May 2004 Movies




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New York Minute PG

Today is the biggest day in the super-organized life of uptight overachiever Jane Ryan (Ashley Olsen). She's due to give a major speech at Columbia University for a competition to win a prestigious scholarship to Oxford University. Meanwhile, her rebellious sister Roxy (Mary-Kate Olsen) is planning to ditch school and go backstage at a Simple Plan music video shoot in Manhattan, where she'll slip her demo tape to the band's A & R team. Despite having so little in common and so much emotional distance between them, the adversarial sisters reluctantly journey together to the Big Apple, but their plans go wildly awry when a mix-up involving Jane's all-important dayplanner lands them in the middle of a shady black market music piracy scheme. Sidetracked, sideswiped and hotly pursued from Chinatown to Harlem by whacked-out truancy officer (Eugene Levy) and a wannabe gangster (Andy Richter), Jane and Roxy reluctantly join forces and find unexpected romance with a charming Senator's son (Jared Padalecki) and a handsome bike messenger (Riley Smith). If Jane doesn't recover her dayplanner – and the crucial speech inside it – she can kiss her college scholarship goodbye. If Lomax finally catches up with Roxy, she'll be drummed out of high school for good. Roxy and Jane seem to have everything going against them…but anything can change in a "New York Minute"!
Alison Greenspan, Bill Collage, Robert Thorne, Emily Fox, Adam Cooper, Andy Richter, Darrell Hammond, Jared Padalecki
Action Adventure Comedy Family Kids

Godzilla: The Japanese Original

A 400-foot monster reptile with radioactive breath is revived, thanks to nuclear testing. It goes on a mad rampage, destroying Tokyo - how will they kill it?
Ishirô Honda, Fuyuki Murakami, Miki Hayashi, Takeo Oikawa, Takeo Murata, Akira Takarada, Akihiko Hirata, Takashi Shimura
Drama Action Adventure Fantasy Horror Sci-Fi

Off the Lip

Kat, a brand new journalism grad, has landed her first big job. It's in Hawaii and she couldn't be more excited. All it requires is an upbeat personality, good instincts and a lot of perseverance. But Kat is finding the work harder than she ever imagined. For one thing, her prey - an elusive big wave surfer named "The Monk" – doesn't intend to be found, and the friendly locals are being somewhat less than helpful. Her uninvited boyfriend is driving her crazy, her ex-surfer guide has been on the losing end of too many waves, the geek she's reporting to is falling in love with her, and she's wanted by the FBI. What's a girl to do? Kat realizes too late that finding "The Monk" will cost her more than she could ever afford. But can she foresee that she'll wind up finding herself?
Mackenzie Astin, Dave Allen, Peter Mackenzie, Adam Scott, Robert Mickelson, Shem Bitterman, Marguerite Moreau, Mark Fite
Comedy

Super Size Me

Why are Americans so fat? Find out in "Super Size Me", a tongue in-cheek—and burger in hand—look at the legal, financial and physical costs of America's hunger for fast food. Ominously, 37% of American children and adolescents are carrying too much fat and 2 out of every three adults are overweight or obese. Is it our fault for lacking self-control, or are the fast-food corporations to blame? Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock hit the road and interviewed experts in 20 U.S. cities, including Houston, the "Fattest City" in America. From Surgeon Generals to gym teachers, cooks to kids, lawmakers to legislators, these authorities shared their research, opinions and "gut feelings" on our ever-expanding girth. During the journey, Spurlock also put his own body on the line, living on nothing but McDonald's for an entire month with three simple rules: 1) No options: he could only eat what was available over the counter (water included!); 2) No supersizing unless offered; 3) No excuses: he had to eat every item on the menu at least once. It all adds up to a fat food bill, harrowing visits to the doctor, and compelling viewing for anyone who's ever wondered if man could live on fast food alone. The film explores the horror of school lunch programs, declining health and physical education classes, food addictions and the extreme measures people take to lose weight and regain their health. "Super Size Me" is a satirical jab in the stomach, overstuffed with fat and facts about the billion-dollar industry besieged by doctors, lawyers and nutritionists alike. "Would you like fries with that?" will never sound the same!
Morgan Spurlock
Documentary

