August 2006 | blackfilm.com | features

THE PAINTED VEIL

Release Date: December 15, 2006 (NY, LA; top 15 markets: November 22; limited release: December 22; wider release: January 12, 2007)
Distributor: Warner Independent Pictures
Directed by:John Curran
Screenwriter: Ron Nyswaner
Cast: Edward Norton, Naomi Watts

Synopsis: A love story set in the 1920s about a young English couple (a doctor and a society girl) who marry hastily, relocate to Hong Kong where they betray each other easily, and find an unexpected chance at redemption and happiness while on a deadly journey into the heart of ancient China. Based on the novel by W. Somerset Maugham.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS AND TRAILER - http://www.blackfilm.com/20060210/features/thepaintedveil.shtml

DREAMGIRLS

Release Date: December 21, 2006
Distributor: Dreamworks Pictures
Director: Bill Condon
Producer: Laurence Mark
Screenwriter: Bill Condon
Cast: Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover Anika Noni Rose, Jennifer Hudson, Keith Robinson

Synopsis: Set in the turbulent late 1960s and early '70s, "Dreamgirls" follows the rise of a trio of women - Effie (Hudson), Deena (Knowles) and Lorrell (Rose) - who have formed a promising girl group called The Dreamettes. At at talent competetion, they are discovered by an ambitious manager named Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Foxx), who offers them the opportunity of a lifetime: to become the back-up singers for headliner James "Thunder" Early (Murphy). Curtis gradually takes control of the girls's look and sound, eventually giving them their own shot in the spotlight as The Dreams. That spotlight, however, begins to narrow in on Deena, finally pushing the less attractive Effie out altogether. Though the Dreams become a cross-over phenomenom, they soon realize that the cost of fame and fortune may be higher than they ever imagined.

CLICK HERE FOR TRAILER AND PHOTOS - http://www.blackfilm.com/20051118/features/dreamgirls.shtml

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Release Date: December 22, 2006
Distributor: Universal Pictures.
Director: Robert De Niro
Producers: James G. Robinson, Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro
Screenwriter: Eric Roth
Cast: Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, William Hurt, John Turturro, Robert De Niro, Alec Baldwin, Billy Crudup, Michael Gambon, Gabriel Macht, Tammy Blanchard, Vladimir Mashkov, Joe Pesci
Synopsis The tumultuous early history of the Central Intelligence Agency is viewed through the prism of one man's life in "The Good Shepherd," an espionage drama starring Academy Award® winners Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie and Robert De Niro and directed by Robert De Niro.

Edward Wilson (Matt Damon) understands the value of secrecy-discretion and commitment to honor have been embedded in him since childhood. As an eager, optimistic student at Yale, he is recruited to join the secret society Skull and Bones, a brotherhood and breeding ground for future world leaders. Wilson's acute mind, spotless reputation and sincere belief in American values render him a prime candidate for a career in intelligence, and he is soon recruited to work for the OSS (the precursor to the CIA) during WWII.

As one of the covert founders of the CIA, working in the heart of an organization where duplicity is required and nothing is taken at face value, Edward's' idealism is steadily eroded by a growing suspicious nature, reflective of a world settling into the long paranoia of the Cold War. As his methods are adopted as standard operating procedure, Wilson develops into one of the Agency's veteran operatives, all the while combating his KGB counterpart. However, his steely dedication to his country comes at an ever-increasing price. Not even his wife Clover (Angelina Jolie) or his beloved son can divert Wilson from a path that will force him to sacrifice everything in pursuit of this job.

CLICK HERE FOR TRAILER AND PHOTOS - http://www.blackfilm.com/20060113/features/thegoodshepherd.shtml

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

Release Date: December 22, 2006
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Director: Shawn Levy
Screenwriter: Ben Garant, Daniel Goldin
Cast: Ben Stiller, Carla Gugino, Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, Bill Cobbs, Ricky Gervais, Kim Raver, Robin Williams

Website: http://www.nightatthemuseum.com/

Synopsis: "Night at the Museum" is an action-adventure-comedy that comes to life by night. Good-hearted dreamer Larry Daley (Ben Stiller), despite being perpetually down on his luck, thinks he's destined for something big. But even he could never have imaged how "big," when he accepts what appears to be a menial job as a graveyard-shift security guard at a museum of natural history. During Larry's watch, extraordinary things begin to occur: Mayans, Roman Gladiators, and cowboys emerge from their diorama to wage epic battles; in his quest for fire, a Neanderthal burns down his own display; Attila the Hun pillages his neighboring exhibits, and a T-Rex reminds everyone why he's history's fiercest predator. Amidst the chaos, the only person Larry can turn to for advice is a wax figure of President Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams), who helps our hero harness the bedlam, stop a nefarious plot, and save the museum.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS AND TRAILER - http://www.blackfilm.com/20060714/features/nightatthemuseum.shtml

