AKEELAH AND THE BEE
Cast: Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, Brittany Curran, Curtis Armstrong, Keke Palmer
Synopsis: Widely acclaimed by critics, the heartwarming family film, Akeelah and the Bee tells the inspirational story of a precocious eleven-year-old girl from south Los Angeles with a gift for words. Featuring an award-winning cast including Academy Award®-nominee Laurence Fishburne, Golden Globe®-winner Angela Bassett and a star-making performance from young actress Keke Palmer, the film follows Akeelah Anderson as she struggles to overcome her own insecurities to reach her goal of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. In the process, she unites her family, her coach and her neighborhood, all who rally behind the courage of one amazing girl.
AMERICAN GUN
Cast: Donald Sutherland, Linda Cardellini, Marcia Gay Harden, Nikki Reed, Forest Whitaker
Synopsis: AMERICAN GUN is a powerful series of interwoven storylines that bring to light how the proliferation of guns in America dramatically affect and shape the every day lives of its citizens. The film opens at the start of another day in a Virginia gun store, where owner Carl (Donald Sutherland), continues to sidestep controversy while running the shop he loves. His newest employee is his granddaughter Mary Ann (Linda Cardellini), a college student pressured to spend a semester in the family business. Despite her misgivings, curiosity overcomes her as she is slowly seduced by the weapons she sells. Across the country in Oregon, Janet (Marcia Gay Harden) is suffering through a television interview marking the third anniversary of her older son's high school shooting rampage and suicide. As a single mother, she worries for her younger son David (Christopher Marquette) who is now the same age his brother was when he committed the terrible acts. While dealing with his own rage and grief, David quietly falls for Tally (Nikki Reed), the new girl in town. Meanwhile, Frank, a middle-aged deputy, watches the interview intently; still haunted by vicious accusations that he could have prevented the tragedy. On Chicago's gritty west side, principal Carl (Forest Whitaker) struggles to keep his violent inner-city high school from self destructing. His wife Sara (Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon) desperately fears for the safety of their young son. When ace student Jay (Arlen Escarpeta) is caught hiding a handgun, both principal and student find themselves facing decisions they never wanted to make.
DUCK SEASON
Cast: Daniel Miranda, Danny Perea, Diego Catano, Enrique Arreola, Sara Castro
Synopsis: 'Duck Season' takes you into one particular Sunday morning in the lives of two fourteen-year old boys, Flama and Moko. With their neighbor Rita and pizza delivery boy Ulises, they create their own adventures to overcome their boredom. 'Duck Season' explores the loneliness of childhood, the effects of divorce and the curious power of love and friendship. Winner of numerous awards, including an unprecedented 11 Ariel Awards, the film was produced by Christian Valdelievre, Lulù Productions and Cinepantera and executive produced by Jaime Ramos. Warner Independent Pictures and Alfonso Cuaron's Esperanto Films will distribute.
FRIENDS WITH MONEY
Cast: Catherine Keener, Frances McDormand, Jennifer Aniston, Joan Cusack, Scott Caan
Synopsis: Jennifer Aniston, Catherine Keener, Frances McDormand and Joan Cusak star in a film the New York Times hails as 'a bittersweet comedy about the drama of being alive'' ' Manohla Dargis/New York Times, FRIENDS WITH MONEY ' the story of four best friends whose comfortable lives are thrown off balance as the realities of early middle age set in. It paints a painfully hilarious portrait of modern life in the class-sensitive West side of Los Angeles. Written and directed by Nicole Holofcener (Lovely and Amazing), Friends With Money was the Opening Night Selection at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and is being hailed as 'Terrific' 'Kenneth Turan/Los Angeles Times, 'Acutely perceptive and slyly quick-witted' ' Allison Benedikt/Chicago Tribune.
LONESOME JIM
Cast: Casey Affleck, Liv Tyler, Mary Kay Place, Seymour Cassel, Kevin Corrigan
Synopsis: Jim (Casey Affleck) begrudgingly returns to his hometown in rural Indiana after failing to make it on his own in New York. He soon remembers why he left: a doting but overbearing mother (Mary Kay Place), a distant father (Seymour Cassel), and a depressed older brother (Kevin Corrigan) whose 'accidents' seem suspect at best. Jim is soon forced to take on his brother's duties – working at his parent's factory and helping out with his two rambunctious nieces. Crippled by obligations and anxieties, Jim trudges on through every day monotones and the family's collapse after mom is mistakenly taken for a suburban drug smuggler. Almost miraculously, hope springs from his developing relationship with a local nurse (Liv Tyler) and her young son, and Jim slowly learns to move forward without leaving anyone behind. LONESOME JIM is directed by Steve Buscemi and features heartfelt performances by Casey Affleck, Liv Tyler and Mary Kay Place. Steve Buscemi's seamless direction and James C. Strouse's thoughtful script paint a picture of working-class characters filled with the comedy and rich details of everyday life.
