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January
January 4
Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle [2004] [R] - 7.6.10
After spending the evening together smoking pot and becoming quite high, Harold (John Cho), a meek financial analyst who's always pushed around by his co-workers, and Kumar (Kal Penn), who's brilliant but refuses to go to medical school as his father wishes, find themselves craving White Castle hamburgers. Their adventure begins when the first restaurant they go to is closed, and they determine to find another one. They end up driving along country roads, picking up a hitchhiker who happens to be famous, being picked up themselves by a creepy tow-truck operator, and they search for more pot. Also with Neil Patrick Harris, Ethan Embry and Steve Braun. Directed by Danny Leiner. [1:27]
Troy [2004] [R] - 6.8.1
The Homeric epic "The Iliad" gets the star-studded treatment, with Brad Pitt playing the legendary warrior Greek Achilles: When the Trojan prince Paris (Orlando Bloom) seduces and steals Helen (Diane Kruger), the beautiful wife of king Menelaus of Sparta (Brendan Gleeson), the Greeks launch a thousand ships against Troy, under the leadership of Agamemnon (Brian Cox) the king of Mycenae and brother of Menelaus. Also starring are Eric Bana as Hector, Peter O'Toole as Priam, and Sean Bean as Odysseus. Directed by Wolfgang Petersen. [2:42]
Little Black Book [2004] [PG-13] - 4.3.4
Romantic comedy about a young woman (Brittany Murphy) who is an associate producer for a daytime talk show but dreams of making it big one day and working with Diane Sawyer. When her boyfriend (Ron Livingston) won't discuss his past relationships, she becomes suspicious. So, with encouragement from a co-worker (Holly Hunter) she befriends his ex-girlfriends by pretending that she wants them to appear on the talk show she produces. Also with Kathy Bates and Rashida Jones. Directed by Nick Hurran. [1:45]
Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2 [2004] [PG] - 2.3.2
Sequel to the 1999 "Baby Geniuses" which put forth the premise that babies use a highly sophisticated language that allows them to converse about secrets of the universe, life, etc. This time the babies along with a legendary boy must save the world from a powerful media mogul (Jon Voight) bent on world domination. Also with Scott Baio, Vanessa Angel, Skyler Shaye, Justin Chatwin and Anastasia Trovato. Directed by Bob Clark. [1:28]
January 11
The Village [2004] [PG-13] - 2.6.1
In rural Pennsylvania in 1897, the small village of Covington is surrounded by eerie woods that are rumored to be inhabited by vicious creatures. Afraid of what could happen to them if they went into the woods, the 60 or so residents remain in the village completely cut off from anything around them. Only one young man (Joaquin Phoenix) questions the policy of keeping Covington's citizens completely confined to their village. Also with Sigourney Weaver, Judy Greer, Bryce Dallas Howard, William Hurt, Adrien Brody, Brendan Gleeson and Bryce Dallas Howard. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan. [2:00]
Paparazzi [2004] [PG-13] - 5.6.4
A movie actor (Cole Hauser) enjoys a meteoric rise to stardom, but suffers the consequences when an overzealous group of paparazzi stalk his every move and that of his family. When the paparazzi cause a car accident that injures his wife (Robin Tunney) and son, he concocts a revenge plot against them. Also with Dennis Farina, Tom Sizemore and Larry Cedar. Directed by Paul Abascal. [1:25]
Silver City [2004] [R] - 4.4.6
Chris Cooper stars in this political satire as a grammatically-challenged man from a wealthy, influential family who's trying to get elected as the Governor of Colorado. It turns out, however, that he's the puppet for his older brother (Michael Murphy) who's involved in a web of influence and corruption along with an unscrupulous businessman (Kris Kristofferson). Also with Richard Dreyfuss, Billy Zane, Danny Huston and Daryl Hannah. Directed by John Sayles. [2:09]
Without A Paddle [2004] [PG-13] - 7.4.5
After the death of a friend, three young men (Seth Green, Matthew Lillard and Dax Shepard) vow to fulfill his dream of finding riches by following an old treasure map into the Oregon wilderness. When they take a canoe upriver, everything that can go wrong does: they run into dangerous rapids, and they're pursued by two backwoods farmers, some ardent female environmentalists, and a crazed old mountain man (Burt Reynolds). Also with Abraham Benrubi and Rachel Blanchard. Directed by Steven Brill. [1:33]
January 18
The Forgotten [2004] [PG-13] - 3.4.5
A grieving mother (Julianne Moore), whose 9-year-old son died in an airplane crash, seeks the help of a psychiatrist (Gary Sinise) to cope with the pain of her loss. People around her, including her husband, behave as if she has imagined a past with a son that never really existed. When she meets another man (Dominic West) who has memories of his own lost daughter, the two team up in a desperate attempt to uncover the truth behind what appears to be a case of mass kidnapping. Also with Alfre Woodard and Anthony Edwards. Directed by Joseph Ruben. [1:31]
Cellular [2004] [PG-13] - 3.6.5
A woman who is kidnapped (Kim Basinger) manages to rebuild a shattered telephone and dials a random cell phone number. She pleads with the man who answers (Chris Evans) to help her, and finally she manages to convince him that it is not a prank call. Unable to enlist the help of the police the man tries frantically to find her and free her. Also with Jason Statham, Jessica Biel and Noah Emmerich. Directed by David R. Ellis. [1:35]
Friday Night Lights [2004] [PG-13] - 4.4.5
Based on the book about high school football by H.G. Bissinger, the film depicts life in Odessa, Texas during the 1988 season. The high school football team has dreams of making it to the state championships, and Coach Gary Gaines (Billy Bob Thornton) inspires the boys to be "perfect," while the whole town seems fully devoted to the Friday night football games. Also with Derek Luke, Garrett Hedlund, Jay Hernandez and Lucas Black. Directed by Peter Berg. [1:57]
Catwoman [2004] [PG-13] - 4.5.3
Halle Berry stars as a mild-mannered and insecure struggling artist working in the design department of a cosmetics company run by a greedy, power-mongering couple (Sharon Stone and Lambert Wilson). When she discovers a company secret about a miraculous face cream that prevents and reverses aging, she becomes the target of a conspiracy. That's when she's mysteriously transformed into Catwoman, finding confidence in her newfound strength and agility, but at the same time balancing between being good and being bad. Based on the DC Comics character. Also with Benjamin Bratt, Frances Conroy, Ellen Pompeo and Alex Borstein. Directed by Jean-Christophe 'Pitof' Comar. [1:44]
The Cookout [2004] [PG-13] - 4.4.4
A man (Storm P) achieves his life long dream of becoming a pro basketball player but doesn't expect the troubles that follow. He discovers that his newfound wealth and success have changed his relationships. When he decides to have a cookout at his new house, he realizes how different his new and old friends are, and how some like him because he's rich and successful. Also with Eve, Frankie Faison, Farrah Fawcett and Danny Glover. Directed by Lance Rivera. [1:25]
January 25
Alien Vs. Predator [2004] [PG-13] - 0.8.5
An expedition team discovers an ancient pyramid deep beneath the ice in Antarctica, where they discover that the two alien races featured previously in the "Alien" and "Predator" films are engaged in ancient, deadly combat. With Sanaa Lathan, Lance Henriksen, Raoul Bova, Ewen Bremner and Colin Salmon. Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson. [1:27]
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow [2004] [PG] - 2.4.3
Sci-fi film done in a retro sepia-toned look, ostensibly taking place in the 1930s: As prominent scientists around the world mysteriously disappear, a newspaper reporter (Gwyneth Paltrow) joins forces with ace aviator Sky Captain (Jude Law) to find out what’s going on. Together they travel to exotic places around world, and discover that an evil mastermind is behind a plot to destroy the Earth. Angelina Jolie co-stars as the commander of an all-female amphibious squadron. Also with Giovanni Ribisi, Bai Ling and Michael Gambon. Directed by Kerry Conran. [1:47]
First Daughter [2004] [PG] - 4.3.3
A young woman (Katie Holmes) struggles with her own identity when it comes time for her to go off to college and leave her family. That may seem normal for any young person, but what makes her situation slightly more difficult is that her father is the President of the United States (Michael Keaton) and he is on the campaign trail running for re-election. When she demands not to be followed by Secret Service agents everywhere she goes, her father seemingly agrees. However, he assigns an agent disguised as a student to protect her, and the two soon fall in love. Also with Marc Blucas, Margaret Colin, Dwayne Adway and Andrew Caple-Shaw. Directed by Forest Whitaker. [1:45]
Mean Creek [2004] [R] - 4.5.8
Rory Culkin stars as a boy who has been bullied one too many times. He and his older brother (Trevor Morgan) devise a plan of revenge against the bully (Josh Peck) during a boat trip. While they soon start having second thoughts, a friend of theirs (Scott Mechlowicz) is determined to follow through. Also with Ryan Kelley and Carly Schroeder. Directed by Jacob Aaron Estes. [1:27]
February
February 1
The Grudge [2004] [PG-13] - 4.7.1
Supernatural horror film based on the premise that anyone who is killed in a fit of rage leaves behind a curse from which others will die, and so on. Sarah Michelle Geller stars as a caregiver, who soon realizes that the house she is in while taking care of an elderly woman, is afflicted by this curse and is tormented by a spectral presence. Also with Jason Behr, Clea DuVall, Bill Pullman and Kadee Strickland. Directed by Takashi Shimizu. [1:36]
Ray [2004] [PG-13] - 6.4.4
Musical biographical drama of Ray Charles, who was born in a poor Georgia town, and went blind when he was seven-years-old, shortly after witnessing his younger brother's death. The story recounts his battles with heroin addiction and against segregation, as well as his innovations with gospel, country, jazz and orchestral music. Jamie Foxx stars in the title role. Also with Regina King, Kerry Washington, Richard Schiff and Aunjanue Ellis. Directed by Taylor Hackford. [2:33]
Shall We Dance? [2004] [PG-13] - 4.1.5
Richard Gere stars as an overworked professional who although generally happy, with a loving wife (Susan Sarandon) and daughter (Tamara Hope), feels unfulfilled. One evening, while riding the train, he notices a beautiful dance instructor (Jennifer Lopez) standing at a dance studio window, and he impulsively signs up. Soon his ballroom dancing skills improve and he decides to enter a citywide dance contest. Also with Stanley Tucci and Bobby Cannavale. Directed by Peter Chelsom. [1:35]
