october
Formula 51
A chemist making illegal drugs (Samuel L. Jackson) travels all the way across the pond to Liverpool, England hoping to find a market for his latest creation. He finds himself entangled in a web of deceit and lies along the way. Fans of Jackson will get to see him wear a kilt in this film. Also starring Robert Carlyle, Rhys Ifans, and Meat Loaf. The original title was The 51st State. Directed by Ronny Yu (Bride of Chucky).
The
Grey Zone
Written and directed by Tim Blake Nelson (O), the story takes place
in the Auschwitz death camp in 1944 where some of the prisoners were
assigned the horrific task of preparing their fellow prisoners for the gas
chambers. In return they received better lodging and food but must deal
with living in a moral "grey zone". Cast includes David Arquette,
Steve Buscemi, Mira Sorvino and Harvey Keitel.
Knockaround Guys
A young Mafiosi named Matty Demaret (played by Barry Pepper) realizes
he'll never be accepted as a member of the regular working society because
of his family background. His frustration leads him to his mob boss father
Benny Chains (played by Dennis Hopper), who he tries to convince, with the
help of uncle Teddy Deserve (played by John Malkovich), that he's ready to
take on bigger responsibilities in the underworld. Against his father's
better judgment, he allows his son to deliver a suit case full of money
cross-country to clear up a debt. Also stars Vin Diesel, Seth Green and
Andrew Davioli. Written and directed by Brian Koppelman and David Levien.
The
Truth About Charlie
A remake of the 1963 film Charade starring Cary Grant and Audrey
Hepburn, Thandie Newton (Mission: Impossible
2) stars as a young woman who
is about to divorce her husband Charlie (Stephen Dillane) when she
discovers he's dead. Things get worse when she discovers all their money
is gone and a man named Joshua Peters (Mark Wahlberg) tells her all the
money was his and he wants it back. Directed by Jonathan Demme (The
Silence of the Lambs).
An undefeated prize fighter (Ving Rhames) who is convicted of rape is sent to prison where he must confront and then fight the reigning prison boxing champion (Wesley Snipes). Also stars Peter Falk, Wes Studi, Fisher Stevens and Master P. Directed by Walter Hill.
White
Oleander
Based on the best-selling novel by Janet Fitch, this is the story of
Ingrid Magnussen (Michelle Pfeiffer) a poet who goes to prison, who forces
her daughter Astrid (Alison Lohman) to be raised in a series of foster
homes. Renée Zellweger and Robin Wright Penn play two of Astrid's foster
mothers while Patrick Fugit (Almost Famous) and Taryn Manning (Crossroads)
play fellow foster kids. Peter Kosminsky directs.
november
Ararat
This film within a film tells the story of the making of a historical epic
about the Armenian holocaust during the 1920s and of two estranged
families that unfolds around an 18-year-old boy (David Alpay) and a man on
the eve of his retirement (Christopher Plummer). Also stars Brent Carver,
Bruce Greenwood and Elias Koteas. Atom Egoyan directs.
8 Mile
Controversial rap singer Eminem plays a young Detroit rapper who expresses
his anger through music. Kim Basinger plays his mom and Brittany Murphy
plays his girlfriend. This is Eminem's first feature film role. Directed
by Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential). Eminem collaborated with Dr.
Dre on the music for the film and the soundtrack.
Frida
Based on the true story of larger-than life painters Frida Kahlo (Salma
Hayek) and her husband Diego Rivera. It follows their tempestuous love
affair, outrageous personalities and the extreme talent that made them the
most acclaimed artists in Mexican history. Also stars Alfred Molina,
Antonio Banderas, Ashley Judd and Geoffrey Rush. Directed by Julie Taymor.