April 2009 DVD & Blu-rays

With Adam Sandler • Teresa Palmer • Guy Pearce • Keri Russell • Adam Shankman • Courteney Cox • Richard Griffiths • Jack Giarraputo • Lucy Lawless • Jennifer Gibgot • Andrew Gunn • Matt Lopez • Garrett Grant

The life of Skeeter Bronson, a hotel handyman, is changed forever when the bedtime stories he tells his niece and nephew start to mysteriously come true. He attempts to take advantage of the phenomenon, incorporating his own aspirations into one outlandish tale after another, but it's the kids' unexpected contributions that turn Skeeter's life upside down.

With Meryl Streep • Viola Davis • Amy Adams • Scott Rudin • Philip Seymour Hoffman • John Patrick Shanley • Susan Blommaert • Celia Costas • Alice Drummond • Mark Roybal • Carrie Preston • Audrie Neenan • Joseph Foster • Michael Roukis

It's 1964, St. Nicholas in the Bronx. A vibrant, charismatic priest, Father Flynn (Academy Award® winner Philip Seymour Hoffman), is trying to upend the schools' strict customs, which have long been fiercely guarded by Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Academy Award® winner Meryl Streep), the iron-gloved Principal who believes in the power of fear and discipline. The winds of political change are sweeping through the community, and indeed, the school has just accepted its first black student, Donald Miller. But when Sister James (Academy Award® nominee Amy Adams), a hopeful innocent, shares with Sister Aloysius her guilt-inducing suspicion that Father Flynn is paying too much personal attention to Donald, Sister Aloysius sets off on a personal crusade to unearth the truth and to expunge Flynn from the school. Now, without a shard of proof besides her moral certainty, Sister Aloysius locks into a battle of wills with Father Flynn which threatens to tear apart the community with irrevocable consequence.

With Tom Cruise • Mark Ruffalo • Jamie Foxx • Javier Bardem • Peter Berg • Frank Darabont • Jada Pinkett • Debi Mazar • Bruce McGill • Michael Mann • Walter F. Parkes • Stuart Beattie • Irma P. Hall • Barry Shabaka Henley • Angelo Tiffe • Emilio Rivera • Bodhi Elfman

Max has lived a mundane life as a cab driver for twelve years. The faces have come and gone from his rear-view mirror: people and places he's long since forgotten—until tonight. Vincent is a contract killer. When an off-shore narco-trafficking cartel learns that they're about to be indicted by a federal grand jury, they mount an operation to identify and kill the key witness, and the last stage is tonight. It is on this very night that Vincent has arrived—and five bodies are supposed to fall. Circumstances cause Vincent to hijack Max' taxicab, and Max becomes collateral—an expendable person who's in the wrong place at the wrong time. Through the night, Vincent forces Max to drive him to each assigned destination. And as the L.A.P.D. and F.B.I. race to intercept them, Max and Vincent's survival become dependent on each other, in ways neither would have imagined.

With Jim Carrey • Dana Goldberg • David Heyman • Zooey Deschanel • Danny Masterson • Peyton Reed • Sasha Alexander • Molly Sims • Marty Ewing • Andrew Mogel • John Michael Higgins • Bruce Berman • Richard D. Zanuck • Jarrad Paul • David Iserson • Danny Wallace

"Yes Man" stars Jim Carrey as Carl Allen, a guy whose life is going nowhere - the operative word being "no" - until he signs up for a self-help program based on one simple covenant: say "yes" to everything and anything. Unleashing the power of "YES" begins to transform Carl's life in amazing and unexpected ways, getting him promoted at work and opening the door to a new romance. But his willingness to embrace every opportunity might just become too much of a good thing.

With Keanu Reeves • Jon Hamm • Jaden Smith • Scott Derrickson • Erwin Stoff • Kathy Bates • Paul Boardman • Jennifer Connolly • John Cleese • Ryne Douglas Pearson • Douglas Pearson • Edmund H. North

In the film, a renowned scientist (Jennifer Connelly) finds herself face to face with an alien called Klaatu (Keanu Reeves), who has traveled across the universe to warn of an impending global crisis. She quickly discovers the deadly ramifications of Klaatu's claim that he is "a friend to the Earth." Now she must find a way to convince the entity who was sent to destroy us that mankind is worth saving - but it may be too late.

