Gold Class Cinemas Event!

This is why Gold Class Cinemas is so much fun...because they do stuff like what you're looking at above!

Be sure to call now if you (live in Washington and) want to see the movie with Writer/Producer Mike Thompson. I'll be there as well...which, if you think about it, is a really big deal.

Dinner, drinks, movie ticket, comfortable seats, a signed movie poster and a look behind the scenes of Hollywood are all included in the reduced price of only $49.99 per person.

Call 425.636.5601 now...right now and reserve your seats.

Go Gold Class and you'll enjoy the ultimate, cinematic escape!

SURROGATES (C-)

Starring: Bruce Willis, Radha Mitchell, Rosamund Pike, James Cromwell and Ving Rhames

Story: People are living their lives remotely from the safety of their own homes via robotic surrogates—sexy, physically perfect mechanical representations of themselves. It's an ideal world where crime, pain, fear and consequences don't exist. When the first murder in years jolts this utopia, FBI agent Greer discovers a vast conspiracy behind the surrogate phenomenon and must abandon his own surrogate, risking his life to unravel the mystery. (Touchstone Pictures)

Rated: PG-13

Bottom Line: Interesting ideas to chew on but this glossy, Hollywood package lacks depth, emotion and tension. It’s a ‘Tin-Man’ movie…shiny on the outside, empty on the inside.

BLURAY/DVD'S BEING RELEASED ON 9/29:
Monsters vs Aliens B-
Away We Go B

FAME (D)

Starring: Asher Book, Kristy Flores, Paul Iacono, Debbie Allen, Charles S. Dutton, Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally and Bebe Neuwirth

Story: Fame follows a talented group of dancers, singers, actors, and artists over four years at the New York City High School of Performing Arts, a diverse, creative powerhouse where students from all walks of life are given a chance to live out their dreams and achieve real and lasting fame...the kind that comes only from talent, dedication, and hard work. (MGM)

Rated: PG

Bottom Line: Uninspired, lazily written and riddled with clichés, FAME 2009 will not live forever and no one will ever, ever remember its name.

PANDORUM (B)

Starring: Dennis Quaid and Ben Foster

Story: Two crew members wake up on an abandoned spacecraft with no idea who they are, how long they've been asleep, or what their mission is. The two soon discover they're actually not alone - and the reality of their situation is more horrifying than they could have imagined. (Overture Films)

Rated: R

Bottom Line: Part sci-fi, part horror - it delivers a pretty smart script, some creepy thrills and an occasional claustrophobic jolt to your nerves.

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS (B+)

Starring the voices of: Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Bruce Campbell, Andy Samberg, Mr. T and Tracy Morgan

Story: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs will be the most delicious event since macaroni met cheese. Inspired by the beloved children's book, the film focuses on a town where food falls from the sky like rain. Flint Lockwood is a young inventor who dreams of creates something that he hopes will improve everyone’s life. At the very least, it has a drastic effect on the weather. (Sony Pictures)

Rated: PG

Bottom Line: Brilliant animation, dazzling visuals, vivid characters and a keen sense of humor…and it wasn’t made by the masterful hands of Pixar. Family-friendly in every way, CLOUDY should reign at the box office this weekend.

THE INFORMANT! (B)

Starring: Matt Damon, Scott Bakula and Joel McHale

Story: What was Mark Whitacre thinking? A rising star at agri-industry giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Whitacre suddenly turns whistleblower. Even as he exposes his company's multi-national price-fixing conspiracy to the FBI, Whitacre envisions himself being hailed as a hero of the common man and handed a promotion. But before all that can happen, the FBI needs evidence, so Whitacre eagerly agrees to wear a wire and carry a hidden tape recorder in his briefcase, imagining himself as a kind of de facto secret agent. Unfortunately for the FBI, their lead witness hasn't been quite so forthcoming about helping himself to the corporate coffers. Whitacre's ever-changing account frustrates the agents and threatens the case against ADM as it becomes almost impossible to decipher what is real and what is the product of Whitacre's active Imagination (Warner Bros)

Rated: R

Bottom Line: Matt Damon delivers one of his best roles in this quick-witted, off-beat and clever film that, in cinematic terms, feels like the goofy, helmet-wearing, too-much-sugar-eating, half-brother of (director Steven Soderbergh’s more serious effort) ERIN BROKOVICH.

