In Cinemas this week (19 – 25 February)

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

It’s the 21st century, but the gods of Mount Olympus and assorted monsters have walked out of the pages of high school student Percy Jackson’s Greek mythology texts and into his life. And they’re not happy: Zeus’ lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect. Even more troubling is the sudden disappearance of Percy’s mother. As Percy finds himself caught between angry and battling gods, he and his friends embark on a cross-country adventure to catch the true lightning thief, save Percy’s mom, and unravel a mystery more powerful than the gods themselves.

Cast:
Logan Lerman (Percy Jackson)
Sean Bean (Zeus)
Pierce Brosnan (Mr. Brunner / Chiron)
Uma Thurman (Medusa)

Director: Chris Columbus
Writer: Craig Titley
Runtime: 118 min
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
Rating: 12
Language: English
Production Year: 2010

Valentine’s Day

February 14th, Valentine’s Day, is not a national holiday, but it is one of those days that must be celebrated. There are “special someones” in your life who expect to receive romantic gifts from their lovers. Commercialism has put a tremendous amount of pressure on men to give their lovers a romantic day with all the trimmings. Women are under pressure to have a man, or they feel desperate and unloved. “Valentine’s Day” follows the lives of several couples during this day. Their stories are told through the interconnections they have with each other. Some will find romance in their relationship, and others will feel the heartbreak of ending a relationship. In this Russian roulette world of finding love, everyone in the film is asking for advice on how to find and keep true love.

Cast:
Jessica Alba (Morley Clarkson)
Jessica Biel (Kara Monahan)
Bradley Cooper (Holden)
Anne Hathaway (Liz)
Jennifer Garner (Julia Fitzpatrick)
Ashton Kutcher (Reed Bennett)

Director: Garry Marshall
Writer: Katherine Fugate
Runtime: 125 min
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Rating: K
Language: English
Production Year: 2010

The Princess and the Frog (Greek)

A modern day retelling of the classic story The Frog Prince. The Princess and the Frog finds the lives of arrogant, carefree Prince Naveen and hardworking waitress Tiana crossing paths. Prince Naveen is transformed into a frog by a conniving voodoo magician and Tiana, following suit, upon kissing the amphibian royalty. With the help of a trumpet-playing alligator, a Cajun firefly, and an old blind lady who lives in a boat in a tree, Naveen and Tiana must race to break the spell and fulfill their dreams.

Voices:
Katerina Tsavalou
Giannis Zouganelis
Chrisoula Diavati
Stamatis Kraounakis

Director: Ron Clements, John Musker
Writer: Ron Clements, John Musker
Runtime: 97 min
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family
Rating: K
Language: Greek
Production Year: 2009

I Love Karditsa

In this film which takes place in New York and a village in the vicinity of Karditsa, a provincial town of central Greece- the two main characters, whose appearance is identical, seek their private professional and sentimental goals while their fates intersect. Chance, sentimental complications,issues of locality and class, organized crime and modern science are blended in a merry-go-round satire of modern “Greek” reality which touches lightheartedly many not so light in themselves issues and resolves in a conciliatory happy end.

Cast:
Costas Apostolakis
Katerina Papoutsaki
Bessy Malfa
Gerasimos Skiadaressis

Director: Stratos Markidis
Writer: Antonis Paliopoulos, Dionissia Tsitiridou
Runtime: 90 min
Genre: Comedy
Rating: 15
Language: Greek
Production Year: 2010

Sherlock Holmes

After finally catching serial killer and occult “sorcerer” Lord Blackwood, legendary sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson can close yet another successful case. But when Blackwood mysteriously returns from the grave and resumes his killing spree, Holmes must take up the hunt once again. Contending with his partner’s new fiancée and the dimwitted head of Scotland Yard, the dauntless detective must unravel the clues that will lead him into a twisted web of murder, deceit, and black magic – and the deadly embrace of temptress Irene Adler.

