Atonement 2007  R, 126 min.
Genre: Drama / Romance
Director: Joe Wright
Cast: James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Saoirse Ronan, Brenda Blethyn, Romola Garai, Vanessa Redgrave, Benedict Cumberbatch, Harriet Walter, Daniel Mays, Juno Temple, Nonso Anozie, Julia West
The story begins in Surrey, England, during 1935 when an aspiring writer, 13-year-old Briony Tallis, falsely accuses her sister Cecilia's (Keira Knightley) boyfriend Robbie (James McAvoy) of a rape that he did not commit. Robbie is sent to prison. Five years later, World War II has begun, Robbie is released from prison and sent to fight in France, and Robbie and Cecilia have not forgotten each other. Briony is now an 18 year old in nurses training, realizes the mistake she made in her accusation five years ago, and will spend most of the rest of her life trying to atone for that mistake. Vanessa Redgrave takes the role of the older Briony as she suffers because of her earlier action. The film received an Academy Award for Best Original Score; six other nominations nominations included Best Picture and Supporting Actress (Saoirse Ronan).
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Notes on a Scandal 2006 R, 92 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Richard Eyre
Cast: Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, Bill Nighy, Andrew Simpson, Philip Davis, Michael Maloney, Juno Temple, Max Lewis, Joanna Scanlan, Julia McKenzie, Shaun Parkes, Tom Georgeson, Emma Kennedy, Tameka Empson, Wendy Nottingham
New art teacher Sheba Hart (Cate Blanchett) makes friends with elderly spinster, history teacher Barbara Covett (Judi Dench). As the school year progresses, Barbara learns that Sheba is having an affair with 15-year-old Steven (Andrew Simpson). The unstable Barbara tells Sheba that she will keep her secret only if she will immediately end the affair with Steven. This offer could lead to Sheba becoming Barbara's best friend, but will this kind of friendship survive? The film received four Oscar nominations, including Best Actress (Judi Dench) and Supporting Actress (Cate Blanchett).
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The Other Boleyn Girl 2008  PG-13, 115 min.
Genre: Drama / Romance
Director: Justin Chadwick
Cast: Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana, Jim Sturgess, Mark Rylance, Kristin Scott Thomas, David Morrissey, Benedict Cumberbatch, Oliver Coleman, Ana Torrent, Eddie Redmayne, Tom Cox, Juno Temple, Andrew Garfield
In England during the 16th century, King Henry VIII (Eric Bana) plans to get rid of his wife Catherine of Aragon (Ana Torrent) who has not produced a male heir. The Duke of Norfolk (David Morrissey) sees the solution to Henry's problem as a way to benefit his family. His brother-in-law, Sir Thomas Boleyn (Mark Rylance), has two daughters–Mary (Scarlett Johansson) and Anne (Natalie Portman)–and they decide that Anne is the one who should be Henry's consort. Henry is more interested in Mary, and she, instead of Anne, becomes his mistress. Anne, however, has her eyes set on becoming Queen of England. Time passes, and Henry becomes bored with Mary, divorces Catherine, breaks with the Roman Catholic Church, and marries Anne. But, as history shows, they will not live happily ever after, and the guillotine awaits Anne.
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Wild Child 2008 PG-13, 124 min.
Genre: Comedy / Drama / Romance
Director: Nick Moore
Cast: Emma Roberts, Natasha Richardson, Shirley Henderson, Alex Pettyfer, Aidan Quinn, Nick Frost, Kimberley Nixon, Georgia King, Juno Temple, Lexi Ainsworth, Shelby Young, Johnny Pacar, Eleanor Turner-Moss, Ruby Thomas, Linzey Crocker
Poppy (Emma Roberts) is a spoiled brat, and her frustrated father, Gerry (Aidan Quinn), packs her off to an English boarding school, Abbey Mount. There are rules at Abbey Mount, and Poppy is not about to obey them. Poppy plots with her roommate Kate (Kimberley Nixon), and they plan for her to get caught messing around with headmistress Mrs. Kingsley's (Natasha Richardson) son, Freddie (Alex Pettyfer). But, when the plan backfires, Poppy is forced to look at her self-centered lifestyle and changes herself into a refined young lady.
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Year One 2009  PG-13, 97 min.
Genre: Comedy / Adventure
Director: Harold Ramis
Cast: Jack Black, Michael Cera, Oliver Platt, David Cross, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Vinnie Jones, Hank Azaria, Juno Temple, Olivia Wilde, June Diane Raphael, Xander Berkeley, Gia Carides, David Pasquesi, Horatio Sanz, Matthew Willig
Prehistoric, misfit hunter-gatherers Zed (Jack Black) and Oh (Michael Cera) flee their village and encounter Cain (David Cross) slaying Abel (Paul Rudd). They continue on their trek through Biblical times and come across Abraham (Hank Azaria) preparing to sacrifice his son Isaac (Christopher Mintz-Plasse). Later, Zed and Oh are sold into slavery and become orgy slaves in the city of Sodom where they attract the attention of a High Priest (Oliver Platt).
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| 1. Atonement (2007)
2. Notes on a Scandal (2006)
3. The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
4. Wild Child (2008)
5. Year One (2009)
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