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.
Primeval: New World, on Space
Evan and Dylan run into trouble with drug dealers when they investigate an anomaly in a train yard in this rebroadcast. In this Canadian spin-off of the British series "Primeval," a team of experts deal with animals and people who travel through time.
A holiday 'makeover': Hit reality show back with four seasonal specials
Jillian Harris and guest host Jenny McCarthy in “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
The holiday season is finally upon us -- that time of joyous giving and heartwarming acts of kindness.
It's a SpongeBob Christmas, on CBS
Enjoy a holiday adventure under the sea with SpongeBob and his pals in Bikini Bottom. Featuring the voice of John Goodman as Santa Claus, the stop-motion animated special follows Plankton's latest quest to obtain the secret Krabby Patty formula.
The National Dog Show, on NBC
Television goes to the dogs once again in what's become an annual tradition. One of the biggest dog shows in the United States, this event features several different breeds who engage in a little canine competition to determine Best in Show.
Criminal Minds, on CBS
It's a race against time when the BAU set out to find a missing school bus full of children near the Washington, D.C. area. Guest stars include Reggie Hayes as Det. William Richards, and Andrew James and David Gallagher as brothers Josh and Matt Moore.
New Girl, on Fox, Citytv
When Jess decides to invite her divorced mother and father (Jamie Lee Curtis and Rob Reiner) over for Thanksgiving dinner, she recruits Nick and Cece to help her reunite them. Also, Schmidt's cousin visits and Winston's interference sparks a battle.
Revolution, on NBC, Citytv
When Miles and the rest of the gang set out for Monroe's lair, they run into trouble. En route, they seem to have a difficult time distinguishing between fantasy and reality. Elsewhere, Danny becomes suspicious of Rachel.
The Santa Claus Parade, on CTV
Gather 'round and kick off the holiday celebrations as Kris Kringle takes some time out of his busy schedule to appear at this year's Santa Claus Parade. The parade has been around since 1905 and now features floats, celebrity clowns and marching bands.
New Releases for the week of November 18 - 24
The Expendables 2
Sylvester Stallone returns as Barney Ross, along with his band of highly trained, misfit mercenaries. This time around, Ross, Lee Christmas, Ying Yang, Hale Caesar, Toll Road and the very strong (and very unstable) Gunnar Jensen have recruited Billy the Kid, a young sniper who has become a part of their dysfunctional-but-loving family. After the team finds Ross’s old rival, Trench, in a bit of a jam in Nepal, Billy announces his imminent retirement, citing plans to settle down with his girlfriend Sophia. However, when CIA operative Mr. Church asks Ross to head to Albania to retrieve an important item, the crew has little choice but to accept. Once there, they find that Billy is being held captive by the smooth-talking, roundhouse-kicking leader of The Sangs, who are there to collect the same item as Ross’s team. It will take everything the Expendables have -- and then some -- to defeat the evil Sangs and get revenge for the damage they have done. It's an edge-of-your-seat adventure that's chock-full of familiar faces (and muscles).
Director: Simon West. Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris, Liam Hemsworth, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger. 2012. 103 min. Action.
Booster
Simon’s brother is facing conviction for armed robbery, which would mean a very long stretch behind bars. In an attempt to subvert the trial and get his brother out, Simon agrees to commit a string of similar offences, hoping to create enough evidence for reasonable doubt and ultimately an acquittal. As the time to commit the crimes approaches, though, Simon begins to have a crisis of conscience. He must decide between saving his brother and listening to his heart.
Director: Matt Ruskin. Stars: Nico Stone, Adam DuPaul, Seymour Cassel, Kristin Dougherty. 2012. 70 min. Drama.
Color Me Obsessed
The Replacements are considered to be one of the most underrated bands in history and still have a loyal fan base. By talking with these fans -- some of whom are quite famous in their own right -- the story of The Replacements unfolds from the band’s birth in Minneapolis to their eventual on-stage breakup.
Director: Gorman Bechard. Stars: Tom Arnold, The Goo Goo Dolls, The Decemberists, Dave Foley, Tommy Ramone, George Wendt, Dan Zanes. 2012. 123 min. Documentary.