I have heard it said by my teacher the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan – “a nation can rise no higher than its woman.” That statement as a young black man in America was initially very hard to wrap my mind around. My experiences, the lack of guidance in my life at the time, an underdeveloped male ego and false pride prevented me from fully understanding this most profound statement. While I don’t claim to yet completely understand, I believe I understand it much better today. There’s nothing like the pain of experience to teach the lessons of life.

If a nation can rise no higher than its women, what happens to that nation, when it becomes acceptable to refer to our women and girls as bitches and hoes? A bitch, as we know, is said to be a female dog. How could a people looking for a Son of Man to deliver them be tricked into calling their females, dogs and treating them worse than some treat their dogs?

The Bible (Yes, here we go again) says in the book of Isaiah 41:28:

“for I beheld, and there was no man.”

When we take an honest inventory of the black community in particular, there appears to be no man present. Why else would we parade our wives, daughters, sisters and girlfriends across stages and screens showing the most intimate parts of themselves and hide behind creative license. What real father wants to look on the nakedness of his own daughter? Much less have others looking with wanton eyes at daddy’s little girl?

Our women have almost given up hope and sadly, many have given up and have decided to pursue other options in relationships. Recently, I read of actor Terrence Howard’s apology to his ex-wife, which according to what we read, was motivated by his growing love and appreciation for his young daughters. We commend him for that.

Most black men are raised in an environment where the ideas of manhood are formed on the street corner or handed down by various types of uncles. The thought about what it means to be a man may come from DMX “What these bitches want from a Nigga” or 50 Cent “P.I.M.P.”

We as men having never realized our full potential as men and lacking good examples are reared in a dog eat dog community, where the only thing we have in common is our suffering.

How could we be men, how could we become what our women need when there was no man? How can our sons learn to be men from absentee fathers? How do our daughters learn what a real man looks like and acts like without the experience of the love of a father?

Today the pain of our women is all around us. Black women are asking for the true definitions of love, understanding of marriage and there place in the family. Thankfully, they remain with us. We can only ask that you continue to believe and that soon your hopes and dreams will be realized.

Bro. Richard

Tonight I watched the Soul Train Awards Show on BET’s new network, Centric. Unlike so many, I’m not as critical of BET so I am not going to put them on blast nor will I say what they should’ve done. I will say this much….. It seems like whenever an award show is held in Atlanta, Atlanta artists are winners. If it’s in New York, New York artists are winners.

There is no way in the world that you can convince me that Keri Hilson deserved to win the only awards that were handed out. With that being said on to my favorite moments.

• Toni Braxton & “Baby” Trey Songz- I watched this anticipated kiss and the kiss was nothing. Yall (fans) know you were wrong for hyping this up.
• Hal Linton & Melanie Fiona- If you do not know who they are, read up on them. They are the future of Soul Music and you can quote me on that.
• Boyz II Men- Always a pleasure to see them do what they do. Artist like them remind me of why I fell in love with music in the first place. I feel like we’ve grown up together. They’re my childhood friends.
• Chrisette Michele- How many ways can I say underrated. This is another artist that you should look up if you don’t know who she is. Shame on you if you’ve never listened to her music.
• Raheem Devaughn- His song “Bulletproof” with Ludacris is our generations “What’s going on” and he is speaking the truth. I love a man who stands for something.
• The Chaka Khan Tribute- Can we say Soulful. A tribute fitting for a true diva and Ms. Chaka is a diva in the purist sense of the word. I have a newfound respect for Erykah Badu. I have never heard her sing with so much soul without thinking about incense. Fantasia did her thang, now if only she could stop screaming. Ledisi….another one yall need to watch out for. Last but never least, Angie Stone, who is looking good.
• Taraji and Terrence- I loved the chemistry so much I’m wondering if they’re a couple. Taraji’s comedic timing is perfect and she got a decent voice on her. Terrence was suave as usual. I can’t wait for him to play a pimp in a movie…wait, he did that already.

