The Style Blog - Movies

Shake Hands with the Devil
Release Date: July, 2009
Studio: Regent Releasing
Director: Roger Spottiswoode
Screenwriter: Michael Donovan
Starring: Roy Dupuis
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: Not Available
Official Website: Not Available
Review: Not Available
DVD Review: Not Available
DVD: Not Available
Movie Poster: Not Available
Production Stills: Not Available
Plot Summary:
A special film realization of the acclaimed best-seller by General Rom�o Dallaire to the screen in “Shake Hands with the Devil,” the story of a Canadian commander torn between his duty and his conscience when he finds himself eyewitness to hell on Earth.

In 1993, the United Nations dispatches Lieutenant-General Rom�o Dallaire (Roy Dupuis) to far off Rwanda to oversee a fragile cease-fire. A brilliant, workaholic officer and charismatic commander, Dallaire encounters the shabby reality of a typical UN peacekeeping operation: under-funded, overbureaucratic, and cobbled together from military units from dozens of countries, each with a slightly different agenda. Meanwhile, the peace agreement between the rebels, led by the minority Tutsi ethnic group, and the French-supported government dominated by the Hutu majority group, turns out to rest on shaky ground. When an unknown group shoots down the Rwandan President�s plane, the storm breaks and a secret but long-planned genocidal campaign against the Tutsi minority begins with a night of terror in Kigali. A reporter (Deborah Unger) remains in-country and follows General Dellaire as he is forced to deal with far-away superiors and the studied indifference of the world�s great powers while trying to take decisive action to stop the genocide of over 800,000 innocent civilians.

Trailer:
Coming Soon!

Thirst

Release Date: July 31, 2009 (NY, LA, SF)
Studio: Focus Features
Director: Park Chan-wook
Screenwriter: Park Chan-wook
Starring: Song Kang-ho, Shin Ha-kyun, Kim Ok-bi
Genre: Horror, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R (for graphic bloody violence, disturbing images, strong sexual content, nudity and language)
Official Website: FilmsinFocus.com
Review: Not Available
DVD Review: Not Available
DVD: Not Available
Movie Poster: View here
Production Stills: View here
Plot Summary:
A priest becomes a vampire… another man’s wife is coveted… a deadly seduction triggers murder. “Thirst” is the new film from director Park Chan-wook (”Old Boy,” “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance,” “Sympathy for Lady Vengeance”). Already a boxoffice smash in Korea, “Thirst” was honored with the Prix du Jury [Jury Prize] at the 2009 Cannes International Film Festival.

Sang-hyun (played by top Korean star Song Kang-ho, of The Host) is a priest who cherishes life; so much so, that he selflessly volunteers for a secret vaccine development project meant to eradicate a deadly virus. But the virus takes the priest, and a blood transfusion is urgently ordered up for him. The blood he receives is infected, so Sang-hyun lives � but now exists as a vampire. Struggling with his newfound carnal desire for blood, Sang-hyun’s faith is further strained when a childhood friend�s wife, Tae-ju (Kim Ok-vin), comes to him asking for his help in escaping her life. Sang-hyun soon plunges into a world of sensual pleasures, finding himself on intimate terms with the Seven Deadly Sins.

Trailer (4.10.09):
Flash Player

Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation!
Release Date: July 31, 2009 (NY, LA)
Studio: Magnet Releasing
Director: Mark Hartley
Screenwriter: Mark Hartley
Starring: Phillip Adams, Christine Amor, Glory Annen
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: R (for graphic nudity, sexuality, violence and gore, some language and drug use)
Official Website: NotQuiteHollywood.com.au
Review: Not Available
DVD Review: Not Available
DVD: Not Available
Movie Poster: Not Available
Production Stills: Not Available
Plot Summary:
“Not Quite Hollywood” is the wild, untold story of “Ozploitation” movies – a time when Australian cinema got its gear off and showed the world a full-frontal explosion of sex, violence, horror and foot-to-the-floor, full bore action! Jam packed full of outrageous anecdotes, lessons in maverick filmmaking and a genuine, infectious love of Australian movies, “Not Quite Hollywood” is a fast moving journey through Aussie genre cinema of the ’70s and early ’80s – an unjustly forgotten cinematic era unashamedly packed full of boobs, pubes, tubes… and even a little kung fu.

