July Video Releases

Releasing July 1

Vantage Point

During an historic counter-terrorism summit in Spain, the President of the United States is struck down by an assassin’s bullet. Eight strangers have a perfect view of the kill, but what did they really see? As the minutes leading up to the fatal shot are replayed through the eyes of each eyewitness, the reality of the assassination takes shape. But just when you think you know the answer, the shattering final truth is revealed. Director: Pete Travis. Stars: Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox, Forest Whitaker, Sigourney Weaver, William Hurt. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 90 min., Thriller, Sony.

Meet the Browns

Brenda (Angela Bassett ), a single mother living in inner city Chicago, has been struggling for years to make ends meet and keep her three kids off the street. But when she’s laid off with no warning, she starts losing hope for the first time — until a letter arrives announcing the death of a father she’s never met. Desperate for any kind of help, Brenda takes her family to Georgia for the funeral. But nothing could have prepared her for the Browns, her father’s fun-loving, crass Southern clan. In a small-town world full of long afternoons and country fairs, Brenda struggles to get to know the family she never knew existed … and finds a brand new romance. Director: Tyler Perry. Stars: Tyler Perry, David Mann, Tamela Mann, Lance Gross, Chloe Bailey, Mariana Talbert, Angela Bassett, Rick Fox, Sofia Vergara, Irma P. Hall. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 100 min., Comedy, Lionsgate.

City of Men

In the Oscar-nominated “City of Men,” producer Fernando Meirelles (“The Constant Gardner”) returns to the Brazilian favelas of his Academy Award-nominated film, “City of God.” Growing up in a culture dictated by violence and run by street gangs, teenagers Acerola (Douglas Silva) and Laranjinha (Darlan Cunha) have become close as brothers. With their 18th birthdays fast approaching, Laranjinha sets out to find the father he never met, while Acerola struggles to raise his own young son. But when they suddenly find themselves on opposite sides of a gang war, the lifelong friends are forced to confront a shocking secret from their shared past. In Portuguese with English subtitles. Director: Paulo Morelli. Stars: Douglas Silva, Darlan Cunha, Rodrigo dos Santos. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: R, 110 min., Drama, Miramax

War, Inc.

Political satire set in Turaqistan, a country occupied by an American private corporation run by a former U.S vice president (Dan Aykroyd). In an effort to monopolize the opportunities the war-torn nation offers, the corporation’s CEO hires a troubled hit man, played by John Cusack, to kill a Middle East oil minister. Now, struggling with his own growing demons, the assassin must pose as the corporation’s Trade Show Producer in order to pull off this latest hit, while maintaining his cover by organizing the high-profile wedding of Yonica Babyyeah (Hilary Duff), an outrageous Middle Eastern pop star, and keeping a sexy left wing reporter (Marisa Tomei) in check. Director: Joshua Seftel. Stars: John Cusack, Hilary Duff, Marisa Tomei, Joan Cusack, Ben Kingsley, Dan Aykroyd. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: R, 107 min., Satire, First Look Studios.

Releasing July 8

The Ruins

When a group of tight-knit college friends visit the site of an undisturbed Mayan ruin, they stumble into an ancient trap where an unspoken evil — sentient, carnivorous vines — is waiting to drag its victims into an endless nightmare. As fear and paranoia eat away at their sanity, their only chance at escape is to commit the unthinkable. Director: Carter Smith. Stars: Jonathan Tucker, Jena Malone, Shawn Ashmore, Laura Ramseyk, Joe Anderson. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: R, 90 min., Horror, Paramount.

Stop-Loss

Decorated Iraq war hero Sgt. Brandon King makes a celebrated return to his small Texas hometown following his tour of duty. Brandon tries to resume the life he left behind with the help and support of his family and his best friend, Steve Shriver, who served with him in Iraq. Alongside their war-time buddies, Brandon and Steve try to make peace with civilian life. Then, against Brandon’s will, the Army orders him back to duty in Iraq. This upends Brandon’s entire world. The conflict into which he is thrown tests everything he believes in: the bond of family, the loyalty of friendship, the limits of love, and the value of honor. Director: Kimberly Peirce. Stars: Ryan Phillippe, Channing Tatum, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Timothy Olyphant, Abbie Cornish, Ciaran Hinds. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: R, 111 min., Drama, Paramount.

