October Movies

Opening October 5

Feel the Noise

Genre: Drama

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for sensuality and innuendos, violence, some drug use and language)

Cast: Omari Grandberry, Zulay Henao, James McCaffrey, Kellita Smith, Malik Yoba, Melonie Diaz

Story: A kid from the South Bronx wants to become a rich and successful hip-hop star, but he must leave his dreams behind when gangsters force him to leave his home and hide out in Puerto Rico with his estranged father.

Director: Alejandro Chomski

Studio: TriStar Pictures

Web site: not available

The Heartbreak Kid

Genre: Drama

MPAA Rating: R (for strong sexual content, crude humor, language, and a scene of drug use involving a minor)

Cast: Ben Stiller, Michelle Monaghan, Malin Akerman, Jerry Stiller, Rob Corddry, Carlos Mencia

Story: Eddie Cantrow (Ben Stiller) is the last single man he knows. But he finally meets a beautiful woman, Lila (Malin Akerman), who seems like she’s his perfect match. But after taking the plunge into marriage, Lila immediately starts acting like the wife from Hell on the honeymoon where a disillusioned Eddie meets another gal, Miranda (Michelle Monaghan), who might actually be his true soulmate.

Director: Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly

Studio: DreamWorks SKG, Paramount Pictures

Website: http://www.heartbreakkidmovie.com/

The Seeker: The Dark is Rising

Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy

Cast: Emma Lockhart, Ian McShane, Gregory Smith, Austin Vaccaro, Frances Conroy

Story: A young man, Will Stanton, discovers he is the last of a group of immortals dedicated to fighting dark forces of evil. Traveling back and forth through time, Will uncovers a series of clues, some dating back to biblical times, that lead him to a showdown with forces of unimaginable power.

Director: David L. Cunningham

Studio: Fox-Walden

Web site: http://www.seekthesigns.com/

October 12

Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Genre: Drama

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for violence, some sexuality and nudity)

Cast: Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Clive Owen, Samantha Morton, Abbie Cornish

Story: n this sequel to the hit Elizabeth, Cate Blanchett once again stars as Queen Elizabeth I who prepares for war against Spain and King Philip II (Jordi Molla). But as she readies for a major fight to save her crown, she also finds herself falling in love with the adventurer Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen). While an official relationship is strictly forbidden for the queen, she comes up with a devious plan to keep Raleigh by her side that may actually end up breaking her heart.

Director: Shekhar Kapur

Studio: Universal Studios

Web site: http://www.elizabeththegoldenage.net/

Rogue

Genre: Horror

MPAA Rating: R (for language and some creature violence)

Cast: Radha Mitchell, Michael Vartan, Gordon Mitchel, Sam Worthington, Stephen Curry, Heather Mitchell

Story: An American writer (Michael Vartan) goes on a wildlife boat tour in the Australian wetlands and is pleased to see that leading him into the wilderness is a hot tour guide (Radha Mitchell). However, his plans for romance as well writing is set on the backburner when they’re attacked by a giant crocodile with a taste for human flesh.

Director: Greg McLean

Studio: First Look Pictures

Web site: not available

Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married

Genre: Comedy

MPAA Rating: PG (for mature thematic material, sexual references and language)

Cast: Tyler Perry, Janet Jackson, Jill Scott, Denise Boutte, Richard T. Jones, Sharon Leal

Story: In this adaptation of the stage play by Tyler Perry, at a family retreat, a young wife discovers that her husband has been having an affair with a mistress. After divorcing the bum, the newly single gal decides to hook up with the man who has always admired her from afar.

Director: Tyler Perry

Studio: Lionsgate

Web site: not available

We Own the Night

Genre: Drama

MPAA Rating: R (or strong violence, drug material, language, some sexual content and brief nudity)

Cast: Jodie Foster, Terrence Howard, Naveen Andrews, Mary Steenburgen, Jane Adams

Story: Bobby Green (Joaquin Phoenix) is just a mild-mannered manager of a Russian nightclub in NYC circa 1988. However, that club happens to be owned by a ruthless crime lord (Alex Veadov) who holds a personal vendetta against Bobby’s father, Deputy Police Chief Burt Grusinsky (Robert Duvall). Bobby must do what it takes to save his father without exposing the secret that they’re actually related.

