dedicated marine biologist, the ingenuity of a brilliant prosthetics doctor, and the unwavering devotion of a young boy to bring about a groundbreaking miracle--a miracle that might not only save Winter but could also help scores of people around the world. The real Winter, who plays herself in 'Dolphin Tale,' today serves as a symbol of courage, perseverance and hope to millions of people--both able and disabled--who have been touched by her remarkable story of recovery and rehabilitation.

Genres:Family

 

 

Sunday, 17 July 2011 18:38 Last Updated on Sunday, 17 July 2011 18:58 Written by Ruth J. Morrison

The Guard

Opens: July 29, 2011

Stars:  Brendan Gleeson, Don Cheadle, Rory Keenan, Liam Cunningham, David Wilmot

Directed by:  John Michael McDonagh

Plot:  A comedic fish-out-of-water tale of murder, blackmail, drug trafficking and rural police corruption. Two law enforcement officers must join forces to take on an international drug-smuggling gang -- one, an unorthodox Irish policeman (Brendan Gleeson) and the other, played by Don Cheadle, is a straitlaced FBI agent.

Genre:  Comedy

 

Life in a Day

Opens: July 29, 2011

Directed by:  Kevin Macdonald

Plot:  Director Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland) and producer Ridley Scott (Alien, Gladiator) team up to offer this candid snapshot of a single day on planet Earth. Compiled from over 80,000 YouTube submissions by contributors in 192 countries, Life in a Day presents a microcosmic view of our daily experiences as a global society. From the mundane to the profound, everything has its place as we spend 90 minutes gaining greater insight into the lives of people who may be more like us than we ever suspected, despite the fact that we're separated by incredible distances.

Genre:  Documentary

 

Crazy, Stupid, Love

Opens: July 29, 2011

Stars:  Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Marisa Tomei, Emma Stone

Directed by: John Requa, Glenn Ficarra

Plot:  At forty-something, straight-laced Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) is living the dream--good job, nice house, great kids and marriage to his high school sweetheart. But when Cal learns that his wife, Emily (Julianne Moore), has cheated on him and wants a divorce, his "perfect" life quickly unravels. Worse, in today's single world, Cal, who hasn't dated in decades, stands out as the epitome of un-smooth. Now spending his free evenings sulking alone at a local bar, the hapless Cal is taken on as wingman and protege to handsome, thirtysomething player Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling). In an effort to help Cal get over his wife and start living his life, Jacob opens Cal's eyes to the many options before him: flirty women, manly drinks and a sense of style that can't be found at Supercuts or The Gap. Cal and Emily aren't the only ones looking for love in what might be all the wrong places: Cal's 13-year-old son, Robbie (Jonah Bobo), is crazy about his 17-year-old babysitter, Jessica (Analeigh Tipton), who harbors a crush on Cal. And despite Cal's makeover and his many new conquests, the one thing that can't be made over is his heart, which seems to keep leading him back to where he began.

Genre: Comedy

 

The Smurfs

Opens July 29, 2011

Stars:  Neil Patrick Harris, Jonathan Winters, George Lopez, Alan Cumming

Directed by:  Raja Gosnell

Plot:  The Smurfs make their first 3D trip to the big screen. When the evil wizard Gargamel chases the Smurfs out of their village, they're forced through a portal, out of their world and into ours, landing in the middle of New York's Central Park. Just three apples high and stuck in the Big Apple, the Smurfs must find a way to get back to their village before Gargamel tracks them down.

Genre:  Animation, Family, Fantasy, Comedy

 

Aliens and Cowboys

Opens July 29, 2011

Stars:  Daniel Craig, Olivia Wilde, Harrison Ford, Sam Rockwell, Paul Dano

Directed by: Jon Favreau

Plot:  It’s 1875 in the New Mexico Territory and a stranger (Daniel Craig) with no memory of his past stumbles into the hard desert town of Absolution. The only hint to his history is a mysterious shackle that encircles one wrist.

Genre:  Action

 

 

Tuesday, 05 July 2011 16:36 Written by Ruth J. Morrison

Opens: July 15, 2011

Stars:  Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson

Directed by:  David Yates

Plot:The second half of JK Rowling’s final Harry Potter adventure, the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry Potter who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort.

Genres:Action, Drama, Family, Fantasy