Adventureland

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: April 3, 2009

DVD Release Date: August 25, 2009

Plot 411: A Columbia-bound master's student must work his first summer job at a local theme park for money.

Review: When James (Jesse Eisenberg) finds out his parents can't support his post-graduation trip through Europe or his college education, he must take a summer job in order to go to Columbia in the fall. The only job he's offered is at a local amusement park running the game booths. This, in and of itself, is almost hell on earth but the people he meets there impact him more than he expects. Em (Kristen Stewart), another college student home for the summer, befriends the newbie James and he soon falls for her. Em is a troubled chick with a very unstable home life that affects how she interacts with the world. Combined with James' awkward nature, they make for an interesting couple. Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig and Ryan Reynolds also add some humor and irony to the mix. I wouldn't call this an outright comedy as it is pretty heavy at times. However, the humor is dry and sarcastic, which I love. The plot seems more like a biography than scripted. It's fully imbedded in the '80s and actually avoids being completely cheesy. It's a coming of age story that portrays a main character that is an Everyman.

Watch It: For Stewart's brooding emo-ness that isn't as annoying as her Twilight character Bella.

Skip It: If you're expecting a repeat of Superbad, despite being directed by the same guy - Greg Mattola.

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: September 18, 2009

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: Flint's inventions have always gotten him in trouble, but his latest creation makes him famous.

Review: Flint (Bill Hader) has been an inventor his entire life. Like most inventors, he hasn't found much success with his inventions. But with his mother's words of support ringing in his ears, he ventures onward. When one of his inventions goes awry and turns clouds into food, it starts to rain every kind of food imaginable. At first it helps his town and creates a sensation. However, soon the food portions get bigger and bigger and becomes hazardous to everyone's health. Flint must shut his invention down before it consumes everyone. This was quite an enjoyable movie that dealt with the effects of poor eating habits on society in a not-so-subtle way. It reminded me of Wall-E a bit but wasn't as clever. It also dealt with one's identity and the hardship that sometimes accompanies being different from everyone else. The cast was pretty diverse and included: Bruce Campbell, the town's mayor; Mr. T, a police officer; James Caan, Flint's dad; Anna Faris, a weathergirl; and Andy Samberg; a child star.

Watch It: For a smorgasbord of a good time.

Skip It: If you're looking for a more high-brow animation such as Wall-E

Night At The Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: May 22, 2009

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: When the exhibits are moved to the Smithsonian, Larry the night guard finds himeslf in the largest battle never to be known.

Review: Ben Stiller reprises his role as Larry Daley, the former night guard at the museum. In recent years, he's made a successful career as an inventor and entrepreneur. However, when he discovers that his museum friends are being shipped to the Smithsonian to be stored in the underground archive and are being replaced by the latest technology, Larry vows to save them. An adventure of epic proportions ensues as Larry is once again confronted with historical figures in his effort to save Jed (Owen Wilson), Octavious (Steve Coogan) and friends. This movie is one laugh after another and is probably worth watching twice just so you catch all the one-liners. New characters are introduced, such as Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams), Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria) and General Custer (Bill Hader). Azaria is probably the funniest of them all. Quick cameos are made by Jonah Hill, the Jonas brothers and Ricky Gervais.

Watch It: If you really enjoyed the first Night At The Museum.

Skip It: As it's mostly the same gags as before.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: April 18, 2008

DVD Release Date: September 30, 2008

Plot 411: After a horrible break up, Peter takes a trip to Hawaii only to run into his ex and her new beau.

Review: I thought I'd try another Judd Apatow movie because I just don't understand the hype about this guy. I still don't get it. I've watched a number of movies in which he is the writer or producer and find them only mildly humorous in a sophomoric way. This one had the added benefit of being filmed in Hawaii, but other than that it didn't really impress me. Peter (Jason Segel) makes his living by scoring his girlfriend Sarah's (Kristen Bell) hit tv show. But when she dumps him for another man, he spirals down into depression. His step brother, played by Bill Hader, suggests that he go on vacation to clear his mind (only after he's waded through a sea of one night stands to no affect). Unfortunately, Sarah and her boyfriend are also vacationing and it seems that Peter cannot escape her. The one interesting thing about this film in comparison with the others is that Peter and Sarah realize that they were both at fault for the destruction of their relationship. This, I think, is a new development in many of Apatow's movies. Most films have a good guy and bad guy and leave it at that. This one clearly depicts a grey area in the relationship, which is much more realistic. As in other Apatow films, support comes by way of Paul Rudd and Jonah Hill. Other stars include Mila Kunis and Russell Brand. Kalani Robb also makes an appearance.

Watch It: For comedy on par with Superbad and Knocked Up.

Skip It: If you've had enough of Apatow's creations.