Overall, The Soul Train Awards did what it set out to do…..entertain me. Hopefully you saw it too.

There’s a famous saying attributed to comedian George Burns : “The secret of acting is sincerity.  If you can fake that, you’ve got it made.”

It’s a Hollywood truism, but I really think the stars who turned out for the CNN Heroes show were sincerely moved by the people they honored.  Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Pierce Brosnan, Neil Patrick Harris, Dwayne Johnson and George Lopez were among the celebs who introduced the 10 finalists for “CNN Hero of the Year”, each of the nominees an “everyday person doing the extraordinary.”

Brosnan introduced nominee Andrea Ivory, a breast cancer survivor who has created a network of mobile mammography vans in Florida to reach women who might not otherwise have access to cancer screening.  I was touched by Brosnan’s introduction in which he talked about losing his first wife to cancer.  His openness about that and his admiration of Ivory were really impressive.

Harris went off prompter to talk about how honored he was to participate in the event, and he repeated that to us backstage afterwards.  I loved how Lopez introduced his nominee, Jorge Munoz, affectionately calling him “Jorgito”. 

Terrence Howard returned this year just to sit in the audience.  Last year, he introduced 2008 CNN Hero of the Year Liz McCartney, who’s been helping rebuild the lives of Hurricane Katrina victims in Louisiana.  I saw Howard at an event a couple of months ago, and tears came to his eyes as  he talked about McCartney’s work.  He clearly hadn’t forgotten her.

Sure, there are cynical entertainers who show up at a charity event for the exposure.   But the stars at CNN Heroes seemed sincerely happy — almost relieved — to be part of an awards show that is about humanitarian contributions and not self-congratulation.

If you have the chance, watch the show when it’s re-broadcast this weekend on CNN.  Like the stars, I don’t think you’ll fail to be moved.

The Cinema Society hosted a screening of “Me And Orson Welles” at Clearview Chelsea Cinemas yesterday in New York City. The cast, including Zac Efron, Claire Danes and Christian McKay were all in attendance.

Models Amber Rose and Lydia Hearst were also scout’d at the screening.

Natalie Portman and Tobey Maguire were snapped at the premiere for the new film “Brothers”, featuring both of them in lead roles. The film tells the story of two brothers, Captain Sam Cahill (played by Maguire) and  Tommy Cahill (played by Jake Gyllenhaal). Sam is about to embark on his fourth tour of duty. He’s married to his high school sweetheart, Grace (Portman), but when he goes missing, Tommy moves in to take care of Sam’s family (two daughters and Grace), and eventually falls in love with his brother’s wife….

Model Agyness Deyn and actor Terrence Howard were also in attendance.

The premiere of new musical “Fela!” on Broadway at Gotham Hall went down last night in NYC. Among those who turned up = Jay-Z, Spike Lee, Harry Belafonte and of course Bill T. Jones (who wrote the book alongside Jim Lewis).

Terrence Howard attended the 2009 CNN Heroes Awards this weekend at the Kodak Theatre out in Hollywood with that ridiculous looking widows peak in full-effect.  Somewhere Eddie Munster is very upset that his whole steez was jacked right out from under him.  We can hate all we want but that wouldn’t stop you ladies from letting T Howard soak up them panties now would it?  We didn’t think so….

Terrence Howard and Zulay Henao have ended their relationship/engagement.  Reason why?:

Via S2S:

Single ladies around the world better get ready because Terrence Howard is back on the market.
 
If you’ve been wondering why Terrence has been popping up at events by himself lately, he just told S2S exclusively that he’s a single man again. The actor, who’s starring in Disney’s The Princess and The Frog, had been engaged to Colombian actress Zulay Henao for a few months.
 
Terrence proposed to his ex-fiancée in Prague while he was filming Red Tails. When we asked what happened between him and Zulay, he only answered, “That [it] didn’t work out.”
 
