What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas…
Genre: Hilarious Comedy, with a hint of Action
Studio: Legendary Pictures
Release date: June 5, 2009

Tagline: Some guys just can’t handle Vegas!

Director: Brooklyn born artist Todd Phillips is equally successful as a director, writer, producer and (rarely) an actor. He is currently working on a movie Due Date, and his most famous achievements so far are films: frat House, Road trip, Starsky & Hutch, School for Scoundrels. He is very famous for directing hilarious, often dark, comedies.

Writer: The screenplay for The Hangover was made by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. The two have already worked on various very successful movies like: Four Christmases, Full of it, Rebound and Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.

Ed Helms is playing the role of nerdy Stu Price, the man who just doesn’t have any luck, and whose life is about to change in Vegas. This brilliant actor has been working on: The Night at the Museum, Confessions of a Shopaholic, Monsters vs. Aliens, The Office and Family Guy; so you probably know him from these movies or TV shows.

Zach Galifianakis is also an excellent addition to the cast – witty, funny and charming, he is portraying Alan garner, troublemaker. Galifianakis has also been very active in the past few years, playing in American dad, Into the Wild, Wonder Showzen etc.

One of the funniest roles in the movie is the one played by hilarious Ken Jeong. He is portraying Mr. Chow, and you will surely be laughing every time he hits the screen. Recently, Jeong has been spectacular in the TV hit series Community.
Finally let us introduce the lady in the movie – heather Graham, she is playing jade, and is really stunning, charming and beautiful as always. (Her biggest success so far is Austin Powers: The Spy who shagged me).
There is one special cameo in The Hangover; we have to mention – Mike Tyson. Former sport superstar and the boxing World Champion is credited as himself and you will love his character.
Plot summary: Doug and Tracy are getting married. Before the wedding, Dog hits Vegas with his best friends and her brother, in order to have fun and party before he gets married. His friends are immature, his wife’s brother is even worse, but they are all keen and eager to party.

Once they get to Vegas, trouble begins. After one wild night, guys wake up with the worst hangover, Doug is missing, and they have no clue what happened last night. Their suite is ruined, they are exhausted and barely alive, and the worst part is – they have just few hours to find Doug and clean up this mess because they have a wedding to attend.

Recommendation: This is a real funny comedy we have been waiting for. Go out with your friends, check out The Hangover and have fun, watching how our heroes solve some crazy problems and try to survive the craziest night of their lives!

Bright Star

Genre: Biographic movie, Romantic Melodrama

Studio: Apparition, and Pathe Distribution

Release date: September 18, 2009 (US release date)
November 6, 2009 (UK release date)

Tagline: First Love Burns Brightest!

Director: Jane Campion is an Academy Award winner (for her movie The Piano), and a brilliant portraitist of various human nature’s, stories and destinies. This New Zealand born artist is equally successful as a writer and director and her most memorable movies are: The Piano, Portrait of a Lady, Holy Smoke, In the Cut, and The Water Diary.

Cast: Ben Wishaw is a spectacularly talented young British actor, nominated for BAFTA, Bambi and European Film Award, for his remarkable role in the movie Perfume: The Story of a Murderer. He has been very active since, and made few amazing movies: The International, I’m Not There and Briteshead Revisited. In this feature, Ben Wishaw is portraying John Keats.

Lovely Abbie Cornish is playing the role of Frances Fanny Brawne in the movie Bright Star. She is an Australian actress and a true rising star in Hollywood with amazing filmography; she played in: One Perfect Day, Everything Goes, Candy, Elizabeth: The Golden Age etc.
Paul Schneider is portraying Charles Armitage Brown in the Bright Star, and we know him from: Away We Go, Lars and the Real Girl, Live free or die and other movies.

Kerry Fox is in the role of Mrs. Brawne. She is also a New Zealander, and well known to true cinematography lovers. Her biggest movies so far are: Inconceivable, He Said, Intervention, Cold Blood, and many more.

Plot summary: The movie bright Star follows a secret love affair between a young, talented, but very poor poet named John Keats and his neighbour; charming student of fashion college – Fanny Brawne. Against all odds these two start hanging out, and despite the fact they are completely different, they fall in love, out of the blue. He was never interested in fashion and she didn’t admire his poetry at all.

