Yahoo! Movies: New Kids/Family DVD Releases

Madagascar

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:22 -0000

This movie focuses on four residents and "stars" of the Central Park Zoo in New York City who are also best friends: a lion (Stiller), a zebra (Rock), a giraffe (Schwimmer) and a pregnant hippo (Smith). When one of them goes missing, the other three break out of the zoo looking for him, and eventually all four are captured and put in boxes to ship them back to the continent their species are originally from: Africa. An accident at sea, however, strands them on the shore of Madagascar. Having had humans take care of them their entire life, the four know nothing of surviving in the wild, or that one of them, the lion, is genetically predisposed to eat his three best friends. Exploring their surroundings, the four friends soon meet the Malagasy locals (a type of lemur given to having loud "rave-like" dance parties) and their carnivorous enemies, the fousas. As the two sides try to use these four new, strange (and large) friends to their benefit, our heroes are also confronted with the reality of their predestined roles in nature. (1 hr. 26 min.) Release date: Sep 29, 2009

Shrek

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:21 -0000

Set in a strange, colorful land populated by fairy tale characters, SHREK is a hilarious comedy that will win over audiences of children and adults alike. Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) is a fearsome green ogre living in isolation in his own cozy little swamp. He is not receptive to visitors, and fends off the occasional party of torch-wielding villagers with ease. But when the power-hungry Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) turns Shrek's swamp into a relocation camp for dozens of banished fairy-tale characters (including some pesky dwarves, wolves, and fairies) Shrek's quiet, introverted life is ruined. Joined by the talkative Donkey (Eddie Murphy), Shrek makes his way to Farquaad's realm of Duloc, where the Lord makes Shrek an offer: He will rid Shrek's land of the unwanted visitors if Shrek will go on a simple quest to free Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) from her remote, dragon-guarded castle and convince her to marry Farquaad. On their quest, Shrek and Donkey run into a number of bizarre situations, and Shrek finds himself realizing that he isn't quite the fearsome monster he has always made himself out to be. Reinventing the traditional fairy tale adventure, SHREK features gorgeous computer animation, a unique sense of humor, and compelling characters--especially Eddie Murphy's lovable Donkey. (1 hr. 29 min.) Release date: Sep 29, 2009

Shrek 2

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:20 -0000

Picking up exactly where the first movie left off, this movie takes us to the kingdom of Far, Far Away as Shrek and Fiona return to her homeland to tell her parents (Cleese, Andrews) the good news. Not everyone is happy to find her married to an ogre, with the most irate in this group being Prince Charming (Everett), who was supposed to be the one who lifted Fiona's curse. We're also introduced to the mysterious Fairy Godmother (Saunders), and a bar called the Poison Apple, where the villains of the fairy tale world hang out, including the great ogre-slayer, Puss-in-Boots (Banderas). (1 hr. 32 min.) Release date: Sep 29, 2009

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:19 -0000

The fairy tale of Snow White, a beautiful young maiden cast into a deep sleep by her evil step-mother, but rescued from the dark magic spell through the love of handsome Prince Charming. (1 hr. 20 min.) Release date: Oct 6, 2009

The Wizard of Oz

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:18 -0000

Follow the yellow brick road again! Young Dorothy lives on a farm in Kansas where a large tornado picks her house, and her dog up and deposits them in the land of Oz. Things in Oz are strange and beautiful, but Dorothy just wants to get back home. She's helped by the Good Fairy of the North, but she's also in trouble with the Wicked Witch of the West, who seeks revenge for the death of the Wicked Witch of the East, for which she blames Dorothy. While searching her way home she meets a Scarecrow who needs a brain, a Tin Man who needs a heart, and a cowardly lion who needs courage. (1 hr. 41 min.) Release date: Sep 29, 2009

Shrek the Third

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:17 -0000

Shrek tackles the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. (1 hr. 33 min.) Release date: Sep 29, 2009

Scooby-Doo

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:16 -0000

Scooby Doo and the Mystery Inc. gang take their animated antics to the big screen as a live-action movie. In this story, Fred, Daphne, Velma and Shaggy have a bit of a falling out and go their separate ways, but they're drawn back together again by fate, in this case taking the form of the mysterious Spooky Island amusement park and the strange behavior being exhibited by the young visitors to the attraction. This is a case that only the Mystery Machine gang can tackle - if only they can get over their differences. (1 hr. 45 min.) Release date: Sep 8, 2009

