In Cinemas this week (17 Apr. – 23 Apr.)

Monsters vs Aliens (English)

When a meteorite from outer space hits a young California girl named Susan Murphy and turns her into a giant monster, she is taken to a secret government compound where she meets a ragtag group of monsters also rounded up over the years. As a last resort, under the guidance of General W.R. Monger, on a desperate order from The President, the motley crew of Monsters is called into action to combat the aliens and save the world from imminent destruction!

Voices:
Reese Witherspoon (Susan Murphy / Ginormica)
Seth Rogen (B.O.B.)
Kiefer Sutherland (General W.R. Monger)
Will Arnett (The Missing Link)

Director: Rob Letterman, Conrad Vernon
Writer: Maya Forbes, Wallace Wolodarsky
Runtime: 94 min
Genre: Animation
Rating: K
Language:English
Production Year: 2009

Monsters vs Aliens (Greek)

When a meteorite from outer space hits a young California girl named Susan Murphy and turns her into a giant monster, she is taken to a secret government compound where she meets a ragtag group of monsters also rounded up over the years. As a last resort, under the guidance of General W.R. Monger, on a desperate order from The President, the motley crew of Monsters is called into action to combat the aliens and save the world from imminent destruction!

Voices:
Danae Kalahora (Susan Murphy / Ginormica)
George Pyrpasopoulos (B.O.B.)
George Petrohilos (General W.R. Monger)
Christos Thanos (The Missing Link)

Director: Rob Letterman, Conrad Vernon
Writer: Maya Forbes, Wallace Wolodarsky
Runtime: 94 min
Genre: Animation
Rating: K
Language:Greek
Production Year: 2009

Slumdog Millionaire

Eighteen year old Jamal Malik is having an amazing answering streak on “Kaun Banega Crorepati?”, the Indian version of the television game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”. He’s only one correct question away from the big prize. However, some, including those associated with the game show, question how someone like Jamal, a self confessed non-genius who grew up in the slums of Mumbai, can be doing so well on the show when others who are brighter, more educated and wealthier than him have failed. Is Jamal cheating? Is it purely luck that they have asked him the questions to which he knows the answers? Seeing Jamal’s life journey to this point ultimately answers these questions. His life journey includes being orphaned at an early age; growing up with an older brother, Salim, who was both his guardian/protector and antagonist; and having a relationship since childhood with another orphaned child, a girl named Latika. His motivation for being on the show also may provide some answers to his success. Perhaps it was all just meant to be.

Cast:
Dev Patel (Jamal K. Malik)
Freida Pinto (Latika)
Anil Kapoor (Prem Kumar)
Saurabh Shukla (Sergeant Srinivas)

Director: Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan
Writer: Simon Beaufoy, Vikas Swarup
Runtime: 120 min
Genre: Crime, Drama, Romance
Rating: 12
Language: English
Production Year: 2008

Fast & Furious 4

When a crime brings them back to L.A., fugitive ex-con Dom Toretto reignites his feud with agent Brian O’Connor. But as they are forced to confront a shared enemy, Dom and Brian must give in to an uncertain new trust if they hope to outmaneuver him. And from convoy heists to precision tunnel crawls across international lines, two men will find the best way to get revenge: push the limits of what’s possible behind the wheel.

Cast:
Vin Diesel (Dominic Toretto)
Paul Walker (Brian O’Conner)
Jordana Brewster (Mia Toretto)
Michelle Rodriguez (Letty)

Director: Justin Lin
Writer: Chris Morgan, Gary Scott Thompson
Runtime: 107 min
Genre: Action
Rating: 15
Language: English
Production Year: 2009

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Struggling with her debilitating obsession with shopping and the sudden collapse of her income source, Rebecca Bloomwood unintentionally lands a job writing for a financial magazine after a drunken letter-mailing mix-up. Ironically writing about the very consumer caution of which she herself has not abided, Rebecca’s innovative comparisons and unconventional metaphors for economics grants her critical acclaim, public success, and the admiration of her supportive boss Luke. But as she draws closer to her ultimate goal of writing for renowned fashion magazine Alette, she questions her true ambitions and must determine if overcoming her “shopaholic” condition will bring her real happiness.

Cast:
Isla Fisher (Rebecca Bloomwood)
Hugh Dancy (Luke Brandon)
Krysten Ritter (Suze)
Joan Cusack (Jane Bloomwood)

Director: P.J. Hogan
Writer: Tracey Jackson, Tim Firth
Runtime: 104 min
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Rating: K
Language:English
Production Year: 2009

Gran Torino

Walt Kowalski is a widower who holds onto his prejudices despite the changes in his Michigan neighborhood and the world around him. Kowalski is a grumpy, tough-minded, unhappy old man, who can’t get along with either his kids or his neighbors, a Korean War veteran whose prize possession is a 1972 Gran Torino he keeps in mint condition. When his neighbor Thao, a young Hmong teenager under pressure from his gang member cousin, tries to steal his Gran Torino, Kowalski sets out to reform the youth. Drawn against his will into the life of Thao’s family, Kowalski is soon taking steps to protect them from the gangs that infest their neighborhood.

