Accepted (PG-13 for sex, expletives, and drug use). A film about a high school senior (Justin Long) rejected by every university he applied to who comes up with the bright idea of opening the prestigious sounding South Harmon Institute of Technology, so that he and other similarly-situated misfits can trick their parents into believing that they've actually gone on to college.
Barnyard (PG for rude humor and scenes of mild peril). Family-oriented animated feature about a motley collection of mischievous farm animals led by a carefree cow (Kevin James) who enjoys playing tricks on humans till a crisis arrives calling for him to summon up the courage to act responsibly. With voiceovers by Wanda Sykes, Courteney Cox, Danny Glover, Sam Elliott, Andie MacDowell, and director Steve Oedekerk.
Beerfest (R for sex, nudity, expletives, substance abuse and crude humor). Over-the-top comedy about a couple of brothers who travel to Germany to scatter their grandfather's ashes during Oktoberfest only to end up participating in a centuries-old rowdy ritual known as the Olympics of beer drinking. Cast includes writer/director/co-star Jay Chandrasekhar, co-collaborator Kevin Heffernan, Mo'nique, Cloris Leachman, and Jurgen Prochnow.
The Black Dahlia (R for sex, expletives, graphic violence and grisly images). Brian De Palma directs this crime thriller, adapted from the James Ellroy novel of the same name, which chronicles the efforts of a couple of Detectives (Josh Hartnett and Aaron Eckhart) to solve the brutal murder in 1947 of an aspiring Hollywood actress (Mia Kirshner). Cast includes Scarlett Johansson, Hilary Swank, and Fiona Shaw.
Boynton Beach Club (Unrated). Romantic comedy, set at a retirement community in Florida, revolves around assorted liaisons among a group of senior citizens whose lives intersect at a bereavement group designed to provide emotional support for anyone who's lost a loved one. Ensemble cast includes Dyan Cannon, Sally Kellerman, Michael Nouri, Joseph Bologna, and Brenda Vaccaro.
The Covenant (PG-13 for sex, expletives, partial nudity, intense violence, and disturbing images). Horror film about four classmates at an elite prep school who share a sacred, supernatural ancestry which can be traced back to the 1600s. The vow of silence about their secret bubbles up to the surface when a fellow student turns up dead and the murder looks like the work of an evil relative representing a banished fifth bloodline.
Crank (R for sex, expletives, nudity, drug use, and violence). Jason Statham stars in this thriller about a hit man injected with a lethal poison which will kill him if his heart rate drops who only has an hour to save his girlfriend (Amy Smart), find an antidote, and to wreak vengeance on the creeps who want him dead. With Dwight Yoakum and Efren Ramirez.
Everyone's Hero (G) Against-the-odds animated adventure, set in the thirties, follows the ordeal of a little boy (Jake T. Austin) who embarks with his sidekicks on a 1000-mile journey to help Babe Ruth and his beloved hero win the World Series. Voicework provided by Whoopi Goldberg, Brian Dennehy, William H. Macy, Mandy Patinkin, Raven Symone, Dana Reeve, Joe Torre, Rob Reiner, Robert Wagner, and Tyler James Williams.
Gridiron Gang (PG-13 for profanity, mature themes, and violence). The Rock stars in this inspirational tale of redemption as a counselor at a detention center who rehabilitates juvenile delinquents by helping them channel their rage by releasing their aggression more appropriately, namely, on a football field. Supporting cast includes rapper Xzibit, Mo, Orock Orock, Six Reasons, Setu Taase and James Earl.
The Guardian (PG-13 for profanity, sensuality, and intense action). Kevin Costner handles the title role as the veteran instructor of a Coast Guard rescue course who takes a troubled student (Ashton Kutcher) under his wing and to Alaska after graduation where the cocky kid learns a valuable lesson in heroism.
Half Nelson (R for sex, expletives and drug use). Inner city drama chronicles the unlikely friendship between a crack-addicted, white school teacher (Ryan Gosling) and one of his students (Shareeka Epps), a precocious 13 year-old who is aware of his problem. Cast includes Anthony Mackie as a dirty drug pusher.
