its all reel

When it comes to kid flicks and animals, no one does it better than Disney. Despite mediocre reviews, 'Beverly Hills Chihuahua' did very well at the box office, taking in $29 million dollars for first place. With no other family film out there to capture an audience, the box office was prime for the taking and Disney took advantage of it. Who can resist talking dogs?

Coming in second place with $17 million dollars and a total gross of $54 million was 'Eagle Eye'. The film is creeping towards the $100 million plateau, and should add to Shia LaBeouf's star power. Playing in 2,421 theaters and grossing a little above $12 million dollars was Sony Pictures' Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist. That was good enough for third place.

Beginning Sunday, Oct. 5 at 10 PM ET, TV One will premiere 'Murder in Black in White,' a groundbreaking series of four, one-hour documentary specials filmed in co-operation with the FBI and designed to examine – and help solve - civil rights murders from the 1940s and '50s. And some of the aging, long-silent witnesses – as well as the perpetrators of these vicious crimes --are still alive. Produced for TV One by acclaimed filmmaker Keith Beauchamp, whose 2005 documentary on Emmett Till helped convince the government to re-open the 1955 murder case, 'Murder in Black and White' is hosted by Rev. Al Sharpton.

'Murder in Black and White' will debut over four consecutive nights – Sunday, October 5 – Wednesday, Oct. 8 – from 10-11 PM ET. The series draws firsthand information from eyewitnesses, FBI case agents as well as the people who knew the victims best – their children, siblings, family members and friends, most of whom have yet to speak publicly. Forensic scientists, local and federal officials, attorneys, civil rights activists and members of Congress assist in the investigations by providing commentary, analysis and insight into these unsolved "cold cases." Archival and family photos and artfully directed re-enactments help tell the stories of the victims' lives and their violent, senseless deaths.

There have been plenty of films that highlight a wedding and siblings in separate occasions but never where the 'black sheep' is the center of attention. Anne Hathaway, in shedding her good girl image we have seen in previous films, gives a tour-de-force performance as the sister that comes home and almost ruins a wedding.

If there was an award for 'comeback' or 'return-to-form', director Jonathan Demme would get a nod. His last few films and documentaries, which included the remake of 'The Manchurian Candidate', 'The Truth About Charlie' and 'Beloved' didn't do him justice after the critical acclaim he received for 'Philadelphia' and 'Silence of the Lambs'.

Written by Jenny Lumet, daughter of acclaimed director Sidney Lumet and granddaughter of legendary entertainer Lena Horne, 'Rachel Getting Married' is a poignant and provocative drama that gives insight to hidden emotions within a family.

These are not my words. This story was put out a couple of days ago, but I'm just getting to it now. The article was brought to my attention from an Australian website,livenews.au

Acclaimed Australian director Rowan Woods had to fight to keep Oscar winner Forest Whitaker in his new film 'Winged Creatures' after a film company executive dismissed the actor as "ugly, black and unbankable."

Despite having "the hottest ensemble cast in town," including Guy Pearce, Kate Beckinsale, Dakota Fanning, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Jennifer Hudson, Woods said the company who owned the script wouldn't accept Whitaker as a leading man. 'The initial finance fell through when I stuck with Forest Whitaker for the role of Charlie,' Woods said.

"An executive told me straight: `Even if he wins the Oscar he's ugly, he's black and he's unbankable.'"

Like it or not, but when your grandmother is a living legend in many facets of the entertainment industry and your father is also a famous director, somewhere along the lines, the itch to be a part of 'the game' becomes intense until you actually get in. Such is the case for Jenny Lumet.

Lumet is the granddaughter of the legendary entertainer, Lena Horne. Her mother is Horne's daughter author/writer Gail Buckley; and her father is acclaimed movie director Sidney Lumet. Her ex-husband is actor Bobby Cannavale.

Besides being a 7th and 8th grade schoolteacher at Manhattan Country School, a progressive Independent School that promotes diversity and social responsibility, Lumet's written several screenplays in the past, but her latest, 'Rachel Getting Married', is the one that took off and will be shown in theaters this Friday. The film stars Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt, Bill Irwin, Debra Winger, and Anna Deavere Smith.

Directed by Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs), 'Rachel Getting Married' is a contemporary drama with an aggressive sense of humor about the return of an estranged daughter to the family home for her sister's wedding. Kym's (Hathaway) reemergence throws a wrench into the family dynamics, forcing long-simmering tensions to surface in ways both hilarious and heartbreaking.

