Opening 12/21/07

For showtimes select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.

CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR [R] 1 hr. 55 min. Drama Trailer Cast: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Ned Beatty. Plot: the true story of how a playboy congressman, a renegade CIA agent and a beautiful Houston socialite joined forces to lead the largest and most successful covert operation in history. Their efforts contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, with consequences that reverberate throughout the world today. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock,13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS [PG] 2 hrs. 10 min. Action/Adventure Trailer Cast: Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, Ed Harris, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Bruce Greenwood, Helen Mirren. Plot: follow up to the box-office hit "National Treasure." Treasure hunter Ben Gates once again sets out on an action-packed quest to unearth hidden history and treasures when a missing page from the diary of John Wilkes Booth surfaces, and his great-great grandfather is suddenly implicated as a key conspirator in Abraham Lincoln's death. Determined to prove his ancestor's innocence, the journey leads Ben and his crew not only to surprising revelations – but to the trail of the world's most treasured secrets. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

P.S. I LOVE YOU [PG-13] 2 hrs. 5 min. Drama/Romance Trailer Cast: Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, Gina Gershon, Lisa Kudrow, Harry Connick, Jr., Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kathy Bates, James Marsters. Plot: Holly Kennedy is beautiful, smart, and married to the love of her life—a passionate, funny and impetuous Irishman named Gerry . When Gerry's life is taken by an illness, it takes the life out of Holly. Fortunately, he planned ahead before he died and wrote Holly a series of letters that will guide her, not only through her grief but in rediscovering herself. Showing at: Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET [R] 1 hr. 55 min. Musical/Thriller Trailer Cast: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, Jamie Campbell Bower, Jayne Wisener, Sacha Baron Cohen. Plot: big-screen adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's award-winning musical thriller about a man unjustly sent to prison who vows revenge, not only for that cruel punishment, but for the devastating consequences of what happened to his wife and daughter. When he returns to reopen his barber shop, Sweeney Todd becomes the Demon Barber of Fleet Street who "shaved the heads of gentlemen who never thereafter were heard from again." Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

WALK HARD: THE DEWEY COX STORY [R] 1 hr. 35 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: John C. Reilly, Jenna Fischer, Tim Meadows, Kristen Wiig. Plot: on his rock 'n roll spiral, Cox sleeps with 411 women, marries three times, has 22 kids and 14 stepkids, stars in his own 70s TV show, collects friends ranging from Elvis to the Beatles to a chimp, and gets addicted to -- and then kicks -- every drug known to man... but despite it all, Cox grows into a national icon and eventually earns the love of a good woman -- longtime backup singer Darlene. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

Starts Christmas Day, Tuesday, 12/25/07

ALIENS VS. PREDATOR: REQUIEM [R] 1 hr. 35 min. Action/Sci-Fi Trailer Cast: Reiko Aylesworth, Steven Pasquale, John Ortiz, Shareeka Epps, Johnny Lewis, Sam Trammell, David Paetkau. Plot: the monsters from two of the scariest film franchises ever, wage war in an American Midwestern town – with the residents caught in the middle. Showing at: Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

ATONEMENT [R] 2 hrs. 5 min. Drama/Romance Trailer Cast: Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Saoirse Ronan, Romola Garai, Vanessa Redgrave, Brenda Blethyn. Plot: screenplay adaptation of Ian McEwan's best-selling 2002 novel which spans several decades. A younger sister accuses her older sister's boyfriend of a crime he did not commit. He is arrested – and with the younger sister bearing false witness, the course of three lives is changed forever. Eventually, through a terrible and courageous act of imagination, she finds the path to her uncertain atonement, and to an understanding of the power of enduring love. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren.

THE GREAT DEBATERS [PG-13] 2 hrs. 5 min. Drama Trailer Cast: Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Jurnee Smollett, Denzel Whitaker, Kimberly Elise, Nate Parker. Plot: chronicles the journey of a brilliant but volatile coach who uses the power of words to shape a group of underdog students from a small, modest black college in East Texas into an elite debate team while challenging the social mores of the time, culminating with a groundbreaking invitation to debate Harvard's championship team. Showing at: Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren.

JUNO [PG-13] 1 hr. 35 min. Comedy/Drama Trailer Cast: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Allison Janney, J.K. Simmons, Olivia Thirlby, Rainn Wilson, Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner. Plot: a whip-smart teen confronts an unplanned pregnancy. With the help of her hot best friend Leah , she finds her unborn child a "perfect" set of parents: an affluent suburban couple longing to adopt. As time passes, she faces some tough decisions, flirts with adulthood and ultimately figures out where she belongs. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren.

