August is steaming toward a finish, which will bring a slow period at the box office as kids head back to school. There are only a couple of chances left to make any sort of summer bang. This week's biggest hope lies with Quentin Tarantino. His latest film is set to explode onto the big screen, although I suspect it will have a quick fall-off. In any case, this week is not nearly as strong as last week, which had a pretty good selection of films, led by the phenomenal District 9. So, what will you be heading out for this weekend?
Inglorious Basterds. (2009, 153 minutes, R, action) Inspired by a 1970s-era exploitation film, Inglorious Bastards, starring Bo Svensen and Fred Williamson, Quentin Tarantino looks to put his unique stamp on the war movie. This is a tale that has been bouncing around in Tarantino's head for a few years now, and it has finally come to be. The story moves forward on a couple of fronts: one has a Jewish girl see her family murdered by a Nazi officer, and follows her escape to Paris where she runs a cinema. Meanwhile an Allied officer (Brad Pitt) puts together a strike force which hits specialized targets, taking no prisoners. This looks like it is going to be a blast — funny, thrilling, dramatic, and distinctly Tarantino in flavor.
Post Grad. (2009, 89 minutes, PG-13, comedy)Alexis Bledel stars as a young college graduate forced to move back home and examines the stress of being there, looking for a job, and finding a guy. Sounds like pretty typical stuff, but with the new school year right around the corner, this could be the right time for a movie on this topic. It looks like it could be fun, although I would not get my hopes up.
Shorts. (2009, 89 minutes, PG, family) Robert Rodriguez is an interesting character. He is equally adept at delivering films with a distinct adult target (Desperado, Sin City) as he is at hitting the child demographic (Spy Kids series). This is the latest from the child side of the coin. The story centers on a boy disinterested in the town he lives in. A magical wish-granting stone arrives in his life and plays with reality as the town is torn apart by its presence. It does not interest me much, but I am sure it will be decent and worthwhile for the families in the audience.
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