With Kevin Hart • Morris Chestnut • Wood Harris • Maeve Quinlan • Cannon Jay • Bill Duke • Clint Culpepper • T.D. Jakes • Aaron Norris • Curtis Wallace • Brian Bird

The faith-themed drama revolves around a couple whose strength and faith are tested after the wife is injured in a car crash and the husband becomes attracted to another woman.

With Angelina Jolie • Ethan Hawke • Paul Dano • Dana Goldberg • Kiefer Sutherland • David Heyman • Bernie Goldmann • Jon Bokenkamp • Tcheky Karyo • Olivier Martinez • Jean-Hugues Anglade • D.J. Caruso • Mark Canton • Bruce Berman

A top FBI profiler, Special Agent Illeana Scott (Angelina Jolie) doesn't rely on traditional crime-solving techniques to unravel the mysteries of a murderous mind. Her intuitive, unconventional approach often makes the crucial difference between catching a killer and sending a dead-end case to the cold file. When Montreal detectives handling a local homicide investigation reluctantly ask for an outsider's help to get inside the head of a cunning serial killer, Agent Scott joins the case. With meticulous insight, she theorizes that the chameleon-like killer is "life-jacking" – assuming the lives and identities of his victims. As the pressure mounts to catch the elusive murderer, Agent Scott's unorthodox methods alienate her from a territorial police team that feels threatened by her uncanny abilities. Her seemingly cold demeanor belies an unparalleled passion for her work, and she's at her best when she's working alone. But when an unexpected attraction sparks a complicated romantic entanglement, the consummate specialist begins to doubt her finely-honed instincts. Alone in an unfamiliar city with no one she can trust, Agent Scott suddenly finds herself on a twisted and terrifying journey, surrounded by suspects in a case that has become chillingly personal.

With Nichola Burley • Mark Herbert • Oliver Blackburn • David Bloom • Robin Gutch • Angus Lamont

After meeting at a nightclub in a Mediterranean resort, seven young adults decide to continue partying aboard a luxury yacht in the middle of the ocean. But when one of them dies in a freak accident, the others argue about what to do, which leads to a ruthless fight for survival.

With William H. Macy • Emma Watson • Ciaran Hinds • Dustin Hoffman • Matthew Broderick • Christopher Lloyd • Tony Hale • Kevin Kline • Sam Fell • Chris Viscardi • Sigourney Weaver • Gary Ross • Stanley Tucci • Robbie Coltrane • Tracey Ullman • Ryan Kavanaugh • Will McRobb • Robert Stevenhagen • Allison Thomas • Tracy Shaw • David Lipman • Kate DiCamillo • Robin Bissell • William Sargent

Once upon a time, in the faraway kingdom of Dor, there was magic in the air, laughter aplenty and gallons of mouthwatering soup. But an accident left the King broken-hearted, the Princess filled with longing and the townsfolk without their soup. Sunlight disappeared. The world became gray. All hope was lost in this land...until Despereaux Tilling was born.

A modern fairy tale from visionary filmmaker Gary Ross, together with directors Sam Fell & Rob Stevenhagen, The Tale of Despereaux tells the story of several unlikely heroes: Despereaux (Matthew Broderick), a brave mouse banished to the dungeon for speaking with a human; Roscuro (Dustin Hoffman), a good-hearted rat who loves light and soup, but is exiled to darkness; Pea (Emma Watson), a Princess in a gloomy castle who is prisoner to her father's grief; and Mig (Tracey Ullman), a servant girl who longs to be a Princess, but is forced to serve the jailer (Robbie Coltrane).

Tiny and graced with oversized ears, Despereaux was born too big for his little world. Refusing to live his life cowering, he befriends a Princess named Pea and learns to read (rather than eat) books—reveling in stories of knights, dragons and fair maidens. Banished from Mouseworld for being more man than mouse, Despereaux is rescued by another outcast, Roscuro, who also wants to hear the tales. But when the Princess dismisses Roscuro's friendship, he becomes the ultimate rat and plots revenge with fellow outsider Mig.

