Archive for the ‘Drama’ Category

Seven Pounds

Friday, December 19th, 2008

All Genres:
Drama

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA

Runtime: 123 min

Languages: English | Spanish

Director:

Tagline: Seven Names. Seven Strangers. One Secret.

 

Cast: Will Smith … Ben Thomas
Rosario Dawson … Emily Posa
Woody Harrelson … Ezra Turner
Michael Ealy … Ben's Brother
Barry Pepper … Dan
Elpidia Carrillo … Connie Tepos
Robinne Lee … Sarah Jenson
Joe Nunez … Larry (Hotel Owner)
Bill Smitrovich … George Ristuccia
Tim Kelleher … Stewart Goodman
Gina Hecht … Dr. Briar
Andy Milder … George's Doctor
Judyann Elder … Holly Apelgren
Sarah Jane Morris … Susan
Madison Pettis … Connie's Daughter

 

Plot: An IRS agent with a fateful secret embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers.

 

Awards: 2 wins & 5 nominations

Revolutionary Road

Monday, December 15th, 2008

All Genres:
Drama, Romance

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA | UK

Runtime: 119 min

Languages: English

Director:

Tagline:

 

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio … Frank Wheeler
Kate Winslet … April Wheeler
Michael Shannon … John Givings
Ryan Simpkins … Jennifer Wheeler
Ty Simpkins … Michael Wheeler
Kathy Bates … Mrs. Helen Givings
Richard Easton … Mr. Howard Givings
Sam Rosen … Party Guest #7
Maria Rusolo … Party Dancer #1
Gena Oppenheim … Party Dancer #2
Kathryn Dunn … Party Dancer #3
Joe Komara … Party Dancer #4
Allison Twyford … Party Dancer #5
David Harbour … Shep Campbell
John Ottavino … Other Actor in the Play #1

 

Plot: A young couple living in a Connecticut suburb during the mid-1950s struggle to come to terms with their personal problems while trying to raise their two children. Based on a novel by Richard Yates.

 

Awards: Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 21 nominations

The Reader

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

All Genres:
Drama, Romance

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA | Germany

Runtime: 124 min

Languages: English | German | Greek | Latin

Director:

Tagline: How far would you go to protect a secret?

 

Cast: Ralph Fiennes … Michael Berg
Jeanette Hain … Brigitte
David Kross … Young Michael Berg
Kate Winslet … Hanna Schmitz
Susanne Lothar … Carla Berg
Alissa Wilms … Emily Berg
Florian Bartholomäi … Thomas Berg
Friederike Becht … Angela Berg
Matthias Habich … Peter Berg
Frieder Venus … Doctor
Marie-Anne Fliegel … Hanna's Neighbor
Hendrik Arnst … Woodyard Worker
Rainer Sellien … Teacher
Torsten Michaelis … Sports Master
Moritz Grove … Holger

 

Plot: Post-WWII Germany: Nearly a decade after his affair with an older woman came to a mysterious end, law student Michael Berg re-encounters his former lover as she defends herself in a war-crime trial.

 

Awards: Won Oscar. Another 14 wins & 27 nominations

The Day the Earth Stood Still

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

All Genres:
Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA | Canada

Runtime: 104 min

Languages: English | Mandarin

Director:

Tagline: 12.12.08 is the Day the Earth Stood Still

 

Cast: Keanu Reeves … Klaatu
Jennifer Connelly … Helen Benson
Kathy Bates … Regina Jackson
Jaden Smith … Jacob Benson
John Cleese … Professor Barnhardt
Jon Hamm … Michael Granier
Kyle Chandler … John Driscoll
Robert Knepper … Colonel
James Hong … Mr. Wu
John Rothman … Dr. Myron
Sunita Prasad … Rouhani
Juan Riedinger … William Kwan
Sam Gilroy … Tom
Tanya Champoux … Isabel
Rukiya Bernard … Student

 

Plot: A remake of the 1951 classic sci-fi film about an alien visitor and his giant robot counterpart who visit Earth.