Mr. 3000 [2004] [PG-13] - 4.2.4
A conceited baseball player (Bernie Mac) who thinks he has gotten 3,000 base hits in his career, retires and awaits his inevitable induction into the Hall of Fame. However, after waiting for almost a decade, he finds out that 3 hits have been disqualified. So, he goes back to his team and tries to pick up the additional hits, not realizing how the game has changed since his professional days. Also with Angela Bassett, Evan Jones, Amaury Nolasco and Christopher Noth. Directed by Charles Stone III. [1:44]
Vanity Fair [2004] [PG-13] - 4.4.3
Reese Witherspoon stars as Becky Sharp in this film version of the classic novel by William Makepeace Thackeray. The contrast between clever but poor Becky Sharp and her childhood friend Amelia Sedley (Romola Garai) drives the story. Amelia is naïve and trusting but has a comfortable life, while Becky has to rely on her wit, cunning and looks in order to advance herself in London society circa 1820. Also with Jim Broadbent, Eileen Atkins, James Purefoy and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Directed by Mira Nair. [2:20]
February 8
Shark Tale [2004] [PG] - 2.3.1
Animated film with Will Smith as the voice of Oscar, a fish with dreams of making it big and moving to the "top of the reef." He stumbles upon his opportunity when a shark is accidentally killed and Oscar takes credit for the act and is dubbed "the shark slayer." He befriends a vegetarian shark (Jack Black) who helps him perpetuate his new persona, but he learns fairly quickly that fame and fortune come with a price and lying will get you nowhere. Also with Robert De Niro, Jack Black, Martin Scorsese, Angelina Jolie and Renée Zellweger. Directed by Rob Letterman, Bibo Bergeron & Vicky Jenson. [1:30]
The Notebook [2004] [PG-13] - 6.4.4
An elderly man (James Garner) reads passages from a notebook to an elderly woman (Gena Rowlands) who's suffering from dementia, trying to help her remember their life together. He relates how while young they were separated by World War II, then reunited 7 years later, after their paths diverged. Also with Sam Shepard, Meredith Zealy, Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. Directed by Nick Cassavetes. [2:01]
Fade to Black [2004] [R] - 4.1.10
A documentary looking at hip-hop artist Shawn Carter's (aka Jay-Z) rise to fame and his performance at Madison Square Garden to a sell-out crowd in November 2003. A year later, fans and artists reflect on the musical night, which was the first time a hip-hop artist sold out an arena in only two hours. Also with Beyonce Knowles, Foxy Brown, Mary J. Blige and Damon Dash. Directed by Patrick Paulson & Michael John Warren. [1:46]
February 15
The Motorcycle Diaries [2004] [R] - 5.4.8
Based on the journals of Argentine-born Marxist revolutionary and Cuban guerrilla leader Che Guevara, which were written during a journey, with his best friend on a motorcycle, through South America in the 1950s. The film recounts how the trip exposed both men to the grinding poverty, dreadful working conditions, and class distinctions of South American societies, and convinced them that revolution was the only way to egalitarian prosperity. With Gael Garcia Bernal, Rodrigo de la Serna, Mia Maestro, Mercedes Moran and Susana Lanteri. Directed by Walter Salles [2:08]
Saw [2004] [R] - 3.10.7
Two men (Cary Elwes and Leigh Whannell) wake up chained by the foot to pipes on opposite sides of a decrepit subterranean room. Between them, lying face down in a pool of blood is a dead man with a gun in his hand. Instructions left on a tape player order one of them to kill the other within eight hours. If he fails to do so, he will be killed along with his family and his cellmate. The only escape tools the men have are two handsaws -- too weak to cut their steel chains but capable of cutting through flesh and bone. Also with Danny Glover, Leigh Whannell, Monica Potter and Michael Emerson. Directed by James Wan. [1:40]
Taxi [2004] [PG-13] - 4.4.4
Queen Latifah stars as a New York city cab driver who breaks all the speed limits and records in order to get her fares where they need to be with time to spare. One day a police officer (Jimmy Fallon) with a suspended driver's license hops into her cab and convinces her to help him catch a gang of female bank robbers. Also with Gisele Bundchen, Ann-Margret, Ana Cristina De Oliveira and Jennifer Esposito. Directed by Tim Story. [1:40]
Raise Your Voice [2004] [PG] - 4.4.3
Hilary Duff stars as a young woman with dreams of making her mark in the world of music. She longs to attend a prestigious summer music program, but her father is resistant to the idea since she is only 16 and she would be going to Los Angeles alone. When her older brother dies in a car accident, the young woman refuses to sing again. Her mother, trying to find a way to inspire her, sends her off to the music program and lies to her husband about where their daughter is. Also with John Corbett, Ashlee Simpson, Jason Ritter and Rita Wilson. Directed by Sean McNamara. [1:46]
February 22
I Heart Huckabees [2004] [R] - 7.4.7
Ensemble comedy with several interrelated stories about several people (Jason Schwartzman, Mark Wahlberg, Naomi Watts and Jude Law) who hire two "Existential" detectives (Lily Tomlin and Dustin Hoffman) to determine how their lives fit into the grand scheme of things, and whether or not we really exist at all. Directed by David O. Russell. [1:46]
March
March 1
Flight of the Phoenix [2004] [PG-13] - 1.6.5
Dennis Quaid stars as a pilot who transports oil drilling gear and crews. His current trip takes him to the Gobi desert where he is to shut down a drilling operation and bring the crew home. Mid-flight however, they encounter an enormous sandstorm that wreaks havoc on their controls and navigation systems, and they crash, with no way of communicating with anyone. Now they must figure out a way to survive while waiting to be rescued. Also with Giovanni Ribisi, Miranda Otto, Hugh Laurie and Jared Padalecki. Directed by John Moore. [1:50]
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie [2004] [PG] - 3.4.1
Making his big screen animated debut, Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star, his starfish companion, undertake a daring, perilous mission across the ocean floor toward Shell City in order to retrieve the crown of King Neptune. They have six days to succeed, otherwise SpongeBob's crustacean employer, Mr. Krabs, will be fried by the king's fiery trident. David Hasselhoff shows up and assists. With the voices of Tom Kenny, Rodger Bumpass, Alec Baldwin, Bill Fagerbakke and Carolyn Lawrence. Directed by Stephen Hillenburg and Sherm Cohen. [1:30]
Exorcist: The Beginning [2004] [R] - 5.10.5
Stellan Skarsgaard stars as an ex-priest turned archaeologist, who is called in by the British to a dig site in post-WWII Africa, where an ancient Christian church has been uncovered. Mysterious disappearances around the site are reported, and the tribal people who assist in the dig are fearful of evil spirits and refuse to enter the church. Also with James D'Arcy, Izabella Scorupco, Alan Ford and Billy Crawford. Directed by Renny Harlin. [1:54]
March 8
Ladder 49 [2004] [PG-13] - 3.6.5
Joaquin Phoenix stars as a Baltimore firefighter who becomes injured and trapped in a fire. While passing in and out of consciousness, and hoping to be rescued, he has flashbacks to his meeting, courting and eventually marrying his wife, and to his career as a firefighter. John Travolta co-stars as the fire company chief. Also with Jacinda Barrett, Billy Burke and Jay Hernandez. Directed by Jay Russell. [1:55]
March 15
The Incredibles [2004] [PG] - 2.4.1
Animated film about a family of superheroes that does its best to remain anonymous after people begin suing them for inadvertent injuries they received during rescues. The father superhero cannot accept his mundane middle-class life and jumps at the opportunity to again use his superpowers by working secretly for a private company. What he doesn't know is that he's being pulled into a scheme that threatens destruction and devastation at the tentacles of a super robot. With the voices of Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L Jackson, Jason Lee and Elizabeth Peña. Directed by Brad Bird. [1:55]
Alfie [2004] [R] - 7.3.5
Jude Law stars as a man incapable of making a romantic commitment to any woman and once he senses that a relationship may be headed in that direction does whatever he can to get away. When once he is dealt a similar blow by one of the women with whom he has had a tryst he is not quite sure how to deal with it and becomes painfully aware of his own conduct. The film was originally made in 1966, with Michael Caine in the title role. Also with Sienna Miller, Susan Sarandon, Marisa Tomei and Omar Epps. Directed by Charles Shyer. [1:45]
The Gospel of John [2003] [PG-13] - 2.6.0
A word-for-word big film adaptation of the Gospel of John, which relates the life of Jesus of Nazareth. It is based on The Good News Bible translation from the American Bible Society, and it depicts Jesus' teachings, miracles, conflicts with the Jewish authorities and ultimate crucifixion and resurrection. With Henry Ian Cusick, Daniel Kash, Richard Lintern, Stephen Russell, Scott Handy, Stuart Bunce, Lynsey Baxter. Narrated by Christopher Plummer. Directed by Philip Saville. [2:55]
March 22
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason [2004] [R] - 7.3.7
Renée Zellweger reprises her role as Bridget Jones and this time around she has a loving boyfriend in Colin Firth. But troubled by self-doubt, she wavers between not believing how lucky she is and being convinced that her perfect boyfriend could not possibly really love her. Also with Hugh Grant, Jacinda Barrett and Jim Broadbent. Directed by Beeban Kidron. [1:44]
Finding Neverland [2004] [PG] - 2.3.2
Set in London in the early 1900's Johnny Depp stars as J.M. Barrie who was inspired by four young boys to write "Peter Pan." Kate Winslet stars as the boys' widowed mother. The screenplay is based on the play "The Man Who Was Peter Pan," written by Allen Knee. Also with Julie Christie, Radha Mitchell and Dustin Hoffman. Directed by Marc Forster. [1:46]
March 29
After the Sunset [2004] [PG-13] - 7.4.5
Pierce Brosnan and Salma Hayek star as jewel thieves who have retired to a Caribbean island after having stolen two of the three prestigious Napoleon diamonds, and Woody Harrelson co-stars as an FBI agent who's been suspended after failing to catch them. When the third Napoleon diamond is on a cruise ship that's stopping at Caribbean islands, the two thieves are tempted to suspend their retirement. Also with Don Cheadle and Naomie Harris. Directed by Brett Ratner. [1:48]
A Tale of Two Sisters [2004] [R] - 3.7.1