After Pea is kidnapped, Despereaux discovers he is the only one who can rescue her...and that even the tiniest mouse can find the courage of a knight in shining armor. In this tale of bravery, forgiveness and redemption, one small creature will teach a kingdom that it takes only a little light to show the truth: what you look like doesn't equal what you are.

With Mark Williams • Peyton List • Allan Jones • Mark Donadio • Edward Anderson • Todd Lemley • Michael A. Pierce

A late night airport shuttle ride home descends into darkness.

With Scarlett Johansson • Samuel L. Jackson • Eva Mendes • Michael E. Uslan • Gigi Pritzker • Gabriel Macht • Frank Miller • Will Eisner • Deborah Del Prete

"The Spirit" is a classic action-adventure-romance genre-twister written for the screen and directed by Frank Miller. It is the story of a former rookie cop who returns mysteriously from the dead as the Spirit (Gabriel Macht) to fight crime from the shadows of Central City. His arch-enemy, the Octopus (Samuel L. Jackson) has a different mission: he's going to wipe out Spirit's beloved city as he pursues his own version of immortality. The Spirit tracks this cold-hearted killer from Central City's rundown warehouses, to the damp catacombs, to the windswept waterfront ... all the while facing a bevy of beautiful women who either want to seduce, love or kill our masked crusader. Surrounding him at every turn are Ellen Dolan (Sarah Paulson), the whip-smart girl-next-door; Sliken Floss (Scarlett Johansson), a punk secretary and frigid vixen; Plaster of Paris (Paz Vega), a murderous French nightclub dancer; Lorelei (Jaime King), a phantom siren; and Morgenstern (Stana Katic), a sexy young cop. Then of course, there's Sand Saref (Eva Mendes), the jewel thief with dangerous curves. She's the love of his life turned bad. Will he save her or will she kill him?

With Kate Winslet • Ralph Fiennes • Scott Rudin • Anthony Minghella • David Hare • David Kross • Sydney Pollack • Bruno Ganz • Linda Bassett • Karoline Herfurth • Stephen Daldry • Robert Fox

"The Reader" opens in post-WWII Germany when teenager Michael Berg becomes ill and is helped home by Hanna, a stranger twice his age. Michael recovers from scarlet fever and seeks out Hanna to thank her. The two are quickly drawn into a passionate but secretive affair.

Michael discovers that Hanna loves being read to and their physical relationship deepens. Hanna is enthralled as Michael reads to her from "The Odyssey," "Huck Finn," and "The Lady with the Little Dog." Despite their intense bond, Hanna mysteriously disappears one day and Michael is left confused and heartbroken.

Eight years later, while Michael is a law student observing the Nazi war crime trials, he is stunned to find Hanna back in his life – this time as a defendant in the courtroom. As Hanna's past is revealed, Michael uncovers a deep secret that will impact both of their lives. "The Reader" is a haunting story about truth and reconciliation, about how one generation comes to terms with the crimes of another.

With Justin Long • Jonah Hill • Steve Zahn • Fred Wolf • Kevin Heffernan • Joe Don Baker • Jack Giarraputo • Ashley Scott • Allen Covert • Edward Milstein • Paul Schwake • Bill Todman

The story centers on an effort to boost ratings of the ailing "Strange Wilderness" TV show by sending a pair of animal enthusiasts to the Andes in a search for Bigfoot.

With Meryl Streep • Val Kilmer • Greg Kinnear • Liu Ye • Chen Shi-Zheng • Billy Shebar

A Chinese student comes to the United States to study the origins of the universe, hoping to win the Nobel Prize through his work in dark matter theory, but when campus politics get in the way, tragedy ensues.

With Sean Astin • Rachael Leigh Cook • Amy Acker • Tyler Hoechlin • Sam Elliot • David Mickey Evans

In the small town of Norway, Iowa, everyone comes together for high school baseball. But life throws curve balls; and the passionate young players, rookie coach Kent Stock, and the hometown fans find that life's greatest challenges strike off the diamond.

With Ian McKellen • Hugh Jackman • James Marsden • Halle Berry • Alan Cumming • Bryan Singer • Avi Arad • Lauren Shuler Donner • Patrick Stewart • Famke Janssen • Ray Park • Anna Paquin • Ralph Winter • Rebecca Romijn-Stamos • Zak Penn • Dan Harris • Michael Dougherty

The X-Men have opponents new and old to face this time around. Magneto is back, but there is also a threat to Professor Xavier's school for mutants led by a human named Stryker, not to mention a vicious woman named Yuriko who has it in for Wolverine.

