Release Date: February 17, 2012 Studio: 20th Century Fox Director: McG Screenwriter: Timothy Dowling, Simon Kinberg Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy, Chelsea Handler, Til Schweiger, Abigail Spencer Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for some sexual content including references, some violence and action, and for language)
Plot Summary: The world's deadliest CIA operatives are inseparable partners and best friends until they fall for the same woman. Having once helped bring down entire enemy nations, they are now employing their incomparable skills and an endless array of high-tech gadgetry against their greatest nemesis ever - each other.
Release Date: February 10, 2012 (3D/2D theaters and IMAX) Studio: New Line Cinema (Warner Bros. Pictures) Director: Brad Peyton Screenwriter: Brian Gunn, Mark Gunn Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Michael Caine, Josh Hutcherson, Vanessa Hudgens, Luis Guzman, Kristen Davis Genre: Adventure, Family MPAA Rating: PG (for some adventure action, and brief mild language)
Plot Summary: In this follow-up to the 2008 worldwide hit "Journey to the Center of the Earth," the new 3D family adventure "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" begins when 17-year-old Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson receives a coded distress signal from a mysterious island where no island should exist. It's a place of strange life forms, mountains of gold, deadly volcanoes, and more than one astonishing secret. Unable to stop him from going, Sean's new stepfather, Hank (Dwayne Johnson), joins the quest. Together with a helicopter pilot (Luis Guzman) and his beautiful, strong-willed daughter (Vanessa Hudgens), they set out to find the island, rescue its lone inhabitant and escape before seismic shockwaves force the island under the sea and bury its treasures forever.
Release Date: February 10, 2012 Studio: Universal Pictures Director: Daniel Espinosa Screenwriter: David Guggenheim Starring: Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Brendan Gleeson, Sam Shepard, Vera Farmiga, Fares Fares, Robert Patrick, Nora Arnezeder, Liam Cunningham, Joel Kinnaman, Ruben Blades Genre: Action, Thriller MPAA Rating: R (for strong violence throughout and some language)
Plot Summary: Oscar winner Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds star in the action-thriller "Safe House." Washington plays the most dangerous renegade from the CIA, who comes back onto the grid after a decade on the run. When the South African safe house he's remanded to is attacked by mercenaries, a rookie operative (Reynolds) escapes with him. Now, the unlikely allies must stay alive long enough to uncover who wants them dead.
For the past year, Matt Weston has been frustrated by his inactive, backwater post in Cape Town. A "housekeeper" who aspires to be a full-fledged agent, the loyal company man has been waiting for an opportunity to prove himself. When the first and only occupant he's had proves to be the most dangerous man he's ever met, Weston readies for duty.
Tobin Frost has eluded capture for almost a decade. One of the best ops men that the CIA's known, the ex-intelligence officer has given up assets and sold military intel to anyone with cash since he turned. From trading secrets to North Korea to aiding splinter cells, the damage he's done to the U.S. is immeasurable. And he's now back on the reservation with a secret.
As soon as Frost is brought in for debriefing, mercenaries come and tear apart Weston's safe house. Barely escaping, the unlikely partners must discover if their attackers have been sent by terrorists or someone on the inside who will kill anyone standing in the way. Now it's up to Weston to figure out who he can trust before they're both eliminated from the game.
Release Date: February 24, 2012 Studio: Relativity Media Director: Mike "Mouse" McCoy, Scott Waugh Screenwriter: Kurt Johnstad Starring: Active Duty U.S. Navy SEALs, Roselyn Sanchez, Alex Veadov, Jason Cottle, Nestor Serrano Genre: Action, Thriller MPAA Rating: R (for strong violence including some torture, and for language)
Plot Summary: An unprecedented blend of real-life heroism and original filmmaking, "Act of Valor" stars a group of active-duty U.S. Navy SEALs in a film like no other in Hollywood's history. A fictionalized account of real life Navy SEAL operations, "Act of Valor" features a gripping story that takes audiences on an adrenaline-fueled, edge-of-their-seat journey.
When a mission to recover a kidnapped CIA operative unexpectedly results in the discovery of an imminent, terrifying global threat, an elite team of highly trained Navy SEALs must immediately embark on a heart-stopping secret operation, the outcome of which will determine the fate of us all.
"Act of Valor" combines stunning combat sequences, up-to-the-minute battlefield technology, and heart-pumping emotion for the ultimate action adventure film–showcasing the skills, training and tenacity of the greatest action heroes of them all: real Navy SEALs.
