Dave Lavender: 2008 was great year for good music from local musicians

The A-Team

Released 11-Jun-10. Runs 117 min.

"The A-Team" follows the daring exploits of a colorful team of former Special Forces soldiers who were set up for a crime they did not commit. Going "rogue," they utilize their unique talents to try and clear their names and find the true culprit.

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence throughout, language and smoking

The Karate Kid

Released 11-Jun-10. Runs 140 min.

Twelve-year-old Dre Parker could've been the most popular kid in Detroit, but his mother's latest career move has landed him in China. Dre immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying -- and the feeling is mutual -- but cultural differences make such a friendship impossible. Even worse, Dre's feelings make an enemy of the class bully, and kung fu prodigy, Cheng. With no friends in a strange land, Dre has nowhere to turn but maintenance man Mr. Han, who is secretly a master of kung fu. As Han teaches Dre that kung fu is not about punches and parries, but maturity and calm, Dre realizes that facing down the bullies will be the fight of his life.

Rated PG for bullying, martial arts action violence and some mild language

The Kids Are All Right

Released 16-Jul-10. Runs 104 min.

Two teenaged children get the notion to seek out their biological father and introduce him into the family life that their two mothers have built for them. Once the donor is found, the household will never be the same, as family ties are defined, re-defined, and re-re-defined.

Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, language and some teen drug and alcohol use

The Last Airbender

Released 1-Jul-10. Runs 103 min.

Air, Water, Earth, Fire. Four nations tied by destiny when the Fire Nation launches a brutal war against the others. A century has passed with no hope in sight to change the path of this destruction. Caught between combat and courage, Aang discovers he is the lone Avatar with the power to manipulate all four elements. Aang teams with Katara, a Waterbender, and her brother, Sokka, to restore balance to their war-torn world.

Rated PG for fantasy action violence

The Last Airbender 3D

Released 1-Jul-10. Runs 103 min.

Air, Water, Earth, Fire. Four nations tied by destiny when the Fire Nation launches a brutal war against the others. A century has passed with no hope in sight to change the path of this destruction. Caught between combat and courage, Aang discovers he is the lone Avatar with the power to manipulate all four elements. Aang teams with Katara, a Waterbender, and her brother, Sokka, to restore balance to their war-torn world.

Rated PG for fantasy action violence

The Other Guys

Released 6-Aug-10. Runs 107 min.

NYPD Detectives Christopher Danson and P.K. are the baddest and most beloved cops in New York City. They don't get tattoos - other men get tattoos of them. Two desks over and one back, sit Detectives Allen Gamble and Terry Hoitz. You've seen them in the background of photos of Danson and Highsmith, out of focus and eyes closed. They're not heroes - they're "the Other Guys. But every cop has his or her day and soon Gamble and Hoitz stumble into a seemingly innocuous case no other detective wants to touch that could turn into New York City's biggest crime. It's the opportunity of their lives, but do these guys have the right stuff?

Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, language, violence and some drug material

The Polar Express

Released 10-Nov-04. Runs 100 min.

A young boy lies awake in his room one snowy Christmas Eve, excited and alert. Breathing silently. Hardly moving. Waiting. He's listening for a sound he's afraid that he might never hear--the ringing bells of Santa's sleigh. The time is five minutes to midnight. Suddenly, a thunderous roar startles the boy. Clearing the mist from his window he sees the most amazing sight--a gleaming black train rumbles to a stop right in front of his house, the steam from its powerful engine hissing through the night sky and the softly falling snowflakes. The boy rushes outside, clad only in his pajamas and slippers, and is met by the train's conductor who seems to be waiting just for him. "Well, are you coming?" the conductor inquires. "Where?" the boy asks. "Why, to the North Pole--of course. This is the Polar Express!" What unfolds is an adventure that follows a doubting young boy, who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole; during this ride, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.

Rated G

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Released 14-Jul-10. Runs 111 min.

Balthazar Blake is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath. Balthazar can't do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler, a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness. It'll take all the courage Dave can muster to survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes "The Sorcerer's Apprentice."

Rated PG for fantasy action violence, some mild rude humor and brief language

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Released 30-Jun-10. Runs 124 min.

In "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse," Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob--knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death.

