New Releases for the week of December 2 - December 8
The Dark Knight Rises
It has been eight years since the death of Harvey Dent, and Gotham City still doesn't know the truth. Wayne Enterprises is nearly bankrupt, Bruce Wayne has become a recluse, and Batman has disappeared. When Gotham is threatened by Bane, a seemingly unstoppable terrorist, Batman comes out of retirement to save the city. But even Batman's best may not be enough.
Director: Christopher Nolan. Stars: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Anne Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine. 2012. 165 min. Action.
Butter
When a 10-year-old orphan named Destiny is placed with the Emmets in Iowa, she discovers she has a talent she never expected: butter sculpting. Little does she know, the butter sculpture world is one of jealous rivalry, and her skills will pull her into a vicious battle for the blue ribbon.
Director: Jim Field Smith. Stars: Jennifer Garner, Ty Burrell, Olivia Wilde, Rob Corddry, Ashley Greene, Alicia Silverstone, Hugh Jackman. 2012. 90 min. Romantic Comedy.
The Odd Life of Timothy Green
Cindy and Jim Green desperately want to have children but are unable to conceive. One night, the couple writes down all of the characteristics of their ideal child, seals them in a box, and buries the box in the backyard as a time capsule. When a 10-year-old boy turns up in the Greens’ home and claims to be their child, they soon discover that he has sprung up from the garden where they buried the box. They name him Timothy, and their limited time with him is magical and will change their lives forever.
Director: Peter Hedges. Stars: Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgerton, CJ Adams, Rosemarie DeWitt, David Morse, Dianne Wiest, M. Emmet Walsh. 2012. 105 min. Comedy.
Hope Springs
Kay and Arnold Soames are empty-nesters whose lives have become little more than habit. When Kay decides it’s time to reignite their spark, she signs them up for a weeklong intensive therapy session at a resort in Maine. Though Arnold drags his feet and denies they have a problem, they both make it to Maine where they are in for a week like no other, which will change their relationship and their lives.
Director: David Frankel. Stars: Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, Steve Carell, Jean Smart. 2012. 100 min. Romance.
666 Park Avenue, on ABC, Citytv
Whoopi Goldberg guest stars as the mysterious Maris Elder, who hypnotizes Jane and sends her back in time to 1927. While Jane's time-travel adventure unlocks a secret to her connection to The Drake, Gavin talks to Henry about running for city council.
Made in Jersey, on CBS
Martina takes on a tough case when Donovan and Nolan approach her about a former high school quarterback whose dreams of playing pro football were ruined because his coaches ignored his injuries. Elsewhere, a problem in accounting causes Martina grief.
Shark Tank, on ABC, CTV Two
One man comes in with an idea for a watch that he claims provides health benefits, but the Sharks aren't necessarily biting in this rebroadcast. Also, a stay-at-home mom wants to take her gourmet pretzel business to the next level.
Up All Night, on NBC
Neighbours Gene and Terry invite Reagan, Chris and Scott to their mountain cabin for the weekend to celebrate their annual "Family Funlympics." Reagan is in for a surprise when she decides to leave the cabin to go check up on Ava.
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, on CBS, CTV
The CSI team steps up when the Las Vegas Police Department's Mobile Crime Unit needs help. This popular drama stars TV legend Ted Danson as the leader of a group of forensic specialists who use science to solve violent crimes.
Go On, on NBC
Misty May-Treanor guest stars as herself when the three-time Olympic gold medallist and volleyball champ invites Ryan to play a game with her friends. Meanwhile, George has a reason to celebrate when he lives longer than his doctors predicted he would.
Dancing With the Stars: All Stars, on ABC, CTV
It's down to the wire as the celebrities and their partners have one last chance to impress the judges and viewers at home in this season finale. Tune in the following evening to see which pair will take home the coveted mirror ball trophy.
New Releases for the week of November 25 - December 1
ParaNorman
Norman Babcock sees dead people. He speaks to them, too, and sometimes watches movies with them. In the small New England town that Norman calls home, his abilities have caused him nothing but ridicule and isolation. His life is further disrupted when he begins to see frightening visions of the past and is informed that he has inherited some serious responsibility. When a vengeful witch’s curse wakes the local dead, Norman is the only one who can put things right.
Directors: Chris Butler, Sam Fell. Stars: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Tucker Albrizzi, Casey Affleck, John Goodman, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Anna Kendrick. 2012. 92 min. Animated.
Lawless
Based on a true story, the Bondurant brothers in Prohibition-era Franklin County run a successful moonshine business. When the youngest brother makes a deal with an infamous mob boss without his brothers’ approval, the boys begin to make more money than they’ve ever seen. But their illegal activities come with a price. Cold and ruthless Special Deputy Rakes comes to town determined to destroy the Bondurants. As a result, the brothers’ lives, and those of the people they love, are turned upside down.
Director: John Hillcoat. Stars: Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, Jason Clarke, Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska, Guy Pearce, Gary Oldman. 2012. 116 min. Drama.
The Apparition
College students attempt to recreate a parapsychological experiment first done in the 1970s using the much more powerful technology of today. The Charles Experiment aims to summon the spirit of a dead person by channeling the consciousness of many people at once. During the experiment, one of the students disappears. Now all of the participants are in danger, the mysterious entity they summoned destroying them one by one. The students must learn how and why this apparition is hunting them if they are to stop it.
Director: Todd Lincoln. Stars: Ashley Greene, Sebastian Stan, Tom Felton, Julianna Guill, Luke Pasqualino. 2012. 82 min. Horror.
Step Up: Revolution
Emily moves to Miami with dreams of becoming a professional dancer. There, she meets and falls for Sean, the leader of a dance crew who stages elaborate flash mobs. When the dance crew’s neighbourhood is threatened by a wealthy businessman, Emily and Sean marshal the troupe and turn their performances into protests in an attempt to save their homes.
Director: Scott Speer. Stars: Kathryn McCormick , Ryan Guzman, Stephen Boss, Cleopatra Coleman, Megan Boone. 2012. 99 min. Music.
Lighting up the holidays: NBC hosts the 15th annual 'Christmas at Rockefeller Center'
The Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center
December is just around the corner, and with the elections all wrapped up, Christmas has come in full swing. We find ourselves in a sea of carolers and decorations, but one Christmas tree stands apart from all the rest.