The Assault (R for violence) Fact-based thriller recounting the Christmas Eve hijacking in 1994 of Air France Flight 8969 from Algiers to Marseilles by four Islamic terrorists determined to crash the plane into the Eiffel Tower. Starring Vincent Elbaz, Gregori Derangere, Melanie Bernier and Aymen Saidi. (In French with subtitles)
ATM (R for violence and terror) Psychological thriller about three co-workers (Brian Geraghty, Alice Eve and Josh Peck) who end up in a desperate fight for their lives after being barricaded in a bank vestibule by a creep with an unknown agenda.
Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope (Unrated) Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock uncharacteristically stayed behind the camera to take an intimate peek at the quirky comic book fans who attend the industry’s annual convention in San Diego. With appearances by director Kevin Smith, actor Seth Rogen and Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee.
Damsels in Distress (PG-13 for sexuality and mature themes) Female empowerment comedy about three college coeds (Greta Gerwig, Carrie MacLemore and Megalyn Echikunwoke) who decide to do something about the chauvinistic environment on campus. With Analeigh Tipton, Ryan Metcalf and Jermaine Crawford.
The Hunter (R for profanity and brief violence) Willem Dafoe stars in the title role of this action adventure about a mercenary hired by a biotech company to track down the last Tasmanian tiger living in the Australian wilderness. With Sam Neill, Frances O’Connor and Sullivan Stapleton.
Keyhole (R for sexuality, violence, profanity and graphic nudity) Surrealistic crime saga about a Prodigal mob boss’ (Jason Patric) nostalgic return home where he proceeds to reminisce while slowly searching the premises for his wife (Isabella Rossellini), much to the chagrin of his impatient henchmen waiting downstairs with a drowning victim (Brooke Palsson) and a bound-and-gagged hostage (David Wontner). Cast includes Udo Kier, Kevin McDonald and Daniel Enright. (In English and French with subtitles)
MIS – Human Secret Weapon (Unrated) World War II documentary belatedly crediting the contributions made by patriotic Japanese-Americans translating intercepted messages and cracking enemy codes, despite the fact that their families were caged like animals in desert internment camps. Narrated by Lane Nishikawa, and including interviews with Norm Mineta, Tamlyn Tomita and Senator Daniel Inouye.
Player Hating: A Love Story (Unrated) Brooklyn-based documentary about hip-hop artist Half-a-Mill’s attempt to rap his way out of the ‘hood to superstardom with help of his talented crew.
Surviving Progress (Unrated) De-evolution documentary suggesting that supposed technological advances such as materialism and mass consumption might merely be an unsustainable trap sealing the fate of the polluted planet and clueless humanity. Featuring physicist Stephen Hawking, conservationist Jane Goodall and environmental activist Margaret Atwood.
We Have a Pope (Unrated) Psychological drama about a newly-appointed pope (Michel Piccoli) who consults a shrink (Nanni Moretti) after experiencing panic attacks at the start of his tenure as pontiff. With Jerzy Stuhr, Renato Scarpa and Camillo Milli. (In Italian, German, Latin, English, Spanish, Polish and French with subtitles)
Big Budget Films
American Reunion (R for nudity, profanity, drug use, teen drinking, pervasive crude humor and graphic sexuality) 4th installment in the American Pie franchise finds the four former classmates (Jason Biggs, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Chris Klein and Thomas Ian Nicholas) again up to their old tricks over the course of their high school reunion weekend. Ensemble cast includes Eugene Levy, Seann William Scott, Jennifer Coolidge, Alyson Hannigan, Mena Suvari, John Cho and Natasha Lyonne.
Titanic (PG-13 for nudity, sensuality, violence, peril and brief profanity) 3D rerelease of Oscar-sweeping disaster epic about the whirlwind romance of two star-crossed lovers (Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio) who meet aboard the RMS Titanic during the ill-fated ocean liner’s maiden voyage. With Kathy Bates, Billy Zane, Frances Fisher and Gloria Stuart.
We the Party (R for profanity, sexuality and teen drug use) Coming-of-age, hip-hop driven dramedy, written and directed by Mario Van Peebles, revolving around the angst of five high school students confronting their feelings about sex, bullying, romance and materialism. With Mandela Van Peebles, Simone Battle, Moises Arias and Patrick Cage II.