Casper Meets Wendy

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:15 -0000

When evil warlock Desmond Spellman vows to destroy Wendy the Good Little Witch, she and her witless witch aunts hide out at Sunny Brite Resort, where the vacationing Ghostly Trio has been busy scaring up mega-mischief - and making Casper's afterlife miserable. Even though Casper and Wendy are told that ghosts and witches just don't get along, when these two kindred spirits meet, it's the beginning of a boo-tiful friendship. But Desmond is closing in...and time is running out. Now Casper and Wendy must prevent a supernatural showdown between their feuding families in order to defeat Desmond's dastardly plan. Release date: Sep 15, 2009

The Neverending Story

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:14 -0000

In director Wolfgang Petersen's charming fantasy, Bastian (Barrett Oliver), a lonely schoolboy alienated from his father and bullied by his classmates, retreats to an attic where he becomes engrossed in a book entitled THE NEVERENDING STORY. It is the tale of a magical kingdom appropriately named Fantasia, since it is a world born of human fantasies. However, as humanity loses faith in the power of imagination, the once-thriving Fantasia is being destroyed by great storms of Nothingness. Dangerously ill herself, Fantasia's youthful empress (Tami Stronach) sends the young warrior Atreju (Noah Hathaway) on a quest to find a cure for the kingdom. After encountering flying dragons, swamp monsters and a vast assortment of other strange creatures, the young hero discovers that only a human boy can save Fantasia, at which point Bastian is drawn, literally, into the pages of the story. (1 hr. 34 min.) Release date: Nov 3, 2009

Dr. Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:13 -0000

In this live-action adaptation of the famous Christmas tale by Dr. Seuss, director Ron Howard (APOLLO 13, SPLASH), casts comedian Jim Carrey in the title role, giving this rendition of HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS a perverse, manic spin. Add great special effects and a fast-moving script and this well-loved story of a freakish green monster living in a mountainside cave who disguises himself as Santa Claus, and steals the Christmas goodies from every single home in Whoville, becomes a hilarious holiday comedy. (1 hr. 45 min.) Release date: Oct 13, 2009

My Fair Lady

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:12 -0000

A distinguished London linguist makes a wager with a colleague that he can transform a working-class girl into an elegant, mannered lady, free of all bad accents. When he finds his subject, he turns her into the belle of high-society, but can't admit to himself that he's fallen in love with her. (2 hrs. 50 min.) Release date: Oct 6, 2009

Little Miss Sunshine

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:11 -0000

Picked up after a well-received showing at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE is a low-budget comedy about a family road trip from Albuquerque to California. The story begins when young Olive (Abigail Breslin) is given a shot at the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant, and manages to coerce her family into driving west in their worn-down VW van. Olive's father, Richard (Greg Kinnear), takes charge of the trip, while her mother, Sheryl (Toni Collette), brother Dwayne (Paul Dano), uncle Frank (Steve Carell), and eccentric grandfather (Alan Arkin) all come along for the ride. What follows resembles a budget-stricken version of PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES: seemingly endless (and hilarious) mishaps befall the family as they wind their way across the country. Couple this with the witty interplay between a well-drawn set of dysfunctional characters, and that's the LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE formula in a nutshell; all the audience needs to do is sit back and enjoy the ride.

The grainy texture of co-directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris's film may initially startle viewers unaccustomed to the indie film world. But its a testament to the cast and crew's efforts that the limitations imposed on the filmmakers are long forgotten by the end of the film. Any concerns about visual murkiness give way to belly laughs and bemusement as the road trip ends and the beauty pageant begins. Likely to have a broad appeal, Dayton and Faris's film resembles a version of NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION directed with the pithy eye of Todd Solondz (WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE), and it's to the movie's credit that it manages to successfully marry these two seemingly disparate worlds. (1 hr. 41 min.) Release date: Oct 13, 2009

Free Willy

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:10 -0000

Jesse, a homeless orphan who spends his days evading the police, finally gets caught spray painting a whale tank at a local park. Because he distrusts adults intensely, Jesse's not too happy when authorities place him in a foster home and sentence him to clean up the tank he vandalized. Unexpectedly, Willy, the whale who inhabits the tank, takes a liking to Jesse, and the animal and child develop a bond -- a bond that also helps Jesse open up to the adults in his life, including his new parents and the whale's caretakers. But then Jesse learns that Dial, who owns the park, only wants to keep Willy if he can be trained to perform for an audience. Can the boy find a way to save his beloved whale before Dial plays some dirty tricks of his own? (1 hr. 52 min.) Release date: Sep 8, 2009