After his brother get ill, she decides to help John nurse him back to health, and starts hanging out with him even more, asking him to teach her about the poetry, which he agrees to do. The world of poetry becomes their connection, and the love affairs starts blooming. Her mother finds out about their romance, and decides to put an end to it, but by then, it is already too late, they are in love, obsessed and completely co-dependent.

Unfortunately, family is not their biggest problem. John Keats starts feeling worse and worse and they found out that he is terribly ill. That is when the real pain emerges because although their love is strong, and great – there are some things they can’t overcome together; and his illness is one of them.

Recommendation: Jane Campion is the true master of portraying touching love stories so prepare to be blown away by all those emotions this movie is packed with. Poetry transformed in a movie that is what Bright Star is. Brilliant, strong, and fool of love. This fall – it is a must see movie!

Finally a great movie about zombies!
Genre: Action with a touch of Horror and elements of Comedy

Tagline: Nut up or shut up

Director: Ruben Fleischer – the director who worked on Jimmy Kimmel Live show , and previously directed The Girl’s Guitar Club and Gumball 3000: 6 Days in Milan

Co-writers: Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese, who previously worked together as writers, on various projects – for instance on The Joe Schmo Show

Cast: This action horror with a touch of comedy has an amazing cast; from cult actor Woody Harrelson to few newcomers and rising stars of the silver screen.

Jesse Eisenberg actor known from The Village, The Hunting Party and Adventureland, is playing the role of Columbus.

Woody Harrelson, underground acting superstar, famous for his roles in Natural Born Killers, People vs. Larry Flint, The Messenger, 7 Pounds and Scanner Darkly is here portraying Tallahassee.

Child superstar Abigail Breslin from Little Mrs. Sunshine and My Sister’s Keeper is playing Little Rock.

Amber Heard, a newcomer on Hollywood stage, from The Informers and Pineapple Express is playing 406.

Emma Stone ex Disney Channel star is playing Wichita, and you might remember her from Superbad, The Rocker and The House Bunny.

Plot summary: In Zombieland, we follow a college guy named Columbus, who is travelling to Ohio (to Columbus) to find his parents. In an accident he meets a tough guy called Tallahassee and they decide to travel together for some time. Eventually, these two guys meet two Wichita and Little Rock, two charming sisters who trick them and steal their vehicle and weapons. After bumping into these two ladies again, Columbus makes truce with them and now this funny crew continues travelling together.

Don’t forget that Zombieland is mainly a horror movie, so this is where action begins. Columbus finds out that his hometown is overrun by zombies and decides to skip the visit and stay with his new found friends. Older sister Wichita shares a secret with them, that amusement park in LA “Pacific Playland” is rumoured to be zombie-free and that she will be heading there.

Soon they meet Bill Murray (who has a terrific cameo in Zombieland) and he tells them that they can live among zombies if they pretend to be zombies as well. After spending some time together and bonding, our heroes become friends, Tallahassee tells them his life .

Troubles with zombies become bigger and tension fills every second of the movie. Fight for freedom and against zombies begins, and our solid crew decides to give their best and save each other.

Recommendation: Zombieland is finally (after many failures) a great entertaining, funny and intelligent zombie movie. As refreshing as From Dusk Till Dawn was back in the days, this movie will scare you, make you laugh and admire the great casting and action scenes. Zombieland is the perfect movie for an evening with friends!

LET’S PLAY

Genre: Animated movie full of Adventure; excellent Comedy for the whole Family

Studio: Pixar Animation Studios

Release date: June 18, 2009

Tagline: No toy gets left behind

Writers: John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton were in charge of treatment, and screenplay was written and developed by Michael Arndt. Talented Mr. Arndt won Academy Award and BAFTA for his previous movie Little Miss Sunshine, so the expectations are very high regarding third sequel of Toy Story Saga. Pixar Animated Studios had an idea to hire someone fresh, new and with a great sense of humour for this third part and Michael Arndt is certainly an excellent choice.

