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20 Centimeters

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With an “Almodovarian” twist and the flamboyance of “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” director Ramón Salazar’s “20 Centimeters” tells the story of Marieta (Mónica Cervera) a narcoleptic, transsexual who longs to get rid of 8 inches of equipment that separates her from being the glamorous woman she dreams to be. When she accidentally falls asleep in the most inopportune times, Marieta’s dreams become lavish and colorful musical numbers, where as a real woman she can sing in Spanish, French & English. So cue up the lights, powder that face and slip on that sexy gown because Marieta’s dreams are about to come true…

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Exit: The Right to Die

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Fernand Melgar’s “Exit” is a new documentary that deals with the most mundane and yet most emotionally fraught of subjects: death. Eventually, none of us escapes the ordeal of a parent or friend’s death; inevitably we wonder if fate will be kind to us, or if we will endure a painful and lingering demise. In Switzerland, Exit, a membership organization, facilitates a dignified, swift and pain-free end to the lives of members who are terminal. The film follows the activities of volunteer “escorts” responsible for visiting clients. We hear their conversations, watch them prepare the lethal solution, and in one instance oversee its administration. The humanity and decency with which all this is conducted leaves little wonder that Exit has a long waiting list for membership. Amazingly, for more than 20 years Switzerland has been the only nation in the world to allow legally assisted suicide by groups such as this one. As anyone who has ever raised the subject knows, in the United States it remains one of our last taboos – despite the fact that a majority of Americans support some form of “the right to die.” “Exit” makes apparent that the freedom to end one’s life is one that every society owes its citizens.

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Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas

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Tim Burton’s holiday classic, “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” makes a return to the big screen this holiday season in stunning Disney Digital 3D™. The dazzling new make-over of the musical-fantasy was led by the film’s original filmmaking team of Academy Award® nominated writer/producer Tim Burton (”Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Corpse Bride”) and director Henry Selick (”James and the Giant Peach”) as well as the talented technical wizards at Industrial Light + Magic. Audiences will get closer than ever to Halloweentown’s beloved Pumpkin King, Jack Skellington (voiced by Chris Sarandon), as he attempts to take over the Christmas holiday. Against the advice of Sally (voiced by Catherine O’Hara), a lonely rag doll who has feelings for him, Jack enlists three mischievous trick-or-treaters – Lock, Shock, and Barrel – to help him kidnap Santa Claus. Jack eventually realizes his mistake but has to contend with the evil Oogie Boogie before he can make things right and restore the Christmas holiday. Fueled by an unforgettable Grammy® nominated soundtrack featuring ten ghoulishly delightful songs by Oscar® nominee Danny Elfman (”Corpse Bride,” “Big Fish”) who also provided the singing voice for Jack, “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas 3D” combines the Oscar® nominated artistry of stop-motion animation with brand new state-of-the-art digital technology to create a unique and entertaining movie-going experience that is sure to become a modern holiday tradition.

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Sweet Land

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When Lars Torvik’s grandmother Inge dies in 2004, he is faced with a decision – sell the family farm on which she lived since 1920, or cling to the legacy of the land. Seeking advice, he turns to the memory of Inge and the stories that she had passed on to him.

Inge arrives in Minnesota in 1920 to marry a young Norwegian farmer named Olaf but her German heritage and lack of official immigration papers makes her an object of suspicion in the small town, and she and Olaf are forbidden to marry. Alone and adrift, Inge goes to live with the family of Olaf’s friend and neighbor Frandsen and his wife Brownie, where she learns the English language, American ways, and a hard-won independence.

Inge and Olaf slowly come to know each other, and against the backdrop of endless farmland and cathedral skies they fall in love, a man and woman united by the elemental forces of nature. Still unable to marry, they live together openly, despite the scorn of the neighbors and the disapproval of the local minister. But when his friend Frandsen’s farm is threatened by foreclosure, Olaf takes a stand, and the community unites around the young couple, finally accepting Inge as one of their own.

Based on Will Weaver’s short story A Gravestone Made of Wheat and shot on location in Southern Minnesota.

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One Night with the King

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An epic motion picture set in an imaginative world of adventure, intrigue and romance, “One Night with the King” follows a young girl who rises from peasant to princess by going against the culture and seeking the King’s heart rather than the riches of the kingdom.

By ‘chance’ she is born with exceeding beauty to a people who have been carried away as slaves to the most powerful kingdom in the world. By ‘chance’ her parents are killed while she is young leaving her to be taken in by her uncle, a man who has found favor as a royal scribe. By ‘chance’ the Queen is executed by the unknowing King, spurned on by the ruthless plotting of palace princes hungry for power. By ‘chance’ the King is left feeling alone, pushed and prodded, desperate to live up to and avenge the battles of his father. By ‘chance’ Esther is carted off to the palace to become part of the Kingís harem at the same time a vengeful young prime minister with the Kingís ear is rising to prominence with a plan for orchestrating the genocide of her people.

So begins the story of Esther, “One Night with the King,” a story that reveals that all of life is under God’s command. Power, position and prominence are one thing, but when Esther must choose between all she’s ever dreamed of and the fate of her people, will she be able to find the courage to step forward and embrace her destiny?

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Nearing Grace

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The Nearing family seems to be dealing with the death of their mother by making every bad choice possible. Henry (Gregory Smith) busies himself with the lapses in judgment available to an intelligent high school boy: falling hard for the school vixen (Jordana Brewster), failing to notice the attractions of the girl next door (Ashley Johnson), and allowing his existential ruminations to distract him from any actual schoolwork.

In association with John Wells Productions comes Whitewater Films’ second feature, “Nearing Grace.” Director Rick Rosenthal leads a stellar cast including Gregory Smith, Jordana Brewster, Ashley Johnson, and David Morse down an emotional and humorous path of teen sexuality in the late 1970s.

Point of Contact

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A man wakes after 12 years only to find he’s able to see the dead.

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The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning

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The original 1974 film, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” shocked and stunned audiences with its bone-chilling realism. The horrifying story, drawn from a series of true events, is considered by many to be one of the greatest thrillers of all time and a landmark of terror that has influenced countless films in its wake. Iconic in popular culture, its menacing evil character, Leatherface, will forever be one of the most recognizable screen villains.

With 2003’s remake of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” starring Jessica Biel, the filmmakers at Platinum Dunes brought new life and vigor to the horror movie genre, while also honoring its predecessor. Now the company continues on that path with a startling prequel, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning,” which details the beginnings of the Hewitt clan and exposes their psychotic idea of family fun.

It’s 1969. The conflict in Viet Nam has exploded to immeasurable proportions, and 18-year-old Dean Hill’s (Taylor Handley) number is up. Dean’s brother Eric (Matthew Bomer), who has already seen his share of combat, plans to take Dean to enlist in his beloved Marine Corps in hopes of keeping an eye on him rather than letting him take his chances at the local induction center.

But Dean’s plans do not coincide with his older brother’s. Instead, he plans to confront Eric about dodging the draft after the boys and their respective girlfriends, Bailey (Diora Baird) and Chrissie (Jordana Brewster) head across Texas for a final fling of serious fun.

Soon after their journey begins, the spirited foursome are spooked by a menacing pair of bikers, Holden (Lee Tergesen) and his girlfriend, Alex (Cyia Batten). When Alex chases the group’s jeep, propelling them into a serious accident, Chrissie is thrown from the vehicle. As Alex attempts to rob the injured trio, Sheriff Hoyt (R. Lee Ermey) arrives on the scene and turns the tables on their would-be assassin. While Chrissie hides in the nearby brush, she watches as the sheriff kills Alex in cold blood and then inexplicably taunts her friends before ordering them into the back of the patrol car.

Unbeknownst to Chrissie, Hoyt is headed back to the Hewitt family home where Thomas who is being groomed to become the terrifying monster known as Leatherface (Andrew Bryniarski) and the rest of the Hewitt clan await. In an effort to save her friends, she attempts to convince Holden to help her, but he is on a one-man rampage to avenge his girlfriend’s death. As Chrissie witnesses the horrors inflicted by the Hewitt family upon the people she loves, she realizes she is their only hope of survival.

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Little Children

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Kate Winslet, Patrick Wilson and Jennifer Connelly star in “Little Children,” the latest work from Oscar-nominated writer/director Todd Field. Based on the novel by Tom Perrotta, “Little Children” centers on a handful of individuals whose lives intersect on the playgrounds, town pools and streets of their small community in surprising and potentially dangerous ways.

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School for Scoundrels

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In “School for Scoundrels,” Jon Heder plays Roger, a beleaguered New York City meter maid who is plagued by anxiety and low self-esteem. In order to overcome his feelings of inadequacy, Roger enrolls in a top-secret confidence-building class taught by the suavely underhanded Dr. P (Billy Bob Thornton). Aided by his assistant, Lesher (Michael Clarke Duncan), Dr. P uses unorthodox, often dangerous methods, but he guarantees results: Employ his techniques and you will unleash your inner lion.

Surrounded by a band of misfit classmates – Walsh (Matt Walsh), who’s dying to move out of mother’s basement; Diego (Horatio Sanz), a punching bag for his hen-pecker of a wife; and Eli (Todd Louiso), a shy guy just looking for female companionship – Roger’s confidence grows and he makes his way to the head of the class, even finding the courage to ask out his longtime crush, Amanda (Jacinda Barrett). But Roger quickly discovers that star students have a way of catapulting Dr. P’s competitive side into high gear. Soon enough, the teacher sets out to infiltrate and destroy Roger’s personal and professional life. Nothing is off limits for Dr. P, not even the object of Roger’s affection. In order to show Amanda Dr. P’s true colors, Roger must rally his new friends and find a way to beat the master at his own game.

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