Movies to Watch for in September 2009

In the movie business the year is dominated by two seasons. The first is the summer season where big blockbusters rule and the second smaller season is in the fall and winter where movies try their best to be Oscar bait. Up until a few years ago this meant that there were a couple of months between these two big times where not much came out. September use to be one of those months, stuck between the big seasons without much to look forward to. Over the last few years' things have seemed to change a bit. Movie companies know now that people want to go see movies year round not just when it's hot out or around Christmas. This year September is shaping up to be a halfway decent time to love movies.

Viewer be warned though its an odd mix coming out in early fall. There seems to be a whole lot of comedy coming out but also some summer like action movies that are trying to get the folks who have not had enough of explosions to last them until the New Year. There are kid movies, thrillers, chillers and Fame. This is your easy guide at all the big movies coming out in September 2009 and some of the smaller films you might not of heard of yet.

Sci-Fi Meets Action

Are you tired of robots yet? Well too bad because one of the most exciting movies coming out in September is filled with them. Trust me, this is the robot movie that you should have held out for. 9 is the story of rag doll creatures made by a scientist who also made some robots then end up wiping out mankind. Now it's up to these 9 creatures to make sure that life survives. It might sound a little silly but trust me this is not kids stuff. This computer animate film is dark, gritty and simply stunning. It's based of a short film by the same name that was nominated for an Oscar. It's being produced by Tim Burton, and has Elijah Wood providing the voice for the lead doll. (Releases September 9th)

Bruce Willis is hoping even after the awe inspiring visuals of 9 that you won't be having robot fatigue because he has a crime thriller coming out in the end of the month that has bots of there own. In the film Surrogates people never leave the house; instead they let their robot surrogates go out for them. This has lead to relative peace until the scientist that created the surrogates is murdered. Now Willis' FBI agent is going to have venture from his home for the first time in years to find the killer. (Releases September 25th)

There are plenty of other science fiction movies coming out in September. Like Gamer staring Gerald Butler (star of 300) as a prisoner who is forced to play war games for television. This may sound like a story you have seen before, the last time around it was Stone Cold Steve Austin on an island with Vinnie Jones, but this movie has a twist. Players using a mind control device at the safety of their own homes control the prisoners. It's like the worlds best first person shooter. Dexter star Michael Hall plays the main villain. (Releases September 4th)

If you like your looking for some even more science fiction there is the space thriller Pandorum. It is also kind of about the end of the world but this time around the action takes place far away from Earth. Two astronauts (played by Dennis Quaid and Ben Foster) wake up after a deep sleep thinking they are the only two souls left alive on the ship, perhaps the whole world. They soon find thought they are not alone and that is when things get freaky. (Releases September 18th)

A smaller film you might not have heard about also explores the boundaries of science. Splice is about genetic mutation and stars Adrian Brody as a scientist who makes a new species from both human and animal DNA. At first the creature looks like just a deformed baby but then it changes into something far stranger. A creature that is both stunning and terrible. (Limited release September 18th)

Thrills and Chills

If you're looking for a thriller that's a little bit more grounded check out Whiteout. The setting is as harsh as the depths of space but it is right here on Earth. Kate Beckinsale plays a US Marshal who must figure out the first murder to happen on Antarctica. She also has to deal with the fact that artic winter is settling in on her camp and that any sane human should be taking the last helicopter off the island. Kate might have had an easier time fighting werewolves the the conditions in Antarctica once the sun goes away. (Releases September 11th)

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt is a thriller of a different type. Michael Douglas stars as corrupt DA Mark Hunter who is being investigated by a writer who is in way over his head. Jesse Metcalf who is a young rising star probably best known for his part in Desperate Housewives is playing the writer. The movie is a remake of the 1956 noir classic. (Releases September 11th)

If straight up horror is more what your style than Diablo Cody's next film might be a good choice to go see in September. Jennifer's Body is about a cheerleader named Jennifer who gets possessed by a demon and starts to cause all sorts of trouble for the boys in her class. One of the more popular bodies at the moment, Megan Fox, will be filling the role of Jennifer in this horror flick that has its tongue firmly planted in its cheek. (Releases September 18th)