Director: Toy Story 3 is directed by Lee Unkrich, the man behind Toy Story 2, Monsters Inc, and Finding Nemo. He has also been working on A Bug’s Life and Cars, and has won Annie and Hochi Film Awards.

Tom Hanks is reprising his role of Woody. He is an Academy Award Winner and one of Hollywood’s brightest stars. You know him from: Philadelphia, Apollo 13, Forest Gump, Catch me if you Can, Big, Punchline, Turner and Hooch, Sleepless in Seattle and many more.

Another Academy Award Winner – Whoopi Goldberg is back for the Toy Story 3. She is currently hosting The View, but made memorable roles in The Ghost, Steam, Whoopi, Absolutely Fabulous, Rat Race etc.

Joan Cusack is narrating Jessie the Yodelling Cowgirl. This Oscar nominee is absolutely fantastic in this animated feature, and has proven her talent in the past in movies: Working Girl, Nine Months, War Inc, Runaway bride, Raising Helen…

Michael Keaton is also a wonderful actor and he is doing the voiceover for the character called Ken, in the Toy Story 3. He has been acting for over 20 years and we know him as Batman, and from Jackie Brown, Multiplicity, My Life, and Speechless.

Among other members of the cast, you will certainly recognize timothy Dalton (former Agent 007) who’s playing Mr. Pricklepants, and fantastic Tim Allen (Home improvement, galaxy Quest), a Golden Globe Winner, who’s here narrating the character named Buzz Lightyear.

Plot summary: Andy, the owner of toys, is going to college, and all his toys will end up in the attic. That was the original plan, but, accidentally, toys were thrown away and picked up by the garbage cleaners. Toys end up in the children day-care centre, having to deal with little kids who aren’t always the nicest ones. They try to escape, but Buzz unfortunately gets injured. Toys normally, try to help by resetting him – but fail, and so Buzz ends up thinking that he is Spanish, and that is a character someone will adore but others won’t quite understand.

Toy Story 3 is a must see movie, don’t miss it for the world!

Sometimes lying is the answer

Genre: Romantic Comedy, the one that will actually make you laugh

Studio: Media Rights Capital and Radar Pictures

Release date: October 2, 2009

Tagline: In a world where everyone can only tell the truth – this guy can lie

Co-directors and co-writers: Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson. Mr. Gervais is one of the most critically acclaimed comedians in the past decade. This British multi talented artist has won several important awards (Emmy, Golden Globe, and BAFTA) and played in most popular comedy TV shows in the world: Meet Ricky Gervais, The Office, Extras. His partner on this movie – Matthew Robinson is a young American artist and The Invention of Lying is his big movie debut.

Cast: Ricky Gervais is starring in this feature, playing Mark Bellison. With his amazing talent and sense for good comedy, he is a perfect addition to this hilarious movie. A touch of pure British humour is what modern Hollywood romantic comedies need, for sure.

Beautiful Jennifer Garner is playing Anna MacDoogles (Mark’s romantic crush), main female character. This Hollywood A-lister is also great in comedies, and you had a chance to see her in movies like: Juno, The Kingdom, Elektra, Daredevil etc.

Jonah Hill is a great young actor, also perfect for comic roles. He is best known from Knocked Up, Superbad, Evan Almighty, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Funny People…and is playing a role of Frank in The Invention of Lying.
Among other great actors in The Invention of Lying, we must mention two more: 80s hottie Rob Lowe and spectacular comedian Tina Fey (30 Rock, Saturday Night Live, Mean Girls).

One day, when his mom gets sick, he starts lying to her about the great afterlife she will experience. Doctors hear his story and start believing that he is a link to the afterlife. Word gets around and people start asking him about his visions and thoughts. Mark starts lying and his life starts getting better. He even writes a book “Man in the Sky” and starts preaching his wisdom to the world.

Once Mark finds out how lucrative lying can be, he decides to earn money and win Anna’s heart, all by using his new invention – lies.

Recommendation: Ricky Gervais should be a great recommendation to start with. His humour has won millions of people and now you will have it all in one take on the big screen. The idea is excellent, cast is perfectly chosen and this comedy is real refreshment in the sea of similar (mostly stupid) films in 2009. Definitely, The Invention of Lying is one of the most anticipated comedies of the year in both US and Europe!

