Opening This Week: The Ultimate Gift, 300, The Namesake

The Ultimate Gift

When his wealthy grandfather dies, trust fund baby Jason Stevens anticipates a big inheritance. Instead, his grandfather has devised a crash course on life: twelve gifts designed to challenge Jason in improbable ways, sending him on a journey of self-discovery and forcing him to determine what is most important in life: money or happiness.

Starring Academy Aaward nominee Abigail Breslin, Drew Fuller, James Garner, Ali Hillis, Lee Meriwether and directed by Michael O. Sajbel.

Critics’ Film Reviews:

“The performances are all fine, if unremarkable, and the direction technically capable. Will the film change your outlook on life and “goodness?” Probably not, but it certainly won’t make it any worse.”

– FilmCritic.com

“As a result of its efforts to inspire, teach and transform, this movie won a well-deserved Crystal Heart Award at the 2006 Heartland Film Festival. But make no mistake about it — although boasting many light moments, The Ultimate Gift deals boldly with sorrow and grief. Bring tissues.”

– ReelTalk

300

In the ancient Battle of Thermopylae, King Leonidas and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. Facing insurmountable odds, their valor and sacrifice inspire all of Greece to unite against their Persian enemy, drawing a line in the sand for democracy.

300 is an action/adventure adaptation of the popular PC game. Starring Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, Michael Fassbender, Vincent Regan, Dominic West and directed by Zack Snyder.
The Namesake

This drama starring Kal Penn, Zuleikha Robinson, Irrfan Khan, Tabu, Jacinda Barrett tells of the the Ganguli family who moves from Calcutta to New York, they embark upon a lifelong balancing act to meld into a new world without forgetting the old. Though parents Ashoke and Ashima long for the family and culture that enveloped them in India, they take great pride in the opportunities their sacrifices have afforded their children. Paradoxically, their son Gogol is torn between finding his own unique identity without losing his heritage.