Director: James Gray

Studio: Sony Pictures Releasing

Web site: not available

October 19

30 Days of Night

Genre: Horror

MPAA Rating: R (for strong horror violence and language)

Cast: Josh Hartnett, Melissa George, Danny Huston, Ben Foster, Mark Junior Boone

Story: In Barrow, Alaska, for a full month every winter, the sun never rises and the entire town is plunged into darkness. So, what better place for vampires to show up and go on a feeding frenzy? It’s up to the town’s sheriff (Josh Hartnett) and his estranged wife (Melissa George) to hold back the forces of evil before all of the citizens are drained of their blood.

Director: David Slade

Studio: Sony Pictures Releasing

Web site: not available

The Comebacks

Genre: Comedy

MPAA Rating: PG-13 ( for crude and sexual content throughout and some drug material)

Cast: David Koechner, Carl Weathers, Matthew Lawrence

Story: A football coach with one of the worst records in the entire history of sports is lulled out of retirement for one last shot at greatest. Only problem: He’s given a team filled with the biggest degenerates, losers and generally just the worst players currently known to the sport.

Director: Tom Brady

Studio: 20th Century Fox Distribution

Web site: http://www.foxatomic.com/comebacks/

Gone Baby Gone

Genre: Drama, Crime/Gangster and Adaptation

MPAA Rating: R (for violence, drug content and pervasive language.)

Cast: Casey Affleck, Ed Harris, Morgan Freeman, John Ashton, Robert Wahlberg

Story: Two young private detectives are hired to take a closer look at the mysterious disappearance of a little girl and soon discover that nothing is what it seems. Ultimately, they will have to risk everything — their relationship, their sanity, and even their lives — to find a little girl-lost.

Director: Ben Affleck

Studio: Miramax Films

Web site: http://gonebabygone-themovie.com/

Rendition

Genre: Drama

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Reese Witherspoon, Alan Arkin, Meryl Streep, J.K. Simmons, Peter Sarsgaard

Story: A CIA analyst (Jake Gyllenhaal) has a crisis of conscience after he witnesses the brutal interrogation of a foreign national by the Egyptian secret police. Meanwhile, the suspect’s pregnant American wife (Reese Witherspoon) worries about what is going to happen to her husband.

Director: Gavin Hood

Studio: New Line Cinema

Web site: http://www.renditionmovie.com/

October 26

Dan in Real Life

Genre: Comedy

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for some inneundo)

Cast: Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook, John Mahoney, Emily Blunt, Dianne Wiest

Story: Dan Burns (Steve Carell) is recently widowed, but would like to get back into the dating game. Unfortunately, the first woman he falls for is his brother’s girlfriend.

Director: Peter Hedges

Studio: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Web site: http://daninreallife-themovie.com/

Run Fat Boy Run

Genre: Comedy

Cast: Simon Pegg, Thandie Newton, Dylan Moran, Hank Azaria, Ameet Chana, Harish Patel

Story: Dennis (Simon Pegg) is a little on the hefty side. He also, quite stupidly, leaves his fiancé at the alter on their wedding day. Several years later, he realizes he left the love of his life and becomes determined that the only way to win her back is to run a marathon, something he’s not quite in shape for.

Director: David Schwimmer

Studio: Picturehouse

Web site: http://www.runfatboyrunmovie.com/

Saw IV

Genre: Horror

MPAA Rating: R (for sequences of grisly bloody violence and torture throughout, and for language)

Cast: Scott Patterson, Tobin Bell, Betsy Russell, Costas Mandylor, Lyriq Bent

Story: Adead. Upon the news of Detective Kerry’s murder, two seasoned FBI profilers, Agent Strahm and Agent Perez, arrive at the depleted police precinct and help veteran Detective Hoffman sift through Jigsaw’s latest grizzly game of victims and piece together the puzzle. However, when SWAT Commander Rigg, the last officer untouched by Jigsaw, is suddenly abducted and thrust into the madman’s harrowing game, the officer has but ninety minutes to overcome a series of interconnected traps…or face the deadly consequences.

