Pirate Radio

"Pirate Radio": LA Times Critics' Choice Award from Betsy Sharkey:

"Pirate Radio," the new rock-saturated comedy that proves life really is better when it's set to a '60s soundtrack, is, to borrow from the Stones, "a gas! gas! gas!"

And borrow does it ever -- from the Kinks, the Rolling Stones, Hendrix, the Who, the Troggs, the Turtles, the Beach Boys, the Yardbirds, the Seekers, the List, um, make that, the list goes on . . . nearly 60 cuts in all in what may be the coolest music-video masquerading as a movie ever. Read Betsy Sharkey's review of "Pirate Radio"at the LA Times

Synopsis "Pirate Radio"
In the 1960s this group of rougue DJs, on a boat in the middle of the Northern Atlantic, played rock records and broke the law all for the love of music. The songs they played united and defined an entire generation and drove the British government crazy. By playing Rock n Roll they were standing up against the British government who did everything in their power to shut them down. The band of rebels is lead by The Count, played by the Academy Award Winning Philip Seymour Hoffman, Quentin the boss of Radio Rock, Gavin the greatest DJ in Britian, Midnight Mark, Doctor Dave and Young Carl who comes of age amidst the chaos of sex, drugs and rock n roll. The film features an unbelievable selection of music including The Beatles, The Stones, Beach Boys, Dusty Springfield, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Smokey Robinson, David Bowie, Otis Redding, Cat Stevens just to name a few. The film is laugh out loud funny and speaks to the rock n roll rebel in all of us.

Opened November 13, 2009 Runtime:1 hr. 55 min.
Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Nick Frost, Kenneth Branagh, January Jones
Director: Richard Curtis
Genres: Period Film, Musical Comedy, Comedy, Ensemble Film

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The Fantastic Mr. Fox

"The Fantastic Mr. Fox": LA Times Critics' Choice Award from Kenneth Turan:

With George Clooney and Meryl Streep as the most urbane couple in the vulpine world, this adaptation of the much-loved Roald Dahl novel animates not only forest animals, but the career of director Wes Anderson. Read Turan's full review of "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" at the LA Times

Synopsis Fantastic Mr. Fox
Mr. and Mrs. Fox (Clooney and Streep) live an idyllic home life with their son Ash (Schwartzman) and visiting young nephew Kristopherson (Eric Anderson). But after 12 years, the bucolic existence proves too much for Mr Fox’s wild animal instincts. Soon he slips back into his old ways as a sneaky chicken thief and in doing so, endangers not only his beloved family, but the whole animal community. Trapped underground and with not enough food to go around, the animals band together to fight against the evil Farmers - Boggis, Bunce and Bean - who are determined to capture the audacious, fantastic Mr. Fox at any cost.

Opened November 13, 2009 Runtime:1 hr. 27 min.
Cast: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Wallace Wolodarsky
Director: Wes Anderson
Genres: Children's/Family


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Precious

"Precious": LA Times Critics' Choice Award from Betsy Sharkey:

Nothing quite prepares you for the rough-cut diamond that is "Precious." A rare blend of pure entertainment and dark social commentary, this shockingly raw, surprisingly irreverent and absolutely unforgettable story of an obese, illiterate, pregnant black Harlem teen circa 1987 is one that you hope will not be dismissed as too difficult, because it should not be missed.
Read Sharkey's full review of "Precious" at the LA Times

Editor's Note: "Precious" is based on the novel "Push" by Sapphire and was released on November 6, 2009 to limited theaters. Wider release is expected. To check if "Precious" is showing in your area, use this link to Fandango to search by your zip code.

Synopsis Precious
Pregnant by her own father for the second time, 16-year-old Claireece ''Precious'' Jones (Gabourey ''Gabby'' Sidibe) can neither read nor write and suffers constant abuse at the hands of her vicious mother (Mo'Nique ). Precious instinctively sees a chance to turn her life around when she is offered the opportunity to transfer to an alternative school. Under the patient, firm guidance of her new teacher, Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), Precious begins the journey from oppression to self-determination.

