Hitting the theaters
Playing August 22 – 28
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hitting the couch
What Happens in Vegas – A man and woman who are both upset for different reasons end up in Vegas, where they marry after a drunken night together. When they win a fortune by chance on a slot machine, a judge forces them to stay married to get the money. On DVD and Blu-ray.
Televisions out on DVD
Heroes season 2
Entourage season 4
