Recommendations: January 25

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters - The latest from Jeremy Renner, I really, really want to see this movie.  I like the new take on the fairy tale genre, with the badassery, so I'm looking forward to this one.

Movie 43 - This is a series of interconnected shorts based on the idea of three kids browsing through the internet in the search of the most banned movie in the world.  It sounds a lot like New York, I Love You or the director version of New Years Eve.

John Dies at the End - This one's getting a limited release so it'll probably be a challenge to find. However, based on the book of the same name, it follows two college dropouts as they try to save the world from an otherworldy invasion.

End of Watch - I really enjoyed this movie, and really recommend checking it out.  It was a lot better than I expected it to be, simply because it didn't go in the direction that I expected it to.

The Paperboy - This is the movie that's kind of surprised me this year.  I haven't seen it yet, but the response that it got really surprised me.  It's gotten rather mixed reviews, but it's also been nominated for more than a few awards.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I love, love, love, loved this movie.  If you haven't seen it yet, see it now. If you've already seen it, then hey, see it again.

Ysabel - this is an urban fantasy novel by Canadian author Guy Gavriel Kay.  If you haven't read any of Kay's work, then the best reasoning I have for why you should read Ysabel or anything else by him is that when Christopher Tolkien was editing the unpublished work his father, J.R.R. Tolkien, had left behind, it was Kay who helped.  This man literally learned to write by editing the works of Tolkien, so if you're a fantasy fan he should be right up your alley.

Recommendations: January 18

Mama - Okay, so I'm going to guarantee that I won't see this one - I don't like horror movies  But, based on the cast I'll also say that it's probably worth checking out if you do like them.  This one stars Jessica Chastain and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who are both great actors.

The Last Stand - It's Arnold.  What can I say?

Broken City - A new cop-involved-in-bad-shit movie, starring Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Kyle Chandler.  Despite the over use of this genre, I like everyone who's in it and I'll see it for that alone.

Taken 2 - The sequel to the 2008 film, Taken, in which Liam Neeson plays a man who, along with his wife, is taken hostage by the idiot who didn't learn that taking things Liam Neeson loves hostage is a bad idea in the first film.  I haven't seen either, but hey Liam Neeson!

To Rome With Love - The latest from Woody Allen.  If you like Woody Allen, why not check this one out?

Won't Back Down - The latest movie about people trying to save the school system, this one starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis.  This is kind of a genre that I love, so I'm really looking forward to seeing it.

Farewell, My Queen - A foreign film about Marie Antoinette in the first days of the French Revolution, this film looks really good.  Plus it stars Diane Kruger, so yeah. There's that.

An Irish Country Doctor - I stumbled across the Irish Country series by Patrick Taylor rather by accident - the book cover caught my attention when I was browsing through the bookstore.  I'm really glad that I did, because these books are great.  Set in 1964 in Ulster, Ireland, An Irish Country Doctor follows new doctor Barry Laverty as he takes on an apprenticeship under Doctor Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly in the village of Ballybucklebo.

Recommendations: January 11

Gangster Squad - This one was supposed to be released in September, but had the date delayed due to the Batman shooting.  Starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, and Sean Penn, it's set in the 1940s and 50s and is about gangsters and cops.  I want to see this so badly.

Quartet - Sadly this one's only getting a limited release, but it still looks funny.  Dustin Hoffman's directoral debut, it's about a group of opera singers in a retirement home preparing for their annual concert. Oh, and it stars Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly, and Michael Gambon.

Struck by Lightning - Another limited release, but an important one at that.  Struck by Lightning is written by and stars Glee's Chris Colfer, and is about a guy who is struck and killed by lightning and his life before it.  A friend of mine has read the book and says it's amazing.

Frankenweenie - The latest adaptation of Frankenstein this one follows a young boy, Victor, as he reanimates his beloved dog, Sparky.  It was cute, a definite return to some of the more classic Tim Burton films.

Dredd - The newest take on the Judge Dredd comics, this one received better ratings than the first.  I haven't seen it yet, but I do really want to.

House at the End of the Street - The best thing that this horror film has going for it is Jennifer Lawrence.  She plays a girl who's just moved to a new town and discovered that there was a murder in the house next door to hers.  Horror ensues.

Game Change - This TV movie has a lot of big names attached to it - including Ed Harris, Julianne Moore, and Woody Harrelson - and follows John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign, with a heavy focus on his running mate, Sarah Palin.

Struck by Lightning - Speaking of the book, let's just outright recommend it here.  Check out the book, also written by Chris Colfer.  Because why wouldn't you want to read about a guy who was struck by lightning? It's a great read!