Ghost thriller inspired by a Korean legend: After spending time in a mental institution, two sisters return to their lakeside home and join their father and stepmother. Their stepmother tries to pretend they are a happy family, but the sisters become increasingly bitter, and strange apparitions and supernatural events create an atmosphere of dread. With Im Sun-yeong, Yeom Jeong-ah, Kim Gab-su, and Mun Geun-yeong. Directed by Kim Jee-Woon. In Korean with English subtitles. [1:54]
April
April 5
Sideways [2004] [R] - 8.5.10
Two men (Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church) embark on a week-long tour of California's wine country as a last adventure before one of them gets married. One has only plans for sampling the local wines and enjoying the scenery while the other has only plans of having as much casual sex as he possibly can. Things become complicated when they meet two women (Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh) who appear to be interested in them, but want a long-term commitment. Directed by Alexander Payne. [2:03]
Spanglish [2004] [PG-13] - 6.2.5
Adam Sandler stars as an excellent but unrecognized chef, who likes it that way. Téa Leoni co-stars as his wife, an out-of-work marketing executive who now has time to explore every one of her neuroses. To help keep things in order they hire a housekeeper and nanny (Paz Vega) who does not speak English. Communication may seem difficult, but she manages to teach them about what is important in life. Also with Cloris Leachman and Ian Hyland. Written and directed by James L. Brooks. [1:51]
Elektra [2005] [PG-13] - 3.6.3
From her appearance in "Daredevil," Elektra (Jennifer Garner) is revived so she can star in her own film, and she is now stronger than ever. She has become a hired killer and is very good at it, until she is assigned to kill a man and his 13-year-old daughter. She instead befriends them, and she decides to protect them against her fellow assassins who are now trying to finish her job. Also with Goran Visnjic, Terence Stamp, Jason Isaacs and Will Yun Lee. Directed by Rob Bowman. [1:37]
Fade to Black [2004] [R] - 4.1.10
A documentary looking at hip-hop artist Shawn Carter's (aka Jay-Z) rise to fame and his performance at Madison Square Garden to a sell-out crowd in November 2003. A year later, fans and artists reflect on the musical night, which was the first time a hip-hop artist sold out an arena in only two hours. Also with Beyonce Knowles, Foxy Brown, Mary J. Blige and Damon Dash. Directed by Patrick Paulson & Michael John Warren. [1:46]
April 12
Ocean's Twelve [2004] [PG-13] - 3.4.5
George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle, Carl Reiner, Elliott Gould, Scott Caan, Bernie Mac, Casey Affleck, Shaobo Qin, Julia Roberts and Catherine-Zeta Jones all reprise their roles from "Ocean's Eleven." This time around, the crew is given two weeks to live when the casino owner they robbed in the previous installment comes looking for his money, plus interest. They decide their only recourse is to commit another high-paying robbery, and while trying to find a target, another master thief (Vincent Cassel) challenges them to a steal-off contest. Also with Andy Garcia, Scott Caan, Peter Fonda, Robbie Coltrane, Eddie Izzard, Bruce Willis and Albert Finney. Directed by Steven Soderbergh. [2:05]
Hotel Rwanda [2004] [PG-13] - 4.7.5
A depiction of the brutal massacre of the Tutsis at the hands of the Hutu militias in Rwanda during 1994, that left almost 1 million people dead. Despite round-the-clock cable news channels and the Internet, the genocide went almost unnoticed in the western media. Don Cheadle stars as an ordinary man who managed to save over 1,000 Rwandan refugees. Also with Djimon Hounsou, Nick Nolte, Joaquin Phoenix and Sophie Okonedo. Directed by Terry George. [1:50]
Suspect Zero [2004] [R] - 7.9.5
An FBI agent (Aaron Eckhart) whose specialty is tracking serial killers, is suffering from headaches and memories of a troubled past. While investigating a murder, he is being taunted by one particularly brutal murderer and he is on the brink of a nervous breakdown. Also with Ben Kingsley, Carrie-Anne Moss, Harry J. Lennix and Frank Collison. Directed by E. Elias Merhige. [1:39]
The Woodsman [2004] [R] - 8.6.7
Kevin Bacon stars as a man recently released from prison after being convicted of sexually molesting young girls. Working at a lumberyard and living in a small apartment across from an elementary school playground, he finds it difficult to feel normal. He's shunned by his relatives, hounded by a suspicious police officer, and afraid that he will be overcome by his urge to molest again. Also with Kyra Sedgwick, Mos Def, Eve and David Alan Grier. Directed by Nicole Kassell. [1:23]
April 19
Meet the Fockers [2004] [PG-13] - 6.4.4
After giving permission to male nurse Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) to marry his daughter (Teri Polo), the uptight ex-CIA agent (Robert De Niro) and his wife (Blythe Danner) travel to Detroit to meet Focker's parents (Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand]. Directed by Jay Roach. [1:54]
Birth [2004] [R] - 7.3.4
Nicole Kidman stars as a woman whose husband dies unexpectedly. Ten years pass and while she still cannot let go of her grief, she agrees to marry another man (Danny Huston) who loves her very much. However, one evening a boy (Cameron Bright) enters their home and insists that he is her dead husband re-incarnated. The boy shares many intimate details of their relationship and she struggles between believing him and sending him away. Also with Lauren Bacall and Alison Elliot. Directed by Jonathan Glazer. [1:40]
House of Flying Daggers [2004] [PG-13] - 5.7.1
Martial arts film taking place in China around 859 AD, close to the end of the weakened and corrupt Tang Dynasty: two police officers (Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro) try to trick a blind dancer (Ziyi Zhang) who's suspected of having ties to a revolutionary faction known as the House of Flying Daggers, into leading them to the leaders of the group. Also with Anita Mui, Dandan Song and Feng Lu. Directed by Zhang Yimou. In Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles. [1:59]
April 26
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events [2004] [PG] - 1.4.1
Jim Carrey stars as Count Olaf, the distant relation to the three orphaned Baudelaire children. As their guardian, the cunning Count hopes to snatch the vast fortune inherited by the children. At 14 Violet is the bravest and oldest Baudelaire; Klaus, 12, is intelligent and obsessed with words; and the toddler Sunny speaks in a language only her siblings can understand and has a knack for biting. Based on Daniel Handler's popular "Lemony Snicket" books. Also with Meryl Streep, Emily Browning, Kara Hoffman, Billy Connolly, Cedric the Entertainer, Jude Law and Liam Aiken. Directed by Brad Silberling. [1:53]
Blade: Trinity [2004] [R] - 5.9.8
Wesley Snipes reprises his role as Blade, the lone vampire slayer whose past inspires him to seek revenge. This time a new crew of vampires led by Danica Talos (Parker Posey) has awakened Dracula himself from the deserts of Iraq in order to put an end to Blade. Blade is helped by a group of fellow vampire slayers called the Nightstalkers, headed by Abigail (Jessica Biel) and Hannibal (Ryan Reynolds). Also with Kris Kristofferson, Callum Keith Rennie and John Michael Higgins. Directed by David S. Goyer. [1:46]
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May
May 3
National Treasure [2004] [PG] - 2.4.1
Nicolas Cage stars as a man who has grown up with stories of a mysterious treasure, unparalleled in value, and amassed through the ages. He has been pursuing the treasure all of his adult life, to the chagrin of his father, and eventually realizes that the final clues have been inscribed on the back of the Declaration of Independence, and his ex-partner plans to steal the document in order to get the treasure for himself. Also with Diane Kruger, Harvey Keitel, Justin Bartha and Sean Bean. Directed by Jon Turteltaub. [1:40]
The Chorus [2005] [PG-13] - 3.4.4Set in the late 1940s, a professor of music (Gerard Jugnot) is appointed to the position of Supervisor at a "boarding school for difficult children." He finds himself at odds with the director who believes that rehabilitation can only be achieved through the action-reaction approach and harsh, often abusive discipline. The new supervisor believes that he can make a difference in their lives by introducing them to music and begins writing pieces for the boys to perform. Also with Francois Berleand, Jean-Baptiste Maunier, Jean-Paul Bonnaire and Jacques Perrin. Directed by Christophe Barratier. In French with English subtitles. [1:35]
The Phantom of the Opera [2004] [PG-13] - 4.5.2
Film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit Broadway musical about the Phantom, a mysterious masked figure (Gerard Butler) that's haunting the underground passageways of 19th century Paris, but also tutors a beautiful young soprano (Emmy Rossum) at the Opera Populaire. The Phantom thinks he's found true love with the young soprano, until her childhood boyfriend shows up. Also with Patrick Wilson, Minnie Driver and Miranda Richardson. Directed by Joel Schumacher. [2:23]
May 10
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou [2004] [R] - 6.5.7
Bill Murray stars as internationally famous oceanographer Steve Zissou, who during the filming of an undersea documentary watched his partner and best friend eaten by what Zissou termed a "Jaguar Shark." Vowing revenge, Zissou and his crew are searching the seas for the mysterious fish. To add to the mystery, a man (Owen Wilson) arrives identifying himself as his son; his estranged wife (Anjelica Huston) is having an affair with his competitor (Jeff Goldblum); a reporter (Cate Blanchett) is writing a piece on Team Zissou which may not end up being complimentary; and they are attacked by pirates. Also with Willem Dafoe. Directed by Wes Anderson. [1:58]
In Good Company [2004] [PG-13] - 5.3.4
Dennis Quaid stars as a 50-something business man whose life is about to turn upside down when a 20-something upstart is hired to replace him, his wife is pregnant, and his daughter is going off to college -- and is keeping a secret from him. Also with Topher Grace, Scarlett Johansson, Selma Blair and Clark Gregg. Directed by Paul Weitz. [1:50]
Alone in the Dark [2005] [R] - 6.9.5
Christian Slater stars as a paranormal investigator who's suffering from memory loss. His most recent investigation reveals that demons worshipped by an ancient people who disappeared 10,000 years ago are again working to destroy civilization. Also with Tara Reid, Stephen Dorff, Mark Acheson and William Sanderson. Directed by Uwe Boll. [1:36]
Assault on Precinct 13 [2005] [R] - 4.8.10
Remake of the 1976 John Carpenter film, with Ethan Hawke as the sergeant in charge of Precinct 13, a police station that's due to shut down: It is New Year's Eve, the station's last night of operation, a heavy snowstorm rages outside, and the staff plans a party. But soon officers and prisoners must band together to defend themselves from an attack by a heavily armed gang that wants to get to a mobster who's incarcerated in the station. Also with Laurence Fishburne, Maria Bello, John Leguizamo and Drea de Matteo. Directed by Jean-François Richet. [1:49]