LOVE HAPPENS (B-)

Starring: Aaron Eckhart and Jennifer Aniston

Story: Dr. Burke Ryan is on the precipice of a major multimedia deal, but the therapist who asks his patients to openly confront their pain is secretly unable to take his own advice. Eloise Chandler has sworn off men and decided to focus on her floral business. However, when she meets Burke at the hotel where he's speaking, there is an instant attraction. But will two people who have met the right person at exactly the wrong time be able to give love another chance? As each struggles with the hurt of love and loss, they realize that in order to move forward, they need to let go of the past. And if they can, they'll find that, sometimes, love happens when you least expect it. (Universal Studios)

Rated: PG-13

Bottom Line: Hey look, its Jennifer Aniston playing the same role she’s played in 11 other films! Don’t let the TV commercials fool you in to thinking this is an Aniston-driven romantic comedy - when it’s actually Aaron Eckhart’s non-groundbreaking story of romance and drama that’s saved by smart writing and a few interesting turns.

JENNIFER'S BODY (C-)

Starring: Megan Fox (written by Diablo Cody)

Story: A sexy horror film with a wicked sense of humor, Jennifer's Body is about small town high school student Jennifer, who is possessed by a hungry demon. She transitions from being "high school evil" - gorgeous (and doesn't she know it), stuck up and ultra-attitudinal - to the real deal: evil/evil. The glittering beauty becomes a pale and sickly creature jonesing for a meaty snack, and guys who never stood a chance with the heartless babe, take on new luster in the light of Jennifer's insatiable appetite. Meanwhile, Jennifer's lifelong best friend Needy, long relegated to living in Jennifer's shadow, must step-up to protect the town's young men, including her nerdy boyfriend Chip. (20th Century Fox)

Rated: R

Bottom Line: Normally I’d be fine with just JENNIFER’S BODY but in this case I was hoping she’d also have a brain.

9 (B)

Starring the voices of: Elijah Wood, Jennifer Connelly, Martin Landau, Christopher Plummer, John C. Reilly and Crispin Glover

Story: The time is the too-near future. Powered and enabled by the invention known as the Great Machine, the world’s machines have turned on mankind and sparked social unrest, decimating the human population before being largely shut down. But as our world fell to pieces, a mission began to salvage the legacy of civilization; a group of small creations was given the spark of life by a scientist in the final days of humanity, and they continue to exist post-apocalypse. With their group so few, these “stitchpunk” creations must summon individual strengths well beyond their own proportions in order to outwit and fight against still-functioning machines, one of which is a marauding mechanized beast. While showcasing a stunning “steampunk”-styled visual brilliance, 9 dynamically explores the will to live, the power of community and how one soul can change the world. (Focus Features)

Rated: PG-13

Bottom Line: The look, feel and animation of this dark-so-don’t-bring-your-young-kids film are all captivating – worth every penny spent on a full-priced ticket. The story, however, could have benefitted from the same amount of creativity. I’m giving 9 a 7.

WHITEOUT (D+)

Starring: Kate Beckinsale

Story: For U.S. Marshal Carrie Stetko, things are about to get even more dangerous. The only law enforcement in this unforgiving territory, she has just been sent to investigate a body on the ice. Antarctica's first homicide. A shocking discovery in itself, it will plunge her into an even more bizarre mystery and the revelation of secrets long-buried under the endless ice...secrets that someone believes are still worth killing for. As Stetko races to find the killer before he finds her, winter is already closing in. In the deadly Antarctic whiteout, she won't see him till he's a breath away. (Warner Bros.)

Rated: R

Bottom Line: The movie may feel cold but the star, Kate Beckinsale, is hot – and that’s about the only positive thing I can say about this run-of-the-mill thriller that probably should have actually used some whiteout on most of its nonsensical script.

SOROITY ROW (C)

Starring: Briana Evigan, Rumer Willis, Audrina Patridge and Carrie Fisher

Story: When five sorority girls inadvertently cause the murder of one of their sisters in a prank gone wrong, they agree to keep the matter to themselves and never speak of it again, so they can get on with their lives. This proves easier said than done, when after graduation a mysterious killer goes after the five of them and anyone who knows their secret. (Summit Entertainment)

Rated: R

Bottom Line: I usually pan all the horror flicks that inevitably come out each month because (for the most part) they’re mass-produced, silly and poorly written – but this one has a decent campiness factor, a fun B-movie vibe and scantily clad sorority chicks. Everybody wins…kind of.

ALL ABOUT STEVE (F)

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Thomas Haden Church, Bradley Cooper and Ken Jeong

Story: All About Steve is the tale of a woman who, after falling hard for a guy, thinks they're an item; unfortunately, he thinks she’s stalking him! (20th Century Fox)

Rated: PG-13

Bottom Line: An ‘all-five-senses’ movie – in that you can see, hear, taste, feel and smell it sucking. This awkward, forced and forgettable movie is a horribly written and envisioned mess. ALL ABOUT STEVE will make you want to heave.

EXTRACT (B-)

Starring: Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig, Ben Affleck, Mila Kunis, J.K. Simmons and David Koechner

Story: Joel is one step away from selling his flavor extract factory and retiring to easy street when a freak workplace accident sets in motion a series of disasters that put his business and personal life in jeopardy. (Miramax)

Rated: R

Bottom Line: A sometimes hilarious and smartly-joked movie that’s missing the key ingredient of sound story structure. …perfect for those with matinee dollars in their pocket and a willingness to laugh in their heart.

