BIG BUDGET FILMS
Beastly (PG-13 for profanity, crudeness, drug references and violence) Modern-day take on Beauty and the Beast reimagined as an urban tale about a school bully (Alex Pettyfer) who finds himself transformed into an ugly monster when a Goth classmate (Mary-Kate Olsen) he teased casts a spell on him. To undo the curse, he must find a woman (Vanessa Hudgens) willing to love him in this hideous state. Cast includes Neil Patrick Harris, Lisa Gay Hamilton and Rhiannon Moller-Trotter.
Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (PG for animal action and humor) 3-D sequel to Cats and Dogs finds the canines and felines joining forces this go-round after a tabby spy (Bette Midler) goes rogue and hatches a plot to conquer the world. Starring Fred Armisen, Chris O'Donnell and roger Moore, with voice work by Alec Baldwin, Michael Clarke Duncan and Joe Pantoliano.
Charlie St. Cloud (PG-13 for profanity, sexual references, sensuality and a graphic accident scene) Sci-fi fantasy about a grief-stricken, cemetery caretaker (Zac Efron) torn between keeping a promise made to his late brother (Chris Massoglia) and moving on with his life with the girl of his dreams (Amanda Crew). Cast includes Ray Liotta, Kim Basinger and Donal Logue.
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS
The Dry Land (R for sexuality, disturbing violence and pervasive profanity) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder saga chronicling the emotionally-challenging readjustment to civilian life of an Army veteran (Ryan O'Nan) following his tour of duty in Iraq. With America Ferrara, Melissa Leo, Wilmer Valderrama and Sasha Spielberg (Steven's daughter). (In English and Spanish with subtitles)
Enemies of the People (Unrated) "Killing Fields" documentary rehashes the senseless slaughter of two million Cambodians by the Khmer Rouge during Pol Pot's reign of terror in the late Seventies. (In English and Khmer with subtitles)
The Extra Man (R for sexuality) Unlikely-buddies comedy about a disgraced, cross-dressing, prep school teacher (Paul Dano) who moves from Princeton to NYC where he shares an apartment with a college professor (Kevin Kline) who spends his evenings as an escort for wealthy widows. With Celia Weston, John C. Reilly and Katie Holmes.
Get Low (PG-13 for mature themes and brief violence) True tale which transpired in Tennessee in the Thirties when a reclusive hermit (Robert Duvall) came out of the woods to throw himself a funeral party so he could attend his own wake while still alive. Ensemble includes Bill Murray, Sissy Spacek, Lucas Black, Gerald McRaney and Bill Cobbs.
Helen (R for profanity and brief sexuality) Ashley Judd stars in the title role of this misery loves company drama as a clinically-depressed, music professor who befriends a student who's even more suicidal (Lauren Lee Smith). With Goran Visnjic, Alexia Fast and Alberta Watson.
Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel (R for graphic nudity and sexuality) Revealing bio-pic offers an intimate profile of Hugh Hefner, focusing primarily on the pinup magazine founder's protracted fights with feminists, the Feds and the Religious Right. Featuring cameo appearances by Dick Gregory, Bill Maher, Dr. Ruth, George Lucas, Pete Seeger, Jenny McCarthy, Jesse Jackson, Jim Brown, Tony Bennett, Joan Baez and James Caan.
I Killed My Mother (Unrated) 20 year-old Xavier Dolan wrote, directed and stars in this semi-autobiographical, coming-of-age drama about a gay teenager's tempestuous relationship with his mom (Anne Dorval). With Francois Arnaud, Patrice Dulasne and Suzanne Clement. (In French with subtitles)
The New Year (Unrated) "Return to the roost" dramedy about a high school valedictorian (Trieste Kelly Dunn) who drops out of college to care for her terminally-ill father back in Pensacola, only to find her promising future in jeopardy between a dead end job at a bowling alley and an unsatisfying relationship with an underachieving local yokel (Kevin Wheatley).
Smash His Camera (Unrated) Paparazzi documentary chronicling the checkered career of photographer Ron Galella, the celebrity stalker who was sued by Jackie O and had five of his teeth knocked out by Marlon Brando. Featuring footage of such tabloid fixtures as Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.
What's the Matter with Kansas? (Unrated) Red State documentary examines why the citizens of Kansas, against their own interest, overwhelmingly backed George Bush in both the 2000 and 2004 Presidential Elections.
Who Killed Nancy? (Unrated) "Only the Good Die Young" documentary does a post-mortem on the 1978 murder of Nancy Spungeon, the 20 year-old stripper/prostitute probably killed by her boyfriend, the Sex Pistols' Sid Vicious, a junkie who died of a heroin overdose before he could be brought to justice.
