As a moviegoer, September movies may be the furthest thing from your mind, especially with heavy hitters like Thor and Catching Fire around the corner, but, while you are patiently awaiting their arrival, here are some movies to check out for the weeks of 9/13 – 9/27.
Insidious: Chapter 2
From the makers of that one franchise that went on for too long comes Insidious: Chapter 2, a movie so lazy, it kept its working title. While it is hardly the season for pumpkin flavored everything, this paranormal vehicle pushed for that rare and prime Friday the 13th real estate, which says it means business.
The trailer’s initial Full House tone immediately dissolves into familiar cliché paranormal chaos. So get ready for jump scares, baby monitor fake outs, conveniently timed music (yes, “Tip-toe by the Tulips”) and Lambert family drama. All in all, it looks like a great movie to catch with friends, full price required. (Opens: 9/13)
Battle of the Year
Yo dawg, I heard you like Step Up, so we put Stomp the Yard in yo You Got Served so you can watch dance while you dance. Okay, so that wasn’t exactly the sells pitch for this movie, but it should have been. From the trailer, the audience learns that apparently “A good coach takes his team to the championship; but a great coach can take any team from any sport to the top.” Sure, we’ll accept that logic.
On the positive side, Battle looks like the Avengers of dance movies and stars the likes of LOST alumni Josh Holloway, Laz Alonzo, Josh “what the hell is he doing on a dance team” Peck, and dance veteran Chris Brown who, thankfully, will survive through the first five minutes. On the whole, it looks entertaining at matinee price. (Opens: 9/20)
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2
This movie follows Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader, SNL), a goofy scientist with a hero complex, who learns that the machine that he believed to be destroyed has survived—conveniently allowing this hyper-active acid trip of a sequel to happen.
The machine that once converted rain into food is now birthing foodimals: hybrid talking food that sounds like a toddler’s clothing line but looks like the four corners of some child’s food induced coma. While it appears to lack the charm and cleverness of its predecessor, it is sandwiched with a hefty amount of food puns and toilet jokes. Sound like your thing? Bring a kid with you…at matinee price. (Opens: 9/27)
The Family
Sick of sequels and tent pole titles? Looking for something a bit more mature and tasteful? Yes, you say? Well, De Niro’s latest dramedy might just be good enough for you to pull your wallet out at full price. It features Glee’s Diana Aragon, and Cat Woman, er, Michelle Pfieffer as mafia family members who unsuccessfully relocate to France under the witness protection program. (Opens: 9/13)
Also, for music fans check out the trailer for Metallica: Through the Never (10/4). It stars Dane DeHaan (Chronicle) and a great blend of scripted storytelling, imagery and concert footage so enticing it makes One Direction: This Is Us look like Hannah Montana: Best of Both Worlds Concert.
Zhana Johnson
Features Correspondent