August is nearly upon us and the end of summer is drawing close at an increasingly speedy rate. With the big blockbusters pretty much safely in the rear-view mirror, we'll likely see some smaller films hoping to become sleeper hits alongside studio pictures with big names but smaller budgets. Case in point, we have a comedy this week with high expectations and big names but decidedly not a studio tent-pole type film.

The Collector. (2009, 85 minutes, R, horror) I am really looking forward to this. No, I have no reason to expect it to be good. I only hope it delivers the horror thrills I like and doesn't turn into another Saw rip off. I will admit to liking the premise. It follows a burglar looking for a score who breaks into a rich family's house only to find a sadistic killer is already there.... Sounds good to me. Whoops... I may have typed too soon, this is from the writing team of Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan, the men behind Saw IV, V and the upcoming VI, not to mention the Feast Trilogy. Oh well. Still, being a hopelessly optimistic movie fan, I will hope for the best.

Funny People. (2009, 136 minutes, R, comedy) How can this movie not be good? I think they would have to actively sabotage this for it to be bad. All right, perhaps that is a bit melodramatic, but Judd Apatow has a track record, be it writing, directing, or producing. This is his third outing as a writer/director and early word is very positive. The story centers on a comedian who has a near-death experience and the opportunity to change his life, and what he does with it. It also looks a little like a passing of the torch from Adam Sandler to Seth Rogen. Joining those two in the cast are Leslie Mann, Eic Bana, Jonah Hill, and Jason Schwartzman.

Aliens in the Attic. (2009, 90 minutes, PG, family/science fiction) I cannot say this holds much interest for me, although I think the kids are going to get a kick out of it. A family heads up to their Maine vacation home where the kids make a strange discovery. Yup, they have aliens in the attic: the advance team before a full invasion force arrives. It is up to the kids to repel the alien attack. The trailer highlights a remote control device used by the aliens to control people. Eh. Maybe someday.

Article Author: Chris Beaumont

Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about music and movies when he isn't indulging in them. He is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Follow: Twitter and Tumblr. Visit: Critical Outcast. …

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