The Obvious:
Frost/Nixon Ron Howard directs this adaptation of Peter Morgan’s popular Broadway play centered on a series of revelatory TV interviews former President Richard Nixon granted British talk show host David Frost in 1977. Nominated for five Oscars, including Best Picture, the film stars Frank Langella, reprising his Tony Award-winning stage role, along with a stellar cast that includes Michael Sheen, Sam Rockwell, Toby Jones, Kevin Bacon and Oliver Platt.
The Wrestler Mickey Rourke (in a Golden Globe-winning, Oscar-nominated role) stars as retired professional wrestler Randy “The Ram” Robinson, who returns to the ring and tries to work his way up the circuit for a final shot at defeating his longtime rival. Along the way, he tries to reconnect with his daughter, Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood), while exploring a relationship with a stripper named Cassidy (Marisa Tomei, also nominated for a Golden Globe and Oscar).
Battlestar Galactica: Caprica Set half a century before the “Battlestar Galactica” series, this feature film follows industrialist Daniel Graystone (Eric Stoltz) as he harnesses powerful technology to create the first-ever Cylon in the wake of a personal tragedy. Gravely concerned about Graystone’s ethics, attorney Joseph Adama (Esai Morales), father of future admiral William Adama, becomes a fervent opponent of the powerful scientist and businessman.
Have Seen and Recommend:
Hawaii Five-O: Season 6 In Season 6 of the popular procedural set in America’s own paradise, Detective Steve McGarrett (Jack Lord), Detective “Danno” Williams (James MacArthur) and the rest of the Five-O squad continue to foil the bad guys, including con men using fake diamonds to scam tourists. Hawaii’s finest also take on a crooked federal agent who resorts to murder, a vigilante who targets criminals the cops can’t convict and an outbreak of the bubonic plague.
Rhoda: Season 1 Leaving Minneapolis, Minn., to return to her hometown of New York City, Rhoda Morgenstern (Valerie Harper) deals with love, family and career in this Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning spin-off of the legendary “Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Rhoda has her hands full with her mopey sister (Julie Kavner) and her manipulative mother (Nancy Walker), but she also finds the love of her life in Joe Gerard (David Groh), the handsome owner of a demolition company.
The Hit After living in Spain for a decade, English mobster-turned-informant Willie (Terence Stamp) finds his sun-drenched retirement interrupted by two hit men — Braddock (John Hurt) and his protégé, Myron (Tim Roth) — who have come to transport him to Paris, where he will be killed. Featuring first-rate performances and a deft script from Peter Prince, the sleeper crime drama is an early success from acclaimed director Stephen Frears.
Mission: Impossible: Season 6 Peter Graves accepts his assignment to return with the Impossible Missions Force for another year of top-notch espionage, daring break-ins, electronic wizardry and killer makeup jobs, all in the name of protecting freedom. In this show’s sixth season, the IMF thwarts foreign spies, exposes crooked politicians, manhandles the mob and more. Peter Lupus and Greg Morris co-star, with Lynda Day George joining the cast as the new disguise expert
Oh No!
Australian Pie: Naked Love When 16-year-old Dan has a choice between Geneva and Australia for school, he opts to go Down Under — and is
very pleased with his decision once he realizes he’ll be sharing a house with two women. He’s living the ultimate teen fantasy, hanging out with roomies Jacq and Naomi and studying beer, parties and sex. But things get complicated when he falls for Naomi and learns a big lesson about love. Richard Wilson, Robin McLeavy and Emma Lung star.
Kicking the Dog Strip poker, keggers and high jinks: That’s what summer is made of — at least for the friends in this film, who are spending their last months together before heading off to make their way in the world. Life-changing decisions play out against a backdrop of mind-altering partying as the 12 characters celebrate life, love, dreams and memories in this sweetly raucous comedy co-starring Carl T. Evans, Elizabeth Schmidt, Vedette Lim and Scott Laska.
