Movies to Watch for in August 2009

As we enter into the last days of summer I can't help but wonder what we will remember about the movies we watched. In 2008 big super hero movies pounded us into submission to the point where their box-office feats still rule. Has any movie really claimed the summer as its victor yet?

August tends to be a transition month in movies. The big summer popcorn flicks give us their last explosions as more serious films walk in as the smoke clears. The month ends up being an odd mix of horror films, kid flicks and early Oscar contenders. This year is no exception.

This is guide to what is going to grace the silver screen in the month of August 2009. As always I will cover the movies that will dominate the fast food cross promotions and whose TV spots will never seem to end. I will also talk about some movies that you might not have heard about yet.

The Big Popcorn Flicks

The last explosion filled, action packed adventure movie of the summer is G. I. Joe: Rise of Cobra. I had trouble learning much about the plot of this movie because of all the CG goodness that flooded the preview, but I think it has something to do with good guys fighting bad guys. The movie has a definite sci-fi feel to it and looks to be about as absurd as the source material can be, but in a good way. This movie is directed by Stephen Sommers (of The Mummy and Van Helsing), so for fans of big time action this movie should not disappoint. (Releases August 7th)

But what if you want a movie that still has a lot of action but is a little bit darker? What if you want a movie that has more blood and grit? Well Quentin Tarantino has prepared Inglorious Bastards just for you. The movie starts Brad Pitt, with a very interesting accent and mustache, leading a group of Jewish American solders into Nazi occupied France to basically kill a bunch of Germans. It did well at Cannes except folks wished there was more action, so it has be retooled by Tarantino for its wide release. As long as you don't mind seeing a little gore than this movie should be a lot of fun. (Releases August 21st)

A Little Something for the Ladies

Meryl Streep has always been known as a great actress, but in her later career she has also ended up becoming the queen of surprise summer hits. This year might not be any different as she teams up with rising star Amy Adams in Julie and Julia. This drama/comedy is both about Julia Child (who Streep imitates like a pro) as she tries to make it in her early career and the modern day temp that is inspired to try to make all her recipes in a single year. The movie looks pretty funny and should be one of the summer's big charmers. (Releases August 7th)

If you looking for a little bit of love this summer and perhaps a good cry. You might want to check out The Time Travelers Wife. This movie is much less science fiction that it sounds and is more about the romance and struggles of a couple (played by Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams). You see these two lovebirds would be a perfect match if it weren't for the fact that Eric Bana keeps traveling through time with no control of where he will end up. It's based on the best selling book and in the least is an interesting twist to the romance genre. Make sure though to bring a hankie. (Releases August 14th)

Scare Tactics

This August also seems to be a time for movies to try to scare the pants off you. In Perfect Getaway, Mila Jovovich and Timmy Olyphant think that they have found paradise. Unfortunately that paradise seems to be filled with psychopathic assassins who like to kill tourist. It's amazing how many paradises go bad in the movies. This is why I don't go on vacation. (Releases August 14th)

Of course Rob Zombie proves you don't have to go on vacation to be killed by a psychopath. In Halloween 2 he brings back Mike Myers to bring a reign of terror on those few he left living in the last movie. All the main cast members have returned and this movie does look pretty darn creepy. Here's a fun fact for you this is the second movie to be the follow up to a restart of this horror classic and the second movie to be titled Halloween 2. (Releases August 28th)

The other fright-causing flick that comes out in August is The Final Destination. I am not sure how many of these have been made but I think it might be a little silly to keep calling them Final. The premise of this movie is the same as the others. A terrible accident happens but a guy sees it all go down before hand and saves his friends. Except of course he has not saved them just set them up for further more elaborate deaths. The only big difference is that this time its in 3D. (Releases August 28th)

For the Kids

There is a certain group of film enthusiast (me included) who get very excited about the colorful, cute and surprisingly deep animated films of Miyazaki. It has been a long wait to finally get to see the translated version of Ponyo On the Cliff by the Sea but most fans will forgive the time spent waiting once they watch it. The movie, which is about a fish that wants to be a girl, has gathered such voice talent as Tina Fey, Matt Damon and Liam Neeson. The preview looks stunning. If you have no idea who Miyazaki is discover his movie magic this summer. (Releases August 14th)

The teen set have not had a lot of movies for them to watch this summer if you don't include the big blockbusters. Don't worry though a bunch of Disney TV stars have been gathered together in the movie Bandslam. The film is about a misfit who ends up managing a band of misfits as they prepare for the big Battle of the Bands. Lisa Kudrow is the only actress in it that any adult will recognize. The movie is all about the music and while it might not be very hardcore, it has a chance of rocking out at least a little bit. (Releases August 14th)

If a fish wanting to become a girl is not odd enough for you have no fear. Robert Rodriguez has put together one of his surreal and manic kid movies about a kid who finds a wishing stone and causes all sorts of strange things to happen. It's called Shorts and in the least it will be interesting. I am not really sure what is going on in this movie but there is a kid who has a phone through his head and little spaceships that can beat up bullies. (Releases August 21st)

Under the Radar

At the end of the month Ang Lee will try to take you back to a simpler and muddier time with his movie Taking Woodstock. The movie is a behind the scenes look at Woodstock and focuses on a young man whose parents own a struggling motel and the only festival permit in town. Their lives are turned upside down when they give up the permit to the hippies and rockers who want to put on the worlds most famous music festival. A lot of great independent actors like Emile Hirsch and Live Schreiber joined up on this ensemble piece about music and love. (Releases August 28th)

District 9 is not about music or love. It's about immigration and actual aliens who have landed in South Africa. The movie is produced by Peter Jackson and has a very documentary look to it. From everything I have heard this movie promise to be like nothing you have seen this summer. (Releases August 14th)

Speaking of documentaries that are not quite documentaries, another indie movie coming out in August is Paper Heart. This small charming movie follows actress and comedian Charylne Li as she tries to understand the complex subject of love. The movie started out as a documentary but then towards the end weaves in elements of storytelling as Charylne starts to have a relationship with real life boyfriend Michael Cera. (Releases August 14th)

And finally we have a documentary that is a real documentary. It's called It Might Get Loud and it's about the history of the electric guitar. It has a lot of great artist sharing their thoughts like Jimmy Plant and Michael Stripe. Expect to hear some hard rock and some interesting interviews. (Limited Release on August 14th)