Hollywoodland (R for sex, expletives, and violence). Fifties-era docudrama revisits the mysterious circumstances surrounding the supposed suicide in 1959 of actor George Reeves (Ben Affleck), the popular star of the TV show Superman. The film examines the evidence unearthed by a detective (Adrien Brody), hired by Reeves' mom (Lois Smith), who explores the rumors that Reeves was carrying on a torrid affair with the wife (Diane Lane) of a powerful MGM executive (Bob Hoskins).
How to Eat Fried Worms (PG for bullying and crude humor). Based on Thomas Rockwell's popular children's novel of the same name, this kiddie adventure revolves around the efforts of an 11 year-old boy (Luke Benward) to earn respect at his new school by accepting a bully's bodacious dare to eat ten worms in one day.
The Illusionist (PG-13 for sex and violence). Edward Norton stars in this romance drama, set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, about a lowly magician who puts his powers to use to win back his childhood sweetheart, a princess (Jessica Biel) who is set to marry a crown prince (Rufus Sewell).
Invincible (PG for sports action and mild epithets). Inspirational bio-pic, based on the real life gridiron exploits of former NFL wide receiver Vince Papale, stars Mark Wahlberg as a 30 year-old walk-on who tries out for the Philadelphia Eagles despite never having played football in college. Cast includes Greg Kinnear as Coach Dick Vermeil, and ex-NY Jet-turned restaurateur Stink Fisher as Denny Franks.
The Last Kiss (R for sex, expletives, and nudity). Intergenerational drama about the struggle of a set of thirty-year-olds to adjust to adulthood as their parents deal with their own advancing ages. Ensemble includes Zach Braff, Blythe Danner, Casey Affleck, Jacinda Barrett, Harld Ramis, Tom Wilkinson, and Eric Christian Olsen.
Little Miss Sunshine (R for sex, expletives, and drug use). Road comedy about a dysfunctional family's ordeal driving by VW bus from Albuquerque, NM to Redondo Beach, CA in order to enter their chubby, bespectacled seven year-old (Abigail Breslin) in a beauty pageant. Cast includes Greg Kinnear and Toni Collette as her doting parents, Alan Arkin as her grandpa, Steve Carrell as her suicidal uncle, and Paul Dano as her mute brother.
Snakes on a Plane (R for sex, expletives, drug use, terror, and violence). Disaster film/crime saga pits a drug kingpin about to go on trial against an FBI agent (Samuel L. Jackson) escorting an eyewitness to court on a flight from Hawaii to Los Angeles. Chaos reigns at 30,000 feet over the Pacific when a ruthless assassin releases hundreds of poisonous snakes sending passengers and crew into a panic.
Step Up (PG-13 for mature themes, brief violence, and sexual innuendo). Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan co-star in this romance about a prima ballerina from a privileged suburban background who finds the perfect partner in a break dancer who perfected his moves on the streets of Baltimore. Supporting cast includes Oscar-nominee Rachel Griffiths and rapper Heavy D (sans "The Boyz").
Talladega Nights (PG-13 for off-color humor, profanity, violence, and drug references). NASCAR action comedy featuring Will Ferrell as a race car daredevil who teams up with his best friend (John C. Reilly) to take on the flamboyant, European formula one champion (Sacha Baron Cohen) who has arrived from France with every intention of becoming America's stock car king.
The Wicker Man (PG-13 for disturbing images, profanity, violence and mature themes). Nicolas Cage stars in Neil LaBute's remake of the 1973 horror film based on the Anthony Shaffer novel of the same name. The story revolves around the disturbing disappearance of a young girl at a secretive pagan community whose inhabitants are not inclined to help the police crack the case. With Leelee Sobieski and Ellen Burstyn.
World Trade Center (PG-13 for profanity, disturbing images, and intense and emotional content). Oliver Stone's take on 9/11 approaches the terrorist attacks from the perspective of the two New York City transit policemen (Nicolas Cage and Michael Peña) who were the last people pulled alive from the wreckage at Ground Zero. Cast includes Maggie Gyllenhaal, Stephen Dorff, Maria Bello, William Mapother, and Nicholas Turturro.