Bride Wars Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway star as Emma and Liv, best friends who become worst enemies when they realize their respective weddings are scheduled on the same day at their dream venue — the Plaza Hotel. It’s no holds barred as these two bridezillas go on a ruthless rampage toward matrimony. The romantic comedy also stars Candice Bergen (as the wedding planner), Bryan Greenberg, Kristen Johnston and Chris Pratt.
Possibilities:
How About You When the manager of a retirement home in the Irish countryside asks her younger sister, Ellie (Hayley Atwell), to run the facility during the holidays, four mischievous residents take advantage of the power vacuum and turn the place upside down. As Ellie learns to take charge, the residents also come to terms with their own troubles. Anthony Byrne directs this heartwarming comedy-drama co-starring Joss Ackland and Vanessa Redgrave.
The Last Word Reclusive writer Evan (Wes Bentley) has created for himself a unique job: writing suicide notes for people who are about to kill themselves. When he unexpectedly falls for Charlotte (Winona Ryder), the sister of one of his recent clients, his whole way of life is upended. Although Evan has a knack for the work he does, he’s understandably nervous to have others learn about his secret job — especially his new girlfriend.
Wolverine and the X-Men: Heroes Return Trilogy When a chilling vision foretells a world in which the X-Men have abandoned their mission to protect peace, and the planet has descended into chaos, Wolverine must summon the disbanded mutants to alter this destiny. Together, they must put aside their skepticism and petty differences to save the Earth from apocalyptic disaster. This trilogy contains the first three episodes of the awesome animated series.
My Own Worst Enemy: The Complete Series Spy Edward Albright and suburban dad Henry Spivey have absolutely nothing in common — save the fact that they share the same body. And when the invisible wall separating the two men starts crumbling, each man will fall far outside his comfort zone. Christian Slater plays a dual role as Edward and Henry in this NBC drama, also starring Mike O’Malley as our hero’s similarly split-personality best friend and Saffron Burrows as the sexy Dr. Skinner.
Dante 01 Set in a maximum-security penitentiary and psychiatric research facility in space, this dark futuristic tale begins with the arrival of prisoner Saint Georges (Lambert Wilson), who has just survived a horrific alien attack that has left him with unusual powers. Saint Georges battles the forces within him and struggles to control his powers in this experimental sci-fi thriller from writer-director Marc Caro.
Science Is Fiction: 23 Films by Jean Painlevé This collection features 23 short films by visionary French filmmaker Jean Painlevé, who pioneered innovative underwater-camera technology to reveal the mystery and fluid majesty of octopi, sea horses and other aquatic life. “The Sounds of Science,” an original composition by American indie rockers Yo La Tengo, accompanies eight of the films. The anthology also includes extensive interview footage with Painlevé.
Steven Spielberg Presents Freakazoid!: Season 2 The second season of this wacky animated series (executive-produced by Steven Spielberg) continues to follow fearless Freakazoid as he walks the fine line between being a superhero and computer geek Dexter Douglas. As the action unfolds, Dexter finally has a chance with Steph, who agrees to go out on a date with him — but interference from the Lobe could ruin everything. Later, Guitierrez returns with a scheme to destroy Freakazoid’s reputation.
Ron White: Behavioral Problems Drunken tomfoolery, the beautiful invention of the bidet, and a novel approach to funding the Iraq War are just a few of the many comedy morsels served up by funnyman Ron White in this hilarious stand-up set. White, whose star rose as a member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, also scored successes with his popular Comedy Central special You Can’t Fix Stupid and his runaway hit They Call Me Tater Salad.
Nickelodeon Director Peter Bogdanovich pays tribute to the early days of filmmaking with this comedy about a young attorney — Leo Harrigan (Ryan O’Neal) — who stumbles into the movie business after meeting a producer. Before long, Harrigan and his band of actors and crew are cranking out one silent picture after another in a sleepy desert town. Burt Reynolds plays Harrigan’s crass leading man, and Stella Stevens co-stars as a silent-screen vamp.
