2008 Movies : Family

With Sacha Baron Cohen • Ben Stiller • Alec Baldwin • Chris Rock • David Schwimmer • Tom McGrath • Jada Pinkett • Cedric the Entertainer • Sherri Shepherd • Andy Richter • Mark Swift • Bernie Mac • Etan Cohen • Will.i.am • Eric Darnell • Mireille Soria

In the highly-anticipated sequel to "Madagascar," Alex, Marty, Melman, Gloria, King Julien, Maurice and the penguins and the chimps find themselves marooned on the distant shores of Madagascar. In the face of this obstacle, the New Yorkers have hatched a plan so crazy it just might work. With military precision, the penguins have repaired an old crashed plane -- sort of. Once aloft, this unlikely crew stays airborne just long enough to make it to the wildest place of all -- the vast plains of Africa, where the members of our zoo-raised crew encounter species of their own kind for the very first time. Africa seems like a great place ... but is it better than their Central Park home?

With John Leguizamo • Alfred Molina • Debra Messing • Robert Teitel • Freddy Rodriguez • Melonie Diaz • Alfredo De Villa • Rick Najera • Ted Perkins • Alison Swan • Rene Rigal • Reid Brody • Paul Kim

If there's one thing everyone can agree on, it's that family time isn't always a walk in the park. In Nothing Like the Holidays, two of today's most talented actors, John Leguizamo and Freddy Rodriguez, join Debra Messing, Alfred Molina, and director Alfredo de Villa to tell the humorous and heartwarming story of one unforgettable family holiday. It's Christmastime and the far-flung members of the Rodriguez family are converging at their parents' home in Chicago to celebrate the season and rejoice in their youngest brother's safe return from combat overseas. For Jesse (Freddy Rodriguez), coming home has rekindled feelings for an old flame, although she can't seem to forgive him for leaving. His older sister Roxanna, a struggling actress, has been chasing her Hollywood dreams for years with little to show for it. And much to the dismay of their mother Anna (Elizabeth Peña), eldest brother Mauricio (John Leguizamo) brings home a high-powered executive wife (Debra Messing) who would rather raise capital than a child. In the course of one eventful week, traditions will be celebrated, secrets revealed and major life decisions made. It all begins when Anna announces to her children she is divorcing their father Eduardo (Alfred Molina). The shock waves from this familial upheaval prompt Roxanna, Mauricio and Jesse, each in their own way, to reevaluate the past and rethink the future. But when the Rodriguezes learn that one of their own is facing a true crisis, they instinctively pull together: Old resentments are forgotten, familial bonds are re-affirmed and the healing power of laughter works its magic as the family discovers they are much stronger than they ever realized.

With Val Kilmer • Michael Clarke Duncan • Malcolm McDowell • Chris Kattan • Jennifer Love Hewitt • Freddie Prinze Jr. • Sally Kellerman • Burt Reynolds • Kelly Ripa • Eric Idle • Louis Gossett Jr. • Marc F. Adler • Jason Maurer • Marc Adler • Patrick J. Cowan • Carl Dream • Jennifer A Jones • Scott Biear • Anne Bancroft

The land of Jhamora is torn apart by the mutual prejudice of two peoples—the winged Nohrin, masters of the skies, and the terrestrial Lockni, who harness the mystical powers of the land. When Delgo (Freddie Prinze, Jr.), a reckless Lockni teenager, forms an outlawed friendship with the spunky Nohrin Princess Kyla (Jennifer Love Hewitt), hostilities between the two peoples escalate, setting the stage for an exiled Empress Sedessa (Ann Bancroft) to exact her revenge and reclaim her rule.

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