Releasing July 15

The Bank Job

Inspired by the infamous 1971 robbery that took place at the Lloyds Bank in Marylebone London — a robbery that was never solved. A car dealer with a dodgy past and new family, Terry (Jason Statham) has always avoided major-league scams. But when Martine (Saffron Burrows), a beautiful model from his old neighborhood, offers him a lead on a foolproof bank hit on London’s Baker Street, Terry recognizes the opportunity of a lifetime. Martine targets a roomful of safe deposit boxes worth millions in cash and jewelry. But Terry and his crew don’t realize the boxes also contain a treasure trove of dirty secrets — secrets that will thrust them into a deadly web of corruption and illicit scandal that spans London’s criminal underworld, the highest echelons of the British government, and the Royal Family itself … the true story of a heist gone wrong … in all the right ways. Director: Roger Donaldson. Stars: Jason Statham, Saffron Burrows, Stephen Campbell Moore, Daniel Mays, James Faulkner, Alki David, Michael Jibson, Richard Lintern, Don Gallagher, David Suchet. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: R, 110 min., Thriller, Lionsgate.

College Road Trip

A college-bound girl (Raven-Symone) is eagerly looking forward to her first big step towards independence when she plans a “girls only” road trip to check out prospective universities. But when her overbearing police chief father (Martin Lawrence) insists on escorting her instead, she soon finds her dream trip has turned into a hilarious nightmare adventure full of comical misfortune and turmoil. Director: Roger Kumble. Stars: Martin Lawrence, Raven-Symone, Will Sasso, Arnetia Walker, Donny Osmond. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: G, 83 min., Comedy, Disney.

Shutter

A picture-perfect honeymoon develops into a snapshot of terror. New York newlyweds Ben (Joshua Jackson) and Jane (Rachael Taylor) arrive in Japan for Ben’s latest photography assignment and as a honeymoon trip. But after a tragic accident, they discover disturbing, ghostly reflections of a young woman in their own photos. This inexplicable “spirit image” may be connected to Ben’s past, but she’s determined to provide the couple with a horrifying future of relentless vengeance from which there is no escape. Director: Masayuki Ochiai. Stars: Joshua Jackson, Rachael Taylor, Megumi Okina. 2007, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 86 min., Horror Thriller, Company.

Releasing July 22

21

Based on Ben Mezrich’s best-selling nonfiction book “Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions,” about a group of young M.I.T. students who become experts in the art of card counting and go to Vegas to make a killing. Director: Robert Luketic. Stars: Kevin Spacey, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Bosworth, Liza Lapira, Josh Gad, Jim Sturgess, Masi Oka, Sam Golzari 2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 123s min., Drama, Sony.

Releasing July 29

Harold and Kumar

Escape from Guantanamo

Return of the slacker anti-heroes, Harold and Kumar, two stoners who can’t seem to get a break. Their last adventure found them traveling across country to find a White Castle hamburger in order to satisfy a weed-induced case of “the munchies.” This time, the boys get themselves in trouble trying to sneak a bong onboard a flight to Amsterdam. Now, being suspected of terrorism, they are forced to run from the law and try to find a way to prove their innocence. What follows is an irreverent journey of deep thoughts, deeper inhaling and a wild trip around the world. Director: Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg. Stars: John Cho, Kal Penn, Rob Corddry, Roger Bart, Neil Patrick Harris. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: R, 100 min., Comedy, New Line.

Shine a Light

Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed look at The Rolling Stones. The Stones have been performing together for more than 40 years and have earned the title of “greatest rock band in the world” through talent, charisma and sheer staying power. Scorsese, one of the most respected directors in American cinema, pays tribute to the extraordinary phenomenon with this up-close-and-personal feature film that will enthrall rock-and-roll fans from every generation with its raw energy and startling immediacy. Features archival interviews with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Wood and Charlie Watts, as well as electrifying guest performances by Christina Aguilera, Jack White and Buddy Guy. Director: Stars:. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 122 min., Documentary, Paramount.

The Band’s Visit

A small Egyptian Police band arrives in Israel to play to play at the opening of an Arab Cultural Center. Dressed in full regalia and observing all military police protocol, the band arrives at the airport with no one there to greet them. Stranded and unable able to contact their Israeli hosts or the Egyptian consulate for help, they ask for directions, but because of the language barrier, the Orchestra is sent to the outskirts of a small forgotten Israeli town in the desert. Stranded, the group spends the night with a group of Israeli townspeople. As the night progresses, cultural divides dissolve and the band makes its own impact on the town and the town on them. When the band leaves in the morning for their intended destination, it’s clear that their unplanned detour was worth the trip. Winner of more than 35 international film awards. Director: Eran Kolirin. Stars: Ronit Elkabetz, Sasson Gabai, Uri Gavriel, Imad Jabarin, Ahuva Keren, Rubi Moskovitz, Khalifa Natour, Hilla Sarjon, Eyad Sheety. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 87min., Drama, Sony.