Babylon A.D.
– Toorop (Vin Diesel) is a mercenary who believes he would never
give his life for anyone else, until he meets Aurora (Melanie
Thierry). He is hired to protect the woman as they journey from
Russia to America, though he doesn’t know why the woman he is
escorting is so valuable. Also starring Miche
lle Yeoh and Gerard Depardieu. Action, PG-13.
Hitting the theaters
Playing August 29 – Sept. 4
Babylon A.D. – Toorop (Vin Diesel) is a mercenary who believes he would never give his life for anyone else, until he meets Aurora (Melanie Thierry). He is hired to protect the woman as they journey from Russia to America, though he doesn’t know why the woman he is escorting is so valuable. Also starring Michelle Yeoh and Gerard Depardieu. Action, PG-13.
College – When three high school seniors visit a local college campus as prospective students, their trip turns into a wild weekend. Starring Drake Bell, Andrew Caldwell and Andree Moss. Comedy, R.
Death Race – In the future, the most popular sport will be a race to the death involving cars. Jensen Ames (Jason Statham) is a former convict who is forced into just such a race by the warden (Joan Allen) of a prison. He must find a way to survive the death match. Action, R.
Disaster Movie – Written and directed by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, this movie spoofs every Hollywood film about a natural – or not so natural – disaster as a group of 20-somethings try to escape each catastrophe. Starring Vanessa Minnillo, Kimberly Kardashian and Tony Cox. Comedy, PG-13.
Hamlet 2 – While no one in their right mind would wonder what would happen in a sequel to Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” – hint: everyone pretty much dies at the end so who would even be in the sequel – Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan) does just that. He is a failed actor who becomes a failing drama teacher who decides to put on a musical sequel of the well-known classic. Also starring Catherine Keener, Joseph Julian Soria and Skylar Astin. Comedy, R.
House Bunny – Shelly (Anna Faris) is a past her prime Playboy bunny who has just been kicked out of the mansion. She takes on employment as a house mom for a group of misfit sorority girls instead of finding a real job and place to live. Soon she finds she has more to offer the girls than she thought, and they have more to offer her. Also starring Colin Hanks, Emma Stone, Kat Dennings and Julia Lea Wolov. Comedy, PG-13.
Mirrors – Keifer Sutherland plays an ex-cop whose family is being invaded by an evil force that uses mirrors to unleash their fury. Also starring Amy Smart, Paula Patton and Cameron Boyce. Horror, R.
Pineapple Express – A stoner and his dealer are forced to go on the run from the police after they witness a cop committing murder. From the makers of “Superbad,” the film stars Seth Rogen and James Franco. Comedy, R.
The Rocker – When Matt (Josh Gadd) and his friends get a gig to play at the high school prom, they desperately need a drummer. They turn to Matt’s uncle, Robert Fishman (Rainn Wilson) who almost made it big as a drummer in the ’80s. Fishman was dropped before the band went platinum, but he’s thrilled at his second chance. Comedy, PG-13.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Written by Henry Gilroy and George Lucas, this animated feature is pretty much the same as the live-action Episode II: Attack of the Clones. It looks cool, but the story is a repeat. Animated, PG.
Traitor – When FBI agent Roy Clayton (Guy Pearce) investigates an international conspiracy, all fingers seem to point at Samir Horn (Don Cheadle), a former CIA agent. Also starring Archie Panjabi and Jeff Daniels. Drama, PG-13.
Tropic Thunder – Ben Stiller directed and wrote this film, with Justin Theroux, about a group of actors who head into the jungle to get into character for a movie. When they are captured by rebels, they don’t realize it’s not just a movie anymore. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, and Steve Coogan and Stiller. Comedy, R.
The Visitor – When a widowed college professor returns home to New York to attend a conference after being away for a while, he finds two illegal immigrants living in his home. Drama, PG-13.
Hitting the couch
Movies out on DVD and Blu-Ray Sept. 2
Then She Found Me – Helen Hunt stars as April Epner in a movie about a woman going through a crisis. After her husband leaves her, and her adoptive mother dies, her biological mother comes searching for her. Starring Colin Firth, Bette Midler and Matthew Broderick. Drama, R.
Married Life – The married Harry (Chris Cooper) and his friend Richard (Pierce Brosnan) both decide to go after the same young war widower (Rachel McAdams). Patricia Clarkson plays Harry’s wife Pat.
Ballet Shoes – A 2007 BBC Northern Ireland production, this film stars Emma Watson, Yasmine Paige and Lucy Boynton as orphaned girls who are being raised by an older sister a grandmother. The sister works hard to enroll the younger girls in a dance academy.
Television series on DVD Sept. 2
The Office season 4 – Rewatch your favorite cast of dysfunctional office workers right before the new season begins. A special collection of all four seasons is also available.
Desperate Housewives season four – The housewives of Wisteria Lane are still going strong in season 4.
