Outlander

Movie Info

Directed by: Howard McCain (directorial debut)
Written by: Screenplay: Howard McCain (writing debut) & Dirk Blackman (writing debut)
Starring: James Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ, The Count of Monte Cristo), Sophia Myles (Tristan + Isolde, Underworld), Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Enemy at the Gates)
Genre: Action/Adventure/Science Fiction
MPAA Rating: R - for violence
Runtime: 115 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 29% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 40/100
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
My Response: This is very unknown movie, and it is only getting a limited release. That's too bad, because it definitely looks like it could be entertaining. Someone said that if it was released in the 80's, Outlander would probably be a cult favorite nowadays (like Conan or Predator), and I can't disagree. See it if you can, and make sure to catch it when it hopefully comes to the SciFi channel in a few years.

Trailer



Official Website

Inkheart

Movie Info

Directed by: Iain Softley (The Skeleton Key, K-PAX)
Written by: Novel: Cornelia Funke; Screenplay: David Lindsay-Abaire (Robots)
Starring: Brendan Fraser (The Mummy, Journey to the Center of the Earth), Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings, 13 Going on 30), Eliza Bennett (Nanny McPhee)
Genre: Adventure/Fantasy/Family
MPAA Rating: PG - for fantasy adventure action, some scary moments and brief language
Runtime: 106 - minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 35% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 47/100
IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
My Response: To be honest, I didn't get a great feeling about this one when I first heard about it, but it's been getting solid reviews (EDIT: reviews have since tanked!), and could be (EDIT: but is most likely not) a nice surprise. It definitely looks to be the best family friendly movie in months.

Trailer



Official Website

My Bloody Valentine 3D

Movie Info

Directed by: Patrick Lussier (Dracula 2000, White Noise 2)
Written by: Screenplay: Todd Farmer (Jason X) & Zane Smith (film writing debut)
Starring: Jensen Ackles (Supernatural (TV), Smallville (TV)), Jamie King (Sin City, Pearl Harbor), Kerr Smith (Cruel Intentions 3, Justice (TV))
Genre: Horror
MPAA Rating: R - for graphic brutal horror violence and grisly images throughout, some strong sexuality, graphic nudity and language
Runtime: 101 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 57% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 54/100
IMDB Rating: 6.7/10
My Response: The trailer ends with "Nothing says 'Date Movie' more than a 3D ride to hell." I can't disagree or even come close to improving upon this line, but I can add some background info. This is based on a cult classic of the same name from the early 80's, and hopefully it's a good throwback to good ol' slasher films of young, hot, scantly clad humans getting slasherized. Rent it.

Trailer



Official Website

Last Chance Harvey

Movie Info

Directed by: Joel Hopkins (Jump Tomorrow, Jorge)
Written by: Joel Hopkins (Jump Tomorrow, Jorge)
Starring: Dustin Hoffman (The Graduate, Rain Man), Emma Thompson (Love Actually, Stranger Then Fiction)
Genre: Drama/Romance
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for brief strong language
Runtime: 92 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 74% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 60/100
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
My Response: After watching the trailer for this film, it's hard to not know what happens throughout the entire picture, but it's also easy to see how likable the two main characters are, so the journey they go on should still be fun. Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson provide entertaining performances, and have great chemistry together. I'd recommend at least renting this one.

Trailer



Official Website

Valkyrie

Movie Info

Directed by: Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects, X-men 1 & 2)

Written by: Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects) & Nathan Alexander (film writing debut)
Starring: Tom Cruise (Top Gun, All The Right Moves), Bill Nighy (The Constant Gardner, Underworld)
Genre: Suspense
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violence and brief strong language
Runtime: 120 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 61% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 58/100
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10

My Response: Valkyrie looks to have overcome many of the production problems (including delays, reshoots, and a six month release date change) that it went through to still end up being a good movie. While it will have a hard time going up against the huge movies that are opening this Christmas, it still might be a nice little surprise to see.

Trailer

Australia

Movie Info

Directed by: Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge!, Rome + Juliet)
Written by: Baz Luhrmann, Stuart Beattie, Ronald Harwood, Richard Flanagan (screenplay)
Starring: Nicole Kidman (Eyes Wide Shut, Cold Mountain), Hugh Jackman (X-men, The Prestige)
Genre: Drama/Action/Romance/Adventure/War/Epic
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - [See Full Rating] for some violence, a scene of sensuality, and brief strong language
Runtime: 165 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 52% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 53/100
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
My Response: This film has been anticipated for quite some time, and it has promised to be a big epic war movie that transcends its time period and all the genre's it adheres to. But, the earlier reviews say that it is just too long and falls far short of these lofty expectations. Rent it.

Trailer



Official Website

Bolt

Movie Info

Directed by: Byron Howard (directorial debut) & Chris Williams (Galgo's Quest)
Written by: Dan Fogelman & Chris Williams (screenplay)
Starring: John Travolta (Broken Arrow, Grease), Miley Cirus (Hannah Montana), Susie Essman (Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Man)
Genre: Family/Animation/Comedy
MPAA Rating: PG - for some mild action and peril
Runtime: 96 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 84% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 67/100
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
My Response: I am admittedly bias when it comes to animated movies these days, as I feel nothing out there is up to par with what comes out of the Pixar studio (Wall-E, Ratatouille). But Bolt has been getting pretty good reviews and it looks to be the best of the rest when it comes to animated movies these days. Rent it.

