whats on the net 09/10/11

kicking about the net

Retail copy of family comedy Mr Poppers Penguins with Jim Carey and Carla Gugino. Tom Popper grew up having very little interaction with his father who was off exploring the world. When he grows up he spends most of time on his work and ignores his children. One day his father sends him an unusual gift: six penguins. Popper can't help but wonder why his father would send him penguins. He tries to get rid of them. But when his children and ex-wife show up to celebrate his son's birthday, the kids are taken with the penguins. And Popper finally gets to connect with his kids and his work suffers. A charming PG movie for the family. Recommended.

Comedy Bad Teacher with Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake and Jason Segel is an UnRated Retail this week. Centered around a foul-mouthed, junior high teacher who, after being dumped by her sugar daddy, begins to woo a colleague -- a move that pits her against a well-loved teacher. Very funny, if you haven't already seen it its Highly Recommended.

Horror thriller Perfect Life is a Retail this week. Jack Parsons grew up in poverty while suffering through childhood at the hands of an abusive, alcoholic father. Jack's brother-like bond with his wealthy neighbor Freddy, and his secret love for Anne the neighborhood beauty, were all that made life tolerable. Now at college, Jack attacks life with a vengeance. Fuelled by narcotics, alcohol, and a "can't lose philosophy", he runs with the popular crowd, pledges the school's most exclusive fraternity, and continues to pine for Anne even though he knows Freddy loves her. The drugs, booze and death defying initiation process cannot stop Jack, but a series of devastating blackouts that force him to question reality stagger Jack like a backhand smack from his old man and threaten to end his perfect life. A sex and drugs fuelled rollercoaster ride.

Comedy romance Meet Monic Velour is another Retail this week starring Kim Catrall. When an awkward teen meets his favorite porn star, whose career peaked in the '80s, an unexpected friendship follows as the young man gets a glimpse inside Monica Velour's current life as a single mom struggling to make ends meet. At times hilarious, at times awkward, at times heartbreaking. A dramatic comedy thats got the critics buzzing. Recommended.

Bafta and Golden Globe winners Michael Sheen and Maria Bello both star in the acclaimed drama Beautiful Boy, a DVD Rip this week. Bill and Kate are in an emotionless marriage with their only son away at college. They knew he didn't sound happy but then comes the news that he was the mass murderer at his school killing 17 professors, fellow students and himself. They try to move on with their lives but they are held back by their own grief and the fact that the media and everyone around them view them as monsters. The more they fight it, they realize they only have each other. A unique take with two powerhouse performances. Highly Recommended.

Romantic adventure comedy Monte Carlo with Selena Gomez is a Br Rip this week. A young woman, her uptight step sister and her best friend use their savings for a long anticipated dream trip to Paris, which turns out to be a big disappointment. When they decide to take a break from their lousy tour and duck into the lobby of a luxury hotel, one of them is mistaken for a spoiled British heiress. Before they get the chance to reveal their true identities they are wrapped up in misadventures during a vacation to Monte Carlo instead. A fantasy fair tale for teenage girls. Recommended to the aforementioned target audience.

Popcorn action thriller Arena with Samuel L Jackson and Kellan Lutz is another DVD Rip this week. David Lord finds himself forced into the savage world of a modern gladiatorial arena, where men fight to the death for the entertainment of the online masses. A throw-away cheesy, bloody, all out violent flick Recommended for the testosterone fueled action junkie.

Kids flick Judy Moody And The Not Bummer Summer is yet another DVD Rip this week. Third grader Judy Moody sets out to have the most thrilling summer of her life. Definitely one for the kids.

John C Reilly stars in the comedy Terri, also a DVD Rip this week which centers on a large 15-year-old boy in a small town as he struggles to adjust to his difficult life. A sweet, tender, and very observant film.

Smackdown hero Paul (Triple H) Levesque and Michael Rapaport star in the crime drama Inside Out, another DVD Rip this week. For the last thirteen years AJ (Triple H) has been behind bars, convicted of manslaughter for killing a man who intended to kill his best friend, Jack (Michael Rapaport). Now released, AJ wants nothing more than to start a small business and live a crime-free life. Unfortunately, within hours of leaving prison, his oldest and best friend, Jack (Michael Rapaport) involves AJ in an accidental shooting in which a man is killed, forcing Jack to skip town. You get what you expect here, good solid crime drama that wrestling fans and teenage boys will enjoy.

Fantasy action adventure Dragon Crusaders is a Retail this week. A group of fugitive Knights Templar attacks a pirate ship and they are cursed to turn into hideous monsters. To fight the curse and ultimately save the world, they must defeat the wizard-dragon who is determined to destroy it. Acting and action is entertaining and there are no dull moments with copious amounts of fighting and the dialogue is pertinent and never drags down the film.

Dramedy (Comedy / Drama) A Little Help with Jenna Fischer and Chris O'Donnell is also a DVD Rip this week. A woman gets entangled in a series of bizarre lies in order to take care of herself and her 12 year old son. A great feel good movie and a real axuplifting surprise. Recommended.

Hugh Bonneville and Benedict Cumberbatch star in the drama Third Star, a DVD Rip. James and his three closest lifelong friends go on an ill-advised trip to the stunning coastal area of Barafundle Bay in West Wales. What follows is a touching and comical adventure dealing with friendship, heroism and love. Beautiful, memorable, heartrendering, and transcendent with excellent performances. Highly Recommended.

Werewolf horror The Howling : Reborn is a DVD Rip too this week. On the eve of his high school graduation, unremarkable Will Kidman finally bonds with the girl he has long yearned for, reclusive Eliana Wynter. But he also discovers a dark secret from his past... that he is about to become a werewolf. Now, in an effort to fight destiny and save their love as well as their lives, they must battle not only Will's growing blood lust but an army of fearsome beasts bent on killing them... and then, us all. Good solid werewolf horror, not to be taken seriously, very entertaining. Recommended to fans of the genre.