If one blood soaked teen horror flick is not enough then you can also catch the slasher film Sorority Row. It's one of many recent remake of early 80s slasher movies with some minor tweaks. Nothing to special about this movie as it seems to filled with all the standards of the original. It has pretty girls, a hooded killer and best of all Carrier Fisher, but even Ms. Fisher might not be enough to make this flick worth viewing. (Releases September 11th)

Movies to Make You Laugh

The month of September is not just about thrills and science fiction. There are also a bunch of comedies coming out, two of which will be some of the first new releases of the month. Extract is one of those flicks. It's a dark comedy from Mike Judge who is best known for King of the Hill and Office Space. The movie stars Jason Bateman as the owner of an extract factory who is about to sell his company and retire when a series of unfortunate events throws his life for a loop. (Releases September 4th)

Also coming out that weekend is a romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock as a woman named Mary with a very unhealthy crush. The movie is called All About Steve and Steve (played by Bradley Cooper) is the poor guy who Mary has fallen in love with after only one date. Steve is a camera man who films big stories like storms and earthquakes, he hopes his dangerous job is enough to keep Mary away but soon finds that it will take more of the threat of death to keep her away. (Releases September 4th)

The Invention of Lying is a very creative comedy from the mind of British comedian Ricky Gervis. It takes place in a world where everyone tells the truth and Ricky is just an everyday unlucky guy until he discovers the art of lying. Soon he finds that lies can bring him fame, fortune and love. The witty movie has tons of other stars like Jennifer Garner, Rob Lower and Jonah Hill. (Releases September 25th)

Kids like to laugh too and September doesn't have a lot of movies for them. There is one film though that takes a beloved kids classic and turns it into a computer-animated comedy. Cloudy with A Chance of Meatballs is about a dimwitted inventor who finely gets something right when he makes a machine that turns water into food. Things go bad when the device gets a mind of its own and a storm of food threatens to cover the earth. Bruce Cambell and Ann Farris lend voice talent for the comedy. (Releases September 18th)

Love, Tears, and Fame

If you are a fan of romance don't worry September has something to offer you too. If the quirky romances offered at the start of the month are too silly for you than wait out for Love Happens. This is a true drama romance movie. It stars Aaron Eckhart (whom you might know from the Dark Knight or Thank You for Smoking), as a self-help guru who can't follow is own advice and grieve the loss of his wife. Jennifer Aniston also stars as a florist that might just be the perfect woman to cause this guru move on and discover love. (Releases September 18th)

April is also trying to find love in Tyler Perry's next drama, I Can Do Bad All By Myself. The trailers might make this movie look like a comedy but it is much more of a drama with a little bit of love thrown in. April, played by Oscar nominated actress Taraji Hensen, is a hard drinking lounge singer who is forced to take care of her niece and nephew. With a little help from Mary J Blidge and Madea April will hopefully learn the important of love and family. (Releases September 11th)

For some folks this is the remake they have been waiting, and for others its just a reason to groan. Like it or not the remake of Fame is coming. The movie follows the same premise of the first movie, taking place in an arts school filled with talented youths trying to make it. It mike look like another teen dance movie but this film is grounded with some impressive actors playing the teachers of this school. Megan Mullally and Kelsey Gramer join original fame cast member Debbie Allen as teachers of this new class. (Releases September 25th)

The Indies

As always there are a few smaller films that are coming out that might of flown in under your radar. Though Michael Moore is hardly making low budget documentaries any more her will also have the feel of an indie director. His latest movie Capitalism: A Love Story is all about corrupt bankers and the recession. As always I would not expect a very even look at the issues but Moore is still one of the best documentary filmmakers out there today. (Releases September 23rd)

Bright Star is another little film getting its limited release in September. The movie is about the last three years of poet's John Keats life and his secret love affair with the girl next door. Benedict Whishaw plays Keats; Ben is one of those actors you have seen in lots of smaller parts like in Layer Cake and Merchant of Venice but this is one of his first starring roles. The love interest is played by Abbie Cornish who was recently in the movie Stop Loss and also played along side Heath Ledger in the movie Candy. (Limited releases September 18th)

French star Audrey Tautou is the star of the last movie in this guide, Coco Before Chanel. The star of Amelie will play famed fashion designer Coco Chanel. This French drama has already been out in France since April but will get its premier in the states in late September. (Releases August 25th)