Opened November 6, 2009 Runtime:1 hr. 49 min.
R - child abuse including sexual assault, and pervasive language.
Cast: Gabourey Sidibe, Lenny Kravitz, Paula Patton, Mo'nique, Mariah Carey
Director: Lee Daniels
Genres: Teen Movie, Drama, Inspirational Drama

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Whip It

"Whip It": LA Times Critics' Choice Award from Betsy Sharkey:

When the director calls her movie "Whip It," you might think you're in for some kind of cage-fighting "Animal House" starring girls. And while you do get the fishnets, food fights, broken bones and bloody noses, there are many sly satisfactions in Drew Barrymore's smartly done directing debut. Starring Ellen Page, the film is a chicks-on-skates/coming-of-age/sports drama/comedy/feminist polemic set in the racy world of roller derby. For the most part Barrymore proves sure and steady in her new role. View Sharkey's VIDEO review at the LA Times

Synopsis "Whip It"
Bliss Cavendar (Ellen Page) lives in small-town Texas and yearns to break free of her mother's (Marcia Gay Harden) world of beauty pageants and conformity. Bliss sees her chance when she meets the Hurl Scouts, a roller-derby team; she tries out for the team and wins a slot, lying to her parents about her new hobby. Bliss finds friendship and freedom with her teammates, but a conflict between a championship game and the Bluebonnet beauty pageant threatens to spill her secret.

Opened October 2, 2009 Runtime:1 hr. 51 min.
Cast: Ellen Page, Marcia Gay Harden, Kristen Wiig, Drew Barrymore, Juliette Lewis
Director: Drew Barrymore
Genres: Comedy Drama, Teen Movie, Coming-of-Age, Sports Drama

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Trucker

"Trucker": LA Times Critics' Choice Award from Betsy Sharkey:

Appearances are rarely what they seem in "Trucker," starring Michelle Monaghan as Diane Ford, the sexy tough chick in the fast lane of writer-director James Mottern's haunting tale of motherhood lost and found. Mottern has given us a rare thing, a blue-collar woman with the grit and righteous strength of a Clint Eastwood character. Monaghan has given her heart. Read reviewer's full review of "Trucker" at the LA Times

Synopsis "Trucker"
Diane Ford (Michelle Monaghan), a vivacious and successful independent truck driver, leads a carefree life of long-haul trucking, one night stands and all-night drinking until the evening her estranged 11-year-old son, Peter (Jimmy Bennett, young James Krik in the upcoming Star Trek) is unexpectedly dropped at her door. Peter hasn't seen his mother since he was a baby and wants to live with Diane as little as she wants him, but they are stuck with each other - at least for now, while his father Len (Benjamin Bratt) is in the hospital. Burdened with this new responsibility and seeing the life of freedom she's fought for now jeopardized, Diane steps reluctantly into her past and looks sidelong at an uncharted future that is not as simple or straightforward as she had once believed possible.

Opened October 9, 2009 Runtime:1 hr. 33 min.
R, sexuality, language, brief drug use involving minors, and a sexual assault
Cast: Michelle Monaghan, Nathan Fillion, Benjamin Bratt, Joey Lauren Adams, Jimmy Bennett
Director: James Mottern
Genres: Drama, Family Drama, Slice of Life

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More Than a Game

"More Than a Game": LA Times Critics' Choice Award from Kenneth Turan:

Destined to be known as "the LeBron James movie," this knockout sports documentary is a whole lot more. It shows how the bond that James formed with his teammates in high school and earlier sustained him and transformed everyone's lives.

