Spider-Man 3
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: AMC Theatres 1000 Van Ness
Synopsis:Spider-Man 3
Your friendly neighborhood web-slinger is back, only this time his sunny outlook has become partially overcast in the third chapter of director Sam Raimi's Spider-Man saga. Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, and James Franco return to reprise their roles from the previous two installments, with Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace, and Bryce Dallas Howard making their first appearances in the series as Flint Marko (aka Sandman), Eddie Brock (aka Venom), and Gwen Stacy, respectively. Peter Parker (Maguire) has finally leaned to walk the middle ground between being the superhero that his city needs, and the man that Mary Jane (Dunst) loves. All is well in New York City until one night, as Peter and M.J. set gazing at the stars, a falling comet streams across the sky and crashes into the ground close by. But this isn't any ordinary shooting star, and upon impact the mysterious space rock is split open to reveal a shape-shifting symbiote with the power to overtake anything that it comes into contact with. Later, as Harry Osborn acquires his late father's flying board, engineers a powerful new Goblin outfit, and takes to the sky to avenge dad's death, the mysterious space sludge infects both Peter's Spider Man suit and ambitious street photographer Eddie Brock (Grace). His strange new suit giving him a newfound sense of power as it gradually overpowers his personality, Peter discovers that escaped convict Flint Marko was in fact the man responsible for the death of Uncle Ben (Cliff Robertson). Unfortunately for Peter, Marko has recently acquired the power to morph at will and quickly completes his transformation into the dreaded Sandman. As the Sandman gives in to his darkest criminal instincts and the slithering space symbiote transforms Eddie Brock into the nightmarish fanged villain known as Venom, the citizens of New York City must once again call on Spider Man to fend off destructive forces that are far too powerful for the likes of mortal man. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

300
Mood:  mischievious










Synopsis

In the midst of the Persian-Greco war, Spartan King Leonidas leads his army of 300 soldiers into battle against the invading Persian army during the Battle of Thermopylae. According to legend, their valor and sacrifice inspired all of Greece to unite against the Persian foe, leading to the origins of democracy.

Showtimes:

MPAA Rating:
R

Running Time:
117 minutes

Genre:
Action/Adventure, Drama, War

Distributor:
Warner Bros. Pictures

Cast and Credits

Dreamgirls
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: Metrion










Release Date: December 15, 2006
Release Notes: NY/LA/SF
Running Time: 125 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
for language, some sexuality and drug content Genre: Drama, Musical
Cast: Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Hudson, Keith Robinson Director: Bill Condon Studio: DreamWorks Official Website: www.dreamgirlsmovie.com

Synopsis

Set in the turbulent early 1960s to mid-70s, "Dreamgirls" follows the rise of a trio of women--Effie, Deena and Lorrell--who have formed a promising girl group called The Dreamettes. At a talent competition, they are discovered by an ambitious manager named Curtis Taylor Jr., who offers them the opportunity of a lifetime: to become the back-up singers for headliner James "Thunder" Early. Curtis gradually takes control of the girls' look and sound, eventually giving them their own shot in the spotlight as The Dreams. That spotlight, however, begins to narrow in on Deena, finally pushing the less attractive Effie out altogether. Although the Dreams become a crossover phenomenon, they soon realize that the cost of fame and fortune may be higher than they ever imagined.

The Marine
Mood:  bright
Now Playing: AMC Van Ness 14










Release Date: October 13, 2006
Release Notes: Nationwide
Running Time: 93 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
for intense sequences of violent action, sensuality and language
Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama
Cast: John Cena, Kelly Carlson, Drew Powell, Robert Patrick, Jon Bennett
Director: John Bonito
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Official Website: themarinemovie.com

Synopsis
John Triton is a heroic Marine who returns home after being discharged --against his will--from the war in Iraq. Stateside, he finds himself back in action, when his wife is kidnapped by a murderous gang led by the merciless Rome. With everything on the line, the Marine will stop at nothing to carry out his toughest and most important mission.