Valentin PG-13

"Valentin" is a coming of age story told through the eyes of a precocious 10-year old boy who lives with his grandmother in turbulent 1969 Argentina. Estranged from his eccentric parents, young Valentin yearns for a real family and dreams about being an astronaut. He befriends a recluse neighbor, forms an unlikely friendship with one of his father's many ex-girlfriends and sets out to discover the harsh realities about his parents, all the while bringing joy and wisdom into the lives of the adults around him.
Julieta Cardinali, Jean Pierre Noher, Mex Urtizberea, Rodrigo Noya, Juan Cruz Bordeu, Carlos Roffé, Carmen Maura
Drama

Van Helsing PG-13

Set in the late 19th century, monster hunter Dr. Gabriel Van Helsing (Jackman) is summoned to a mysterious land in East Europe to vanquish evil forces... like Count Dracula (Richard Roxburgh), the Wolf Man (Will Kemp), and Frankenstein's Monster (Shuler Hensley). Assisting him once he gets there is Anna (Kate Beckinsale), the heir of a long-running family committed to hunting down and destroying Dracula.
Kate Beckinsale, Hugh Jackman, Stephen Sommers, Bob Ducsay, Elena Anaya, Richard Roxburgh, David Wenham, Shuler Hensley
Action Adventure Fantasy Historical Horror Sci-Fi
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Troy R

Throughout time, men have waged war. Some for power, some for glory, some for honor — and some for love. In ancient Greece, the passion of two of history's most legendary lovers, Paris, Prince of Troy (Orlando Bloom) and Helen (Diane Kruger), Queen of Sparta, ignites a war that will devastate a civilization. When Paris steals Helen away from her husband, King Menelaus (Brendan Gleeson), it is an insult that cannot be suffered. Familial pride dictates that an affront to Menelaus is an affront to his brother Agamemnon (Brian Cox), powerful King of the Myceneans, who soon unites all the massive tribes of Greece to steal Helen back from Troy in defense of his brother's honor. In truth, Agamemnon's pursuit of honor is corrupted by his overwhelming greed — he needs control of Troy to ensure the supremacy of his already vast empire. The walled city, under the leadership of King Prium (Peter O'Toole) and defended by mighty Prince Hector (Eric Bana), is a citadel that no army has been able to breach. One man alone stands as the key to victory or defeat over Troy — Achilles (Brad Pitt), believed to be the greatest warrior alive. Arrogant, rebellious and seemingly invincible, Achilles has no allegiance to anyone or anything, save his own glory. It is his insatiable hunger for eternal renown that leads him to attack the gates of Troy under Agamemnon's banner — but it will be love that ultimately decides his fate. Two worlds will go to war for honor and power. Thousands will fall in pursuit of glory. And for love, a nation will burn to the ground.
Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Brian Cox, Eric Bana, Rose Byrne, Sean Bean, Brendan Gleeson, Wolfgang Petersen
Drama Action Adventure War Historical Romance

Coffee and Cigarettes

Jim Jarmusch's ensemble comedy is a series of vignettes, all revolving around discussions held over coffee and cigarettes. Starring a diverse cast, including Bill Murray, Steve Buscemi, Tom Waits, Cate Blanchett, and others, the film has been in production since the 1980s and is in black and white. Topics of conversation include Nicola Tesla, alternative medicine, Paris, the movie industry, and more.
Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, Steve Buscemi, Tom Waits, Jim Jarmusch, Iggy Pop, Alfred Molina, Roberto Benigni
Drama Comedy

Breakin' All the Rules PG-13

Jamie Foxx stars in "Breakin' All the Rules", a romantic comedy about a man who, after being unceremoniously dumped by his fiancée, pens a "how to" book on breaking up and becomes a best-selling author on the subject. Not wanting his male friends to suffer the same fate, he gives them advice on dumping their mates. What ensues is a hilarious comedy of errors.
Gabrielle Union, Jamie Foxx, Daniel Taplitz, Jennifer Esposito, Morris Chesnut
Comedy Romance

