Promised Land

Once again, Oscar-winning powerhouse actor Matt Damon takes the silver screen by storm in "Promised Land" a gripping, heartwarming, tear-jerking, but nevertheless uplifting film from Gus Van Saint, the genius behind the film considered to be Damon's finest performance "Good Will Hunting"

Set in the present day in a farmtown community and based on a novel by Dave Eggers, Damon plays hot-shot ace corporate worker Steve Butler, who is disillusioned by the current financial problems interfering with his job. Heading to a valley country with his sarcastic but goodhearted co-worker (Frances McDormand, Fargo), Steve instantly acquaints several of the locals: an optimistic waitress (Rosemarie DeWitt), a sadistic schoolteacher (John Krasinski, the Office) who intensely despises Steve's protests to save the farmland and wishes to exterminate the crop plantation but Steve will do anything and literally EVERYTHING to prevent it...if it costs him his own career

Featuring a powerful screenplay constructed by Damon and Krasinski, and co-starring veteran actor Hal Holbrook (Lincoln, Water for Elephants), Titus Wellever (Milk). Promised Land opens theatres December 28th, conveniently around the 85th Academy Awards.  

The Hobbit

Before Frodo began the epic journey the world has long since remembered as the Lord of the Ring saga, there was...the Hobbit. JR Tolkien's first installment/prequel to this extraordinary epic makes its first big screen debut.

This epic adventure focuses on Frodo's kindly uncle Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), an adventure-seeking Hobbit who searches for something exciting, until he meets his ally Gandalf the wizard (Ian McKellen from the Lord of the Rings and X-Men trilogies) who invites him and a ragtag team of mischievous but brave Dwarves on a journey to Middle-Earth to rescue a treasure stolen by monstrous creatures.


As the storyline progresses, more familiar faces from the original films are seen like Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), Elrond (Hugo Weaving from the Matrix trilogy and Captain America), Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and, of course, Frodo himself (Elijah Wood)

And last but definitely not least, Bilbo later finds himself face to face with a terrifying imp Gollum (Andy Serkis) and most important of all...the Ring, which causes a major impact on Middle-Earth, an impact so great...there will be no going back. And thus, the Lord of the Rings cycle starts yet again

Featuring music composed by Howard Shore, special effects courtesy of ILM and directed by Peter Jackson, mastermind of the original trilogy. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is now in theatres.

Oz The Great and Powerful

Before there was the day Dorothy dropped in, before there was Wicked, before there was the adventure on the Yellow Brick Road... there was the Wizard...of Oz, of course. As people can imagine, the question on fans of the Oz story is: How did the Wizard become ruler of Oz? More to the point, how did he land in

Oz? Now, thanks to master storyteller Sam Raimi, the genius behind the notorious Evil Dead franchise and the popular Spider-Man trilogy unlocks the secrets of Oz's origins in a new epic fittingly titled Oz: The Great and Powerful

Set in Kansas (of course) in the 19th century, this epic tells the story of small-time con artist Oscar Diggs (played by James Franco from the Spider-Man trilogy) who has a career as a magician, but longs for more power and recognition. Then, one fateful day, Oscar finds himself stuck in a whirling twister, and in the blink of an eye, lands in the world of Oz where his arrival sets the stage for events far greater

As soon as he arrives there, he finds himself encountering mystical creatures from vicious flying monkeys to dwarves called Munchkins and importantly, three beautiful but mysterious enchantresses, Glinda (Michelle Williams from Shutter Island), Evandora (Rachel Weisz from the Mummy trilogy) and Theodoro (Mila Kunis from Family Guy) who audiences do know as the Witch of the West

Instantly swept up in a spin of events and destinies, Oscar manages to use his abilities to good use-more importantly, how to cast wizardry. In order to gain order over Oz, however, Oscar will have to challenge Evandora and Theodoro who long for tyrannical power over the land. In doing so, the Wizard of Oz is born, and so the story is told over again...from a new perspective

Featuring music by Danny Elfman and also starring who else but Bruce Campbell aka Ash from Evil Dead. Oz the Great and Powerful opens nationwide in theatres March 2013. 

The Lone Ranger

For as long as Western historians can remember, people have always tuned in to the adventures of legendary cowboy the Lone Ranger and his faithful partner Tonto. The radio serial has enchanted the world for centuries.

