I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009)

My Rating: 3/5 STARS
MovieStudio Quote >> “Motivating, hilariously”

I Love You, Beth Cooper chronicles the story of a nerdy valedictorian who proclaims his love for the hottest and most popular girl in school – Beth Cooper – during his graduation speech.

Much to… I Love You, Beth Cooper chronicles the story of a nerdy valedictorian who proclaims his love for the hottest and most popular girl in school – Beth Cooper – during his graduation speech. Much to his surprise, Beth shows up at his door that very night and decides to show him the best night of his life.

District 9 (2009)

My Rating: 4.5/5 STARS
MovieStudio Quote >> “OUTRAGEOUS!, PHENOMENAL!”

Director Neill Blomkamp teams with producer Peter Jackson for this tale of extraterrestrial refugees stuck in contemporary South Africa. It’s been 28 years since the aliens made first contact, but there was never any attack from the skies, nor any profound technological revelation capable of advancing our society. Instead, the aliens were treated as refugees. They were the last of their kind, and in order to accommodate them, the government of South Africa set up a makeshift home in District 9 as politicians and world leaders debated how to handle the situation.

As the humans begin to grow wary of the unwelcome intruders, a private company called Multi-National United (MNU) is assigned the task of controlling the aliens. But MNU is less interested in the aliens’ welfare than attempting to understand how their weaponry works. Should they manage to make that breakthrough, they will receive tremendous profits to fund their research.

Unfortunately, the highly advanced weaponry requires alien DNA in order to be activated. When MNU field operative Wikus van der Merwe (Sharlto Copley) is exposed to biotechnology that causes his DNA to mutate, the tensions between the aliens and the humans intensifies.

Wikus is the key to unlocking the alien’s technology, and he quickly becomes the most wanted man on the planet. Ostracized and isolated, Wikus retreats to District 9 in a desperate bid to shake his dogged pursuers.

Zombieland (2009)

My Rating: 3.5/5 STARS
MovieStudio Quote >> “This was a scary laughing Saturday night party!”

A cowardly shut-in named Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) is forced to join up with a seasoned zombie-slayer named Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) in order to survive the zombie apocalypse.

As Tallahassee sets out on a mission to find the last Twinkie on Earth, the duo meets up with Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), two young girls who have resorted to some rather unorthodox methods to survive amidst the chaos.

Reluctant partners in the battle against the undead, all four soon begin to wonder if it might be better to simply take their chances alone.

Halloween (2007)

My Rating: 4/5 STARS
MovieStudio Quote >> “Bloody mayhem! I felt the movie dragged a little”

The early 2000s have seen a string of big-budget remakes of classic horror films. In addition to THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE and THE HILLS HAVE EYES, John Carpenter’s benchmark slasher flick… The early 2000s have seen a string of big-budget remakes of classic horror films. In addition to THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE and THE HILLS HAVE EYES, John Carpenter’s benchmark slasher flick HALLOWEEN has been given a new-millennial overhaul.

At the helm of the project sits rocker Rob Zombie, whose previous films, HOUSE OF 1,000 CORPSES and THE DEVIL’S REJECTS, brought a fan’s touch and an auteur’s vision to the director’s chair. While Zombie’s HALLOWEEN is faithful to Carpenter’s vision, there are some obvious changes, the most pronounced of these being the substantial focus on Michael Myers’s childhood. The film posits Michael (played by a creepily vacant Daeg Faerch) as a troubled child made all the worse by a horrible home life–wonderfully illustrated via William Forsythe’s performance as Deborah Myers’s boyfriend–and constant abuse at school. Zombie paints Michael’s pain with palpable grit and sleaze, but he isn’t out to put our culture on the couch–he simply wants to show Michael killing his family. With the exception of Michael’s therapy sessions while incarcerated, the film, post-massacre, stays loyal to the original. Zombie’s film is clearly the work of a filmmaker who knows and loves the genre. The director’s signature is stamped all over HALLOWEEN (most notably in the use of grainy home movie footage and a smokin’ classic rock soundtrack), although remnants of Carpenter’s brilliant original still remain. When it comes to remakes, it’s hard to ask for much more.

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (2009)

My Rating: 4/5 STARS
MovieStudio Quote >> “Total comedy, and some scenes made me cry!”

Celebrity photographer Connor Mead (MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY) loves freedom, fun and women…in that order. A committed bachelor with a no-strings policy, he thinks nothing of breaking up with multiple… Celebrity photographer Connor Mead (MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY) loves freedom, fun and women…in that order. A committed bachelor with a no-strings policy, he thinks nothing of breaking up with multiple women on a conference call while prepping his next date.

Connor’s brother Paul is more the romantic type. In fact, he’s about to be married. Unfortunately, on the eve of the big event, Connor’s mockery of romance proves a real buzz-kill for Paul, the wedding party and a houseful of well wishers — including Connor’s childhood friend Jenny (JENNIFER GARNER), the one woman in his life who has always seemed immune to his considerable charm.

Just when it looks like Connor may single-handedly ruin the wedding, he gets a wake-up call from the ghost of his late Uncle Wayne (MICHAEL DOUGLAS), the hard-partying, legendary ladies man upon whose exploits Connor has modeled his lifestyle. Uncle Wayne has an urgent message for his protege, which he delivers through the ghosts of Connor’s jilted girlfriends — past, present and future — who take him on a revealing and hilarious odyssey through a lifetime of failed relationships.

Together, they will discover what turned Connor into such a shameless player and whether he has a second chance to find — and this time, keep — the love of his life.