Trailer



Official Website

Special

Movie Info

Directed by: Hal Haberman (directorial debut) & Jeremy Passmore (Crossing)
Written by: Hal Haberman & Jeremy Passmore (screenplay)
Starring: Michael Rapaport (True Romance, Mighty Aphrodite), Paul Blackthorne (24, Lipstick Jungle), Josh Peck (Drillbit Taylor, Drake & Josh)
Genre: Drama/Comedy
MPAA Rating: R - for language, some violence and brief drug use
Runtime: 81 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 57% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 56/100
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
My Response: This film has actually been around since 2006, and even played at some film festivals two years ago, but it is just now getting its limited release. Michael Rapaport always does a superb job in every movie he's in, and he has more than perfected his skills as a character actor (but sadly he is usually only known as "Oh, look! It's that guy. I've seen him in something before"). Rapaport's lead role is the main reason I want to see this film, and I don't think he'll disappoint. Rent it.

Trailer



Official Website

The Secret Life of Bees

Movie Info

Directed by: Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love & Basketball, Disappearing Acts)
Written by: Sue Monk Kidd (novel), Gina Prince-Bythewood (screenplay)
Starring: Queen Latifah (Last Holiday, Beauty Shop), Jennifer Hudson (Sex and the City, Dreamgirls), Dakota Fanning (Man on Fire, War of the Worlds)
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic material and some violence
Runtime: 110 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 53% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 60/100
IMDB Rating: 5.9/10
My Response: The Secret Life of Bees definitely presents a new tweak on the often-visited subject of race relations. While many racially themed movies fall into melodramatic storytelling, I have high hopes that this film will be different. The cast is top notch, and while director Prince-bythewood is inexperienced, I think the film has an interesting enough premise to warrant a viewing.

Trailer



Official Website

The Express

Movie Info

Directed by: Gary Fleder (Runaway Jury, Kiss the Girls)
Written by: Robert Gallagher (book), Charles Leavitt (screenplay)
Starring: Rob Brown (Finding Forester, Coach Carter), Dennis Quaid (The Rookie, In Good Company)
Genre: Sports drama
MPAA Rating: PG - for thematic content, violence and language involving racism, and for brief sensuality
Runtime: # minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 80% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: N/A
IMDB Rating: 5.0/10
My Response: Disney is bringing yet another mid-century, football-themed movie from that comments on racism. Remember the Titans, anyone?? Well, I do, and I liked it. I'm sure The Express will deliver on all the goods that Disney movies thrive on, and with the talents of Rob Brown and Dennis Quaid, there are definitely worse ways to spend your movie ticket money.

Trailer



Official Website

Flash of Genius

Movie Info

Directed by: Marc Abraham (directorial debut)
Written by: John Seabrook (article), Philip Railsback (screenplay)
Starring: Greg Kinnear (Ghost Town, Little Miss Sunshine), Lauren Graham (Evan Almighty, Gilmore Girls), Alan Alda (The Aviator, M*A*S*H)
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for brief strong language.
Runtime: 119 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 80% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 49/100
IMDB Rating: 5.4/10
My Response: Flash of Genius looks like a nice project for Greg Kinnear to showcase his acting talents. With this film being the directorial debut of Marc Abraham, I wouldn't get my hopes up too much in terms of award shows, but I think Kinnear will be able to carry the movie and show some of his acting skills that he wasn't allowed to in the past due to limited character development. Rent it for sure.

Trailer



Official Website

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Movie Info

Directed by: Peter Sollett (Raising Victor Vargas)
Written by: Rachel Cohn & David Levithan (novel), Lorene Scafaria (screenplay)
Starring: Michael Cera (Arrested Development, Superbad, Juno), Kat Dennings (The 40 Year Old Virgin, Charlie Bartlett)
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for mature thematic material including teen drinking, sexuality, language and crude behavior
Runtime: 90 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 70% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 57/100
IMDB Rating: 6.1/10
My Response: To me, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist looks like a very enjoyable offbeat comedy. A lot of people will compare this film to last year's big hit Juno, but give it a break and just enjoy it from the time you sit down to watch it to the time the credits roll, and you'll have a good time. Rent it and enjoy it!

Trailer



Official Website

Nights in Rodanthe

Movie Info

Directed by: George C. Wolfe (Lackawanna Blues)
Written by: Anna Peacock & John Romano (screenplay), Nicholas Sparks (novel)
Starring: Richard Gere (Pretty Woman, Chicago), Diane Lane (Must Love Dogs, under the Tuscan Sun), Christopher Meloni (Law & Order)
Genre: Romance
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - Some sensuality
Runtime: 97 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 33% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 45/100
IMDB Rating: N/A
My Response: I was a big fan of the last Nicolas Sparks romance-turned-movie The Notebook, so I'm optimistic about this one. Nights in Rodanthe seems more gered (pun, haha!) for an older crowd when compared with The Notebook, but there's nothing wrong with that. And while The Notebook was about finding what you've lost, this seems more in line with finding something you've never had. Intereseting parallels. But with this being director Wolfe's first big screen movie, I'd wait to rent it though.

Trailer



Official Website

Miracle at St. Anna

Movie Info

Directed by: Spike Lee (Inside Man, Do The Right Thing)
Written by: James McBride (screenplay & novel)
Starring: Derek Luke (Friday Night Lights), Michael Ealy (November), Laz Alonso (Jarhead)
Genre: Drama, Military drama, Historic drama
MPAA Rating: R - strong war violence, language and some sexual content/nudity
Runtime: 160 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 29% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 32/100 - Generally negative reviews
IMDB Rating: 5.3/10
My Response: I first heard of this film quite a while ago and I had pretty high hopes for it. While the initial premise seems a little flimsy, I am usually impressed with Spike Lee joints. The cast is also solid, with Derek Luke being a strong up and comer. But, most of the reviews are pretty bad, so I might save this one for Netflix.

Trailer



Official Website