Cast:
Clint Eastwood (Walt Kowalski)
Christopher Carley (Father Janovich)
Bee Vang (Thao Vang Lor)
Brian Haley (Mitch Kowalski)

Director: Clint Eastwood
Writer: Nick Schenk, Dave Johannson
Runtime: 116 min
Genre: Crime, Drama
Rating: 15
Language: English
Production Year: 2008

He’s Just Not That Into You

A group of interconnected, Baltimore-based twenty- and thirtysomethings navigate their various relationships from the shallow end of the dating pool through the deep, murky waters of married life, trying to read the signs of the opposite sex – and hoping to be the exceptions to the “no-exceptions” rule. Gigi just wants a man who says he’ll call – and does – while Alex advises her to stop sitting by the phone. Beth wonders if she should call it off after years of committed singlehood with her boyfriend, Neil, but he doesn’t think there’s a single thing wrong with their unmarried life. Janine’s not sure if she can trust her husband, Ben, who can’t quite trust himself around Anna. Anna can’t decide between the sexy married guy, or her straightforward, no-sparks standby, Conor, who can’t get over the fact that he can’t have her. And Mary, who’s found an entire network of loving, supportive men, just needs to find one who’s straight.

Cast:
Ben Affleck (Neil Jones)
Jennifer Aniston (Beth Bartlett)
Ginnifer Goodwin (Gigi Haim)
Jennifer Connelly (Janine Gunders)
Drew Barrymore (Mary Harris)
Scarlett Johansson (Anna Taylor)

Director: Ken Kwapis
Writer: Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein
Runtime: 129 min
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Rating: 12
Language: English
Production Year: 2009

Πεθαίνω για σένα! (Die for you!)

A family with communication problems is disrupted by a love triangle … or square. The mother is a former dancer who now teaches tango in a dance school. The teenage son is trying to find his sexual identity. The father is a traffic warden that likes to write lyrics for songs and has as a source of inspiration the lover of his wife. And there is also the deaf grandmother who is the only one who can see the storm coming.

Cast:
Eleni Randou (Zoe)
Fanis Mouratidis (Loukas)
Sifis Polyzoidis (Apostolis)
Michalis Iatropoulos (Babis)

Director: Nikos Karapanagiotis
Writer: Eleni Randou, Filippos Desillas
Runtime: 102 min
Genre: Comedy
Rating: 12
Language:Greek
Production Year: 2009

Knowing

A teacher opens a time capsule that has been dug up at his son’s elementary school; in it are some chilling predictions – some that have already occurred and others that are about to – that lead him to believe his family plays a role in the events that are about to unfold.

Cast:
Nicolas Cage (John Koestler)
Chandler Canterbury (Caleb Koestler)
Rose Byrne (Diana Wayland)
Lara Robinson (Lucinda Embry / Abby Wayland)

Director: Alex Proyas
Writer: Ryne Douglas Pearson, Juliet Snowden
Runtime: 121 min
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Rating: 12
Language: English
Production Year: 2009

Inkheart

Mo has the special talent to bring characters out of books. One night he brings out three characters from Inkheart, a story set in medieval times and filled with magical beings, Capricorn and Basta, two villains, and Dustfinger, a fire-eater. Now, 10 years later Meggie discovers the truth and it’s up to her to escape Capricorn’s evil grasp.

Cast:
Brendan Fraser (Mo ‘Silvertongue’ Folchart)
Paul Bettany (Dustfinger)
Helen Mirren (Elinor Loredan)
Andy Serkis (Capricorn)

Director: Iain Softley
Writer: David Lindsay-Abaire
Runtime: 106 min
Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Rating: 12
Language: English
Production Year: 2008

Γκίνες (Guiness)

An unlucky gambler with the nickname «Guinness» is trying to find the gold buried in a deserted tavern. All goes well until the moment when the beautiful wife of the publican falls in love with him. And then his misfortune becomes worst than ever…

Cast:
Giorgos Pyrpassopoulos (Eftyhis “Guiness”)
Stelios Mainas (Costas)
Markela Giannatou (Maria)
Dimitris Alexandris (Errikos)

Director: Alexis Kardaras
Writer: Alexis Kardaras
Runtime: 92 min
Genre: Action, Comedy, Drama, Romance
Rating: 15
Language:Greek
Production Year: 2009

Seven Pounds

Haunted by a secret, Ben Thomas looks for redemption by radically transforming the lives of seven people he doesn’t know. Once his plan is set, nothing will be able to stop him. At least that’s what he thinks. But Ben hadn’t planned on falling in love with one of these people and she’s the one who will end up transforming him.