Nanny McPhee

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:09 -0000

Recently widowed Mr. Brown seeks assistance from a mysterious and rather strange looking nanny when his seven very ill-behaved children get too much for him to handle. The children, led by the eldest boy Simon, have managed to drive away 17 previous nannies and are adamant that they'll have no trouble with this new one. However Nanny McPhee appears to be no ordinary nanny, and things soon start to take a turn for the magical. (1 hr. 38 min.) Release date: Nov 1, 2009

The Secret Garden

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:08 -0000

Agnieszka Holland's adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic fairy tale, THE SECRET GARDEN is a highly entertaining family picture that is overflowing with gorgeous imagery. Ten-year-old Mary Lennox (Kate Maberly) is a spoiled rich girl living in colonial India with her aloof parents who frequent elegant parties and leave her with servants who attend to her every whim. When her parents are killed, however, Mary's life changes drastically. She's shipped off to England to live in the enormous manor of her father's friend, Lord Archibald Craven (John Lynch), and his invalid son, Colin (Heydon Prowse). Lord Craven, a miserable recluse since his wife's death, ignores his son and leaves the household management to Mrs. Medlock (Maggie Smith), an ironhanded authoritarian. In this cold environment, the children, with help from spirited maid Martha Sowerby and her younger brother, Dickon, manage to find happiness in a special garden hidden away for years. Beautifully shot by Roger Deakins, Holland�s film is a visual feast that captures the fantasy like tone of the book without sacrificing any of Burnett's original vision. Zbigniew Preisner's magical score adds another lovely dimension, making this a film that individuals of every age can enjoy. (1 hr. 41 min.) Release date: Sep 8, 2009

Babe

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:07 -0000

A piglet won by Farmer Hoggett as a raffle prize is raised by Fly, the matriarch sheepdog, as one of her own. His owner senses something special in Babe and makes sure he learns sheep herding along with his new brothers. Babe proves so adept, in fact, that Farmer Hoggett enters him in the world sheepdog championship. (1 hr. 31 min.) Release date: Nov 1, 2009

Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:06 -0000

An inexperienced witch's adventures take her and her children from WWII England to a mythical land where jungle animals rule--all via an enchanted flying bed. (1 hr. 57 min.) Release date: Sep 8, 2009

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:05 -0000

Christmas is approaching in Frogtown Hollow, and Emmet Otter and his Ma hope to buy gifts for each other. Unfortunately, Emmet doesn't make enough from the odd jobs he does, and Ma doesn't make enough as a laundress. They decide to compete in the Frog Town Hollow Talent Contest in order to win money, but Ma will have to hock Emmet's tool chest to buy a costume, and Emmet will have to put a hole in Ma's washtub for his band! Kermit the Frog hosts this classic Muppet musical Christmas tale, based on the book by Russell and Lillian Hoban, with original songs from master tunesmith Paul Williams. Release date: Sep 15, 2009

Monster-in-Law

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:04 -0000

Unlucky in love, beautiful Charlotte 'Charlie' Cantilini (Jennifer Lopez) has finally met the man of her dreams, Dr. Kevin Fields (Michael Vartan). There's just one problem - his mother. Overbearing and controlling, not to mention volatile, Viola Fields (Jane Fonda) has recently been canned from her job as a star news anchor. Fearing she will lose her son's affections as she has her career, Viola decides to break up the happy couple by becoming the world's worst mother-in-law. Helping her with her crazy schemes is Viola's long-time assistant, Ruby (Wanda Sykes). The gloves come off when Charlie finally decides to fight back and it looks like Viola has finally met her match. (1 hr. 35 min.) Release date: Nov 3, 2009

Kung Fu Panda

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:03 -0000

With 2008's KUNG FU PANDA, the talking-animal CGI film enters a new era, one that makes room for both painterly artwork and fierce martial-arts action. Po (voiced by Jack Black), a clumsy and ever-hungry panda, is a huge kung fu fan, but seems destined to sell noodles like his father, Mr. Ping (James Hong), who inexplicably happens to be a goose. When Po literally crashes a ceremony involving martial-arts masters Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) and Oogway (Randall Duk Kim) and their pupils, the Furious Five--which includes Tigress (Angelina Jolie, in a surprisingly small part) and Crane (David Cross)--he ends up being selected by the latter elder as the revered Dragon Warrior. As the skeptical Shifu reluctantly trains the hapless Po, his former star pupil, Tai Lung (Ian McShane), escapes from a high-security prison, setting up a collision course between the bumbling bear and the powerful villain.