 

Awards: 2 wins & 5 nominations

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

All Genres:
Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA

Runtime: 166 min

Languages: English | Russian | French

Director:

Tagline: Life isn't measured in minutes, but in moments

 

Cast: Cate Blanchett … Daisy
Julia Ormond … Caroline
Faune A. Chambers … Dorothy Baker
Elias Koteas … Monsieur Gateau
Donna DuPlantier … Blanche Devereux
Jacob Tolano … Martin Gateau (as Jacob Wood)
Earl Maddox … Man at Train Station
Ed Metzger … Teddy Roosevelt
Jason Flemyng … Thomas Button
Danny Vinson … Priest Giving Last Rites
David Jensen … Doctor at Benjamin's Birth
Joeanna Sayler … Caroline Button
Taraji P. Henson … Queenie
Mahershalalhashbaz Ali … Tizzy
Fiona Hale … Mrs. Hollister

 

Plot: Tells the story of Benjamin Button, a man who starts aging backwards with bizarre consequences.

 

Awards: Won 3 Oscars. Another 31 wins & 72 nominations

Gran Torino

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

All Genres:
Crime, Drama

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA | Germany

Runtime: 116 min

Languages: English | Hmong

Director:

Tagline:

 

Cast: Clint Eastwood … Walt Kowalski
Christopher Carley … Father Janovich
Bee Vang … Thao Vang Lor
Ahney Her … Sue Lor
Brian Haley … Mitch Kowalski
Geraldine Hughes … Karen Kowalski
Dreama Walker … Ashley Kowalski
Brian Howe … Steve Kowalski
John Carroll Lynch … Barber Martin
William Hill … Tim Kennedy
Brooke Chia Thao … Vu
Chee Thao … Grandma
Choua Kue … Youa
Scott Eastwood … Trey (as Scott Reeves)
Xia Soua Chang … Kor Khue

 

Plot: Disgruntled Korean War vet Walt Kowalski sets out to reform his neighbor, a young Hmong teenager, who tried to steal Kowalski’s prized possession: his 1972 Gran Torino.

 

Awards: Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations

Cadillac Records

Friday, December 5th, 2008

All Genres:
Biography, Drama, History, Music, Romance

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA

Runtime: 109 min

Languages: English

Director:

Tagline: If you take the ride, you must pay the price.

 

Cast: Adrien Brody … Leonard Chess
Jeffrey Wright … Muddy Waters
Gabrielle Union … Geneva Wade
Columbus Short … Little Walter
Cedric the Entertainer … Willie Dixon
Emmanuelle Chriqui … Revetta Chess
Eamonn Walker … Howlin' Wolf
Mos Def … Chuck Berry
Beyoncé Knowles … Etta James rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Joshua Alscher … Mick Jagger
Tim Bellow … Man in the Caddy
Tony Bentley … Lomax
Lawrence P. Beron … Overseer
Tammy Blanchard … Isabelle Allen
Eric Bogosian … Alan Freed
Marc Bonan … Keith Richards
Wayne Cobham … Piano – Ettas Recording Recording Group
Ryan Curtis … Picnic Boyfriend
Veronika Dash … Blonde
Eshaya Draper … Charles Waters – 7 Years Old
John Farrer … Violinist – Ettas Recording group
Shiloh Fernandez … Phil Chess
Jill Flint … Shirley Feder
Doug W. Goldman … Trumpet – Ettas Recording group
Gano Grills … Slick Pimp
Suzette Gunn … Minnie
Evan Hart … Young lover
Osas Ighodaro … Vicky – Maid
Kevin Jackson … Mysterious Black Man
Albert Jones … Hubert Sumlin
Nate Jones … Etta's Recording Group
Rayan Lawrence … Harmonica Player
Chyna Layne … Juanita
Malikha Mallette … Little Walter's girlfriend
Kevin Mambo … Jimmy Rogers
Aaron Munoz … Manager
Anthony Del Negro … Bandstand Dancer
Natasha Ononogbo … Muddy Waters' Girlfriend
Ginnie Randall … Muddy Waters Grandmother
Norman Reedus … Chess
Jake Robards … Robert
Jay O. Sanders … Mr. Feder
Stephen Seidel … Officer Brown
Derrick Simmons … Dice Player
Valence Thomas … James Cotton
Isiah Whitlock Jr. … Black mississippi dj
Dwan Dink Young … Drums – Ettas Recording group

 

Plot: Chronicles the rise of Chess Records and its recording artists.

 

Awards: Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 16 nominations

Punisher: War Zone

Thursday, December 4th, 2008

All Genres:
Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA | Canada | Germany

Runtime: 103 min

Languages: English

Director:

Tagline: Vengeance has a name.

