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December 2005 Releases
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Fantastic Four
In this thrill-filled live-action Marvel Comics adaptation, director Tim Story (BARBERSHOP) balances comedy, romantic intrigue, special effects, high action, and even scientific trivia for a rounded FANTASTIC FOUR. Here, Mister Fantastic (Ioan Gruffudd), Invisible Woman (Jessica Alba), The Human Torch (Chris Evans), and The Thing (Michael Chiklis) come together on a space mission that goes wrong. The ship's owner (Julian McMahon)--who later transforms into evil Doctor Doom--refuses to abort the mission during a solar storm, which electrifies the ship and its entire crew, causing radical changes to their DNA. Back on earth, the transformed "heroes" adjust to their new powers, which are specific to their personalities. Mister Fantastic, who lacks assertion, has stretchy limbs of rubber. Invisible Woman, who loves Fantastic but thinks he can't see her for who she really is, does a disappearing act. The Human Torch, an immature guy who is brimming with energy, can burst into flames. And finally, The Thing, a great friend who is as solid as a rock, actually turns into one--and loses his wife due to his weighty disposition. Holing up in Fantastic's scientific lab where they run experiments on themselves in hopes of changing back to normal, the crew learns that Doctor Doom--who is so power hungry that he turns into metal and is able to conduct electrical currents--poses a serious threat. The heroes quickly master their abilities and channel their scientific smarts for one truly fantastic five-way face-off.
Street Date: 12/6/2005
Genre:
Science Fiction
Rating:
PG-13
Starring:
Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis, Julian McMahon
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The Dukes of Hazzard
Slipping into the boots made famous by John Schneider and Tom Wopat, Seann William Scott and Johnny Knoxville play moonshine-selling cousins, Bo and Luke Duke. Along with their ridiculously gorgeous cousin Daisy (Jessica Simpson) and joke-telling Uncle Jessie (Willie Nelson), the Duke boys love to get the goat of Hazzard County's most crooked law enforcement officials, including Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane (M.C. Gainey) and county commissioner Boss Hogg (Burt Reynolds). But when they discover that Boss Hogg is using his leverage to run them off their farm in order to turn Hazzard County into a strip mine for coal, things get personal. With the help of their faithful friends, Bo and Luke set off on their riskiest adventure yet.
Street Date: 12/6/2005
Genre:
Action/Adventure
Rating:
PG-13
Starring:
Johnny Knoxville, Seann William Scott, Jessica Simpson, M.C. Gainey, Burt Reynolds
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Cinderella Man
Cinderella Man is the true story of boxer James J. Braddock (Russell Crowe), a heavyweight contender from New Jersey nicknamed "the Bulldog of Bergen," who lost his fame and fortune during the Great Depression only to win the hearts of the downtrodden during a spectacular comeback. Crowe is masterful as Braddock, with Renee Zellweger playing his wife, and Paul Giamatti as his loyal friend and manager, Joe Gould. The sharply observed script devotes a significant amount of screen time to the domestic struggles of Braddock's family; developing character and place with a wealth of period detail, so when the comeback starts, the payoff is enormous.
Street Date: 12/6/2005
Genre:
Drama
Rating:
PG-13
Starring:
Russell Crowe, Renee Zellweger, Paul Giamatti
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Puddle Cruiser
A college student falls in love with the student that defends him in from of the school's Judicial Board. He finds out that securing and maintaining a relationship in college can be pretty tricky. Ultimately, it boils down to a rugby match against her ex-boyfriend.
Street Date: 12/6/2005
Genre:
Comedy
Rating:
R
Starring:
Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter, Erik Stolhanske, Zach Chapman, Alison Clapp
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Two Hands
Street Date: 12/6/2005
Genre:
Drama
Rating:
R
Starring:
Heath Ledger, Bryan Brown, Rose Byrne, David Field, Susie Porter
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The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Andy Stitzer rides his bike to his stockperson job at Smart Tech, has a nice apartment filled with collectable toys (in their original packages), and plays videogames every night before bed. He's also a 40-year-old virgin. During a poker game with his coworkers David (Paul Rudd), Jay (Romany Malco), and Cal (Seth Rogen), talk turns to intimacy and it becomes very clear that Andy doesn't know what he's talking about. His friends become intent on remedying his situation, and their advice leads to newfound confidence for naive Andy. But when he develops true feelings for single mother Trish (Catherine Keener), Andy finds that all the advice in the world won't help him navigate the choppy waters of an adult relationship.
