Abernathy, Louisa

Out to Sea

Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, the big screen's original "odd couple," star in this riotously funny high-seas adventure. In search of lonely ladies with big bank accounts, happy-go-lucky Charlie (Matthau) cons his cranky, widower brother-in-law Herb (Lemmon) into joining him on an all-expenses-paid, luxury cruise. But their "deluxe accommodations" are deep in the bowels of the ship, and Charlie has signed them on as dance hosts! Under the tyranny of crooning cruise director Gil Godwyn (Brent Spiner), Charlie and Herb are in for rough weather as they romance the luscious Liz (Dyan Cannon) and the lovely Vivian (Gloria De Haven).

CB4 - The Movie

Comedian Chris Rock is the leader of a middle-class rap act that wins fame and fortune after donning a prison persona. The title stands for Cell Block 4. Naturally, they are mistaken for the real thing by everyone but the incarcerated gangstas, who are none too happy at the theft of their identities. One of the better efforts from Saturday Night Live alumni, this "rapumentary" is a hip-hop hit. However, it is not up to the cutting humor of that granddaddy of all spoofs, This Is Spinal Tap?, as misogyny and meanness get in the way. It has an anything-goes mentality, so expect outrageously filthy lyrics and plenty of tasteless humor. Of note: Director Tamra Davis was also behind that wild 1992 road movie, Guncrazy. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Woman Thou Art Loosed

Woman Thou Art Loosed is a powerful, tragic feature film adaptation of the bestselling, inspirational book of the same name by Dallas-based minister T.D. Jakes. Jakes plays himself in this fictional movie (which is derived from his work with women seeking guidance after experiences of abuse), lending his golden presence in a story about a death row inmate, Michelle (Kimberly Elise), whose childhood rape by her clueless mother's boyfriend leads to one catastrophe after another. Elise is very good in a difficult part, her character deeply cynical and seemingly beyond the reach of love, yet still human. The rest of the cast is also very fine: Loretta Devine as the ever-in-denial mom, Michael Boatman as a childhood friend who recalls Michelle's innocence, and Sean Blakemore as a criminal trying to steal the doomed heroine's soul. Veteran television director Michael Schultz ably guides the drama toward its quiet, unforgettable ending. --Tom Keogh

Woman, Thou Art Loosed is the story of Michelle Jordan (Kimberly Elise), a young woman raised in an environment of abuse and molestation at the hands of her mother's boyfriend Reggie (Clifton Powell); which her mother Cassie (Loretta Devine) unwittingly condones. While incarcerated, Michelle sends Bishop Jakes (Bishop T.D. Jakes) a letter requesting a visit. Jakes agrees to meet Michelle and soon uncovers the painful history that led to her personal demise. The Special Edition includes never before seen footage, deleted scenes, and related sermon material.

Invisible Child

Annie (Rita Wilson) is the perfect wife and loving mother of two children, who believes she has a third child named Maggie… only Maggie does not exist! Her husband Tom (Victor Garber), hires Gillian (Tushka Bergen) to become their nanny. The whole family has played along with Annie's delusion for years, hoping it would pass. Gillian is asked to do the same. Months later, Gillian decides to try and help Annie and does some research on her own. Unintentionally, she alerts authorities who launch an investigation. Will she be responsible for having Annie institutionalized, and taken from her family... a family that Gillian has grown to love? Drama. 93 Minutes.

Woman Thou Art Loosed (Special Collector's Edition)

Woman Thou Art Loosed is a powerful, tragic feature film adaptation of the bestselling, inspirational book of the same name by Dallas-based minister T.D. Jakes. Jakes plays himself in this fictional movie (which is derived from his work with women seeking guidance after experiences of abuse), lending his golden presence in a story about a death row inmate, Michelle (Kimberly Elise), whose childhood rape by her clueless mother's boyfriend leads to one catastrophe after another. Elise is very good in a difficult part, her character deeply cynical and seemingly beyond the reach of love, yet still human. The rest of the cast is also very fine: Loretta Devine as the ever-in-denial mom, Michael Boatman as a childhood friend who recalls Michelle's innocence, and Sean Blakemore as a criminal trying to steal the doomed heroine's soul. Veteran television director Michael Schultz ably guides the drama toward its quiet, unforgettable ending. --Tom Keogh

Woman, Thou Art Loosed is the story of Michelle Jordan (Kimberly Elise), a young woman raised in an environment of abuse and molestation at the hands of her mother's boyfriend Reggie (Clifton Powell); which her mother Cassie (Loretta Devine) unwittingly condones. While incarcerated, Michelle sends Bishop Jakes (Bishop T.D. Jakes) a letter requesting a visit. Jakes agrees to meet Michelle and soon uncovers the painful history that led to her personal demise. The Special Edition includes never before seen footage, deleted scenes, and related sermon material.

Down Periscope/Out to Sea

CB4/Life

CB4
Comedian Chris Rock is the leader of a middle-class rap act that wins fame and fortune after donning a prison persona. The title stands for Cell Block 4. Naturally, they are mistaken for the real thing by everyone but the incarcerated gangstas, who are none too happy at the theft of their identities. One of the better efforts from Saturday Night Live alumni, this "rapumentary" is a hip-hop hit. However, it is not up to the cutting humor of that granddaddy of all spoofs, This Is Spinal Tap?, as misogyny and meanness get in the way. It has an anything-goes mentality, so expect outrageously filthy lyrics and plenty of tasteless humor. Of note: Director Tamra Davis was also behind that wild 1992 road movie, Guncrazy. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Life
Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy play it surprisingly straight in this film by director Ted Demme. Though there are laughs to be had, this is a story about perseverance in the face of a life of disappointment (yet the film was sold as a prison comedy). But Stir Crazy this isn't. Rather, Lawrence and Murphy play a couple of New Yorkers making a moonshine run from New York to Mississippi during the Prohibition who find themselves framed for murder and sentenced for life to a prison chain gang. As they age, the two become close friends, although the strait-laced Lawrence always resents the free-wheeling Murphy for getting him into the situation in the first place. Ultimately, these two men learn to find meaning where they can, taking value from friendship and their limited ability to affect the lives of others. At times preachy, it ends on an upbeat note; the film's biggest laughs are reserved for the final section, in which Lawrence and Murphy don age makeup and play octogenarians. --Marshall Fine