 

Cast: Ray Stevenson … Frank Castle
Dominic West … Billy / Jigsaw
Doug Hutchison … Loony Bin Jim
Colin Salmon … Paul Budiansky
Wayne Knight … Micro
Dash Mihok … Martin Soap
Julie Benz … Angela
Stephanie Janusauskas … Grace
Mark Camacho … Pittsy
Romano Orzari … Nicky
Keram Malicki-Sánchez … Ink
Larry Day … Agent Miller
Ron Lea … Captain Ross
Tony Calabretta … Saffiotti
T.J. Storm … Maginty

 

Plot: After hunting down and killing hundreds of violent criminals, Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, faces his most deadly foe yet: Jigsaw.

 

Awards: 1 nomination

Four Christmases

Wednesday, November 26th, 2008

All Genres:
Comedy, Drama, Romance

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA | Germany

Runtime: 88 min

Languages: English

Director:

Tagline: His father, her mother, his mother and her father all in one day.

 

Cast: Vince Vaughn … Brad
Reese Witherspoon … Kate
Robert Duvall … Howard
Sissy Spacek … Paula
Jon Voight … Creighton
Jon Favreau … Denver
Mary Steenburgen … Marilyn
Dwight Yoakam … Pastor Phil
Tim McGraw … Dallas
Kristin Chenoweth … Courtney
Katy Mixon … Susan
Colleen Camp … Aunt Donna
Jeanette Miller … Gram-Gram
Jack Donner … Grandpa
Steve Wiebe … Jim

 

Plot: A couple struggles to visit all four of their divorced parents on Christmas Day.

 

Awards: 1 win & 1 nomination

Australia

Tuesday, November 18th, 2008

All Genres:
Adventure, Drama, History, Romance, War, Western

Release Year: 2008

Country: Australia | USA

Runtime: 165 min

Languages: English | Aboriginal

Director:

Tagline:

 

Writers: Stuart Beattie (screenplay) and Baz Luhrmann (screenplay) …

 

Cast: Shea Adams … Carney Boy #3
Eddie Baroo … Bull
Ray Barrett … Ramsden
Tony Barry … Sergeant Callahan
Jamal Bednarz-Metallah … Mission Boy
Damian Bradford … Constable #1
Bryan Brown … King Carney
Nathin Butler … Carney Boy #1
Tara Carpenter … Essential Services Woman
Rebecca Chatfield … Magarri's Niece
Lillian Crombie … Bandy Legs
Max Cullen … Old Drunk
Essie Davis … Cath Carney
Arthur Dignam … Father Benedict
Michelle Dyzla … Hairdresser

 

Plot: Set in northern Australia before World War II, an English aristocrat who inherits a sprawling ranch reluctantly pacts with a stock-man in order to protect her new property from a takeover plot. As the pair drive 2,000 head of cattle over unforgiving landscape, they experience the bombing of Darwin, Australia, by Japanese forces firsthand.

 

Awards: Nominated for Oscar. Another 7 wins & 19 nominations

Twilight

Monday, November 17th, 2008

All Genres:
Drama, Fantasy, Romance

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA

Runtime: 122 min

Languages: English

Director:

Tagline: When you can live forever what do you live for?

 

Cast: Kristen Stewart … Bella Swan
Robert Pattinson … Edward Cullen
Billy Burke … Charlie Swan
Peter Facinelli … Dr. Carlisle Cullen
Elizabeth Reaser … Esme Cullen
Cam Gigandet … James
Ashley Greene … Alice Cullen
Christian Serratos … Angela
Anna Kendrick … Jessica Stanley
Nikki Reed … Rosalie Hale
Taylor Lautner … Jacob Black
Kellan Lutz … Emmet Cullen
Jackson Rathbone … Jasper Hale
Michael Welch … Mike Newton
Gil Birmingham … Billy Black

 

Plot: A teenage girl risks everything when she falls in love with a vampire.

 

Awards: 19 wins & 8 nominations

Killshot

Thursday, November 13th, 2008

All Genres:
Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA

Runtime: 95 min

Languages: English

Director:

Tagline: Yesterday she was a witness. Today she's a target.

