Sneak Peak: Movies for July 2009

"Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs"

Stars include Ray Romano, John Lequizamo, Denis Leary, and Queen Latifah. It is directed by Carlos Saldanha and Mike Thurmeier. Following its predecessors, "Ice Age" and "Ice Age: The Meltdown," Scrat is still trying to nab the nut; Manny and Ellie await the birth of their mini-mammoth; Sid, the sloth, gets into trouble, when he hijacks some dinosaur eggs; and Diego, the saber-toothed tiger, thinks he's too "soft," while hanging with his pals. Thus, on a mission to rescue Sid, the gang ventures into a mysterious underground world, full of dinosaurs and more. This 20^th Century Fox action/adventure/comedy is Not Yet Rated.

"Public Enemies"

Stars include Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Giovanni Ribisi, and Stephen Doff. It is directed by Michael Mann. In this film, my all-time favorite actor, Johnny Depp, plays the legendary Depression-era outlaw, John Dillinger. Since this charismatic bank robber was the #1 target of J. Edgar Hoover's FBI investigation, he was eventually labeled, "Public Enemy Number One." His gang consisted of Baby Face Nelson and Alvin Karpis. This Universal Pictures drama/crime/gangster film is rated R.

July 10, 2009

"I Love You, Beth Cooper"

Stars include Hayden Panettiere, Lauren London, Samm Levine, and Andrea Savage. It is directed by Chris Columbus. Based on a novel by Larry Doyle, this is a story about a geeky high-school valedictorian, who expresses his love for a popular cheerleader during his graduation speech at Buffalo Glenn High School. This Fox Atomic comedy is Not Yet Rated. Previously announced release date was March 27, 2009.

"Bruno"

Stars include Sacha Baron Cohen and Alice Evans. Bruno's character originates from Cohen's Channel 4 and the HBO series, Do Ali G Show. This flamboyant, Austrian fashionista goes to America to host his own show. It is directed by Dan Mazer. This Universal Pictures comedy is Not Yet Rated. Previously announced release date was May 15, 2009.

"Soul Power"

Stars include B. B. King, James Brown, and Miriam Makeba. It is directed by Jeffrey Levy-Hinte. This film centers on the 1974 concert, where several R&B singers performed, during the "rumble in the jungle" boxing match between George Freeman and Muhammad Ali. This Sony Pictures Classics documentary is Not Yet Rated and is scheduled for limited release.

July 17, 2009

"500 Days of Summer"

Stars include Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Clark Gregg, Zooey Deschanel, Minka Kelly, and Rachel Boston. It is directed by Marc Webb. Tom, a hapless greeting card copywriter, shifts back and forth through periods of their 500 days together, after his girlfriend, Summer, dumps him. This Fox Searchlight Pictures comedy/romance is rated PG-13.

"All the Boys Love Mandy Lane"

Stars include Amber Heard, Anson Mount, Michael Welch, and Aaron Himelstein. It is directed by Jonathan Levine. This 16-year-old, unattainable teen beauty has such an allure, it has drawn several men to their doom. Now, Mandy, an earthbound angel, has been invited on a weekend getaway with friends, Chloe and Red. Undoubtedly, this will be a weekend no one will ever forget. This Senator International horror is rated R.

"Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince"

Stars include Daniel Radcliff, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Jim Broadbent, and Helena Bonham Carter. It is directed by David Yates and is based on a novel by J. K. Rowling. Following "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," young wizards, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, once again, face tougher challenges and newer dangers in the wake of Lord Voldemort's return. This Warner Brothers Pictures action/adventure/sequel/fantasy is rated PG.

July 24, 2009

"All Good Things"

Stars include Ryan Gosling, Kirsten Dunst, Frank Langella, Kristen Wiiq, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. It is directed by Andrew Jarecki. When a member of New York's real estate dynasty falls for a beautiful girl from the wrong side of the tracks in the 1980's and she suddenly disappears, political stakes get higher and people close to the case continue ending up dead. This Weinstein Company suspense/romance film is Not Yet Rated.

"G-Force"

Stars include Nicolas Cage, Steve Buscemi, Tracy Morgan, Zach Galifianakis, Kelli Garner, Sam Rockwell, and Penelope Cruz. It is directed by Hoyt Yeatman. Here, a convert government program trains guinea pigs to work in espionage. Armed with the latest high-tech spy equipment, Darwin, the squad leader; Blaster, the weapons expert; Juarez, the sexy martial arts pro; Mooch, the reconnaissance expert; and the mole, Speckles, computer and information specialist, take audiences on a high-octane adventure in 3-D. This Walt Disney Pictures action/adventure film is Not Yet Rated.

"Orphan"

Stars include Peter Sarsgaard, Vera Farmiga, and Isabelle Fuhrman. It is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. Kate and John are devastated by the tragic loss of their unborn child. Visiting the local orphanage, they become drawn to a young girl named, Esther. But, when they bring Esther home, an alarming series of events begin to occur. This Warner Brothers suspense/horror film is Not Yet Rated.

"The Ugly Truth"

Stars include Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler, Eric Winter, Nick Searcy, and Bree Turner. It is directed by Robert Luketic. Abby Richter is a romantically-challenged morning show producer, whose search for "Mr. Right" has left her in great despair. But, she's in for a rude awakening when she finally meets Mike Chadway, a hardcore TV personality, who promises to spill the ugly truth on what makes men and women tick. This Columbia Pictures comedy/romance is rated R.

July 31, 2009

"Funny People"

Stars include Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, and Jonah Hill. It is directed by Judd Apatow. It all begins when George Simmons, a successful stand-up comedian, learns he has less than one year to live. Meanwhile, Ira Wright, a struggling comedian, works at a deli, while trying to get a handle on his onstage persona. Since neither man has close friends, they meet and form a mutual bond. George teaches Ira to win the crowd and Ira helps George find closure. This Universal Pictures comedy/drama is Not Yet Rated.

"Lorna's Silence"

Stars include Arta Dobroshi, Olivier Gourmet, Jeremie Renier, and Fabrizio Rongione. It is directed by Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne. Lorna, an Albanian woman living in Belgium, wants to open a snack bar with her boyfriend. But tragedy prevails, after she agrees to marry a Russian Mafioso in order to gain citizenship. This Sony Classics drama is rated R and is slated for limited release in New York and Los Angeles.

"They Came From Upstairs"

Stars include Ashley Tisdale, Robert Hoffman, Carter Jenkins, Austin Butler, and Kevin Nealon. It is directed by John Schultz. Kids on a family vacation fight off an attack by knee-high alien invaders. Meanwhile, the kid's parents remain clueless about the battle. This 20^th Century Fox adventure/fantasy/sci-fi film is Not Yet Rated. Previously announced release date was February 13, 2009.