But instead of getting back in the saddle, Terrence is just taking time to just work on himself. When he’s ready to start dating again, though, Taraji P. Henson, won’t be one of the ladies looking to win his love.
 
Terrence and Taraji have really amazing chemistry, and it was on full display when they co-hosted the Soul Train Awards in Atlanta. However, she said that isn’t ever going to turn into anything romantic. “I ain’t thinkin’ about Terrence,” she insists.
 
“I think Terrence is an incredible man, and he’s going to be incredible to some woman, but I’m not her,” Taraji continued. “I would rather keep Terrence as a really close friend and in my life forever than cross that line and potentially ruin a good friendship.”
 
The two had to be good friends to share a smooch like the one they had at the Awards, which the public won’t get to see until November 29 on BET and Centric at 9 p.m. EST. They’re quick to point out that that was scripted moment that really expressed what “Soul Train” meant to them.

A Film Review

Copyright Dragan Antulov 2009

Hard economic times have struck today’s world, and even the Hollywood is forced to acknowledge those realities. At least, this is one of the impressions given by the opening scenes of FIGHTING, 2009 drama directed by Dito Montiel.

Young protagonist Shawn MacArthur (played by Channing Tatum), who came to New York in order to pursue American dream, is forced to make ends meet by selling cheap counterfeit merchadise on the street. This kind of activity brings many risks and in one of such incidents MacArthur is forced to display his fighting abilities. This leaves good impression on Harvey Borden (played by Terrence Howard), quiet street hustler who tries to make a name as a street fight promoter. He approaches young man and becomes his manager, trying to use his talents in the sleazy world of professional bare-knuckles street fighting. MacArthur gradually make his name and some money, but soon he has to confront some ghosts of his own pre-New York past.

While the opening scenes of the film suggest something like an honest portrayal of social realities of contemporary New York, FIGHTING soon reveals itself to be nothing more than formulaic and not particularly formulaic sports drama. Dito Montiel, former punk rocker with a troubled street past, was supposed to give this film, which purports to expose “dark underbelly” of New York and its illegal fighting scene, some “street credibility”. His talents, however, couldn’t hide the series of cliches, including the bet scheme subplot and romance that appear to be obligatory for many films of the same genre. Audience also might have some trouble suspending their disbelief, since the protagonist happens to be played by an actor who looks more like a fashion model than tough street fighter.

Ironically, casting appears to be the only thing that makes this film watchable. Terrence Howard, one of the best character actors of contemporary Hollywood, again shows great skill by making his character of soft-spoken, quiet and dignified street hustler much more impressive than the rest of film.  Another hidden gem is Altagracia Guzman who gives great does of humanity to the role of overprotective grandmother of protagonist’s love interest Zulay (played by Colombian actress Zulay Henao). Their efforts, however, can’t compensate for the increasingly annoying defficiens of overcliched and utterly predictable script which makes FIGHTING look much longer than its 93 minutes of running time. Although watchable, this film has already lost its fight against descent into cinema oblivion.

RATING: 3/10

Iron Man è un film del 2008 basato sul supereroe americano, personaggio dei fumetti Marvel con lo stesso nome. Diretto da Jon Favreau, il film interpretato da Robert Downey Jr. come Tony Stark, industriale miliardario e ingegnere che costruisce una esoscheletro e diventa il supereroe tecnologicamente piu’ avanzato, Iron Man.

Leggi altre notizie su: | Jon Favreau | Robert Downey Jr | Terrence Howard | Jeff Bridges

From CNN.com

 

CNN’s Anderson Cooper will be host of “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute.”

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” returns to the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Thanksgiving night, as the network celebrates its third year of honoring everyday people making a difference.

CNN’s Anderson Cooper hosts the star-studded gala, which will be seen around the world on November 26 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on the global networks of CNN.

 

The telecast shines a spotlight on the extraordinary accomplishments of the Top 10 CNN Heroes, who were selected by a distinguished Blue Ribbon Panel. Each of this year’s honorees will receive $25,000 in recognition of their work.

