Primeval (2007)

Release Date: January 12, 2007
Studio: Hollywood Pictures
Director: Michael Katleman
Screenwriter: John Brancato, Michael Ferris
Starring: Dominic Purcell, Orlando Jones, Brooke Langton, Jurgen Prochnow
Genre: Horror, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R (for strong graphic violence, brutality, terror, and language)

In one of the most remote places on earth, a bloodthirsty serial killer has claimed over 300 victims, and is still at large to this day. Now, inspired by the true story of the world's most prolific killer, comes "Primeval," a nail-biting horror-thriller that follows an American news crew determined to capture this terrifying murderer alive. The danger begins as producer Tim Freeman (Dominic Purcell, "Prison Break"), cameraman Steven Johnson (Orlando Jones) and their rag-tag team set out on a journey up-river in search of their subject. But the deeper they probe into the mystery of this elusive assassin, the deadlier their trip becomes.

• video review • visual review • news • trailers teaser • clips: 1, 2, 3, 4, • 75 photos • credits • cast • filmmakers • notes, interviews & articles •

Stomp the Yard (2007)

Release Date: January 12, 2007
Studio: Screen Gems (Sony)
Director: Sylvain White
Screenwriter: Robert Adetuyi, Gregory Anderson
Starring: Columbus Short, Meagan Good, Ne-Yo (Shaffer Smith), Darrin Henson, Brian White, Laz Alonso, Valarie Pettiford, Harry Lennix, Chris Brown
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for a scene of violence, some sexual material and language)

When DJ (Columbus Short), a troubled youth from Los Angeles, moves to Atlanta to attend Truth University, he discovers "stepping," the age-old style of dance traditionally done in African-American Fraternities, where teams demonstrate complex moves and create rhythmic sounds by using their bodies. DJ's raw talent and hip-hop inspired moves quickly place him at the center of a fierce rivalry between two fraternities, the winner of which will be determined in front of a sold-out arena at the annual stepping championships. But before he can help his teammates, he must battle his own demons and learn the true meaning of brotherhood.

• video review • visual review • news • trailers • clips • 131 photos • credits • cast • filmmakers • notes, interviews & articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, •

Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Release Date: December 29, 2006 (limited)
Studio: Picturehouse
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Screenwriter: Guillermo del Toro
Starring: Ivana Baquero, Doug Jones, Sergi López, Ariadna Gil, Maribel Verdú, Álex Angulo, Roger Casamajor, Sebastián Haro, Mina Lira, Federico Luppi, Ivan Massagué, Chema Ruiz, Manolo Solo, Milo Taboada
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R (for graphic violence and some language)

"Pan's Labyrinth" is a fanciful and chilling story set against the backdrop of a fascist regime in 1944 rural Spain. The film centers on Ofelia, a lonely and dreamy child living with her mother and adoptive father; a military officer tasked with ridding the area of rebels. In her loneliness, Ofelia creates a world filled with fantastical creatures and secret destinies. With post-war repression at its height, Ofelia must come to terms with her world through a fable of her own creation.

• video review • visual review • news • trailers teaser • clips • 153 photos • credits • cast • filmmakers • production notes, interviews & articles 1, 2, 3, 4, •

Miss Potter (2006)

Release Date: December 29, 2006 (LA; wider release: January 5, 2007; wide release: January 12)
Studio: The Weinstein Company
Director: Chris Noonan
Screenwriter: Richard Maltby, Jr.
Starring: Renée Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Emily Watson, Barbara Flynn, Bill Paterson, Lloyd Owen
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: PG (for brief mild language)

eatrix Potter has delighted generations of children with her books. But she kept her own private life locked carefully away. Oscar-winning star Renée Zellweger is now bringing her secret story to the screen in "Miss Potter," the first film directed by Chris Noonan since his charming 1995 movie, "Babe." It is set in the high summer days of late Victorian and Edwardian England, during which Beatrix develops her natural skills as artist and story-teller. When she finally publishes her debut book, "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," she becomes a writing celebrity. It also leads to courtship and her first love with publisher Norman Warne, played by Ewan McGregor. Their relationship and his marriage proposal in July, 1905, was to change Beatrix's life for ever.

