Held yearly for centuries, the Ocean of Fire–a 3,000 mile survival race across the Arabian desert–was a challenge restricted to the finest Arabian horses ever bred, the purest and noblest lines, owned by the greatest royal families. In 1890, a wealthy sheik invited an American, Frank T. Hopkins, and his horse to enter the race for the first time. During the course of his career, Hopkins was a cowboy and dispatch rider for the U.S. cavalry–and had once been billed as the greatest rider the West had ever known. The Sheik puts his claim to the test, pitting the American cowboy and his mustang, Hidalgo, against the world’s greatest Arabian horses and Bedouin riders–some of whom are determined to prevent a foreigner from finishing the race. For Frank, the Ocean of Fire becomes not only a matter of pride and honor, but a race for his very survival as he and his horse attempt the impossible. Written by Sujit R. Varma

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In the end of the 70’s, the dysfunctional Kenneth Bianchi lives with his mother and is obsessed to join the police force. When his application is refused, his mother sends him to Los Angeles to live with his sadistic cousin Angelo Buono. Kenneth unsuccessfully tries to join LAPD, and Angelo convinces him to start a prostitution business with him. They force two girls from Tucson to work for them, but their competitors destroy their business and steals their money. The frustrated Kenneth and Angelo decide to revenge against a prostitute, and Kenneth strangles her, feeling a great pleasure with her death. The two cousins become addicted in death, initially killing prostitutes and then attacking single women, dumping their bodies on the hill. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “The Hours” comes a story that chronicles a dozen years in the lives of two best friends who couldn’t be more different. From suburban Cleveland in the 60s, to New York City in the 80s, where they meet an older woman, the film charts a journey of trials, triumphs, loves and losses. Now the question is: can they navigate the unusual triangle they’ve created and hold their friendship together? Written by Anonymous

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“gobshite” is a dark comedy about a slightly demented English gangster who has upset the underworld pecking order by deciding he wants a bigger piece of the pie. He devises a scheme to get what he wants but must travel to a sleepy, seaside community in Ireland. As a cover for his plan he needs to acquire a local Irish family’s pub to promote a new brand of beer. Problems occur when the rightful owners of the pub put up more of a fight for their livelihood, than expected. Written by Mike Scullion

Determined to solve the coincidence of seeing the same conspicuous stranger three times in a day, Albert hires a pair of existentialist detectives, who insist on spying on his everyday life while sharing their views on life and the nature of the universe. Written by Benjamin Conway

I’ve already established in previous reviews I’m not a comic book person (see “The Hulk,” “Spider-Man,” “Hellboy,” etc.). The same lack of knowledge of the source material extends to sci-fi films. I think I read Isaac Asimov years ago, but it didn’t stick with me. I didn’t know there were three laws robots must obey, and the title “I, Robot” reminded me more of a “Me, Tarzan, You, Jane”-type of thing than anything else.

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The murderous Bride is back and she is still continuing her vengeance quest against her ex-boss, Bill, and taking aim at Bill’s younger brother Budd and Elle Driver, the only survivors from the squad of assassins who betrayed her four years earlier. It’s all leading up to the ultimate confrontation with Bill, the Bride’s former master and the man who ordered her execution! Written by Anthony Pereyra {hypersonic91@yahoo.com}

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Set in Canton, China in the 1940s, the story revolves in a town ruled by the Axe Gang, Sing who desperately wants to become a member. He stumbles into a slum ruled by eccentric landlords who turns out to be the greatest kung-fu masters in disguise. Sing’s actions eventually cause the Axe Gang and the slumlords to engage in an explosive kung-fu battle. Only one side will win and only one hero will emerge as the greatest kung-fu master of all. Written by Anthony Pereyra {hypersonic91@yahoo.com}

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1660. The France is being lacerated by the struggle between the king and the cardinal, each of them is having its own army: cardinal controls guardians, and the musketeers are loyal to the king. Legendary swordsman Jacques D’Artagnan’s best days may be well behind him, he has schooled his daughter Valentine (Susie Amy) well in the way of the sword. Now it’s time for Valentine to strike out on her own. With her father’s sword and a letter of introduction to Commander Flint (Roy Dotrice), the eager young novice sets out to seek her fortune in Paris.

How can a movie with flames leaping all over the place, people in jeopardy, and firefighters bravely battling against immeasurable odds be such a yawner? I almost feel guilty calling this film a bore - there’s a post 9/11 vibe to it that makes disliking it seem a bit unpatriotic, which feels disingenuous to say the least - but that’s what it is. “Ladder 49” is a big, bloated, boring, heartless drama that tries too hard to be wrestle some tears from its poor unsuspecting audience.

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