Jetsons: The Movie George Jetson (voiced by George O’Hanlon) moves his family to the far reaches of outer space as the newly minted head of Mr. Spacely’s (Mel Blanc) Orbiting Ore Asteroid factory in this feature-length animated film based on the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon. Aside from George, nobody’s happy about leaving the comforts of home behind, but they quickly adjust — especially Judy (1980s pop star Tiffany), who falls for an intergalactic rock star!
The Looney, Looney, Looney Bugs Bunny Movie Bugs Bunny moves his wascally wabbit mischief to the big screen in this full-length animated film starring all the usual suspects, including Yosemite Sam, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Sylvester and Tweety Bird. The action begins with Yosemite Sam trying to get out of hell by making a deal with the devil. Then, Bugs dresses in drag to get on a mobster’s good side, and Daffy pitches a fit at the Oswald Awards when he realizes he wasn’t even nominated.
X-Men: Vol. 1 Relive the excitement of Saturday mornings in this collection of episodes from the animated series, in which Wolverine and his fellow mutants — led by the telepathic professor Xavier — combat metal-manipulating Magneto and other villains. Joining the fight against intolerance are Storm, who can control the weather; Gambit, who can manipulate energy; and Dr. Jean Grey, who can move objects with her mind.
X-Men: Vol. 2 Watch as professor Xavier, Dr. Jean Grey and their fellow mutants take on supervillains, rogue government agencies and mysterious otherworldly powers in these episodes from the popular Saturday morning animated series. Other mutants joining the battle include Wolverine, who has an adamantine skeleton; Jubilee, who can cast explosive pyrotechnics from her fingertips; and X-Men team leader Cyclops, who can shoot lasers from his eyes.
Fallen Angel Religion and madness collide in this engrossing British miniseries that dives deep into the mind of Angela Wharton (Emilia Fox), an ingenious psychopath who preys on London’s young children and uses them for unholy rituals. As the story unfolds, more and more of Angela’s past is revealed, shedding light on the circumstances of her early life that shaped her warped view of the world. Charles Dance co-stars as Angela’s parish-priest father.
Little Dorrit In this sweeping rags-to-riches miniseries based on Charles Dickens’ epic novel, Claire Foy stars as the titular Amy Dorrit, a poor girl who follows her father out of debtors’ prison when they learn the family is entitled to a life-changing fortune. Matthew Macfadyen plays the kindhearted Arthur Clennam, who brings the Dorrits’ long-hidden wealth to light, with Andy Serkis appearing as the shadowy villain who could ruin it all.
What Doesn’t Kill You Partners in crime Paulie (Ethan Hawke) and Brian (Mark Ruffalo) find themselves at odds after years of pulling dangerous jobs, surviving turf wars and evading a determined detective (Donnie Wahlberg) in this gritty crime drama set in South Boston. The childhood buddies have gone through the wringer together, but when Brian’s relationship with his wife (Amanda Peet) begins to fall apart, their loyal friendship is tested
Nothing But the Truth 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.”
The Uninvited Committed to a mental hospital after her mother’s tragic death, teenager Anna (Emily Browning) discovers upon her release that her father (David Strathairn) plans to marry his deceased wife’s former nurse, Rachael (Elizabeth Banks), a woman who may not have the best intentions. Foreboding warnings from her mother’s ghost only cement Anna’s suspicions in this remake of the 2003 Korean chiller Janghwa, Hongryeon
Alexandra Nominated for a Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, this meditation on the effects of war from director Aleksandr Sokurov follows an elderly woman named Alexandra (Galina Vishnevskaya) as she travels to Chechnya to visit a grandson posted there. As seen through Alexandra’s eyes, the barracks and its inhabitants reveal the staggering costs — both human and financial — of endless war.
Cargo 200 When a trip to buy booze from a bootlegger goes horribly wrong, a communist official’s daughter (Agniya Kuznetsova) is dragged into a terrifying world of corruption and perversion in Aleksei Balabanov’s darkly comedic political thriller. Balabanov’s 11th film is a searing indictment of communist Russia circa 1984, awash in violence, moral decay and hopelessness. Aleksei Poluyan, Leonid Gromov and Aleksei Serebryakov also star.