Cast:
Robert Downey Jr. (Sherlock Holmes)
Jude Law (Dr. John Watson)
Rachel McAdams (Irene Adler)
Mark Strong (Lord Blackwood)

Director: Guy Ritchie
Writer: Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham
Runtime: 128 min
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
Rating: 12
Language: English
Production Year: 2009

Up in the Air

Ryan Bingham’s job is to fire people from theirs. The anguish, hostility, and despair of his “clients” has left him falsely compassionate, living out of a suitcase, and loving every second of it. When his boss hires arrogant young Natalie, she develops a method of video conferencing that will allow termination without ever leaving the office – essentially threatening the existence Ryan so cherishes. Determined to show the naive girl the error of her logic, Ryan takes her on one of his cross country firing expeditions, but as she starts to realize the disheartening realities of her profession, he begins to see the downfalls to his way of life.

Cast:
George Clooney (Ryan Bingham)
Vera Farmiga (Alex Goran)
Anna Kendrick (Natalie Keener)
Jason Bateman (Craig Gregory)

Director: Jason Reitman
Writer: Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner
Runtime: 109 min
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Rating: 12
Language: English
Production Year: 2009

Nine

Arrogant, self-centered movie director Guido Contini finds himself struggling to find meaning, purpose, and a script for his latest film endeavor. With only a week left before shooting begins, he desperately searches for answers and inspiration from his wife, his mistress, his muse, and his mother. As his chaotic profession steadily destroys his personal life, Guido must find a balance between creating art and succumbing to its obsessive demands.

Cast:
Daniel Day-Lewis (Guido Contini)
Marion Cotillard (Luisa Contini)
Penélope Cruz (Carla)
Nicole Kidman (Claudia)
Sophia Loren (Mamma)

Director: Rob Marshall
Writer: Michael Tolkin, Anthony Minghella
Runtime: 118 min
Genre: Drama, Musical, Romance
Rating: 12
Language: English
Production Year: 2009

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (English)

Pop sensations Alvin, Simon and Theodore end up in the care of Dave Seville’s twenty-something nephew Toby. The boys must put aside music superstardom to return to school, and are tasked with saving the school’s music program by winning the $25,000 prize in a battle of the bands. But the Chipmunks unexpectedly meet their match in three singing chipmunks known as The Chipettes -– Brittany, Eleanor and Jeanette. Romantic and musical sparks are ignited when the Chipmunks and Chipettes square off.

Voices:
Zachary Levi (Toby)
Justin Long (Alvin)
Matthew Gray Gubler (Simon)
Jesse McCartney (Theodore)

Director: Betty Thomas
Writer: Jon Vitti, Jonathan Aibel
Runtime: 88 min
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
Rating: K
Language: English
Production Year: 2009

Nisos

Everything looks calm and peaceful in the closed society of an island when the childless ‘Lord’ of the island dies in the most unexpected and inexplicable way thus leaving behind an immense property and everyone wondering who is going to be the chosen to inherit all this money. His will, however, does not come without surprises, one of them being that his fortune can only be shared among the four “estates” of the village, i.e., to those four that old man Dikaios did not even want to set eyes on: the president, the police officer, the teacher and the local priest of the community. On one condition will they be entitled to the property; the four letters corresponding to each and every one of them will be read in public within a week. This leaves islanders suspecting and blaming each other. Stories from the past come to light, all four of them have something to be afraid of or hide thus eventually betraying themselves. This is where constant accusations and tragi-comic incidents start occurring. Indicative cases such as these of fatherless children, unsolved crimes, gambling and and illicit antiquities trade, an ex-porn star, terrorists, heterosexual and homosexual affairs and an abundance of other “activities” previously well-hidden, now come to light one after the other. On top of everything else, one day before the deadline expires, the dead body of a person who seems to know just as much as old man Dikaios did, is found floating at a remote beach of the island. The president, the policeman, the teacher and the priest are the four main suspects…