ROCKY BALBOA

Release Date: December 22, 2006
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Director: Sylvester Stallone
Screenwriter: Sylvester Stallone
Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Antonio Tarver, Milo Ventimiglia

Synopsis: "Rocky Balboa" is the next story in the saga of Philadelphia boxer Rocky Balboa, one of Hollywood's most beloved characters. In the film, Rocky has long since retired but is drawn back to the boxing ring one last time. On the way he is challenged by a powerful new champion, by personal tragedy and ultimately by himself.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS AND TRAILER - http://www.blackfilm.com/20060303/features/rockybalboa.shtml

WE ARE MARSHALL

Release Date: December 22, 2006
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: McG
Screenwriter: Jamie Linden
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox, David Strathairn, Ian McShane, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, January Jones, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Huntley Ritter, Kate Mara

Synopsis: "We Are Marshall" tells an inspiring true story set in Huntington, West Virginia, a small town steeped in the rich tradition of college football. For decades, players, coaches, fans and families have come together to cheer on Marshall University's "Thundering Herd." For this team and this community, Marshall football is more than just a sport, it's a way of life. But on a fateful night in 1970, while traveling back to Huntington after a game in North Carolina, 75 members of Marshall's football team and coaching staff were killed in a plane crash. As those left behind struggled to cope with the devastating loss of their loved ones, the grieving families found hope and strength in the leadership of Jack Lengyel, a young coach who was determined to rebuild Marshall's football program and in the process helped to heal a community.

CLICK FOR PHOTOS AND TRAILER - http://www.blackfilm.com/20060805/features/wearemarshall.shtml

PRIDE

Release Date: December 22, 2006
Distributor: Lionsgate
Director: Sunu Gonera
Screenwriter: Mike Gozzard, K. Michael Smith
Cast: Terrence Howard, Kimberly Elise, Evan Ross, Bernie Mac, Tom Arnold, Regine Nehy, Kevin Phillips, Brandon Fobbs, Alphonso McAuley, Nate Parker, Scott Reeves, Gary Sturgis

Synopsis: Based on true events, Lionsgate’s P.D.R. tells the inspiring story of Jim Ellis, a charismatic schoolteacher in the 1970s who changed lives forever when he founded an African-American swim team in one of Philadelphia’s roughest neighborhoods.
The year is 1973, and Jim Ellis (Terence Howard), a college-educated African-American, can’t find a job. Driven by his love of competitive swimming, Jim fixes up an abandoned recreational pool hall in a Philadelphia slum with the help of Elston (Bernie Mac), a local janitor. But when the pool hall is marked for demolition, Jim fights back – by starting the city’s first African-American swim team. Recruiting troubled teens from the streets, Jim struggles to transform a motley team of novices into capable swimmers – all in time for the upcoming state championships. But as racism, violence and an unsympathetic city official threaten to tear the team apart, Jim must do everything he can to convince his swimmers that victory, both in and out of the pool, is within their reach…

By turns comic, rousing and poignant, P.D.R. is a triumphant story about team spirit and courage in the face of overwhelming odds.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS AND TRAILER - http://www.blackfilm.com/20060805/features/pride.shtml

NOTES ON A SCANDAL

Release Date: December 25, 2006 (limited)
Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Director: Richard Eyre
Screenwriter: Patrick Marber
Cast: Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, Bill Nighy

Official Website: http://www2.foxsearchlight.com/notesonascandal/

Synopsis: When Sheba Hart (Cate Blanchett) joins St. George's as the new art teacher, Barbara Covett (Judi Dench) senses a kindred spirit. But Barbara is not the only one drawn to her. Sheba begins an illicit affair and Barbara becomes the keeper of her secret. "Notes on a Scandal" is a story of loneliness, loyalty, envy and love.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS AND TRAILER

PERFUME

Release Date: December 27, 2006 (limited; wider release: January 5, 2007)
Distributor: DreamWorks Pictures (Paramount)
Director: Tom Tykwer
Producer: Bernd Eichinger
Screenwriter: Caroline Thompson, Andrew Birkin, Tom Tykwer
Cast: Ben Whishaw, Alan Rickman, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Dustin Hoffman

Synopsis:
Based on the bestselling novel by Patrick Süskind, "Perfume" is a story of murder and obsession set in 18th-century France.

Jean-Baptiste Grenouille has used his unique talent for discerning the scents and smells that swirl around him to create the world's finest perfumes, but his talent masks his burden. An orphan from birth, Grenouille has always felt alone in the world and different from any other person. Determined to connect with others, Grenouille tries to capture the irresistible but elusive aroma of young womanhood, traveling far and delving deeper into the intricate science of perfume-making. As he becomes increasingly – and recklessly – passionate about his art, his obsession to create the world's most powerful fragrance takes a deadly turn.

