This week's new movie releases - August 21, 2009
Franck TabouringOpening this week are Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds;" "Post Grad" with Alexis Bledel; and Robert Rodriguez's family film "Shorts." "X Games 3D: The Movie" will hit theaters in limited release:
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (with Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger)
Synopsis: Lieutenant Aldo Raine organizes a group of Jewish soldiers to engage in targeted acts of retribution against the Nazis. Known to their enemy as the Basterds, Raine's squad joins German actress and undercover agent Bridget Von Hammersmark on a mission to take down the leaders of The Third Reich.
First thoughts: The only thing I can say at this point is that I've seen the film and absolutely enjoyed it. It's quite different from Tarantino's previous flicks in terms of action and violence, but I found it to be a highly entertaining adventure that builds suspense and will capture your attention from the first to last minute. Go see this one for sure.
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POST GRAD (with Alexis Bledel, Michael Keaton)
Synopsis: Recent college graduate Ryden Malby has just survived for years of higher education, but when she's forced to move back into her childhood home, the stress of dealing with her eccentric family, landing a job, and finding the right guy leaves her with precious little time to ponder where her life is truly heading.
First thoughts: This one doesn't look all that bad. I'm sure many young people will be able to identify with Bledel's character in one way or the other, and with a serious enough script, this one may actually be amusing to watch. I can only hope it won't suffocate cheesiness. Who knows... On my excitement meter, this one gets 7/10.
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SHORTS (with Leslie Mann, James Spader)
Synopsis: Toe Thompson finds a mysterious rainbow-colored rock that grants wishes to anyone who holds it. Before long, wishes-gone-wrong have left the neighborhood swarming with tiny spaceships, crocodile armies, giant boogers... and outrageous magical mayhem around every corner. But it's not until the grown-ups get their hands on the Rock that the trouble really starts.
First thoughts: The creator of "Spy Kids" returns with a family flicks, and that means lots of silly characters, wild fun and cheap CGI effects. That's what the trailer for "Shorts" looks like, anyway. Still, this one only gets 5/10 on my excitement meter.
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X-GAMES 3D: THE MOVIE (directed by Steve Lawrence)
Synopsis: The full-length feature film will capture the drama and spectacle that play out every year at the X Games events and will also tell the stories of the featured athletes showing the sacrifices they make in pursuit of glory and progressing their sport on the industry's biggest stage.
First thoughts: It's a 3D documentary about athletes doing crazy stuff. Could be fun, provided you're into this kind of thing. I may actually go ahead and give it a shot. Right now, this one has a 6/10 on my excitement meter.
Reader Comments (2)
All I can add to Franck's mini preview-review of INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS is "yes, go see and weep - with joy, laughter and glorious disgust - this is one for the history books - or maybe the hysteria books!
You got that right JPT!