2003 Movies : Musical

With Isaac Hayes • William Bell • Jerry Butler • The Chi-Lites • Sam Moore • Ann Peebles • Wilson Pickett • Sir Mack Rice • Carla Thomas • Rufus Thomas • Mary Wilson

This documentary examines the careers of the 1950s-1970s Stax Records and Motown soul and R&B singers who "kept on keeping on" right through (and after) the disco scene into today, through the use of interviews with and performance footage by such Motown luminaries as Isaac Hayes, the Chi-Lites, Sam Moore (of Sam and Dave), Mary Wilson (of the Supremes) and others. The focus of the film is how these performers managed to keep thriving through the 30 years of change in the music industry since the heydays of classic R&B.

With Anika Noni Rose • Kelly Clarkson • Justin Guarini • Katherine Bailless • Greg Siff • Robert Iscove

The fairytale rise to superstardom of America's favorite "Idols" continues as Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini make the leap to the big screen in this summer's biggest beach party.

With Maya Stange • Chris Sadrinna • Yvette Duncan • Marton Csokas • Russell Dykstra • Kick Gurry • Brett Stiller • Andy Anderson • Alex Proyas

"Garage Days" is a coming-of-age comedy about a young Sydney band trying to get a foothold in the competitive world of rock n' roll. After the band's first gig is a colossal failure, the lead singer takes it upon himself to go out and pursue the most successful Rock Manager in the country. Meanwhile the other members of the band continue to deal with the kind of every day life issues that can ultimately tear a band apart. It may be the dawn of a new millennium but it's STILL a long way to the top if you want to rock n' roll.

With John Goodman • Penelope Cruz • Jeff Bridges • Angela Bassett • Luke Wilson • Reggie Lee • Jessica Lange • Steven Bauer • Bruce Dern • Bob Dylan • Larry Campbell • Larry Charles

Set somewhere, sometime, in an unnamed country, torn by civil war with unclear battle lines or ideology, "Masked and Anonymous" tells the story of a "benefit concert." Impressario Uncle Sweetheart (John Goodman) is scheming to find a headliner for this event whose purpose is unclear and whose charity is its promoter's pockets. Nina Veronica (Jessica Lange) is the veteran TV producer whose job it is to make the concert the international spectacle which it can never be. And when Sweetheart manages to get the iconic cult star Jack Fate (Bob Dylan) released from prison, the stage is set for tumult. Jeff Bridges as the cynical investigative reporter, Penélope Cruz as his girlfriend, Luke Wilson as the devoted acolyte, and a sundry cast of supporting characters give this imaginative allegory its energy and spirit.

With Imelda Staunton • Ian McNeice • Ralph Brown • Jemma Redgrave • Charlotte Church • Craig Ferguson • Stephan Noonan

This is the story of how a washed-up 1980s pop star (Craig Ferguson) gets a chance at a new direction in his life when he discovers that he has a teenage daughter, Olivia (Charlotte Church), in Cardiff, Wales (her real-life hometown) as the result of a weekend affair he had back at the height of his fame, especially when she decides she wants to follow him with a musical career of her own, against the wishes of her mother (Jemma Redgrave).

With Emmy Rossum • Mary McDonnell • James Badge Dale • Steven Bauer • Bernie McInerney • Michael Medeiros • Larry Pine • Adam LeFevre • Michael Cavadias • Thom Christopher • Sam Coppola • Janis Dardaris • Dominic Marcus • Lynne Matthew • Alan Hruska

Nola (Emmy Rossum), an aspiring songwriter who grew up in a trailer park, abused by her stepfather, travels to New York City in hopes of both starting her career and finding, and establishing a relationship with, her biological father. Along the way, she gets a job at a coffee shop owned by a high-class madam, Margaret (Mary McDonnell), and finds herself involved with a court case against one of Dorothy's powerful clients.