Now, next summer, the world's greatest Western hero makes his big comeback on the big screen, directed by Gore Verbinski, the mastermind of the smash-hit Pirates of the Caribbean saga, and of course, starring Johnny Depp respectively as Tonto himself, with the Ranger played by newcomer actor Armie Hammer from the Social Network and last year's successful drama J. Edgar

 

Set way back in the Old West, this tale tells the story of how greed and corruption spread like a plague through the Western lands, how Tonto first met the Ranger, and more importantly: how did he make a name for himself? Well, with Tonto narrating the story, it's no surprise what sort of surprise storyline twists or untold secrets will be revealed...

 

Featuring groundbreaking special effects courtesy of master visual effects company Industrial Light & Magic, and also starring Tom Wilkinson, Barry Pepper from last year's True Grit, William Fichtner from TV's gripping drama Prison Break, and of course, Helena Bonham Carter
The Lone Ranger rides into theatres nationwide this summer. It's guaranteed to be the most explosive event of 2013!

Les Miserables

Nearly centuries ago, famed French author Victor Hugo created a novel that would become one of the most treasured classics in history "Les Miserables." Centuries later, it moved to new heights, from a spectacular Broadway show, to a film adaptation.

Now, on Christmas Day, the musical moves to the big screen like you've never seen it before.

Featuring a star-studded cast, including Hugh Jackman from the
X-Men trilogy as Jean Valjean; a humble, heroic Frenchman who was wrongfully imprisoned over stealing a loaf of bread; who eventually escapes from prison and sets off on a journey of redemption.

Adding to the cast is Russell Crowe as the sadistic officer Javert, who relentlessly pursues Valjean and makes numerous attempts to arrest him, all without showing mercy whatsoever and having self-proclaimed himself as law and order; which; in literal terms,of course, he is not.

As the forlorn but hopeful Fantine, Anne Hathaway not only plays the part- but sings as well. I mean, to be fair, it IS a musical, of course. But, as a nice change, the film based on musical of same name has more speaking parts apart from its opera counterpart.

And, as a rather bizarre terms of comic relief, the devious Thernadier couple are respectfully-and fittingly played by Sacha Baron Cohen aka Borat, and of course...Helena Bonham Carter aka Bellatrix

Featuring sweeping orchestral music from the musical, dazzling setting and sights, and powerful, heart-rending songs from the musical, all under the direction of Tom Hooper, mastermind of the Academy-Award winning drama The King's Speech. The curtains for Les Miserables opens at theaters nationwide Christmas Day. With such a dazzling cast, music, drama and a phenomenal story, Les Miserables guarantees to be a film event you'll NEVER forget.

Django Unchained

In the honored tradition of spaghetti Western classics like "Unforgiven", "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" and "Tombstone" comes master director Quentin Tarantino's newest addition to the Western tradition, aptly named "Django Unchained"

Set in the Deep South, way before the Civil War, this explosive, monumental epic tells the story of Django (Jamie Foxx);

a humble slave who unfortunately lost his beloved wife Brunhilde (Kerry Washington);

to the slavery of a despicable plantation owner (Leonardo DiCaprio);

and his merciless henchman (Samuel L. Jackson).

But then, one fateful winter's night, freedom comes in the form of a heroic bounty hunter using the persona of a dentist (Christoph Waltz);

who inadvertently sets Django free and offers him with a thrilling-but dangerous offer: to find, hunt down and eliminate a gang called the Brittle Brothers. And it is most ironic, that those three were in fact, the ones who sold Django's beloved wife.

And so, with a chance to earn complete and total freedom, and most importantly rescue his wife, Django agrees to help his new benefactor as they begin an epic journey throughout the Deep South, shooting down cutthroat outlaws nonstop, all until the real challenge comes with freeing Django's wife, which, as if as predicted, will indeed result in unpredictable chaos, where it becomes precisely clear what the true meaning of the word "freedom" REALLY means...if this is directed by Quentin Tarantino, naturally, then well, to be honest, this is by no means NOT a film you want your kids to see...on CHRISTMAS DAY, of all events!

Featuring rousing Western music, cutting-edge filming, some randomly realistic portrayed Southern accents (Hence the film's exact location) and co-starring Robert Carradine of the famed Carradine film dynasty, Don Johnson, Jonah Hill even, and as a homage, the original Django, Franco Nero from the 1960s film version of the name.

