SiM Trailers: Nine

Marshall's next musical his best?

Director: Rob Marshall (Chicago)
Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood), Marion Cotillard (Public Enemies), Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona), Nicole Kidman (Australia), Judi Dench (Quantum of Solace), Sophia Loren (Between Strangers), Stacy "Fergie" Ferguson (Planet Terror), Kate Hudson (Almost Famous)
Studio: The Wenstein Company
Release Date: December 18th, 2009

Synopsis: Nine tells the story of Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis), a world famous film director as he confronts an epic mid-life crisis with both creative and personal problems. He must balance the many women of his life, including his wife (Marion Cotillard), his mistress (Penelope Cruz), his film star muse (Nicole Kidman), his confidant and costume designer (Judi Dench), an American fashion journalist (Kate Hudson), the whore from his youth (Fergie) and his mother (Sophia Loren). The screenplay, by Michael Tolkin and Anthony Minghella, is based on Arthur Kopit's book for the 1982 Tony Award-winning musical of the same name, which was derived from an Italian play by Mario Fratti inspired by Federico Fellini's autobiographical film 8½. Maury Yeston composed the music and wrote the lyrics for the songs.

SiM Trailer: Uncertainty

What happens if a coin flip could change the direction of your story?

Director: Scott McGehee (The Deep End), David Siegel (The Deep End)
Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt ((500) Days of Summer), Lynn Collins (Life in Flight), Nelson Landrieu (Naked Under Heaven)
Studio: IFC Films
Release Date: November 13th, 2009

Synopsis: Scott McGehee and David Siegel, thrust Bobby Thompson and Kate Montero (Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Lynn Collins) into two alternate realities on the same steamy summer day in New York City. With the flip of a coin, the couple are sent in opposite directions – a delicate drama set in Brooklyn examines familial love, self-discovery, loss and the ordinary choices we make everyday, while Manhattan offers a vastly different tale of intrigue, suspense and murder on the streets of Chinatown.

SiM Classic Trailer: Seven Samurai (1954)

Kurosawa inspired generations of filmmakers with his breathtaking epic!

Director: Akira Kurosawa (Rashomon, Ikiru)
Cast: Takashi Shimura (Rashomon), Yoshio Inaba (Smaurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple), Daisuke Kato (Bloody Spear at Mount Fuji), Minoru Chiaki (Ikiru), Isao Kimura (Stray Dog), Seiji Miyaguchi (Kwaidan), Toshiro Mifune (Yojimbo)
Distributor: Toho Company

Synopsis: A poor village is under attack by a group of bandits looking to steak their crops. To stop the bandits the villagers recruit seven unemployed "ronin" (masterless samurai) to help them defend them and their village. Seven Samurai is often described as one of the greatest and most influential films of all time. The film spawned a 1960 Western remake titled The Magnificent Seven. In 1989 Kurosawa was awarded the Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement. Many directors have cited Kurosawa as having a big influence on them and their films. George Lucas references Kurosawa's film The Hidden Fortress throughout his Star Wars trilogy. Francis Ford Coppola has stated "One thing that distinguishes Akira Kurosawa is that he didn't make a masterpiece or two masterpieces, he made, you know, eight masterpieces." There are rumours that another Hollywood remake could be coming down the pipeline soon.

SiM Trailer: District 9

Did my expectations just rise for this film?

Excitement is the purpose of the movie trailer. If you are excited, you may spend your money seeing the film. Every once in a while a movie comes along that is intriguing. It grabs at you and pulls you directly into its own little world. Toss in a aggressive viral marketing campaign and you have yourself a winning formula to get me to see a film! I don't think I have been this excited to see a movie since The Dark Knight.

Director: Neill Blomkamp (Tempbot)
Writer: Neill Blomkamp
Cast: William Allen Young (Moesha), Jason Cope (Doomsday), Sharlto Copley (Alive in Joburg)
Studio: Sony Pictures
Release Date: August 14, 2009

Synopsis: Based off of Blomkamp's own short film Alive in Joburg this feature has kept most of the story hush hush. We know that aliens (called Non-Humans in the film) have landed in South Africa. We don't know how long they have been there or why they came. A soldier working for the MNU (Multi-National United ) goes into District 9 and finds a tube that once activated, sprays a toxic chemical. The chemical covers and turns him half human and half "Non-Human", which makes him a wanted man on both sides. Peter Jackson is one of the producers on this film.

SiM Trailer: The Invention of Lying

I'm not lying, this looks funny!