 

Cast: Mickey Rourke … Blackbird
Brandon McGibbon … Blackbird's Kid Brother
Peter Kelly Gaudreault … Blackbird's Brother
Michelle Arvizu … Nurse
Richard Zeppieri … Son-in-Law / Mafia Boss
Alexis Butler … Girl in Hotel Room
Hal Holbrook … Papa
Diane Lane … Carmen
Robert Gow … Prospective Buyer
Catherine Hayos … Prospective Buyer
Thomas Jane … Wayne
Craig Blair … Construction Site Foreman
Joseph Gordon-Levitt … Richie
Lynne Deragon … Mrs. Palino
Rosario Dawson … Donna

 

Plot: Beautiful Carmen Colson and her ironworker husband Wayne are placed in the Federal Witness Protection program after witnessing an “incident”. Thinking they are at last safe, they are targeted by an experienced hit man and a psychopathic young upstart killer. The ensuing struggle will test Carmen to the limit. add synopsis

Nothing Like the Holidays

Saturday, November 8th, 2008

All Genres:
Comedy, Drama, Romance

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA

Runtime: 98 min

Languages: English

Director:

Tagline:

 

Cast: Alfred Molina … Edy Rodriguez
Elizabeth Peña … Anna Rodriguez
Freddy Rodríguez … Jesse Rodriguez
Luis Guzmán … Johnny
Jay Hernandez … Ozzy
John Leguizamo … Mauricio Rodriguez
Debra Messing … Sarah Rodriguez
Vanessa Ferlito … Roxanna Rodriguez
Melonie Diaz … Marissa
Alexander Bautista … Hector
Ramses Jimenez … Fernando
Manny Perez … Alexis
Claudia Michelle Wallace … Tina
Cheryl Hamada … Dr. Susan Lee
Manny Sosa … Father Torres

 

Plot: A Puerto Rican family living in the area of Humboldt Park in west Chicago face what may be their last Christmas together.

 

Awards: 5 nominations

Last Chance Harvey

Saturday, November 8th, 2008

All Genres:
Drama, Romance

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA

Runtime: 93 min

Languages: English

Director:

Tagline: It's about first loves, last chances and everything in between.

 

Cast: Dustin Hoffman … Harvey Shine
Emma Thompson … Kate Walker
Eileen Atkins … Maggie Walker
Kathy Baker … Jean
Liane Balaban … Susan
James Brolin … Brian
Richard Schiff … Marvin
Tim Howar … Johnnie
Wendy Mae Brown … Aggie
Bronagh Gallagher … Oonagh
Jeremy Sheffield … Matt
Daniel Lapaine … Scott
Patrick Baladi … Simon
Adam James … Josh Hillman
Michael Landes … Peter Turner

 

Plot: In London for his daughter’s wedding, a rumpled man finds his romantic spirits lifted by a new woman in his life.

 

Awards: Nominated for 2 Golden Globes.

Soul Men

Friday, November 7th, 2008

All Genres:
Comedy, Drama, Music

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA

Runtime: 100 min

Languages: English

Director:

Tagline: Out of sync. Never out of style.

 

Cast: Samuel L. Jackson … Louis Hinds
Bernie Mac … Floyd Henderson
Sharon Leal … Cleo
Adam Herschman … Phillip
Sean Hayes … Danny Epstein
Affion Crockett … Lester
Fatso-Fasano … Pay-Pay
Jackie Long … Zig-Zag
Mike Epps … Duane Henderson
John Legend … Marcus Hooks
Isaac Hayes … Himself
Vanessa del Rio … Full-Figured Neighbor
P.J. Byrne … Floyd's Doctor
Ken Davitian … Ardesh Kezian
Jennifer Coolidge … Rosalee

 

Plot: Though it’s been some twenty years since they have spoken with one another, two estranged soul-singing legends agree to participate in a reunion performance at the Apollo Theater to honor their recently deceased band leader. add synopsis

 

Awards: 2 nominations

The Haunting of Molly Hartley

Friday, October 31st, 2008

All Genres:
Drama, Horror, Thriller

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA

Runtime: 82 min

Languages: English

Director:

Tagline: This Halloween her past is yet to come.