GAMER (not screened for critics)

Starring: Gerard Butler, Michael C. Hall, Alison Lohman, Amber Valletta, Kyra Sedgwick, Ludacris and John Leguizamo

Story: Kable is the superstar and cult hero of the ultraviolent "Slayers." Kable is controlled by Simon, a young gamer with rock star status who continues to defy all odds by guiding Kable to victory each week. Taken from his family, imprisoned and forced to fight against his will, the modern day gladiator must survive long enough to escape the game to free his family, regain his identity and to save mankind from Castle’s ruthless technology. (Lionsgate)

Rated: R

Bottom Line: Looks to be a RUNNING MAN meets GLADIATOR hybrid. I was actually excited to see GAMER…and then I got played.

Telling Like It Is

The summer movie-going season has come to a close.

I figure other people have a life and don’t make it a point to see every single movie that comes out over this nice-weathered, four-month period - so this week I’d like to leave you a Summer 2009 retrospective of my hits, misses and the stuff in between.

I encourage you to hold on to this list, post it on your fridge or simply frame it and hang it up in your living room. Either way, it might serve you well in the upcoming months as the weather gets frightful and you’re looking for a solid rental.

THE GREAT:
STAR TREK (sci-fi): The reboot origin story.
UP (animated): The Pixar movie about growing old but holding on to your youth.
DRAG ME TO HELL (horror): The only watchable scary movie of the year.
THE HANGOVER (Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms): The Vegas-based comedy classic.
THE HURT LOCKER (Ralph Fiennes): The intense and action-packed Iraq war thriller.
500 DAYS OF SUMMER (Joseph Gordon-Levitt & Zooey Deshanel): The off-beat romantic comedy.
DISTRICT 9 (sci-fi): The alien/refugee sudo-documentary.
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (Brad Pitt): The blood-splattered Quentin Tarantino war-movie.

THE GOOD:
THE PROPOSAL (Sandra Bullock & Ryan Reynolds): The enjoyable anti-romantic comedy.
BRUNO (Sacha Baron Cohen): The graphic, fashion-focused mocumentary.
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE (Danielle Radcliffe): The fifth Harry Potter film.
FUNNY PEOPLE (Adam Sandler & Seth Rogen): The half-funny/half-serious Judd Apatow movie.
JULIE & JULIA (Meryl Streep & Amy Adams): The Julia Child movie.

THE BELOW AVERAGE (aka THE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE ENJOYABLE):
X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE (Hugh Jackman): The superhero with razor-sharp claws movie.
ANGELS & DEMONS (Tom Hanks): The dull prequel to the dull The DaVinci Code.
TERMINATOR SALVATION (Christian Bale): The terminator movie that takes place in the future.
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN (Ben Stiller): The museum comes to life movie.
THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123 (Denzel Washington & John Travolta): The hostages on a subway movie.
IMAGINE THAT (Eddie Murphy): The movie where the dad conducts his business based of his daughter’s drawings.
TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN (Shia LaBeouf): The movie with giant talking and fighting robots.
MY SISTER’S KEEPER (Cameron Diaz): The movie where parents conceive another child to save the life of their existing child.
PUBLIC ENEMIES (Johnny Depp & Christian Bale): The John Dillinger movie.
ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS (animated): The movie about prehistoric animals.
A PERFECT GETAWAY (thriller): The goofy tropical island thriller.
THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE (Rachel McAdams & Eric Bana): The girl falls in love with a man that keeps disappearing movie.
SHORTS (family/kids): The movie with the magic rock that grants everyone’s wish.
G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA (Dennis Quaid): The action figure movie that wasn't quite as bad as most critcs would lead you to believe.

THE BAD:
GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST (Matthew McConaughey): The guy who relives his past dating experiences movie.
NEXT DAY AIR (comedy/action): The delivery guy finds a box of cocaine movie.
LAND OF THE LOST (Will Ferrell): The worst movie of the year.
MY LIFE IN RUINS (Nia Vardalos): The Greek tour guide looks for love movie.
YEAR ONE (Jack Black): The unfunny romp thru biblical times movie.
I LOVE YOU BETH COOPER (Hayden Panetierre): The I want to date the hot high school girl movie.
THE UGLY TRUTH (Katherine Heigl): The painfully unfunny romantic comedy.
G-FORCE (semi-animated): The Special Forces hamster movie.
ORPHAN (thriller/horror): The little girl terrorizes her new family movie.
THE GOODS: LIVE HARD, SELL HARD (Jeremy Piven): The movie about guys selling cars.
POST GRAD (comedy): The girl who doesn’t know what to do after college graduation movie.