Films coming up

March releases

February releases

January releases

Nov/ Dec releases


Top 20 films of 2009

NINE ***** From March 12
In stark contrast to the traditional conventions of the musical genre, Rob Marshall refines his winning formula of Chicago; his innovative and daring fusion of an introspective journey where characters express themselves through music and movement, and an external journey that portrays a conflicted and mundane physical journey, offer a vibrant and fast-paced spectacle.  Marshall knows how to fully adapt his crafty and stylished approach on stage to that of film, allowing the story and characters to explode. Through Marshall's apt visual sense, the award-winning Broadway musical sensation inspired by the movies comes full circle back to the screen stirringly re-invented as the richly cinematic story of an artist's epic mid-life crisis.  Besides the visual impact it is incredibly sexy, seducing the senses with a rich tapestry of titillating routines that can melt an iceberg. Passion, fantasy, lust, love, art, style, delusions, dreams - life has always been a circus for world-famous 1960s movie director Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) . . . only now he can't escape it in the vibrant and provocative dramatic musical. Renowned for his brilliant moviemaking and desired by many, Guido is about to kick off production on his highly anticipated ninth picture, ITALIA, when, suddenly, the bottom drops out of both his ample creative powers and his fervid love life, as they simultaneously unravel out of control.  Surrounded by a panorama of astonishing women--his tempting mistress Carla (Penelope Cruz), his devoted wife Luisa (Marion Cotillard), his muse Claudia (Nicole Kidman), his costume designer and confidante Lilli (Judi Dench), a flirty journalist from Vogue (Kate Hudson), an instructive prostitute from his childhood (Stacy Ferguson) and his beloved Mamma (Sophia Loren) - Guido searches for inspiration and possible salvation amid the free fall.  Based on the Tony Award winning Broadway musical NINE, with book by Arthur L. Kopit, music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and adaptation from the Italian by Mario Fratti, the film is written by Michael Tolkin and Anthony Minghella.  Go behind the scenes of Nine       Win the original imported soundtrack

SHUTTER ISLAND ***** From March 12
A dark and haunting exploration of one man's search for the truth. From Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese, and based on the best-selling thriller by Dennis Lehane, comes Shutter Island, a tale of haunting mystery and psychological suspense that unfolds entirely on a fortress-like island housing a hospital for the criminally insane.  The year is 1954, at the height of the Cold War, when U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his new partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) are summoned to Shutter Island to investigate the implausible disappearance of a brilliant multiple murderess from a locked room within the impenetrable Ashecliffe Hospital.  Surrounded by probing psychiatrists and dangerously psychopathic patients on the remote, windswept isle, they arrive into an eerie, volatile atmosphere that suggests nothing is quite what it seems. 
With a hurricane bearing down on them, the investigation moves rapidly.  Yet, as the storm escalates, the suspicions and mysteries multiply each more thrilling and terrifying than the next.  There are hints and rumors of dark conspiracies, sordid medical experiments, repressive mind control, secret wards, perhaps even a hint of the supernatural, but elusive proof.  Moving in the shadows of a hospital haunted by the terrible deeds of its slippery inhabitants and the unknown agendas of its equally ingenious doctors, Teddy begins to sense that the deeper he pursues the investigation the more he will be forced to confront some of his most profound and devastating fears.  And he realizes that he may never leave the island alive.  Go behind the scenes of Shutter Island

EVERYBODY'S FINE ***** From March 12
This heartfelt dramatic comedy presents a family picture that is all too common in our modern world. Parents and siblings living hundreds of miles apart, too distracted with the stress of modern life to find time to call each other and too preoccupied with their own family and friends to find time to visit home. Frank Goode (Academy Award-winner Robert De Niro) has spent his adult life working in a local wire factory earning every dollar he can to support his family. Recently retired, he realizes that over the years he has spent too little time with his four children and that it's time to reconnect. Frank travels to see his son David 'the artist' in New York, his daughter who is 'high up in advertising' in Chicago, his son Robert 'the orchestral conductor' in Denver and finally Rosie his youngest who is a 'dancer in a Vegas show' but before long it becomes clear to Frank that his children are not quite as happy or successful as his wife had always reported. Returning home from a journey that ends with the revelation of a family tragedy, Frank has the insight and confidence to report to his wife that despite everything "everybody's fine." Based on 'Stanno Tutti Bene' originally written and directed in the Italian language by Academy Award  winner Giuseppe Tornatore in 1990, "the film was written and directed by Kirk Jones ("Waking Ned Devine," "Nanny McPhee") based on the original film and is produced by Gianni Nunnari, Ted Field, Vittorio Cecchi Gori and Glynis Murray.  Go behind the scenes of Everybody's Fine

