Shrek is feeling over-domesticated in the fourth installment. He has lost his roar. It used to send villagers running away in terror. Now they run to him and ask him to sign their pitchforks and torches. To regain his ogre mojo, he strikes a deal with Rumpelstiltskin. The pact goes awry and Shrek must confront what life would be like in Far Far Away if he had never existed. That translates into Donkey being forced into cart-pulling duty, fat and lazy Puss in Boots trading his sword for a pink bow and the underhanded Rumpelstiltskin ruling the kingdom. Release Date: May 21, 2010 (conventional 3D theaters and IMAX 3D) Studio: DreamWorks Animation Director: Mike Mitchell Screenwriter: Tim Sullivan, Josh Klausner Starring: Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas, Jon Hamm, Kathy Griffin, Kristin Schaal Genre: Animation, Comedy, Fantasy
"The Runaways" were hugely influential as the first successful all-girl hard rock band; its members included guitarists Joan Jett and Lita Ford, drummer Sandy West, singer-keyboardist Cherie Currie and bassist Jackie Fox. The band was brought together in late 1975 by impresario Kim Fowley, who thought a novelty act of teenaged girls performing in leather and lace would be an easy sell, but the girls ended up proving to be serious and influential musicians with songs like "Cherry Bomb." The band lasted about four years together, falling apart over management and money issues.
The film will revolve around Jett and Currie and follow them from the band's meteoric rise as teenagers to their dissolution and disillusionment. Release Date: March 19, 2010 Studio: Apparition Director: Floria Sigismondi Screenwriter: Floria Sigismondi Starring: Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning, Michael Shannon, Scout Taylor-Compton, Stella Maeve, Alessandra Torresani, Hannah Marks, Brett Cullen Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
In the sequel, Mickey Rourke will play Whiplash, a character that includes elements from that comic book villain and Crimson Dynamo, another Russian baddie. Sam Rockwell will play Justin Hammer, a multibillionaire businessman and a rival of industrialist Tony Stark, AKA Iron Man, being played by a returning Robert Downey Jr. Release Date: May 7, 2010 Studio: Paramount Pictures, Marvel Studios Director: Jon Favreau Screenwriter: Justin Theroux Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Jon Favreau, Mickey Rourke, Sam Rockwell, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Garry Shandling, John Slattery, Kate Mara, Clark Gregg, Olivia Munn Genre: Action, Adventure
In "Clash of the Titans," the ultimate struggle for power pits men against kings and kings against gods. But the war between the gods themselves could destroy the world. Born of a god but raised as a man, Perseus (Sam Worthington) is helpless to save his family from Hades (Ralph Fiennes), vengeful god of the underworld. With nothing left to lose, Perseus volunteers to lead a dangerous mission to defeat Hades before he can seize power from Zeus (Liam Neeson) and unleash hell on earth. Leading a daring band of warriors, Perseus sets off on a perilous journey deep into forbidden worlds. Battling unholy demons and fearsome beasts, he will only survive if he can accept his power as a god, defy his fate and create his own destiny. Release Date: March 26, 2010 Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Director: Louis Leterrier Screenwriter: Travis Beacham, Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi Starring: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Danny Huston, Gemma Arterton, Mads Mikkelsen, Jason Flemyng, Alexa Davalos, Izabella Miko, Nicholas Hoult, Pete Postlethwaite Genre: Action, Fantasy
From Walt Disney Pictures and visionary director Tim Burton comes an epic 3D fantasy adventure "Alice in Wonderland," a magical and imaginative twist on some of the most beloved stories of all time. Johnny Depp stars as the Mad Hatter and Mia Wasikowska as 19-year-old Alice, who returns to the whimsical world she first encountered as a young girl, reuniting with her childhood friends: the White Rabbit, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Dormouse, the Caterpillar, the Cheshire Cat, and of course, the Mad Hatter. Alice embarks on a fantastical journey to find her true destiny and end the Red Queen's reign of terror. The all-star cast also includes Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter and Crispin Glover; Linda Woolverton wrote the screenplay. Capturing the wonder of Lewis Carroll's beloved "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" (1865) and "Through the Looking-Glass" (1871) with stunning, avant-garde visuals and the most charismatic characters in literary history, "Alice in Wonderland" comes to the big screen in Disney Digital 3D™ on March 5, 2010. Release Date: March 5, 2010 (Disney Digital 3D and IMAX 3D) Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Director: Tim Burton Screenwriter: Linda Woolverton Starring: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Crispin Glover, Matt Lucas, Mia Wasikowska, Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen, Timothy Spall, Christopher Lee, Paul Whitehouse, Barbara Windsor Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