Director: Darren Lynn Bousman

Studio: Lionsgate

Web site: http://www.saw4.com/

Things We Lost in the Fire

Genre: Drama

MPAA Rating: R (for drug content and language )

Cast: Halle Berry, Benicio Del Toro, David Duchovny, Omar Benson Miller, Alison Lohman, John Carroll Lynch

Story: Audrey Burke (Halle Berry) has just lost her husband. To help get over her grief, she tries to get to know her husband’s best friend since childhood, Jerry (Benicio Del Toro), a little bit better. Except, Jerry is hopelessly addiction to heroin. But maybe, just maybe, the new relationship he forges with Audrey can help him get his life back on track.

Director: Susanne Bier

Studio: Paramount Pictures

Web site: http://www.thingswelostinthefire.com/

Video Releases

Releasing October 2

Fantastic Four:

Rise of the Silver Surfer

The Fantastic Four meet their greatest challenge yet in this sequel to the 2005 hit, as the enigmatic, intergalactic herald, The Silver Surfer, comes to Earth to prepare it for destruction. As he races around the globe wreaking havoc, Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben must unravel the mystery before all hope is lost. Director: Tim Story. Stars: Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis, Julian McMahon, Kerry Washington, Andre Braugher, Gonzalo Menendez, Laurence Fishburne. 2007, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 92 min., Action.

Jindabyne

On an annual fishing trip, in isolated high country, Stewart, Carl, Rocco and Billy find a girl’s body in the river. It’s too late in the day for them to hike back to the road and report their tragic find. The next morning, instead of making the long trek back, they spend the day fishing. When the men finally return home to Jindabyne, and report finding the body, all hell breaks loose. Stars: Laura Linney, Gabriel Byrne, Deborra-Lee Furness, John Howard, Leah Purcell. 2007, CC, MPAA rating: R, 123 min., Drama, Sony.

Releasing October 9

Evan Almighty

Four years after being flummoxed by Bruce in “Bruce Almighty,” Evan Baxter is a newly elected Congressman. Evan has left Buffalo behind to shepherd his wife, Joan, and three sons to the suburban town of Huntsville, Virginia, where they will begin the next chapter of their lives. As the Baxters become ensconced in their enormous home nestled within the pristine hills of northern Virginia, Evan prepares for his first day on the job as the freshman congressman from New York. The casually spiritual politico offers a prayer to God to “change the world.” Little does he know that The Man upstairs already has big plans for him. Director: Tom Shadyac. Stars: Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman, Lauren Graham, Johnny Simmons, Graham Phillips, Jimmy Bennett, John Goodman, Wanda Sykes, John Michael Higgins, Jonah Hill, Molly Shannon, Harve Presnell. 2007, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 96 min., Comedy, Universal.

28 Weeks Later

The creative team of Danny Boyle, Alex Garland, and Andrew Macdonald are back to re-invent the zombie movie yet again with the sequel to “28 Days Later.” Lead by director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, “28 Weeks Later” picks up six months after the Rage virus has annihilated the British Isles. The U.S. Army declares that the war against the infection has been won, and that the reconstruction of the country can begin. In the first wave of returning refugees, a family is reunited — but one of them unwittingly carries a terrible secret. Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo. Stars: Robert Carlyle, Rose Byrne, Jeremy Renner, Harold Perrineau, Catherine McCormack, Imogen Poots, Idris Elba, Mackintosh Muggleton. 2007, CC, MPAA rating: R, 113 min., Horror, Fox.

You Kill Me

Frank Falenczyk is a troubled man whose drinking problem is getting in the way of his job … as a hit man. When he sleeps through a hit, his mob boss uncle banishes Frank from Buffalo and sends him to San Francisco to sober up. There he lands a job at a mortuary and meets an usual cast of characters, including his 12-step sponsor Tom, an eccentric real estate agent, and Laurel, a smart-talking woman who’s dangerously devoid of boundaries. Meanwhile, back in Buffalo, gangster Edward O’Leary is bent on destroying Frank’s mobster family, and Frank must return to seek vengeance. Director: John Dahl. Stars: Ben Kingsley, Tea Leoni, Phillip Baker Hall, Luke Wilson, Bill Pullman, Dennis Farina. 2007, CC, MPAA rating: R, 92 min., Drama, Genius Products.

