Sherlock Holmes Robert Downey Jr., in a Golden Globe-winning role, stars as the legendary London sleuth Sherlock Holmes, joined by Jude Law as Dr. Watson, in this Guy Ritchie-helmed reinvention of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's detective series. Based on a comic book by producer Lionel Wigram, the story follows Holmes and Watson as they face off against the villainous Blackwood (Mark Strong). Rachel McAdams co-stars as sharp beauty Irene Adler.
G.I. Joe: Season 2.0 An animated series based on the popular line of children's military dolls seems like an improbable recipe for success, but this G.I. Joe incarnation beat the odds. Season 2 begins with the introduction of new COBRA emperor Serpentor. Newer characters such as Beach-Head, Dr. Mindbender, the pacifist Lifeline and Zartan's siblings, Zandar and Zarana, are also introduced, and Gen. Hawk is brought to the forefront as the definitive G.I. Joe leader.
The Spectacular Spider-Man: Vol. 8 High school student Peter Parker (voiced by Josh Keaton) -- also known as the web-slinging superhero Spider-Man -- deals with the pressures of adolescence and high-stakes crime-fighting, all while helping his elderly Aunt May. This animated series finds Spidey battling such rivals as Mysterio, Kraven the Hunter, the Master Planner and the Green Goblin. Also on hand is Peter's adoring pal Gwen Stacy (Lacey Chabert). Vol. 8 contains episodes 11-13 of Season 2.
I Love Lucy: The Movie and Other Great Rarities Locked away in a random canister inside the Paramount vaults for some 50 years, this feature-length film was rediscovered in 2001 and is actually a compilation of three linked-together "I Love Lucy" episodes from 1952. Ricky (Desi Arnaz) agrees to play a benefit at Ethel's (Vivian Vance) club, but as usual, Lucy (Lucille Ball) is determined to be the star of the show. Later, an argument prompts the Ricardos to break their lease with the Mertzes.
Disgrace After an imprudent affair with a student, Cape Town professor David Lurie (John Malkovich) flees to his daughter's remote farm to escape the scandal, only to find tragedy when a trio of black youths brutally assaults them. But Lurie is forced to face apartheid's lasting repercussions when he discovers that one of the attackers is related to a trusted employee (Eriq Ebouaney) in this pensive drama based on J.M. Coetzee's novel.
Five Minutes of Heaven A powerful meditation on guilt, forgiveness and reconciliation, this potent drama stars Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt as two men on opposite sides of Northern Ireland's political struggle: one a killer, the other the brother of the man he killed. In crafting his keenly sensitive film, director Oliver Hirschbiegel eschews the predictable to deliver a work of tremendous insight and emotional complexity.
Georgia O'Keeffe Joan Allen stars as 20th-century painter Georgia O'Keeffe in this Golden Globe-nominated biopic that follows the artist's tempestuous relationship with her lover and eventual husband, Alfred Steiglitz (Jeremy Irons), a New York photographer and art promoter. Though their marriage weathers long absences and extramarital affairs, O'Keeffe prefers solitude in New Mexico, where she creates her greatest work. Bob Balaban directs.
To Be Fat Like Me A popular teen dons a fat suit that makes her appear to weigh 250 pounds and wears it to a new high school for a documentary film contest in this Lifetime movie inspired by a true story. Believing personality is responsible for popularity, Aly (Kaley Cuoco) expects to win as many friends as a fat girl as she does when she's slim. But finding she's treated badly or ignored by most people makes her reevaluate her prejudices. Caroline Rhea co-stars.
Life Blood Forty years after committing a murder and inexplicably dropping off the map, lesbian couple Brooke (Sophie Monk) and Rhea (Anya Lahiri) are back -- although not necessarily in the form you'd expect. They're as beautiful as ever, but now they're vampires, too. And the ladies' newfound bloodlust, coupled with their killer looks, makes them a deadly pair in this sexy horror flick from director Ron Carlson.
The Descent: Part 2 In this gruesome thriller, blood-drenched Sarah Carter (Shauna MacDonald) surfaces as the lone escapee from the savage cave-dwelling Crawlers that terrorized her and five others. Traumatized and unable to explain the nightmare, she must return to help find her friends. But it's not long before the search team becomes the Crawlers' fresh prey. And Sarah once again battles to cheat death, as she clings to the hope that her friends are alive.
Transylmania Deep in the heart of Transylvania lies Razvan University, where a group of visiting students is about to get the shock of a lifetime. When not being stalked by vampires and succubi, they're evading Razvan's other resident crazies. Seductive teachers, willing students and a hunchback are all included in this year's curriculum. Musetta Vander, Patrick Cavanaugh and Jennifer Lyons star in this bloodcurdling spoof.
