Archive for December, 2008

Defiance

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008

All Genres:
Action, Drama, Thriller, War

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA

Runtime: 137 min

Languages: English | German | Russian

Director:

Tagline: Freedom begins with an act of defiance!

 

Cast: Daniel Craig … Tuvia Bielski
Liev Schreiber … Zus Bielski
Jamie Bell … Asael Bielski
Alexa Davalos … Lilka Ticktin
Allan Corduner … Shamon Haretz
Mark Feuerstein … Isaac Malbin
Tomas Arana … Ben Zion Gulkowitz
Jodhi May … Tamara Skidelsky
Kate Fahy … Riva Reich
Iddo Goldberg … Yitzchak Shulman
Iben Hjejle … Bella
Martin Hancock … Peretz Shorshaty
Ravil Isyanov … Viktor Panchenko
Jacek Koman … Konstanty 'Koscik' Kozlowski
George MacKay … Aron Bielski

 

Plot: Jewish brothers in Nazi-occupied Eastern Europe escape into the Belarussian forests, where they join Russian resistance fighters and endeavor to build a village in order to protect themselves and about 1,000 Jewish non-combatants.

 

Awards: Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations

Marley & Me

Thursday, December 25th, 2008

All Genres:
Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA

Runtime: 120 min | USA:115 min | 111 min

Languages: English

Director:

Tagline: Heel the love

 

Cast: Owen Wilson … John Grogan
Jennifer Aniston … Jennifer Grogan
Eric Dane … Sebastian Tunney
Kathleen Turner … Ms. Kornblut
Alan Arkin … Arnie Klein
Nathan Gamble … Patrick (Age 10)
Haley Bennett … Lisa
Ann Dowd … Dr. Platt
Clarke Peters … Editor
Finley Jacobsen … Conor (Age 8)
Lucy Merriam … Colleen (Age 5)
Bryce Robinson … Patrick (Age 7)
Ben Hyland … Conor (Age 5)
Sarah O'Kelly … Neighbor Mom (Nurse)
Keith Hudson … Big Guy

 

Plot: A family learns important life lessons from their adorable, but naughty and neurotic dog.

 

Awards: 2 wins & 3 nominations

Valkyrie

Thursday, December 25th, 2008

All Genres:
Drama, History, Thriller, War

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA | Germany

Runtime: 115 min

Languages: English | German

Director:

Tagline: Many saw evil. They dared to stop it.

 

Cast: Tom Cruise … Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg
Kenneth Branagh … Major-General Henning von Tresckow
Bill Nighy … General Friedrich Olbricht
Tom Wilkinson … General Friedrich Fromm
Carice van Houten … Nina von Stauffenberg
Thomas Kretschmann … Major Otto Ernst Remer
Terence Stamp … Ludwig Beck
Eddie Izzard … General Erich Fellgiebel
Kevin McNally … Dr. Carl Goerdeler (as Kevin R. McNally)
Christian Berkel … Colonel Mertz von Quirnheim
Jamie Parker … Lieutenant Werner von Haeften
David Bamber … Adolf Hitler
Tom Hollander … Colonel Heinz Brandt
David Schofield … Erwin von Witzleben
Kenneth Cranham … Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel

 

Plot: Based on actual events, a plot to assassinate Hitler is unfurled during the height of WWII.

 

Awards: 1 win & 8 nominations

The Spirit

Thursday, December 25th, 2008

All Genres:
Action, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Thriller

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA

Runtime: 103 min

Languages: English | French

Director:

Tagline: Down these mean streets a man must come. A hero born, murdered, and born again.

 

Cast: Jaime King … Lorelei Rox
Gabriel Macht … The Spirit / Denny Colt
Dan Gerrity … Det. Sussman
Arthur the Cat … Himself
Kimberly Cox … Damsel in Distress
Brian Lucero … Thug #1
David Brian Martin … Thug #2 (as David B. Martin)
Larry Reinhardt-Meyer … Officer MacReady
Frank Miller … Liebowitz
Eva Mendes … Sand Saref
Eric Balfour … Mahmoud
Samuel L. Jackson … The Octopus
Louis Lombardi … Pathos / Ethos / Logos
Scarlett Johansson … Silken Floss
Sarah Paulson … Ellen Dolan

 

Plot: Rookie cop Denny Colt returns from the beyond as The Spirit, a hero whose mission is to fight against the bad forces in Central City.