The show culminates with the announcement of the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year, who will receive an additional $100,000. Voting to select the Hero of the Year is being conducted through an online poll at CNN.com/Heroes, ending November 19 (6 a.m. ET)

Performers and presenters scheduled to appear at this year’s tribute show will be announced in the coming weeks.

Last year’s show included appearances by Hugh Jackman, Salma Hayek, Cameron Diaz, Forest Whitaker, Meg Ryan, Terrence Howard, Jessica Biel, Kate Beckinsale and Lucy Liu, with performances by Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys and John Legend.

Since February, profiles of 2009 CNN Heroes have been airing weekly on air and online, each chosen from nominations submitted through the CNN Heroes Web site. This year, more than 9,000 nominations were received, more than twice the number of nominations submitted in 2008.

This record number of nominations is further evidence of the momentum CNN Heroes has built in just a few short years,” said Jim Walton, president of CNN Worldwide.

“Viewers have been engaged by these stories of inspiration and accomplishment beyond our expectations. It is truly an honor to be able to introduce the CNN Heroes to our global audience every year.”

Again this year, producer/director Joel Gallen will serve as executive producer of “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute.” Among his credits, Gallen produced telethon events supporting victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina, winning an Emmy Award and a Peabody Award for “America: A Tribute to Heroes.”

The Kodak Theatre is best known as the first permanent home of the Academy Awards.

Actors Bruno Campos, Terrence Howard and Jim Cummings arrive at the premiere of Walt Disney Pictures’ ‘The Princess and the Frog’ at the Disney Studios on November 15, 2009 in Burbank, California

more pictures

Un film del 2009, regia di Anthony Hemingway, con Terrence Howard / Cuba Gooding Jr. / Lee Tergesen / Nate Parker. Prodotto da ()

Avventura / Azione / Drammatico / Guerra / Storico

La vera storia del 332° Fighter Group, un’unità di piloti afro-americani noti come Red Tails.

Un film del 2009, regia di Anthony Hemingway, con Terrence Howard / Cuba Gooding Jr. / Lee Tergesen / Nate Parker. Prodotto da ()

Avventura / Azione / Drammatico / Guerra / Storico

La vera storia del 332° Fighter Group, un’unità di piloti afro-americani noti come Red Tails.

La locandina del film

FIGHTING
di Dito Montiel
con Channing Tatum, Terrence Howard, Luis Guzmán, Zulay Henao, Brian J. White

Se la seconda opera firmata da Dito Montiel è approdata direttamente all’home video senza passare dalle forche caudine delle sale cinematografiche, beh, un motivo ci sarà pure. E questo motivo appare subito evidente a chi, come me, si è bruciato una delle sue poche serate non lavorative della settimana per guardare “Fighting”, credendo ci fosse qualcosa di interessante da scrivere in una successiva recensione per Pegasus Descending. Fesso io.

Insomma, qualcosa di interessante, alla fine della fiera, c’è anche, e cioè: non guardatelo. Perché? Perché questo “Fighting”, uno dei tantissimi figli illegittimi e minorati di “Karate Kid” di ormai decenni fa, è un collage di banalità e di clichè tanto spinti e maccheronici da risultare addirittura fastidiosi. Shawn MacArthur è un bel ragazzone veloce a far andare le mani e sempre imbronciato, uno a cui sta sulle palle tutto e tutti, padre compreso, e che ha deciso di abbandonare l’Alabama e una promettente carriera sportiva per venire a New York a fare il barbone e vendere alle fermate della metropolitana Iphone tarocchi e libri quali “Harry Potter e l’ippopotamo”. Quando finisce in una piccola rissa da marciapiede viene notato da Harvey Boarden, una sorta di Don King de noantri, un brigantello da strapazzo che sopravvive vendendo biglietti falsi e facendo da procuratore a ragazzi che hanno voglia di tirare su qualche soldo facendo a botte in incontri clandestini per ricconi annoiati.
Tutto già visto, mi direte. E io vi rispondo: già. Talmente già visto che il prosieguo della storia lo potete ben immaginare. Il ragazzo, assunto come carne da macello, inspiegabilmente si rivela una sorta di fenomeno da circo di Buffalo Bill che, seppur essendo evidentemente più scarso di tutti i suoi avversari, inspiegabilmente vince sempre. Vabbè. Poi certo, state tranquilli, Montiel non si è fatto neanche scappare il successivo clichè, quello della ragazza bona bona ma povera povera che per sopravvivere deve lavorare in un locale notturno per 11 dollari l’ora (fanculo, quasi il doppio di quanto prendo io!), con una figlia a carico di padre NN e una nonna rincoglionita. Tra i due sboccia l’amore, ti pago io l’affitto dice lui, figurati non sto con te per i tuoi soldi risponde lei.

