The Twilight Saga:

Breaking Dawn – Part 2

After the birth of Renesmee, the Cullens gather other vampire clans in order to protect the child from a false allegation that puts the family in front of the Volturi.

Bella awakens from her transformation from human to vampire, not only keenly aware of her new abilities, but also of changes within the coven as Jacob has imprinted on her child,Renesmee. It also appears that Bella’s father, Charlie, has been attempting to contact the Cullens for updates on Bella’s illness. They intend to tell him she didn’t survive, which requires that they move out of Forks, Washington to protect their identities. Jacob, desperate not to lose Renesmee, tells Charlie that his daughter is in fact alive and well, and transforms into a werewolf before Charlie to demonstrate that Bella has had to change in order to survive (although not into a werewolf).

Several months pass uneventfully, with Carlisle monitoring Renesmee’s rapid growth with Bella, Edward, Jacob and the rest of the Cullen family worrying what will become of her with such a rapid growth rate. On an outing in the woods, a bitter Irina sees Renesmee from a distance, as the has a special ability: a powerful mental shield, which she can extend to protect others, with practice.

As some of their potential witnesses are attacked and prevented from coming to support the Cullens, Carlisle and Edward finally face the reality that they may have to fight the Volturi despite their efforts to do otherwise. Some witnesses hesitate, but ultimately agree to stand with them in battle.

The Volturi arrive, led by Aro, who is eager to obtain the gifted members of the Cullen coven as part of his guard. Although Aro is persuaded that Renesmee is not an immortal child, he still insists she poses a risk. Alice and Jasper appear to attest to the existence of other children like Renesmee. After showing Aro a vision of the future, Alice realizes that he will not change his decision. Chaos breaks out and a battle ensues. Both sides undergo heavy casualties, with Aro and most of the Volturi dying. However, the battle is revealed to be Alice’s vision, which would come to pass if Aro maintained his pursuit of Renesmee. Two more witnesses then arrive: a fully grown vampire-human hybrid and his aunt, proving Renesmee is not a threat. For the sake of self-preservation, Aro orders his guards to retreat but not without giving one final glance to Alice, Bella and Edward.

Back at the Cullen home, Alice gives us a glimpse into the future: Edward and Bella together with Jacob and a fully matured Renesmee. Edward reads Alice’s mind and feels happy that Renesmee has Jacob to protect her. Alone in the meadow, Bella finally allows Edward a peek into her thoughts and as the final lines of the novel read, “And then we continued blissfully into this small but perfect piece of our forever.”

Director: Bill Condon
Writers: Melissa Rosenberg (screenplay), Stephenie Meyer (novel)
Stars: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner | See full cast and crew

Vamps

Two female vampires in modern-day New York City are faced with daunting romantic possibilities.

The film centers around Stacy and Goody, two socialite vampires living a good life in New York City. Goody was turned in 1841 by vampire queen Ciccerus. She struggled with her life as a vampire until Stacy was turned sometime during the 1990s. Goody was able to teach Stacy how to use her new abilities, like sustaining themselves on rat blood, but keeps her actual age a secret because she’s afraid of being viewed as old. While at a vampire meeting, Stacy explains how she struggled with drug addiction as a human, but was now happy since being a vampire gave her a second-chance. Goody also discovers that if their maker or “stem” Ciccerus is ever killed, they would revert back to their human ages.

Director: Amy Heckerling
Writer: Amy Heckerling (screenplay)
Stars: Alicia Silverstone, Krysten Ritter and Dan Stevens | See full cast and crew

Lincoln

As the Civil War continues to rage, America’s president struggles with continuing carnage on the battlefield and as he fights with many inside his own cabinet on the decision to emancipate the slaves.