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, and some sensuality

The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia

Released . Runs 86 min.

synopsis

Rated No Rating

Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore

Released 30-Jul-10. Runs 82 min.

In the age-old battle between cats and dogs, one crazed feline has taken things a paw too far. Kitty Galore, formerly an agent for cat spy organization MEOWS, has gone rogue and hatched a diabolical plan to not only bring her canine enemies to heel, but take down her former kitty comrades and make the world her scratching post. Faced with this unprecedented threat, cats and dogs will be forced to join forces for the first time in history in an unlikely alliance to save themselves -- and their humans. It's time for the fur to fly.

Rated PG for animal action and humor

Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore 3D

Released 30-Jul-10. Runs 82 min.

In the age-old battle between cats and dogs, one crazed feline has taken things a paw too far. Kitty Galore, formerly an agent for cat spy organization MEOWS, has gone rogue and hatched a diabolical plan to not only bring her canine enemies to heel, but take down her former kitty comrades and make the world her scratching post. Faced with this unprecedented threat, cats and dogs will be forced to join forces for the first time in history in an unlikely alliance to save themselves -- and their humans. It's time for the fur to fly.

Rated PG for animal action and humor

Charlie St. Cloud

Released 30-Jul-10. Runs 109 min.

Accomplished sailor Charlie St. Cloud has the adoration of mother Claire and little brother Sam, as well as a college scholarship that will lead him far from his sleepy Pacific Northwest hometown. But, his bright future is cut short when a tragedy strikes and takes his dreams with it. After his high-school classmate Tess returns home unexpectedly, Charlie grows torn between honoring a promise he made four years earlier and moving forward with newfound love. And, as he finds the courage to let go of the past for good, Charlie discovers the soul most worth saving is his own.

Rated PG-13 for language including some sexual references, an intense accident scene and some sensuality

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Released 18-Sep-09. Runs 81 min.

Columbia Pictures' and Sony Pictures Animation's "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" will be the most delicious event since macaroni met cheese. Inspired by the beloved children's book, the film focuses on a town where food falls from the sky like rain.

Rated PG for brief mild language

Despicable Me

Released 9-Jul-10. Runs 95 min.

In a happy suburban neighborhood surrounded by white picket fences with flowering rose bushes, sits a black house with a dead lawn. Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden beneath this home is a vast secret hideout. Surrounded by a small army of minions, we discover Gru, planning the biggest heist in the history of the world. He is going to steal the moon! Gru delights in all things wicked; he vanquishes all who stand in his way. Until the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: a potential Dad.

Rated PG for rude humor and mild action

Despicable Me 3D

Released 9-Jul-10. Runs 95 min.

In a happy suburban neighborhood surrounded by white picket fences with flowering rose bushes, sits a black house with a dead lawn. Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden beneath this home is a vast secret hideout. Surrounded by a small army of minions, we discover Gru, planning the biggest heist in the history of the world. He is going to steal the moon! Gru delights in all things wicked; he vanquishes all who stand in his way. Until the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: a potential Dad.

Rated PG for rude humor and mild action

Dinner for Schmucks

Released 30-Jul-10. Runs 110 min.

Tim, an up-and-coming executive, has just received his first invitation to the "dinner for idiots," a monthly event hosted by his boss that promises bragging rights (and maybe more) to the exec that shows up with the biggest buffoon. Tim's fiancée, Julie, finds it distasteful and Tim agrees to skip the dinner, until he bumps into Barry - an IRS employee who devotes his spare time to building elaborate taxidermy mouse dioramas - and quickly realizes he's struck idiot gold. Tim can't resist, and invites Barry, whose blundering good intentions soon sends Tim's life into a frenzied downward spiral and a series of comic misadventures, threatening a major business deal, bringing crazy stalker ex-girlfriend, Darla, back into Tim's life and driving Julie (or so Tim thinks) into the arms of another man.

Rated PG-13 for sequences of crude and sexual content, some partial nudity and language

Elvis on Tour

Released 1-Jan-00. Runs 110 min.

Rated No Rating

Get Him to the Greek

Released 4-Jun-10. Runs 109 min.