One of the finest animated films released under the Dreamworks banner, KUNG FU PANDA deftly avoids many of the pitfalls of the genre (i.e. cheesy musical sequences), juggling action, heart, and humor in a highly entertaining way. While Black (in endearingly restrained mode), Hoffman, Kim, and McShane voice their characters with verve, the real stars of PANDA are directors Mark Osborne and John Stevenson and their animators, who lovingly depict ornate Chinese chambers and vast mountainous vistas, as well as blazing kung fu battles. A movie with remarkably wide appeal, KUNG FU PANDA delivers on its quirky, high-concept title with gleeful aplomb. (1 hr. 35 min.) Release date: Sep 29, 2009

Over the Hedge

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:02 -0000

Spring has sprung, and Verne and his woodland friends awaken from their long winter's nap to discover that a tall, green "thing" has mysteriously cropped up right through the middle of their home. Enter RJ, an opportunistic raccoon, who explains that the world beyond the hedge is the "gateway to the good life" where peculiar creatures called humans live to eat, rather than eat to live. Suspicious and even a little jealous of RJ, the ever-cautious Verne wants to keep his blended family safely on their side of the hedge. But, proving the adage that one man's garbage is another man's--or rather animal's--treasure, the manipulative RJ tries to convince the woodland band that there is little to fear and everything to gain from their over-indulgent new neighbors. Eventually, RJ and Verne form an unlikely friendship as they learn to co-exist with--and even exploit--this strange new world called suburbia. (1 hr. 30 min.) Release date: Sep 29, 2009

Where God Left His Shoes

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:01 -0000

John Leguizamo stars as a father, Frank, whose family is forced from their New York City apartment and into a homeless shelter. But on Christmas Eve, it looks as though the clouds are beginning to part: an apartment is available for them in a housing project if Frank can find a job. So begins a winter odyssey as Frank and his stepson wander the snowy streets in search of work. (1 hr. 36 min.) Release date: Nov 3, 2009

The Happening

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:33:00 -0000

In THE HAPPENING, M. Night Shyamalan serves up over-the-top, apocalyptic strangeness. The film opens onto New York City's Central Park with a crowd of people enjoying an idyllic summer day. The carefree scene soon takes a terrifying turn, when out of nowhere, hordes of people begin to commit suicide en masse. People scramble to make sense of the pandemonium, and many believe it is a terrorist attack. It appears that some sort of deadly toxin is being released into the air. Cut to Elliot (Mark Wahlberg) a science teacher in Philadelphia. When he learns of the attack on New York, he meets up with his wife Alma (Zooey Deschanel), his friend Julian (John Leguizamo), and Julians's daughter, Jess (Ashlyn Sanchez). They make plans to get out of the city via train, but the train is evacuated in the middle of a small Pennsylvania town. When they learn that the mysterious toxin is spreading its way across the Northeast, they break up into groups, with Elliot, Alma, and Jess running through open farmland in search of safety. They are unsure of where to hide, or what exactly they are hiding from, until Elliot slowly forms a theory about the threat. He fights to keep Alma and Jess free from harm, and the film builds to a bizarre, unsettling climax, with Shyamalan's usual surprise ending.

Shyamalan's premise of escaping an unknown, unexplainable attack is a timely one, and is quite chilling in concept. However, while he at times appears to be groping for the frenzied scariness of THE BIRDS, THE HAPPENING's outlandish death scenes and implausible plot line often veer closer to B-movie classics. The film doesn't match the clever creepiness of THE SIXTH SENSE, but for fans of campy horror � la THE EVIL DEAD, it is truly something to behold. (1 hr. 29 min.) Release date: Sep 15, 2009

Pudor

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:59 -0000

Director-screenwriter Tristan Ulloa teams with co-director David Ulloa to adapt author Santiago Roncaglielo Alfaguare's novel about the tenderness of family relationships. Stuck in the throes of a mid-life crisis, middle-aged wife and mother Julia suddenly finds her woes compounded when her own mother dies and her marriage begins to fall apart. It seems that the troubles between Julia and her husband, Juan, are having a detrimental effect on the rest of the family as well. Their youngest child Sergio may have been adopted, yet the further that Julia and Juan drift apart, the further Sergio drifts into a fantasy world of make-believe. Sergio's older sister, Marisa, detests her younger brother almost as much as she detests her own body, and as puberty finally kicks in the young girl does her best to adapt to her sexual orientation. Of course no adult wants to depend on their children for support, but this is exactly what has happened in the case of Grandpa Salvador. In the evenings, when the family gathers around the dinner table, the atmosphere in the house grows increasingly dense with each passing day. Perhaps sometime soon one member of the family will summon the courage to address the issue. (1 hr. 53 min.) Release date: Nov 10, 2009