Synopsis "More Than A Game"
Five talented young basketball players from Akron, Ohio star in this remarkable true-life coming of age story about friendship and loyalty in the face of great adversity. Coached by a charismatic but inexperienced player’s father, and led by future NBA superstar LeBron James, the “Fab Five’s” improbable seven-year journey leads them from a decrepit inner-city gym to the doorstep of a national high school championship. Along the way, the close-knit team is repeatedly tested—both on and off the court—as James’ exploding worldwide celebrity threatens to destroy everything they’ve set out to achieve together. "More Than A Game" combines a series of unforgettable one-on-one interviews with rare news footage, never-before-seen home videos, and personal family photographs to bring this heart-wrenching and wholly American story to life.

Opened October 2, 2009 Runtime:1 hr. 42 min.
Cast: LeBron James, Dru Joyce III, Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce II, Willie McGee, Romeo Travis
Director: Kristopher Belman
Genres: Sports & Recreation, Sports


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The Maid

"The Maid": LA Times Critics' Choice Award from Kenneth Turan:

If every film you see, even every independent or foreign-language film, reminds you of the one you saw the week before, it's time to check out "The Maid." This completely unexpected feature, made in Chile by young director Sebastián Silva and featuring a spectacular performance by actress Catalina Saavedra, has that particular gift of leaving you off balance in the best possible way. Already a winner of two key awards at Sundance and the only foreign-language film to be one of five best picture nominees at the Gotham Independent Film Awards, this is one to savor. I could tell you more, but that would ruin the fun.
Read Kenneth Turan's review of title at the LA Times

Synopsis "The Maid"
A drama centered on a maid trying to hold on to her position after having served a family for 23 years.
Note: Film is presented in Spanish with English subtitles.

Opened October 16, 2009
Director: Sebastián Silva
Genres: Art House/Foreign, Drama

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Good Hair

"Good Hair": LA Times Critics' Choice Award from Betsy Shareky:

Chris Rock tries to untangle a question posed by his young daughter: "Daddy, why don't I have good hair?" The result is an amusing, poignant and surprisingly candid look at the issues and implications tied to "black" hair -- as in ethnic -- with a disarming Rock coaxing answers and opinions from an eclectic cross-section of African Americans who spend billions to process and weave their way to straightness. Read full review of "Good Hair" at the LA Times

Synopsis of "Good Hair"
Prompted by a question from his young daughter, comic Chris Rock sets out to explore the importance of hair in black culture. Rock interviews celebrities such as Ice-T and Raven Symone, and visits hair salons, stylist competitions and even an Indian temple to learn about hair culture.

Opened October 9, 2009 Runtime:1 hr. 35 min.
Director: Jeff Stilson
Genres: Documentary

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Bright Star

"Bright Star": LA Times Critics' Choice Award from Kenneth Turan:

"Bright Star" satisfies a hunger we may not have known we had, a hunger for an exquisitely done, emotional love story that marries heartbreaking passion to formidable filmmaking restraint, all in the service of an unapologetically romantic belief in "the holiness of the heart's affections."
Read Kenneth Turan's full review of "Bright Star"at the LA Times

Synopsis
London 1818: a secret love affair begins between 23 year old English poet, John Keats, and the girl next door, Fanny Brawne, an outspoken student of fashion. This unlikely pair started at odds; he thinking her a stylish minx, she unimpressed by literature in general. It was the illness of Keats’s younger brother that drew them together. Keats was touched by Fanny’s efforts to help and agreed to teach her poetry. By the time Fanny’s alarmed mother and Keats’s best friend Brown realised their attachment, the relationship had an unstoppable momentum. Intensely and helplessly absorbed in each other, the young lovers were swept into powerful new sensations, “I have the feeling as if I were dissolving”, Keats wrote to her. Together they rode a wave of romantic obsession that deepened as their troubles mounted. Only Keats’s illness proved insurmountable.

Opened September 18, 2009 Runtime:1 hr. 59 min.
Cast: Ben Whishaw, Abbie Cornish, Kerry Fox, Paul Schneider, Edie Martin
Director: Jane Campion
Genres: Romantic Drama, Period Film, Romance


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