Reign Over Me

Alan Johnson is surprised when he sees his old college roommate, Charlie Fineman cruising the streets of Manhattan on a scooter. Alan has a seemingly perfect life: a successful career as a dentist, a loving wife, and two beautiful daughters. Yet he feels bored and unfulfilled, and no longer the carefree college student he once was with his buddy Charlie. Charlie, on the other hand, lost his family in the September 11 attack on New York City and has slowly built a life of isolation until the fateful run-in with his former college roommate. The chance encounter rekindles their friendship, and together with psychiatrist Angela Oakhurst (Liv Tyler), Alan and Charlie slowly reconnect to their former, happy and grateful selves. Director: Mike Binder. Stars: Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett Smith, Liv Tyler, Saffron Burrows, Donald Sutherland, Robert Klein, Melinda Dillon. 2007, CC, MPAA rating:R, 124 min., Drama, Sony.

Surf’s Up

Animated adventure that goes “behind the scenes” of the high-octane world of competitive penguin surfing. Inspired by his hero, the legendary wave rider Big Z, Cody Maverick leaves his family and his town of Shiverpool, Antarctica to travel to Pen Gu Island for the Big Z Memorial Surf Off — Cody’s first pro competition. Cody believes that winning will bring him the admiration and respect he deserves. But when he unexpectedly comes face to face with Geek, a washed up old surfer, Cody begins to understand that the greatest champion isn’t always the one who comes in first. Director: Ash Brannon and Chris Buck: Voices of : Shia LaBeouf, Jeff Bridges, Zooey Deschanel, Jon Heder, James Woods. 2007, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 85 min., Animated, Sony.

Transformers

For centuries, two races of robotic aliens — the Autobots and the Decepticons — have waged a war, with the fate of the universe at stake. When the battle comes to Earth, all that stands between the evil Decepticons and ultimate power is a clue held by young Sam Witwicky. An average teenager, Sam is consumed with everyday worries about school, friends, cars and girls. Unaware that he alone is mankind’s last chance for survival, Sam and his friend Mikaela find themselves in a tug of war between the Autobots and Decepticons. With the world hanging in the balance, Sam comes to realize the true meaning behind the Witwicky family motto — “No sacrifice, no victory!” Director: Michael Bay. Stars: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Rachael Taylor, Anthony Anderson, Jon Voight, John Turturro. 2007, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 143 min., Sci-Fi Action, Paramount.

The Hoax

In 1971, Clifford Irving achieved the very heights of American journalism, nabbing a series of unprecedented interviews with the most famous man in the world — ultra-reclusive, immensely powerful, superstar billionaire Howard Hughes — revealing his most intimate memories and controversial secrets. Actually, that’s a lie. In 1971, writer Clifford Irving told an incredible whopper — one that became one of the most audacious and outrageous hoaxes ever perpetrated on the media and American public. Claiming to have obtained Howard Hughes’ long sought-after memoirs, Irving pulled the wool over the entire publishing industry’s eyes, and nearly made off with major cash and worldwide fame, until his clever yarn unraveled into a serious crime. Director: Lasse Hallstrom. Stars: Richard Gere, Alfred Molina, Marcia Gay Harden, Julie Delpy, Hope Davis. 2007, CC, MPAA rating: R, 116 min., Drama, Company.

Planet Terror

Robert Rodriguez’s half of the cult film “Grindhouse,” which was two films in one: “Planet Terror” and “Death Proof.” The Weinstein Co. split the film in half for release to DVD. Deep in the heart of Texas, married doctors William and Dakota Block find their graveyard shift inundated with townspeople ravaged by gangrenous sores and a suspiciously vacant look in their eyes. Among the wounded is Cherry, a go-go dancer whose leg was ripped from her body during a roadside attack. Wray, her former significant other, is at her side. This mixture of lost souls must fight off the zombie-like humanoids who are slowly taking over the planet. Director: Robert Rodriguez. Stars: Freddy Rodriguez, Rose McGowan, Josh Brolin, Naveen Andrews, Marley Shelton, Michael Biehn, Stacy Ferguson, Jeff Fahey, Michael Parks. 2007, CC, MPAA rating: R, Drama, The Weinstein Co./Genius Products.