Director: Ricky Gervais (The Office (USA))
Writer: Ricky Gervais (The Office (USA))
Cast: Ricky Gervais (Night at the Museum: Battle for the Smithsonian), Jennifer Garner (The Kingdom), Rob Lowe (Thank You For Smoking)
Studio: Warner Bros Pictures
Release Date: September 25, 2009

Synopsis: In this film we are brought to an alternate Earth, where nobody can lie. That is right, everyone tells the truth! Until one day, Mark (Ricky Gervais) accidentally stumbles across the worlds first lie. With this new power he has, Mark decides how to use it for personal gain.

SiM Classic Trailer: The Terminator (1984)

Future Titanic director introduces Schwarzenegger's most famous film persona

Director: James Cameron (Titanic)
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger (T2: Judgement Day), Linda Hamilton (Beauty and the Beast), Michael Biehn (Aliens), Earl Beon (Mama's Family), Paul Winfield (Sounder), Lance Henriksen (Close Encounters of the Third Kind)
Distributor: Orion Pictures

Synopsis: Co-scripted and directed by Canadian-born filmmaker James Cameron (Aliens, The Abyss), The Terminator is a sci-fi action film that is set in 1984, but features a cyborg assassin from the future (2029), known as "The Terminator" (Schwarzenegger), who's mission is to kill Sarah Connor (Hamilton). Kyle Reese (Biehn) is part of the human race sent back to protect Connor, who's future son, John Connor, will become the leader of the resistance against the deadly computer-controlled machines. The $6.5 million film earned $78.3 million at the worldwide box office, a fraction of the $519.8 million made by its 1991 blockbuster sequel T2: Judgement Day, which reunited Cameron, Schwarzenegger and Hamilton. The series continued with Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) and the current Terminator Salvation (2009). In 2008 the United States National Film Registry selected The Terminator for preservation in the Library of Congress, deemed as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

SiM Trailer: The Crypt

Tagline: "Some things are better left buried"

Director: Craig McMahon (Orville)
Writer: Craig McMahon (Sportkill)
Cast: Sarah Oh (debut), Cristen Irene (Red Corvette), Mike Ranallo (Paradise Hotel), Joanna Ke (Finger Food), Delaina Stevens (Ave Maria), R. Keith Wilson (debut), Savanah McMahon (debut)
Distributor: Post Reel Pictures
Release Date: Thursday, June 25, 2009 (limited)

Synopsis: Craig McMahon's indie horror-thriller The Crypt follows six young--and Abercrombie & Finch-ish--thieves who break into an underground catacomb in order to steal jewelry that was buried there during the "Great Depression" era, but they find themselves fighting off some undead inhabitants who have been guarding the jewels for decades. Starring a group of first-time actors and unknowns (as well as reality TV star Mike Ranallo), The Crypt was originally titled Tomb Raider: The Ride, but had to change its name due to copyright infringement. It's now playing in select theatres.

SiM Trailer: (500) Days of Summer

Gordon-Levitt & Deschanel reunite for youthful romantic comedy

Director: Marc Webb (L.A. Suite short)
Writers: Scott Neustadter (The Pink Panther 2), Michael H. Weber (The Pink Panther 2)
Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt (The Lookout), Zooey Deschanel (Yes Man), Chloe Moretz (The Amityville Horror), Matthew Gray Gubler (RV), Jennifer Hetrick (Bodies of Evidence), Geoffrey Arend (Garden State)
Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Running Time: 95 minutes
Release Dates: Friday, July 17, 2009 (North America)/ Friday, September 4, 2009 (UK)/ Thursday, October 1, 2009 (Australia)

Synopsis: A hopeless romantic young man named Tom (Gordon-Levitt) falls in love with Summer (Deschanel), a young woman who doesn't believe in such a thing as love. Director Marc Webb's feature film debut, (500) Days of Summer, follows the first 500 days of the couple's offbeat relationship, which adds up to approxiametly 95 minutes on film. Shot primarily in Los Angeles, Summer is the second film in which Gordon-Levitt stars alongside Deschanel, after appearing together previously in 2001's Manic.

SiM Trailer: Daybreakers

A new twist on the genre?

Director: Peter Spierig (Undead)
Writer: Peter Spierig (Undead), Michael Spierig (Undead)
Cast: Ethan Hawke (Training Day), Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man), Claudia Karvan (Long Weekend), Isabel Lucas (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen)
Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: January 8, 2010

Synopsis: In the year 2019, a plague has transformed almost every human into vampires. Faced with a dwindling blood supply, the fractured dominant race plots their survival; meanwhile, a researcher works with a covert band of vampires on a way to save humankind and eventually they make a remarkable discovery, one which has the power to save the human race.