Cast:
Will Smith (Ben Thomas)
Rosario Dawson (Emily Posa)
Woody Harrelson (Ezra Turner)
Barry Pepper (Dan)

Director: Gabriele Muccino
Writer: Grant Nieporte
Runtime: 123 min
Genre: Drama
Rating: 12
Language: English
Production Year: 2008

Race to Witch Mountain

For years, stories have circulated about a secret place in the middle of the Nevada desert known for unexplained phenomena and strange sightings. It is called Witch Mountain, and when Las Vegas cab driver Jack Bruno encounters two teens with supernatural powers in his cab, he suddenly finds himself in the middle of an adventure he can’t explain. Working together, Jack and his young passengers discover that the only chance to save the world lies in unraveling the secrets of Witch Mountain, and the race begins.

Cast:
Dwayne Johnson (Jack Bruno)
AnnaSophia Robb (Sara)
Alexander Ludwig (Seth)
Carla Gugino (Dr. Alex Friedman)

Director: Andy Fickman
Writer: Matt Lopez, Mark Bomback
Runtime: 98 min
Genre: Adventure, Comedy
Rating: 12
Language: English
Production Year: 2009

The Tale of Despereaux (English)

The tale of three unlikely heroes – a misfit mouse who prefers reading books to eating them, an unhappy rat who schemes to leave the darkness of the dungeon, and a bumbling servant girl with cauliflower ears – whose fates are intertwined with that of the castle’s princess.

Voices:
Matthew Broderick (Despereaux)
Dustin Hoffman (Roscuro)
Emma Watson (Princess Pea)
Kevin Kline (Andre)

Director: Sam Fell, Robert Stevenhagen
Writer: Kate DiCamillo, Will McRobb
Runtime: 90 min
Genre: Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family
Rating: K
Language:English
Production Year: 2008

Hotel For Dogs

When 16 year old Andi and her younger brother, Bruce, find themselves in a foster home with a strict "no pets" policy, Andi has to use her quick wit to help find a new home for their dog, Friday. The kids stumble upon an abandoned hotel and begin transforming it into the perfect home for Friday – as well as all the strays in the city. In no time, the kids have transformed the old hotel into something truly magical: a home for both the dogs and for themselves. But they have also aroused the suspicions of the police who want to know – who let the dogs in?

Cast:
Emma Roberts (Andi)
Jake T. Austin (Bruce)
Don Cheadle (Bernie)
Lisa Kudrow (Lois Scudder)

Director: Thor Freudenthal
Writer: Jeff Lowell, Robert Schooley
Runtime: 100 min
Genre: Comedy, Family
Rating: K
Language: English
Production Year: 2009

Bolt (Greek)

Bolt, an American White Shepherd, has lived his whole life on the set of his action TV show, where he believes he has superpowers. When separated from the studio by accident, he meets a female alley cat named Mittens and a hamster named Rhino. Along the way, he learns that he doesn’t have superpowers and that the show is not real.

Voices:
Katerina Tsavalou
Demetris Starovas
Smaragda Karidi
Chris William

Director: Byron Howard, Chris Williams
Writer: Dan Fogelman, Chris Williams
Runtime: 103 min
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
Rating: K
Language:Greek
Production Year: 2008

Passengers

After a plane crash, a young therapist, Claire, is assigned by her mentor to counsel the flight’s five survivors. When they share their recollections of the incident — which some say include an explosion that the airline claims never happened — Claire is intrigued by Eric, the most secretive of the passengers. Just as Claire’s professional relationship with Eric — despite her better judgment — blossoms into a romance, the survivors begin to disappear mysteriously, one by one. Claire suspects that Eric may hold all the answers and becomes determined to uncover the truth, no matter the consequences.

Cast:
Anne Hathaway (Claire Summers)
Patrick Wilson (Eric)
Andre Braugher (Perry)
Dianne Wiest (Toni)

Director: Rodrigo García
Writer: Ronnie Christensen
Runtime: 93 min
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Rating: 12
Language: English
Production Year: 2008

Beverly Hills Chihuahua

Chloe is a Beverly Hills Chihuahua who is just so pampered, with clothes, jewelery, and a life style anyone would die to have. Her owner, Vivian, has to go away on a business trip and leaves her party girl niece, Rachel, to watch Chloe. When they go to Mexico, Chloe is kidnapped and put into a dog fight… she is then saved by another dog, Delgado, who is going to help her get back to Beverly Hills. But when the man who runs the dog fights finds out that Chloe is worth something, he sends his Doberman dog, Diablo, after her. Rachel, the land scaper, Sam, and his dog, Pepi who is also in love with Chloe, are on the hunt to find her and get her home safe and sound.

Cast:
Drew Barrymore (Chloe – voice)
Piper Perabo (Rachel Ashe Lynn)
Andy Garcia (Delgado – voice)
George Lopez (Papi – voice)

Director: Raja Gosnell
Writer: Analisa LaBianco, Jeffrey Bushell
Runtime: 91 min
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family
Rating: K
Language: English
Production Year: 2008