Lincoln recounts President Abraham Lincoln’s efforts, during January 1865, to pass in the United States House of Representatives the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution that would formally abolish slavery in the country. Expecting the Civil War to end within a month but concerned that his 1863 Emancipation Proclamation may be discarded by the courts once the war has concluded and the 13th Amendment defeated by the returning slave states, Lincoln feels it is imperative to pass the amendment by the end of January, thus removing any possibility that slaves who have already been freed may be re-enslaved. The Radical Republicans fear the amendment will merely be defeated and some wished to delay; the support of the amendment by Republicans in the border states is not yet assured either, since they prioritize the issue of ending the war. Even if all of them are ultimately brought on board, the amendment will still require the support of several Democratic congressmen if it is to pass. With dozens of Democrats having just become lame ducks after losing their re-election campaigns in the fall of 1864, some of Lincoln’s advisers believe that he should wait until the new Republican-heavy Congress is seated, presumably giving the amendment an easier road to passage. Lincoln, however, remains adamant about having the amendment in place and the issue of slavery settled before the war is concluded and the southern States reintegrated into the Union.
Lincoln’s hopes for passage of the amendment rely upon the support of the Republican Party founder Francis Preston Blair, the only one whose influence can ensure that all members of the western and border state conservative Republican faction will back the amendment. With Union victory in the Civil War seeming highly likely and greatly anticipated, but not yet a fully accomplished fact, Blair is keen to end the hostilities as soon as possible. Therefore, in return for his support, Blair insists that Lincoln allow him to immediately engage the Confederate government in peace negotiations. This is a complication to Lincoln’s amendment efforts since he knows that a significant portion of the support he has garnered for the amendment is from the Radical Republican faction for which a negotiated peace that leaves slavery intact is anathema. If there seems to be a realistic possibility of ending the war even without guaranteeing the end of slavery, needed support for the amendment from the more conservative wing which does not favor abolition will certainly fall away. Unable to proceed without Blair’s support, however, Lincoln reluctantly authorizes Blair’s mission.
In the meantime, Lincoln and Secretary of State William Seward work on the issue of securing the necessary Democratic votes for the amendment. Lincoln suggests that they concentrate on the lame duck Democrats, as they have already lost re-election and thus will feel free to vote as they please, rather than having to worry about how their vote will affect a future re-election campaign. Since those members also will soon be in need of employment and Lincoln will have many federal jobs to fill as he begins his second term, he sees this as a tool he can use to his advantage. Though Lincoln and Seward are unwilling to offer direct monetary bribes to the Democrats, they authorize agents to quietly go about contacting Democratic congressmen with offers of federal jobs in exchange for their voting in favor of the amendment.
The amendment is brought to the floor of the House of Representatives and through the month of January, there is contentious debate, particularly between Radical Republican stalwart Thaddeus Stevens and Copperhead Democrats, such as George Pendleton and Fernando Wood. Stevens’ staunch support for complete racial equality provides another complication with regard to Lincoln’s efforts to pass the amendment. Lincoln is aware that tolerance for the idea of abolishing slavery far exceeds support for the idea of complete racial equality. If the amendment comes to be seen as the first step in an attempt to bring about complete equality of the black and white races, there is no chance it will pass. Pendleton and Wood have made the same calculation and hope to defeat the amendment by getting Stevens to declare during the debate his intention to promote just such racial equality. As the month proceeds, Lincoln must simultaneously oversee the efforts to secure the Democratic votes, monitor Blair’s peace efforts, including attempting to delay the presentation to him of any formal peace offer from the Confederacy, and try to convince Stevens to temper his statements advocating racial equality during the debate. During this same time, Lincoln must deal with family strife, torn between his son Robert’s determination to enlist in the army and his wife’s highly emotional objections to such plans.
With Confederate envoys ready to meet with Lincoln, he instructs them to be kept out of Washington, as the amendment approaches a vote on the House floor. At the moment of truth, Stevens decides to moderate his statements about racial equality to help the amendment’s chances of passage. A rumor circulates that there are Confederate representatives in Washington ready to discuss peace, prompting both Democrats and conservative Republicans to advocate postponing the vote on the amendment. Lincoln explicitly denies that such envoys are in or will be in the city — technically a truthful statement, since he had ordered them to be kept away — and the vote proceeds, narrowly passing with barely enough Democrats voting in favor of it. When Lincoln subsequently meets with the Confederates, he quashes the idea of their being able to rejoin the Union in time to prevent the amendment from going into effect.
After the amendment’s passage, the film’s narrative shifts forward two months, portraying Lincoln’s visit to the battlefield at Petersburg, Virginia, where he exchanges a few words with General Grant. Shortly thereafter, Grant receives General Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Courthouse On the night of April 14, 1865, Lincoln is in a late-night meeting with his cabinet, discussing possible future measures to enfranchise blacks, when he is reminded that Mrs. Lincoln is waiting to take them to their evening at Ford’s Theater.
The next morning, after Lincoln is shot, his physician pronounces him dead. The film concludes with a flashback to Lincoln delivering his Second Inaugural Address.