My Best Friend

Francois, an unlikable, self-centered middle-aged antique dealer, still manages to lead a fabulous life in Paris. However, at a dinner with a group he considers his dearest acquaintances, he is blindsided by the revelation that none of them actually likes him. His business partner Catherine challenges him with a bet: she wants to meet his best friend. Scrambling to find someone willing to pose as his best pal, Francois enlists the services of a charming taxi driver Bruno to play the part. Bruno teaches Fran?ois how to make friends and sets about learning the “three S’s” — being sociable, smiling and sincere — though they don’t come easy. Director: Patrice Leconte. Stars: Daniel Auteuil, Dany Boon, Julie Gayet, Julie Durand. 2007, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 94 min., Comedy, Genius Products.

Crazy Love

An innocent whirlwind romance culminates in extremely violent and psychologically-damaging actions in the critically acclaimed documentary. The electrifying film relays the true story of the obsessive real-life romance between a 32-year-old married attorney, who out of desperation deliberately blinded the love of his life, a beautiful 20-year-old girl living in the Bronx, shocking the nation and dominating headlines during the summer of 1959. Director: Dan Klores Fisher Stevens. 2007, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 92 min., Documentary, Magnolia Home Entertainment.

The Invisible

Supernatural thriller about a teenager who finds himself trapped between two worlds: invisible to the living and all too close to the dead. A high school senior with a bright future, Nick Powell is suddenly attacked on a dark night, his shattered body left for dead. Now, caught in a haunting limbo where he can observe the world of the living but they can’t see him, his only chance at a future is to figure out the mystery of what happened to him and why before time runs out. But how do you solve a murder when the victim is you? Director: David S. Goyer. Stars: Justin Chatwin, Marcia Gay Harden, Margarita Levieva, Chris Marquette, Alex O’laughlin. 2007, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 97 min., Thriller, Buena Vista.

Releasing October 23

Meet the Robinsons

Based on William Joyce’s book “A Day With Wilbur Robinson,” this comedic-adventure follows Lewis, a brilliant 12-year-old with a surprising number of clever inventions to his credit. His latest and most ambitious project is the Memory Scanner, which he hopes will retrieve early memories of his mother and maybe even reveal why she put him up for adoption. But before he can get his answer, his invention is stolen by the dastardly Bowler Hat Guy and his diabolical hat — and constant companion — Doris. Lewis has all but given up hope in his future when a mysterious boy named Wilbur Robinson whisks our bewildered hero away in a time machine and travels forward in time to spend a day with Wilbur’s eccentric family. Director: Stephen J. Anderson. Voices: Angela Bassett, Tom Selleck, Harland Williams, Adam West, Tom Kenny, Ethan Sandler. 2007, CC, MPAA rating: G, 95 min., Animated, Disney.

Hostel Part II

Gruesome sequel. Three young Americans studying abroad in Rome set off for a weekend trip when they run into a beautiful model from their art class. Also on her way to an exotic destination, the gorgeous European invites the co-eds to come along, assuring them they can relax and rejuvenate. Will the women find the oasis they are looking for? Or are they poised to become victims for hire, pawns in the fantasies of the sick and privileged around the world who secretly travel here to savor more grisly pursuits? Director: Eli Roth. Stars: Lauren German, Roger Bart, Heather Matarazzo, Bijou Phillips. 2007, CC, MPAA rating: R, 93 min., Horror, Sony.

Releasing October 30

Spiderman 3

Peter Parker has finally managed to strike a balance between his devotion to girlfreidn M.J. and his duties as a superhero. But there is a storm brewing on the horizon. When his Spider-Man suit suddenly changes, turning jet-black and enhancing his powers, it transforms Peter as well. Under the influence of the suit, Peter becomes prideful and overconfident and he begins to neglect the ones he cares about the most. As two of the most-feared villains yet, Sandman and Venom, gather unparalleled power and a thirst for retribution, Peter’s greatest battle is the one within himself. Director: Sam Raimi. Stars: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace, Bryce Dallas Howard, Daniel Gillies, Ted Raimi, Adrian Lester, Theresa Russell, James Cromwell, Elizabeth Banks, Steve Valentine. 2007, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 139 min., Action, Sony.