Racing Stripes [2005] [PG] - 2.3.2
The story of a boy zebra that ends up being raised by a Kentucky horse farmer who used to train race horses. Under the impression that it is a thoroughbred, the zebra decides it can win the prestigious Kentucky Crown, if it will only train hard enough. The thoroughbreds it is pitted against try to convince the zebra that it doesn't have a chance. With Bruce Greenwood, Hayden Panettiere, Caspar Poyck, Gary Bullock, Wendie Malick and M. Emmet Walsh, and with the voices of Frankie Muniz, Mandy Moore, Michael Clarke Duncan, Jeff Foxworthy, Joshua Jackson, Snoop Dogg, David Spade, Whoopi Goldberg, Dustin Hoffman, Fred Dalton Thompson and Steve Harvey. Directed by Frederik Du Chau. [1:24]
May 17
Kinsey [2004] [R] - 10.4.7
Biopic on Dr. Alfred Kinsey (Liam Neeson) who in 1948 conducted clinical studies in human sexuality and published his results in the influential and controversial book "Sexual Behavior in the Human Male," which was both praised and rejected as being depraved and wicked. Kinsey grew up in a conservative, strict household run by his father (John Lithgow) who was also a Methodist minister. Kinsey's studies in biology led to research of the evolution of wasps and eventually turned to the study of human sexuality. Also with Laura Linney, Chris O'Donnell and Oliver Platt. Directed by Bill Condon. [1:58]
White Noise [2004] [PG-13] - 2.6.5
Michael Keaton stars as a successful architect whose wife dies in a freak accident, and he becomes desperate to communicate with her. He is convinced by a man whose young son died years earlier that it is possible to receive messages from the dead by listening and watching the static, or white noise, on radios and TVs. But there are consequences to meddling with the supernatural. Also with Deborah Kara Unger, Chandra West, Ian McNeice and Amber Rothwell. Directed by Geoffrey Sax. [1:41]
Team America: World Police [2004] [R] - 9.8.10
Political satire done with marionettes, from the creators of "South Park": A team of superhero terrorist fighters, with a secret base hidden in Mt. Rushmore, takes aim at terrorists who possess Weapons of Mass Destruction, as well as the Film Actors Guild. With the voices of Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Elle Russ, Stanley G. Sawicki and Dian Bachar. Directed by Trey Parker & Matt Stone. [1:45]
Son of the Mask [2005] [PG] - 3.4.3
Sequel to the Jim Carrey 1994 film with Jamie Kennedy as an aspiring cartoonist who happens upon the magical mask that transforms anybody who puts it on into an uninhibited cartoon with superpowers. But the mask belongs to the Norse god of mischief Loki (Alan Cumming) who comes to Earth looking for it. Also with Traylor Howard, Bob Hoskins and Ben Stein. Directed by Lawrence Guterman. [1:26]
May 24
The Aviator [2004] [PG-13] - 5.6.5
Leonardo DiCaprio stars as the aviation pioneer and prominent industrialist Howard Hughes, who took Hollywood by storm with his "Hell's Angels" film and the world of aviation by designing innovative airplanes. The biopic, directed by Martin Scorsese, concentrates on Hughes' years from the late 1920s through the 1940s. Also with Alan Alda, Alec Baldwin, Kate Beckinsale and Cate Blanchett. [2:48]
Are We There Yet? [2005] [PG] - 3.4.4
Ice Cube stars as a playboy bachelor who's interested in a divorcée (Nia Long) who has two children. On one hand, he hates children; on the other hand, her children do not like any of the men their mother dates. When he offers to bring her children to her from Oregon to Canada, the children are determined to turn the trip into a nightmare. Also with Aleisha Allen, Philip Bolden and Jay Mohr. Directed by Brian Levant. [1:31]
Pooh's Heffalump Movie [2005] [G] - 0.2.0
Winnie the Pooh and friends Tigger, Rabbit, Eeyore and Piglet set off on an adventure to capture a Heffalump that they believe is monstrous and has stepped out of the neighboring forest and into their 100 Acre Wood. Roo ventures into the forest and learns that the Heffalumps are not monsters at all. With the voices of Brenda Blethyn, Jim Cummings, Ken Sansom, David Ogden Stiers and Jimmy Bennett. Directed by Frank Nissen. [1:08]
May 31
Boogeyman [2005] [PG-13] - 4.6.2
A man (Barry Watson) is tormented with the memories of a story that his father told him when he was young about a Boogeyman who hides in closets. The subsequent disappearance of his father confirms his fears, and he think it's the Boogeyman who's responsible for taking his father away. After the man's ailing mother dies he is convinced to spend one night in his childhood home in order to confront once and for all the Boogeyman fear that has haunted him since childhood. Also with Emily Deschanel, Skye McCole Bartusiak, Lucy Lawless and Robyn Malcolm. Directed by Stephen T Kay. [1:26]
June
June 7
Be Cool [2005] [PG-13] - 5.5.5
John Travolta reprises his role as Chili Palmer from 1995's "Get Shorty": After becoming successful as a movie producer, former strong-arm debt collector Chili is bitten by the music bug when he hears a young woman (Christina Milian) sing. He decides to try becoming a music promoter for the struggling singer. Then the Russian mafia gets involved. Also with Uma Thurman, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Vince Vaughn and Danny DeVito. Directed by F. Gary Gray. [1:54]
Seed of Chucky [2004] [R] - 7.9.6
Chucky, the killer doll, along with spouse Tiffany decide that they are meant to become parents when they meet another doll which is convinced that they are its long lost parents. Several killings later the three choose appropriate humans to inhabit in order to complete the little family of killer dolls. With Jennifer Tilly, Redman, Hannah Spearritt, Bill Boyd and Brad Dourif. Directed by Don Mancini. [1:27]
June 14
Hitch [2005] [PG-13] - 5.3.5
Romantic comedy starring Will Smith as a professional "romance consultant," ostensibly helping men overcome their fear of approaching women for whom they have deep feelings. His business is threatened, however, when he falls for a female journalist (Eva Mendes) who uncovers his real identity and plans to expose his methods as fraudulent. Also with Kevin James, Michael Rapaport and Ato Essandoh. Directed by Andy Tennant. [1:55]
June 21
The Jacket [2005] [R] - 7.7.6
A Gulf War veteran (Adrien Brody) returns to the U.S., and while hitchhiking he is picked up by a driver who later shoots a highway patrol officer. When the vet is found unconscious with the gun, he is determined to be the shooter and since he has no memory of the incident he is sent to a hospital for the criminally insane. While there, one of his doctors experiments with a controversial treatment that includes being strapped into a straitjacket and locked into a morgue locker. During the treatment, the vet foresees his own death. Also with Keira Knightley, Kris Kristofferson, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Kelly Lynch. Directed by John Maybury. [1:42]
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous [2005] [PG-13]
Sandra Bullock reprises her role as FBI agent Gracie Hart: She finds it increasingly difficult to do her job since she's become famous due to her heroic pageant exploits as a Miss Congeniality contestant. Hence, her new assignment is to represent the FBI to the public, and she takes on a style consultant, hair and makeup people, as well as a no-nonsense bodyguard with anger management issues. But when two of her friends are kidnapped in Las Vegas, she gets back into the field. Also with Regina King, Enrique Murciano Jr., Diedrich Bader and Ernie Hudson. Directed by John Pasquin. [1:55]
Cursed [2005] [PG-13] - 4.8.4
A woman (Christina Ricci) and her younger brother (Jesse Eisenberg) have a car accident along a dark road, and when they try to help another injured driver, they have to watch as she is dragged away by a large wolf. The two are scratched by the wolf, and they soon realize that they're turning into werewolves. Some of the changes are welcome, but they also struggle against newfound urges toward darkness and violence. Also with James Brolin, Portia De Rossi and Bambi Allen. Directed by Wes Craven. [1:36]
Hostage [2005] [R] - 3.8.10
Bruce Willis stars as a police hostage negotiator who's wracked by guilt from having failed on his last case -- a man holding his wife and young son hostage ended up shooting them both and himself. In order to try to forget his past he moves to a small, serene California town, but when a couple of young men try to steal the car of a mobster (Kevin Pollak), his hostage negotiating skills are put again to the test. Also with Jimmy Bennett, Jimmy Pinchak and Jonathan Tucker. Directed by Florent Emilio Siri. [1:42]
Coach Carter [2005] [PG-13] - 4.4.5
Samuel L. Jackson stars as Ken Carter, the controversial high school basketball coach whose actions made the news in 1999: Asking for more from his players than wins on the court, he was both praised and condemned for benching his undefeated basketball team because of poor academic performance. Also with Robert Ri'chard, Rick Gonzalez, Ashanti and Adrienne Bailon. Directed by Thomas Carter. [2:14]
June 28
The Pacifier [2005] [PG] - 3.4.3
Vin Diesel stars as a Navy SEAL whose most recent assignment is to protect the children of a scientist, murdered by bad guys who are still after one of his inventions. The five children, aged from baby to teen, want to make sure he doesn't stay for very long, but his military training helps him to become a beloved surrogate father. Also with Lauren Graham, Brittany Snow, Faith Ford and Carol Kane. Directed by Adam Shankman. [1:31]
July
July 5
Hide and Seek [2005] [R] - 3.8.5
A psychologist (Robert De Niro) whose wife committed suicide, moves to the country with his young daughter (Dakota Fanning), trying to recover from the experience. Shortly after their arrival his daughter begins behaving strangely, and talks about having made a new friend named Charlie. Originally it seems that Charlie is an imaginary friend, but soon evidence that Charlie is real become painfully obvious. Also with Famke Janssen, Dylan Baker and Robert John Burke. Directed by John Polson. [1:45]
Bride and Prejudice [2005] [PG-13] - 4.2.2
Indian romantic comedy inspired by Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," about a wealthy American hotel owner who travels to India with his best friend for a traditional Indian wedding. Being swept into the culture and the joy of the celebration, he meets a young woman who mistrusts his intentions and finds him rude and arrogant -- but they're attracted to each other nevertheless. Although neither will admit their interest in each other, love triumphs when his mother and his girlfriend get in the way. With Aishwarya Rai, Martin Henderson, Daniel Gillies, Naveen Andrews and Namrate Shirodkar. Directed by Gurinder Chadha. [2:00]
Dear Frankie [2005] [PG-13] - 2.3.5