Pure action is back

Genre: Action movie with a touch of Crime and Thriller, and elements of Drama
Studio: Stage 6 Films

Release date: November 13, 2009.

Director and writer: Troy Duffy – American writer, actor and director is a creator of The Boondock Saints, original movie from 1999. The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day is the sequel following the life and actions of main characters from previous part – Irish lads Connor and Murphy MacManus.

Cast: Sean Patrick Flanery is back as Connor MacManus. This handsome young Hollywood rising star has already played in CSI, The Dead Zone, To Live and Die…

His brother Murphy MacManus is portrayed by Norman Reedus, an actor from Florida whom you may recognize from Law & Order, The Chase, Cadillac Records and Pandorum.

Billy Connolly is not the only very famous actor in The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day. You will also recognize Clifton Collins Jr (from Capote and Sunshine Cleaning), legendary Academy Award nominee Peter Fonda (Ulee’s Gold, Easy Rider, The Maldonado Miracle) and Willem Dafoe, fascinating American actor (also nominated for 2 Oscars) from Antichrist, Spider-man, Shadow of Vampire and Platoon.

Plot summary: As you might remember from the first part The Boondock Saints, two paternal brothers from Ireland Connor and Murphy, had some trouble with Russian mobsters. In that movie, Willem Dafoe had a main role (which he decided not to reprise here, so he just has a cameo) and he was an officer of law, connected to the whole story.

Now, in The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day, we meet MacManus brothers again, 8 years later. They were living quite an isolated life, away from the city, on a sheep farm somewhere in Ireland, sharing everyday life with their father.

One day their uncle comes to the farm with disturbing information: Bostonian priest was killed, and someone is trying to frame MacManus brother for it. Now Connor and Murphy must return to Boston, find the men who want to frame the murder to them, and clear their names and police files.

The chase begins, and we witness almost two hours of great action scenes, and frantic chase between our main heroes and bad guys seeking for revenge and blood. The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day will entertain you, and if you are a fan of action movies, this would probably be a perfect match for you.

Recommendation: If you went to see the first part of this movie, you should definitely see what happens next. Also, if you love car chases, mysterious mobsters, dirty games and corrupt cops, this sequel should be entertaining. Cast and visual effects are probably the best asset this movie has to offer, and music is also great. For a movie with $8 million dollars budget, The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day is done was a very professional way.

Animated fun for the whole family
Genre: Animated family movie, Comedy, Action

Studio: Sony Pictures Animation

Book: This animated movie is based on a popular book for children “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” by Judi Barrett, with original illustrations by Ron Barrett

Directors and screenplay writers: Phil Lord and Chris Miller stand behind this entertaining movie as both co-directors and co-writers

Cast/voiceover: This animated feature gathered some extremely popular movie stars and few Hollywood legends as well. Anna Faris (Scary Movie 4, My Super Ex Girlfriend, The House Bunny, Mamma’s Boy…) is the voice of Sam Sparks. Legendary actor James Caan (The Godfather, Dogville, and City of Ghosts) is playing Tim Lockwood and you may also recognize voices of Benjamin Bratt (Catwoman, Traffic, Law & Order) as Manny and Neil Patrick Harris (Law & Order, Family Guy, Numb3rs) as Steve.

Plot summary: This entertaining animated comedy is a hilarious and heart warming tale about serious things (like poverty and the lack of food in the world) but told in a very light manner. “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” is showing us the world we live in but with a very important twist. In this cartoon, food is falling from the sky and no one has a good explanation. Clearly, everyone sees this phenomenon as the salvation of many problems, but still – the mystery remains.

Flint Lockwood (our little hero) is a young and smart inventor – dreaming about inventing or finding something that will bring an improvement to every person’s life. Sam Sparks is a charming weather girl, and she is covering the story about this phenomenon – food falling from the sky. She is smart and witty but often misjudged because people usually get fooled by her exterior. Flint’s father – Tim is a technophobe and he is doing his best to help his son and his friends. We can’t say the same for Brent, local bully whose only joy is to give Flint a hard time. You will also meet a whole variety of characters trying to help our little action heroes and find the reason behind this never before seen situation.