The Namesake

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:58 -0000

IN THEATERS MARCH 9, 2007 (Limited)

IN THEATERS MARCH 9, 2007 (Limited): Like her previous films VANITY FAIR, MONSOON WEDDING, and HBO�s HYSTERICAL BLINDNESS, Mira Nair's THE NAMESAKE is a lush, beautiful film bursting with rich color and visual texture. Based on the bestselling book by Jhumpa Lahiri, the film follows two generations of the Ganguli family. After wedding via an arranged marriage, Ashima (Tabu) moves with Ashoke (Irrfan Khan) from her native Calcutta to New York. As Ashima struggles to adjust to life in her new home, a true love grows between the newlyweds. When they give birth to Gogol (who does not learn the true origin of his name until adulthood), the Gangolis decide to stay in American for their child�s sake, settling in the suburbs and eventually giving birth to a daughter, Sonia (Sahira Nair). While Ashima and Ashoke attempt to balance their new life with Indian traditions, their children have the very different experience of being raised first-generation Americans. With little interest in their ancestry, both Gogol and Sonia disappoint their parents by having little respect for the sacrifices their parents made for them. Gogol�s desire to change his name, and his relationship with a wealthy American girl (Jacinda Barrett), places a strain on the family which Gogol will later regret.

Here, Penn proves he can play a serious role while still using his comedic skills to great affect. The actor shows impressive range in growing a clueless teen to a man his father would be proud of. Nair�s skill at directing can be felt in the film�s many great performances. Both Tabu and Irrfan Khan embody their characters so fully that the viewer really feels a personal connection to the story. As the head of the household, Khan's character will subtly make viewers laugh while breaking their heart. Packed with unique characters, THE NAMESAKE offers audiences an outlet into Bengali traditions and the immigrant experience while telling a universal story of family bonds which all parents and children should connect with. Nair excels in what is her most personal work to date. (2 hrs. 2 min.) Release date: Oct 13, 2009

Winnie the Pooh - Seasons of Giving

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:57 -0000

A collection of Winnie the Pooh's memorable holiday adventures, as Winnie, Piglet, and Tigger set out to find the right ingredients for Winter, Rabbit learns how to manage a complicated Thanksgiving dinner, and everyone gets a special visit from a new friend. Featuring a number of delightful songs for singing along, this video is sure to become a favorite holiday classic. Release date: Sep 29, 2009

So Smart!: Vol. 3 - Letters

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:56 -0000

Start a lifetime of learning. Stimulating and exciting, the music and visuals of So Smart! bring out big smiles in babies and toddlers alike. Encouraging young minds to make new connections, each So Smart! video covers a different subject, and serves as a perfect foundation for later learning. In So Smart!: Letters, shapes transform into letters, and then to familiar objects and animals. Paced for young thinkers, So Smart! Letters introduces your child to the letters of the alphabet, all with a live classical soundtrack by Mozart, Vivaldi, and other great composers. Suitable for children 9 months to 4 years. Release date: Sep 22, 2009

Mad Monster Party

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:55 -0000

Boris Karloff and Phyllis Diller lend their vocal talents to this glorious stop-motion animated parody of horror films. As Dr. Frankenstein makes plans for his retirement, he calls for a council meeting of all monsters dark and ghoulish to announce his replacement. As the word spreads that the doctor is going to choose his young nephew-prot�g� for the position, the visiting creatures begin to plot a nasty coup d'�tat that would leave the sadistic Dr. Frankenstein retired "on ice."

MAD MONSTER PARTY is the first of a run of animated hits (FROSTY THE SNOWMAN, LITTLE DRUMMER BOY, THE HOBBIT) by dreamweavers Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin. The film's jokes are of the utmost wit and reference movies ranging from DRACULA to THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON. Furthermore, watching MAD MONSTER PARTY reveals its influence on later 20th-century filmmakers; it was an obvious blueprint for Henry Selick's collaborations with Tim Burton--the two animated opuses JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH and THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. Release date: Sep 8, 2009