Street Date: 12/13/2005
Genre:
Comedy
Rating:
R
Starring:
Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Paul Rudd
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The Island
In this thriller from director Michael Bay (PEARL HARBOR, ARMAGEDDON), survivors of global contamination live in a sterile, self-contained world where their every move is monitored. The rules are easy: be pleasant, refrain from asking questions, and don't rock the boat. Everything they need is provided for them, from the white uniforms that magically appear in their closets, to their customized cafeteria-style meals. The survivors all eagerly await their big payoff: winning the lottery and being sent to The Island, the only remaining untainted land in the world. But Lincoln Six-Echo (Ewan McGregor) yearns for more from his life and begins to wonder what really lies outside the thick walls. When his best friend, Jordan Two-Delta (Scarlett Johansson), wins the lottery, he knows that he has to find out the truth about their world before she departs. What he finds is terrifying enough to send Lincoln and Jordan fleeing from the facility to the real world where they quickly discover that they are clones, and that both The Island and global contamination are a ruse. The clones sole purpose is to be harvested for replacement parts when their sponsors need them.
Street Date: 12/13/2005
Genre:
Science-Fiction
Rating:
PG-13
Starring:
Ewan McGregor, Scarlett Johansson, Djimon Hounsou, Steve Buscemi
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The Bad New Bears
Hollywood's tradition of remaking classic movies continues with this 21st-century updating of the 1976 romp, THE BAD NEWS BEARS. Acclaimed director Richard Linklater (THE SCHOOL OF ROCK, DAZED AND CONFUSED) pays respect to Michael Ritchie's original film by updating it rather than reinventing it. Stepping into the tough-to-fill shoes of Walter Matthau, Billy Bob Thornton plays the liquor-swilling, foulmouthed Morris Buttermaker, who has agreed to coach a Little League team for the paycheck. Unfortunately for him, his assembled team consists of the league's most inept outcasts. Gradually, however, Buttermaker's determination wins out, to the point where he recruits an ex-girlfriend's gifted daughter, Amanda Whurlitzer (Sammi Kane Kraft), to step onto the pitcher's mound. The team is complete when local bad boy Kelly Leak (Jeffrey Davies) lends his overflowing talent to the cause. Soon, the Bears are climbing their way to the top of the standings, resulting in a championship showdown with the Yankees, who are managed by the ridiculously pompous Coach Bullock (Greg Kinnear).
Street Date: 12/13/2005
Genre:
Comedy
Rating:
PG-13
Starring:
Billy Bob Thornton, Greg Kinnear, Marcia Gay Harden, Timmy Deters
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Valiant
From Disney and the producer of SHREK and SHREK II comes this animated feel-good comedy about a small but heroic British homing pigeon during World War II. Though tiny, Valiant (Ewan McGregor) is gutsy, and he yearns to join the Royal Homing Pigeon Service to serve his country during its time of need, hoping to prove that what he lacks in wingspan he makes up for in spirit. Accepted into training, Valiant faces some ribbing by the other members of RHPS and is placed into Squad F, along with a host of other misfit heroes. However, with troops trapped behind enemy lines and a flurry of attacks by enemy falcons (led by General Von Talon, voiced by Tim Curry), it's up to Valiant and his comrades to save the day.
Street Date: 12/13/2005
Genre:
Kids
Rating:
G
Starring:
Ewan McGregor, Hugh Laurie, Ricky Gervais, Tim Curry, Jim Broadbent, John Cleese, John Hurt (voices)
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Roll Bounce
In the late '70s when roller skating was a way of life, X (Bow Wow) and his pals ruled supreme. But when the doors of their local skating rink close, it marks the end of an era and the beginning of another that sees the boys venture into foreign territory -- uptown's Sweetwater Roller Rink, complete with its over-the-top skaters and beautiful girls.
Through his preparation for the showdown of the season -- the Roller Jam skate off with the Sweetwater crew -- X manages to find himself and also help his dad (Chi McBride) get back on track.
Street Date: 12/13/2005
Genre:
Urban
Rating:
PG-13
Starring:
Bow Wow, Chi McBride, Wesley Jonathan, Nick Cannon
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Kronk's New Groove
Animated sequel to the Emperor's New Groove.
Street Date: 12/13/2005
Genre:
Kids
Rating:
G
Starring:
David Spade, John Goodman, Bob Bergen, Anthony Ghannam, Gatlin Green, Eartha Kitt (voices)
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Exorcism of Emily Rose
Based on a true story, this film is both a riveting courtroom drama and a first class chiller. A Catholic Priest (Tom Wilkinson) is on trial for homicidal negligence after performing a failed exorcism on Emily Rose, devout college girl (Jennifer Carpenter) now dead from assorted wounds and malnutrition. Laura Linney plays Erin Bruner, the priest’s defense lawyer, and Campbell Scott plays the chief prosecutor, who argues persuasively that Emily was likely suffering from psychotic epilepsy and could have been saved with hospitalization and medicine. The demonic possession unfolds in a series of spine-tingling flashbacks and as it does so, the initially doubtful Erin is visited by evil forces and her own soul seems to be at stake. More than a criminal negligence case, the trial becomes about the importance of recognizing the limits of rationality and the possibility of a world beyond the visible.