Aaron Greenberg gets things done. The ambitious 23-year-old has exaggerated his way into a dream job just in time for a career-making assignment. His mission: Fly to London and escort a rock god to L.A.'s Greek Theatre for the first-stop on a $100-million tour. His warning: Turn your back on him at your own peril. British rocker Aldous Snow is both a brilliant musician and walking sex. Weary of yes men and piles of money, the former front man is searching for the meaning of life. He may have to coax, lie to, enable and party with Aldous, but Aaron will get him to the Greek.

Rated R for strong sexual content and drug use throughout, and pervasive language

Grown Ups

Released 25-Jun-10. Runs 102 min.

"Grown Ups" is about five men who were best friends when they were young kids and now are getting together for the Fourth of July weekend to meet each others' families for the first time. Picking up where they left off, they discover why growing older doesn't mean growing up.

Rated PG-13 for crude material including suggestive references, language and some male rear nudity

Inception

Released 16-Jul-10. Runs 148 min.

Dom Cobb is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb's rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now, Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back, but only if he can accomplish the impossible -- inception.

Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action throughout

Iron Man 2

Released 7-May-10. Runs 125 min.

In "Iron Man 2," the world is aware that billionaire inventor Tony Stark is the armored Super Hero Iron Man. Under pressure from the government, the press and the public to share his technology with the military, Tony is unwilling to divulge the secrets behind the Iron Man armor because he fears the information will slip into the wrong hands. With Pepper Potts and James "Rhodey" Rhodes at his side, Tony forges new alliances and confronts powerful new forces.

Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence, and some language

Jonah Hex

Released 18-Jun-10. Runs 81 min.

Jonah Hex is a scarred drifter and bounty hunter of last resort, a tough and stoic gunslinger who can track down anyone and anything. Having survived death, Jonah's violent history is steeped in myth and legend, and has left him with one foot in the natural world and one on the "other side." His only human connection is with Leila, whose life in a brothel has left her with scars of her own. But Jonah's past is about to catch up with him when the U.S. military makes him an offer he can't refuse.

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, disturbing images and sexual content

Knight and Day

Released 23-Jun-10. Runs 110 min.

A wholesome, Midwestern woman accidentally gets involved with an international super spy and is forced to flee the country with him while he protects a dangerous new piece of technology.

Rated PG-13 for sequences of action violence throughout, and brief strong language

Kung Fu Panda

Released 6-Jun-08. Runs 91 min.

Enthusiastic, big and a little clumsy, Po is the biggest fan of kung fu around--which doesn't exactly come in handy while working every day in his family's noodle shop. Unexpectedly chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy, Po's dreams become reality when he joins the world of kung fu and studies alongside his idols, the legendary Furious Five--Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey--under the leadership of their guru, Master Shifu. But before they know it, the vengeful and treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung is headed their way, and it's up to Po to defend everyone from the oncoming threat. Can he turn his dreams of becoming a kung fu master into reality? Po puts his heart--and his girth --into the task, and the unlikely hero ultimately finds that his greatest weaknesses turn out to be his greatest strengths.

Rated PG for sequences of martial arts action

Marmaduke

Released 4-Jun-10. Runs 87 min.

For Phil and Debbie Winslow, moving their family from Kansas to the O.C. is a big deal. For their enormous Great Dane "Marmaduke," however, the move means a whole new way of life. It's chaos at home and awkward at work as the Winslows struggle to control their angsty teenage canine.

Rated PG for some rude humor and language

MET Summer Encore: Carmen

Released 28-Jul-10. Runs 170 min.

This summer, enjoy select encore performances from the award-winning series The Met: Live in HD. One of the most popular operas of all time, Carmen "is about sex, violence, and racism-and its corollary: freedom." says Olivier Award-winning director Richard Eyre. This performance was originally captured on Jan. 16, 2010.

Rated No Rating

Predators

Released 9-Jul-10. Runs 107 min.

Royce, a mercenary, reluctantly leads a group of elite warriors who come to realize they've been brought together on an alien planet... as prey. With the exception of a disgraced physician, they are all cold-blooded killers -- mercenaries, Yakuza, convicts, death squad members -- human "predators" that are now being systemically hunted and eliminated by a new breed of alien Predators.

Rated R for strong creature violence and gore, and pervasive language

Ramona and Beezus

Released 23-Jul-10. Runs 104 min.