Shorts

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:54 -0000

In the suburb of Black Falls, all the houses look the same and everyone works for BLACK BOX Unlimited Worldwide Industries Incorporated, whose Mr. Black's BLACK BOX is the ultimate communication and do-it-all gadget that's sweeping the nation. Other than keeping his parents employed, however, Mr. Black's BLACK BOX has done nothing for 11-year-old Toe Thompson, who just wants to make a few friends... until a mysterious rainbow-colored rock falls from the sky, hits him in the head and changes everything. The Rainbow Rock does Mr. Black's BLACK BOX one better: it grants wishes to anyone who holds it. Before long, wishes-gone-wrong have left the neighborhood swarming with tiny spaceships, crocodile armies, giant boogers... and outrageous magical mayhem around every corner. But it's not until the grown-ups get their hands on the Rock that the trouble really starts. Now Toe and his newfound friends must join forces to save their town from itself, discovering along the way that what you wish for is not always what you want. (1 hr. 29 min.) Release date: Nov 24, 2009

The New Year Parade

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:53 -0000

Fact merges with fiction in writer-director Tom Quinn's deeply personal tale of two teenagers struggling to make sense of their complicated family life after their mother and father decide to separate. While 16-year-old Kat holds out hope that her parents will eventually work things out, her quiet suffering causes her to become emotionally isolated from both family and friends. Meanwhile, Kat's brother, Jack, not only finds himself in the difficult position of having to mediate between mom and dad, but also having to keep track of their fragmented finances. Complicating matters is the fact that Jack plays in the string band his father longs to lead to victory in Philadelphia's annual Mummer's Parade. (1 hr. 30 min.) Release date: Nov 24, 2009

Four Christmases

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:52 -0000

Documentarian Seth Gordon (THE KING OF KONG: A FISTFUL OF QUARTERS) makes his feature film directorial debut with FOUR CHRISTMASES. Kate (Reese Witherspoon) and Brad (Vince Vaughn) are a happily unmarried couple who avoid spending Christmas with their families at all costs and instead travel to exotic locales. But when they find themselves fogged in at the San Francisco airport and their flight to Fiji cancelled, they have no choice but to spend the holiday with their divorced parents and the rest of their dysfunctional relatives. From his wrestling brothers and cradle-robbing mother to her oversexed grandmother and perfect sister, the couple is forced to face their worst nightmare head-on. Kate and Brad's greatest fears are realized as their families share their most personal secrets.

This film addresses broader themes of how people really know each other and the importance of connecting with family, no matter how crazy they might be. Vaughn and Witherspoon have nice chemistry as a couple that thought they had everything they wanted, improvising and playing off of each other well. Robert Duvall and Sissy Spacek appear as Brad's parents, while Jon Voight and Mary Steenburgen play Kate's parents. Jon Favreau and Tim McGraw are a hoot as Brad's tormenting brothers, and Kristen Chenoweth fits the bill as Kate's sister. Parents should be aware that the film includes adult language and themes, and some comments about Santa that may upset young children. (1 hr. 20 min.) Release date: Nov 24, 2009

The Open Road

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:51 -0000

Jeff Bridges, Justin Timberlake, and Mary Steenburgen star in writer-director Michael Meredith's tale of a young man looking to reconnect with his long-lost father--a famous athlete--and bring him back to the bedside of his ailing mother. Lyle Lovett, Harry Dean Stanton, and Kate Mara fill out the supporting cast in the Perfect Weekend production. (1 hr. 30 min.) Release date: Nov 11, 2009

Up

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:50 -0000

Carl Fredricksen spent his entire life dreaming of exploring the globe and experiencing life to its fullest. But at age 78, life seems to have passed him by, until a twist of fate (and a persistent 8-year old Wilderness Explorer named Russell) gives him a new lease on life. (1 hr. 29 min.) Release date: Nov 10, 2009

Ballast

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:49 -0000

No description available (1 hr. 36 min.) Release date: Nov 10, 2009

Familiar Strangers

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:48 -0000

Those who feel that their family is odd may feel comforted by the weird Worthington clan in this comedy. FAMILIAR STRANGERS stars Shawn Hatosy (ALPHA DOG) as Brian Worthington, a man who has come home to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family. The relationship between Brian and his father (Tom Bower, DIE HARD 2: DIE HARDER) is strained, and it's certainly not helped by his father's treatment of the family pets as children. But the appearance of a young woman (THIRTEEN's Nikki Reed) who has a crush on Brian may make the holiday more bearable. FAMILIAR STRANGERS also stars DJ Qualls (ROAD TRIP). (1 hr. 26 min.) Release date: Nov 10, 2009