Recommendations: January 4

There is nothing good coming out this week.  Just to prove that, here's this week's new releases: Texas Chainsaw 3D and A Dark Truth.  The first one because clearly we need another Texas Chainsaw Massacre film (although this one does feature Scott Eastwood, Clint Eastwood's son). The second... I'm not even going to touch that one.  Needless to say, I will not be seeing any of these.

Cosmopolis -Robert Pattinson's latest attempt in breaking free of the Twilight hold.  I haven't seen this one, although I kind of did want to.  Maybe you want to?

Looper - One of the best sci-fi, time travel films I've seen in a long time.  I loved this movie and recommend it to anyone and everyone - especially if you love paradoxes, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt, or Bruce Willis.

Madam Bovary - I haven't really mention a lot of the classics, owing in no small part to the really random way in which I make my book recommendations.  However, I've recently joined a book club of sorts, and the first book that we're reading is Madam Bovary, the nineteenth century masterpiece, so I'm recommending it to you.  After all, you can't go wrong with a masterpiece.

Recommendations: December 28

Most of these I already recommended last week, because they were released on Tuesday, but I'm going to recommend them again in case Christmas got in the way of your movie viewing.

Django Unchained - Feel good movie of the year, right? Or not.  This one's getting a lot of criticism because of the tone that it takes and the language that it uses, but is reported to be good.

Les Misérables - The musical about the French Revolution, this one just looks great all around - and the fact that it's directed by the guy who did The King's Speech just, in my mind, makes it better.

Promised Land - This one's just getting a limited release for now, I'm unsure if it will be getting a wider release later on.  Reuniting Matt Damon with his Good Will Hunting director Gus Van Sant, this environment minded drama looks good although it's getting mixed reviews right now.

The Words - If you missed this one in theatres (lucky you) and still want to see how you shouldn't do a movie about writing a book, The Words is now out on DVD!  Despite the general hotness of its leads, it really falls flat.

It's evidently a really slow week for DVD releases, because asides from The Words the only other release I can find is the box sets of seasons 1 - 3 of Veronica Mars, which I'm pretty sure was already available on DVD.  So... yeah.  Go watch Batman or something, everyone.

Les Misérables - Before it was a musical it was a book by French author Victor Hugo.  In the many years since its release it has become known as one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century, which is saying something if you really think about it - all of the novels of the nineteenth century that the common person can name tend to fall into the category of being great novels.  Definitely worth a read, although there is far less singing in this version.

Recommendations: December 25

The movies listed below are, for some reason, being released Christmas Day.  Because why wouldn't you go see a movie Christmas Day?

Les Misérables - Because everyone needs to see a musical about the French Revolution on Christmas Day.  This is based on the book and the musical that was inspired by the book and looks absolutely awesome.  Directed by Tom Hooper, Les Mis is predicted to be the second best adaptation of the book by Victor Hugo, the best being the 1934 adaptation by Raymond Bernard.

Parental Guidance - Billy Crystal's attempt at a career revival continues, with Parental Guidance.  Also featuring the amazing Bette Midler, this one is about two grandparents who agree to look after their grandchildren, and have the old school parenting methods collide with 21st century children.  I'm sure I've seen this movie before - many times - but I like both Crystal and Midler, so I'll see it again.

Django Unchained - Quentin Tarantino's latest, Django Unchained tries to prove that Christmas time can be about extremely violent movies.  This follows Jamie Foxx as a slave-turned-bounty hunter on a quest to rescue his wife from a brutal slave owner.  Expect lots of violence, blood, gore, swearing, etc.

"A Visit from St. Nicholas" - Also known as "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" and "The Night Before Christmas" this poem (allegedly) by Clement Clarke Moore is another Christmas staple.  Much like A Christmas Carol "Night Before" has been the subject of a vast number of adaptations, parodies, and pop culture references.

Recommendations: December 21

This Is 40 - The sort-of sequel to Knocked Up, This is 40 follows Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) a few years after the events of Knocked Up, presumably without going into them as neither Katherine Heigl nor Seth Rogen are appearing.  Pete and Debbie were by far the best parts of Knocked Up and this looks pretty funny, so I'd say check it out.

Zero Dark Thirty - The movie about the hunt for Osama Bin Laden, this one's being given a limited release right now, presumably so that it's out in time for the awards season.  Director Kathryn Bigelow definitely knows how to play the controversial card while still being good and her last war film, The Hurt Locker, made her the first woman to win the Oscar for Best Director - despite being up against James Cameron's Avatar.

Jack Reacher - Another book-to-movie adaptation, Jack Reacher follows homicide investigator Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise) as he goes after a trained military sniper.  Cruise's character here appears to be a bit mentally unstable, but at the same time is also returning Cruise to the action roots that we came to really love him for.  It could be good, it could be bad, but I'm willing to give him a chance.

The Guilt Trip - