DVD Releases: July 1, 2008

Vantage Point

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Genre: Action, Thriller

Rating: PG-13

Actors/Actresses: Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox, Forest Whitaker, Sigourney Weaver, William Hurt, Edgar Ramirez, Ayelet Zurer, Eduardo Noriega, Said Taghmaoui, Zoe Saldana

Synopsis: In Columbia Pictures’ action-packed thriller “Vantage Point,” eight strangers with eight different points of view try to unlock the one truth behind an assassination attempt on the president of the United States. Thomas Barnes (Dennis Quaid) and Kent Taylor (Matthew Fox) are two Secret Service agents assigned to protect President Ashton (William Hurt) at a landmark summit on the global war on terror. When President Ashton is shot moments after his arrival in Spain, chaos ensues and disparate lives collide in the hunt for the assassin. In the crowd is Howard Lewis (Forest Whitaker), an American tourist who thinks he’s captured the shooter on his camcorder while videotaping the event for his kids back home. Also there, relaying the historic event to millions of TV viewers across the globe, is American TV news producer Rex Brooks (Sigourney Weaver). As they and others reveal their stories, the pieces of the puzzle will fall into place – and it will become apparent that shocking motivations lurk just beneath the surface.

War, Inc.

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Genre: Comedy

Rating: R

Actors/Actresses: John Cusack, Hilary Duff, Marisa Tomei, Joan Cusack, Ben Kingsley, Dan Aykroyd

Synopsis: “War, Inc.” is an audaciously funny and surprisingly poignant film in the vein of “Grosse Point Blank.” Co-written by Mark Leyner, Jeremy Pikser and producer/star John Cusack, the film also stars Hilary Duff, Marisa Tomei, Joan Cusack, Sir Ben Kingsley and Dan Aykroyd. “War, Inc.” is a political satire set in Turaqistan, a country occupied by an American private corporation run by a former US Vice-President (Dan Akroyd). In an effort to monopolize the opportunities the war-torn nation offers, the corporation’s CEO hires a troubled hit man, played by John Cusack, to kill a Middle East oil minister. Now, struggling with his own growing demons, the assassin must pose as the corporation’s Trade Show Producer in order to pull off this latest hit, while maintaining his cover by organizing the high-profile wedding of Yonica Babyyeah (Hilary Duff) an outrageous Middle Eastern pop star, and keeping a sexy left wing reporter (Marisa Tomei) in check.

Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns

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Genre: Comedy, Drama

Rating: PG-13

Actors/Actresses: Tyler Perry, David Mann, Tamela Mann, Angela Bassett, Lance Gross, Chloe Bailey, Mariana Tolbert, Rick Fox, Sofia Vergara, Irma P. Hall

Synopsis: A funny, moving romantic drama about the power of love and family, Lionsgate’s “Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns” marks another winning portrayal of life by writer/director/actor Tyler Perry (”Diary of a Mad Black Woman,” “Madea’s Family Reunion”) and features a return to the big screen by Madea, the indomitable, law-breaking, fun-loving grandma.

A single mother living in inner city Chicago, Brenda has been struggling for years to make ends meet and keep her three kids off the street. But when she’s laid off with no warning, she starts losing hope for the first time – until a letter arrives announcing the death of a father she’s never met. Desperate for any kind of help, Brenda takes her family to Georgia for the funeral. But nothing could have prepared her for the Browns, her father’s fun-loving, crass Southern clan. In a small-town world full of long afternoons and country fairs, Brenda struggles to get to know the family she never knew existed…and finds a brand new romance that just might change her life.

Based on the popular stage production of the same name, “Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns” is a charming story about the joys of family, and the possibility of second chances. “Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns” was written and directed by Tyler, and produced by Reuben Cannon.

Sex and Death 101

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Genre: Comedy

Rating: R

Actors/Actresses: Winona Ryder, Simon Baker, Leslie Bibb, Julie Bowen, Sophie Monk, Mindy Cohn, Dash Mihok, Patton Oswalt, Tanc Sade, Neil Flynn, Corinne Reilly, Marshall Bell, Robert Patrick Benedict, Frances Fisher, Natassia Malthe

Synopsis: What would you do if you knew who you’d do?

One Man. One List. 101 Women. Some fantasies are too true to be good… Roderick Blank (Simon Baker, “The Devil Wears Prada”) is a successful executive and ladies man, who has finally found ‘the one,’ and is getting married in a little over a week. His life, however, is turned upside down when he receives a strange email that includes the names of everyone he’s had sex with… and ever will have sex with.

The list throws Roderick into a dilemma, as it doesn’t end with the name of his wife-to-be, but counts 72 more potential sex partners. His situation goes from bad to worse when he encounters ‘Death Nell’ (Winona Ryder), a mysterious femme fatale who becomes an urban folk hero as she targets men guilty of sex crimes against women.

My Blueberry Nights

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Genre: Comedy, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Actors/Actresses: Jude Law, Norah Jones, Natalie Portman, Rachel Weisz, David Strathairn

Synopsis: A beautiful young woman on the treacherous road to love….

“My Blueberry Nights” is the new film from one of the world’s most sought-after directors, Wong Kar Wai. It’s a magnificent love story starring multi-Grammy award winner Norah Jones in her movie debut along with a “A-list” cast of Academy Award winners and nominees including Jude Law, David Strathairn, Rachel Weisz and Natalie Portman.

Norah Jones plays a sensual, alluring young woman who sets out on an unforgettable journey of discovery in pursuit of true love. In heartbreakingly beautiful locations and classic Route 66 atmospheric diners, Wong Kar Wai’s captivating heroine encounters a series of enigmatic characters that help her on her quest.

Set against New York’s magical cityscape and the stunning vistas of America’s legendary Route 66, the celebrated director’s first English language picture embraces his signature elegance and originality that made “Happy Together,” “In the Mood for Love” and “2046″ must-see movies all around the world.

Wong Kar Wai’s unique talent and dreamy romantic themes, combined with mythical Americans locations and an awesomely gifted and stylish cast, guarantee that “My Blueberry Nights” will delight and enchant moviegoers everywhere.

Drillbit Taylor

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Genre: Comedy

Rating: PG-13

Actors/Actresses: Owen Wilson, Leslie Mann, Danny McBride, Josh Peck, David Dorfman, Alex Frost, Troy Gentile, Nate Hartley, Casey Boersma, Dylan Boersma

Synopsis: After being harrased by a school bully, two teenagers hire a former soldier of fortune (Wilson) as a bodyguard, only to find out that he has his own agenda.