New Line Cinema presents a Jon Shestack/Panther Production of a Mark Waters Film: Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner in the romantic comedy Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. The film also stars Breckin Meyer, Lacey Chabert, Robert Forster, Anne Archer, Emma Stone and Michael Douglas.

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past is directed by Mark Waters from a script by Jon Lucas & Scott Moore, and produced by Jon Shestack and Brad Epstein. Executive producers are Marcus Viscidi, Mark Waters, Jessica Tuchinsky, Toby Emmerich, Cale Boyter and Samuel J. Brown, with Ginny Brewer as co-producer. The creative team includes director of photography Daryn Okada, production designer Cary White, editor Bruce Green and costume designer Denise Wingate. Music is by Rolfe Kent. Executive music producer is Ralph Sall.

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Trick ‘r Treat (2009)

My Rating: 3/5 STARS
MovieStudio Quote >> “Scary, yet incomplete!”

It is said that Halloween is the night when the dead rise to walk among us and other unspeakable things roam free. The rituals of All Hallows Eve were devised to protect us from their evil… It is said that Halloween is the night when the dead rise to walk among us and other unspeakable things roam free.

The rituals of All Hallows Eve were devised to protect us from their evil mischief, and one small town is about to be taught a terrifying lesson that some traditions are best not forgotten. Nothing is what it seems when a suburban couple learns the dangers of blowing out a Jack-o-Lantern before midnight; four women cross paths with a costumed stalker at a local festival; a group of pranksters goes too far and discovers the horrifying truth buried in a local legend; and a cantankerous old hermit is visited by a strange trick-or-treater with a few bones to pick. Costumes and candy, ghouls and goblins, monsters and mayhem…the tricks and treats of Halloween turn deadly as strange creatures of every variety—human and otherwise—try to survive the scariest night of the year.

The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard (2009)

My Rating: 3.5/5 STARS
MovieStudio Quote >> “Funniest financial crisis flick till date!”

Who is Don Ready? Salesman? Lover? Song Stylist? Semi-professional dolphin trainer? Ready is all of the above – except for a dolphin trainer. When he’s asked to help save an ailing local car… Who is Don Ready? Salesman? Lover? Song Stylist? Semi-professional dolphin trainer? Ready is all of the above – except for a dolphin trainer. When he’s asked to help save an ailing local car dealership from bankruptcy, Ready and his ragtag crew descend on the town of Temecula like a pack of coyotes on a basket full of burgers.

Selling, drinking, selling and going to strip clubs is their stock and trade. And they do it well. What Don doesn’t expect is to fall in love and find his soul (cue heartfelt piano). “The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard” stars Emmy Award-winning actor Jeremy Piven (“The Kingdom,” “Entourage”) and Ving Rhames (“I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry,” “Mission: Impossible III”). The film, from Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s Gary Sanchez Productions, is directed by Neal Brennan, co-creator of the hugely successful Comedy Central hit “Chappelle’s Show.”

Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead (2009)

My Rating: 2.5/5 STARS
MovieStudio Quote >> “This ruined the legacy!”

It’s open season on teenagers as Three Finger and his cannibalistic clan of inbred mutants hunt a group of hikers though the backwoods.

When a prison transport bus crashes nearby, the fleeing… It’s open season on teenagers as Three Finger and his cannibalistic clan of inbred mutants hunt a group of hikers though the backwoods. When a prison transport bus crashes nearby, the fleeing convicts become the next items on the menu.

Hannah Montana The Movie (2009)

My Rating: 3/5 STARS
MovieStudio Quote >> “Predictable. Music-wise pretty good!”

Peter Chelsom (SERENDIPITY, SHALL WE DANCE?) directs teen superstar Miley Cyrus in this feature that brings the popular Disney Channel character Hannah Montana to the big screen. With a crazy double life in California as an everyday teen with the secret pop-star persona Hannah Montana, Miley Stewart (Cyrus) has forgotten who she really is. To get her back on track, Miley’s dad, Robby Ray Stewart (Miley’s real-life father, Billy Ray Cyrus), decides that she needs some time back on the family farm in Tennessee to celebrate Grandma Ruby’s (Margo Martindale) birthday.

At first, Miley is belligerent, but with the help of Travis (Lucas Till), a former childhood crush who now works for Grandma Ruby as a farmhand, she begins to realize what is really important to her. Cyrus is famous for her girl-next-door personality, easy smile, and mugging for the camera, which abounds in this film. The coming-of-age tale also delves into the trials and tribulations of growing up and dealing with your first love, which is made all the more complicated by her secret superstar life. Till’s Travis is sure to make every teenage girl want her own well-mannered cowboy. Vanessa Williams appears as Miley/Hannah’s pushy publicist and Peter Gunn is a sneaky English journalist intent on getting some dirt on Hannah. Jason Earles and Emily Osment reprise their television roles as Miley’s brother, Jackson, and her best friend, Lilly. Country music fans will enjoy performances from Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, and Billy Ray Cyrus himself. The film also includes 12 new songs from Miley/Hannah.

Up (2009)

My Rating: 5/5 STARS
MovieStudio Quote >> “Emotional, Funny, Adventure, Evil – A total hi5 flick!”

From Disney•Pixar comes Up, a comedy adventure about 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen, who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America.

But he discovers all too late that his biggest nightmare has stowed away on the trip: an overly optimistic 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer named Russell. From the Academy Award®-nominated director Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc.), Disney•Pixar’s Up invites you on a hilarious journey into a lost world, with the least likely duo on Earth. UP will be presented in Disney Digital 3-D in select theaters.