Thursday, February 5, 2009

Nothing But the Truth (2008)

Journalist Rachel Armstrong (Kate Beckinsale) turns Washington on its ear when she outs a casual acquaintance (Vera Farmiga) as a CIA agent. The government's formidable prosecutor (Matt Dillon) sends Rachel to jail for contempt, where she discovers the true impact of her decision. David Schwimmer, Alan Alda and Edie Falco co-star in this drama from Rod Lurie, the politically savvy filmmaker behind The Contender and "Commander in Chief."

Soul Men (2008)

Two decades ago, Louis (Samuel L. Jackson) and Floyd (Bernie Mac) went their separate ways when their band broke up. When their group's former front man dies, the two feuding singers agree to put aside their differences for a tribute concert at the Apollo. The show promises to be a big hit … if Louis and Floyd don't kill each other on the trip there. Jennifer Coolidge and Sean Hayes co-star in director Malcolm D. Lee's uproarious road comedy.

Outlander (2008)

Fleeing an interstellar war, Kainan (James Caviezel) crashes on the shores of Norway during the Iron Age. An extraterrestrial monstrosity called the Moorwen also survives the crash, and begins cutting a bloody swath of destruction through the Norwegian countryside. Armed with the high-tech weaponry of his planet, Kainan teams up with the Vikings to end the Moorwen's rampage. Sophia Myles co-stars in this sci-fi adventure epic.

The Secret Life of Bees (2008)

Haunted by the death of her mother, 14-year-old Lily (Dakota Fanning) escapes the dreary life she lives on her father's farm and heads to Tiburon, S.C., with her friend and caregiver, Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson), setting off on a life-changing journey of self-discovery. Set amidst the hotbed of racial tensions in the South in the 1960s, Gina Prince-Bythewood's dramatic tale is based on the bestselling novel by Sue Monk Kidd.

Taken (2008)

While vacationing with a friend in Paris, an American girl (Maggie Grace) is kidnapped by a gang of human traffickers intent on selling her into forced prostitution. Now, her father, Bryan (Liam Neeson), a former soldier, must pull out all the stops to save her. But with his best years possibly behind him, Bryan's task may be more than he can handle. Directed by Pierre Morel, this relentless action thriller also stars Famke Janssen.

Quarantine (2008)

While on assignment, an L.A. news reporter (Jennifer Carpenter) and her cameraman (Steve Harris) find themselves trapped in a quarantined apartment complex along with a vicious unknown killer. With all forms of communications cut, the news crew keeps the cameras rolling as they search for a way out. The building is locked down, a killer is on the loose, and panic sets in as those trapped inside make a desperate attempt to escape with their lives.

Nights in Rodanthe (2008)

With chaos tearing her marriage and family apart, Adrienne Willis (Diane Lane) takes a weekend caretaker job at her friend's coastal North Carolina inn. When a storm hits, stranding the inn's only guest, Dr. Paul Flanner (Richard Gere), Adrienne's life changes forever. As the storm rages outside, Adrienne connects with Flanner, who came to the Rodanthe retreat to escape his own personal crisis. James Franco co-stars in this romantic drama.

Sleepwalking (2008)

When James's (Nick Stahl) sister Joleen (Charlize Theron) shows up on his doorstep with her 11-year-old daughter, Tara (AnnaSophia Robb), he doesn't think twice about welcoming them into his home. But when Joleen skips town without Tara, James is thrust into a role he's grossly unprepared for. At risk of losing the girl to foster care, James hits the road with Tara, where the pair develops a genuine bond and discovers a true sense of family.

Pathology (2007)

After recent med school grad Ted (Milo Ventimiglia) lands an internship at a prestigious pathology unit in a Philadelphia hospital, he soon finds his new colleagues have some pathological tendencies themselves. Seems his fellow interns have designed a gruesome contest to commit the perfect untraceable murder, while also competing to see who can determine the cause of death. Alyssa Milano co-stars in this bloody medical thriller

The Haunting of Molly Hartley (2008)

Troubled by her mother's recent psychotic break, Molly (Haley Bennett) hopes to start fresh at a new school. She befriends fellow senior Joseph (Chace Crawford) and is happy to be a regular kid again. But the horrifying truth about her mother is destined to catch up with her. When Molly turns 18, she'll be held accountable for a supernatural bargain made long ago, one that she cannot escape. Jake Weber co-stars in this sinister yarn.

The Express (2008)

Rob Brown stars in the true story of Ernie Davis, the first African American to win football's Heisman Trophy. Dubbed the "Elmira Express" for his relentless drive, Davis also lived up to the nickname off the field as he battled for racial equality. Dennis Quaid co-stars as Syracuse's Ben Schwartzwalder, the coach who teaches Davis the game and in return learns much from Brown's bold civil rights achievements.

Vacancy 2: The First Cut (2008)

After checking into a dingy room at the remote Meadow View Inn, a newly engaged couple (Trevor Wright and Agnes Bruckner) and their mutual best friend (Arjay Smith) begin to suspect they're being watched. Little do they know they're also being hunted -- and their deaths will be caught on camera. Scott G. Anderson reprises his role as the murderous Mr. Smith in this grisly prequel to Nimród Antal's original thriller.

Gran Torino (2008)

Crusty, inflexible Korean War veteran Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) must confront his Hmong immigrant neighbors – and his own long-held prejudices – when the family's teen son, Thao, tries to steal Walt's beloved 1972 Gran Torino. Walt soon assumes the unlikely role of guardian angel to young Tao and his sister, who are vulnerable to disturbing gang influences in this intimate drama from 78-year-old director Eastwood.

Boogeyman 3 (2008)

Although her best friend supposedly committed suicide, college student Sarah Morris (Erin Cahill) knows the girl's wounds weren't self-inflicted. But her insistence that the Boogeyman was to blame only prompts her roommates to think she's losing her mind. Now, Sarah's splitting her time between trying to convince her campus friends that their lives are in serious danger -- and trying to save her own.

City of Ember (2008)

Bill Murray, Tim Robbins and Martin Landau star in this adventure set in Ember, a city illuminated only by artificial light. When the city's generator begins to fail, two teens race to solve an ancient mystery and save Ember's citizens from darkness. Based on author Jeanne Duprau's enchanting children's tale, City of Ember stars Harry Treadaway and Saoirse Ronan as the two heroic teens. Toby Jones and Mary Kay Place co-star.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

David Fincher directs this adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic tale set in the early 20th century that follows Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt), a man who was born in his 80s and continually grows younger. The story throws linear conventions upside down to explore love, loss and memories from the perspective of a character living under incredibly unique -- and unexpectedly difficult -- circumstances. Cate Blanchett co-stars in this Oscar nominee for Best Picture.

Bolt (2008)

Featuring the voices of John Travolta and Miley Cyrus, this animated adventure (nominated for a Best Animated Feature Oscar and Golden Globe) centers on a dashing German shepherd named Bolt, a canine actor forced into making an action-filled cross-country trek when he's accidentally shipped from Hollywood to New York. Believing that he and his fictional character are one and the same, Bolt gets a glimpse of what it takes to be a hero in the real world.

Defiance (2008)

Daniel Craig stars as Tuvia Bielski, one of four Jewish brothers who escape from Poland into the forests of Belarus during World War II to lead a band of resistance fighters and create a safe haven for Jewish refugees. The real-life sanctuary established by the Bielski brothers saved more than 1,000 Jews from persecution and death. Edward Zwick directs this moving historical drama that also stars Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell and George MacKay.