| By KC Ifeanyi
Moving Pictures is pleased to offer the DVD releases for December 2007. This month's DVD selections include some of the biggest hits of the summer just past, such as Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, The Simpsons Movie and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. However, notable indies and documentaries that include Arctic Tale, Deep Water and Eastern Promises are giving the blockbusters stiff competition on the DVD racks. Also, check out the links on select films for exclusive MPM extras.
December 4
Arctic Tale
Queen Latifah narrates this moving documentary set in the harsh environment of the Arctic. Adam Ravetch and Sarah Robertson's film focuses on the life cycles of a mother walrus, a mother polar bear, their respective babies and the damaging effect global warming is having on their habitat. When Nietzsche Wept
Based on the best-selling novel by Irvin Yalom, When Nietzsche Wept stars Armand Assante as the noted German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. When Nietzsche becomes a patient of Dr. Josef Breuer, the encounter has a catalyst effect for the remainder of Nietzsche's life, as he comes in contact with the influential minds of Sigmund Freud and Lou-Andreas Salomé and also explores the complexities of love. Decades Collection
MGM Studios has compiled some of their greatest films in their Decades Collection, which spans from the 1950s to the 1980s. Titles for release include: 12 Angry Men, Carrie, Fiddler on the Roof, The Graduate, Mad Max, Moonstruck, Some Like it Hot, The Sure Thing, West Side Story and When Harry Met Sally.
The Hottest State
Ethan Hawke directs this adaptation of his own novel about a young Texan actor trying to make it in the Big Apple. During his stay in New York, the actor falls in love with a beautiful singer/songwriter and a complicated relationship ensues.
The Nanny Diaries
Scarlett Johansson stars in this romantic comedy about a young nanny who goes to work for a wealthy New York family and is put in charge of their spoiled brat of a daughter, all the while trying to develop a budding romance with the family's handsome neighbor (Chris Evans). Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Captain Jack Sparrow and his crew are back and face their most challenging adventure to date. At World's End picks up where Dead Man's Chest left off, with Sparrow (Johnny Depp) trapped in Davy Jones' Locker - until, that is, he's needed in the living world and a daring rescue ensues to bring him back. Now, Sparrow's gang must travel to the end of the world to do battle with Cutler Beckett, leader of the East India Trading Company, who plans to put an end to piracy. (Steal a look behind the scenes at the film's making in MPM's interview with its director of photography, Philip Loungway: "Pirate of Photography") Superbad
From the guys who created Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin comes the outrageous comedy about two best friends, Evan and Seth, trying to end their high school career with a bang. In order to impress their crushes, Evan and Seth set out on an incessant search for alcohol, facing a series of hilarious misadventures that will either make or break the inseparable duo as they face graduation and separation. December 11
The Bourne Ultimatum
Matt Damon reprises his role as the assassin Jason Bourne in Paul Greengrass' third installment of the Bourne series. Jason continues to evade other assassins - namely Paz (Edgar Ramirez) - with which the CIA threatens him, as he traces his shrouded roots across Europe and finally confronts his mysterious past. December Boys
Director Ron Hardy brings Michael Noonan's moving novel to life in this coming-of-age movie about a band of orphans on vacation in 1960's Australia. Growing up, all they had were each other. But now, the four orphans are all vying for the same parents who are looking to adopt. MPM Review. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Lord Voldemort has risen and is gaining power and followers by the minute. However, not everyone in the wizarding world is convinced of the Dark Lord's return. Now, the Order of the Phoenix must rally together to defend both the human and magic communities against the Death Eaters and Voldemort's plan for Harry's demise, which involves a mysterious room in the Ministry of Magic. Interview
Steve Buscemi stars and directs in this remake of Theo van Gogh's 2003 film about a struggling journalist (Buscemi) who is forced to do a fluff interview with the popular soap opera actress Katya (Sienna Miller). During the course of their rendezvous, a battle of psychological warfare commences as they force each other to reveal dark secrets of their past. MPM OnScreen interview with Steve Buscemi "Bringing Back Theo." High School Musical 2: Extended Edition
Disney Channel's smash-hit TV movie, High School Musical, returns for its encore performance. Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Ryan, Chad and Taylor are out of the hallways of East High and into a country club on summer vacation. It's not all fun and games, however, as some of the gang take up jobs and face the mounting pressure of the upcoming talent show.