Believe it or not, but one of the few straight-to-DVD franchises that have done well has been the 'Bring It On' films. After the first film, which starred Kristen Dunst and Gabrielle Union, played in theaters back in 2000, it was then followed by three straight-to-video sequels: 2004's 'Bring It On Again,' 2006's 'Bring It On: All or Nothing' and 2007's 'Bring It On: In It to Win It.' Well, get ready for another sequel.

Bille Woodruff, who directed Jessica Alba in 'Honey' and Queen Latifah in 'Beauty Shop' has been set to the direct the fifth installment of the 'Bring It On' franchise with Christian Milian and Nikki Soohoo attached as the leads. The title of the new film has not been finalized as of yet.

Also featured in the film are Holland Roden ("Lost", "Cold Case"), Vanessa Born ("Sky", "CSI: NY"), Nikki SooHoo ("Fields of Muden"), Gabrielle Dennis (co-hosted BET's Teen Summit), Cody Longo ("Dave" as well as being a model for Abercrombie), with new comers Rachele Smith and Meagan Holder.

Production is currently underway.

Currently playing in limited theaters in New York before going nationwide later this month is a powerful story of loss and resilience in the American south. One of the most acclaimed American independent films to emerge in recent years, BALLAST was the winner of the Best Director and Best Cinematography prizes at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, and screened in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival, as well as the Boston (Grand Jury Prize), San Francisco (FIPRESCI Prize), Buenos Aires (FIPRESCI and Directing Awards), and New Directors/New Films festivals.

In the cold, winter light of the rural Mississippi Delta, Marlee (Tarra Riggs), a single African-American mother, struggles to scratch a living for herself and her 12-year-old son, James (JimMyron Ross), who has begun to stumble under drug and violence pressures. So when the opportunity to seek safe harbor at a new home arises, she grabs it, even though the property is shared by Lawrence (Micheal J. Smith, Sr.), a man with whom she has a long and bitter past. With circumstances thrusting them into proximity, a subtle interdependence and common purpose emerge for Marlee and Lawrence, as they tend to old wounds, test new waters, and tentatively move forward.

Just recently the theme song to 'Quantum pf Solace', 'the 22nd James Bond film, was leaked online with Alicia Keys and Jack White. Their song, Another Way to Die', which was written and produced by White, is the first duet in James Bond soundtrack history. In addition to writing the song, White is also featured as the drummer on this track.

Well, the video is now available online. 'Quantum of Solace' opens on November 14.

While the 46th New York Film Festival is happening this week, one of the films playing is 'Hunger', which is by British director Steve McQueen.

A pair of bloodied hands immerse themselves in a basin. Contraband packages pass silently, imperceptibly between inmates and their loved ones in the visiting room of Her Majesty's Maze prison. And a young man of principle, delirious from starvation, bravely rallies against the dying of the light.

These are among the strikingly impressionistic images that make up the masterful debut feature of Turner Prize-winning visual artist Steve McQueen and deserving recipient of the Camera d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

Here's a film that went straight-to-DVD and stars one of the best actors today, Laurence Fishburne. The film is called 'Tortured' and it also features Cole Hauser, James Cromwell, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Jon Cryer, James Denton, Alistair Abell, Josh Blacker, and Michelle Boback.

Deep undercover in a brutal criminal organization, FBI agent Kevin Cole (Cole Hauser) must use extreme methods to prove himself. Ordered by the mysterious crime boss Ziggy to track down stolen millions, Cole gets to work on the mob's accountant (Laurence Fishburne). But as he starts turning the screws, the mind games begin. Now who's controlling who? Enter the ruthless world of organized crime, where you're only as good as your last lie.

It's very rare that Fishburne has a film that goes to the stores instead of theaters, but hey, you can't hit them out of the park all the time. I think he's done enough quality work that this film is worth a look.

Coming out this Christmas is 'Hurricane Season', an inspirational film directed by Tim Story and starring Oscar Winner Forest Whitaker. Also featured in the film are Isaiah Washington, Taraji P. Henson, Courtney B. Vance, Robbie Jones, Shad Moss aka Bow Wow, Jackie Long, Eric Hill, Jarod Einsohn, Irma Hall, Jared Einsohn, J.B. Smoove, China Anne McClain, and making his film debut, Lil Wayne.

