The Squeakquel

In the Squeakquel, pop sensations Alvin, Simon and Theodore end up in the care of Dave Seville’s 20-something nephew Toby (Zach Levi). The boys must put aside music super-stardom to return to school, and are tasked with saving the school’s music program by winning the $25,000 prize in a battle of the bands.

But the Chipmunks unexpectedly meet their match in three singing chipmunks known as the Chipettes: Brittany, Eleanor and Jeanette. Romantic and musical sparks are ignited when the Chipmunks and Chipettes square off.

Trailer

Click here to view the embedded video.

Release Date

December 25th, 2009 (wide)

Starring

Jason Lee, Zachary Levi, Anjelah Johnson, Wendie Malick, Justin Long, David Cross, Cameron Richardson, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Anna Faris, Christina Applegate, Amy Poehler

Reminds me of

Alvin and the Chipmunks

Interesting Fact

The film is being released early for the Christmas season 2009.

The Good

A family movie for the holiday season 2009.

The Bad

Nothing!

Our Clever Prediction

80 Million at the box office.

The Lovely Bones

“The Lovely Bones” tells the story of Susie Salmon who’s murdered but continues to observe her family on Earth after her death. Although she is detached from the world she once knew, Susie witnesses the impact of her loss on her loved ones, whilst her killer skillfully covers his tracks and prepares to murder again.

In a tone that is both emotionally truthful, and darkly humorous, Susie tries to balance her desire for vengeance against the love she feels for her family and her need to see them heal; and ultimately comes to understand that the concept of family can encompass both the living and the dead.

Why you care

You and I both know we would unleash hell and vengeance if it were us making the choices from above.

The Lovely Bones Release Date

December 11th, 2009 (limited); January 15th, 2010 (wide)

Starring

Rachel Weisz, Mark Wahlberg, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, Michael Imperioli

The Lovely Bones Reminds me of

Ghost, but with more attitude.

The Good

Rachel Weisz and Saoirse Ronan

The Bad

Mark Wahlberg. I haven’t recovered from his performance in The Happening.

Our Clever Prediction

40 Million at the box office.

The Scoop

The film tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team, Francois Pienaar, to help unite their country.

Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa’s underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match.

Why you care

You thought the 1995 Rugby World Cup was just another event.

Invictus Release Date

December 11th, 2009 (limited)

Starring

Invictus stars : Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Bonnie Henna

Reminds me of

A less gayer version of Rudy.

Interesting Fact

South Africa beat New Zealand FTW. I played Rugby for 3 years, couldn’t crack the 2nd 15.

The Good

Uniting a country around a sport.

The Bad

I had my money on France.

Our Clever Prediction

Look for the same results as Gran Torino, as Eastwood is sneaking this film in the same way.

The Scoop

Set in Los Angeles in 1962, at the height of the Cuban missile crisis, “A Single Man” is the story of George Falconer, a 52 year old British college professor who is struggling to find meaning to his life after the death of his long time partner, Jim.

George dwells on the past and cannot see his future as we follow him through a single day, where a series of events and encounters, ultimately leads him to decide if there is a meaning to life after Jim. George is consoled by his closest friend Charley, a 48 year old beauty who is wrestling with her own questions about the future.

A young student of George’s, Kenny, who is coming to terms with his true nature, stalks George as he feels in him a kindred spirit.

Why you care

Release Date

December 11th, 2009 (limited); December 25th (wide)

Starring

Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode, Ginnifer Goodwin, Nicholas Hoult

Our Clever Prediction

Look for it at your favorite rental store in January.

The Scoop

George Clooney stars as Ryan Bingham, a corporate downsizing expert whose cherished life on the road is threatened just as he is on the cusp of reaching ten million frequent flyer miles and after he’s met the frequent-traveler woman of his dreams.

Why you care

Jason Reitman is a brilliant writer, and directed other films such as Juno.

Release Date

Up in the Air comes to theaters DECEMBER 4, 2009

Up In The Air Stars

Up In The Air has a great set of actors, including : George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, Danny McBride

The Good

George Clooney is much more enjoyable in a dramatic role.

The Bad

Looks a little slow.

Our Clever Prediction

Moderage success 20 Million

Brothers : The Scoop

A Marine about to embark on his fourth tour of duty, Sam is a steadfast family man married to his high school sweetheart, the aptly named Grace (Natalie Portman), with whom he has two young daughters.

Tommy, his charismatic younger brother, is a drifter just out of jail who’s always gotten by on wit and charm. He slides easily into his role as family provocateur on his first night out of prison, at Sam’s farewell dinner with their parents, Elsie and Hank Cahill, a retired Marine.