JCVD Jean-Claude Van Damme plays himself in this comic action film. While visiting his family at home in Belgium, Van Damme is caught in the middle of a robbery, and the cops think the aging star has snapped and pulled the job himself. Now, on top of dealing with financial problems, a nasty custody battle and a waning career, he has to make like a real-life action hero and find his way out of a very tense situation.
Empire of Passion In a late-19th-century Japanese village, peasant Seki (Kazuko Yoshiyuki) and her lover, Toyoji (Tatsuya Fuji), plot to kill Seki’s husband and throw his body in a well, but the consequences of their crime exact a heavy toll on the guilt-ridden couple. A police inspector and the ghost of the husband aren’t helping matters, either. Japanese auteur Nagisa Oshima won Best Director at the 1978 Cannes Film Festival for this spooky romantic film.
The Perfume of Yvonne An older man recalls the summer of 1958, in which he pretended to be a Russian nobleman in exile in Lake Geneva and wooed the beautiful Yvonne (Sandra Majani), while hiding the fact that he was a deserter from the French army, hoping to avoid the war in Algeria. The young Victor (Hippolyte Girardot) also befriends Yvonne’s charismatic mentor, Rene, and the trio explores the value of truth and love in this film from renowned director Patrice Leconte.
Documentaries and Music:
Crude Impact Oil may have fueled the development of the modern industrial society, but as this compelling documentary explains, it’s also triggered political conflict, greed, environmental devastation and an addiction to consumption. Director James Jandak Wood traces how the world has become dependent on fossil fuels — a resource that someday will be gone — and how little has been done to develop alternative energy sources
Essential Space Collection Have a blast while you explore the universe with this fun and educational compilation of the Discovery Channel’s six most popular programs about space. The adventures include a trip to the solar systems’ moons, including volatile volcano-covered Io. Viewers also get an inside look at researchers’ preparations for a mission to Mars, learn about NASA’s work on a new spacecraft, investigate a vehicle built for future space tourist travel and more.
Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts Filmmaker Scott Hicks takes you behind the scenes to spend a year in the life of legendary composer Philip Glass as he travels the globe writing and recording music. Featuring exclusive interviews with Glass’s family and colleagues as well as glimpses into the composer’s private life, this portrait of one of modern music’s most celebrated talents also includes appearances by Ravi Shankar, Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese.
Rockpalast: Blues-Rock Legends Vol. 1: Commander Cody The classic German music show “Rockpalast” yields the floor to Commander Cody — aka George Frayne, leader of the American country-rock act Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen — in this vintage live performance from 1980. Songs on the set list include “Hot Rod Lincoln,” “Two Triple Cheese,” “Thank You, Lone Ranger,” “Midnight in Memphis,” “Riot in Cell Block No. 9,” “Rock That Boogie” and “Stealing at Seven Eleven.”
Rockpalast: West Coast Legends Vol. 2: Jorma Kaukonen & Vital Parts Rock guitarist Jorma Kaukonen — a founding member of Jefferson Airplane — plays the Kleine Westfalenhalle in Dortmund, Germany, with Vital Parts in this rare “Rockpalast” concert filmed live in 1980. Selections on the set list include “Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning,” “Running with the Fast Crowd,” “Straight Ahead,” “Death Don’t Have No Mercy,” “Junkies on Angel Dust” and “To Hate Is to Stay Young.”
Forever Documentarian Heddy Honigmann takes her camera into Paris’s Père-Lachaise cemetery to interview the tourists and curiosity-seekers who’ve come to pay homage to the famous names buried there, including Proust, Chopin, Maria Callas and Jim Morrison. But perhaps more eye-opening are the poignant stories Honigmann collects from genuine mourners who are there to remember dearly departed loved ones.
