Home > Synopsis > HBO Signature Synopses - Month of May 2009

HBO Signature Synopses - Month of May 2009

HBO Signature Synopses - Month of May 2009

AFTERBURN
When Janet Harduval’s husband, an Air Force fighter pilot, dies in the crash of an F-16, she refuses to accept the official explanation of “pilot error.” She hires a somewhat skeptical, but powerful, lawyer, and sues the plane’s manufacturer.
Starring: Laura Dern

AGAINST THE WALL
This tough-as-nails reenactment of the 1971 Attica prison riots is jam-packed with political and sociological implications. Refreshingly, none of the characters in the film – the prisoners, the guards and the high-profile mediators, are rendered in strictly good-guy or bad-guy terms by screenwriter, Ron Hutchinson. Anyone old enough to have witnessed the original live TV coverage of the riot, however, will be able to discern who was truly responsible for its tragic outcome. While the 1971 TV-movie “Attica” was told from a journalist’s point of view, this drama is filtered through the eyes of an idealistic young prison guard, Michael Smith.
Starring: Kyle Maclachlan, Samuel Jackson, Anne Heche

AMERICAN PIE 2
After their first year at college, the guys from the original American Pie rent a beach house, all psyched to have the best summer ever – to bring back old friends and of course, the girls. Jim discovers that you can lose your virginity and still be a long way from suave; Oz must find ways to cope while his beloved Heather spends summer abroad. Kevin is trying to find out whether he can hook up with his former girlfriend Vicky who has returned from college looking more bodacious than ever.
Starring: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Shannon Elizabeth

AND THE BAND PLAYED ON
Gay leader Bill Kraus is dying – and no doctor can name the disease that’s killing him. All anyone knows is that some epidemic is attacking homosexual men. But rather than get down to serious experimentation and study, the Center for Disease Control stonewalls any effort to prove that the disease is transmitted through the blood. Dedicated medical researcher, Don Francis, gets involved in the work surrounding the viral disease from the start, but faces fierce resistance. Dr Robert Gallo seeks to take sole credit for discovery of the virus, and thus slows down the process of trying to find a cure.
Starring: Matthew Modine, Alan Alda, Ian McKellen

ANY GIVEN SUNDAY
Two-time football champion, the Miami Sharks, once ruled the playing field and shoved their opponents’ bodies into the grindstone. But that is all history. Losing their bite of late, the Sharks have been swimming through lackluster performances with an aging coach at the helm and a star-quarterback Jack “Cap” Rooney, who is past his prime and out of commission. Not only that, hot dogging, problem-with-authority Willie Beamen is going to fill Rooney’s shoes. With an all-star line-up, this is Oliver Stone ditching camouflage uniforms for football jerseys.
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Al Pacino

BARBARIANS AT THE GATE
It’s the deal of the century, and F. Ross Johnson, the chief executive officer of RJR Nabisco, is right at the center of it. Wall Street tycoons circle Nabisco hoping for a share of the spoils, so Johnson enlists the help of Wall Street wizards Henry Kravis and Peter Cohen in his end game. What ensues is a true story of pure greed and betrayal in the high stakes poker game that plays out on Wall Street.
Starring: James Garner, Jonathan Pryce, Peter Riegert

BLADES OF GLORY
When rival figure skaters Chazz Michael Michaels and Jimmy MacElroy go ballistic in an embarrassing, no-holds-barred fight at the World Championships, they are stripped of their gold medals and banned from the sport for life. Now, three-and-a-half years on, they have found a loophole that will allow them to compete: they can skate together as an all-male figure skating pair – if they can put aside their differences.
Starring: Will Ferrell, Jon Heder

BOB ROBERTS
A wealthy politician, Bob Roberts, appears on the surface as a sincere believer in national pride and family values. In truth, he is a hypocrite unearthed by Raplin, a reporter for an underground newspaper. Bob Roberts is a treasure for anyone who has sat through one too many “promise-them-anything” campaign speeches.
Starring: Tim Robbins, Giancarlo Esposito, Susan Sarandon

BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA
Adhering more faithfully to Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel than any previous version has, director Francis Ford Coppola offers a full-blooded portrait of the immortal Transylvanian vampire. Count Dracula drinks blood as a means of avenging the death of his beloved wife in the 15th century. Centuries later, having achieved immortality, he goes to London to meet Mina Murray, the living image of his late wife. Abraham Van Helsing is obsession personified as the vampire hunter who pairs up with Jonathan Harker in a race against time to reclaim Mina’s soul from Dracula.
Starring: Gary Oldman, Anthony Hopkins, Winona Ryder

BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE
Based on Dee Brown’s bestseller, this HBO Original Movie powerfully explores the tragic impact that the United States’ westward expansion had on the American Indian culture, and the economic, political and social pressures that motivated it.
Starring: Aidan Quinn, Adam Beach, Anna Paquin

CHARLIE’S ANGELS
In this revival of the classic TV series, Natalie, Dylan, and Alex work their butts off to fight evil for their invisible boss, Charlie, together with the help of John Bosley. Electronics genius, Eric Knox, has been kidnapped and his up-to-no-good kidnappers have plenty in mind for the whiz kid’s latest invention: a device that can monitor voice communications from anywhere in the world. The Angels are unleashed to help restore order and find Knox’s kidnappers in this action-packed fun flick.
Starring: Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu

CITY HEAT
This gangster film set in Kansas City in the 1930s features two of Hollywood’s most erstwhile leading men – Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds. Mike Murphy is a private detective while Lieutenant Speer works for the Kansas City Police force. The two used to be good friends until a disagreement led to Murphy leaving the force. When Murphy’s new partner is murdered by the local mob, he and Speer realize that they must put their misunderstandings aside if they are to solve the murder and capture the city’s most ruthless gangsters.
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Burt Reynolds, Jane Alexander

EASTERN PROMISES
This chilling thriller from acclaimed director David Cronenberg stars Viggo Mortensen Naomi Watts in a gritty tale of Russian-run organized crime in London. Watts plays an innocent midwife who unwittingly stumbles onto a complex and dangerous web of underground sex trafficking after she searches for the identity of a young mother who dies during child birth. Mortensen is the shadowy Nicolai, a ruthless figure closely associated with a prominent crime family who may not be all that he seems. Cronenberg is masterful as he creates a dark and haunting world where survival rules and human lives are merely currency.
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts

ENTOURAGE 63: PIE
Having secured his role in “Smokejumpers”, Vince gets first day jitters on set. It doesn’t help that lead actor Jason Patric steals some of his lines. Meanwhile, Ari meets old friend and TV lit agent, Andrew Klein, who asks for a loan. Ari discovers that Andrew actually has a successful business, and decides to make him an offer he can’t refuse – to buy his business and become part of Miller Gold. This episode guest-stars Jason Patric and Stellan Skarsgard.

ENTOURAGE 64: SETH GREEN DAY
Eric’s new star client Charlie Williams and his TV pilot are all set to go, except that the studio wants the show to include E’s arch-nemesis Seth Green. E has to set aside his pride and talk to Seth, who demands Eric to have his ex girlfriend Sloan call him to do the show. Things turn really ugly when Seth taunts E, only to end up tussling with each other just before a studio exec joins the meeting. This episode guest-stars Seth Green, Bow Wow and Stellan Skarsgard.

ENTOURAGE 65: PLAY’N WITH FIRE
Turtle gets a late night call from Jamie-Lynn Sigler, leaving Vince alone in the “Smokejumpers” cabin at dawn. Meanwhile, director Verner still isn’t satisfied with Vince’s performance on set and fires him. Ari races to the set to mend things but ends up racing Verner to the studio to make their case with Dana Gordon. This episode guest-stars Peter Berg and Stellan Skarsgard.

ENTOURAGE 66: RETURN TO QUEENS BOULEVARD
The guys gather in Vince’s mom’s kitchen in Queens to drown their sorrows, and hears Vince’s mom demanding why her son can’t play the lead in Gus Van Sant’s latest film. Despite the director’s reluctance towards Vince, Eric goes to his office to try to convince him otherwise. Meanwhile, Drama continues his mission to find out who’s been giving Turtle all these late night calls. This episode guest-stars Martin Scorsese, Gus Van Sant, Michael Phelps, Bow Wow and Mercedes Ruehl.

FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS
Filmmaking legends Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood team up for the first time to tell the unforgettable story of the grueling World War II battle for the island of Iwo Jima – a turning point in the war for control over the Pacific. The battle produced one of the war’s most enduring images: a photograph of six US soldiers raising an American flag on the top of Mt. Suribachi. A tragic depiction of an epic struggle that would cost the lives of thousands of Japanese and American soldiers based on the best-selling book by James Bradley with Ron Powers.
Starring: Ryan Phillippe, Adam Beach, Jesse Bradford

FREQUENCY
What if you had the chance to travel back in time and change just one event in your life? What would it be? For John Sullivan, there is no question. He would undo the events of October 12, 1969, when the out-of-control Bruxton fire took the life of his father, Frank, a heroic firefighter. Now John may get exactly what he wished for – and much more – when John saves his father but causes another tragedy that father and son must race against time to undo.
Starring: Jim Caviezel, Dennis Quaid, Noah Emmerich

GHOSTS OF MISSISSIPPI
In 1963, civil rights leader Medgar Evers was murdered in his own driveway. For over 30 years, his assassin remained free. Beginning with the murder and the events surrounding the two initial trials which both ended in a hung jury, this taut courtroom drama takes us through the final trial of the assassin, Byron De La Beckwith. District Attorney Bobby DeLaughter’s alliance with Myrlie Evers, widow of Medgar Evers, drives this relentless mission. For the third time 30 years later, they try to bring Beckwith to justice.
Starring: James Woods, Alec Baldwin, Whoopi Goldberg

HIDEAWAY
Based on Dean Koontz’s best-selling novel, Hideaway is a psychological horror set in the mind of a man who survives a near-death experience. Hatch Harrison was pronounced dead on arrival. However, his resuscitation results in him being inexplicably and terrifyingly linked to a psychotic killer. Hatch can now see and feel whatever the killer experiences. What’s more chilling is that the killer can see through Hatch’s eyes too – and what he sees are more victims: Regina and Lindsey, Hatch’s daughter and wife.
Starring: Christine Lahti, Alicia Silverstone, Jeff Goldblum

HUSH LITTLE BABY
Two years after losing her daughter in a drowning accident, Jamie gives birth to a new girl, only to have her suspicions aroused after several accidents, though unproven, that her newborn baby could have been possessed by her lost daughter.
Starring: Victoria Pratt, Johana Black

INDICTMENT: THE MCMARTIN TRIAL
James Woods stars in this true story of one family’s ordeal when they are accused of child molestation.
Starring: James Woods, Mercedes Ruehl, Lolita Davidovich

JOHN FROM CINCINNATI 07: HIS VISIT: DAY SIX
Since John’s arrival, Butchie Yost is trying to get back on the surf. Linc, who wants to get down to business, tries to talk the Stinkweed executives out of their worry over withering profits.
Starring: Luke Perry, Austin Nichols

JOHN FROM CINCINNATI 08: HIS VISIT: DAY SEVEN
Butchie, now re-immersed in his sport, shares the water with pro Sonny Mac. Meanwhile, John directs Cass to a videotape in her room only to turn and realize he’s disappeared. Linc, on the other hand, has an inkling that he is still around because he’s destined to close a deal with Shaun.
Starring: Luke Perry, Austin Nichols

JOHN FROM CINCINNATI 09: HIS VISIT: DAY EIGHT
Attempting to conjure some courage, Mitch tracks down a reclusive “chemist” in Mexico; Cissy heads up a citywide search team; Bill loses his feathered medium; Palaka’s good-luck gift to Freddy ends up with Barry.
Starring: Luke Perry, Austin Nichols

JOHN FROM CINCINNATI 10: HIS VISIT: DAY NINE
In this season finale, Butchie wakes up to a joyous revelation as Imperial Beach plays host to a makeshift parade organized by a revamped Stinkweed. Things start to get more otherworldly when John and Shaun return to Imperial Beach recounting their strange travel to Cincinnati.
Starring: Luke Perry, Austin Nichols

KIDS IN THE HALL: BRAIN CANDY
Kids In The Hall is a Canadian comedy troupe that had its origins in Second City-style improv – all the female roles are played by men in drag. This cult favorite however, is a story about a pharmaceutical company which discovers a cure for depression. When the company finds itself in financial trouble, they rush the new drug into production without doing enough testing. Things go awry when users start slipping into comas. It becomes a race between the scientists who want to tell the truth and the company’s marketing department who wants to protect their margins.
Starring: Bruce McCulloch, David Foley, Kevin McDonald

LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
A parallel movie to Flags Of Our Fathers, this is the unforgettable story of the World War II battle for the island of Iwo Jima told from the side of the Japanese. Tens of thousands of Japanese and American men show countless acts of courage, endure grueling agony and sacrifice their lives in a battle that only one army will win. For the first time, American filmmakers show this turning point of the war from the point of view of the Japanese soldiers fighting to defend their homeland.
Starring: Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya

LONGFORD
Jim Broadbent and Samantha Morton star in this HBO Original Movie based on a true story of a respected politician who stakes his name and career to campaign for a notorious serial killer.
Starring: Jim Broadbent, Lindsay Duncan, Samantha Morton

LOST & FOUND
David Spade is Dylan, your average guy next door. However, when the beautiful Lila moves in as his new neighbor, Dylan’s raging hormones make him lose control of all rational thought. Dylan hatches a scheme to win Lila’s heart – by kidnapping her dog. By finding Lila’s missing pooch, Dylan hopes to win a spot in Lila’s heart. However, Dylan’s wacky scheme starts to unravel before it even begins. Throw in a jealous former boyfriend, a missing anniversary ring, Neil Diamond, dessert swans and surly loan officers and what you have is the right ingredients for a side-splitting comedy.
Starring: David Spade, Sophie Marceau

MAD MAX
It’s the near future. Gangs rule the roads and the police are helpless. The only hope is Max. When a gang kills his baby and brutally assaults his wife, Max takes to the highways. In his turbo-charged car, he rides an apocalyptic death match with the gangs. Shot against desolate Australian landscapes, this thriller features spectacular stunts and dizzying chase sequences.
Starring: Mel Gibson

MIKE’S MURDER
When an ordinary woman’s lover turns up dead, curiosity propels her into a contemporary nightmare from which there’s no awakening. Betty is an unassuming bank teller whose boyfriend, a small-time drug pusher, is murdered. She decides to do some amateur sleuthing which drags her into a murky underworld of unsavory characters and the viewer into a chilling suspense film.
Starring: Debra Winger, Mark Keyloun

MONSTER ARK
A team of archaeologists, comprising of a man and his ex-wife, stumbled upon a second ark that God had Noah built. This ark contains an evil creature of immense power that the Great Flood itself could not destroy. When the creature was unleashed, they must team up despite their differences to stop the creature from unleashing the Apocalypse.
Starring: Renee O’Connor, Dekay Tim

MUMBAI CALLING 01: TEKNOBABLE
Kenny Gupta has been sent from London to manage Teknobable, a call center in Mumbai. Since arriving, Kenny has been unhappy. Meanwhile Dev, Kenny’s assistant, gets a call from the head office saying that “Terry Johnson” will be doing “an on-site assessment.” In a panic, Dev finds Kenny to deal with the problem. Terri reaches the call center to find it hardly what she expected. And Terri is also hardly what they expected – a good looking woman. Just then a crisis breaks out. Kenny and Terri quickly spring in to action.

MUMBAI CALLING 02: HOME COMFORTS
Kenny is launching a new service for drivers in the UK, but it goes disastrously. Meanwhile, Terri has nowhere to live. Dev offers her accommodation at his house. Terri tells Dev’s family that she is his boss and this causes Dev to be ridiculed at home. Terri finds herself sleeping in a bed with three of Dev’s relatives. Kenny is jealous of Terri staying at Dev’s house, but when he finds out that there is no relationship between the two, he comes up with a plan to help both Dev and Terri out of their unfavorable predicaments.

MUMBAI CALLING 03: GOOD SELLERS
Terri decides the call center operators need coaching for their English, and hires an actor to train them. Meanwhile, Dev is caught out by a local gangster who is demanding protection money from Teknobable. Kenny and Terri get involved and are threatened by the gangster as well. But a Bollywood star comes by and saves the day.

MUMBAI CALLING 04: BOY TO MAN
Terri realizes that the operators are lacking in confidence and are too submissive with callers. She gives the operators a crash course in self-confidence. Dev finds out his assistant Amar’s parents are forcing him into an arranged marriage. Trying to help, Terri, Kenny, and Dev follow Amar to the train station where they each make their case for and against the arranged marriage. But Amar might have more backbone then they think…

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