Bernie

Plot: In small-town Texas, the local mortician strikes up a friendship with a wealthy widow, though when he kills her, he goes to great lengths to create the illusion that she’s alive.. (via IMDB)

Cast: Jack Black, Matthew McCounaghey, Shirley McLaine

Directed by Richard Linklater

Written by Richard Linklater

Rated PG-13 for some violent images and brief strong language

Release Date: April 27th 2012 (limited)

Runtime: 104 min

ParaNorman

Plot: In the town of Blithe Hollow, Norman Babcock is a boy who can speak to the dead, but no one besides his eccentric new friend, Neil, believes his ability is real. One day, Norman’s estranged eccentric uncle tells him of an important annual ritual he must take up to protect the town from an curse cast by a witch it condemned centuries ago. Eventually, Norman decides to cooperate, but things don’t go according to plan. Now, a magic storm of the witch threatens Blithe Hollow as the accursed dead rise. Together with unexpected new companions, Norman struggles to save his town, only to discover the horrific truth of the curse. With that insight, Norman must resolve the crisis for good as only he can.  (Summary by Kenneth Chisholm via IMDB)

Cast: Kodi Smith-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, Leslie Mann, Jodelle Fernand, Casey Affleck, Christopher Mintz-Plasse

Directed by Chris Butler, Sam Fell

Written by Chris Butler

Rated PG for scary action and images, thematic elements, some rude humor and language

Release Date: July 20th 2012

Runtime: 92 min

The Dark Knight Rises

Plot: 8 years after the events of The Dark Knight find Gotham at a time of peace. This is due to Batman taking the fall for Harvey Dent’s murder. However, a new evil force named Bane has arrived in Gotham and aims to take over the city and expose the truth behind who Harvey Dent really was. Now that Wayne Manor has been completely rebuilt – Bruce Wayne has become almost reclusive, rarely leaving the estate. And with Bane taking over the city by force, it forces Batman to come out of retirement. But his allies are few and far apart. An elusive jewel thief by the name of Selina Kyle could be the key to stopping Bane – but whose side is she on?  (Summary by halo1k via IMDB)

Cast: Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Anne Hathaway, Marion Cotillard, Juno Temple

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Written by Jonathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some sensuality and language

Release Date: July 20th 2012

Runtime: 165 min