The Guardian
Mood:  not sure
Now Playing: AMC Van Ness 14 1000 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94109










Release Date: September 29, 2006
Release Notes: Nationwide
Running Time: 135 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
for intense sequences of action/peril, brief strong language and some sensuality
Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama
Cast: Kevin Costner, Ashton Kutcher, Neal McDonough, Clancy Brown,

Melissa Sagemiller
Director: Andrew Davis
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures
Official Website: guardianmovie.com

Synopsis
After losing his crew in a fatal crash, legendary Rescue Swimmer, Ben

Randall, is sent to teach at 'A' School, an elite training program for

Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers. Wrestling with the loss of his crew

members, he throws himself into teaching, turning the program upside

down with his unorthodox training methods. While there, he encounters a

young, cocky swim champ, Jake Fischer, who is driven to be the best.

During training, Randall helps mold Jake's character, combining his raw

talent with the heart and dedication required of a Rescue Swimmer. Upon

graduation, Jake follows Randall to Kodiak, Alaska, where they face the

inherent dangers of the Bering Sea. In his initial solo rescue, Jake

learns firsthand from Randall, the true meaning of heroism and

sacrifice, echoing the Swimmer's motto...'So Others May Live!'

Jet Li is 'Fearless' in swan song
Mood:  energetic



PLOT: In what he says is his last Wushu (martial arts) film, Jet Li plays real-life champion fighter Huo Yuanjia in turn-of-the-century China, a man who learns restraint over violence after a tragic turn of events in his personal life.

After more than 30 years as a Wushu (martial arts) master, Chinese action star Jet Li is finally ready to pack in his bald cap and long, braided pony tail.

That's not to say the 43-year-old won't be doing any more action flicks, just not Wushu period pieces with traditional storylines like his latest epic flick, Jet Li's Fearless. This is his first Chinese language film since 2002's Hero.

For his swansong in this genre, Li wisely chose the inspirational story of real-life martial arts legend Hua Yuanjia, who was the most famous fighter in turn-of-the-century China and founded the martial-arts school, The Jingwu Sports Federation.

As a young boy in Dongguang County, Yuanjia worships his fighting champion father, who wants him to remain out of the ring and stay on top of his studies like his best friend Nong Jinsun (Dong Yong) who eventually goes on to become a successful restaurateur.

But, as a child, Yuanjia is bullied by those bigger than he is, and he vows never to lose a battle. Thus motivated, he becomes an undefeated champion as an adult with legions of disciples who worship him and are also eager to drink with him every night.


A life-changing fight destroys him -- his delightful young daughter is being raised by his mother after his wife has died -- and a despondent Yuanjia flees the city.

Refuge comes in the form of an idyllic village in the Chinese countryside and a blind village girl named Snow (Sun Li).

It is here in this rural, peaceful environment that Yuanjia learns the meaning of restraint, which becomes crucial in the film's climactic fight scene near the end of the movie.

Sadly, the script, written by Chris Chow and Christine To, is on the hokey side as it deals with larger issues of spiritual versus physical, pride versus humility, East versus West, etc.

And Li once again sports an awful, unforgiving haircut. (Li is quite a cutie when he has a full head of hair. But I digress.)

On the positive side: The fight choreography by master Yuen Wo Ping is astounding --- battles take place on raised platforms, inside temples, restaurants and tented boxing rings -- the production design is incredible and the scenery lush and lovely as photographed in sweeping shots by director Ronny Yu.

Jet Li's Fearless is in Chinese with English subtitles.

BOTTOM LINE: A rather hokey script weighs down Jet Li's final Wushu (martial arts) movie. However, I'm guessing most people come to see the Chinese action star fight, and that he does during some rather incredible scenes.