A woman (Emily Mortimer) and her deaf son Frankie (Jack McElhone) move from one small Scottish town to another, while Frankie thinks that the reason he's never seen his father during his life is because he's a sailor on HMS Accra, traveling in distant and exotic lands. Frankie believes that his father writes to him regularly and hopes to one day see him again. When the real HMS Accra is due to dock, Frankie's mother, who concocted the sailor story and provided the letters, hires a man (Gerard Butler) to pretend to be Frankie's father. Also with Mary Riggans and Sharon Small. Directed by Shona Auerbach. [1:42]
July 12
Million Dollar Baby [2005] [PG-13] - 2.6.5
Clint Eastwood stars in and directs this story of an aging boxing trainer who's troubled by his estrangement from his daughter and is afraid of taking on any responsibilities. However, he reluctantly agrees to train a young woman (Hilary Swank) who's determined to become a champion boxer when she impresses him with her resolve and courage. Also with Morgan Freeman, Jay Baruchel and Christina Cox. [2:17]
The Boys and Girl from County Clare [2005] [NR] - 6.3.8
et in the 1960s on the eve of the All-Ireland Traditional Music Competition, the story revolves around a few of the competitors: One man (Colm Meaney) who left Ireland decades ago to make his fortune heads a band from Liverpool and seems to think he'll win, while his estranged brother (Bernard Hill) is convinced he's got it locked up. Also with Andrea Corr, Patrick Bergin and Catherine Byrne. Directed by John Irvin. [1:30]
July 19
Constantine [2005] [R] - 2.8.5
Keanu Reeves stars as John Constantine, a sort of detective/seer of the paranormal and the supernatural: He is called in to perform exorcisms and seems to have the ability to detect evil. Demons, angels and Satan all make an appearance while he tries to get to the bottom of a woman's apparent suicide. Also with Rachel Weisz, Max Baker, Djimon Hounsou and Tilda Swinton. Directed by: Francis Lawrence. [1:57]
Man of the House [2005] [PG-13] - 5.5.4
Comedy starring Tommy Lee Jones as an all business Texas Ranger who becomes responsible for protecting a group of college cheerleaders after they witness a murder. He must keep them alive to testify against the gunman, by pretending to be an assistant cheerleading coach. Also with Kelli Garner, Shannon Marie Woodward, Terry Parks and Anne Archer. Directed by Stephen Herek. [1:37]
Ice Princess [2005] [G] - 3.3.1
A bright young woman (Michelle Trachtenberg) is entering her senior year of high school, thinking she has her life all planned out: pressured by her strong-willed mother (Joan Cusack), she's working on a Physics project and is on the fast track to Harvard University. But then she discovers that she is a very gifted figure skater -- and that's where her passion really lies. Also with Kim Cattrall, Hayden Panettiere and Trevor Blumas. Directed by Tim Fywell. [1:32]
July 26
The Upside of Anger [2005] [R] - 5.6.5
Joan Allen stars as a woman who has been abandoned by her husband and left to raise her four daughters. Kevin Costner is a neighbor and ex-baseball star turned radio personality who tries to help her through the pain by becoming her drinking buddy. Also with Mike Binder, Erika Christensen and Alicia Witt. Directed by Mike Binder. [1:58]
King's Ransom [2005] [PG-13] - 6.4.5
Anthony Anderson stars as Malcolm King, a conceited, buffoonish businessman who has made his fortune on a Viagra-like product. His personal life is falling apart as he's going through a very ugly divorce from his wife (Leila Arcieri), and afraid that she will take his fortune he hatches a scheme to have himself kidnapped. What he doesn't know is that there are others who have a similar idea, but are quite serious about it. Also with Jay Mohr, Donald Faison and Regina Hall. Directed by Jeff Byrd. [1:35]
XXX: State of the Union [2005] [PG-13] - 4.7.5
In this sequel Ice Cube picks up the role of super agent XXX from Vin Diesel: Darius Stone (Ice Cube) and his handler Agent Augustus Gibbons (Samuel L. Jackson) go head to head with Willem Dafoe in order to thwart a presidential assassination plot. Also with Scott Speedman, Peter Strauss and Sunny Mabrey. Directed by Lee Tamahori. [1:34]
August
August 2
Guess Who [2005] [PG-13] - 5.2.4
Bernie Mac stars as Percy Jones, a man whose daughter (Zoe Saldana) brings her boyfriend (Ashton Kutcher) home to meet her family. Although the young man seems ideal (he has a good career and a promising future) and his intentions are serious, nothing goes right for him as he struggles to convince Percy that he is the only man who can make his daughter happy. Complicating matters is the fact that he's white. Also with Judith Scott and Hal Williams. Directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan. [1:37]
Alexander [2004] [R] - 9.9.2
Epic cinematic depiction of the life of Alexander the Great (played by Colin Farrell) and how by the age of 32 he had conquered more of the known world than anyone before him, having defeated armies from Greece through Persia and all the way to India, establishing a short-lived Hellenistic empire stretching from Europe to Asia. Also with Angelina Jolie, Val Kilmer, Anthony Hopkins, Rosario Dawson, Jared Leto and Christopher Plummer. Directed by Oliver Stone. [2:56]
August 9
Kung Fu Hustle [2005] [R] - 2.8.5
Highly stylized martial arts comedy taking place in an anachronistic version of 1930's Shanghai: The dominant criminal gang invades a slum, but has a very hard time subduing its residents when some of them are revealed to be extraordinary kung fu masters. The battles escalade in audacity until a veritable kung fu genius shows up. With Stephen Chow, Chan Kwok Kwok Kwan, Yuen Wah, Yuen Qiu and Huang Sheng Yi. Directed by Stephen Chow. In Mandarin and Cantonese with English subtitles. [1:35]
Because of Winn-Dixie [2005] [PG] - 1.3.2
A young girl (AnnaSophia Robb) and her father (Jeff Daniels) move to a small Florida town, where she has trouble fitting in. A chance meeting at a grocery store begins her relationship with an orphaned dog that brings joy and friendship to her and the rest of the town. Based on Kate DiCamillo's best-selling novel. Also with Elle Fanning, Dave Matthews and Cicely Tyson. Directed by Wayne Wang. [1:46]
August 16
Sin City [2005] [R] - 7.10.4
Stylized film noir based on Frank Miller's graphic novel series: Sin City is a dark, moody and dangerous place where violent acts are occurring around every corner. The plot follows three interweaving stories, one about a city of prostitutes, another about a man accused of murder trying to clear his name, and another about a cop trying to find a missing girl. With Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis, Benicio Del Toro, Clive Owen, Jessica Alba, Brittany Murphy, Josh Hartnett, Nick Stahl, Rosario Dawson and Elijah Wood. Directed by Robert Rodriguez & Frank Miller. [2:06]
The Wedding Date [2005] [PG-13] - 6.2.4
A woman (Debra Messing) planning to attend her stepsister's wedding refuses to go without a date. She resorts to hiring a male escort (Dermot Mulroney) who agrees to pretend to be her boyfriend, and ultimately make her ex-fiancé, who also happens to be the best man, jealous. Also with Holland Taylor, Jack Davenport and Jeremy Sheffield. Directed by Clare Kilner. [1:30]
August 23
The Ring Two [2005] [PG-13] - 3.7.5
Sequel to "The Ring" that finds Rachel (Naomi Watts) with her son in a small Oregon town, having ran away from Seattle and their previous encounter with Samara, the ghost of the girl who was murdered by her mother. Another lethal video tape pops up and a high school boy is found dead after having watched it. Rachel panics thinking that the vengeful Samara is after them again, and is convinced when her son becomes very ill. Also with David Dorfman, Simon Baker, Elizabeth Perkins and Sissy Spacek. Directed by Hideo Nakata. [1:47]
A Lot Like Love [2005] [PG-13] - 6.3.3
Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet star as two young people who meet on a plane, are instantly attracted to each other, but decide they're wrong for each other. The film traces their relationship over a seven-year period, when they keep running into each other while leading totally separate lives, dating other people, and changing jobs, until they finally come together. Also with Herschel Bleefeld, Kathryn Hahn and Moon Bloodgood. Directed by Nigel Cole. [1:47]
Beauty Shop [2005] [PG-13] - 5.2.4
Queen Latifah stars as a hairdresser who is tired of being pushed around by the owner (Kevin Bacon) of the prestigious, high-priced beauty salon where she works. When she can't take it anymore, she quits and decides to open her own shop. Since she has made a name for herself some of her wealthy clients follow her, but she still faces many obstacles. Alfre Woodard, Alicia Silverstone, Andie MacDowell, Della Reese, Mena Suvari and Djimon Hounsou. Directed by Bille Woodruff. [1:45]
August 30
Sahara [2005] [PG-13] - 2.5.5
Matthew McConaughey stars as an explorer who goes to North Africa with his longtime friend (Steve Zahn) determined to find a legendary Civil War ship that's reportedly filled with treasure. Along the way he meets a World Health Organization doctor (Penelope Cruz) who believes that there's a link between the ship and an unexplained outbreak of disease and death in the area. Also with Lambert Wilson and William H. Macy. Directed by Breck Eisner. [2:07]
Monster-in-Law [2005] [PG-13] - 4.3.4
A woman (Jennifer Lopez) thinks that she has found the man (Michael Vartan) of her dreams. Until, that is, she meets his possessive, competitive mother (Jane Fonda), who having just lost her position as a news anchor, also fears she will lose her son's affections and is determined to break up the relationship. Also with Wanda Sykes and Monet Mazur. Directed by Robert Luketic. [1:35]
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September
September 6
Crash [2005] [R] - 6.8.10
The film follows 36 hours in the lives of several Los Angeles residents -- a housewife and her DA husband, a television director and his wife, an Iranian storeowner, a middle-aged Korean couple, Mexican locksmith, and several police officers -- whose paths intersect and often collide. With Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, Jennifer Esposito and William Fichtner. Directed by Robert Moresco & Paul Haggis. [1:40]
September 13
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy [2005] [PG] - 2.4.2
Sci-fi comedy, based on Douglas Adams's irreverent BBC radio show and book, with Martin Freeman as earthman Arthur Dent, who hitchhikes across the galaxy after the Earth is destroyed in order to make room for a hyperspace bypass. Dent's companions include a depressed robot, a couple of aliens (Mos Def and Sam Rockwell) one of whom is remarkably dim-witted and an earthwoman (Zooey Deschanel) Dent is in love with. Together they try to find the meaning of life. Also with Stephen Fry, Alan Rickman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren and Bill Nighy. Directed by Garth Jennings. [1:50]