With Ian McKellen • Hugh Jackman • James Marsden • Brett Ratner • Ben Foster • Kelsey Grammer • Avi Arad • Simon Kinberg • Ellen Page • Lauren Shuler Donner • Shohreh Aghdashloo • Patrick Stewart • Famke Janssen • Vinnie Jones • Anna Paquin • David Hayter • Olivia Williams • Shawn Ashmore • Michael Murphy • Bill Duke • Rebecca Romijn-Stamos • Daniel Cudmore • Dan Harris • Michael Dougherty

In "X-Men: The Last Stand", the final chapter in the "X-Men" motion picture trilogy, a "cure" for mutancy threatens to alter the course of history. For the first time, mutants have a choice: retain their uniqueness, though it isolates and alienates them, or give up their powers and become human. The opposing viewpoints of mutant leaders Charles Xavier, who preaches tolerance, and Magneto, who believes in the survival of the fittest, are put to the ultimate test - triggering the war to end all wars.

With Clancy Brown • Jason Shuman • William Mapother • William Sherak • Doug Hutchinson • J.T. Petty

A Wild West horror film described as "Alien" meets "The Searchers".

With Mickey Rourke • Evan Rachel Wood • Darren Aronofsky • Marisa Tomei • Robert Siegel • Ernest Miller • Todd Barry

Back in the late ‘80s, Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke) was a headlining professional wrestler. Now, twenty years later, he ekes out a living performing for handfuls of diehard wrestling fans in high school gyms and community centers around New Jersey. Estranged from his daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) and unable to sustain any real relationships, Randy lives for the thrill of the show and the adoration of his fans. However, a heart attack forces him into retirement. As his sense of identity starts to slip away, he begins to evaluate the state of his life -- trying to reconnect with his daughter, and striking up a blossoming romance with an exotic dancer (Marisa Tomei) who is ready to start a new life. Yet all this cannot compare to the allure of the ring and passion for his art, which threatens to pull Randy “The Ram” back into his world of wrestling. Director Darren Aronofsky presents a powerful portrait of a battered dreamer, who despite himself and the odds stacked against him, lives to be a hero once again in the only place he considers home – inside the ring.

With Anthony Mackie • Angela Bassett • Derek Luke • Cheo Hodari Coker • Jamal Woolard • Antonique Smith • Naturi Naughton • Dennis White • Julia Pace Mitchell • George Tillman, Jr. • Voletta Wallace • Wayne Barrow • Mark Pitts

"Notorious" is about the life of rapper Christopher Wallace a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G. In just a few short years, The Notorious B.I.G. rose from the streets of Brooklyn to become one of the most influential hip hop artists of all time. B.I.G. was a gifted storyteller; his narratives about violent life on the streets were told with a gritty, objective realism that won him enormous respect and credibility. His stories were universal and gave a voice to his generation.

With Robert Hall

A terrifying story of a young girl who wakes up in a casket with a traumatic head injury and no memory of her identity.

With Kevin Bacon • Matthew Macfadyen • Sam Rockwell • Toby Jones • Tim Bevan • Michael Sheen • Brian Grazer • Frank Langella • Ron Howard • Eric Fellner • Peter Morgan

For three years after being forced from office, Nixon remained silent. But in summer 1977, the steely, cunning former commander-in-chief agreed to sit for one all-inclusive interview to confront the questions of his time in office and the Watergate scandal that ended his presidency. Nixon surprised everyone in selecting Frost as his televised confessor, intending to easily outfox the breezy British showman and secure a place in the hearts and minds of Americans. Likewise, Frost's team harbored doubts about their boss' ability to hold his own. But as cameras rolled, a charged battle of wits resulted. Would Nixon evade questions of his role in one of the nation's greatest disgraces? Or would Frost confound critics and bravely demand accountability from the man who'd built a career out of stonewalling? Over the course of their encounter, each man would reveal his own insecurities, ego and reserves of dignity--ultimately setting aside posturing in a stunning display of unvarnished truth. "Frost/Nixon" not only re-creates the on-air interview, but the weeks of around-the-world, behind-the-scenes maneuvering between the two men and their camps as negotiations were struck, deals were made and secrets revealed--all leading to the moment when they would sit facing one another in the court of public opinion.

