Hitting the theaters
Playing August 15 – 21
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.
Hitting the theaters
Playing August 15 – 21
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hitting the couch
Movies out on DVD and Blu-Ray August 19
Best of Both Worlds Concert – The 3-D movie – Miley Cyrus sings as her alter ego Hannah Montana in this concert movie. On Blu-ray and DVD.
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day – Guinevere Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) takes a job as an assistant to a glamorous American actress (Amy Adams). The two whirl their way through social hours with handsome and complicated men. On DVD.
Street Kings – Detective Tom Ludlow’s (Keanu Reeves) life has been tough since his wife died, but things get worse when evidence implicates him in the death of a fellow officer. He has to go up against the cop culture to clear his name. Also starring Forest Whitaker, Hugh Laurie and Chris Evans. On DVD and Blu-ray.
Prom Night – In this horror film prom night turns from a dream night to a nightmare when a sadistic killer from Donna’s (Brittany Snow) past haunts her and her friends. Also starring Scott Porter, Jessica Stroup and Dana Davis. On DVD and Blu-ray.
Television series on DVD Aug. 19
House, M.D. season four – Dr. Gregory House continues his crazy antics as he tries to narrow down to three a slew of fellowship applicants. He continues to solve seemingly unsolvable medical mysteries.
Dexter season two – Michael C. Hall plays a mastermind serial killer Dexter who lives by a code of ethics – only kill bad people. In season two, he will try to manage his job as a forensics specialist with the Miami P.D. and his relationship with his girlfriend while keeping his secret from everyone he knows.
Gossip Girl season one – The surprise CW hit that follows the lives of fabulously rich prep school teens is now out.