“Fighting” è un prodotto di bassissima qualità, un film che mi risulta addirittura incomprensibile come sia potuto approdare sul mercato cinematografico, anche se c’è da scommetterci che otterrà discreti risultati in termini di pezzi noleggiati o acquistati a poco prezzo, grazie ad una copertina accattivante e a una trama in grado di attirare molti spettatori del sabato sera alla ricerca di un po’ di intrattenimento a basso costo e senza troppe pretese. Sono però altresì convinto che pure questa categoria di utenti rimarrà delusa da questa trama debolissima e da un attore protagonista o scadente o non in forma, fate vobis. Non bastano Terrence Howard e Luis Guzman per fare un buon film, così come non sono sufficienti una buona colonna sonora hip pop stile videogioco Grand Theft Auto o gang di strada e una fotografia affascinante, soprattutto nelle riprese aeree di una New York notturna che non delude mai e mai smette di affascinare con le sue luci e i suoi grattacieli. Servono le idee, come nell’arte in generale. Il cinema, così come la letteratura più o meno di genere non possono permettersi di essere un’eccezione a questa regola ferrea (e aurea).

Per concludere, la mia serata è andata buca. Voi prendetevi un usato garantito quali “Transformers 2″ oppure “Una notte al museo 2”. Almeno vi farete due risate senza annoiarvi. E incazzarvi.

CLICCANDO QUI potete vedere il trailer di “Fighting” e leggerne la recensione.

Nakeesha Charles 2009 Soul Train Awards

I had my first red carpet experience this week attending the filming of the 2009 Soul Train Awards  in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center. It was an interesting experience to say the least. I was invited by my lovely sistren, auntie, mentor and friend Una Morgan of Reggae’s Royal Family: Morgan Heritage. Her brother Gramps Morgan (whose first solo album ‘2 Sides of My Heart Vol. 1′ I am wearing out), also of MH, attended as well. Thank you again.

First, let me say some positive. It was so wonderful to be in a room full of celebrities and everyone I smiled at or spoke to returned the greetings with blessed energy. Some of them even initiated the smiles and greetings. It was very enlightening.

As we entered the first celebrities we saw were Kandi Burress, previously from Xscape and currently with the Real Housewives of Atlanta and her co-star NeNe Leakes (the pure definition of ghetto).  They entered separately. I will say this for both of them: they know how to rock those short hair-dos, their hair was on point. And I am not mad at NeNe’s diva walk, she was strutting like she was on the runway, get it girl. Just don’t start talking cause the lack of class is apparent from the first syllable.

I like Kandi’s story line on the show. She seems to have the most interesting mix of dynamics. It was a smart move to add her to the show. I loved the show when she was in her momma’s kitchen having a round table discussion with the elders in her family about her relationship. Now we all know that we will choose to do what we want to do, but I like the fact that she was strong enough to hear them out and allow them to state their disapproval and support.  Now all she needs is a husband, so she can actually attempt to be a housewife. (ok, I’m letting it go, I could go on and on about this crazy ass show – get rid of the white girl with the bad wigs…)

As we waited to walk the red carpet we stood next to actor Terry Crew who was chatting it up with Bootsy Collins. Bootsy and his wife were expectedly loud: dress HEAD TO TOE in silver sequins. Even Bootsy’s top hat was covered in sequins. And as if one Bootsy is not enough, Tommy Davidson’s simple ass comes in dressed as Bootsy. He got a few laugh out of the gimmick. So I suppose he accomplished his goal since he is a comedian. However, he needs to leave his shirt on, no one wants to see your bony stick figure.