Wholphin: Issue 10 Wholphin, the innovative DVD magazine, presents another collection of must-see shorts. Among the 11 films are director Jonathan Demme's "Joe and Linda Flooded Out of Holy Cross" and Natalie Portman's directorial debut, "Eve." The compilation also features award-winning animation, films from Australia, Canada and Singapore, an homage to a 1960s Christian television show for kids and an excerpt from a documentary about a filmmaking preacher.The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Christopher Plummer and Heath Ledger star in this quirky fantasy from director Terry Gilliam. When a deal with the devil comes due, the immortal Doctor Parnassus (Plummer) must renegotiate the pact to save his daughter. Now, with the help of his mystical theater troupe and a mysterious stranger, Parnassus attempts to right the wrongs of his past. The Oscar-nominated film is Ledger's last, with Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law all completing his role.
Sympathy On-the-lam bank robber Trip (Steven Pritchard) thinks he's dodged the law, but his troubles are just beginning when he crashes for the night in a seedy motel with his feisty hostage Sara (Marina Shtelen), who refuses to be held captive quietly. And when another con on the run (Aaron Boucher) drops by, Trip's plans go completely off the rails. Andrew Moorman directs this relentless, gleefully blood-drenched thriller.
Black Gold This sobering documentary exposes the inequities of the coffee business -- a $50 billion industry that continues to shortchange Ethiopia's indigent farmers, inspiring fair-trade crusader Tadesse Meskela to take action. The eye-opening film, which follows the tireless Meskela as he journeys around the globe to initiate change, offers an unrepentant indictment of the World Trade Organization's unjust and outdated policies.
Clash of the Dinosaurs Get up close and very personal with dinosaurs in this four-part Discovery Channel series that uses advanced imaging give to viewers a glimpse inside the lumbering bodies of these mammoth creatures -- bones, muscles and all. Learn the secrets of powerful predators and how herbivores survived in a dino-eat-dino world. Then, get the inside story on dinosaurs' mating habits and the evolutionary adaptations that allowed them to thrive.
Milton Glaser: To Inform and Delight His name might not be very familiar, but the works of graphic artist Milton Glaser -- whose prolific output includes the "I Love NY" ad campaign, as well as album covers for Townes Van Zandt and Nina Simone -- are recognizable to many. Revisiting the famed paintings, drawings, logos, prints, posters and other works by Glaser, filmmaker Wendy Keys creates a rich and engaging mosaic of a key figure in American iconography.
The Buddha Through a visual tapestry of evocative paintings and sculptures, this compelling documentary from Emmy-winning filmmaker David Grubin explores the life of the Buddha, his quest for serenity and his eventual enlightenment. Insightful interviews with contemporary Buddhists, including the Dalai Lama and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet W.S. Merwin, shed light on Buddhism and its relevance today. Richard Gere narrates.
The End of Poverty? Exploring the history of poverty in developing countries, filmmaker Philippe Diaz contends that today's economic inequities arose as a result of colonization, military conquest and slavery, with wealthier countries seizing the resources of the poor. Narrated by Martin Sheen, this absorbing documentary includes interviews with numerous historians, economists and sociologists who shed light on the ongoing conditions that contribute to poverty.
Under the Sea: IMAX Dive in and explore some of the most captivating and complex underwater ecosystems in the world -- including those found off the South Australia coast, the Indo-Pacific region and New Guinea -- with this visually stunning IMAX documentary. Helmed by Howard Hall, the arresting film brings viewers face to face with many of the planet's most fascinating creatures and examines the impact global climate change has had on the world's oceans.
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy Directors Robert Townsend and Quincy Newell offer this comprehensive and hilarious examination of the history, evolution and cultural significance of African American comedy in America, from the earliest minstrel shows to the latest HBO special. Featuring interviews with cultural critics and loads of comedic clips, this program features appearances by a who's-who of black comedians, including Chris Rock, Bill Cosby, Whoopi Goldberg and many more.
William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe Filmmakers Sarah and Emily Kunstler delve into the life of their father, William Kunstler, whose controversial career and high-profile clients solidified his place in history as one of the most famous -- and reviled -- 20th-century lawyers. The documentary captures a deeply personal journey as the sisters trace their father's shift from representing civil rights activists to defending accused rapists, Mafia bosses and terrorists.
Last of the Summer Wine: Vintage 1982 The sixth season of laughs proved a very good year for this popular Britcom -- which holds the honor of being the world's longest-running sitcom -- about a group of aging friends who aren't above pulling off immature pranks. As the action unfolds, Foggy (Brian Wilde) is up to his usual high jinks. But this time, he has his mind set on starting a rescue service and wants Wally (Joe Gladwin) to be his first customer.