Bedtime Stories

Wednesday, December 24th, 2008

All Genres:
Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA

Runtime: 99 min

Languages: English

Director:

Tagline: Whatever they dream up… he has to survive.

 

Cast: Adam Sandler … Skeeter Bronson
Keri Russell … Jill
Guy Pearce … Kendall
Russell Brand … Mickey
Richard Griffiths … Barry Nottingham
Teresa Palmer … Violet Nottingham
Lucy Lawless … Aspen
Courteney Cox … Wendy
Jonathan Morgan Heit … Patrick
Laura Ann Kesling … Bobbi
Jonathan Pryce … Marty Bronson
Nick Swardson … Engineer
Kathryn Joosten … Mrs. Dixon
Allen Covert … Ferrari Guy
Carmen Electra … Hot Girl

 

Plot: A family comedy about a hotel handyman whose life changes when the lavish bedtime stories he tells his niece and nephew start to magically come true.

 

Awards: 1 win & 4 nominations

Free Style

Wednesday, December 24th, 2008

All Genres:
Drama

Release Year: 2008

Country: Canada | USA | Germany

Runtime: USA:94 min

Languages: English

Director:

Tagline: It's Time To Soar.

 

Cast: Mike Antonakos … Pizza Manager
Giacomo Baessato … Drunken Partier
Tosca Baggoo … Carmen Lopez
Matt Bellefleur … Derek Black
Corbin Bleu … Cale Bryant
Gary Chalk … Home Track Announcer
Kim Clarke … Pizza Woman
Val Cole … News Reporter
Brandon Dabul-Sanchez … Edwardo, Lopez
Stefan Dabul-Sanchez … Hector Lopez
Patricia Drake … Manager
Sandra Echeverría … Alex
Gustavo Febres … Angel Lopez
Paul Jarrett … Frank
Woody Jeffreys … National Official
Grant Langston
Hannah R. Lay … Lilian
Nels Lennarson … John Lamport
Wall Levy … Wally
Tyler McClendon … Don Ryan
Tim McGrath … Justin
Penelope Ann Miller … Jeanette
Jesse Moss … Justin Maynard
Tegan Moss … Crystal
Scott Patey … Trent
Madison Pettis … Bailey Bryant
Martin Rattigan … Coby
David Reivers … Dell Bryant
Michael Ryan … Herman Black
John Shaw … Sheriff Bud Williams
Chris Shields … Doctor
Clay St. Thomas … MX Commentator

 

Plot: Cale, is determined to win a coveted spot on the Grand National racing team without compromising his devotion to his friends and family

The Tale of Despereaux

Friday, December 19th, 2008

All Genres:
Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Release Year: 2008

Country: UK | USA

Runtime: 93 min | 90 min

Languages: English

Director: Sam Fell

Robert Stevenhagen

Tagline: Small Hero. Big Heart.

 

Writers: Kate DiCamillo (book) Will McRobb (screen story)

 

Cast: Matthew Broderick … Despereaux (voice)
Dustin Hoffman … Roscuro (voice)
Emma Watson … Princess Pea (voice)
Tracey Ullman … Miggery Sow (voice)
Kevin Kline … Andre (voice)
William H. Macy … Lester (voice)
Stanley Tucci … Boldo (voice)
Ciarán Hinds … Botticelli (voice)
Robbie Coltrane … Gregory (voice)
Tony Hale … Furlough (voice)
Frances Conroy … Antoinette (voice)
Frank Langella … Mayor (voice)
Richard Jenkins … Principal (voice)
Christopher Lloyd … Hovis (voice)
Charles Shaughnessy … Pietro (voice)

 

Plot: The tale of three unlikely heroes – a misfit mouse who prefers reading books to eating them, an unhappy rat who schemes to leave the darkness of the dungeon, and a bumbling servant girl with cauliflower ears – whose fates are intertwined with that of the castle’s princess.

