Bangkok Dangerous
– Joe (Nicolas Cage) is a hitman who has several jobs to carry
off in Thailand, but his plans are interrupted when he falls for a
Thai woman and bonds with an errand boy. The movie, directed by
Danny Pang and Oxide Pang Chun, is based on a 1999 Hong Kong film,
where the men got their start in the
industry. Action, R.
Hitting the theaters
Playing Sept. 5 – Sept. 11
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 teenager as they journey from Russia to America, though he doesn’t know why the girl he is escorting is so valuable. The film challenges the validity of religion as well as the benefits of technology and cloning in its futuristic world, but it falls short of meeting expectations with its abrupt ending. Also starring Michelle Yeoh and Gerard Depardieu. Action, PG-13.
Bangkok Dangerous – Joe (Nicolas Cage) is a hitman who has several jobs to carry off in Thailand, but his plans are interrupted when he falls for a Thai woman and bonds with an errand boy. The movie, directed by Danny Pang and Oxide Pang Chun, is based on a 1999 Hong Kong film, where the men got their start in the industry. Action, R.
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.
The Longshots – Who says girls can’t play football? Jasmine Plummer (Keke Palmer) became the first girl to play in a Pop Warner Super Bowl when she and her uncle Curtis Plummer (Ice Cube) challenged the norm. Comedy, PG
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.
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.
Hitting the couch
Movies out on DVD and Blu-Ray Sept. 9
The Forbidden Kingdom – When a misfit teenager (Michael Angarano) finds himself transported to ancient China three martial arts gurus believe he is the one that has been talked of in prophecies. While the storyline is pedantic, the scenes with Jet Li and Jackie Chan make it worth a watch. Also starring Yifei Liu. On DVD and Blu-ray.
Baby Mama – Single girl Kate Holbrook (Tina Fey) decides she wants to have a baby and surrogacy is her best shot. She finds a surrogate in Angie Ostrowiski (Amy Poehler), and though the two couldn’t be more different, they soon find some common ground. The chemistry between the two from stints as co-anchors on the Saturday Night Live news show translates well to the big screen, but look for funny cameos from big-name actors such as Steve Martin and Sigourney Weaver. On DVD and Blu-ray.
Fox Horror Classics Collection – A must for classic horror flick fans, the second volume as the horror classics containes “Dragonwyck,” “Chandu the Magician” and “Dr. Renault’s Secret.” The movies star such great names as Vincent Price, Gene Tierney, Walter Huston and Anne Revere. On DVD.
The Fall – Based on an obscure Bulgarian film, “The Fall” recalles movies of the silent film age. A stuntman (Lee Pace) is laid up in a hospital and has thoughts of death until he befriends a little girl (Catinca Untaru) who listens to his stories of adventures and princesses. It is directed by Tarsem Singh who is better known for his work with commercials and music videos. On DVD and Blu-ray.
Television series on DVD Sept. 9
Jon & Kate Plus Ei8ht, seasons one and two – For those who don’t get enough family squabbling at home, the TLC series about two parents who have a set of twins and a set of sextuplets comes to DVD. With eight small children at home, everyday life is an adventure, but the bickering of paretns Jon and Kate will quickly get on the nerves of some viewers.
Smallville the complete seventh season – There must be some super powers involved here because “Smallville” is still going strong after seven seasons, even surviving a network takeover that created the CW and felled many other series. Starring Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum and Kristin Kreuk, the super hero adventures continue. On DVD and Blu-ray.
Grey’s Anatmy the complete fourth season – Just in time for the fifth season to start, “Grey’s Anatomy” fourth season is out. For anyone who needs a recap, here’s a chance to remind yourself of the drama on scene for Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), Izzy (Katherine Heigl), Alex (Justin Chambers), George (T.R. Knight) and Cristina (Sandra Oh.)
Ugly Betty the complete second season – Betty (America Ferrera) is back and she is still trying to keep her job while managing one life crisis after another. This season brings more of the laughs, and the heartbreak, as well as plenty of cameos from celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan and Gene Simmons.