Director: Steven Spielberg Writers: Tony Kushner (screenplay), Doris Kearns Goodwin (book) (in part)
Stars: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field and David Strathairn | See full cast and crew

Price Check

Peter, a family man who works for a failing supermarket chain finds his life shaken up by his new boss, Susan, who starts to groom him for an executive position. Money and opportunities are within his grasp, but at what price?

Pete Cozy is having trouble resolving a happy marriage and family life with rising debt and a job he hates. When his new boss, Susan, a human dynamo, shows up, Pete is pulled into the maelstrom that is her life and made to work harder than he ever has before. Suddenly, money and opportunities come his way, but at what price?

Pete Cozy (Eric Mabius) has found himself a house in the suburbs and a job in the pricing department of a middling supermarket chain. Pete’s job allows him to spend quality time with his wife (Annie Parisse) and young son and, despite the fact that they are drowning in debts, they appear happy.
Everything changes when Pete gets a new boss, the beautiful, high-powered, fast talking Susan Felders (Parker Posey). With Susan’s influence, Pete finds himself on the executive track, something that both surprises and excites him. The more his salary increases, the more he has to perform at work… and the less time he gets to spend with his family. At the same time, his relationship with his boss begins to cross the line of professional etiquette. Both become enamored with one another – creating tension in the workplace and in his personal home life.

Director: Michael Walker
Writer: Michael Walker
Stars: Parker Posey, Eric Mabius and Annie Parisse | See full cast and crew

Nature Calls

Polar-opposite brothers Randy and Kirk never saw eye-to-eye, but their rivalry is taken to a new level when Randy hijacks Kirk’s son’s sleepover, taking the boys on a Scout Trip to remember.

Director: Todd Rohal
Writer: Todd Rohal (screenplay)
Stars: Patton Oswalt, Johnny Knoxville and Rob Riggle | See full cast and crew

In Their Skin

The Hughes cottage vacation is violently interrupted by a family on a murderous and identity stealing journey, in search of the “perfect” life.

After the accidental death of their six-year-old daughter, the Hughes family escape their busy upscale suburban life and head to their isolated cottage for some quality time. An evening with their friendly neighbors is suddenly interrupted when one mans obsession with perfection escalates into a violent struggle, forcing the families to go beyond what they ever thought they were capable of in order to survive.

Director: Jeremy Power Regimbal
Writer: Joshua Close
Stars: Selma Blair, Joshua Close and James D’Arcy | See full cast and crew

The Man

with theIron Fists

On the hunt for a fabled treasure of gold, a band of warriors, assassins, and a rogue British soldier descend upon a village in feudal China, where a humble blacksmith looks to defend himself and his fellow villagers.

In nineteenth century China, Jungle Village is home to several warring clans. The village Blacksmith creates deadly weapons for the clans, intending to use his payments to purchase the freedom of his lover Lady Silk, and leave the village. The regions governor tasks the Lion Clan’s leader Gold Lion with protecting a large shipment of gold that must pass through the village. Gold is betrayed by his lieutenants Silver Lion and Bronze Lion, who plan to steal the gold. They use the chaos of a fight with the Hyena Clan to allow their co-conspirator Poison Dagger (the governor’s aide) to assassinate Gold; Silver becomes the Lions’ leader. Gold’s son Zen-Yi learns of his father’s murder and sets off to the village to seek revenge.