December 18
Balls of Fury
Ping-pong athletes go balls to wall in this risible comedy starring Christopher Walken, Dan Fogler and George Lopez. The FBI has recruited ex-table tennis champ Randy Daytona (Fogler) to take part in a covert mission to penetrate the seedy world of extreme table tennis. Daytona has a vendetta of his own to square away as he seeks his father's killer, the arch-villain Feng (Walken). Can Daytona get back to his peak ping-pong prowess to defeat Feng? Find out who truly has balls in Robert Ben Garant's funny flick. Stardust
Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer and Claire Danes star in Matthew Vaughn's adaptation of Neil Gaiman's epic tale of magic and love. While strolling the countryside, young Tristan attempts to woo his crush by retrieving a fallen star. When the star turns out to be a celestial beauty named Yvain (Danes), Tristan is thrown into a world of danger and enchantment as three witches set out to steal Yvain's heart in order to retain their youth. Underdog
The well-known 1960s cartoon and comic book superhero dog is literally brought to life in Frederik Du Chau's live-action film. Jason Lee provides the voice of Shoeshine, an average dog who gains superpowers after an accident in a lab. With the help of his new 12-year-old owner, Shoeshine (aka Underdog) must protect Capitol City from the evil Simon Barsinister. The Simpsons Movie
America's favorite cartoon family makes their cinematic debut in this DVD loaded with commentaries and deleted scenes. Creator/writer Matt Groening doesn't stray from the Simpsons formula, using a plot that could easily be featured in a regular TV episode: Homer saves a pig from the slaughterhouse, which inadvertently causes an environmental disaster that forces the Simpsons to move to Alaska and the government to encase Springfield in a dome. Now, the yellow heroes must return from their refuge and rescue the town they call home. Once
John Carney helms this modern-day musical about a serendipitous couple joined together by the powerful force of music. When a Dublin guitarist/singer (Glen Hasard) meets a Czech piano player, the two reveal their budding romantic feelings for each other through song. Halloween
Director Rob Zombie reinvents John Carpenter's 1978 horror classic in this two-disc, unrated collector's edition. After 17 years of confinement in a mental institution, Michael Meyers is out and slashing through anyone who is in his way of seeing his little sister Laurie.
Deep Water
Louise Osmond and Jerry Rothwell's documentary retells the events leading up to the tragic 1960 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race involving an around-the-world yacht competition. December 25 Shattered
Neil and Abby Warner's perfect life comes to an abrupt halt when the sadistic sociopath Tom Ryan (Pierce Brosnan) kidnaps their daughter Sophie. However, Ryan doesn't desire money or jewels; he simply wants to systematically dismantle the couple's life, eventually placing them in a despairing situation that will either save their daughter or take another man's life. December 26
The Brothers Solomon
Will Arnett (Blades of Glory, Ratatouille) and Will Forte ("Saturday Night Live") star as the pair of well-meaning, yet hopelessly naïve, brothers who set out to find suitable women to impregnate in order to fulfill their dad's dying wish of having grandchildren. Rush Hour 3
Brett Ratner is back in the director's chair, with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker supplying their familiar comedic chemistry to an action-packed plot. For this third installment of the Rush Hour franchise, Lee (Chan) and Carter (Tucker) take their hijinks to France as they try to protect the one woman who holds the secret that could bring down the triad.
Eastern Promises
Viggo Mortenson teams up again with director David Cronenberg (A History of Violence) for this thrilling drama about a criminal mastermind whose empire is in jeopardy when a midwife (Naomi Watts) uncovers a devastating secret. | 