THE WATER HORSE: LEGEND OF THE DEEP [PG] 1 hr. 50 min. Fantasy/Adventure Trailer Cast: Emily Watson, Alex Etel, Ben Chaplin, David Morrissey, Brian Cox. Plot: a young Scottish boy, finds an enchanted egg and soon finds himself face-to-face with an amazing creature: the mythical "water horse" of Scottish lore. He begins a journey of discovery, facing his greatest fears and risking his life to protect a secret that would give birth to a legend. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

Sneak Preview, Thursday, 12/27

27 DRESSES PG-13 Comedy/Romance Trailer Cast: Katherine Heigl, James Marsden, Malin Akerman, Ed Burns, Melora Hardin, Judy Greer. Plot: A young woman who's made a career of being a bridesmaid but never a bride faces her worst nightmare when her sister becomes engaged to the man of her dreams. Luckily, the wedding brings around the man who will change her bridesmaid status for good. Sneaking at: 13th Avenue Warren (7:00 PM).

Leaving 12/20/2007 and (12/24/2007)

Derby Plaza - August Rush, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, Fred Claus, Bee Movie; (Enchanted)
Movie Machine - Fred Claus; (Golden Compass)
Northrock 14 - Bee Movie, Beowulf, August Rush, The Mist, (Fred Claus, The Perfect Holiday, This Christmas)
Palace West - Seeker:The Dark Is Rising, Ratatouille, Things We Lost In The Fire, The Comebacks, Dragon Wars, Underdog, The Bourne Ultimatum; (Resident Evil: Extinction)
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - Awake, The Mist, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, Bella, Bee Movie; (Perfect Holiday, Hitman, August Rush, Beowulf 3D)
Warren Old Town - Into The Wild, Fred Claus, Hit Man, American Gangster; (Golden Compass)
Warren West 21st - Awake, The Mist, Hit Man, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, Bee Movie; (The Perfect Holiday, This Christmas, August Rush)

Worthwhile (or not) 12/14/07

Only three new films this week but eight are scheduled to open between next Friday and Christmas. So, if you don't see anything you like this week, more are coming...and real soon.

The MetaCritic ratings this week are: I AM LEGEND 65/100, ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS 38/100 and THE PERFECT HOLIDAY 32/100.

I AM LEGEND **½

Directed by Francis Lawrence, this sci-fi film stars Will Smith ( Robert Neville). Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, this feature is one hour and fifty minutes long.

Robert Neville is a military scientist who we first see trying to get his wife and daughter out of New York. Through flashbacks we learn he's trying to develop a cure for a virus sweeping the world which turns you into a flesh eating zombie if it doesn't kill you immediately. The virus was first created as a cure for cancer and tested before it's calamitous side effects were realized. Now the only human in New York he spends his time trying to find a cure for the virus, scrounging for food and drink, and avoiding the zombie like creatures who want to tear him limb from limb.

This is an extremely well made film and Smith, the only actor on screen for most of the film, does an excellent job. The shots of a deserted New York are very realistic, and very depressing. Sci-fi fans should find this a fascinating pic. But, those of you who aren't into that genre are likely to get restive after awhile, especially considering there's not a great deal of action for most of the time. If you want to see this I wouldn't dawdle, there's a strong likelihood this will get lost in the Christmas release bonanza that's almost upon us.

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS *½

This family comedy, directed by Tim Hill, stars Jason Lee (Dave), David Cross (Ian), and Cameron Richardson (Claire) plus three animated chipmunks. Rated PG for some mild rude humor, the film is ninety minutes long.

The three talking/singing chipmunks are transported to Dave's agent's building by mistake in a Christmas tree they inhabited in the forest. They soon arrive at Dave' home and amaze him with their abilities. A struggling song writer, Dave composes a song for them and they're soon on their way to fame and fortune, prodded unmercifully by Dave's agent, Ian. Dave's ex-girlfriend, Claire, becomes involved with Dave again due to her job as a celebrity photographer.

There's a reason cartoons were always seven minutes in length...they get boring if they're much longer unless they're very, very good. Alvin And The Chipmunks isn't. Featuring a cookie cutter plot that's thoroughly familiar and more suited to the TV screen rather than the theatre, it provides very little entertainment for adults and I'm not sure even children will be able to stay awake through it. If ever there was a feature you should wait and rent...this is it.