"Hot Tub Time Machine" follows a group of best friends who've become bored with their adult lives: Adam (John Cusack) has been dumped by his girlfriend; Lou (Rob Corddry) is a party guy who can't find the party; Nick's (Craig Robinson) wife controls his every move; and video game-obsessed Jacob (Clark Duke) won't leave his basement. After a crazy night of drinking in a ski resort hot tub, the men wake up, heads' pounding, in the year 1986. This is their chance to kick some past and change their futures – one will find a new love life, one will learn to stand up for himself with the ladies, one will find his mojo, and one will make sure he still exists! Release Date: March 19, 2010 Studio: MGM Director: Steve Pink Screenwriter: Josh Heald, Sean Anders, John Morris Starring: John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke, Crispin Glover, Lizzy Caplan, Chevy Chase Genre: Comedy
Imagine living in a small town where everything is safe and happy... until suddenly it isn't. Imagine your friends and neighbors going quickly and horrifically insane. In a terrifying tale of the "American Dream" gone horribly wrong, four friends find themselves trapped in their hometown in "The Crazies," a reinvention of the George Romero classic directed by Breck Eisner from a screenplay by Ray Wright ("Pulse," "Case 39") and Scott Kosar ("The Amityville Horror," "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre").
David Dutton (Timothy Olyphant) is sheriff of Ogden Marsh, a picture-perfect American town with happy, law-abiding citizens. But one night, one of them comes to a school baseball game with a loaded shotgun, ready to kill. Another man burns down his own house…after locking his wife and young son in a closet inside. Within days, the town has transformed into a sickening asylum; people who days ago lived quiet, unremarkable lives have now become depraved, blood-thirsty killers, hiding in the darkness with guns and knives. Sheriff Dutton tries to make sense of what's happening as the horrific, nonsensical violence escalates. Something is infecting the citizens of Ogden Marsh... with insanity. Now complete anarchy reigns as one by one the townsfolk succumb to an unknown toxin and turn sadistically violent. In an effort to keep the madness contained, the government uses deadly force to close off all access and won't let anyone in or out – even those uninfected. The few still sane find themselves trapped: Sheriff Dutton; his pregnant wife, Judy (Radha Mitchell); Becca (Danielle Panabaker), an assistant at the medical center; and Russell (Joe Anderson), Dutton's deputy and right-hand man. Forced to band together, an ordinary night becomes a horrifying struggle for survival as they do their best to get out of town alive. Release Date: February 26, 2010 Studio: Overture Films Director: Breck Eisner Screenwriter: Ray Wright, Scott Kosar Starring: Timothy Olyphant, Radha Mitchell, Danielle Panabaker, Joe Anderson Genre: Drama, Horror
In the age-old battle between cats and dogs, one crazed feline has taken things a paw too far. Kitty Galore, formerly an agent for cat spy organization MEOWS, has gone rogue and hatched a diabolical plan to not only bring her canine enemies to heel, but take down her former kitty comrades and make the world her scratching post. Faced with this unprecedented threat, cats and dogs will be forced to join forces for the first time in history in an unlikely alliance to save themselves - and their humans - in "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore," a comedy that blends live action with state-of-the-art puppetry and computer animation. It's time for the fur to fly. Release Date: July 30, 2010 Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Director: Brad Peyton Screenwriter: Ron J. Friedman, Steve Bencich Starring: Christina Applegate, Michael Clarke Duncan, Neil Patrick Harris, Sean Hayes, James Marsden, Bette Midler, Nick Nolte, Joe Pantoliano, Katt Williams, Chris O'Donnell, Jack McBrayer, Fred Armisen, Paul Rodriguez Genre: Comedy
Walt Disney Studios, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Jon Turteltaub, the creators of the "National Treasure" franchise, present "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" -- an innovative and epic romantic comedy adventure about a sorcerer and his hapless apprentice who are swept into the center of an ancient conflict between good and evil.
Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina). Balthazar can't do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel), a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness. It'll take all the courage Dave can muster to survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes "The Sorcerer's Apprentice." Release Date: July 16, 2010 Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Director: Jon Turteltaub Screenwriter: Matt Lopez, Doug Miro, Carlo Bernard Starring: Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina, Teresa Palmer, Monica Bellucci, Toby Kebbell Genre: Adventure, Comedy
Thirty-something Luciano Gauna (Daniel Hendler) is odd. A failing screenwriter in Buenos Aires, Luciano lives in an almost intense state of paranoia, afraid of everything from STDs to even his doorman. When his childhood friend Manuel (Walter Jakob), a very successful TV producer, returns from Madrid with his stunning new girlfriend Sofia (Jazmín Stuart), Luciano's world is thrown into a near desperate funk. He discovers that Manuel has unflatteringly modeled him as the lead character on a successful Spanish TV show called "The Paranoids," which Manuel is now bringing to Argentina.
When Manuel leaves on a business trip to Chile, Luciano's remaining grip on reality unravels when he’s left alone with Sofia and her alluring charm. Release Date: January 22, 2010 (NY) Studio: Oscilloscope Laboratories Director: Gabriel Medina Screenwriter: Gabriel Medina Starring: Daniel Hendler, Walter Jakob, Jazmin Stuart, Martin Feldman, Miguel Dedovich Genre: Comedy, Drama
The final chapter of the "Harry Potter" film series begins as Harry, Ron and Hermione leave Hogwarts behind and set out to find and destroy the Horcruxes--the secret to Voldemort's power and immortality. Release Date: November 19, 2010 (conventional theaters and IMAX) Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Director: David Yates Screenwriter: Steve Kloves Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Ralph Fiennes, Bill Nighy, John Hurt, Rhys Ifans, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Imelda Staunton, Jason Isaacs, Miranda Richardson, Warwick Davis, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Brendan Gleeson, Ciaran Hinds, Timothy Spall, David Thewlis, Julie Walters, Tom Felton, Bonnie Wright, Jamie Campbell Bower, Richard Griffiths, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, Fiona Shaw, Helen McCrory, David O'Hara, Natalia Tena Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
Directed by Neil LaBute, "Death at a Funeral" is a hilarious day in the life of an American family come together to put a beloved husband and father to rest. As mourners gather at the family home, shocking revelations, festering resentments, ugly threats, blackmail and a misdirected corpse unleash lethal and riotous mayhem. Release Date: April 16, 2010 Studio: Screen Gems (Sony) Director: Neil LaBute Screenwriter: Dean Craig Starring: Loretta Devine, Peter Dinklage, Ron Glass, Danny Glover, Regina Hall, Martin Lawrence, James Marsden, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock, Zoe Saldana, Columbus Short, Luke Wilson Genre: Comedy
"Case 39" is a horror film starring Renée Zellweger as family services social worker Emily Jenkins. Emily thinks she has seen it all until she meets her newest, most mysterious case, troubled 10-year old Lilith Sullivan (Jodelle Ferland). Emily's worst fears are confirmed when the parents try to kill Lilith, their only daughter. Emily saves her and decides to take her in herself until the right foster family comes along.
Then the real horror begins... Release Date: TBA Studio: Paramount Pictures Director: Christian Alvart Screenwriter: Ray Wright Starring: Renée Zellweger, Jodelle Ferland, Ian McShane, Bradley Cooper, Kerry O'Malley, Callum Keith Rennie, Adrian Lester, Georgia Craig, Cynthia Stevenson Genre: Horror
In the course of one chaotic week, the lives of three conflicted New York City police officers are dramatically transformed by their involvement in a massive drug operation in "Brooklyn's Finest," a searing new crime drama from acclaimed director Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day").
Burned out veteran Eddie Dugan (Golden Globe®-winner Richard Gere) is just one week away from his pension and a fishing cabin in Connecticut. Narcotics officer Sal Procida (Oscar® nominee Ethan Hawke) has discovered there's no line he won't cross to provide a better life for his long-suffering wife and seven children. And Clarence "Tango" Butler (Oscar® nominee Don Cheadle) has been undercover so long his loyalties have started to shift from his fellow police officers to his prison buddy Caz (Wesley Snipes), one of Brooklyn's most infamous drug dealers. With personal and work pressures bearing down on them, each man faces daily tests of judgment and honor in one of the world's most difficult jobs.