Cast:
Eleni Kastani (Olympia)
Elissavet Konstantinidou (Angela)
Vladimiros Kiriakidis (Babis)
Tania Tripi (Loula)

Director: Christos Dimas
Writer: Kostis Papadopoulos, Elena Solomou
Runtime: 97 min
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Rating: 12
Language: Greek
Production Year: 2009

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs – 3D (Greek)

In the small island of Swallow Falls, the outcast boy Flint Lockwood is a clumsy inventor encouraged by his mother. When the island is not capable of exporting the production of sardine, the fish becomes the basis of the alimentation of the locals that have to consume it all the times. Years later, Flint’s mother dies and his skeptical father Tim Lockwood, who is an old fisherman that has a store that sells sardine, gives a partnership in his store and invites Flint to work with him. But Flint has just invented a food processor that converts water into food and decides to test the piece of equipment. However, he accidentally launches it to the space and begins to rain hamburgers and other food in the island. A television sends the trainee of the weather department Sam Sparks to cover the phenomenon and Flint becomes famous. However, the greedy and glutton Mayor Shelbourne overworks the machine and the food becomes a menace to the human race.

Voices:
Bill Hader (Flint Lockwood)
Anna Faris (Sam Sparks)
James Caan (Tim Lockwood)
Andy Samberg (‘Baby’ Brent)

Director: Phil Lord, Chris Miller
Writer: Judi Barrett, Ron Barrett
Runtime: 90 min
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
Rating: K
Language: Greek
Production Year: 2009

The Book of Eli

In the not-too-distant future, some 30 years after the final war, a solitary man walks across the wasteland that was once America. Empty cities, broken highways, seared earth – all around him, the marks of catastrophic destruction. There is no civilization here, no law. The roads belong to gangs that would murder a man for his shoes, an ounce of water… or for nothing at all. But they’re no match for this traveler. A warrior not by choice but necessity, Eli seeks only peace but, if challenged, will cut his attackers down before they realize their fatal mistake. It’s not his life he guards so fiercely but his hope for the future; a hope he has carried and protected for 30 years and is determined to realize. Driven by this commitment and guided by his belief in something greater than himself, Eli does what he must to survive – and continue. Only one other man in this ruined world understands the power Eli holds, and is determined to make his own: Carnegie, the self-appointed despot of a makeshift town of thieves and gunmen.

Cast:
Denzel Washington (Eli)
Gary Oldman (Carnegie)
Mila Kunis (Solara)
Ray Stevenson (Redridge)

Director: Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes
Writer: Gary Whitta
Runtime: 118 min
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Rating: 15
Language: English
Production Year: 2010

Sunshine Barry and the Disco Worms (Greek)

A young earthworm is fed up with being at the bottom of the food chain. All the insects in the back yard consider earthworms to be major losers. His only future prospect is a boring career as middle manager in the composting business. One day, an old disco album turns his life upside-down, and suddenly there’s light ahead: Barry wants to start the world’s greatest disco band and win an upcoming song contest. Only one problem: worms are not allowed to enter!

Voices:
Demetris Demopoulos
Petros Spyropoulos
Antonis Zacharatos
Akindynos Gikas

Director: Thomas Borch Nielsen
Writer: Morten Dragsted
Runtime: 75 min
Genre: Animation
Rating: K
Language: Greek
Production Year: 2008

Avatar 3D

When his brother is killed in battle, paraplegic Marine Jake Sully decides to take his place in a mission on the distant world of Pandora, which is inhabited by the Na’vi, a humanoid race with their own language and culture. Those from Earth find themselves at odds with each other and the local culture.

Cast:
Sam Worthington (Jake Sully)
Zoe Saldana (Neytiri)
Sigourney Weaver (Dr. Grace Augustine)
Stephen Lang (Colonel Miles Quaritch)

Director: James Cameron
Writer: James Cameron
Runtime: 162 min
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Rating: 12
Language: English
Production Year: 2009