(This film is rated 14-A)

Miami Vice
Mood:  on fire
Now Playing: AMC Van Ness 14-1000 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94109
Miami Vice


Release Date: July 28, 2006
Release Notes: Nationwide
Running Time: 146 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
for strong violence, language and some sexual content
Genre: Drama, Action/Adventure
Cast: Jamie Foxx, Colin Farrell, Gong Li, Naomie Harris, Ciaran Hinds
Director: Michael Mann
Studio: Universal Pictures
Official Website: www.miamivice.com



Synopsis
Ricardo Tubbs is urbane and dead smart. He lives with Bronx-born intel analyst Trudy, as they work undercover transporting drug loads into South Florida to identify a group responsible for three murders. Sonny Crockett is charismatic and flirtatious until--while undercover working with the supplier of the South Florida group--he gets romantically entangled with Isabella, the Chinese-Cuban wife of an arms and drugs trafficker. The intensity of this case pushes Crockett and Tubbs out onto the edge where identity and fabrication become blurred, where cop and player become one-especially for Crockett in his romance with Isabella and for Tubbs in the provocation of an assault on those he loves.

The Return of Van Damme?
Mood:  a-ok
The Return of Van Damme?

Guy's someone check the weather. Has hell frozen over? The muscles from Brussels, Jean Claude Van Damme, is about to be in a new movie. And its not a karate action flick. This looks like its going to be a serious drama.

Twitch Film caught this:

Can't find any images for this one but the trailer for new Jean Claude Van Damme flick Til Death has appeared online and the film co-stars - bizarrely - Stephen Rea.
You can view the trailer Here but be warned this trailer includes some foul language and suggestive sexual clips.

I can honestly say I am excited to see this. Stephen Rea was in the recent V for Vendetta as the Detective, so we are comfortable seeing him as a cop. Mostly I want to see it because Van Damme actually looks like he is holding his own as a dramatic actor. Granted there is a LOT of action in this preview, but nothing typically Van Damme. I didnt see him pull the splits even once. He doesn't even pull any standard karate moves, but he does his fair share of pushing people around.

Could this be a comeback for Van Damme? Are we seeing a whole new side to him?? Who would have guessed that this guy might actually be able to act?

Guess we will have to wait for Til Death to come out so we can see.

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The Hills Have Eyes
The Hills Have Eyes

With the current field of horror remakes already grossly overpopulated, The Hills Have Eyes doesn't offer enough to distance itself from its compadres, despite gore and scares that will keep the popcorn flowing. In other words: box office gold.






Story

Decidedly anti-Griswolds, The Hills Have Eyes serves up a horrifying twist on the tired family-road-trip sub-genre. On their way to San Diego, the Carters, led by patriarch Big Bob (Ted Levine), make a pit stop for gas in a New Mexico desert town. But when Bob decides to take a little detour along the windy roads, he slams his truck--and the trailer hitched to it--into a rock, rendering it useless and leaving the clan to fend for themselves while they wait for help. Problem is, help ain't comin'! When Bob and his son-in-law, Doug (Aaron Stanford), go out to look, only one returns and it becomes (quite literally) painfully obvious that they are not as alone as they might've hoped. Turns out this "desert" is a nuclear wasteland that has spawned bloodthirsty, misanthropic mutants as inhabitants. The locals are getting hungry, and it's breakfast time!

Akeelah and the Bee
Mood:  happy
Akeelah and the Bee







Akeelah Anderson is a precocious 11-year-old girl from south Los Angeles with a gift for words. Despite the objections of her mother Tanya, Akeelah enters various spelling contests, for which she is tutored by the forthright Dr. Larabee; her principal Mr. Welch and the proud residents of her neighborhood. Akeelah's aptitude earns her an opportunity to compete for a spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee and in turn unites her neighbors who witness the courage and inspiration of one amazing little girl.

Cast and Credits

CAST:
Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett, Keke Palmer, Jeff Marlow, Sara Niemietz.
CREDITS:
Directed by Doug Atchison.
Written by Doug Atchison.
Produced by Sidney Ganis, Danny Llewelyn, Michael Romersa, Laurence Fishburne, Nancy Hult Ganis.