DVD Releases: April 8, 2008

There Will Be Blood

Genre: Drama

Rating: R

Actors/Actresses: Daniel Day-Lewis, Mary Elizabeth Barrett, Paul Dano, Dillon Freasier, Christine Olejniczak

Synopsis: An epic tale of family, faith, power and oil set on the incendiary frontier of California’s turn-of-the-century petroleum boom. The story chronicles the life and times of one Daniel Plainview, who transforms himself from a down-and-out silver miner raising a son on his own into a self-made oil tycoon. When Plainview gets a mysterious tip-off that there’s a little town out West where an ocean of oil is oozing out of the ground, he heads with his son, H.W., to take their chances in dust-worn Little Boston. In this hardscrabble town, where the main excitement centers around the holy roller church of charismatic preacher Eli Sunday, Plainview and H.W. make their lucky strike. But even as the well raises all of their fortunes, nothing will remain the same as conflicts escalate and every human value–love, hope, community, belief, ambition and even the bond between father and son–is imperiled by corruption, deception and the flow of oil.

Reservation Road

Genre: Drama, Thriller

Rating: R

Actors/Actresses: Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Connelly, Mira Sorvino, Elle Fanning

Synopsis: A tale of anger, revenge, and great courage, the film follows two fathers as their families and lives converge. On a warm September evening, college professor Ethan Learner, his wife Grace, and their daughter Emma are attending a recital. Their 10-year-old son Josh is playing cello–beautifully, as usual. His younger sister looks up to him, and his parents are proud of their son. On the way home, they all stop at a gas station on Reservation Road. There, in one terrible instant, he is taken from them forever. On a warm September evening, law associate Dwight Arno and his 11-year-old son Lucas are attending a baseball game. Their favorite team, the Red Sox, is playing–and, hopefully, heading for the World Series. Dwight cherishes his time spent with Lucas. Driving his son back to his ex-wife, Lucas’ mother Ruth Wheldon, Dwight heads towards his fateful encounter at Reservation Road. The accident happens so fast that Lucas is all but unaware, while Ethan–the only witness–is all too aware, as a panicked Dwight speeds away. The police are called, and an investigation begins. Haunted by the tragedy, both fathers react in unexpected ways, as do Grace and Emma. As a reckoning looms, the two fathers are forced to make the hardest choices of their lives.

Lions For Lambs

Genre: Drama, Politics/Religion, War

Rating: R

Actors/Actresses: Robert Redford, Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, Michael Pena, Derek Luke

Synopsis: Two determined students at a West Coast University, Arian and Ernest, follow the inspiration of their idealistic professor, Dr. Malley, and attempt to do something important with their lives. But when the two make the bold decision to join the battle in Afghanistan, Malley is both moved and distraught. Now, as Arian and Ernest fight for survival in the field, they become the string that binds together two disparate stories on opposite sides of America. In California, an anguished Dr. Malley attempts to reach a privileged but disaffected student, who is the very opposite of Arian and Ernest. Meanwhile, in Washington D.C. the charismatic Presidential hopeful, Senator Jasper Irving, is about to give a bombshell story to a probing TV journalist that may affect Arian and Ernest’s fates. As arguments, memories and bullets fly, the three stories are woven ever more tightly together, revealing how each of these Americans has a profound impact on each other–and the world.

The Final Season

Genre: Sports, Drama

Rating: PG

Actors/Actresses: Sean Astin, Larry Miller, Ann Wedgeworth, Powers Boothe, Holly Bonelli

Synopsis: Directed by David Mickey Evans (THE SANDLOT) THE FINAL SEASON is based on the true the story of a small town baseball team facing insurmountable odds. Tradition in Norway, Iowa (pop. 586) can be summed up in one word, Baseball. From father to son, generation to generation, this high school David exists to defeat Goliaths ten times its size. As Coach Jim Van Scoyoc (Powers Boothe) leads the team to its 19th State title, it seems following it with a 20th is a forgone conclusion. The unexpected strikes when bureaucracy intercedes merging the town with another. Petty jealousies and political designs conspire to rob Norway of its heritage and a 20th Championship. Making matters worse, legendary coach Van Scoyoc is fired and replaced with a one-season assistant coach, Kent Stock (Sean Astin) – a move that seems to guarantee the team’s failure. THE FINAL SEASON is a film about the sudden nature of change, the identity of a small town and the strength that brings out the best when we need it most. Based on a screenplay by Art D’Alessandro and James Grayford the film also stars Rachel Leigh Cook, Michael Angarano and Tom Arnold

The Water Horse

Genre: Action/Adventure, Kids/Family, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Adaptation

Rating: PG

Actors/Actresses: Emily Watson, Ben Chaplin, Alex Etel, David Morrissey, Geraldine Brophy

Synopsis: Angus, a young Scottish boy, finds an enchanted egg. Taking it home, he soon finds himself face-to-face with an amazing creature: the mythical “water horse” of Scottish lore. Angus begins a journey of discovery, facing his greatest fears and risking his life to protect a secret that would give birth to a legend.