SiM Trailer: Cold Souls

Like John Malkovich & Jean-Claude Van Damme, Paul Giamatti gets to play himself

Director: Sophie Barthes (Happiness)
Writer: Sophie Barthes (Happiness)
Cast: Paul Giamatti (Duplicity), Dina Korzun (Mediator), Emily Watson (The Water Horse), David Strathairn (The Uninvited), Katheryn Winnick (Law Dogs), Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under), Boris Kievsky (Brother's War)
Distributor: Journeyman Pictures
Release Date: Friday, August 7, 2009 (limited)

Synopsis: This metaphysical comedy stars Paul Giamatti as himself, stricken with anxiety and agonizing over his current status, until he comes across a New Yorker article that tells of a high-tech company that specializes in removing one's soul and then storing it in a deep freeze. When he realizes how empty he is without his soul, Giamatti goes on a search and rescue for it, taking him to St. Petersburg, Russia. The indie film premiered last January at the Sundance Film Festival, and will be released to limited theatres this August.

SiM Trailer: Zombieland

The zombies run fast, so you need to run faster!!!

Director: Ruben Fleischer (Gumball 3000: 6 Days in May)
Writer: Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick
Cast: Woody Harrelson (Seven Pounds), Jesse Eisenberg (Adventureland), Emma Stone (Paperman)
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Release Date: October 9, 2009

Synopsis: Columbia Pictures' horror comedy Zombieland focuses on two men who have found a way to survive a world overrun by zombies. Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) is a big wuss - but when you're afraid of being eaten by zombies, fear can keep you alive. Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) is an AK-totin', zombie-slayin' badass whose single determination is to get the last Twinkie on earth. As they join forces with Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), who have also found unique ways to survive the zombie mayhem, they will have to determine which is worse: relying on each other or succumbing to the zombies.

SiM Trailer: The Descent 2

Great horror film gets a sequel

Director: Jon Harris (The Pond)
Writer: James Watkins (Eden Lake)
Cast: Shauna Macdonald (Mutant Chronicles), Natalie Mendoza , Gavan O'Herlihy (Seven Days of Grace)
Studio: Pathe Pictures
Release Date: TBA 2009

Synopsis: Distraught, confused, and half-wild with fear, Sarah Carter emerges alone from the Appalachian cave system where she encountered unspeakable terrors. Unable to plausibly explain to the authorities what happened - or why she's covered in her friends' blood - Sarah is forced back to the subterranean depths to help locate her five missing companions. This film is a direct sequel to the 2005 horror film The Descent.

SiM Trailer: Whiteout

A comic book adaptation that is not what you expect

Director: Dominic Sena (Swordfish)
Writer: Jon Hoeber (Montana), Erich Hoeber (Montana), Chad Hayes (The Reaping)
Cast: Kate Beckinsale (Underworld), Gabriel Macht (The Spirit), Alex O'Loughlin (August Rush)
Studio: Dark Castle Entertainment
Release Date: September 11, 2009

Synopsis: A U.S. deputy marshal, (Kate Beckinsale), the only one assigned to Antarctica, must investigate a murder on the frozen continent within three days before the arctic winter begins. She crosses paths with a U.N. operative (Gabriel Macht), also investigating the murder. The film is based off of Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber comic book of the same name.

SiM Trailer: The Time Traveler's Wife

Audrey Niffenegger's 2003 novel is now a motion picture

Director: Robert Schwentke (Flightplan)
Writer: Bruce Joel Rubin (The Last Mimzy)
Cast: Rachel McAdams (State of Play), Eric Bana (Star Trek), Arliss Howard (Awake)
Studio: New Line Cinema
Release Date: August 14, 2009

Synopsis: Based on the best-selling book (Amazon.com gave it best novel of the year) about a love that transcends time. Clare has been in love with Henry her entire life. She believes they are destined to be together, even though she never knows when they will be separated: Henry has a gene that causes him to involuntarily time travel, and it creates many complications his marriage. Despite the fact that Henry's travels force them apart with no warning, Clare desperately tries to build a life with her one true love.

SiM Trailer: The Warrior's Way

First-time director Lee combines Asian combat with the Wild West

Director: Sngmoo Lee (debut)
Writer: Sngmoo Lee (debut)
Cast: Jang Dong-gun (Typhoon), Geoffrey Rush (Shakespeare in Love), Kate Bosworth (Superman Returns), Danny Huston (X-Men Origins: Wolverine), Tony Cox (Bad Santa), Nic Sampson (TV's Power Rangers), Matt Gillanders (30 Days of Night), Ashley Jones (The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian), Jessica Cummings (debut), Ryan Richards (TV's Shortland Street)
Distributor: Kathy Morgan International
Release Date: August 2009 (TBA)

Synopsis: Korean actor-musician Jang Dong-gun is Yang, a fugitive Asian warrior who is hiding out in the badlands of America, where he meets a fellow retired fighter named Ron (Geoffrey Rush), who is also the town drunk. Kate Bosworth plays Lynne, a circus knife thrower hellbent on retribution for childhood abuses. Filmed over three and a half months in Auckland, New Zealand, this $40 million action-fantasy feature--formerly titled The Laundry Warrior--was produced by Barrie M. Osborne, who was also behind The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-03). No exact release date has been set for The Warrior's Way, but the film is eyeing an August premiere.