Django Unchained rides into theaters Christmas Day. Oh and according to Mr. DiCaprio's line in the movie "Adult supervision IS required" then I think this film shows a perfectly good reason WHY the film is rated R.

Lincoln

For what seems like centuries, master filmmaker Steven Spielberg;
has entertained us with masterpieces that have thrilled and amazed millions, from science fiction films like "War of the Worlds", "ET" and "Minority Report", dramas like "Munich", "War Horse", "Saving Private Ryan", and "Amistad" and action films like "Jurassic Park" and, of course "Indiana Jones"

Now Spielberg is back on the screen again for what some consider to be his biggest project yet: Lincoln; the film telling the amazing story of the man who changed the view of American freedom forever.

Rounding out the powerhouse all-star cast is veteran actor superstar Tommy Lee Jones (Men in Black Trilogy, JFK);

popular actress Sally Field (The Amazing Spider-Man, Forrest Gump);

Joseph Gordon-Levitt (The Dark Knight Rises, Looper);

Emmy award nominee Jared Harris (Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, TV's Mad Men);

and of course, Daniel Day-Lewis as Abe himself

Featuring rousing music composed by legendary composer John Williams (the Star Wars Indiana Jones trilogy), and also starring veteran actor Hal Holbrook, Jackie Earle Haley (Dark Shadows, Watchmen), David Straitharn (HBO's Temple Grandin, the Bourne trilogy), and Tim Blake Nelson (O Brother, Where Art Thou, Holes)

Lincoln opens nationwide next Friday at theaters everywhere

Flight

In 1985, director Robert Zemeckis made a name for himself in Hollywood history when directing the cinema icon "Back to the Future" and gained more fame in 1988 when releasing what some consider to be the best film ever created "Who Framed Roger Rabbit." In the 1990s, his career became legendary, his films continued to grow from "Death Becomes Her" in 1992, "Cast Away" in 2000, and of course, "Forrest Gump" in 1994

Now, Zemeckis is once again in the director's chair, teaming with powerhouse award-winning actor Denzel Washington (American Gangster, Remember the Titans), Don Cheadle (The Oceans trilogy, Iron Man, Hotel Rwanda) and John Goodman (Argo, The Big Lebowski and O Brother, Where art Thou) in a soaring new drama about pilot Whip Whitaker (Washington) who managed to land a plane during an emergency landing and instantly gained fame.

However...there was a slight snag: Whitaker appeared to have alcohol in his bloodstream during the flight, thus creating a series of dramatic, hectic events as Whip tries to turn from his alcoholic habits, which may not be easy due to the appearance of a laidback drifter (Goodman) whose role in the film is to give Whip a more positive outlook of the situation, for worse or for better.

And to add more fuel to the fire, Whip is pursued by an ambitious lawyer (Cheadle) who reasons with Whip to turn himself in and tell what really happened before the plane crash. However, despite the two men's differences, some mutual bonding may be possible in the film. Maybe.

As the film progresses, the media grows restless as Whip constantly ignores their pleas and the situation grows larger when the police threaten to arrest Whip if he continues to refuse. This film, according to critics, claims this is, by far, Denzel's finest performance yet.

Featuring music composed by Zemeckis' composer Alan Silvestri (Marvel's The Avengers, Back to the Future) and featuring British actress Kelly Reilly (Sherlock Holmes), Bruce Greenwood (Star Trek, I, Robot) and Oscar-winning actress Melissa Leo (The Fighter) and filled with heartwarming, touching and feeling moments, Flight is guaranteed to make audiences soar.

Flight lands into theaters tomorrow at theaters everywhere.

Skyfall

For nearly 50 years, the world has recognized and adored the one number in action films: 007. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the ongoing Bond legacy releases its 23rd film starring Daniel Craig as the superspy himself.

But this time, Bond faces his most dangerous challenge in the form of terrorist Raoul Silva, played respectively by Javier Bardem from No Country for Old Men.

But how does Raoul know so much about Mr. Bond? And what does this mean for London, MI6 and the world itself? And what are the motives of MI6's so-called "quartermaster" played by who else but Ralph Fiennes aka Amon Goeth from Schindler's List and Voldemort from Harry Potter.