The adventures of young Ramona Quimby and her big sister Beezus come to life in this all new film based on the best-selling books (over 30 million... and counting) by Beverly Cleary. Ramona's vivid imagination, boundless energy, and accident-prone antics keep everyone she meets on their toes. But, her irrepressible sense of fun, adventure and mischief come in handy when she puts her mind to helping save her family's home.

Rated G

Salt

Released 23-Jul-10. Runs 99 min.

Centers on a CIA officer who is fingered as a Russian sleeper spy. She eludes capture by superiors who are convinced she is out to assassinate the president. While trying to reunite with her family, she struggles to prove someone else is the traitor.

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action

Shrek Forever After

Released 21-May-10. Runs 93 min.

After challenging an evil dragon, rescuing a beautiful princess and saving your in-laws' kingdom, what's an ogre to do? Well, if you're Shrek, you suddenly wind up a domesticated family man. Instead of scaring villagers away like he used to, a reluctant Shrek now agrees to autograph pitch forks. What's happened to this ogre's roar? Longing for the days when he felt like a "real ogre," Shrek is duped into signing a pact with the smooth-talking dealmaker, Rumpelstiltskin. Shrek suddenly finds himself in a twisted, alternate version of Far Far Away, where ogres are hunted, Rumpelstiltskin is king and Shrek and Fiona have never met.

Rated PG for mild action, some rude humor and brief language

Solitary Man

Released 21-May-10. Runs 90 min.

A once successful Manhattan mogul who owned a chain of car dealerships finds himself on the brink of a fantastic comeback. His marriage and businesses were lost to him through a series of indiscretions of romantic and financial natures. His new girlfriend has a father that is offering him a second lease on life, but the one catch is he has to take his girlfriend's daughter on a weekend college visit where he absolutely must behave himself or lose everything.

Rated R for language and some sexual content

Standing Ovation

Released 16-Jul-10. Runs 108 min.

Five junior high school friends form a singing group called "The 5 Ovations" to compete in a national music video contest for a cash prize of one million dollars. With limited funds and resources, these street smart kids use their wits, courage and passion to create spectacular song and dance numbers that compete with their arch rivals "The Wiggies," five rich, talented and unscrupulous sisters who along with their parents, will stop at nothing to win the competition.

Rated PG for some rude behavior

Step Up 3D

Released 6-Aug-10. Runs 97 min.

New York's intense street dancing underground comes alive in eye-popping Digital 3D as a tight-knit group of street dancers team up with Moose and find themselves pitted against the world's best hip-hop dancers in a high-stakes showdown that will change their lives forever.

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language

Tooth Fairy

Released 22-Jan-10. Runs 102 min.

Derek Thompson is a hard-charging hockey player whose nickname comes from his habit of separating opposing players from their bicuspids. When Derek discourages a youngster's dreams, he's sentenced to one week's hard labor as a real tooth fairy, complete with the requisite wings and magic wand. At first, Derek "can't handle the tooth" -- bumbling and stumbling as he furtively tries to wing his way through strangers' homes -- doing what tooth fairies do. But, as Derek slowly adapts to his new position, he begins to rediscover his own forgotten dreams.

Rated PG for mild language, some rude humor and sports action

Toy Story 3

Released 18-Jun-10. Runs 109 min.

"Toy Story 3" welcomes Woody, Buzz and the whole gang back to the big screen as Andy prepares to depart for college and his loyal toys find themselves in… daycare! These untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice, so it's all for one and one for all as plans for the great escape get underway. A few new faces-some plastic, some plush-join the adventure, including iconic swinging bachelor and Barbie's counterpart Ken, a thespian hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants and a pink, strawberry-scented teddy bear called Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear.

Rated G

Toy Story 3 in Disney Digital 3D

Released 18-Jun-10. Runs 109 min.

"Toy Story 3" welcomes Woody, Buzz and the whole gang back to the big screen as Andy prepares to depart for college and his loyal toys find themselves in… daycare! These untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice, so it's all for one and one for all as plans for the great escape get underway. A few new faces-some plastic, some plush-join the adventure, including iconic swinging bachelor and Barbie's counterpart Ken, a thespian hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants and a pink, strawberry-scented teddy bear called Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear.

Rated G