• video review • visual review • news • trailers • clips • 97 photos • credits • cast • filmmakers • notes, interviews & articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, •

The Last King of Scotland (2006)

Release Date: September 27, 2006 (limited)
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Director: Kevin Macdonald
Screenwriter: Peter Morgan, Jeremy Brock
Starring: Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R (for some strong violence and gruesome images, sexual content and language)

In an incredible twist of fate, a Scottish doctor (James McAvoy) on a Ugandan medical mission becomes irreversibly entangled with one of the world's most barbaric figures: Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker). Impressed by Dr. Garrigan's brazen attitude in a moment of crisis, the newly self-appointed Ugandan President Amin hand picks him as his personal physician and closest confidante. Though Garrigan is at first flattered and fascinated by his new position, he soon awakens to Amin's savagery - and his own complicity in it. Horror and betrayal ensue as Garrigan tries to right his wrongs and escape Uganda alive.

• video review • visual review • news • trailers • clips • 132 photos • credits • cast • filmmakers • notes, interviews & articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, •

The Queen (2006)

Release Date: September 30, 2006 (NY; limited release: October 6; wider release: October 13)
Studio: Miramax Films
Director: Stephen Frears
Screenwriter: Peter Morgan
Starring: Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell, Sylvia Syms, Alex Jennings, Helen McCrory, Roger Allam, Tim McMullan
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for brief strong language)

When news of the death of Princess Diana, undoubtedly the most famous woman in the world, breaks upon a shocked and disbelieving British public, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II retreats behind the walls of Balmoral Castle with her family, unable to comprehend the public response to the tragedy.

For Tony Blair, the popular and newly elected Prime Minister, the people's need for reassurance and support from their leaders is palpable. As the unprecedented outpouring of emotion grows ever stronger, Blair must find a way to reconnect the Queen with the British public.

• video review • visual review • news • trailers uk trailer • clips • 77 photos • credits • cast • filmmakers • production notes & articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 •

Volver

Release Date: November 3, 2006 (NY, LA)
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
Director: Pedro Almodóvar
Screenwriter: Pedro Almodóvar
Starring: Yohana Cobo, Penélope Cruz, Carmen Maura, Lola Dueñas, Blanca Portillo
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: R (for some sexual content and language)

"Volver" is a meeting of "Mildred Pierce" and "Arsenic and Old Lace", combined with the surrealistic naturalism of my fourth film, "¿Qué he hecho yo para merecer esto!!" ("What have I done to Deserve This?"), that is, Madrid and its lively working-class neighbourhoods, where the immigrants from the various Spanish provinces share dreams, lives and fortune with a multitude of ethnic groups and other races. At the heart of this social framework, three generations of women survive wind, fire and even death, thanks to goodness, audacity and a limitless vitality.

• video review • visual review • news • trailers • clips • 58 photos • credits • cast • filmmakers • notes, interviews & articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 •

Happily N'Ever After (2006)

Release Date: January 5, 2007
Studio: Lionsgate
Director: Paul J. Bolger
Screenwriter: Robert Moreland
Starring: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Sigourney Weaver, Freddie Prinze Jr., George Carlin, Wallace Shawn, Andy Dick
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
MPAA Rating: PG (for some mild action and rude humor)

Inspired by the most beloved of fables, "Happily N'Ever After" is an animated satirical retelling of the classic story of Cinderella. Once upon a time in Fairy Tale Land, the age-old balance between good and evil has been thrown out of whack. Frieda, Cinderella's power-mad stepmother, has formed an unholy alliance of evil to take on the good guys. With her own fairy tale spinning wildly out of control, Cinderella (a/k/a Ella) is forced to shed her damsel-in-distress trappings in order to seize control of her own destiny and lead the resistance without her Prince Charming. In a world of happy endings gone wrong, the race for control of the kingdom is on, with the fate of the venerable storyline 'Happily N'Ever After' hanging in the balance.

• video review • visual review • news • trailers • clips • 102 photos • credits • cast • filmmakers • notes, interviews & articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, •