Red Band Trailer (6.12.09):

Lorna’s Silence
Release Date: July 31, 2009 (NY, LA)
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
Director: Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne
Screenwriter: Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne
Starring: J�r�mie Renier, Alban Ukaj, Fabrizio Rongione, Jeremie Renier
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R (for brief sexuality/nudity, and language)
Official Website: SonyClassics.com/LornasSilence
Review: Not Available
DVD Review: Not Available
DVD: Not Available
Movie Poster: Not Available
Production Stills: View here
Plot Summary:
The destiny of a woman caught between love and the law of the underworld. Lorna (Arta Dobroshi), a young Albanian woman living in Belgium, has her sights set on opening a snack bar with her boyfriend, Sokol (Alban Ukaj). In order to do so, she becomes an accomplice in a diabolical plan devised by mobster Fabio (Fabrizio Rongione). Fabio has set up a false marriage between Lorna and Claudy (Jeremie Renier) allowing Lorna to get her Belgian citizenship. However, she is then asked to marry a Russian mafioso who’s ready to pay hard cash to also get his hands on those vital Belgian identity papers. Fabio instends to kill Claudy in order to speed up the second marriage. But will Lorna remain silent?

Trailer:
Coming Soon!

The Janky Promoters
Release Date: July 31, 2009 (limited)
Studio: Third Rail Releasing
Director: Marcus Raboy
Screenwriter: Ice Cube
Starring: Ice Cube, Mike Epps, Terry Crews, Young Jeezy
Genre: Comedy, Musical
MPAA Rating: Not Available
Official Website: Not Available
Review: Not Available
DVD Review: Not Available
DVD: Not Available
Movie Poster: Not Available
Production Stills: Not Available
Plot Summary:
“Janky Promoters” follows the shenanigans of a pair of shady concert promoters (Cube and Epps), self-described “Modesto’s finest,” who get in over their heads when they get a shot at booking a big-name hip-hop act. Complications come in the form of a pot-growing neighborhood nemesis named Mondo and Cube’s character’s son (Nickelodeon star Little JJ), who is under contract with the old man.

Trailer:
Coming Soon!

Gotta Dance
Release Date: July 31, 2009 (NY; LA release: Aug. 21)
Studio: Dramatic Forces, Mitropoulos Films
Director: Dori Berinstein
Screenwriter: Not Available
Starring: The Netsational Seniors
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: Not Available
Official Website: GottaDancethemovie.com
Review: Not Available
DVD Review: Not Available
DVD: Not Available
Movie Poster: Not Available
Production Stills: Not Available
Plot Summary:
“Gotta Dance” captures the adventures of the New Jersey
NETSationals, the first-ever, seniors hip-hop dance team – dance newbies, from auditions to center court stardom!

Despite swollen ankles, challenges from their 20-something Nets Dancer
coaches, exhausting rehearsals, fashion crises, radical personality
transformations and seemingly impossible dance steps, the NETSational
Seniors spread joy, inspiration and cool dance moves as they hip-hop their way into the hearts of Nets fans and beyond. Director Dori Berinstein captures the struggle as well as the determination and spirit of the team to prove that the music doesn’t stop, even if you’re a card-carrying member of the AARP!

