1)
The Illusionist DVDEdward Norton and Paul Giamatti star in this drama about a magician in Vienna circa 1900. Eisenheim (Norton) puts on astounding magic shows, and Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell) and his fiancée Sophie (Jessica Biel) attend a performance. It turns out Eisenheim and Sophie were childhood sweethearts, and they become lovers, but try to keep it hidden from Leopold. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince assigns Chief Inspector Uhl (Giamatti) to uncover Eisenheim's secrets and expose him as a fraud. DVD release date: January 9, 2007
2)
The Guardian DVD Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher star in this drama about the Coast Guard. Ben Randall (Costner) has had a long and distinguished career as a Coast Guard rescue swimmer when, during a difficult operation off Alaska, his entire crew perishes. Deeply distressed, he transfers to Louisiana to put new recruits through tough training, and one of those raw recruits is cocky swimming champ Jake Fischer (Kutcher). Randall teaches the young man how to be a professional, and the veteran learns a few things along the way. DVD release date: January 23, 2007
3)
Saw III DVDTerror, torture and gore are what this grisly horror movie is all about. It's the follow-up to Saw (2004) and Saw II (2005), and Tobin Bell and Shawnee Smith are back. The sadistic killer Jigsaw (Bell) has a brain tumor, and his assistant Amanda (Smith) forces a physician (Bahar Soomekh of Crash) to treat him. The doctor has an explosive collar around her neck set to detonate if Jigsaw's heart stops. Also, Jigsaw subjects a father (Angus MacFadyen) to a diabolical scenario because the man wants revenge for the death of his son. DVD release date: January 23, 2007
4)
Open Season DVD This is a computer-animated adventure-comedy. Boog (voice of Martin Lawrence) is a lovable bear who has grown up in captivity, living with a forest ranger (voice of Debra Messing). But when Boog and the wisecracking mule deer Elliot (voice of Ashton Kutcher) raid a convenience store, they are banished to the wilds. There they encounter a lot of cute animals, but Boog has trouble adjusting. Also, they have to watch out for a hunter (voice of Gary Sinese). The film has songs by Paul Westerberg. DVD release date: January 30, 2007
5)
Flags of Our Fathers DVDClint Eastwood directed this powerful World War II drama. In 1945, American forces landed at Iwo Jima to take control of the island from entrenched, resolute Japanese defenders. Amid heavy casualties, a photo was snapped of Old Glory being raised on a hilltop. The image quickly became a symbol of hope for Americans, and a War Bond drive was built around three of the men who put that flag up. The film explores the gap between the public's perception of war and that of those who do the fighting. DVD release date: February 6, 2007
6)
The Departed DVD Martin Scorsese directed this character-driven crime drama that stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson. Frank Costello (Nicholson) is a Boston mob boss the state police want to bring down. They give trooper Billy Costigan (DiCaprio) an elaborate cover, and he infiltrates Costello's inner circle. But Costello has a dirty cop, Colin Sullivan (Damon), looking out for his interests. The narrative engine is the conflict between Costigan and Sullivan, which is resolved in a climactic showdown. DVD release date: February 13, 2007
7)
Marie Antoinette DVD Based on the book by Antonia Fraser, Sofia Coppola wrote and directed this biopic that stars Kirsten Dunst as the title character. The movie is about the two decades Marie Antoinette spent at Versailles and features extensive location shooting at the famous palace. Brought from Austria at age 14, she married the heir to the French throne and became queen at about 19. After reigning 15 years, she and the king were forced out of Versailles by an angry mob. The film is a study of royal court life before the Revolution. DVD release date: February 13, 2007
8)
Flushed Away DVD Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet and Ian McKellen are among those who supply voices for this animated comedy. Roddy (voice of Hugh Jackman) is a pet mouse who lives a life of luxury in a fancy house. But he gets flushed down the toilet and ends up in a miniature version of London made out of stuff people have thrown away. The pampered Roddy is ill-suited to this world, and he's lucky to befriend a rat named Rita (voice of Kate Winslet). The villain here is the Toad (voice of Ian McKellen), who has an evil plan. DVD release date: February 20, 2007
9)
The Prestige DVD Christopher Nolan cowrote and directed this puzzle-like drama that stars Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale. Set in Victorian England, the story is about music-hall magicians. Angier (Jackman) and Borden (Bale) are illusionists who once worked together, but Angier's wife died performing a trick, and the widower blames Borden. The two magicians become bitter rivals, engaging in a feud both personal and professional. There's another death and a trial, with the tale unfolding in an elaborate flashback structure. DVD release date: February 20, 2007
10)
Stranger Than Fiction DVDWill Ferrell and Emma Thompson star in this comedy that blurs the line between the real and the imagined. Harold Crick (Ferrell) is an I.R.S. auditor who hears a woman narrating in his head. The voice belongs to author Kay Eiffel (Thompson), and Harold is the central character in a novel she's writing. Harold gets some advice from a literature professor (Dustin Hoffman), and he falls for a woman (Maggie Gyllenhaal). But Harold may not be around for long because there are indications that Eiffel intends to kill him off. DVD release date: February 27, 2007
Paths of Glory (4 Releases)
A Bridge Too Far/Paths of Glory (2 Releases)
Paths of Glory - 100 Years of Pitt Football (1 Release)