The Emperor’s undercover emissary Jack Knife arrives in the village to monitor the gold, and takes up residence in the Pink Blossom, a brothel run by Lady Silk’s madame, Madam Blossom. Silver sends members of the Rodent clan to kill Zen-Yi before he can reach the village, but Zen-Yi kills them. The mercenary Brass Body arrives in the village and meets with Silver; he is sent to kill Zen-Yi. The Blacksmith meets with Silk in the brothel and delivers the final payment needed to free her. After arriving in the village, Zen-Yi and his men are confronted by Brass and find themselves unable to cause him physical harm as his skin turns to metal on impact. Brass beats Zen-Yi and destroys his blade-laden armor. Zen-Yi’s last surviving man sacrifices himself to pull a canopy support beam loose, burying Brass under heavy stone. Observing the fight, the Blacksmith rescues Zen-Yi and helps him recover as penance for crafting the weapon that killed his father.

Meanwhile, the gold shipment arrives in the village, accompanied by the Geminis; two skilled warriors. They and their men are quickly confronted by the Lions. In the resulting fight, Poison Dagger assassinates the Geminis and the Lions capture the gold. Jack later arrives to inspect the incident and learns that the Geminis were poisoned with Mercury-tipped weapons, leading him to the Blacksmith. The Lions theft prompts the governor to send in his Jackal troops to recover the shipment or destroy the village. Zen-Yi asks the Blacksmith to craft him a new suit of weaponised armor. The Lions suspect that the Blacksmith is helping Zen-Yi and have him tortured for information. The Blacksmith refuses to talk and his forearms are cut off by Brass. Jack, who had been following the Blacksmith, saves him. While he recovers, the Blacksmith tells Jack of his past as an American slave who was freed, but then accidentally killed a white man who refused to let him go. He fled the country by boat and ended up in China, where he was trained by monks to use his body’s energy to perform superhuman feats. With Jack, the Blacksmith crafts his greatest weapon; a pair of iron forearms that he is capable of animating using this energy.

Zen-Yi recovers and joins Jack and the Blacksmith. Meanwhile, Blossom offers to let Silver hide the gold in a secret tomb beneath the brothel in return for payment. The gold is stored in a coffin and raised up to the rafters. That night, Blossom has her girls serve the Lions, and Silk serves Brass; at Blossom’s signal, the girls use hidden weapons in their mouths to poison many of the Lions and then join with Blossom as the Black Widows. When Silk attempts to poison Brass, his skin protects him and he beats her to near death. The Black Widows fight with the remaining Lions while Blossom and Bronze fight and kill each other. Poison Dagger is crushed between large moving gears while fighting Jack. While Zen-Yi and Silver fight in the tomb, Zen-Yi cuts the coffin free and it crushes Silver. The Blacksmith finds Silk and she dies in his arms. He confronts Brass, and his Iron Fists prove capable of inflicting damage on his seemingly invincible body. While Brass is in metal form, a powerful punch from the Blacksmith shatters him to pieces. Jack runs outside in time to stop the Jackals from decimating the building with a gatling gun.

In the epilogue, Jack leaves the village to accompany the gold, and Zen-Yi tells the Blacksmith that he has gained a brother. With the clans destroyed and the village safe, the Blacksmith vows to keep it that way, destroying the sign to his weapon shop.

Director: RZA
Writers: Eli Roth (screenplay), RZA (screenplay)
Stars: Russell Crowe, Cung Le and Lucy Liu | See full cast and crew

A Late Quartet

Members of a world-renowned string quartet struggle to stay together in the face of death, competing egos and insuppressible lust.