With Tim McCann • Richard Chizmar • Johnathon Schaech

"Poker Club" focuses on four buddies who discover and accidentally kill a burglar—who may not be alone—in the kitchen during their weekly poker night. Their lives and the lives of their families are forever changed by the difficult choices they must make.

With Anne Hathaway • Kate Hudson • Julie Yorn • Bryan Greenberg • Alan Riche • Kristen Johnston • Gary Winick • June Raphael • Casey Wilson • Greg DePaul • Jonathan Filley

Liv (Kate Hudson) and Emma (Anne Hathaway) are best friends who since childhood have planned every detail of their respective weddings. At the top of their bridal "must have" list: a ceremony at New York's ultimate bridal destination, the Plaza Hotel.

Now, at age 26, they're both about to get married; they're about to realize their dreams; and they're about to live happily ever after.

Or maybe not...

When a clerical error causes a clash in wedding dates - they're now to be married on the same date! - Liv, Emma and their lifelong friendship are put to the ultimate test. Liv, a successful lawyer who is used to getting what she wants, including the perfect job and the perfect man, won't settle for anything less than the perfect wedding she has dreamed of for years. Emma, a schoolteacher who has always been good at taking care of others, but not so much in looking after herself, discovers her inner Bridezilla and comes out swinging when her own dream wedding is imperiled.

Now, the two best friends who'd do anything for each other, find themselves in a no-holds-barred, take-no-prisoners struggle that threatens to erupt into all-out war.

With Elizabeth Banks • Emily Browning • Ivan Reitman • Roy Lee • Doug Miro • Doug Davison • Walter Parkes • Laurie MacDonald • Craig Rosenberg • David Strathairn • Arielle Kebbel • John Prowse • Kim Jee-woon • Tom Guard • Charlie Guard • Tom Pollock • Carlo Bernard • Michael Grillo

"The Uninvited" revolves around Anna (Emily Browning), who returns home after spending time in the hospital following the tragic death of her mother. Her recovery suffers a setback when she discovers her father (David Strathairn) has become engaged to her mother’s former nurse, Rachel (Elizabeth Banks). That night, Anna is visited by her mother's ghost, who warns her of Rachel's intentions. Together, Anna and her sister (Arielle Kebbel) try to convince their father that his current fiancée is not who she pretends to be, and what should have been a happy family reunion becomes a lethal battle of wills between stepdaughters and stepmother.

With Mark Ruffalo • Ethan Hawke • Paul T. Murray • Donnie Whalberg • Amanda Peet • Rod Lurie • Brian Goodman • Bob Yari • Marc Frydman • Brad Jenkel

Brian and Paulie are two young punks running loose on the hard streets of South Boston. Coming from separate but equally broken homes, the boys bond of friendship makes them brothers. They do whatever it takes to survive, living by the code of their dog eat dog neighborhood.

As Brian (Mark Ruffalo) and Paulie (Ethan Hawke) get older, petty crimes and misdemeanors grow into more serious offenses. Eventually, they fall under sway to the organized crime boss Pat Kelly (Brian Goodman) who runs the felonious backroom businesses and illicit trades in Southie. They also find themselves the targets of unwanted attention from Detective Moran (Donnie Wahlberg) one of Boston’s finest. And Brian in particular becomes lost in haze of drugs and rebellion. Even the love he has for his wife Stacy (Amanda Peet) and his children isn't enough to redeem him.

In time, the friends find themselves in jail – just a part of doing business on the mean streets they call home. Although not gone away forever Brian and Paulie are incarcerated long enough to learn a few lessons, but will they lead to changed lives on the outside? A storm of trouble is brewing: Paulie has big plans to liberate them from their life of crime – just one more job – one last heist – a bold and potentially violent daylight robbery. But Brian has used his time in jail to make amends to his family and get clean. When Paulie comes to him for help, Brian must face the biggest challenge to his code of honor that he could ever imagine: stand by his friend or salvage his family … he cannot do both!