 

Cast: Haley Bennett … Molly Hartley
Jake Weber … Robert Hartley
Chace Crawford … Joseph Young
Shannon Woodward … Leah
Shanna Collins … Alexis White
AnnaLynne McCord … Suzie
Marin Hinkle … Jane Hartley
Nina Siemaszko … Dr. Emerson
Josh Stewart … Mr. Draper
Jessica Lowndes … Laurel Miller
Randy Wayne … Michael
Jamie McShane … Father
Ron Canada … Mr. Bennett
Kevin Cooney … Dr. Donaldson
Ross Thomas … Jock

 

Plot: Molly Hartley looks to put her troubled past behind her with a fresh start at a new school, where she sparks with one of the most popular students…

 

Awards: 1 nomination

Splinter

Friday, October 31st, 2008

All Genres:
Drama, Horror, Thriller

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA

Runtime: 82 min

Languages: English

Director:

Tagline: It will get under your skin.

 

Writers: Kai Barry (writer) Ian Shorr (writer)

 

Cast: Shea Whigham … Dennis Farell
Paulo Costanzo … Seth Belzer
Jill Wagner … Polly Watt
Rachel Kerbs … Lacey Belisle rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Charles Baker … Blake Sherman Jr.
Laurel Whitsett … Sheriff Terri Frankel

 

Plot: Trapped in an isolated gas station by a voracious Splinter parasite that transforms its still living victims into deadly hosts, a young couple and an escaped convict must find a way to work together to survive this primal terror. add synopsis

 

Awards: 6 wins & 1 nomination

Doubt

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

All Genres:
Drama, Mystery

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA

Runtime: 104 min

Languages: English

Director:

Tagline: There is no evidence. There are no witnesses. But for one, there is no doubt.

 

Cast: Meryl Streep … Sister Aloysius Beauvier
Philip Seymour Hoffman … Father Brendan Flynn
Amy Adams … Sister James
Viola Davis … Mrs. Miller
Alice Drummond … Sister Veronica
Audrie Neenan … Sister Raymond
Susan Blommaert … Mrs. Carson
Carrie Preston … Christine Hurley
John Costelloe … Warren Hurley
Lloyd Clay Brown … Jimmy Hurley
Joseph Foster … Donald Miller (as Joseph Foster II)
Mike Roukis … William London
Haklar Dezso … Zither Player
Frank Shanley … Kevin
Robert Ridgell … Organist

 

Plot: Set in 1964, Doubt centers on a nun who confronts a priest after suspecting him of abusing a black student. He denies the charges, and much of the play’s quick-fire dialogue tackles themes of religion, morality, and authority.

 

Awards: Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 33 nominations

Milk

Tuesday, October 28th, 2008

All Genres:
Biography, Drama, History, Romance

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA

Runtime: 128 min

Languages: English

Director:

Tagline: His life changed history. His courage changed lives.

 

Cast: Sean Penn … Harvey Milk
Emile Hirsch … Cleve Jones
Josh Brolin … Dan White
Diego Luna … Jack Lira
James Franco … Scott Smith
Alison Pill … Anne Kronenberg
Victor Garber … Mayor George Moscone
Denis O'Hare … State Senator John Briggs
Joseph Cross … Dick Pabich
Stephen Spinella … Rick Stokes
Lucas Grabeel … Danny Nicoletta
Brandon Boyce … Jim Rivaldo
Howard Rosenman … David Goodstein
Kelvin Yu … Michael Wong
Jeff Koons … Art Agnos

 

Plot: The story of Harvey Milk, and his struggles as an American gay activist who fought for gay rights and became California’s first openly gay elected official.

 

Awards: Won 2 Oscars. Another 34 wins & 48 nominations

W.

Thursday, October 16th, 2008

All Genres:
Biography, Drama

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA | Hong Kong | Germany | UK | Australia

Runtime: 129 min

Languages: English | Spanish

Director:

Tagline: Get Ready

 

Cast: Josh Brolin … George W. Bush
Elizabeth Banks … Laura Bush
Ellen Burstyn … Barbara Bush
James Cromwell … George H.W. Bush
Richard Dreyfuss … Dick Cheney
Scott Glenn … Donald Rumsfeld
Toby Jones … Karl Rove
Stacy Keach … Rev. Earle Hudd
Bruce McGill … George Tenet
Thandie Newton … Condoleezza Rice
Jeffrey Wright … Colin Powell
Ioan Gruffudd … Prime Minister Tony Blair
Noah Wyle … Don Evans
Dennis Boutsikaris … Paul Wolfowitz
Michael Gaston … General Tommy Franks

 

Plot: A chronicle on the life and presidency of George W. Bush.

 

Awards: 4 nominations