As scientists try to figure out what is happening, new problem occurs – cities become overloaded because the food is constantly falling from above, fulfilling them and now causing huge trouble (instead of solving it). Our little animated friends have a tough task to save the planet and find the reason why this “food attack” is happening, and it won’t be easy at all.

Recommendation: Animated movies have become quite famous in the last few years. The reason is simple – many studios have developed their technique and gathered excellent teams to work on the story, animation and all other important movie elements (from original score and cast, to brilliant advertising campaigns). That is why whole families gladly visit theatres looking for entertainment while watching movies like “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”. And that is exactly what this movie will offer: fun, joy, laughter and entertainment for you and the ones you love.

Explore, Learn, Live and love
Genre: Drama with a hint of Romance, Period Piece set in the 1960s

Studio: Koch Entertainment (for United Kingdom) and Sony Pictures Classics (for USA)

Tagline: Sometimes an education isn’t by the book

Director: Lone Scherfig, famous female director from Denmark. She is also a writer and has won (so far) more than 20 awards on various international festivals: Berlin International Film Festival, British Independent Film Award etc. Her most successful works up to date are: Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself, Italiensk for Begyndere and Hjemve.

Cast: Director Lone Scherfig is known for her excellent casting sense, and in this movie she hired fabulous actors, both newcomers and recognizable legends.

Carey Mulligan (24 years old British actress) is portraying a main character – lovely Jenny. This extremely talented young actress already starred in few wonderful movies and TV series like: Pride & Prejudice, Doctor Who, Brighton Rock, Never Let Me Go, and Public Enemies etc.

Alfred Molina, legendary British actor (and Toni nominated artist) is playing Jenny’s father – Jack. You certainly recognize him from Art, Law & Order, Spider-man 2, Frida, Raiders of the Lost Ark…

Golden Globe nominee Peter Sarsgaard is playing the role of David; a mysterious, charming and loveable older man Jenny meets and falls in love with. He is best known for his roles in Shattered Glass, Kinsey, Orphan, Garden State, Boys Don’t Cry…

David has a partner and a best friend Denny, and he is played by young actor Dominic Cooper. You may know Mr. Cooper from Sense & Sensibility, Starter for 10, Mamma Mia, The Duchess.

Gorgeous Rosamund Pike is playing Denny’s mistress, charming and experienced Helen. Rosamund Pake rose to fame playing various characters (and winning many international awards) in movies: Die another Day, Surrogates, Fracture, Doom, and Devil You Know.

Finally, biggest acting legend on this list is Emma Thompson, who won 2 Academy Awards (for Sense and Sensibility and Howards End) is playing a role of Jenny’s Headmistress. She is (as always) brilliant and proves why she truly is the true icon of British acting.

Plot summary: Jenny is a young, gifted and very intelligent young girl. She is almost 17 years old, and her life changes drastically once she meets and older man David, and falls in love with him. Before she fell in love, her biggest dream was to get a scholarship and go to Oxford University.

But, after meeting David, and learning how care free and happy life can be, she starts forgetting what she originally wanted to achieve. David is wealthy and provides her with things she never thought she would have. But, one day, the truth hits her and she finds out a bit more about her charming older boyfriend and his friends.

Recommendation: An Education won 2 awards at Sundance in 2009 – Audience Choice and Cinematography prize. It is an absolute must see this year!

COHEN BROTHERS ARE BACK, BETTER THAN EVER!

Genre: Drama with a touch of Dark Comedy

Studio: Relativity Media, Working Title Films, Mike Zoss Productions, Studio Canal

Release date: October 2, 2009

Co-directors and co-writers: This highly anticipated movie is co-written and co-directed by Hollywood’s power duo – brothers Ethan and Joel Cohen. These two Academy Award winners are the creative force behind very important movies in recent cinema history like: Raising Arizona, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, O Brother Where are Thou, No Country for old Men and Burn after Reading.

Michael Stuhlbarg (Tony Award nominee) an actor famous for his roles in Law & Order, Ugly Betty, Damages, and Body of Lies plays the main character in this movie – Larry Gopnik.