REMEMBER ME From March 12
In the romantic drama "Remember Me," Robert Pattinson plays Tyler, a rebellious young man in New York City who has a strained relationship with his father (Pierce Brosnan) ever since tragedy separated their family. A moving love story about redemption, discovery and the value of life, REMEMBER ME is the tale of ordinary people learning to live again after suffering extraordinary loss. Years after college student TYLER ROTH's brother killed himself, Tyler still doesn't know where to put his pain. He's a good guy, but during a night out on the town, he confesses to a misdemeanour he didn't commit and gets in trouble with a heavy-handed cop. In a light-hearted game of payback, Tyler flirts with the cop's attractive daughter, ALLY, not realizing they share unexpected common ground. When Ally reveals that her mother was brutally murdered, Tyler sees how deeply he has buried his own private grief. He and Ally fall in love, enabling them to take the first tentative steps out of their anguish. Their biggest obstacle is the truth: Tyler knows he has to admit to Ally why he first asked her out--and risk losing her.Tyler discovers that grief doesn't have to poison everything. Loss can be overcome, together. Energized by the possibility of a life with Ally and eager to start fresh with his family, Tyler can feel all the rifts and scars beginning to heal. Life is good. He doesn't know--and neither does she--that one final test still lies before them. Infused with humor and romance, REMEMBER ME tells an unforgettable story about two wounded people brave enough to try again. Its emotionally stirring ending reminds us just how important it is to grab hold of what's important, to love passionately--and live loudly--every day of one's life.. Go behind the scenes of Remember Me

THE BOX **** From March 12
Norma and Arthur Lewis, a suburban couple with a young child, receive a simple wooden box as a gift, which bears fatal and irrevocable consequences. A mysterious stranger, delivers the message that the box promises to bestow upon its owner $1 million with the press of a button. But, pressing this button will simultaneously cause the death of another human being somewhere in the world; someone they don't know. With just 24 hours to have the box in their possession, Norma and Arthur find themselves in the cross-hairs of a startling moral dilemma and must face the true nature of their humanity. Directed by Richard Kelly, with Cameron Diaz, James Marsden, Frank Langella Go behind the scenes of The Box

A SINGLE MAN ***** Now showing
A mesmerising journey into the heart and soul of a man who has lost the love of his life and needs to come to terms with the loss that overpowers his existence. Colin Firth delivers an astounding and controlled performance as a man whose life and dreams are shattered. Julianne Moore is a revelation in her powerhouse performance as a friend who shares his loss. Equally captivating is Matthew Goode as the idealistic lover and Nicholas Hoult is sensational as the guardian angel. Tom Ford's articulate direction aptly captures the frenzied mindscape of a man who has been blinded by love and whose loss creates an awareness that allows him to see the world around him for the first time. The story focuses on a 52 year old British college professor who is struggling to find meaning to his life after the death of his long time partner. He dwells on the past and cannot see his future as we follow him through a single day, where a series of events and encounters, ultimately leads him to decide if there is a meaning to life after Jim.  Go behind the scenes

PRECIOUS: based on the novel Push by Sapphire ***** Now showing
This rare and dignified masterwork is undoubtedly one of the most important films of our time that opens a window to the soul of humanity and proudly holds up a beacon for outsiders who live in the shadow of society. You cannot deny the overwhelming impact and meaningful intent of this remarkable film. Directed with fervent passion by Lee Daniels, and based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire", it is a vibrant, honest and resoundingly hopeful film about the human capacity to grow and overcome.  Go behind the scenes of Precious

SIMON BOCCANEGRA From March 12 @ Cinema Nouveau
Four decades into a legendary Met career, Plácido Domingo makes history singing the baritone title role. With James Levine on the podium. Read more

Showing from March 19
THE HURT LOCKER If war is hell, why do so many men choose to fight?  In an age when armies consist not of draftees but of volunteers, and men willingly thrust themselves into military action, sometimes the rush of battle is a potent and alluring attraction, even an addiction.  This is an intense portrayal of elite soldiers who have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world: disarming bombs in the heat of combat.  When a new sergeant, James (Jeremy Renner), takes over a highly trained bomb disposal team amidst violent conflict, he surprises his two subordinates, Sanborn and Eldridge (Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty), by recklessly plunging them into a deadly game of urban combat.  James behaves as if he's indifferent to death.  As the men struggle to control their wild new leader, the city explodes into chaos, and James' true character reveals itself in a way that will change each man forever.     Go behind the scenes of The Hurt Locker  Read a question and answer with Kathryn Bigelow

THE BLIND SIDE The remarkable true story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home, taken in by a well-to-do white family who help him fulfil his potential.  At the same time, Oher's presence in the Touhys' lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own. Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome.  As a football player and student, Oher works hard and, with the help of his coaches and adopted family, becomes an All-American offensive left tackle.  He is projected to be one of the first players taken in this year's NFL draft
SPREAD A fresh, funny, and racy look at the trials and tribulations of sleeping your way to a life of privilege in Los Angeles. Comic and karmic, the film is an "immorality tale" about a gorgeous guy who gives women what they want in order to live exactly as he likes. In "Spread," Nikki (Ashton Kutcher) isn't a gigolo. He's a sexual grifter, a fun-loving, freeloading hipster who understands his greatest assets are his looks and sexual prowess, which he uses to charm his way into the hearts of the city's richest women and enjoy their lifestyle. Nikki's latest conquest is Samantha (Anne Heche), a stunning middle-aged lawyer who gives him more than he's ever had before. But then he meets a gorgeous waitress his own age named Heather (Margarita Levieva). who lives by playing the same game.  Sexually charged by a game of one-upsmanship, each shows the other their best grifts, and they unexpectedly begin falling in love - the one thing they can't do in the life they lead. Soon, the truth of their unfolding relationship forces a choice between love and money, and Nikki has to decide whether he can live on his own once and for all in the hopes of finding something real.
HOME