Fever Pitch [2005] [PG-13] - 4.3.4
Romantic comedy with Drew Barrymore as a successful financial analyst who's having trouble finding men who are interesting enough to be date-worthy. When she falls in love with a high school teacher and baseball fanatic (Jimmy Fallon) she quickly realizes that she may have found her life partner despite the fact that he doesn't have a high-powered career. That is, until the baseball season begins and she has to compete with his first true love, which is the Boston Red Sox. Also with Lenny Clarke, Jack Kehler and James B. Sikking. Directed by Bobby & Peter Farrelly. [1:41]
Rock School [2005] [R] - 1.3.8
Documentary about a real-life Philadelphia school of rock, headed by its founder and self-proclaimed "überlord" Paul Green. The film follows an entire season of classes. Directed by Don Argott. [1:33]
Madison [2005] [PG] - 2.2.3
Based on a true story about a depressed river town in Indiana, which in 1971 succeeded in becoming the host for the Gold Cup of hydroplane boat racing: James Caviezel stars as Jim McCormick, a retired hydroplane boat racer living in the town of Madison, Indiana. The town has enjoyed a healthy river transportation economy throughout its history but now businesses are closing and people are moving away. McCormick believes that the town's fortunes will turn around if they manage to raise the funds to host the hydroplane racing's most prestigious championship. Also with Mary McCormack, Jake Lloyd, Bruce Dern and Brent Briscoe. Directed by William Bindley. [1:34]
September 20
Robots [2005] [PG] - 3.3.3
Animated feature about a world populated entirely by robots: Rodney Copperbottom (the voice of Ewan McGregor) is a young robot that dreams of going to the big city and working with Bigweld (Mel Brooks), a robot tycoon who invents products that help make life better. He is disillusioned, however, when he realizes that Bigweld has disappeared and a profit-hungry robot CEO (Greg Kinnear) has taken his place. Also with the voices of Halle Berry and Robin Williams. Directed by Chris Wedge. [1:30]
The Longest Yard [2005] [PG-13] - 5.6.5
Remake of the eponymous 1974 film about a group of prison inmates who put together a football team to play against the prison guards. The warden "recruits" a former pro quarterback (Adam Sandler) who's serving time to organize and train the team of inmates, in what's supposed to be a fixed game. The inmates though use the game as an opportunity to beat up the guards. Also with Chris Rock, Burt Reynolds, William Fichtner and James Cromwell. Directed by Peter Segal. [1:49]
September 27
Lords of Dogtown [2005] [PG-13] - 6.5.5
Set in the '70s in Venice, California, the story follows the beginning of the skateboard craze, as art and sport: Heath Ledger stars as a drunken surfboard builder who launches a team of competitive skateboarders. The skateboarders ride as if they are surfing waves, and eventually become known for dangerous and impressive stunts. Also with Emile Hirsch, John Robinson, Johnny Knoxville and Victor Rasuk. Directed by Catherine Hardwicke. [1:45]
The Adventures of Shark Boy & Lava Girl in 3-D [2005] [PG] - 2.4.1
Friendless and harassed by bullies, 10-year-old Max creates two imaginary friends that help him through moments of sadness and stress. But reality and fantasy cross paths, and soon Max is off on a mission to Planet Drool where his superhero friends Shark Boy and Lava Girl live. Most of the action takes place in a dream world as a stream of consciousness. With Taylor Lautner, Taylor Dooley, Cayden Boyd, George Lopez and David Arquette. Directed by Robert Rodriguez. [1:32]
October
October 4
The Interpreter [2005] [PG-13] - 5.7.4
An African-born U.N. interpreter (Nicole Kidman) inadvertently overhears about a plot to assassinate the president of the African nation of Motobo when he will be addressing the General Assembly. She reports what she has overheard, but the federal agent (Sean Penn) charged with protecting her becomes suspicious that she's not telling the whole truth. Also with Catherine Keener, Max Minghella and Jesper Christensen. Directed by Sydney Pollack. [1:30]
The Amityville Horror [2005] [R] - 6.9.5
Re-make of the 1970's horror classic involving an apparently haunted house in Amityville, Long Island. The previous owners of the house were murdered by their eldest son, who claimed to be hearing voices that told him to kill his family. Now, a new family (Ryan Reynolds, Melissa George, Jimmy Bennett, Jesse James and Rachel Nichols), unaware of the house's history, buys it, and not long after they arrive very strange and creepy things begin to go violently bump mostly in the night. Directed by Andrew Douglas. [1:40]
My Summer of Love [2005] [R] - 7.4.7
Two 16-year-old young women from completely different backgrounds meet in the English countryside, and they strike up a friendship that becomes a passionate romance. That is, until their families get in the way and they are separated and it is revealed than one of the young women was less than honest. With Natalie Press, Emily Blunt, Paddy Considine and Dean Andrews. Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski. [1:23]
October 11
Kicking & Screaming [2005] [PG] - 2.3.3
Will Ferrell stars as a man who's never managed to satisfy his exceedingly competitive and critical father (Robert Duvall) since he's never been good enough in sports. But when he decides to become coach of his 10-year-old son's soccer team, he ends up having to compete against his own father -- who coaches the top soccer team of the league. Also with Kate Walsh, Mike Ditka and Musetta Vander. Directed by Jesse Dylan. [1:36]
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants [2005] [PG] - 4.3.3
Four 17-year-old young women have been lifelong friends, but will be separated for a summer and long for a way to stay connected. While shopping in a thrift-shop, they find a pair of jeans that miraculously fits all of them -- even though they have different sizes and shapes. They decide that they'll stay connected over the next several weeks by each one wearing the pants for a week and documenting what has happened during that time, before sending them on to the next person. Based on the novel by Ann Brashares. With Amber Rose Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel, Blake Lively, America Ferrera and Bradley Whitford. Directed by Ken Kwapis. [1:59]
Unleashed [2005] [R] - 7.9.7
A criminal (Bob Hoskins) has made a virtual slave of another man (Jet Li) by treating him like an animal and making him wear a dog collar around his neck -- raised to be a lethal fighter he will attack relentlessly when his collar is removed. After a car accident, the fighter is befriended by a blind piano tuner (Morgan Freeman) who teaches him about the gentler side of life. Also with Kerry Condon and Vincent Regan. Directed by Louis Leterrier. [1:43]
Kingdom of Heaven [2005] [R] - 4.8.2
Historical film taking place during the 12th century Crusades: Before he dies, a nobleman (Liam Neeson) acknowledges his illegitimate son Balian (Orlando Bloom) and bestows on him his title. Now as Balian of Ibelin he joins the crusading Christian knights and becomes the defender of Jerusalem against a large Muslim army led by Saladin. Also with Eva Green, Brendan Gleeson and Jeremy Irons. Directed by Ridley Scott. [2:25]
High Tension [2005] [R] - 7.10.5
Two women travel to an isolated farmhouse in Southern France to spend a weekend with the family of one of them. But just as they are getting settled, the family is brutally murdered and one of the women is taken away by the killer. The remaining woman hides and struggles to free her friend. With Cecile de France, Maiwenn Le Besco, Maiwenn Nahon, Philippe Nahon and Frank Khalfoun. Directed by Alexandre Aja. [1:25]
October 18
Batman Begins [2005] [PG-13] - 2.6.3
Director Christopher Nolan explores the origins of the Batman legend: When his parents are murdered, heartbroken and angry, Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels to the far East seeking ways to fight crime and injustice. He returns to Gotham City and becomes the infamous masked and mysterious crusader. Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Ken Watanabe, Cillian Murphy, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine. [2:14]
George A. Romero's Land of the Dead [2005] [R] - 6.10.8
Re-animated corpses roam the streets of a deserted town, while humans try to live a quasi-normal life behind electrified fences. Watching both humans and the undead from across a river and high up in a high-rise is a man (Dennis Hopper) who thinks he has everything in control. He doesn't realize that the undead are evolving, and they are somehow communicating and organizing. Also with Simon Baker, Asia Argento, Dennis Hopper, John Leguizamo and Robert Joy. Directed by George A. Romero. [1:40]
Mad Hot Ballroom [2005] [PG] - 2.2.1
Documentary about New York public school 5th graders who compete for the citywide ballroom dance championship. Directed by Marilyn Agrelo. Some dialogue is in Spanish with English subtitles. [1:50]
October 25
Bewitched [2005] [PG-13] - 4.3.3
Nicole Kidman stars as a real-life witch who is trying to break the habit of using magic. In the process she meets a self-centered actor, played by Will Ferrell, who is cast to play Darren Stevens in a remake of the '60s "Bewitched" TV series. When he sees Isabelle twitch her nose, he decides that she is the only one for the part of Samantha, not realizing that she's a genuine witch. Also with Shirley MacLaine, Michael Caine and Steve Carell. Directed by Nora Ephron. [1:30]
Herbie: Fully Loaded [2005] [G] - 3.3.2
Lindsay Lohan stars as a college graduate headed to NY for her first job. What she doesn't realize is that her heart is still in car racing, and she finds the perfect car when she meets Herbie, a 1963 Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of his own. Also with Justin Long, Breckin Meyer, Matt Dillon and Michael Keaton. Directed by Angela Robinson. [1:32]
House of Wax [2005] [R] - 5.9.5
A group of people on their way to a football game are stranded near a small town whose claim to fame is a wax museum. When one couple ventures off to find replacement parts for their car, they quickly discover that the town is filled with the wax-coated corpses of previous visitors. With Elisha Cuthbert, Chad Michael Murray, Paris Hilton, Jared Padalecki and Jon Abrahams. Directed by Jaume Collet-Sera. [1:26]
Last Days [2005] [R] - 5.4.6
Loosely based on the last days in Kurt Cobain's short life, we follow a burned out rock and roll musician (Michael Pitt) as he's trying to get away from the hangers-on who hound him, as well as the concert organizers who will not allow him to recover from a recent bout with drug and alcohol abuse. Also with Lukas Haas, Asia Argento, Kim Gordon and Ryan Fellner. Directed by Gus Van Sant. [1:37]
Rize [2005] [PG-13] - 5.4.5