Director: Yaron Zilberman
Writers: Seth Grossman, Yaron Zilberman
Stars: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken and Catherine Keener | See full cast and crew

The Helpers

Seven friends on a road trip to Las Vegas break down near a rest-stop motel, where they encounter a seemingly helpful group of people. Convinced to stay overnight, the friends wake up in their rooms to a gruesome and bloody terror.

Director: Chris Stokes
Stars: Kristen Quintrall, Denyce Lawton and Christopher Jones | See full cast and crew

Flight

An airline pilot saves a flight from crashing, but an investigation into the malfunctions reveals something troubling.

Airline captain William “Whip” Whitaker awakens in his Orlando hotel room with flight attendant Katerina Marquez after a night of sex, alcohol, and very little sleep. He uses cocaine to wake up then boards SouthJet flight 227 to Atlanta. After Whip threads the plane through turbulence at takeoff, Copilot Ken Evans flies the plane while Whip discreetly mixes vodka in his orange juice and takes a nap. Whip is jolted awake just before their final descent and the plane goes into a steep dive. After failing to achieve any pitch control, Whip rolls the plane into an inverted position to bring it out of the dive and then maneuvers the plane right-side up just before crash-landing in a field. He loses consciousness upon impact.
Whip awakens in an Atlanta hospital with minor injuries. He is greeted by Charlie Anderson, a friend who now represents the airline’s pilots union. He tells Whip his heroism saved 96 of 102 souls on board. An NTSB official informs him Katerina was among those killed, and that Evans has been put into a coma.
Sneaking a smoke in the stairwell, Whip meets Nicole, who is recovering from a heroin overdose, and promises to visit her when they leave the hospital. In the morning, his friend and drug dealer, Harling Mays, picks him up and takes him to Whip’s late father’s farm, where Whip hopes to avoid the media. When he meets Charlie and attorney Hugh Lang, they explain that the NTSB performed a toxicology screen while he was unconscious in the hospital that revealed his alcohol intoxication and drug use, which could result in Whip going to prison on both drug and manslaughter charges. Lang promises to get the toxicology report ruled inadmissible on technical grounds, but Whip leaves in a fury and seeks out Nicole. He finds her skipping out on her lease and offers to let her stay at the farm.
Nicole and Whip begin a romantic relationship, but Nicole is trying to stay clean and sober while Whip’s alcoholism progresses, and she soon leaves. The media discover his farmhouse, so he drives intoxicated to visit his ex-wife and teenage son, but they call the police. He begs to stay with Charlie, vowing not to drinking before the upcoming NTSB hearing.
The night before the hearing, Charlie and Hugh check Whip into a guarded hotel room to ensure he does not get intoxicated. His mini-bar has only nonalcoholic beverages, but Whip discovers that the door to the adjoining room is open and finds alcohol in its refrigerator. Charlie and Hugh find him the next morning passed out and intoxicated. They call Harling, who brings him cocaine to perk him up for the hearing.
At the hearing, Ellen Block, the lead NTSB investigator, reveals that the cause of the plane’s malfunction was a broken jackscrew in the elevator assembly. She commends Whip on his valor, pointing out no other pilots were able to land the plane safely under the same circumstances in simulations. She knows about his toxicology results but just as it appears Whip will escape culpability, Block raises the fact that there were two empty alcohol containers found in the trash on the plane; Whip knows these were his. Block points out that only the flight crew had access to the alcohol, and since only Katerina’s toxicology screen showed alcohol, Block asks Whitaker whether he thinks Katerina may have been drinking on the job. Refusing to taint Katerina’s good name, Whip admits that not only was he flying intoxicated but also that he is intoxicated at the hearing.
Thirteen months later, an imprisoned Whip tells a support group of fellow inmates that he is glad to be sober and does not regret doing the right thing, because he finally feels “free.” He has kept in touch with Nicole and is reconnecting with his estranged son.

Director: Robert Zemeckis
Writer: John Gatins
Stars: Nadine Velazquez, Denzel Washington and Carter Cabassa | See full cast and crew