Aliens in the Attic

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:47 -0000

Kids on a family vacation must fight off an attack by knee-high alien invaders with world-destroying ambitions -- while the youngsters' parents remain clueless about the battle. (1 hr. 26 min.) Release date: Nov 3, 2009

Nothing Like the Holidays

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:46 -0000

Alfred De Villa (WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, YELLOW) directs this tale of a Puerto Rican family gathering at their family home in Chicago's Humboldt Park for the holidays. On the surface, the Rodriguez family has much to be thankful for this Christmas. Eldest son Mauricio (John Leguizamo) is a lawyer on the verge of making partner and his wife is a Wall Street dynamo (Debra Messing), daughter Roxanna (Vanessa Ferlito) is a movie star, and youngest son Jesse (Freddy Rodriguez) has just returned home from a tour in Iraq. For the first time in years, the three siblings will all be home for the holidays, and their parents, Anna (Elizabeth Pe�a) and Eduardo (Alfred Molina), are elated. Except that Mauricio's wife isn't Puerto Rican, and despite her mother-in-law's constant pleas, she's in no rush to have a baby. Meanwhile, Roxanna is more of a struggling actress then a star, and Jesse is having a hard time adjusting to regular life and facing Marissa (Melonie Diaz), the "one that got away" when he enlisted. To make matters worse, their mother suspects their father of cheating and has decided that she wants a divorce.

Overall, this is a film about a family coming together for Christmas, but learning much more about each other and themselves. More of a dramedy then a comedy, most of the laughs belong to Luis Guzm�n as cousin Johnny. Jay Hernandez also appears as Ozzy, a close family friend who works at Eduardo's bodega and is struggling with his own demons. Leguizamo, Ferlito, and Rodriguez are believable as siblings who love each other even when they can't stand each other. Pe�a and Molina are well-cast as the matriarch and patriarch who ultimately put family first despite their differences. (1 hr. 39 min.) Release date: Oct 27, 2009

Tinker Bell and The Lost Treasure

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:45 -0000

This animated adventure follows Tinker Bell--the tiny pixie from PETER PAN--as she bands together with her fairy friends to create the famous "Fall Scepter," a magical and important task that will restore the world's supply of fairy dust and set things right in Pixie Hollow for another year. (1 hr. 16 min.) Release date: Oct 27, 2009

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:44 -0000

Manny, Sid, Diego and Ellie are back in this third film in the computer-animated Ice Age series. With those creatures in starring roles, fans also get another dose of the vocal talents of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, and Queen Latifah, who all return from the previous two outings. (1 hr. 27 min.) Release date: Oct 27, 2009

The Proposal

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:43 -0000

THE PROPOSAL could have been a strictly script-by-numbers affair, but hilarious performances by Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds improve this romantic comedy. Publishing powerhouse Margaret Tate (Bullock, TWO WEEKS NOTICE) is used to getting her way. She bullies her ambitious assistant, Andrew Paxton (Reynolds, DEFINITELY, MAYBE), earning the ire of all the underlings at Colden Books in New York City. But Margaret, a native Canadian, finds her career in jeopardy when she is denied a visa and learns she will be sent northward. She forces Andrew to become her fianc�, but she�ll have to take a trip home to Alaska with him to prove to U.S. Immigration that their impending union is genuine.

What ensues is a combination of GREEN CARD, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, and GREEN ACRES, with the hell-in-heels boss trying to fake a romance with her assistant as she struggles to survive as a city girl in the country. However, THE PROPOSAL proves to be more than the sum of its parts; Bullock has been one of Julia Roberts�s successors to the America�s-sweetheart crown since she starred in SPEED, but this comedy has her challenging her image with hilarious ease. Reynolds--who could be just window-dressing with his good looks and easy charm--is an excellent foil who is just as adept with sarcasm as he is with a smile. The two stars are supported by an impressive cast, including Betty White as Andrew�s scheming 90-year-old grandmother, Craig T. Nelson as his disappointed father, and THE OFFICE�s Oscar Nunez as an ubiquitous resident of his hometown. THE PROPOSAL may offer few surprises in the way of plot, but the on-screen talent keeps the film feeling fresh. (1 hr. 48 min.) Release date: Oct 13, 2009

Land of the Lost

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:42 -0000

A disgraced paleontologist, his assistant and a macho tour guide find themselves in a strange world inhabited by dinosaurs, monkey people and reptilian Sleestaks. (1 hr. 41 min.) Release date: Oct 13, 2009