A new dance movement called "krumping," born in the heart of the Watts neighborhood of South Central Los Angeles, is explored in this documentary. The new dance is presented as a positive outgrowth from conventional rap and hip-hop, but without any criminal connotations. With Tommy the Clown, Lil Tommy, Larry, Lil C and Tight Eyez. Directed by David LaChapelle. [1:24]
November
November 1
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith [2005] [PG-13] - 2.7.0
In the third episode in the "Star Wars" saga, and according to director George Lucas the final installment, Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) continues to struggle with his personal demons as galactic warfare continues. Eventually he succumbs to the dark side of the Force and he becomes the dreaded Darth Vader. Also with Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Ian McDiarmid and Samuel L. Jackson. [2:26]
The Perfect Man [2005] [PG] - 4.2.1
An unmarried woman (Heather Locklear) and her two daughters change addresses every time the woman goes through a romantic break up. They have moved a lot over the years, and one of the daughters (Hilary Duff) has had enough. In order to try to make her mother stay put and boost her self-esteem, she invents the perfect man -- an imaginary secret admirer who communicates through e-mails, notes, and gifts. When the lies compound themselves, the daughter has to produce a real man, and a local restaurateur (Chris Noth) seems to fit the bill. Also with Aria Wallace and Caroline Rhea. Directed by Mark Rosman. [1:36]
Millions [2005] [PG] - 3.3.3
After the death of their mother, two British boys try to make sense of their new and confusing world. One day they find a bag full of money, and they decide that they have to spend it within a week, or it'll become worthless -- the money is British sterling pounds and Britain is in the process of converting its currency to the Euro. With James Nesbitt, Daisy Donovan, Alex Etel, Lewis McGibbon and Kolade Agboke. Directed by Danny Boyle. [1:37]
Aliens of the Deep [2005] [G] - 1.1.0
Director James Cameron follows marine biologists and other scientists on an undersea expedition in extremely deep waters around the Mid-Ocean Ridge, a submerged mountain range that winds 46,000 miles around the globe. There, in total darkness they find vents on the ocean floor that spew clouds of super-heated water and abundant life -- huge worms, albino crustaceans, and large numbers of blind shrimp. Presented in IMAX 3D, the documentary speculates that life on other planets may resemble these strange creatures. Directed by Cameron & Steven Quale. [0:47]
Heights [2004] [R] - 7.4.6
Ensemble drama that follows the lives of several New Yorkers over 24 hours, as they cross paths with each other: A photographer who shoots weddings is having second thoughts about her impending nuptials to a lawyer, a famous actress finds out her husband has a new lover and begins to rethink their relationship, and a young actor and a writer are on the cusp of their big break. With Glenn Close, Elizabeth Banks, James Marsden, Jesse Bradford, John Light and George Segal. Directed by Chris Terrio. [1:33]
November 8
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory [2005] [PG] - 3.4.2
Johnny Depp stars as the eccentric genius confectioner Willy Wonka, in this remake of the 1971 children's film "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," which was based on the book by Roald Dahl. Wonka, who has been living a reclusive life within the walls of his chocolate factory for many years, opens the doors for five children who have found a golden ticket in one of his candy bars. At the end of the day one of the children will be selected to win a very special prize. Also with Freddie Highmore, David Kelly, Helena Bonham Carter and Deep Roy. Directed by Tim Burton. [1:46]
Christmas with the Kranks [2004] [PG] - 3.3.1
Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis star as the Kranks, a happily married couple that has always enjoyed celebrating Christmas. This year is going to be different though, since their only daughter (Julie Gonzalo) is away in Peru working for the Peace Corps. Unable to deal with the idea of being without her for Christmas, the Kranks decide to skip the season altogether and go on a Caribbean cruise instead -- to the horror of their friends and neighbors. Also with Dan Aykroyd, Cheech Marin, M. Emmet Walsh, Rene Lavan and Jake Busey. Directed by Joe Roth. [1:34]
Happy Endings [2005] [R] - 8.4.7
Ensemble drama with several plotlines: Lisa Kudrow is a woman who many years ago gave up her baby boy for adoption, and a documentary maker insists that he knows who her son is but he won't tell her his name unless she agrees to allow him to film the reunion; Maggie Gyllenhaal fills in with a garage band while its lead singer is in rehab and works her way into the life of the father of one band member; and Steve Coogan and David Sutcliffe are a gay couple who suspect that a lesbian couple, played by Laura Dern and Sarah Clarke, that used one of the men as a sperm donor, has lied to them about how successful the donation was. Also with Jason Ritter, Jesse Bradford and Tom Arnold. Directed by Don Roos. [2:08]
Devil's Rejects [2005] [R] - 9.10.10
A family of sadistic mass murderers are hunted down by a police officer (William Forsythe) who wants to avenge his brother's murder. The story takes place after the events depicted in "House of 1000 Corpses." Also with Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon Zombie and Matthew McGrory. Directed by Rob Zombie. [1:49]
November 15
Madagascar [2005] [PG] - 1.4.2
Animated feature about four residents and star attractions of the Central Park Zoo in New York City -- a lion, a zebra, a hippopotamus and a giraffe -- who are also best friends. When the zebra is inspired by a penguin to visit the wild, and all of them end up inadvertently in the Madagascar jungle, and they have no idea how to take care of themselves. With the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer and Andy Richter. Directed by Eric Darnell & Tom McGrath. [1:20]
The Skeleton Key [2005] [PG-13] - 3.6.5
Kate Hudson stars as Caroline, a woman whose guilt over not having helped her ailing father before he died, motivates her to become a hospice nurse. Her most recent assignment takes her into the dark swamps of a New Orleans parish where an elderly woman (Gina Rowlands) and her dying husband (William Hurt) live. The man has had a stroke and is unable to speak, but Caroline is convinced that he is trying to communicate with her and that he is not really dying but has been placed under some sort of spell. Also with Peter Sarsgaard, and Joy Bryant. Directed by Iain Softley. [1:44]
Stealth [2005] [PG-13] - 4.5.5
Sam Shepard stars as a commander whose elite naval flying team (Josh Lucas, Jessica Biel and Jamie Foxx) is assigned to test a new plane controlled by an advanced computer that uses artificial intelligence to learn from experience. When the plane is struck by lightning after their first mission, it begins to behave erratically and refuses to obey orders. Also with Richard Roxburgh and Joe Morton. Director Rob Cohen. [2:00]
November 22
War of the Worlds [2005] [PG-13] - 1.6.4
A contemporary version of H.G. Wells' classic science fiction parable by director Steven Spielberg: Tom Cruise stars as a man who has to protect his young daughter (Dakota Fanning) and teenage son (Justin Chatwin) while running away from an invasion of aliens bent on the total destruction of the earth. Also with Tim Robbins and Miranda Otto. [1:57]
The Polar Express [2004] [G] - 0.3.0
Animated version of the popular children's book by Chris Van Allsburg about a young boy who is struggling with his faith in Santa Claus, since all his friends and family insist that Santa is a figment of our collective imagination. However, one Christmas Eve night the boy is taken by the Polar Express train to the North Pole where he is presented with some rather convincing arguments for believing in the spirit of Christmas. Tom Hanks provides the voice of the Polar Express conductor. Also with the voices of Daryl Sabara, Eddie Deezen, Nona Gaye and Michael Jeter. Directed by Robert Zemeckis. [1:40]
The Honeymooners [2005] [PG-13] - 4.3.4
Cedric the Entertainer stars as Ralph Cramden, the New York City bus driver who's always on the look out for a get-rich-quick scheme that will put him on easy street, and made famous on TV in the '50s by Jackie Gleason. Ralph's best friend Ed Norton (Mike Epps) believes Ralph is the smartest man in the world, while his wife Alice (Gabrielle Union) tries to be patient. Also with Regina Hall and Eric Stoltz. Directed by John Schultz. [1:25]
November 29
Mr. & Mrs. Smith [2005] [PG-13] - 6.6.5
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt star as a married couple struggling through some difficult times. While they've been married for 5 years or so, they have been hiding the fact from each other that they are both professional assassins. When they finally suspect the truth, they are assigned to assassinate each other. Also with Adam Brody, Vince Vaughn and Angela Bassett. Directed by Doug Liman. [1:55]
March of the Penguins [2005] [G] - 3.3.0
Documentary that follows the march of Emperor penguins across the frigid Antarctica landscape as they return to their breeding grounds for the mating season. It is a trek they endure every year. Narrated by Morgan Freeman. Directed by Luc Jacquet. [1:24]
Sky High [2005] [PG] - 3.4.2
Kurt Russell and Kelly Preston star as the world's most legendary superhero team (he's super strong and she can fly) and they're also married to each other and have a teenage son (Michale Angarano) who's about to go to high school; a very special high school that caters to teens with superpowers. However, their son may not be able to follow them in the family business since he doesn't have any superpowers -- at least not yet. Also with Danielle Panabaker, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Steven Strait, Dee Jay Daniels, Nicholas Braun, Kelly Vitz, Bruce Campbell and Lynda Carter. Directed by Mike Mitchell. [1:38]
Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo [2005] [R] - 7.5.5
Rob Schneider reprises his role as an unlikely gigolo: Unable to get over the death of his wife (she was eaten by sharks on their honeymoon) he is convinced by a friend to go to Amsterdam, rejoin the ranks of gigolos, and track down a killer who is stalking the male prostitutes. Also with Eddie Griffin, Edwin Alofs, Til Schweiger and Jean Reno. Directed by Mike Bigelow. [1:23]
December
December 6
Fantastic Four [2005] [PG-13] - 4.5.3
The film introduces Marvel's longest running comic book series about a super powered group of four scientists: After traveling to a space station to run experiments during a unique space storm, the scientists are exposed to radiation that leaves them with strange abilities and powers: Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) can stretch his body; Susan Storm (Invisible Woman) can become invisible and make other objects invisible too; Johnny Storm (Human Torch) can shoot fire from his finger tips and bend flames; and Ben Grimm (The Thing) has superhuman strength. Together they fight the evil Doctor Doom. With Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, Chris Evans and Julian McMahon. Directed by Tim Story. [2:03]