Richard Kind from Reba, Head Cases, Scrubs, Spin City, Mad about You, is playing Uncle Arthur.

Fred Melamed, a prominent voice coach and actor recognized as the announcer in Silk Stalkings. In A Serious Man he is playing the role of Sy Ableman.

Charming Sari Lennick is playing the role of Larry Gopnik’s wife – Judith, and other female leading role is given to excellent Jessica McManus a.k.a Sarah Gopnik (main character’s daughter).

Plot summary: A Serious Man is a brilliant artwork by Cohen brothers, which explores several interesting and serious topics like: family obligations and responsibility, faith and courage, mortality, Judaism, modern world and delinquency, academic achievements and even dental phenomena.

A Serious Man is a serious movie about an ordinary man, who wants to find pureness and deeper meaning in the world we live in. Story is set in 1967 where we follow main character, physics professor Larry Gopnik, whose life is not in the best place right now. He works at small and quiet Midwestern University, and his wife Judith has just informed him that she is leaving, for another, more pompous man called Sy Ableman.

At the same time, Larry is taking care of his unemployable brother who constantly sleeps on their couch, and has to handle two difficult children – Danny, his son with attitude and discipline problems at school, and Sarah, a teenager with drug addiction in her sleeve. Tough situation even for the strongest and most stabile person (which Larry clearly isn’t) but he is struggling and doing his best to overcome current drama.

Recommendation: A Serious Man is a true little masterpiece, with many hidden messages and layers you need to see and feel, while watching. Every true movie lover can’t wait for next Cohen movie, and that is perfectly normal. This duo always treats us with a great feature and this is no exception. A Serious Man tells a serious story in a laid back, comic manner, so you easily digest even the toughest life truths you see on the screen. The whole cast deserves an applause, and you will certainly enjoy wonderful original music and perfect cinematography. This is a must see movie in 2009!

This year’s highly anticipated horror movie “The Stepfather” is actually a remake of a popular thriller/horror from 1987, originally directed by Joseph Ruben. This comes as no surprise if you follow the movie industry nowadays, because this year is certainly the year of remakes, in all genres.

The idea about the remake of “The Stepfather” exists for few years now, but the production started last year and film was wrapped in 2009. Since the release the movie gathered mostly negative critics, because unlike the original (which is considered a cult movie in its genre) it lacks tension, drama and thriller part. As for the profit, it made more than $24 millions, which is more than invested budget (around $20 million) so it gained profit after all.

Terry O’Quinn, an actor who played the original stepfather in 1987, was approached by the director Nelson McCormick, with an offer to appear in this remake, but he decided to turn down the offer. In this reworked “The Stepfather” Dylan Walsh (Dr. Sean McNamara from “Nip/Tuck”) is playing the role of the bad father and main villain David Harris.

One more famous actor is in the cast – Penn Badgley, known as Dan Humphrey from ultra successful TV show “Gossip Girl”. He is playing a smart, suspicious young man Michael Harding who eventually finds out something’s wrong with his stepfather. Rising star Amber Heard (from “The Informers”, “Pineapple Express” and “Zombieland”) is playing Kelly, his girlfriend and a companion in his fight against the sneaky, evil stepdad.
Here is the plot summary of new version of “The Stepfather”. When young Michael Harding returns home from military camp where he goes to school, he finds his mother with her new man she’s deeply in love with – David Harris. He looks like a perfect partner, carrying father, great role model and the nice, warm and loving person. Eventually, Michael starts suspecting that this picture perfect gentleman is perhaps not the guy he seems to be.

Michael gathers his girlfriend, father and mother’s friends together, and they start solving the David Harris mystery. There’s only one question left – what are his motifs, and more important, are they too late to stop him?

This is an intense movie, strong psychological thriller with various horror elements. Music is excellent and actors are very persuasive. But, if you are a fan of an original, then you may not be thrilled with this remake since it is very similar, and maybe lacks some tension which was included in the original.

Anyhow, fans of the genre will certainly be satisfied because “The Stepfather” is definitely bringing some drama and chills to the theater. If you decide you want to see a good horror movie at the cinema, put “The Stepfather” on your list.