Dvd release date: 08/28/2012

Starring: Aksel Hennie, Synnøve Macody Lund
Director: Morten Tyldum
Category: Foreign
Rated: R

“Headhunters” stars the talented Aksel Hennie (“Max Manus”) as Roger, a charming scoundrel and Norway’s most accomplished headhunter. Roger is living a life of luxury well beyond his means, and stealing art to subsidize his expensive lifestyle. When his beautiful gallery owner wife introduces him to a former mercenary in the possession of an extremely valuable painting, he decides to risk it all to get his hands on it, and in doing so discovers something which makes him a hunted man. “Headhunters” is based on Jo Nesbo’s best-selling thriller from 2008. (Publisher)

Summary of critic reviews:

Chicago Tribune: *** (out of four)
New York Post: *** (out of four)

Overall: *** (out of four)

Dvd release date: 08/28/2012

Starring: Mohamed Fellag, Sophie Nélisse
Director: Philippe Falardeau
Category: Foreign
Rated: PG-13

Nominated for an Oscar(R) for Best Foreign Language Film, “Monsieur Lazhar” tells the poignant story of a Montreal middle school class shaken by the death of their well-liked teacher. Bachir Lazhar (Mohamed Fellag), a 55-year-old Algerian immigrant, offers the school his services as a substitute teacher and is quickly hired. As he helps the children heal, he also learns to accept his own painful past. This moving film features exquisite performances by Fellag and a stunning ensemble of child actors. (Publisher)

Summary of critic reviews:

Chicago Tribune: *** (out of four)
New York Post: ***1/2 (out of four)

Overall: ***1/2 (out of four)

Dvd release date: 08/25/2009

Starring: Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna
Director: Carlos Cuaron
Category: Foreign
Rated: R

Beto (Diego Luna) and Tato (Gael Garcia Bernal) Verdusco are brothers who work at a banana plantation and also play soccer for the village team. Nicknamed “Tough” because of his personality and football style, Beto dreams of becoming a professional soccer player; Tato’s dream is to be a famous singer, and both share the dream of building a house for their mother, Elvira (Dolores Heredia). They have a change in luck when “Batuta,” a soccer talent scout, discovers them accidentally. Tato is the first to move to the big city where he becomes the star goal scorer for the prestigious Deportivo Amaranto. His baroque playing style earns him the nickname of “Corny.” Although Beto feels he has been betrayed and left behind, he soon travels to Mexico City to become the goalkeeper for Atletico Nopaleros (Nopaleros Team). At the peak of glory, they forget all animosity, although it does not last long. At the very real possibility of fulfilling all of their dreams, the siblings must face an innate rivalry as well as their dreams, the siblings must face an innate rivalry as well as their own demons and limitations. Beto is a gambler and allows his addiction to drag him down. Tato is unable to recognize his true talents and squanders every opportunity by pursuing a false idea of celebrity status. The dream seems to slip through their fingers. And it is at their worst moment that the brothers find forgiveness trying to help each other while casting headlong towards their individual destiny. (Publisher)

Summary of critic reviews:

Chicago Tribune: *** (out of four)
Rolling Stone: *** (out of four)

Overall: *** (out of four)

Dvd release date: 08/11/2009

Starring: Francois Begaudeau
Director: Laurent Cantet
Category: Foreign
Rated: PG-13

Francois and his fellow teachers prepare for a new year at a high school in a tough neighborhood. Armed with the best intentions, they brace themselves to not let discouragement stop them from trying to give the best education to their students. Cultures and attitudes often clash in the classroom, a microcosm of contemporary France. As amusing and inspiring as the teenaged students can be, their difficult behavior can still jeopardize any teacher’s enthusiasm for the low-paying job. Francois insists on an atmosphere of respect and diligence. Neither stuffy nor severe, his extravagant frankness often takes the students by surprise. But his classroom ethics are put to the test when his students begin to challenge his methods. (Publisher)

Summary of critic reviews:

Rolling Stone: ***1/2 (out of four)
USA Today: ***1/2 (out of four)

Overall: ***1/2 (out of four)

Dvd release date: 03/31/2009

Starring: Francois Cluzet, Marie-Josee Croze
Director: Guillaume Canet
Category: Foreign
Rated: Not Rated

Based on Harlan Coben’s international best selling thriller about pediatrician Alexandre Beck who still grieves the murder of his beloved wife Margot Beck eight years earlier. When two bodies are found near the scene of the crime, the police reopen the case and Alex becomes a suspect again. The mystery deepens when Alex receives an anonymous e-mail with a link to a video clip that seems to suggest Margot is somehow still alive and a message to “Tell No One”. (Publisher)

Summary of critic reviews:

Chicago Tribune: *** (out of four)
New York Post: **1/2 (out of four)
Rolling Stone: ***1/2 (out of four)

Overall: *** (out of four)