Plot Summary: Pastor, Entrepreneur and Filmmaker, T.D. Jakes proudly presents the second installment in his thought-provoking "Woman Thou Art Loosed!" film franchise entitled, "Woman Thou Art Loosed!: On the 7th Day." "On the 7th Day" is a dramatic thriller starring Golden Globe Nominee Blair Underwood ("Madea's Family Reunion," "Set It Off") and Sharon Leal ("Why Did I Get Married Too?," "This Christmas").
"Woman Thou Art Loosed!: On The 7th Day" is a compelling story that unites love, suspense and faith into one heart-wrenching package.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Neema Barnette ("Civil Brand"), "Woman Thou Art Loosed!: On the 7th Day" underscores the impact of secrets, lies and deception on the lives of the featured characters.
David (Underwood) and Kari (Leal) Ames seem to have the perfect life until their young daughter is kidnapped, and over the course of seven days they begin to uncover secrets about their past that threaten to rip their marriage and lives apart.
Release Date: April 13, 2012 (limited) Studio: Anchor Bay Films Director: Don Handfield Screenwriter: Don Handfield Starring: Kurt Russell, Brian Presley, Melanie Lynskey, Marc Blucas, Christine Lahti, Drew Powell, Sarah Wright, Sianoa Smit-McPhee, Kevin Covais Genre: Drama, Sports MPAA Rating: Not Available
Plot Summary: Former high school football star turned farmer and family man, Scott Murphy (Brian Presley) finds himself with a unique opportunity to revisit his glory days during the Ohio State championship game where he permanently injured his knee in a game-winning play. Given a second shot at his destiny, Scott seeks counsel from Coach Hand (Kurt Russell), Scott's longtime mentor on and off the field, to help him decide whether to let his fate unfold, or follow a path that will change his future.
Release Date: April 13, 2012 (limited) Studio: Music Box Films Director: Philippe Falardeau Screenwriter: Philippe Falardeau Starring: Mohamed Fellag, Sophie Nélisse, Émilien Néron, Danielle Proulx, Brigitte Poupart Genre: Comedy, Drama MPAA Rating: Not Available
Plot Summary: Nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, "Monsieur Lazhar" tells the poignant story of a Montreal middle school class shaken by the death of their well-liked teacher and trying to heal. Bachir Lazhar (Fellag), a 55-year-old Algerian immigrant, offers the school his services as a substitute teacher and is quickly hired. As he helps the children heal, he also learns to accept his own painful past. This moving film features exquisite performances by Fellag and a stunning ensemble of child actors.
Release Date: April 13, 2012 (limited) Studio: Roadside Attractions Director: Steve Taylor Screenwriter: Donald Miller, Steve Taylor, Ben Pearson Starring: Marshall Allman, Claire Holt, Tania Raymonde Genre: Drama MPAA Rating: Not Available
Plot Summary: "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller spent 43 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list and has sold over 1.5 million copies to date. The semi-autobiographical story was adapted for the screen by Miller, Steve Taylor and Ben Pearson. In "Blue Like Jazz," Don (Allman), a pious nineteen-year-old sophomore at a Texas junior college, impulsively decides to escape his evangelical upbringing for life in the Pacific Northwest at one ofthe most progressive campuses in America, Reed College in Portland. Upon arrival, Reed's surroundings and eccentric student body proves to be far different than he could possibly imagine from the environment from which he came, forcing him to embark on a journey of self-discovery to understand who he is and what he truly believes. The film boasts a cast of rising stars including Marshall Allman ("True Blood"), Claire Holt ("The Vampire Diaries," "Pretty Little Liars"), and Tania Raymonde ("LOST").
Release Date: April 11, 2012 (limited) Studio: Cohen Media Group Director: Luc Besson Screenwriter: Rebecca Frayn Starring: Michelle Yeoh, David Thewlis Genre: Drama, Romance MPAA Rating: R (for violence including some bloody images)
Plot Summary: "The Lady" is an epic love story about how an extraordinary couple and family sacrifice their happiness at great human cost for a higher cause. This is the story of Aung San Suu Kyi and her husband, Michael Aris. Despite distance, long separations, and a dangerously hostile regime, their love endures until the very end. A story of devotion and human understanding set against a background of political turmoil which continues today. "The Lady" also is the story of the peaceful quest of the woman who is at the core of Burma's democracy movement.
