Welcome to new TanoMovies
Harry Potter-The Half Blood Prince
November 21st
Director: David Yates
Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint (Full Cast)
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
The Plot: In his sixth year at Hogwarts, Harry Potter discovers even more about the evil Lord Voldemort's past, thanks to his mentor Dumbledore and mysterious textbook marked "This book is the property of the Half-Blood Prince." By the end of the year, nothing will ever be the same
THE BUZZ: Director David Yates is again at the helm for this sixth film, which if the book is any indication, trods into decidedly grown-up territory -- we have left Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans far behind. Good news: screenwriter Steve Kloves is back, and the newest high profile cast additions include Jim Broadbent as professor Horace Slughorn) and Helen McCrory as Draco's nefarious mum. (Don't know her? She was Cherie Blair in The Queen) The bad news? You will probably need a hug by the time the credits roll -- darkness, death and despair loom highly for our hero.
High School Musical 3-The senior Year
October 24th
Director : Kenny Ortega
Stars: Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale (Full Cast)
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
The Plot: As seniors in high school, Troy (Efron) and Gabriella (Hudgens) struggle with the idea of being separated from one another as college approaches. Along with the rest of the Wildcats, they stage a spring musical to address their experiences, hopes and fears about their future.
THE BUZZ: Here's the dirty little secret of the HSM flicks -- they're actually not half bad, executed with solid professionalism, boundless enthusiasm, and wholeheated willingness to embrace a world of, as Xander puts it in the musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "dances 'n songs!" It's an immersive musical sensibility that recent big-screen musicals like Dreamgirls and Chicago shied away from with their jazz hands wide open. But will what looks great on TV transfer to the big screen? It's kind of beside the point -- the audience is built-in, with wallets already open, as the Hannah Montana concert movie proved.
Saw V
October 24th
Director: David Hackl
Stars: Scott Patterson, Costas Mandylor, Tobin Bell (Full Cast)
Studio: Lionsgate
The Plot: Forensics expert Hoffman (Mandylor) goes on the hunt in order to prevent being identified as the newest person to carry on Jigsaw's legacy.
THE BUZZ: By cribbing a bit from Lost and setting this mystery in the Pacific Northwest (forever made creepy by Twin Peaks), suddenly I'm primed for the strange thrills in store for Ms. Hathaway, Mr. Wilson, and their ace supporting cast. But I have to admit: As much as I'm looking forward to Hathaway exploring the genre, you know one of the reasons Sony is keeping this PG-13 is to not alienate the youngsters that love their Prada Princess; we wish she was allowed to wade out in deeper, murkier territory.
Madagascar-Escape 2 Africa
November 7th
Director: Eric Darnell Tom McGrath
Stars: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer (Full Cast)
Studio: DreamWorks Distribution
The Plot: In the sequel to Madagascar, Alex the lion (voiced by Stiller) and his friends board an NYC-bound plane (that's been "repaired" by their penguin pals), only to find themselves touching down in the African plains. It's an opportunity for the animals to encounter their own kind for the very first time, and to discover, while various plots play out, what "home" truly means to each of them.
THE BUZZ: Say what you will about the original's primitive animation and whatnot, but it tallied up over $400 million in worldwide receipts, so this crack-a-lackin' sequel comes as no surprise -- but did it really require three years to come together? Maybe those psychotic penguins held out for more money. Maybe this time around the creative talent behind the camera will have more going on in the wild (something sorely missing from the first movie). And while we expect a big return here, we're more primed for Kung Fu Panda and Dreamworks' 2009 offerings such as Monster vs. Aliens.
Final Destination IV
August 14th,2009
Director: David R. Ellis
Stars: Coming Soon....
Studio: Coming Soon
The Plot: After a teen's premonition of a deadly race-car crash helps saves the lives of his peers, Death sets out to collect those who evaded their end.