 

Awards: 8 nominations

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

Rudo y Cursi

Friday, December 19th, 2008

All Genres:
Comedy, Drama, Sport

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA | Mexico

Runtime: Netherlands:103 min | USA:103 min | Argentina:103 min

Languages: Spanish

Director:

Tagline: La Vida es Un Volado

 

Cast: Gael García Bernal … Tato
Diego Luna … Beto
Guillermo Francella … Batuta
Dolores Heredia … Elvira
Adriana Paz … Toña
Jessica Mas … Maya
Salvador Zerboni … Jorge W
Tania Esmeralda Aguilar … Nadia
Joaquín Cosio … Arnulfo
Alfredo Alfonso … Don Casimiro
Fermín Martínez … DT. Obdulio
Eduardo Von … DT. Bruno Lopéz
Jorge Zárate … Voz Bruno López
Axel Ricco … Mena
Harold Torres … Trompo Tovar

 

Plot: Two siblings rival each other inside the world of professional soccer.

 

Awards: 1 win & 3 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

Inkheart

Thursday, December 11th, 2008

All Genres:
Adventure, Family, Fantasy

Release Year: 2008

Country: Germany | UK | USA

Runtime: 106 min

Languages: English

Director:

Tagline: Every story ever written is just waiting to become real.

 

Cast: Brendan Fraser … Mo 'Silvertongue' Folchart
Sienna Guillory … Resa
Eliza Bennett … Meggie Folchart (as Eliza Hope Bennett)
Richard Strange … Antiquarian Bookshop Owner
Paul Bettany … Dustfinger
Helen Mirren … Elinor Loredan
Matt King … Cockerell
Steve Speirs … Flatnose
Jamie Foreman … Basta
Stephen Graham … Fulvio
Mirabel O'Keefe … Young Meggie
Andy Serkis … Capricorn
John Thomson … Darius
Lesley Sharp … Mortola
Tereza Srbova … Rapunzel

 

Plot: A young girl discovers her father has an amazing talent to bring characters out of their books and must try to stop a freed villain from destroying them all, with the help of her father, her aunt, and a storybook’s hero.

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 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 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

Yes Man

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

All Genres:
Comedy, Romance

Release Year: 2008

Country: USA | Australia

Runtime: 104 min

Languages: English | Korean | Estonian

Director:

Tagline: One word can change everything.

 

Cast: Jim Carrey … Carl Allen
Zooey Deschanel … Allison
Bradley Cooper … Peter
John Michael Higgins … Nick
Rhys Darby … Norman
Danny Masterson … Rooney
Fionnula Flanagan … Tillie
Terence Stamp … Terrence Bundley
Sasha Alexander … Lucy Burns
Molly Sims … Stephanie
Brent Briscoe … Homeless Guy
Rocky Carroll … Wes
John Cothran Jr. … Tweed (as John Cothran)
Spencer Garrett … Multack
Sean O'Bryan … Ted

 

Plot: A guy challenges himself to say “yes” to everything for an entire year.

 

Awards: 2 wins & 7 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

Ong bak 2

Thursday, December 4th, 2008

All Genres:
Action

Release Year: 2008

Country: Thailand

Runtime: 98 min | Germany:110 min (European Film Market)

Languages: Thai

Director: Tony Jaa

Panna Rittikrai

Tagline: Warrior. Conqueror. Legend.

 

Cast: Tony Jaa … Tien
Sorapong Chatree … Chernang
Sarunyu Wongkrachang … Rajasena Lord
Nirut Sirichanya … Master Bua (as Nirut Sirijanya)
Dan Chupong … Crow Ghost (as Dance Chupong)
Santisuk Promsiri … Nobleman Siha Decho
Primorata Dejudom … Pim rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Natdanai Kongthong … Young Tien
Patthama Panthong … Lady Plai
Petchtai Wongkamlao … Mhen

 

Plot: A young Thai boxer learns the skills and inner meaning of martial arts.