Shipped out to Afghanistan, Sam is presumed dead when his Black Hawk helicopter is shot down in the mountains. At home in suburbia, the Cahill family suddenly faces a shocking void, and Tommy tries to fill in for his brother by assuming newfound responsibility for himself, Grace, and the children.

Why you care

The story of love and sacrifice is appealing to your soft side.

Release Date

DECEMBER 4, 2009

Starring

Brothers stars Tobey Maguire, Natalie Portman and Jake Gyllenhaal

Brothers Reminds me of

Perl Harbor. The love angle in the film is almost identical.

The Good

Sure, this is all fine and dandy if your brothers wife looks like Natalie Portman.

The Bad

What if your brothers wife looks like Susan Boyle?

Our Clever Prediction

Movies tend to sink at the box office during the holidays, and Brothers won’t touch Avatar. 20 Million.

Survival of the Dead

On an island off the coast of North America, local residents simultaneously fight a zombie epidemic while hoping for a cure to return their un-dead relatives back to their human state.

Why you care

Romero is the master of zombie films, and you love this niche as much as I do.

Release Date

November 8th 2009

Starring

Nobody you have ever heard of, unless you are friends with ‘Drooling Zombie #85′ Mitch Risman. I’m sure Mitch has lots of stories to tell his friends, but is it really important to us?

Reminds me of

Every other Romero zombie flick.

Interesting Fact

If its a zombie movie, and it has the word ‘Dead’ in the title, odds are its a George Romero film.

The Good

Zombies, guns, headshots.

The Bad

Romero hasn’t made a decent zombie movie since Night of the Living Dead.

Our Clever Prediction

Solid DVD rental, weak at the theaters.

The Scoop

After a tragic accident claims the lives of Luke Gibson’s (Gooding Jr.) wife and unborn child, he is left with critical injuries and complete amnesia.

A new technological breakthrough from the Hexx Corporation – a Psi-Comp Implant that’s hardwired into Luke’s brain – saves his life, but Luke soon finds out that this new technology comes with a price and that the Hexx Corporation harbors sinister plans for the new device.

With the help of new allies, Luke tries to recover the memories of his past while uncovering the Hexx Corporation’s true motives.

Why you care

You thought Cuba Gooding Jr and Val Kilmer were dead. Surprise! They are still here secretly making direct to video films!

Release Date

November 3rd 2009

Starring

Val Kilmer, Cuba Gooding Jr, nobody else you have ever heard of.

Reminds me of

Paycheck, minus any budget or quality actors.

Interesting Fact

I have heard that Hardwired may be the one of the top 5 worst films of 2009.

The Good

Nothing to report.

The Bad

The script, plot, acting and budget. Val Kilmer’s wig looks so ridiculous and pathetic, I can’t stop laughing at the promotional images. Watching the careers of two, once highly in demand actors, do straight to video movies is a little sad.

Our Clever Prediction

I sense a Daddy Day Camp 2 after yet another Cuba Gooding failure.

The Scoop

When the free-spirited, jazz-loving Prince Naveen of Maldonia comes to town a deal with a shady voodoo doctor goes bad and the once suave royal is turned into a frog. In a desperate attempt to be human again, a favor in exchange for a fateful kiss on the lips from the beautiful girl, Tiana, takes an unexpected turn and leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana to the banks of the almighty Mississippi and back in time for Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

An unforgettable tale filled with music, humor and heart where two frogs—along with the help of a 200-year-old voodoo priestess, a love-sick Cajun firefly, and a trumpet-playing alligator—discover that what they want isn’t as important as what they need.

Why you care

You’re looking for a family film this November 2009.

Release Date

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Starring

Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, Jenifer Lewis , John Goodman

Our Clever Prediction

15 million at the box office.

The Scoop

Two best friends—one unlucky-in-love divorcee (Robin Williams) and the other a fun-loving bachelor (John Travolta)—have their lives turned upside down when they’re unexpectedly charged with the care of six-year-old twins while on the verge of the biggest business deal of their lives.

The not-so-kidsavvy bachelors stumble in their efforts to take care of the twins (newcomers Ella Travolta and Conner Rayburn), leading to one debacle after another, and perhaps to a new-found understanding of what is really important in life.

Why you care

The first film since Travolta lost his son.

Release Date

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Starring

Robin Williams, Kelly Preston, John Travolta, Ella Travolta, Seth Green

Reminds me of

Three Men and a Baby.

The Good

Lots of cameo appearances by many other celebs.

The Bad

Robin Williams and John Travolta humor.

Our Clever Prediction

30 Million at the Box Office