A Slipping-Down Life

Based on the novel by Anne Tyler, "A Slipping Down Life" is the story of the peculiar courtship of an awkward young woman and a charismatic singer/songwriter, and the profound effect that their unlikely relationship has on eachother's lives and futures. Evie Decker (Lili Taylor) is a painfully timid young woman whose monotonous life consists of living with her reclusive widower father (Tom Bower) and working a dead-end job dressed in a rabbit costume at a rundown amusement park. Evie's quiet existence is shattered when she hears a late-night radio interview with struggling musician Drumstrings Casey (Guy Pearce). Evie is fascinated with his seductive voice and sultry lyrics and convinces her best friend Violet (Sara Rue) to go with her to the local roadhouse to see him perform. Seeing him in person, Evie becomes even more mesmerized by the handsome and brooding musicians. During one of Drum's shows, Evie's growing infatuation blends with obsession when she becomes so entranced by his singing that she actually cuts his name into her forehead with a piece of glass. Instead of regretting her action, she considers this her first step towards taking more control of her life. The stunt brings her to Drum's attention and he and his manager David Elliot (John Hawkes) decide to use her as a marketing gimmick at future shows. Evie's total faith in Drum's talent inspires and intrigues him while her role as his "muse" imparts Evie with uncharacteristic self-assurance. The physical attraction between Evie and Drum increases as their emotional need for one another becomes more and more apparent. The inspiration they find together to break out from the confines of low expectations and the ordinariness of small town life begins to conflict with the pursuit of their individual dreams. Together or apart they must decide which path will lead to the fulfillment of their newfound strength.
Shawnee Smith, Toni Kalem, Richard Raddon, Guy Pearce, John Hawkes, Sara Rue, Jamie Dickerson, Veronica Cartwright
Drama

Carandiru R

We come to know the rapist Gilson, tried and sentenced by the Law Behind Bars; Zico and Deusdete, inseparable half brothers who, in jail, become each other's assassins; Highness and his shrewd balancing act between women and heists; Old Chico, a Zen master in the ways of the dungeon, at last on the brink of his long-awaited freedom; Warden Pires, who oversees the prison with the perspicacity of a tightrope walker; Ebony, the true leader of the inmate community and the arbiter of all its contentions; the religious conversion of the assasin, Dagger, the rise and fall of the surfer Ezequiel; Antonio Carlos, Claudiomiro and, coming between them like a knife, and depraved Dina; the existentialist philosopher No Way and his love affair with the divine lady Di. The narrative of the film is crafted like a puzzle with one story giving way to another for of surrealist, uniquely Brazilian collage of tragedy.
Rodrigo Santoro, Hector Babenco, Lazaro Ramos, Victor Navas, Caio Blat, Gero Camilo, Nelson Machado, Maria Luisa Mendonca
Drama Crime Foreign

Shrek 2 (re-release) PG

The natural order of fairy tales is interrupted in the sequel to the Academy Award-winning blockbuster "Shrek". "Shrek 2" sends Shrek, Donkey and Princess Fiona on a whirlwind of new adventures with more fairy-tale favorites to lampoon along the way. After battling a fire-breathing dragon and the evil Lord Farquaad to win the hand of Princess Fiona, Shrek now faces his greatest challenge: the in-laws. Shrek and Princess Fiona return from their honeymoon to find an invitation to visit Fiona's parents, the King and Queen of the Kingdom of Far, Far Away. With Donkey along for the ride, the newlyweds set off. All of the citizens of Far, Far Away turn out to greet their returning Princess, and her parents happily anticipate the homecoming of their daughter and her new Prince. But no one could have prepared them for the sight of their new son-in-law, not to mention how much their little girl had...well...changed. Little did Shrek and Fiona know that their marriage had foiled all of her father's plans for her future...and his own. Now the King must enlist the help of a powerful Fairy Godmother, the handsome Prince Charming and that famed ogre killer Puss In Boots to put right his version of "happily ever after."
Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Mike Myers, Andrew Adamson, John H. Williams, David N. Weiss, John Cleese, Julie Andrews
Comedy Sequel Family Kids Animation Re-Release

Love Me If You Dare R

As adults, best friends Julien and Sophie continue the odd game they started as children -- a fearless competition to outdo one another with daring and outrageous stunts. While they often act out to relieve one another's pain, their game might be a way to avoid the fact that they are truly meant for one another.
Guillaume Canet, Marion Cotillard, Jacky Cukier, Thibault Verhaeghe, Joséphine Lebas-Joly, Gérard Watkins, Emmanuelle Grönvold, Laëtizia Venezia Tarnowska
Drama Romance

