Sneak Peak: Movies for August 2009

"G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra"

Stars include Dennis Quaid, Channing Tatum, Sienna Miller, and Marlon Wayans. It is directed by Stephen Sommers. At a Brussels-based GIJOE (Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity), this action film centers on an international co-ed force of operatives, who use high-tech equipment to battle an evil organization headed by a Scottish arms dealer called "Cobra." This Paramount action film is Not Yet Rated.

"Julie and Julia"

Stars include Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Jane Lynch, and Stanley Tucci. It is directed by Nora Ephron. A woman, frustrated in a temp position, takes on a year-long culinary job, where she has to cook all 524 recipes in Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." This Columbia comedy/drama is rated PG-13.

"Shorts"

Stars include Jon Cryer, William H. Macy, James Spader, and Jake Short. It is directed by Robert Rodriquez. Here, a young boy discovers a colorful, wish-granting rock that causes chaos in the suburban town of Black Falls. This Warner Brothers adventure/family/fantasy is rated PG.

"Tekken"

Stars include John Foo, Holly Marie Combs, Ian Anthony Dale, and Tamlyn Tomita. It is directed by Dwight H. Little. In 2039, Mishima Corporation sponsors the King of Iron Fist Tournament, where fighters compete to the death for ultimate glory and a lifetime of stardom and wealth. But, one street fighter, Kazama, enters the tournament to avenge the death of his mother. This Weinstein action film is Not Yet Rated.

"When In Rome"

Stars include Kristen Bell, Josh Duhamel, Will Arnett, Anjelica Houston, and Danny DeVito. It is directed by Mark Steven Johnson. In Rome, Beth Martin steals a handful of coins from the Fountain of Love. Now, seven of the people who tossed those coins in the Fountain are hopelessly in love with her. This Walt Disney Pictures romance/comedy is Not Yet Rated.

August 14, 2009

"Bandslam"

Stars include Alyson Michalka, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Lisa Kudrow, and Lisa Chung. It is directed by Todd Graff. A shy social misfit teams up with a popular girl to form a rock band for their high school's battle of the bands contest. This Summit Entertainment comedy/music/drama is rated PG. This film is scheduled for limited release.

"District 9"

Stars include Sharlto Copley and Jason Cope. It is directed by Neill Blomkamp. This Screen Gems Sci-fi film is Not Yet Rated.

"The Goods: the Don Ready Story"

Stars include Jeremy Piven, Kathryn Hahn, Ving Rhames, David Koechner, and Ed Helms. It is directed by Neal Brennan. A used car liquidator is hired to save a struggling dealership during the 4^th of July. This Paramount Village comedy is Not Yet Rated.

"The Post Graduate Survival Guide"

Stars include Alexis Bledel, Zach Gilford, Bobby Coleman, Carol Burnett, and Michael Keaton. It is directed by Vicky Jenson. Recent college graduate, Ryden Malby, moves back in with her crazy family, while running the risk of ruining her big plans for the future. This 20^th Century Fox comedy is rated PG-13.

"Taking Woodstock"

Stars include Demetri Martin, Emile Hirsch, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Live Schreiber. It is directed by Ang Lee. A man, working at his parents' motel, sets in motion the generation-defining concert in the summer of 1969. This Focus Features comedy/music film is Not Yet Rated. This film is scheduled for limited release.

"The Time Traveler's Wife"

Stars include Rachel McAdams, Eric Bana, Ron Livingston, and Jane McLean. It is directed by Robert Schwentke. Clare and Henry have known each other since she was six and he was thirty-six. They were married when she was 23 and he was 31. That's right! Diagnosed with Chrono-Displacement Disorder, his genetic clock resets and he, somehow, finds himself misplaced in time. This New Line Cinema drama/romance is rated PG-13.

"Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea"

Stars include Noah Cyrus, Frankie Jonas, Tina Fey, Matt Damon, Liam Neeson, and Cate Blanchett. It is directed by one of my favorite Japanese animated directors, Hayao Miyazaki ("Spirited Away"). Here, a mermaid runs away from her home in the sea. She ends up stranded on the shore and is rescued by Sosuke, a five-year old boy who lives on a cliff. This Walt Disney Pictures family/animated/adventure film is Not Yet Rated.

August 21, 2009

"Goose on the Loose!"

Stars include Chevy Chase, Kari Matchett, Tom Arnold, and Isabella Fink. It is directed by Nicholas Kendall. Randall is a neurotic talking goose, who is kidnapped by Congreve Maddox, the principal of the local elementary school. It seems that Congreve is planning to fatten Randall up so he can cook the bird and enter him into a culinary contest. But, Will Donnelly, a sweet and sensitive little boy, who stopped speaking after the death of his mother, and the bird become instant friends. Thus, the adventure begins. This Freestyle Releasing comedy/family film is rated PG.

"Inglorious Bastards"

Stars include Brad Pitt, Mike Myers, Diane Kruger, and Samm Levine. It is directed by Quentin Tarantino. Set in Nazi-occupied France, American soldiers, French peasants, French resistance, and Nazi occupiers collide. This Universal Pictures action/war/comedy is Not Yet Rated.

"It Might Be Loud"

Stars include the Edge, Jimmy Page, and Jack White. This is a documentary about the electric guitar, as viewed by three significant rock musicians: the Edge; Jimmy Page; and Jack White. It is directed by Davis Guggenheim. This Sony Pictures documentary is Not Yet Rated. This film is scheduled for limited release.

August 28, 2009

"The Boat That Rocked"

Stars include Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Emma Thompson, January Jones, and Nick Frost. It is directed by Richard Curtis. The Count, a big, brash American god of the airwaves; Quentin, the boss of Radio Rock; Gavin, the greatest DJ in Britain; Dave, an ironic, intelligent, and funny co-broadcaster ; and a fearsome British government official out for blood against drug takers and lawbreakers form a band of rogue DJs that captivated Britain during the 60's. This Universal Pictures comedy is rated R.

"Final Destination: Death Trip 3D"

Stars include Shantel VanSanten, Bobby Campo, Hayley Webb, Krista Allen, and Richard T. Jones. It is directed by David R. Ellis. When a teenager's premonition of a deadly race-car crash saves the lives of his peers, Death is determined to collect everyone who escaped its path. This New Line Cinema horror/thriller/teen film is Not Yet Rated.

"A Perfect Getaway"

Stars include Milla Jovovich, Marley Shelton, Steve Zahn, and Wendy Braun. It is directed by David Twohy. Stalked by a pair of killers, a couple's Hawaiian honeymoon suddenly becomes dangerous. This MGM thriller is rated R. Previously scheduled release date was March 13, 2009. New release date is pending, possibly August 2009.