Street Date: 12/20/2005
Genre:
Horror/Suspense
Rating:
PG-13
Starring:
Tom Wilkinson, Laura Linney, Jennifer Carpenter, Colm Feore
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Four Brothers
When their beloved foster mother is killed in a holdup, four tough brothers reunite in their old Detroit neighborhood with revenge on their minds. Mark Wahlberg plays the brawl-hungry leader, Bobby. His brother, Angel (Tyrese Gibson), is a rowdy sailor with a high-strung Latina girlfriend (Sofi Vergara). Garrett Hedlun plays the young rock & roller of the clan. And Outkast's Andre "3000" Benjamin, is the family man whose tenuous mob connection may link him to the killers.
Street Date: 12/20/2005
Genre:
Action/Adventure
Rating:
R
Starring:
Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese Gibson, Andre Benjamin, Garrett Hedlund
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Must Love Dogs
John Cusack and Diane Lane star in this romantic comedy titled after a personal ad on the Internet. Eight months after getting divorced, downtrodden preschool teacher Sarah (Lane) is wary of re-entering the dating pool. Seeing her reluctance as a cry for help, Sarah's large, jovial family plans an intervention. While Sarah does not appreciate being bombarded by photographs and phone numbers of potential mates (half of whom are married), even she can see that her most meaningful relationship should not be with her brother's dog--a loveable Newfoundland named Mother Theresa. After Sara answers personal ads with less-than-thrilling results, her sister Carol (Elizabeth Perkins) takes things into her own hands, secretly posting an online-dating profile on Sarah's behalf. In a familiar montage of first-date scenarios, Sarah meets one unappealing prospective bachelor after another. But when she meets recently divorced Jake (Cusack), something clicks.
Street Date: 12/20/2005
Genre:
Comedy
Rating:
PG-13
Starring:
Diane Lane, John Cusack, Elizabeth Perkins, Ali Hillis, Christopher Plummer, Stockard Channing
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The Brothers Grimm
Set in early 18th century French-occupied Germany, THE BROTHERS GRIMM stars Matt Damon as Will Grimm and Heath Ledger as Jake Grimm, siblings who travel the countryside as snake-oil salesmen, convincing unsuspecting towns that they are haunted and agreeing to get rid of the demons--for a price. In the meantime, they set their tales down in writing, creating a wealth of oddball, offbeat, and frightening characters. But after they are caught by General Delatombe (Jonathan Pryce) and his sidekick, Cavaldi (Peter Stormare), they are sent to the tiny village of Marbaden to solve the mysterious disappearance of a number of young girls, placing them in the middle of a fantasy world unlike any they'd ever invented. They enlist the help of a peasant woman, Angelika (Lena Headey), and they set off for the evil forest to save the lives of the girls--and themselves.
Street Date: 12/20/2005
Genre:
Science Fiction/Fantasy
Rating:
PG-13
Starring:
Matt Damon, Heath Ledger, Peter Stormare, Monica Bellucci, Jonathan Pryce
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Rebound
Martin Lawrence stars as superstar college basketball coach Roy McCormick, who is clearly more interested in his social status than he is in the game that made him famous. Unfortunately, when he accidentally kills the pet bird of the opposing team's mascot, he's suspended. The only way to make a return to the big time is if he is able to prove that he has his temper in check. Enter the bumbling players of McCormick's alma mater, Mt. Vernon Jr. High School, who goad McCormick into being their coach. The only trouble is that the last thing McCormick wants to do is coach a bunch of uncoordinated losers. Gradually, however, Coach McCormick begins to see the world differently when his players show signs of actual promise.
Street Date: 12/20/2005
Genre:
Comedy
Rating:
PG
Starring:
Martin Lawrence, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Breckin Meyer, Horatio Sanz, Patrick Warburton
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The Great Raid
Following the 1942 Bataan Death March, thousands of U.S. and Filipino soldiers were imprisoned by the Japanese in a POW camp in Cabantauan in the Philippines. Brutalized, starved, and tortured, the prisoners languished in the camp for nearly three years. But in January 1945, an American battalion, with the help of Filipino guerrillas, planned a daring mission--some called it suicide--to rescue the five hundred U.S. soldiers still alive there.
Street Date: 12/20/2005
Genre:
Drama
Rating:
R
Starring:
Benjamin Bratt, James Franco, Robert Mammone, Max Martini, Joseph Fiennes
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Cry_Wolf
When Owen Matthews (Julian Morris) makes up a fake, very detailed story about a serial killer and e-mails it to all the students at Westlake--which is yet another private school his father (Gary Cole) has sent him off to--he has no idea what he has begun. Soon his fictional murderer, "the Wolf," is sneaking around campus, scaring the students and leaving behind a trail of blood. What started out as a relatively innocent game between a group of friends has now turned real, and Owen seems to be the only one who can stop it. But the deeper he goes, the more he doesn't like what he finds out--until he becomes the ultimate target.
