Sneak Peek: Movies for January 2009

"Bride Wars"

Stars include Kate Hudson, Anne Hathaway, Kristen Johnston, and Bryan Greenberg. It is directed by Gary Winick. When best friends, Liv and Emma, decide to get married on the same day, at New York's Plaza Hotel, bridal warfare erupts when neither will budge. This 20th Century Fox comedy/romance is Not Yet Rated.

"Che"

Stars include Benicio del Toro, Franka Potente, and Catalina Standino Moreno. It is directed by Steben Soderbergh. The film centers on revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara and is actually a merged version of two films by Soderbergh, "The Argentine" and "Guerilla." The first part of the film focuses on the Cuban revolution, from the moment Fidel Castro, Guevara, and other revolutionaries landed on the Caribbean island, until the toppled dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. The second part of the film focuses on Che's attempted revolution and eventual demise in Bolivia. This Telecinco adaptation/historical/period film is Not Yet Rated. Limited USA release of this film was scheduled on December 12, 2008 but the official USA release date is today.

"Not Easily Broken"

Stars include Maeve Quinlan, Cannon Jay, Kevin Hart, Morris Chestnut, and Wood Harris. It is directed by Bill Duke. Based on a T. D. Jakes novel, this drama centers on a newly-married couple whose faith and strength is tested after the wife is injured in a car crash and the husband suddenly becomes attracted to another woman. This Sony Screen Gems drama is rated PG-13.

"The Reader"

Stars include Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, and Alexandra Maria Lara. The film is directed by Stephen Daldry. Based on the award-winning novel by German law professor and judge Bernhard Schlink, this film centers on Michael Berg's obsession with older woman, Hanna, and their involvement in a war crimes trial, where an awful truth is revealed. The Weinstein Company drama/period is rated R. This movie was scheduled for limited release on December 10, 2008 but the official USA release date is January 9, 2009.

"The Unborn"

Stars include Odette Yustman, Gary Oldman, Meagan Good, Cam Gigandet, and Jane Alexander. It is directed by David S. Gover. This film centers on 19-year-old Casey Bell, who is haunted by the soul of a dead person barred from heaven. This dead person is in the form of a young boy that perished in Auschwitz. This Rogue Pictures drama/thriller/suspense/supernatural film is Not Yet Rated.

"Yonkers Joe"

Stars include Chazz Palminteri, Christine Lahti, and Michael Lerner. It is directed by Robert Celestino. A scam artist's plans are suddenly interrupted when he is forced to take care of his son, who suffers from Downs' Syndrome. This Magnolia Pictures drama is rated R.

January 16, 2009

"The Brothers Bloom"

Stars include Rachel Weisz, Adrien Brody, Rinko Kikuchi, and Mark Ruffalo. This film is directed by Rian Johnson. When the younger of two notorious sibling con artists decides to go legit and leave his criminal past behind, his brother encourages him to participate in one more swindle, involving a scheme to claim the wealth of an eccentric millionaire. This Gordonstreet Pictures romance/action/adventure film is rated PG-13. This film was scheduled for limited release on December 19, 2008 but is scheduled for wide release on January 16, 2009.

"Defiance"

Stars include Daniel Craig, Liev Schrelber, Jamie Bell, and more. This film is directed by Edward Zwick. Inspired by a true story, this epic World War II drama is about three Jewish Eastern European brothers, who barely escape certain death at the hands of the Nazis. Vowing to avenge the deaths of their loves ones, they launch a desperate battle against the forces that seek to exterminate their entire race. In 1941, in Nazi-occupied Poland, the Final Solution is in full effect, and the Jews of Eastern Europe are being slaughtered. Tuvia, Zus, and Asael somehow managed to escape into the forest. This drama/adaption/action film is rated R. This film was scheduled for limited release on December 31, 2008 but is scheduled for wide release on January 16, 2009.

"Hotel for Dogs"

Stars include Emma Roberts, Jimmy Bennett, Don Cheadle, Johnny Simmons, and Lisa Kudrow. It is directed by Thor Freudenthal. When new guardians forbid 16-year old Andi and her younger brother, Bruce to have a pet, Andi is forced to find a new home for their dog, Friday. Hence, they find an abandoned hotel and transform it into a magical dog-paradise for Friday as well as Friday's adorable friends. This movie is adapted from Lois Duncan's 1971 children's book. This DreamWorks Pictures comedy/family film is rated PG.

"My Bloody Valentine 3-D"

Stars include Jaime King, Jensen Ackles, Tom Atkins, Kerr Smith, and Marc Macaulay. It is directed by Patrick Lussier. Tom Hanniger, an inexperienced coal miner, caused an accident in the tunnels that trapped and killed five men and put the only survivor, Harry Warden, into a permanent coma. Exactly one year later, on Valentine's Day, Harry wakes up, only to murder 22 people with a pickaxe before finally being killed himself. Ten years later, Tom Hanniger returns, again on Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, Hanniger still harbors unresolved feelings for his ex-girlfriend, Sara, now married to his best friend and town sheriff, Axel. Thus, something evil from the past suddenly reappears, wearing a miner's mask and armed with a pickaxe. This Lionsgate Films thriller/suspense/horror/remake is rated R.