Speaking of stick figures, OMG I did not know that Robin Thicke was so slender. He was very nice and polite. But, eat a hamburger sometimes, or some potatoes, rice, carbs, dude. Monica has always been super slim so that was no shock, she looked good and something about her aura seems very ‘I take no mess, from nobody.’ I like that.

Keri Hilson and Toni Braxton are also members of the ‘don’t let the wind blow too hard or I might topple over club.’ Keri Hilson’s performance left much to be desired. Toni Braxton opened the show with Trey Songz singing ‘Yesterday’. Everyone is talking about them kissing. It’s a performance people, they are performing, had they done it on the red carpet and not on stage we may have had to think twice about it. They both have great stage presence and strong voices. I think Trey Songz is trying to show me his grown man. I need to watch this video all the ladies are talking about.

Hosts Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard were great. I like their dynamic together. The skits were funny and entertaining. Taraji, has some serious comedic ability that I hope she has the opportunity to tap into in her future work. She reminds me of Carol Burnett. She seems very willing to stretch herself for the sake of the artistry. Thumbs up sister. Terrence, is very easy on the eyes and he can sing a little something, too. The album he released would get NO play in the black community. It was not R&B or Hip Hop; it was very alternative eclectic.  His performances at this ceremony where on point, I enjoyed him. I hope that them hosting together becomes a tradition.

Okay, I have been as nice as I know how to be: what is wrong with these event coordinators??? The show started over a half an hour late. It was three+ hours long. In between the taping they had some loud screaming comedian whose name I can’t remember poorly entertaining the crowd. The sound folks need to be slapped, the mics kept going out. They had to do re-takes. It seemed so slow sitting in the audience, we became chatty with one another because there was nothing else to do. No one knew what was going, how long the show would be, why it was taking so long in between filming. Whew. One of these days…CP time is not cute. The benefits of organization and efficiency are incredible. Professionalism = more work = more $!!! If this show was live it would have been a DISASTER.

I hope they have hired some fabulous editors. They will need them. I cannot wait to see the final cut broadcast.

Notable exception to all things: CHRISETTE MICHELE, this sister can sing. No gimmicks, no flashing lights, no dancers. She and her microphone: Hell YES!!! This woman has pipes. She makes it look easy. She SANG ‘Blame it on Me’ from her current album ‘Epiphany.’ I was so impressed by her.

The tribute to Charlie Wilson was nice. (His wife is another bad wig white woman – what’s wrong with a quality wig?) Brian McNight (who was so super cool with his hellos) saved Kandi at the opening of the tribute and Charlie did it best closing the tribute.

I also rubbed shoulders with 2 of the members of Boyz II Men, Nathan & Wanya Morris, Ray J, Angie Stone (who had a big tacky wad of blue gum in her mouth), Keith Sweat (who introduced the Charlie Wilson tribute), Estelle, K-Ci & JoJo, the cast of ‘Meet the Browns’, Mario (whose single I love but his performance sucked), some others who I recognized by sight but couldn’t call their names if you offered me money and Chaka Khan.

I missed the finale, which I hate cause I’m a total Chaka Khan fan (I guess I will have to be happy with her hello!) So I will be viewing that portion of the show with everyone else when it airs November 29, 2009.

Hopefully, there will be many more red carpets to walk in the future. I had so much fun getting dressed up and taking photos! And next time I will have something to compare it to, many thanks for new experiences. Enjoy the show!