'Hurricane Season' is the exciting true story of an unlikely group of high school basketball champions who - in the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina - learn the true meaning of survival.

Following the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina, a New Orleans basketball coach assembles a disparate team of players from those left behind and those who held out against the flood. In this exciting story based on true events, coach Al Collins (Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker) - a devoted husband and father driven by past failures and a consuming desire to win - empowers his team to 'never say die' as they fight their way to the state championship.

Before 'The Dark Knight' came out and wiped out its competition this summer there was one superhero film that had fans wanting more and that was 'Iron Man'. With a cast that included Robert Downey Jr., Gywneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, and Terrence Howard, the film did very well at the box office, grossing over $300 million dollars. Now, for all those who didn't get to see, the film is now out of DVD.

The 'Iron Man' Ultimate Edition two-disc sets are super-charged with hours of explosive bonus features that take viewers inside the suit of self-made Super Hero Tony Stark and his invincible alter ego. The sets offer the ultimate Iron Man experience with extensive explorations of the origins of the character in a six-part featurette, as well as a seven-part in-depth look at the making of the film, a revealing documentary on the stellar visual effects, Robert Downey Jr.'s original screen test, The Actor's Process (scene rehearsal with cast), Deleted and Extended scenes, a photo gallery of concept art and behind-the-scenes images on the set and more.

The trailer to Will Smith's latest film, 'Seven Pounds' is now online. Directed by Gabriele Muccino (The Pursuit of Happyness), the film also features Rosario Dawson, Michael Ealy, Barry Pepper and Woody Harrelson.

In the film, Smith plays Ben Thomas, a 'guilt-ridden IRS agent who inadvertently falls in love while attempting to kill himself.' Rosario Dawson's playing the love interest who suffers from a serious heart condition. Woody Harrelson will be a motel attendent who becomes intrigued by his suicidal new tenant, while Ealy plays Smith's brother.

'Seven Pounds' opens in theaters on December 19.

Shia LaBeouf's hot streak at the box office continues to grow as his latest film, 'Eagle Eye', took first place this past weekend with $29.2 million dollars. The film, which also features Michelle Monaghan, Billy Bob Thornton, Rosario Dawson, Anthony Mackie, and Michael Chiklis would probably had grossed more money on Friday had the first presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain not taken place. LaBeouf's done well at the box office with hits including 'Disturbia', 'Transformers', and 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'.

Performing poorly at the box office and landing in ninth place was Spike Lee's war film, 'Miracle at St. Anna' with $3.5 million dollars from 1,185 theaters. Playing over 2 1/2 hrs, the film had an average of $2,954 per screen. It didn't help that film was received with mixed reviews.

Lionsgate has released the full to 'The Spirit', which stars Gabriel Macht, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Eva Mendes, Sarah Paulson, Paz Vega, Jaime King, Dan Lauria, Stana Katic, Johnny Simmons, and Louis Lombardi.

Adapted from the legendary comic book series created by Will Eisner, 'The Spirit' is a classic action-adventure-romance written for the screen and directed by genre-twister Frank Miller (creator of '300' and 'Sin City'). It is the story of a former rookie cop who returns mysteriously from the dead as the Spirit (Gabriel Macht) to fight crime from the shadows of Central City. His arch-enemy, the Octopus (Samuel L. Jackson) has a different mission: he's going to wipe out Spirit's beloved city as he pursues his own version of immortality. The Spirit tracks this cold-hearted killer from Central City's rundown warehouses, to the damp catacombs, to the windswept waterfront... all the while facing a bevy of beautiful women who either want to seduce, love or kill our masked crusader.

Surrounding him at every turn are Ellen Dolan (Sarah Paulson), the whip-smart girl-next-door; Silken Floss (Scarlett Johansson), a punk secretary and frigid vixen; Plaster of Paris (Paz Vega), a murderous French nightclub dancer; Lorelei (Jaime King), a phantom siren; and Morgenstern (Stana Katic), a sexy young cop. Then of course, there's Sand Saref (Eva Mendes), the jewel thief with dangerous curves. She's the love of his life turned bad. Will he save her or will she kill him? In the vein of 'Batman Begins' and 'Sin City,' 'The Spirit' takes us on a sinister, gut-wrenching ride with a hero who is born, murdered and born again.