Fortunately, the inventions wizard Q is on hand, played by Ben Whinshaw from this year's Cloud Atlas. If possible, Q may utter those three words from the original films: "Payattention,007."

And of course, the distinguished Judi Dench is on the set as MI6's no-nonsense boss M. Again, she plays a central role, much like the Pierce Brosnan Bond flick The World is Not Enough: meaning M is targeted. Hmmmm, there may be a connection between M and Raoul?

And,as a psychologist, who better to play the role than veteran British actor Albert Finney; recognized from the Bourne trilogy and as Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot in 1974's Murder on the Orient Express.

Featuring cutting-edge visual effects and loads of cool cars and gadgets, and-- the title song is sung by who else but Adele!

Skyfall opens next Friday at theaters nationwide.

Alex Cross

For years, author James Patterson has entertained book fans around the globe with novels that capture our imagination and gets us on the edge of our seat. Now one of his best book series is now a major motion picture,Alex Cross starring popular actor Tyler Perry, known by all film audiences as the cantankerous, take-charge Madea, French veteran actor Jean Reno from The Da Vinci Code and the Pink Panther films with Steve Martin, and Matthew Fox from TV's acclaimed drama Lost.

Set in New York in the present day, this captivating mystery thriller tells the story of criminal psychologist Alex Cross (Perry), a mild-mannered man with a loving wife and a peaceful life, all that are threatened by a psychopathic killer (Fox) who shows no mercy in killing and does it for pleasure. Cross is at first skeptical of this madman, but when the criminal targets Cross' wife...all hell breaks loose.

Determined to catch the maniac before anymore people are hurt, Cross uses all his psychological expertise and crime-solving techniques to find clues to the killer's targets. But with stakes getting higher and danger lurking over the city, Cross will have to face the madman in an explosive confrontation where it becomes clear that only ONE will walk out.

Featuring dynamic filming and special effects, thanks to the director of the film Rob Cohen, whose previous projects were the 1996 epic DragonHeart and of course, the Fast and the Furious trilogy. Also starring in the film is Rachel Nichols from GI Joe: Rise of Cobra, veteran actress Cicely Tyson, John C. McGinley from TV's Scrubs and the original Wall Street film from 1987 and Giancarlo Esposito from TV's hottest drama Revolution. Alex Cross is now open in local theaters.

Also in filming is Patterson's Maximum Ride series. Word of casting and production is unknown or to be announced. 

The First British Superman!

For as long as moviegoers can remember, Superman, the most legendary superhero has wowed and thrilled comic book, TV and film audiences for years. The suit has been worn by many talented actors: George Reeves to the iconic original Christopher Reeve, to Tom Welling in TV's critically-acclaimed series Smallville, and to Brandon Routh (Superman Returns)

Now, for the FIRST time in the Man of Steel's legacy, British actor Henry Cavill, star of last year's blockbuster fantasy epic Immortals...is next in line for the role as Metropolis' greatest champion. The film has been fittingly titled "MAN OF STEEL". And with music composed by legendary composer Hans Zimmer (composer for Pirates of the Caribbean and the Lion King) and a major ensemble cast that includes Laurence "Morpheus" Fishburne from the Matrix as the first African-American version of Daily Planet editor Perry White, screen legends Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Superman's loving adoptive parents Jonathan and Martha Kent, Michael Shannon, having worked with DC in "Jonah Hex" stars as the merciless General Zod, Amy Adams as the new Lois Lane, Superman's true love, and as Superman's father Jor-El, who else but Russell Crowe (Gladiator, Robin Hood). It does indeed look like an epic film

However, there is one major shock: the director helming the film is Zack Snyder, who made a name for himself for directing the notorious film adaptation of Watchmen, Sucker Punch, and gained fame for directing 300. After witnessing Snyder's style demonstrated in Watchmen, audiences have one question: Is this film going to be the same as Christopher Reeve...or in the dark, garish, neo-noir type like Watchmen? Fortunately, Christopher Nolan, mastermind of blockbuster films like Inception and of course the Dark Knight Trilogy. Nolan, of course, serves as producer of the film, probably an excellent position so he can keep an eye on Snyder so to limit the gruesome fighting scenes to a more age-appropriate audience.

Man of Steel flies back onto the big screen summer 2013. And if you look up in the sky, maybe, JUST MAYBE, you could see a man fly.