Street Date: 12/20/2005
Genre:
Horror/Suspense
Rating:
PG-13
Starring:
Julian Morris, Lindy Booth, Jon Bon Jovi
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November
Courtney Cox-Arquette, demonstrating her dramatic chops in a drastic shift from her FRIENDS character, stars as Sophie Jacobson, whose boyfriend Hugh (James Le Gros, DRUGSTORE COWBOY, LOVELY & AMAZING) is shot and killed one night in a convenience store while she waits in the car. Traumatized, Sophie is plagued by headaches and strange episodes that increasingly impair her everyday life. Resuming her job as a photography teacher at the local college, she is confronted by a photograph taken the night of the shooting. When she investigates to find out who took it, the answer sets off a string of events that defy explanation. The narrative unfolds in a nonlinear way, traveling both directions in time from the central event of the shooting, recalling in equal parts MEMENTO and MULHOLLAND DRIVE.
Street Date: 12/20/2005
Genre:
Drama
Rating:
R
Starring:
Courteney Cox, Anne Archer, James LeGros, Michael Ealy, Nora Dunn
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Dark Water
Based on a story by Japanese novelist Koji Suzuki and a film by Hideo Nakata (THE RING), DARK WATER is a thrilling exercise in psychological terror. Jennifer Connelly stars as Dahlia, a troubled woman who is battling her husband, Kyle (Dougray Scott), for custody of their young daughter, Ceci (Ariel Gade). Low on cash, Dahlia moves with Ceci into a creepy apartment building on Roosevelt Island in New York City--and soon discovers that something very wrong is going on one floor above them. As black water drips down ominously from the ceiling in her bedroom, Dahlia is unable to get help from the real estate agent in charge (the appropriately mysterious John C. Reilly) or his very strange employee (a grizzled Pete Postlethwaite). Around the time Ceci starts going to her new school, she also seems to have developed a very dangerous invisible friend with eerie ties to the apartment above. Believing that Kyle might be gaslighting her, Dahlia turns to a rather curious lawyer (Tim Roth) who appears to work out of his car. All the while, memories of her strained relationship with her mother begin flooding her mind and giving her debilitating migraines.
Street Date: 12/26/2005
Genre:
Horror/Suspense
Rating:
PG-13
Starring:
Jennifer Connelly, Ariel Gade, Dougray Scott, Pete Postlethwaite, Tim Roth, John C. Reilly
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Into the Blue
Paul Walker and Jessica Alba are a pair of in-love Bahamas-dwelling naturalists; she wrangles sharks at a local water park, he shepherds tourist scuba divers around the local reefs. Their beach-bum tranquility gets a jolt when a fast-talking buddy (Scott Caan) and his drug-user girlfriend (Ashley Scott) come to visit. While out on a dive, the foursome uncover what could be a dagger from an 18th-century pirate ship--but nearby there also happens to be a downed plane laden with cocaine. Moral quandaries ensue, bad guys get wind of the drugs, guns come out, and the plot thickens.
Street Date: 12/26/2005
Genre:
Action/Adventure
Rating:
PG-13
Starring:
Jessica Alba, Paul Walker, Scott Caan, Ashley Scott
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American Pie - Band Camp
When Stifler's younger brother Matt faces expulsion from school, he accepts the alternative of a Summer at band camp. Remembering the sage-like advice of Jim's wife Michelle, he decides to try and follow in his big brother's footsteps (who has hit it big with a series of risque videos) and get footage of band geeks going wild.
When he falls in love with one of the band geeks, he has a change of heart about the whole scheme.
Street Date: 12/26/2005
Genre:
Comedy
Rating:
R
Starring:
Arielle Kebbel, Tad Hilgenbrinck, Eugene Levy, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Jennifer Walcott
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Black Dawn
Street Date: 12/26/2005
Genre:
Action/Martial Arts
Rating:
R
Starring:
Steven Seagal, Eddie Velez, David St. James, Ric Sarabia
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The Grizzly Man
A passionate wildlife preservationist and grizzly bear devotee, Timothy Treadwell lived unarmed among the grizzlies in a remote section of Alaska for 13 years, and eventually died in a bear attack. He filmed his experiences during his final five years, and director Werner Herzog makes use of this footage in a posthumous portrait of a complex, intriguing character. A youthful blond actor turned nature lover, Treadwell is revealed over the course of the film to have been a troubled soul who found solace in the wild, and the existential questions and difficulties he faced in the world were, fascinatingly, worked out on film.
Street Date: 12/27/2005
Genre:
Documentary
Rating:
(unrated)
Starring:
Werner Herzog (director)
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