When NYPD's Operation Clean Up targets the notoriously drug-ridden BK housing project, all three officers find themselves swept away by the violence and corruption of Brooklyn's gritty 65th Precinct and its most treacherous criminals. During seven fateful days, Eddie, Sal and Tango find themselves hurtling inextricably toward the same fatal crime scene and a shattering collision with destiny.
The film captures the volatile and deadly world of one of New York's most dangerous precincts through the eyes of the men and women pledged to protect and serve, as they face the wrenching choices that make them "Brooklyn's Finest." Release Date: March 5, 2010 Studio: Overture Films Director: Antoine Fuqua Screenwriter: Michael C. Martin, Brad Caleb Kane Starring: Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke, Don Cheadle, Jesse Williams, Ellen Barkin, Wesley Snipes, Lili Taylor, Brian F. O'Byrne, Shannon Kane, Will Patton, Vincent D'Onofrio Genre: Crime, Drama
Tommy (Tim Allen) is fresh out of prison and ready for a second chance in life. Enter his loving sister Viki (Sigourney Weaver), her cynical husband Ed (J.K. Simmons) and their family. Tommy moves in with them, and when it comes to explaining to Grandma Tommy's whereabouts for the last three years, the truth-challenged Viki has the answer: "He's been in France!"
With Grandma now speaking only French to Tommy and sporting a beret, Tommy is determined to flee Viki's house and complete the two missions closest to his heart: One, to revive his late father's business and two, to re-connect with his old flame Christy (Julie Bowen). Tragically Christy died in an accident. Or so says sister Viki.
Reporting to his by-the-book probation officer Angela (Jeanne Tripplehorn) Tommy lands a temporary job in a popular fast-food chain, Pirate Burger, where not only is he forced to dress like up like something resembling Captain Hook's younger brother, but he catches a fleeting glimpse of a beautiful departing customer who looks exactly like – Christy!
"Pirate" Tommy chases the woman down to discover that, indeed, it is Christy, very much alive – and engaged to be married. But that doesn't stop her from throwing herself into Tommy's arms, until their blissful reunion is interrupted by Christy's current fiancé, Frank an electronic store magnate.
Viki strikes again! But she only lied to her brother about Christy's demise to protect him from the news of Christy's nuptials. But who can protect him from his old "friend" Gray (Ray Liotta) whose video piracy operation is the reason Tommy went to jail in the first place. Gray is back on the move and trying to lure Tommy into a new scheme – and Gray isn't somebody who takes no for an answer. And while Tommy would like nothing more than to come clean to probation officer Angela, the last thing he wants to do is raise her suspicions – especially since he might be falling in love with her.
With time running out and Gray's get rich scheme advancing forward, Tommy finds himself caught between Viki who will use anything from her vast repertoire of exaggerations to save her brother, and Angela the woman he loves who also happens to enforce the law. Add to this the rest of Tommy's adoring family that is as supportive of him as they are blind to the facts and Tommy will discover that the only way to win is to be true to what’s inside you, especially when it's... "Crazy on the Outside." Release Date: January 8, 2010 (limited) Studio: Freestyle Releasing Director: Tim Allen Screenwriter: Judd Pillot, John Peaslee Starring: Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Ray Liotta, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Kelsey Grammer, Julie Bowen, J.K. Simmons Genre: Comedy
Two years have passed since elite police officer Damien Tomasso (Cyril Raffaelli) teamed up with reformed vigilante Leito (parkour originator David Belle) to save the notorious District 13, a racially charged ghetto populated by violent drug dealing gangs and vicious killers. Despite government promises to maintain order, the state of the district has deteriorated, and a group of corrupt cops and elected officials are conspiring to cause civil unrest in D13, looking for an excuse to raze the area and cash in on its redevelopment. Now Damian and Leito must join forces again, and use their mastery of martial arts and their unique physical skills to bring peace to the neighborhood by any means necessary… before a proposed nuclear air-strike wipes it off the map. With bone crunching fights and death defying leaps, this adrenaline charged sequel takes the groundbreaking parkour action from "District B13" to thrilling new heights. Release Date: February 5, 2010 (limited) Studio: Magnet Releasing (Magnolia Pictures) Director: Patrick Alessandrin Screenwriter: Luc Besson Starring: David Belle, Cyril Raffaelli Genre: Action, Adventure