Ben Whishaw, the young British actor who received rave reviews for his performance in "Hamlet" at the Old Vic in London, stars in the central role of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, the murderer on the hunt for the perfect scent. The film also stars Emmy and Golden Globe winner Alan Rickman ("Sense & Sensibility," the "Harry Potter" franchise), Rachel Hurd-Wood (2003's "Peter Pan") and two-time Academy Award® winner Dustin Hoffman ("Rain Man," "Kramer vs. Kramer").

"Perfume" was directed by Tom Tykwer, the award-winning director of "Heaven" and "Run Lola Run." Bernd Eichinger ("Downfall," "The Neverending Story," "The Name of the Rose") produced the film from a screenplay he co-wrote with Andrew Birkin ("The Name of the Rose," "Omen III: The Final Conflict") and Tykwer, based on Patrick Süskind's celebrated novel of the same name.

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THE DEAD GIRL

Release Date: December 29, 2006
Distributor: First Look Pictures
Director: Karen Moncrieff
Screenwriter: Karen Moncrieff
Producers: Henry Winterstern, Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi
Cast: Josh Brolin, Rose Byrne, Toni Collette, Bruce Davidson, James Franco, Marcia Gay Harden, Mary Beth Hurt, Brittany Murphy, Piper Laurie, Giovanni Ribisi, Nick Searcy, Mary Steenburgen, and Kerry Washington
Rating: R (Nudity/Profanity/Sexual Situations/Gore)
Running Time: 93 Minutes

Synopsis:
In an open field on the outskirts of Los Angeles, the discovery of a dead girl reverberates like a scream through the lives of complete strangers linked by her brutal murder. Each is running from their own dark secret that has torn their families apart and left them psychologically fractured. Arden (Toni Collette) lives with her abusive elderly mother (Piper Laurie), a virtual prisoner in her own home. Thrust into unwanted celebrity status by the media after she discovers the dead girl, she seeks comfort in the arms of Rudy (Giovanni Ribisi), a grocery clerk. The pair speculate that the distinctive slash marks on the victim's body might be the work of the infamous 405 Freeway killer.

CLICK HERE FOR TRAILER AND PHOTOS

HOLLA

Release Date: December 2006
Distributor: Lionsgate
Director: H.M Coakley
Producer: Camille Irons Coakley
Screenwriter: Byron Taylor and H.M Coakley, based on a story by Camille Irons Coakley
Composer: Dennis Smith
Cast: Shelli Boone, Young Sir, Charles F.Porter, Michael Bergin, Kimberly Barnett, Robbyne Manning, Tionne Williams, Brandon Phillips, Kali Hawk, Melissa-Anne Davenport, Tommy Morgan Jr.
Rating: “R” for violence and language
Runtime: 86 Minutes

Website: http://hollathemovie.com/

Synopsis:
Monica St John, star of the popular sit-com "Baby Gurl" and six of her closest friends stuff into her SUV and head for a weekend escape at Camp Diamond Creek, a remote cabin in the mountains. Along the way, the gang spots Monica's boyfriend Dwayne's ex-con cousin Troy hitch-hiking and reluctantly picks him up. As the gang arrives at the cabin, Monica's agent alsoarrives uninvited with his date hoping to convince Monica to renew her contract. Soon after the gang settles in, Dwayne proposes to Monica and the gang plans a small celebration. Troy is sent for a bottle of champagne from the kitchen. While away, a news story implicates Troy in connection with a brutal murder. Dwayne tries to reassure the gang that Troy isn't capable of murder. Just as Dwayne professes Troy's innocence, the lights go out and folks start dying. Is it Troy the convict, Greg the agent, Dwayne the boyfriend, or one of the "hater" friends?
Who knows. . . who's next?

CLICK HERE FOR TRAILER AND PHOTOS

RESCUE DAWN

Release Date: December 2006
Distributor: MGM
Director: Werner Herzog
Screenwriter: Werner Herzog
Cast: Christian Bale, Steve Zahn, Marshall Bell, François Chau, Jeremy Davies, Craig Gellis, GQ, Zach Grenier, Pat Healy, Toby Huss, Bonnie Z. Hutchinson, Evan Jones, Abhijati 'Meuk' Jusakul, Mr. Tony B. King, Mr. Richard Manning, Mr. Garrett D. Melich, Mr. Kriangsak Ming-olo, Mr. Yuttana Muenwaja, Teerawat Mulvilai, Somkuan 'Kuan' Siroon, Mr. Chorn Solyda, Mr. Saichia Wongwiroj

Website: http://www.gibraltarfilms.com/projects/rescuedawn/

Synopsis:

Christian Bale and Steve Zahn will star in "Rescue Dawn," an action drama by Werner Herzog and based on the director's acclaimed 1997 documentary, "Little Dieter Needs to Fly". The film recounts the true story of German-born Dieter Dengler, who dreamed of being a pilot and eventually made his way to the United States, where he joined the military during the Vietnam War era. He was shot down over Vietnam and captured. Eventually he organized an escape with a small band of captives. Bale will play Dengler, and Zahn will play an ill-looking and bent POW.

CLICK HERE FOR TRAILER AND PHOTOS