NEW DVD Releases

The Promotion

Genre: Comedy

MPAA Rating: R

Movie Website: ThePromotion-movie.com

Actors/Actresses: Seann William Scott, John C. Reilly, Jenna Fischer, Lili Taylor, Fred Armisen, Gil Bellows, Bobby Cannavale, Rick Gonzalez, Chris Conrad

Synopsis: Oscar-nominated actor, John C. Reilly (“Chicago,” “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”) and Seann William Scott (“American Pie”) lend their deft comedic touch to the story of two mid-level Chicago supermarket employees – Doug and Richard, a dubious new guy from Canada – who compete ruthlessly for a coveted managerial post at a new store location. Doug and Richard could not be more different, but going head-to-head in a contest of wits and will reveals how they have more in common than they once suspected. The duo battle toward a hilarious final showdown that will leave you guessing until the very end. The film is the directorial debut of Steve Conrad, the writer of the “The Pursuit of Happyness.”

Married Life

Genre: Drama

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Movie Website: SonyClassics.com/MarriedLife

Actors/Actresses: Pierce Brosnan, Chris Cooper, Patricia Clarkson, Rachel McAdams

Synopsis: A wry blend of dark humor, romantic deception, and stylish melodrama-with an invigorating dash of suspense-”Married Life” is an unconventional fable for grown-ups about the irresistible power and utter madness of love.

After decades of marital contentment, Harry (Chris Cooper) concludes that he must kill his wife Pat (Patricia Clarkson) because he loves her too much to let her suffer when he leaves her. Harry has fallen hard for the young and lovely Kay (Rachel McAdams), but his best friend Richard (Pierce Brosnan) wants to win Kay for himself.

As Harry implements his maladroit plans for murdering his wife, the other characters are entangled with their own deceptions. Like Harry, they race towards their passions but trip over their scruples, seemingly well-intended towards all, but truthful to none.

Married Life is an uncommonly adult film that surprises and confounds expectations. While it plays with mystery, comedy, and intrigue, its ultimate concern is: “What is married life?”

In its sly way, Married Life poses perceptive questions about the seasonal discontents and unforeseen joys of all long-term relationships.

Then She Found Me

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

MPAA Rating: R

Movie Website: none

Actors/Actresses: Helen Hunt, Bette Midler, Colin Firth, Matthew Broderick, Ben Shankman

Synopsis: Adapted from Elinor Lipman’s novel of the same name, Helen Hunt makes her feature directing debut with “Then She Found Me,” a touching story of schoolteacher April Epner (Hunt) and her very unlikely path towards personal fulfillment. Following the separation from her husband (Matthew Broderick) and the death of her adopted mother, April is contacted by her apparent birth month (Bette Midler), who turns out to be a local talk show host Bernice Graves. As Bernice tries to become the mother to April that she was never able to be, April seems to find solace in the arms of the parent of one of her students (Colin Firth), only to find that the mystery to life’s questions cannot be solved by a simple revelation.

Outsourced

Genre: Comedy

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Movie Website: none

Actors/Actresses: Josh Hamilton, Ayesha Dharker, Matt Smith, Asif Basra, Larry Pine

Synopsis: Outsourced is a modern day comedy of cross-cultural conflict and romance. Todd Anderson (Josh Hamilton) spends his days managing a customer call center for American novelty products in Seattle, until his job, along with those of the entire office, are outsourced to India. Adding insult to injury, Todd must travel to India to train his new replacement.

As he lands in India, Todd is assaulted by the sights and sounds of a completely different culture. Navigating through the chaos of Bombay, Todd must train the most unlike team in the ways of America and American novelty products. Between accent and culture training to education on the cheesehead hat and hot dog toaster, Todd frantically tries to increase the effectiveness of the Indian office, so that he can return home to Seattle.

However, it is through his team of quirky yet likable Indian call center workers, including his friendly and motivated replacement, Puro, and the charming, opinionated Asha (Ayesha Dharker), that Todd realizes that he too has a lot to learn – not only about India and America, but about himself. Todd soon discovers that being outsourced may be the best thing that ever happened to him. The film is based on an original screenplay by George Wing (50 First Dates) and writing partner, John Jeffcoat, who also directs. Josh Hamilton heads the cast with Ayesha Dharker and Larry Pine. Principle photography took place in Mumbai (Bombay) from February 5 to March 13, 2006, followed by three days in Seattle from April 7-9.