Stateside R

A rebellious rich boy reluctantly lands in the Marine Corps and falls for a beautiful but crazy young musician while on leave. Against the wishes of family and friends and under strict regulations of military life, the two find romance and solace within each other - facing obstacles that may force them apart.
Jonathan Tucker, Val Kilmer, Penny Marshall, Carrie Fisher, Brian Geraghty, Selina Jayne, Eberhard Kayser, Bonnie Wells-Hlinomaz
Drama

Strayed

A widowed schoolteacher flees Nazi-occupied Paris with her children, and encounters a teenage boy who steers them into the forest -- their best shot at survival.
Gaspard Ulliel, Emmanuelle Béart, Jean-Pierre Ramsay-Levi, André Téchiné, Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet, Clémence Meyer, Jean Fornerod, Samuel Labarthe
Drama Romance
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Raising Helen PG-13

In this heartwarming comedy from director Garry Marshall ("Runaway Bride", "The Princess Diaries"), Helen Harris (Kate Hudson) is living the life she always dreamed of. Her career at a top Manhattan modeling agency is on the rise; she spends her days at fashion shows and her nights at the city's hottest clubs. But her carefree lifestyle comes to a screeching halt when one phone call changes everything. Helen soon finds herself responsible for her sister's children -- 15-year-old Audrey (Hayden Panettiere), 10-year-old Henry (Spencer Breslin), and 5-year-old Sarah (Abigail Breslin). No one doubts that Helen is the coolest aunt in New York, but what does this glamour girl know about raising kids? The fun begins as Helen goes through the transformation from super hip to super mom, but she quickly finds that dancing at 3 a.m. doesn't mix with getting kids to school on time, advice that Helen's older sister, Jenny (Joan Cusack), is only too quick to dish out. Along the way, Helen finds support in the most unusual place with Dan Parker (John Corbett), the handsome young pastor and principal of the kids' new school, and realizes the choice she has to make is between the life she's always loved and the new loves of her life.
Hayden Panettiere, Abigail Breslin, Kate Hudson, Helen Mirren, Michael Begler, Paris Hilton, Garry Marshall, Patrick Clifton
Comedy Romance
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The Day After Tomorrow

A high-concept big-budget movie from director Roland Emmerich ("Independence Day"), it's about a climatological disaster that ravages the world beyond recognition. As millions of terrified survivors flee south, Professor Adrian Hall (Dennis Quaid), a brilliant paleoclimatologist, heads to New York City — now a frozen wasteland — in search of his son Sam (Jake Gyllenhaal), who may still be alive.
Emmy Rossum, Dennis Quaid, Nestor Serrano, Mark Gordon, Jeffrey Nachmanoff, Jake Gyllenhaal, Sela Ward, Jared Harris
Action Adventure Fantasy Thriller Sci-Fi

Soul Plane

Why just fly when you can soar with soul! After a humiliating experience on an airplane, Nashawn Wade sues the airline and is awarded a huge settlement. Determined to make good with the money, he creates the full-service airline of his dreams, complete with sexy stewardesses, funky music, a hot onboard dance club, and a bathroom attendant. Departing from all-new Terminal X in Los Angeles, "Soul Plane" gives "fly" a whole new meaning, taking its passengers on a maiden voyage full of comedy.
Sofia Vergara, Snoop Dogg, Arielle Kebbel, Missi Pyle, Tom Arnold, Method Man, Jessy Terrero, Kevin Hart
Comedy Remake

Gettin' The Man's Foot Outta Your Asssss! R

"Gettin' The Man's Foot Outta Your Asssss" is Mario Van Peebles' ode to his father Melvin, whose pioneering work in 1971's Sweet Sweetback's Baad Asssss Song ushered in the blaxploitation genre of film. Mario Van Peebles plays his father in the drama.
Rainn Wilson, Nia Long, Terry Crews, Joy Bryant, Paul Rodriguez, Khleo Thomas, Joan M. Blair, Penny Bae Bridges
Drama

The Mother R

Anne Reid stars as May, an ordinary grandmother from the North of England. When her husband dies on a family visit to London, she recedes into the background of her busy, metropolitan children's lives. Stuck in an unfamiliar city, far from home, May fears that she has become another invisible old lady whose life is more or less over. Until, that is, she embarks on a passionate affair with Darren (Daniel Craig), a man half her age who is renovating her son's house and sleeping with her daughter.
Anne Reid, Daniel Craig, Cathryn Bradshaw, Zelda Tinska, Peter Vaughan, Steven Mackintosh
Drama Provocative Foreign