Opening 12/14/07

For showtimes select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS [PG] 1 hr. 30 min. Family comedy/Animation Trailer Cast: Jason Lee, David Cross, Cameron Richardson, Jane Lynch, Justin Long. Plot: based on the 1950s cartoon series about chipmunks Alvin, Simon and Theodore, who lay waste to a man's surroundings and sing in three-part harmony. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

I AM LEGEND [PG-13] 1hr. 55 min. Action/Sci-Fi Trailer Cast: Will Smith, Alice Braga, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Willow Smith, Charlie Tahan. Plot: somehow immune from a terrible virus, one man is now the last human survivor in what is left of New York City... and maybe the world. But he is surrounded by "the Infected"—victims of the virus who have mutated into carnivorous beings who can only exist in the dark and who will devour or infect anyone or anything in their path. He is driven to find a way to reverse the effects of the virus using his own immune blood. But his blood is also what The Infected hunt, and he knows he is outnumbered and quickly running out of time. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

Leaving 12/13/2007

Derby Plaza - Awake, Beowulf
Movie Machine - Bee Movie, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
Northrock 14 - Awake, Hitman, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
Palace West - P2
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - Into The Wild, My Kid Could Paint That, Sleuth, Before The Devil Knows You're Dead
Warren Old Town - Beowulf, Dan In Real Life
Warren West 21st - Noelle, Beowulf

Opening 12/12/07

THE PERFECT HOLIDAY [PG] 1 hr. 35 min. Comedy/Family/Romance Trailer Cast: Gabrielle Union, Morris Chestnut, Queen Latifah, Terrence Howard, Malik Hammond, Charlie Murphy, Faizon Love, Jeremy Gumbs, Jill Marie Jones, Rachel True. Plot: a divorced mother of three who is so busy raising her children that she's forgotten to take care of herself decides to take her kids to the mall to meet Santa Claus, not knowing that her youngest daughter has sensed her mother's sadness and is determined to use her time with Santa to make her mom happy again. Santa, as it turns out, is an office supply salesman and struggling songwriter who ends up giving Mom just what she wants for Christmas, and much, much more. Showing at: Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

Opening 12/7/07

For showtimes select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.

THE GOLDEN COMPASS [PG] 2 hrs. Adventure/Drama/Fantasy Trailer Cast: Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Sam Elliott, Eva Green, Dakota Blue Richards, Ian McKellen, Ian McShane, Freddy Highmore, Kathy Bates, Tom Courtenay, Ben Walker, Adam Godley, Simon McBurney, Nonso Anozie, Jim Carter, Clare Higgins, Jack Shepherd, Magda Szubanski. Plot: Philip Pullman's bestselling and award-winning novel, "The Golden Compass" tells the first story in Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy. It is an exciting fantasy adventure, set in an alternative world where people's souls manifest themselves as animals, talking bears fight wars, and Gyptians and witches co-exist. At the center of the story is Lyra, a 12-year-old girl who starts out trying to rescue a friend who's been kidnapped by a mysterious organization known as the Gobblers - and winds up on an epic quest to save not only her world, but ours as well. Regular engagement starts 12/7. Showing at: Movie Machine, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

MY KID COULD PAINT THAT [PG-13] 1 hr. 25 min. Documentary Trailer Cast: Laura Olmstead. Plot: details of the successes and failures of 4-year-old Marla Olmstead, who rocketed from total obscurity into international renown - and sold over $300,000 dollars worth of paintings. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren exclusively.

NOELLE ]PG] 1 hr. 30 min. Drama Trailer Cast: David Wall, Sean Patrick Brennan, Kerry Brennan, Brennan Wall , Jean Bates. Plot: a Catholic priest arrives in a tiny fishing village the week before Christmas to shut down a dying parish. But things take an unexpected turn as he becomes entangled in the various lives of the village's eccentric characters. Showing at: 21st Street Warren.

SLEUTH [R] 1 hr. 25 min. Mystery/Thriller Trailer Cast: Michael Caine, Jude Law. Plot: a millionaire detective novelist matches wits with the unemployed actor who ran off with his wife in a deadly serious, seriously twisted game with dangerous consequences. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren exclusively.

Leaving 12/6/2007

Derby Plaza - nothing
Movie Machine - Beowulf
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Elizabeth: The Golden Age, 3:10 To Yuma, Ratatouille
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - Lions For Lambs
Warren Old Town - Bee Movie
Warren West 21st - Lions For Lambs