New Release
‘On the Line’
Elvis Cooney (Mel Gibson), the popular host of an overnight radio show, is just settling into his nightly routine of taking phone calls when a mysterious man calls in and claims he’s at Cooney’s house. The man has kidnapped Cooney’s family and proceeds to force the radio host to play a deadly game in order to save them.
This thriller begins with a slow burn and steadily ratchets up the tension as the game of cat-and-mouse escalates. It’s an entertaining movie filled with lots of suspenseful scenes, anchored by Gibson’s usual gravitas.
Family Pick
‘The Blind Side’
Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) is a black teen who wanders the streets of Memphis, Tennessee. But his fortunes begin to change when someone helps him enroll in a Christian high school. Eventually, this leads to Oher being adopted by Leigh Anne Tuohy’s (Sandra Bullock) family and on his way to potentially playing professional football.
This is a very moving and inspiring film that emphasizes the importance of family and good values, without being too sentimental. Parents should note that this film is not suitable for young children.
Pitted Against a Cataclysm 
‘Earthquake’
Multiple storylines emerge, such as the challenging relationship between architect Stewart Graff (Charlton Heston) and his wife, Remy (Ava Gardner). Then, an earthquake of extreme magnitude hits Los Angeles with catastrophic results, and all fight to survive.
In contrast to modern films that rely too much on computer effects, this film (and other epic disaster films of the 1970s) used highly creative effects. It features many dramatic situations, good pacing, and an all-star cast in many small roles.
A Beloved Family Adventure
The Carraclough family is going through some hard financial times in England, so they sell their beloved collie, Lassie, to a Scottish nobleman. Although transported to Scotland, Lassie manages to escape and embarks on the long, difficult journey home.
This heartwarming film was a big hit back in the 1940s and still strikes a resonant chord with animal lovers the world over.
