Movies

You learn something new everyday. On Jan 8th while watching the presentation “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” at The Wharton Center, I learned theater could be simultaneously entertaining and educational.

Studio:  Screen Gems
Plot: Two petty criminals hatch a scheme to rob their neighborhood church.
Cast: Ice Cube, Tracy Morgan, Katt Williams, Loretta Devine, Malinda Williams, Michael Beach, Chi McBride, Regina Hall
Rating:   PG-13
Bottom Line:  **

Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Plot:    A lone scientist struggles to survive after a deadly virus wrecks havoc in New York City.
Cast:     Will Smith, Salli Richardson, Willow Smith, Charlie Tahan, Alice Braga, Dash Mihok
Rating:     PG-13
Bottom Line:     ***

PageSix.com is reporting that Oprah Winfrey has taken control of the long-gestating Lena Horne biopic and has cast Alicia Keys in the title role.

Studio:  Yari Film Group
Plot:    A loving divorced mother of three falls for a talented but struggling songwriter.
Cast:   Gabrielle Union, Morris Chestnut, Charlie Murphy, Katt Williams, Faizon Love, Queen Latifah, Terrence Howard, Rachel True and Jill Marie Jones
Rating:     PG
Bottom Line:     **1/2

With every thing from pirates to flying dogs, here is whats coming out on DVD

Studio: Screen Gems
Plot:  Gathering to celebrate Christmas together for the first time in four years, the Whitfield clan uses the opportunity to finally share their true feelings about one another.
Cast:  Loretta Devine, Delroy Lindo, Mekhi Phifer,  Regina King, Sharon Leal, Idris Elba, Chris Brown, Lauren London, Columbus Short and Laz Alonso
Rating:  PG-13
Bottom Line:    **1/2

Studio:   Universal Pictures
Plot:   A detective tries to bring down the drug empire of a heroin kingpin smuggling drugs into the country in the coffins of soldiers returning from the Vietnam War.
Cast:  Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Josh Brolin, Cuba Gooding Jr., Chiwetel Ejiofor, Idris Elba, Ruby Dee, Clarence Williams III.
Rating:   R
Bottom Line:     ***

Studio:     Lionsgate
Plot:     Four couples on vacation struggle with issues of commitment, betrayal and redemption.
Cast:  Tyler Perry, Janet Jackson, Tasha Smith, Jill Scott, Malik Yoba, Michael J. White and Sharon Leal
Rating:     PG-13
Bottom Line:    ****

Studio: Universal Pictures
Plot:     A group of FBI agents visit Saudi Arabia to investigate a deadly explosion which kills several American civilians and agents.
Cast:     Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Chris Cooper, Ashraf Barhom
Rating:     R
Bottom Line:     *****