♥ “Mammoth”

In this indie movie, Gael Garcia Bernal (“Y Tu Mama Tambien”) and Michelle Williams (“Brokeback Mountain”) play a couple whose lives start unraveling when Bernal flirts with infidelity on a business trip in Thailand.

The story also focuses on their live-in Filipino nanny, which is exciting since very few Filipino actors breakthrough in Hollywood. “Mammoth” even features subtitles for the actors speaking the Tagalog language. With more than 1,000 votes on IMDb.com, the film has received a 7 out of 10 rating.

♥ “Salt”

This espionage thriller was originally set to have a male lead, but when Tom Cruise (“Collateral”) dropped out of the project, the role was re-written for Angelina Jolie (“Girl, Interrupted”), naturally. Jolie is Evelyn Salt, a CIA agent, who is framed for a plot to murder the president. She must prove her innocence while on the run from authorities. Leaps unto buses ensue.

♥ “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time”

Jake Gyllenhaal (“Jarhead”) stars in this adaptation of a video game where he, along with a princess (Gemma Arterton from “Quantum of Solace”), must stop a villain from unleashing a sandstorm that could destroy the world.

It sounds lame when you put it like that, but from the trailers, it looks like the film has a good dose of comedy. It’s even produced by powerhouse Jerry Bruckheimer (“Pirates of the Carribean”). Sir Ben Kingsley (“Gandhi”) and Alfred Molina (“Spider-man 2″) also star. Catch the domestic and international trailers after the jump:

♥ “Brothers”

Lionsgate and Relativity Media previously released a trailer for “Brothers,” which I posted here. This is the second trailer of the drama, which stars Tobey Maguire (“Spider-man”), Natalie Portman (“Closer”) and Gyllenhaal.  It’s better if you view it without reading a synopsis first, so take a look:

♥ “The Road”

It’s based on Cormac McCarthy’s novel which tells of the end of the world. Hardly anyone is left but Viggo Mortensen (“A History of Violence”), Charlize Theron (“North Country”) and their son, newcomer Kodi Smit-McPhee. Guy Pearce (“Memento”) and Robert Duvall co-star. Dimension Films has also released two trailers for this Oscar contender. They are distinctly different as one is more dreary than the other. See for yourself:

♥ “The Princess and the Frog”

Disney is going back to its roots with this animated movie. Beating the likes of singers Jennifer Hudson and Alicia Keys, Anika Rose (“Dreamgirls”) as well as Terrence Howard (“Hustle and Flow”) and John Goodman (“Coyote Ugly”) voice the characters. A teaser trailer and full trailer below:

♥ ”The Wolfman”

Check out a horror film that boasts of Emily Blunt (“The Devil Wears Prada”), Benicio del Toro (“Traffic”), Anthony Hopkins (“Silence of the Lambs”) and Hugo Weaving (“Lord of the Rings”):

♥ “Inception”

Here’s a film that’s been kept under wraps so much so that all IMDb.com states is this: “Corporations have developed a technology to enter dreams to extract information from certain people’s heads. A CEO (Leonardo DiCaprio) enters dreams and things begin to escalate, taking a turn for the worst.”

The buzz surrounding “Inception” is mostly due to its director, Christopher Nolan, who also did “The Dark Knight” and “Memento.” However, I’m watching it for one of my favorite actresses, Ellen Page (“Juno”). Marion Cotillard (“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”), Michael Caine (Miss Congeniality”), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (“Brick”) and Cillian Murphy (“Batman Begins”) are in it as well.

♥ “Green Zone”

Although it’s by the same people who brought us “The Bourne” movies, I think some would hesitate to watch it since it’s another war movie. Still, Matt Damon gives it some star power.