Trailer:
Flash Player

Funny People

Release Date: July 31, 2009
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Judd Apatow
Screenwriter: Judd Apatow
Starring: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman, RZA, Aubrey Plaza, Maude Apatow, Iris Apatow
Genre: Comedy, Drama
MPAA Rating: R (for language and crude sexual humor throughout, and some sexuality)
Official Website: FunnyPeoplemovie.com
Review: Not Available
DVD Review: Not Available
DVD: Not Available
Movie Poster: View here
Production Stills: View here
Plot Summary:
Over the past few years, writer/director Judd Apatow (”The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Knocked Up”) has shown that nothing�not even losing your virginity or the miracle of childbirth�is sacred. About his third film behind the camera, he says, “I’m trying to make a very serious movie that is twice as funny as my other movies. Wish me luck!” Apatow directs Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann in “Funny People,” the story of a famous comedian who has a near-death experience.

Adam Sandler, Eric Bana, Jason Schwartzman, RZA and newcomer Aubrey Plaza join a cast that reunites Judd Apatow with Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann and Jonah Hill in their third comedy together.

Trailer (2.20.09):
QuickTime/Flash Player, Various

Clip 2 (7.18.09):
Flash Player

Flame & Citron
Release Date: July 31, 2009 (limited)
Studio: IFC Films
Director: Ole Christian Madsen
Screenwriter: Ole Christian Madsen, Lars Andersen
Starring: Thure Lindhardt, Mads Mikkelsen
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Thriller
MPAA Rating: Not Available
Official Website: FlameandCitron.com
Review: Not Available
DVD Review: Not Available
DVD: Not Available
Movie Poster: Not Available
Production Stills: Not Available
Plot Summary:
Copenhagen 1944. While the Danish population hopes for a swift end to the war, freedom fighters Bent Faurschou-Hviid (23), a.k.a. Flame and Jorgen Haagen Schmith (33), a.k.a. Citron, secretly put their lives at stake fighting for the Holger Danske resistance group.

The film is based on actual events and eyewitness accounts from some of the people who experienced Bent Faurschou-Hviid (”Flame”) and Jorgen Haagen Schmith (”Citron”) at very close range.

Trailer (7.8.09):
Flash Player

The Cove

Release Date: July 31, 2009 (limited)
Studio: Roadside Attractions
Director: Louie Psihoyos
Screenwriter: Mark Monroe
Starring: Not Available
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for disturbing content)
Official Website: TakePart.com/TheCove
Review: Not Available
DVD Review: Not Available
DVD: Not Available
Movie Poster: View here
Production Stills: View here
Plot Summary:
In the 1960’s, Richard O’Barry was the world’s leading authority on dolphin training, working on the set of the popular television program “Flipper.” Day in and day out, O’Barry kept the dolphins working and television audiences smiling. But one day, that all came to a tragic end. “The Cove,” directed by Louie Psihoyos, tells the amazing true story of how Psihoyos, O’Barry and an elite team of activists, filmmakers and freedivers embarked on a covert mission to penetrate a hidden cove in Japan, shining light on a dark and deadly secret. The mysteries they uncovered were only the tip of the iceberg.

Trailer (6.15.09):
QuickTime/Flash Player, Various

The Collector

Release Date: July 31, 2009
Studio: Freestyle Releasing
Director: Marcus Dunstan
Screenwriter: Marcus Dunstan, Patrick Melton
Starring: Josh Stewart, Karley Scott Collins, Juan Fernandez, Jabari Thomas, Colvin Roberson, Michael Reilly Burke
Genre: Horror, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R (for pervasive sadistic bloody violence, language and some sexuality/nudity)
Official Website: TheCollector-movie.com
Review: Not Available
DVD Review: Not Available
DVD: Not Available
Movie Poster: View here
Production Stills: View here
Plot Summary:
“The Collector” follows the story of handyman and ex-con Arkin, who aims to repay a debt to his ex-wife by robbing his new employer’s country home. Unfortunately for Arkin, a far worse enemy has already laid claim to the property � and the family. As the seconds tick down to midnight, Arkin becomes a reluctant hero trapped by a masked “Collector” in a maze of lethal invention � the Spanish Inquisition as imagined by Rube Goldberg � while trying to rescue the very family he came to rob.

Red Band Trailer (7.7.09):