LOOKING FOR COMEDY IN THE MUSLIM WORLD
Cast: Albert Brooks, Fred Dalton Thompson., John Carroll Lynch, Jon Tenney, Sheetal Sheth
Synopsis: In the hilarious film LOOKING FOR COMEDY IN THE MUSLIM WORLD, comedian Albert brooks gets summoned by politician/actor Fred Dalton Thompson to come to Washington D.C. to help in a new diplomatic effort. His job? Spend a month in India and Pakistan, write a 500 page report and tell the U.S. government what makes the over 300 million Muslims in the region laugh. While Brooks isn’t' sure he's the man for the job, the possibility of a Medal of Freedom proves irresistible and he accepts. With the aid of two government agents, Stuart (John Carroll Lynch), Mark (Jon Tenney), and a lovely assistant, Maya (Sheetal Sheth). Brooks starts the interviewing process, as soon as he lands in India, asking everyone. 'What makes you laugh?' Since people arent' as forthcoming as he would like, and when he discovers there are no comedy clubs in India or Pakistan that would help him observe, he decides to put on The Big Show, the first comedy concert in New Delhi. He figures that by what the audience laughs at he'll get what he needs for his important government assignment. He figured wrong. Undaunted Brooks continues his quest, doing everything from a clandestine meeting with a group of Pakistani comedians, to a business meeting wit Al Jezeera, al the hopes of achieving his goal. LOOKING FOR COMEDY IN THE MUSLIM WORLD provides an inspired and comedic view of America's approach towards other cultures. Written, directed by and starring Albert Brooks, the comedy also stars Sheetal Sheth, John Carroll Lynch, Jon Tenney, and Fred Dalton Thompson.
THE SENTINEL
Cast: Eva Longoria, Kiefer Sutherland, Kim Basinger, Michael Douglas, Raoul Bhaneja
Synopsis: There's never been a traitor in the United States Secret Service...until now. And the evidence points to Pete Garrison (Douglas), one of the most trusted agents on the force. Now on the run, with two relentless federal investigators (Sutherland and Longoria) hot on his heels, Garrison must fight to clear his name and thwart an attempt on the President's life before it's too late!
TrailerTAKE THE LEAD
Cast: Antonio Banderas, Jenna Dewan, Alfre Woodard, Dante Basco, Ray Liotta, Rob Brown
Synopsis: Inspired by a true story, Antonio Banderas stars as internationally acclaimed ballroom dancer Pierre Dulane in the family drama Take The Lead. The film revolves around a professional dancer who volunteers to teach in the New York City public school system. But when his classic methods clash with his students’ hip hop instincts, he teams up with them to create a new style of dance and becomes their mentor in the process.
THE ZODIAC
Cast: Robin Tunney, Justin Chambers, Rory Culkin, Philip Baker Hall
Synopsis: THE ZODIAC takes a different look at the famous Zodiac Killer case from other screen treatments of the murders. More than a simple crime story, the film is an emotional thriller focusing on the murders' impact on victims, their families and the wider community. The film follows a police detective (Chambers) and his son (Culkin) who become obsessed with the murders and endanger their family in the process.
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
Cast: Elijah Wood, Liv Tyler, Orlando Bloom, Sean Astin, Viggo Mortensen
Synopsis: As Sauron wages his final siege, mankind has never been more desperately in need of its King. The Fellowship, and the forces united behind them, have come at last to the greatest battle of their lifetimes. With no chance of winning, their fight now hinges on a single, urgent goal - to distract Sauron and allow Frodo to complete his quest in this final decisive moment. With intimate, emotional stories set against an epic backdrop, New Line Cinema’s The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King concludes the compelling journeys at the heart of J.R.R. Tolkien’s revered trilogy. Produced, co-written and directed by Peter Jackson, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King tells the story of this heroic quest and reveals how through courage, commitment, and determination, even the least of us can change the world.
Trailer (QuickTime)
Lord of the Rings Limited Edition DVDs' behind-the-scenes footage (YouTube)