An origins story which reveals the cause of the centuries-old blood feud between the Death Dealers and the Lycans. Lucian (Sheen), a powerful and influential Lycan, rallies his race in an uprising against the vampire king Viktor (Nighy). Joining Lucian is his secret lover, Sonja (Mitra), a vampire who empathizes with the Lycans and looks to help free them from slavery.

Exactly how Rhona Mitra’s name has become synonymous with ill-advised horror projects is something for her and her agents to figure out, but it’s not like she doesn’t make sense in this role — it’s the movie’s existence itself that has us, and many, many others, asking questions. And not to kick a once-powerful franchise when it’s down, but the footage showed at Comic-Con back in July didn’t necessarily rally the masses to this cause, though in this age of direct-to-DVD sequels, something tells me this isn’t the last we’ve heard of the war between Lycans and Death Dealers. (Or Selene — she appears in this one!)

Rated R for bloody violence and some sexuality.

Director: Patrick Tatopoulos
Stars: Rhona Mitra, Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy
Studio: Screen Gems
Release Date: 23 January 2009 (USA)

For three years after being forced from office, Nixon remained silent. But in summer 1977, the steely, cunning former commander-in-chief agreed to sit for one all-inclusive interview to confront the questions of his time in office and the Watergate scandal that ended his presidency. Nixon surprised everyone in selecting Frost as his televised confessor, intending to easily outfox the breezy British showman and secure a place in the hearts and minds of Americans. Likewise, Frost’s team harbored doubts about their boss’s ability to hold his own. But as cameras rolled, a charged battle of wits resulted. Would Nixon evade questions of his role in one of the nation’s greatest disgraces? Or would Frost confound critics and bravely demand accountability from the man who’d built a career out of stonewalling? Over the course of their encounter, each man would reveal his own insecurities, ego and reserves of dignity–ultimately setting aside posturing in a stunning display of unvarnished truth.

Opie does alright racking up the Oscar noms when he takes on American tales of a certain era (Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind). Add to the mix Frank Langella (who was seriously overlooked last year for Starting Out in the Evening) as tricky Dick, a Tony-nominated play by The Queen’s Peter Morgan and sprinkle a little Bacon (Kevin, that is) and you can expect similar results this awards season.

Rated R for some language.