Coming out: March 7, 2010 - Ben Kalmen (Michael Douglas) is feeling his age, but you wouldn't know it from the company he keeps. A former mogul with a chain of car dealerships, until legal troubles knocked him out of business, Ben now keeps a grip on the world through his relationships with women... many women. Now his his career and marriage are disintegrating due to his business and romantic indiscretions. Studio: Anchor Bay Films Director: Brian Koppelman, David Levien Screenwriter: Brian Koppelman Starring: Michael Douglas, Susan Sarandon, Danny Devito, Mary-Louis Parker, Jenna Fischer, Jesse Eisenberg, Imogen Poots, Ben Shenkman Genre: Drama
Widely considered the most important American playwright of the post-WWII era, Williams wrote the "Teardrop Diamond" screenplay at the height of his late-50's heyday, amid such classic plays, (which themselves were adapted into classic films) as "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "Suddenly, Last Summer," "Sweet Bird of Youth," and "Orpheus Descending." Set in the Roaring Twenties in Williams' (and Markell's) home town of Memphis, the film tells the story of Fisher Willow (Howard) a headstrong young heiress who chafes under the constraints of proper Southern society, and who rebels by asking the impoverished but handsome son of her father's caretaker, Jimmy Dobyne, (Evans) to escort her to the major social events of the season. The relationship is purely a business arrangement at the outset, with Fisher paying for Jimmy's time and attention, but when she discovers that she really loves him, she finds it impossible to re-write the rules and earn the affection she tried to buy. Release Date: December 30, 2009 (NY, LA; Top 10 markets: Jan. 8) Studio: Paladin Director: Jodie Markell Screenwriter: Tennessee Williams Starring: Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Evans, Ellen Burstyn, Mamie Gummer, Ann-Margaret, Jessica Collins Genre: Drama
After almost fifty years of marriage, the Countess Sofya (Helen Mirren), Leo Tolstoy's (Christopher Plummer) devoted wife, passionate lover, muse and secretary—she’s copied out War and Peace six times...by hand!—suddenly finds her entire world turned upside down. In the name of his newly created religion, the great Russian novelist has renounced his noble title, his property and even his family in favor of poverty, vegetarianism and even celibacy. After she's born him thirteen children!
When Sofya then discovers that Tolstoy's trusted disciple, Chertkov (Paul Giamatti)—whom she despises—may have secretly convinced her husband to sign a new will, leaving the rights to his iconic novels to the Russian people rather than his very own family, she is consumed by righteous outrage. This is the last straw. Using every bit of cunning, every trick of seduction in her considerable arsenal, she fights fiercely for what she believes is rightfully hers. The more extreme her behavior becomes, however, the more easily Chertkov is able to persuade Tolstoy of the damage she will do to his glorious legacy.
Into this minefield wanders Tolstoy's worshipful new assistant, the young, gullible Valentin (James McAvoy). In no time, he becomes a pawn, first of the scheming Chertkov and then of the wounded, vengeful Sofya as each plots to undermine the other's gains. Complicating Valentin's life even further is the overwhelming passion he feels for the beautiful, spirited Marsha (Kerry Condon), a free thinking adherent of Tolstoy's new religion whose unconventional attitudes about sex and love both compel and confuse him. Infatuated with Tolstoy's notions of ideal love, but mystified by the Tolstoys' rich and turbulent marriage, Valentin is ill equipped to deal with the complications of love in the real world.
A tale of two romances, one beginning, one near its end, "The Last Station" is a complex, funny, rich and emotional story about the difficulty of living with love and the impossibility of living without it. Release Date: January 15, 2010 (NY, LA) Studio: Sony Pictures Classics Director: Michael Hoffman Screenwriter: Michael Hoffman Starring: Christopher Plummer, Helen Mirren, James McAvoy, Paul Giamatti, Anne-Marie Duff Genre: Drama, Historical