Cinderella Man [2005] [PG-13] - 4.6.4
Depression era story about the life of boxer James J. Braddock (Russell Crowe). When we first meet him he is a successful boxer living well with his wife (Renée Zellweger) and family, but soon after becomes desperately poor. His agent comes to him with an opportunity that will help him get out of debt: fight a boxer that no one believes he can defeat. Also with Bruce McGill, Ariel Waller and Paddy Considine. Directed by Ron Howard. [2:24]
The Dukes of Hazzard [2005] [PG-13] - 6.4.5
Based on the eponymous TV series about cousins Luke Duke (Johnny Knoxville) and Bo Duke (Seann William Scott), who are always under the watchful eye of Hazzard County's Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane (M.C. Gainey) and corrupt businessman Boss Hogg (Burt Reynolds). Here Boss Hogg has planted evidence of moonshine production on the Duke farm that will allow him to seize their land and pursue his moneymaking scheme to strip-mine Hazzard. Also with Jessica Simpson, Linda Carter and Willie Nelson. Directed by Jay Chandrasekhar. [1:45]
December 13
The 40-Year-Old Virgin [2005] [R] - 8.4.10
A 40-year-old man (Steve Carell) has never had sex. When his colleagues find out, they make it their mission to get him some sexual experience. But the woman he's dating (Catherine Keener) has agreed on a mutual no-sex policy. Also with Paul Rudd, Romany Malco and Seth Rogen. Directed by Judd Apatow. [1:56]
Bad News Bears [2005] [PG-13] - 5.4.4
Billy Bob Thornton stars as Morris Buttermaker a former big league pitcher who accepts a paid assignment to coach the Bears, a team that's notorious for having lost more games than any other team in Little League history. But the coach (Greg Kinnear) of the champion team will not stand for a low-life, drunkard dirtying up his pristine league, which is exactly the inspiration the Bears coach needs to make something of his clumsy players. Also with Marcia Gay Harden, Timmy Deters and Sammi Kane Kraft. Directed by Richard Linklater. [1:51]
The Island [2005] [PG-13] - 5.7.5
Sci-fi thriller about a large community of people who live in an enclosed and protected compound while preparing to go to The Island -- which they think is the only place on Earth that has not been contaminated -- when their names are drawn in a lottery. One of them (Ewan McGregor) has frequent nightmares and begins to ask questions about why they are there, and who chose them to be there and why. He soon discovers that everybody who's there is a clone used to harvest organs and body parts as needed. With his best friend (Scarlett Johansson), he tries to escape and confront those who purchased him. Also with Djimon Hounsou, Sean Bean and Steve Buscemi. Directed by Michael Bay. [2:13]
Roll Bounce [2005] [PG-13] - 4.3.4
Set in the '70s, Bow Wow stars as a young man who struggles with grief after the death of his mother. He finds escape by roller-skating with his friends at a nearby rink. But when the rink goes out of business, he and his friends have to travel to another one, where wealthy kids skate, and they find themselves having to prove their skill in a competition. Also with Chi McBride, Mike Epps, Wesley Jonathan and Meagan Good. Directed by Malcolm D. Lee. [1:52]
Valiant [2005] [G] - 2.3.1
Animated tale about a group of pigeons who volunteer for duty in the RHPS (Royal Homing Pigeon Service) to deliver messages and orders during World War II. One undersized but brave pigeon named Valiant (voiced by Ewan McGregor) saves the day when the ruthless German falcons attack. Also with the voices of Jim Broadbent, John Cleese, Tim Curry, Hugh Laurie and Rupert Everett. Directed by Gary Chapman. [1:49]
The Baxter [2005] [PG-13] - 4.3.5
Elliot (Michael Showalter) is a mild-mannered accountant and an overall nice guy, who is content to live quietly and alone. One day a woman enters his life, they court for an acceptable period of time, they become engaged, and everything looks hopeful, until he finds a photo in her family album of an ex-boyfriend that she never mentioned and he becomes obsessed with the idea that he will be left at the altar for the ex-boyfriend. Also with Michelle Williams, Elizabeth Banks, Justin Theroux and Peter Dinklage. Directed by Michael Showalter. [1:31]
December 20
The Brothers Grimm [2005] [PG-13] - 3.7.4
Heath Ledger and Matt Damon star as the two famous brothers and storytellers: In this cinematic version they travel the countryside during the early 1800s pretending to rid -- for a fee -- remote villages of imaginary demons, generated by superstition and credulity. However, when they are forced by Napoleon's army to investigate a forest where girls have been disappearing, what they discover leads them to a real sorceress. Also with Monica Bellucci, Jonathan Pryce and Lena Headey. Directed by Terry Gilliam. [1:58]
Must Love Dogs [2005] [PG-13] - 6.2.4
Diane Lane stars as Sarah, a woman who has recently gone through divorce and is finding it hard to get back to dating. Her family holds an intervention and her oldest sister (Elizabeth Perkins) signs Sarah up with an internet dating service, stating that anyone responding "must love dogs" -- although Sarah doesn't own a dog. After several odd and uncomfortable dates, she takes a borrowed dog to a park and meets a man (John Cusack) who's also divorced and finds dating awkward. Christopher Plummer, Dermot Mulroney, Stockard Channing and Ali Hills. Director Gary David Goldberg. [1:39]
Four Brothers [2005] [R] - 6.7.10
Four adopted brothers (Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese Gibson, André Benjamin and Garrett Hedlund) meet at their childhood home after their mother's funeral. She was murdered during a convenience store robbery, and when it becomes obvious that the police are not trying very hard to solve the case and bring in the killers, the brothers decide to go looking for them on their own. Also with Sofía Vergara. Directed by John Singleton. [1:49]
Serenity [2005] [PG-13] - 4.6.5
Feature film version of the sci-fi cult TV series "Firefly": In the future, humanity has spread to other planets when the Earth became overpopulated. But it is not a peaceful universe: Civil war rages between groups of planets, the highly structured and controlled worlds of the Alliance vs. the Independents, who are the residents of the outer worlds. There are also groups that have become cannibals and prey on other humans. In this environment, a spaceship called Serenity with a crew of Independents is transporting a fugitive from the Alliance, while an Alliance assassin is hot on their trail. With Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, Adam Baldwin, Summer Glau and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Directed by Joss Whedon. [1:59]
The Exorcism of Emily Rose [2005] [PG-13] - 1.7.4
A young woman (Jennifer Carpenter) becomes convinced that demons are possessing her and when medical intervention appears not to work, she turns to her family priest (Tom Wilkinson) for an exorcism. The story, ostensibly inspired by true events, is of the trial of the priest, after the young woman died during the exorcism. Accused of negligence, his church refuses to allow him to take the stand and relate his version of the story. Also with Laura Linney, Campbell Scott and Colm Feore. Directed by Scott Derrickson. [1:54]
Rebound [2005] [PG] - 2.3.2
Martin Lawrence stars as a successful college basketball coach who takes himself a little too seriously. When he accidentally kills the mascot of an opposing team during a game, he is ousted from the league. What starts as a PR ploy to get his job back turns into a life-changing experience when he tries to take a middle school team from their laughing stock status to the championships. Also with Wendy Raquel Robinson, Breckin Meyer, Horatio Sanz and Megan Mullally. Directed by Steve Carr. [1:43]
The Great Raid [2005] [R] - 1.7.3
War film set in 1945, about the true story of the 6th Ranger Battalion which under Lieutenant Colonel Henry Mucci (Benjamin Bratt) traveled thirty miles behind enemy lines in order to liberate 500 American soldiers from a notorious Japanese POW camp Cabanatuan. James Franco co-stars as Captain Prince, who planned the mission. Also with Connie Nielsen, Joseph Fiennes and Mark Consuelos. Directed by John Dahl. [2: 12]
December 26
Dark Water [2005] [PG-13] - 3.5.5
Jennifer Connelly stars as Dahlia Williams, a woman trying to start a new life with her young daughter (Ariel Gade) after an ugly divorce from her husband (Dougray Scott). In an effort to find an affordable place to live near a good school, Dahlia moves into a rundown apartment on Roosevelt Island, NYC. Shortly after they get settled, they discover strange, oozing leaks of dark water in their ceiling that seem to be originating from the apartment above them -- where, they are told, no one lives. Also with John C. Reilly, Tim Roth and Pete Postlethwaite. Directed by Walter Salles. [1:43]
Into the Blue [2005] [PG-13] - 5.7.5
A young man and a young woman (Paul Walker and Jessica Alba) dream of hitting it big by uncovering treasure in the waters surrounding the Bahamas. When they discover a cocaine shipment on a plane that crashed during a storm, they are torn between doing the right thing or doing what will make them money. Also with Scott Caan, Ashley Scott and Josh Brolin. Directed by John Stockwell. [1:50]
December 27
Grizzly Man [2005] [R] - 2.6.9
Werner Herzog directs this documentary of Timothy Treadwell, the man who lived among grizzly bears in Alaska convinced that he could become one of them while also keeping them safe from human encroachment. The film is put together with footage from Timothy's final visit to Alaska in 2003, when he and his girlfriend Amie Huguenard were killed by a grizzly bear. Also with Herzog, Warren Queeney and William Fulton. [1:40]
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CAVEATS
Be aware that while we do our best to avoid spoilers it is impossible to disguise all details and some may reveal crucial plot elements.
We've gone through several editorial changes since we started covering films in 1992 and older reviews are not as complete & accurate as recent ones; we plan to revisit and correct older reviews as resources and time permits.
Our ratings and reviews are based on the theatrically-released versions of films; on video there are often Unrated, Special, Director's Cut or Extended versions, (usually accurately labelled but sometimes mislabeled) released that contain additional content, which we did not review.
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Afraid - 4.5.5
You Gotta Believe - 2.3.3
The Forge - 1.1.1
City of Dreams - 5.8.7
The Crow - 6.9.8
Blink Twice - 6.7.10
The Union - 3.5.5
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