Bird by Bird with Annie: A Film Portrait of Writer Anne Lamott Directed by award-winning filmmaker Freida Lee Mock, this arresting documentary chronicles a year in the life of best-selling author and humorist Anne Lamott, best known for titles such as
Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith and
Hard Laughter. From her life as a recovering alcoholic and single mother to her transformation as a progressive political activist and writer, Lamott’s story is one of redemption, faith and creativity.
Castle Ghosts of the British Isles Explore the haunted castles of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales with these four thrilling programs that take you inside some of the most frightening spots in the British Isles as you learn about their legends and myths. Sites include Ireland’s Leap Castle, Castle Leslie and Castle Matrix; Scotland’s Glamis Castle, Duntrune Castle and Fyvie Castle; England’s Sudley Castle, Mucaster Castle and the Tower of London; and more.
J.R.R. Tolkien This absorbing documentary transports J.R.R. Tolkien fans to England’s rural West Midlands, which inspired the celebrated writer to create Middle Earth, the setting for his fantastical Lord of the Rings novels. Discover how the pastoral milieu influenced the author, and how his lifelong study of ancient northern languages helped him develop one of English literature’s most vibrant and complex fictional worlds.
Peter Matthiessen: No Boundaries In this intimate glimpse at celebrated writer, activist and Buddhist priest Peter Matthiessen (
The Snow Leopard), filmmaker Jeff Sewald explores the influences that have colored the author’s life, work and beliefs. Interviews with Matthiessen, book excerpts, and anecdotes from novelist Jim Harrison, author Thomas McGuane, son Alex and others create a dynamic portrait of the two-time National Book Award winner. Glenn Close narrates.
Milking the Rhino This penetrating look at the pros and cons of wildlife conservation among the Himba of Namibia and the Maasai of Kenya reveals that Western-style game reserves and eco-lodges seldom consider the impact such approaches have on local inhabitants. Filmmaker David E. Simpson offers a look at an emerging new paradigm: “community-based conservation,” which seeks to give indigenous people a voice in the way wildlife is both used and preserved.
Miles Davis: That’s What Happened: Live in Germany 1987 Grammy-winning jazz legend Miles Davis turns out a rousing performance in this 1987 concert filmed live in Munich, featuring two songs from his just-released album, “Tutu,” including the title track and “Portia.” Davis also performs a medley of “One Phone Call,” “Street Scenes” and “That’s What Happened.” Other tunes include his innovative arrangements of Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” and Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time.”
The Weird:
The Burrowers When the men on a pioneer homestead are brutally murdered and the women and children go missing, a posse sets out to find them, assuming they’ve been abducted by Indians. But the truth turns out to be much more horrific. As they find more bodies, it soon becomes clear that something from beneath the ground is brutally attacking humans. Clancy Brown, William Mapother and Sean Patrick Thomas star in this horror film set in the Wild West.
Squidbillies: Vol. 2 It’s down-home drama, squid-style, in this irreverent animated series about a hillbilly clan of soft-bodied invertebrates — headed by pinecone liquor–swilling Early Cuyler — who make their home in the north Georgia mountains. The second volume of episodes from the show’s third season finds the Cuylers hunting a rare bird, discovering the perils of going green and watching their beloved home burn to the ground.
Boogie Vision A hapless filmmaker may have finally struck gold when he begins romancing a woman with a wealthy father. Now, if he can just get her dad to finance his latest project, he’ll finally be able to create the schlocky movie he’s been wanting to make. Frank Millen, Bert Belant, Marlene Selsman and Michael Blakney star in this zany 1970s comedy that combines satire, campy sex and period animation. James Bryan wrote and directed the film.
One-Eyed Monster Adult film stars Ron Jeremy and Veronica Hart reunite in this hilarious homage to horror. Stranded by a storm, the cast and crew of a porn flick fall prey to a vicious killer when Ron’s (Jeremy) dismembered member is possessed by a bloodthirsty alien. Now they’ll have to destroy the slithering monster before it spreads its deadly seed across the world. Amber Benson, Carmen Hart and Charles Napier also star.
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