"What Doesn't Kill You" reveals the true life drama that writer/director Brian Goodman underwent in his struggle to honor the people he loved – on both sides of the law.

With Kate Winslet • Ralph Fiennes • Scott Rudin • Anthony Minghella • David Hare • David Kross • Sydney Pollack • Bruno Ganz • Linda Bassett • Karoline Herfurth • Stephen Daldry • Robert Fox

"The Reader" opens in post-WWII Germany when teenager Michael Berg becomes ill and is helped home by Hanna, a stranger twice his age. Michael recovers from scarlet fever and seeks out Hanna to thank her. The two are quickly drawn into a passionate but secretive affair.

Michael discovers that Hanna loves being read to and their physical relationship deepens. Hanna is enthralled as Michael reads to her from "The Odyssey," "Huck Finn," and "The Lady with the Little Dog." Despite their intense bond, Hanna mysteriously disappears one day and Michael is left confused and heartbroken.

Eight years later, while Michael is a law student observing the Nazi war crime trials, he is stunned to find Hanna back in his life – this time as a defendant in the courtroom. As Hanna's past is revealed, Michael uncovers a deep secret that will impact both of their lives. "The Reader" is a haunting story about truth and reconciliation, about how one generation comes to terms with the crimes of another.

With Emma Thompson • Matthew Goode • Hayley Atwell • Ben Whishaw • Michael Gambon • Julian Jarrold • Jeremy Brock • Andrew Davies • Evelyn Waugh

The movie, based on the novel by Evelyn Waugh, is set in the years before World War Two, when Oxford student Charles Ryder gets entangled with the Marchmains, a seductive but troubled family of Anglo-Catholic aristocrats. Whishaw plays the alcoholic Sebastian, and Atwell his enigmatic sister Julia, between whom Charles (Goode) is caught in a forbidden love triangle. Gambon will play the dissolute patriarch Lord Marchmain, and Thompson his devout and controlling wife.

With Emma Roberts • Ivan Reitman • Don Cheadle • Lauren Shuler Donner • Lisa Kudrow • Thor Freudenthal • Johnny Simmons • Jimmy Bennett • Jeff Lowell • Tom Pollock • Lois Duncan • Chloe Dan • Marc Haimes

"Hotel for Dogs", stars Emma Roberts, Jake T. Austin, Lisa Kudrow, Kevin Dillon and Don Cheadle in a smart, funny comedy adventure that shows how far love and imagination can take you. When their new guardians forbid 16-year old Andi (Roberts) and her younger brother, Bruce (Austin) to have a pet, Andi has to use her quick wit to help find a new home for their dog, Friday. The resourceful kids stumble upon an abandoned hotel and using Bruce's talents as a mechanical genius, transform it into a magical dog-paradise for Friday--and eventually for all Friday's friends. When barking dogs make the neighbors suspicious, Andi and Bruce use every invention they have to avoid anyone discovering "who let the dogs in."

With Justin Chatwin • Elizabeth Berkley • Ed Westwick • Daviegh Chase • Briana Evigan • Chris Fisher

The story, set seven years after the first film, follows Donnie Darko's sister, Samantha (Chase), who, in dealing with her broken family, flees town with her best friend (Evigan) when they are plagued by bizarre visions. Berkley is playing a speed freak turned Jesus freak whose sentiments about ridding the world of its exponential sin are rivaled only by her infatuation with her dreamy pastor.

With Guillermo del Toro • Don Murphy • Kim Basinger • Kirk Shaw • Lukas Haas • Susan Montford • Luis Chavez • Leonard Wu

A suburban housewife is forced to fend for herself when she becomes stranded in a desolate forest with four murderous thugs. What starts off as a quick trip to the mall ends in the woods with a fight for her life. All she has is a toolbox and her will to survive.

With Kate Beckinsale • Vera Farmiga • Angela Bassett • Edie Falco • Matt Dillon • David Schwimmer • Alan Alda • Rod Lurie • Noah Wyle • Bob Yari • Marc Frydman

Washington, DC political journalist Rachel Armstrong writes an explosive story about a government scandal in which she reveals the name of a covert CIA agent. When a special government prosecutor demands she divulge her source, she refuses and finds herself behind bars, struggling to defend the principles she has based her career upon.