♥ “Invictus”

Damon is one hot commodity as he also stars in this Clint Eastwood film, otherwise known as an Oscar contender. Based on a true story, Damon plays the captain of a rugby team who is enlisted by Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) to win, thus, uniting the country. Prepare to hear Damon speak with a South African accent …

♥ “Gentlemen Broncos”

Some have have predicted that “Broncos” will be a cult hit, perhaps in the same vein as “Napoleon Dynamite.” (They have the same director.) “Broncos” is a comedy about a science fiction author who steals the idea of a student (Michael Angarano from “Will and Grace”) for his next book. Jennifer Coolidge (“Legally Blonde”) is also in the movie, playing Angarano’s mom.

♥ “A Single Man”

Colin Firth (“Bridget Jones’s Diary”) plays a gay man who tries to carry on after the death of his partner. Julianne Moore (“Children of Men”) joins Firth, who is a potential Oscar nominee. Based on Christopher Isherwood’s novel, I must say the trailer is pretty original. It eerily plays on with no words the entire time. The film itself received an 8.6 rating on IMDb.com.

♥ “New Moon”

As the second part in the “Twilight” saga, we find  Bella (Kristen Stewart) left to gather the pieces with Jacob (Taylor Lautner) since the vampire Edward (Robert Pattinson) left her. This time around, Stewart finds herself among werewolves and vampire royalty, the Volturi.

♥ “The Book of Eli”

Denzel Washington (“Man on Fire”) stars in this action movie set in yet another future depicting the end of the world. To salvage what’s left, Washington has to protect a sacred book. Mila Kunis (“That ’70s Show”) co-stars.

♥ “Nowhere Boy”

I don’t know why, but this feels like the most refreshing trailer out of the bunch. ”Nowhere Boy” is John Lennon (newcomer Aaron Johnson) of The Beatles. It chronicles the band’s beginnings and Lennon’s life. Kristin Scott Thomas (“Life as a House”) is part of the supporting cast.

♥ “The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus”

Perhaps better known as Heath Ledger’s (“The Dark Knight”) last film, Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) strikes a deal with the devil, trading in his daughter at the age of 16. Parnassus tries to rectify his mistake by offering his daughter’s hand in marriage to whoever can help him. Jude Law (“Closer”), Colin Farrell (“Minority Report”) and Johnny Depp (“Blow”) all stepped in to finish Ledger’s role.

♥ “When in Rome”

In this romantic comedy, Kristen Bell (“Forgetting Sarah Marshall”) takes some coins out of a fountain only to have the men who threw them in fall for her. The lovesick puppies include Josh Duhamel (“Transformers”), Will Arnett (“Blades of Glory”), Jon Heder (“Napoleon Dynamite”) and Bell’s real-life beau, Dax Shepard (“Baby Mama”).

♥ “Dear John”

Another Nicholas Sparks’s book, another movie adaptation. By now, I should know better than to fall for Sparks’s sap, but the trailer was enchanting. Channing Tatum (“Stop Loss”) and Amanda Seyfried (“Nine Lives”) fall in love, but Tatum, a soldier, has to return to war. *Tear*

♥ “Pirate Radio” (aka “The Boat that Rocked”)

Richard Curtis, the man behind the darling “Love Actually,” brings a new movie to the big screen. The film already has more than 11,000 voters rating it 7.6 out of 10 stars. “Radio” is a comedy about DJs who air their show on the high seas. Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman (“Doubt”) joins the ensemble cast.

♥ “The Messenger”

IMDb users give this movie 8.6 stars. “Messenger” centers on the soldiers, Woody Harrelson (“Zombieland”) and Ben Foster (“Alpha Dog”), who are tasked with notifying the loved ones of their fallen comrades. Things are complicated when Foster gets involved with a soldier’s widow. Acclaimed actresses, Samantha Morton (“Minority Report”) and Jena Malone (“Stepmom”), round out the cast.

♥ “Alice in Wonderland”

This Tim Burton film hasn’t been released yet, but it’s already won an award. “Alice” was proclaimed the Most Anticipated Fantasy Film at the 2009 Scream Awards. If that still doesn’t convince you to see it, Oscar nominees Anne Hathaway (“Rachel Getting Married”) and Depp are in the movie.