Last of the Summer Wine: Vintage 1983 Fans of this popular Britcom -- the world's longest-running sitcom -- know that this set of episodes from the seventh season was hardly the "last." The action is uncorked when Clegg (Peter Sallis) and Compo (Bill Owen) join forces to fix Foggy (Brian Wilde) up with a woman. But can they carry off their plan to convince a would-be girlfriend that Foggy is a millionaire? Later, Foggy cooks up a money-making scheme to sell junk food at a fat farm.
Murphy's Law: Series 2 The second season of this gripping British television drama stars James Nesbitt as Tommy Murphy, a troubled policeman who goes undercover to nab elusive criminals such as a serial killer terrorizing a bustling London neighborhood. Also this edition, Murphy dons alternate personae to crack a ring of international car thieves, investigate the suspicious death of a nun and scrutinize the apparent suicide of a fellow cop.
Rita Rocks: Season 1 Bored with her current gig as a working mother, Rita Clements (Nicole Sullivan of "Mad TV" and "The King of Queens" fame) sets out to resurrect her musical talents as a part-time garage band rocker. But will naming herself band manager prove too much for the veteran multitasker? Richard Ruccolo, Kelly Gould and Raviv Ullman also star in this Lifetime original comedy series, the first of its kind for the network in a decade.
Survivors: Original Series 1 This classic British sci-fi series about a group of people who mysteriously survive a global pandemic kicks off as two very different women -- working-class Jenny (Lucy Fleming) and well-heeled Abby (Carolyn Seymour) -- struggle to make sense of the situation. First and foremost on Abby's mind is finding her son, Peter, while Jenny has no concrete goals, save staying alive. They say there's strength in numbers, but where are the other survivors?
Survivors: Original Series 2 The second season of this British sci-fi series points the plot in a different direction when a sinking hot-air balloon brings an unexpected guest to Whitecross. Just when the disruption proves indisputably pivotal, Alan (Stephen Tate) and Sally (June Page) up the ante. Meanwhile, Ruth (Celia Gregory) invites danger into the settlement's midst by recklessly welcoming a group of newcomers into the community.
Survivors: Original Series 3 In the third and final season of this British sci-fi series, Jack (Gordon Salkilld) returns to Whitecross after a six-month absence. But Seth (Dan Meaden) and the others find him much altered, babbling on about a place he's visited with Greg (Ian McCulloch) called Wellingham. With Charles (Denis Lill) in tow, a frantic Jenny (Lucy Fleming) leaves the settlement to find Greg. But along the way, they make dangerous acquaintances.
Survivors: Series 1 When a lethal flu virus ravages the global population, Abby Grant (Julie Graham) begins a search for her missing son, and soon becomes the leader of a small group of survivors trying to live in a world thrown into chaos. As Abby follows clues to her boy's whereabouts, her band must compete for scarce resources with violent gangs, a strange cult leader and more. This remake of the 1970s British TV drama of the same name co-stars Max Beesley.
Survivors: Series 2 This British sci-fi series about a deadly virus that claims most of the planet's population hits its stride as Abby (Julie Graham) travels to a sealed-off "safe" area, where scientists are eager to learn how she survived a global pandemic. Elsewhere, Anya (Zoe Tapper) and Al (Phillip Rhys) remain pinned under debris in a crumbling hospital, and Sarah (Robyn Addison) strikes a life-saving bargain with a stranger.
Tales from the Darkside: Season 3 Keep the lights on while watching the third season of this TV anthology series that presents scary tales of the supernatural, including an eerie account of a reporter who visits a circus run by vampires thirsting for fresh blood. Also this year, a businessman makes a pact with the devil, a mannequin comes to life and a little girl discovers her dollhouse has strange powers. Stars include Jerry Orbach, Jeff Conaway, Renée Taylor and Mabel King.
The Hills: Season 5: Part 2 In the second half of this hit reality series' fifth season, star Lauren Conrad has left the show, and fellow "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County" alumna Kristin Cavallari has moved in to take the limelight. Meanwhile, other juicy dramas unfold as Brody and Jayde fight, Justin waffles between Kristin and Audrina, Holly's drinking problem continues, newlyweds Spencer and Heidi argue over whether to have children, and plenty more.
In Search of Beethoven Phil Grabsky, award-winning director of In Search of Mozart, lenses this feature length, in-depth look at Ludwig van Beethoven, which features new insights into the composer's life and music, and excerpts from more than 60 live performances. Performers and musical authorities interviewed for the film include Sir Roger Norrington, Claudio Abbado, Ronald Brautigam, Hélène Grimaud, Vadim Repin, Janine Jansen, Lars Vogt and Emanuel Ax.
District 13: Ultimatum Set two years after the action in Pierre Morel and Luc Besson's District 13, this French-language sequel follows Capt. Damien Tomaso (Cyril Raffaelli) and Leito (David Belle) on their quest to clean up crime and corruption in the city. With the territory divided into five distinct neighborhoods created along ethnic lines, they have their work cut out for them. But they've also got a secret weapon: a will to defy the odds.