"Notorious"

Stars include Jamal Woolard, Angela Bassett, Derek Luke, Anthony Mackie, and Antonique Smith. It is directed by George Tillman, Jr. Executed produced by Sean "Diddy" Combs; this biopic profiles the life and death of East Coast rapper, Notorious B.I.G. This Fox Searchlight Pictures drama/biography/music is rated R.

"Paul Blart: Mall Cop"

Stars include Kevin James, Keir O'Donnell, Jayma Mays, Bobby Cannavale, and Stephen Rannazzisi. It is directed by Steve Carr. This film is about a mild-mannered security guard, rejected for the position of Police Officer, who patrols a mall taken over by thieves. This Sony Pictures comedy is rated PG.

January 23, 2009

"Inkheart"

Stars include Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren, Jim Broadbent, and Andy Serkis. It is directed by Jain Softley. This thrilling adventure is about a Mo, a father who possesses a secret ability to bring characters from books to life after he reads aloud. When he accidentally brings a power-hungry villain to life, the villain kidnaps his 12-year-old, daughter, Meggie Folchart, demanding that he bring other evil fictional characters to life as well. This New Line Cinema drama/fantasy/sci-fi, family/kids movie is rated PG.

"Killshot"

Stars include Diane Lane, Thomas Jane, Mickey Rourke, Rasario Dawson, and Johnny Knoxville. It is directed by John Madden. Based on the 1989 Elmore Leonard novel, Carmen and her ironworker husband, Wayne, become the targets of two killers, Blackbird and Richie, after they stumble upon an extortion plot. The Weinstein Company action/adventure/thriller/suspense/crime is rated R.

"Last Chance Harvey"

Stars include Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, Kathy Baker, James Brolin, and Eileen Atkins. It is directed by Joel Hopkins. New Yorker Harvey Shine is on the verge of losing his dead-end job as a jingle writer, since his boss has just given him one more chance to deliver. He then goes to London to attend his daughter's wedding, promising to be back on Monday morning to attend an important meeting. Well, Harvey arrives in London only to learn his daughter has chosen to have her stepfather to walk her down the aisle instead of him. Long story short, he leaves the wedding before the reception and misses his flight. When he calls his boss to explain, he's fired. Drowning his sorrows at the airport bar, Harvey meets Kate, and they strike up a conversation, which leads to a very usual friendship. This Overture Films drama/romance is Not Yet Rated. The limited USA release of this film was scheduled on December 26, 2008, but the official release date for the USA is scheduled on January 23, 2009.

"Possession"

Stars include Sarah Michelle Gellar, Lee Pace, William B. Davis, and Chelah Horsdal. It is directed by Joel Bergvall. Based on the 2002 South Korean film, "Addicted," Jess' life turns upside down after an automobile accident leaves her husband, Ryan, and her brother-in-law, Roman, in a coma. Then things get even worse when Roman wakes up, believing that he is Ryan. This Yari Film Group thriller/suspense/remake/supernatural is rated PG-13.

"Underworld 3: The Rise of the Lycans"

Stars include Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Rhona Mitra, and Shane Brolly. It is directed by FX artist, Patrick Tatopoulos. Following in the footsteps of "Underworld" and "Underworld: Evolution," we have vampires known as Death Dealers and their onetime slaves, the Lycans, who continue with their ancient war. In this film, a young Lycan named Lucian emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor, the cruel vampire king who enslaved them. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, Sonja, in his battle against the Death Dealer army and his struggle for Lycan freedom. This sci-fi/sequel/thriller is Not Yet Rated.

"Donkey Punch"

Stars include Robert Boulter, Tom Burke, Nichola Burley, and Jaime Winstone. It is directed by Oliver Blackburn. On a luxurious yacht floating in the Mediterranean, three vacationing ladies' vacation turns into a picturesque nightmare over the grueling course of one terrifying night at sea. What once began as a fun-filled night on the town, with the ladies meeting three charming locals at a nearby club, ended with the gorgeous vacationers making the fateful mistake of joining the men for a hedonistic party at sea. This Magnet Releasing horror/thriller/foreign film is Not Yet Rated. This film is scheduled for limited release.

January 30, 2009

"New In Town"

Stars include Harry Connick, Jr., Nathan Fillion, Renee Zellweger, J. K. Simmons, and Rashida Jones. It is directed by Jonas Elmer. Ambitious executive, Lucy Hill, is offered a temporary assignment, in the middle of nowhere, to restructure a manufacturing plant. Thinking that a promotion is in gear, she jumps at the opportunity. Unknowingly, this assignment brings about a life changing experience, where she finally meets the man of her dreams. This Lionsgate Films comedy is Not Yet Rated.

"Taken"

Stars include Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Katie Cassidy, and Famke Janssen. It is directed by Pierre Morel. In order to rescue his daughter from a slave trade operation, an ex-soldier comes out of retirement to use some of his extensive training. This 20th Century Fox drama/action/adventure is rated PG-13.

"The Uninvited"

Stars include Emily Browning, Elizabeth Banks, Arielle Kebbel, David Strathaim, and John Prowse. It is directed by Charlie Guard and Tom Guard. After spending time in a mental institution after her mother's tragic death, Anna returns to her father's home. She soon discovers that her mother's former nurse, Rachel, has moved in and is planning to marry her father, Steven. After a visit from her mother's ghost, Anna and her sister finally realize that Rachel is planning something evil. This DreamWorks Pictures thriller/horror/remake is rated PG-13