Bad Habits

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:41 -0000

In this Spanish-language drama, a family is beset by numerous eating disorders but its members still encounter a variety of life's flavors. (1 hr. 43 min.) Release date: Oct 13, 2009

Imagine That

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:40 -0000

Evan Danielson is a successful financial executive who has more time for his blackberry than his seven-year-old daughter. When he has a crisis of confidence and his career starts going down the drain, however, he finds the solution to all his problems in his daughter's imaginary world. (1 hr. 47 min.) Release date: Oct 6, 2009

Inventing L.A.: The Chandlers & Their Times

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:39 -0000

This insightful PBS documentary looks back at the founding of the Los Angeles Times, and chronicles the various generations of the Chandler family who have served as publisher. (1 hr. 56 min.) Release date: Oct 6, 2009

Franklin's Halloween

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:38 -0000

Join Franklin Turtle and his friends Bear, Rabbit, Snail and Goose as they learn about Halloween, in this selection from the popular kids' series. Release date: Oct 6, 2009

Eyewitness - Dinosaur

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:37 -0000

Discover what fossilized bones can tell us about the age of "terrible lizards"--and why they may not have even been lizards at all. Narrated by Martin Sheen. Release date: Oct 6, 2009

Away We Go

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:36 -0000

The journey of an expectant couple as they travel the U.S. in search of the perfect place to put down roots and raise their family. Along the way, they have misadventures and find fresh connections with an assortment of relatives and old friends who just might help them discover "home" on their own terms for the first time. (1 hr. 37 min.) Release date: Sep 29, 2009

So Smart!: Vol. 2 - Shapes

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:35 -0000

Start a lifetime of learning. Stimulating and exciting, the music and visuals of So Smart! bring out big smiles in babies and toddlers alike. Encouraging young minds to make new connections, each So Smart! video covers a different subject, and serves as a perfect foundation for later learning. In So Smart!: Shapes, meet cecil the Circle, Suzie the Square, and Traci the Triangle. They'll teach your little one how simple shapes can be part of anything from fish to bubbles to clocks to trucks. Set to live classical music from Handel, Tchaikovsky, and other great composers, So Smart! Shapes is a treat for little eyes and minds. Suitable for children 6 months to 4 years. Release date: Sep 22, 2009

So Smart!: Vol. 1 - Sights & Sounds

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:34 -0000

Start a lifetime of learning. Stimulating and exciting, the music and visuals of So Smart! bring out big smiles in babies and toddlers alike. Encouraging young minds to make new connections, each So Smart! video covers a different subject, and serves as a perfect foundation for later learning. In So Smart!: Sights & Sounds, babies and toddlers are captivated as simple shapes and moving patterns transform into familiar images, all with a live classical soundtrack, including Beethoven, Bach, and other greats. Activity guide included. For children 3 months to 3 years. Release date: Sep 22, 2009

Easy Virtue

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:33 -0000

The twenties have roared... the thirties have yet to swing. John Whittaker, a young Englishman, falls madly in love with Larita, a sexy and glamorous American woman, and they marry impetuously. However when the couple returns to the family home, his mother Mrs. Whittaker has an instant allergic reaction to her new daughter-in-law. Larita tries her best to fit in but fails to tiptoe through the minefield laid by her mother-in-law. Larita quickly realizes Mrs. Whittaker's game and sees that she must fight back if she's not going to lose John. A battle of wits ensues and sparks soon fly. Mrs. Whittaker manipulates every situation to undermine her, while Larita remains frustratingly calm and engineers sassy counter attacks. Before long, Mrs. Whittaker' s manipulation starts to work on John and Larita feels their love is in danger of slipping away. (1 hr. 36 min.) Release date: Sep 15, 2009

I ll Believe You

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:32 -0000

Dale Sweeney hosts an AM radio show about conspiracy theories and the paranormal, so it's only natural that his listeners aren't exactly average. But when a strange call in an unknown language lands on the air, it's up to Dale and his listeners to discover what's going on. I'LL BELIEVE YOU features a number of comedy all-stars: Patrick Warburton, Fred Willard, Chris Elliot, Ed Helms, Mo Rocca, and Siobhan Fallon Hogan. (1 hr. 21 min.) Release date: Sep 8, 2009

Kabei: Our Mother

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:32:31 -0000

When her husband is accused of being a Communist, it changes life forever for Kayo Nogami and her family. Taking place in 1940s Tokyo and stretching into the horrors of World War II, KABEI: OUR MOTHER is a powerful, moving film of a mother's determination. (2 hrs. 12 min.) Release date: Sep 8, 2009