Hitting the theaters
Playing August 1 – 7
The Dark Knight – The sequel to “Batman Begins” teams Batman/Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) with Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), the district attorney, against a deranged bank robber. Heath Ledger stars as the Joker in his last role before his death and Maggie Gyllenhaal replaces Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes. Action, PG-13.
Hancock – It wouldn’t be Fourth of July without a Will Smith blockbuster. This year Smith play’s Hancock, a super hero with a bad idea who hires a public relations firm to help him clean up his image. But will things go wrong when Hancock starts to put the moves on Mary (Charlize Theron) the wife of his PR guru Ray (Jason Bateman). Action, PG-13.
Hell Boy II: The Golden Army – The director of the eerily dark “Pan’s Labyrinth” brings to life the sequel to Hell Boy with the same questionable-looking creatures. Guillermo del Toro brings to life the story of a mythical world rebelling against humanity’s rule on Earth. Ron Perlman is back as the lead with Selma Blair and Doug Jones co-starring. Action, PG-13.
Journey to the Center of the Earth – When a scientist searches for his missing brother with his nephew and a mountain guide, they discover a lost world in the center of the Earth. Starring Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson and Anita Briem, this movie is showing in 3D at select theaters. Adventure, PG.
Mamma Mia! – The popular stage show that features ABBA songs comes to the silver screen. Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) just wants her father to walk her down the aisle – the problem is she isn’t sure which of her mother’s former boyfriends is the real deal. Meryl Streep plays Sophie’s mother, Donna, and the possible fathers are played by Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan and Stellan Skarsgard. Romantic comedy, PG-13.
Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor – Rick O’Connell (Brendan Fraser) is back to fight the Dragon Emperor in the latest Mummy movie. He is helped along by his son Alex (Luke Ford) and Jonathan Carnahan (John Hannah). Adventure, PG-13.
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 Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 – Carmen (America Ferrera), Tibby (Amber Tamblyn), Lena (Alexis Bledel) and Bridget (Blake Lively) are back and they again pass around a pair of jeans that fits each of them to a T. They again deal with family problems and growing up while staying friends. Comedy, PG-13.
Space Chimps – Ham III, the grandson of the first chimp to be sent into space, is shipped toward the cosmos by a opportunity-seeking senator. Voices by Andy Samberg, Cheryl Hines, Jeff Daniels and Kristin Chenoweth. Animated, G.
The Step Brothers – When Nancy (Mary Steenburgen) and Robert (Richard Jenkins) marry, their sons are not happy to have a new family member and plenty of sibling rivalry ensues. But these boys, Brennan (Will Ferrell) and Dale (John C. Reilly), are not children but grown men who have never moved out of the house. Comedy, R.
Swing vote – What would happen if the fate of the United States rested in the hands of one man? Bud Johnson (Kevin Costner) doesn’t care about much until he realizes that his vote is the only one that counts in the presidential election. The candidates try to woe him as his precocious 12-year-old daughter Molly (Madeline Carroll) urges him to make an informed decision. Comedy, PG-13.
Wall-E – A robot – a Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth Class – remains on Earth long after the last human is gone. In 2700, a sleek new robot lands on Earth and discovers that Wall-E has found the secret to saving the planet. Animation, G.
The X-Files: I Want to Believe – David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson revive the roles that they are best known for. Mulder (Duchovny) and Scully (Anderson) reunite on the big screen to continue the search for the truth. Those involved in the production, have kept the plot under close wraps, but they promise it will be liked by hardcore fans and new watchers alike. Science fiction, PG-13.
Hitting the couch
Movies out on DVD and Blu-Ray August 5
Nim’s Island – Nim (Abigail Breslin) lives on a deserted island with her father and microbiologiest Jack Russo (Gerard Butler). Their life is near perfect until Jack sets sail and Nim needs to contact her favorite author to help her find him. Starring Jodie Foster. On Blu-ray and DVD.
The Counterfeiters – During World War II, a Russian-born Jew forges passports and banknotes until he is sent to a concentration camp. There he receives preferential treatment when Reich officials make him create counterfeit money. Starring Markovics, August Diehl and Devid Striesow, the movie won an Academy Award for best foreign language film. On DVD and Blu-Ray.
Lonesome Dove – A re-released Lonseome Dove 2 disc-collector’s edition offers some of the best performances Robert Duvall, Diane Lane and Danny Glover. On DVD and Blu-ray.