SiM Trailer: We Believe

A city that never loses hope

Director: John Scheinfeld (The U.S. vs. John Lennon)
Writer: John Scheinfeld (The U.S. vs. John Lennon)
Cast: Lou Piniella, Ron Santo, Ryne Sandberg, Hugh M. Hefner, Derrek Lee, Bob Costas, Billy Corgan, Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly, Bud Selig and more
Release Date: Early 2009

Synopsis: This feature film documentary is a celebration of hope, loyalty, faith and the extraordinary love affair between a great city and its baseball team. We Believe, explores the relationship between Chicago, the Cubs and their loyal fans. Featuring former and current players, sports historians, local celebrities and more as they explain why they are so passionate about the Cubs.

SiM Trailer: Toy Story 3

Disney & Pixar come together for another Hanks-Allen adventure

Director: Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 2)
Writers: Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine), Andrew Stanton (WALL-E)
Cast: Tom Hanks (Toy Story), Tim Allen (Toy Story 2), Joan Cusack (In & Out), Don Rickles (Casino), Wallace Shawn (The Incredibles), John Ratzenberger (Cheers), Estelle Harris (Seinfeld), Ned Beatty (Deliverance), Michael Keaton (Batman), Jodi Benson (The Little Mermaid)
Distributors: Walt Disney Pictures/Pixar
Release Date: June 18, 2010

Synopsis: Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the toy box gang are back again for the third film in the groundbreaking franchise that introduced the merger of Disney and premier computer animators Pixar 14 years earlier (1995's Toy Story). The third toy story is set around the characters' new adventures after their owner, Andy, drops them off at a daycare center, as he leaves for college. Part 3 will be shown in Disney Digital 3-D, but not for another 379 days!

SiM Trailer: Shrink

Director: Jonas Pate (Deceiver)
Writer: Thomas Moffett (Frost)
Cast: Kevin Spacey (21), Saffron Burrows (The Bank Job), Jack Huston (Outlander)
Studio: Roadside Attractions
Release Date: July 24, 2009

Synopsis: Premiering at this years Cannes Film Festival, Shrink tells the tale Dr. Henry Carter (Spacey) who is unable to cope with a recent personal tragedy, he is LA's top celebrity shrink. Turning himself into a pothead with no concern for his appearance who has lost faith in his ability to help his patients. A various cast plays his patients including Robin Williams, Saffron Burrows, Jack Huston, Griffin Dunne, Robert Loggia, Keke Palmer, Laura Ramsey and Dallas Roberts.

SiM Trailer: Pandorum

Quaid hits deep space in Aliens-like (?) sci-fi thriller

Director: Christian Alvart (Case 39)
Writer: Travis Milloy (Just Like Mona)
Cast: Dennis Quaid (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra), Ben Foster (Alpha Dog), Cam Gigandet (Twilight), Norman Reedus (The Boondock Saints), Andre Hennicke (Sophie Scholl-The Final Days), Cung Le (Tekkon), Antje Traue (Berlin By the Sea), Eddie Rouse (Observe and Report)
Distributors: Overture Films/ Constantin Films
Release Date: Friday, September 4, 2009

Synopsis: Quiad and Foster are astronauts stranded on an "abandoned" spacecraft 500 million miles from Earth who awaken with no memory of where or who they are, and oblivious as to where the other 60,000 passengers have gone. Reality slowly sets in and pandorum--the biological effects of deep space--kicks into high gear as the two crewmen discover what has really happened to the ship's crew. The $40 million sci-fi thriller, from the producers of Resident Evil (2002), was filmed in Berlin last August, after recieving an impressive $6 million from the German Federal Film Fund. Tagline: "Don't fear the end of the world...fear what happens next."

SiM Trailers: Adam

Director: Max Mayer (Better Living)
Writer: Max Mayer (Better Living)
Cast: Hugh Dancy (Confessions of a Shopaholic), Rose Byrne (Knowing), Peter Gallagher (Center Stage: Turn It Up)
Studio: Fox Searchlight
Release Date: July 29, 2009

Synopsis: Adam (Hugh Dancy) has Asperger syndrome, a high functioning form of autism. He finds it difficult to be with others and often escapes into his love of space exploration. When Beth (Rose Byrne) moves into the apartment above him, he uses his unique, often funny, and sometimes painful social skills to begin to build the personal relationship that he so desperately desires.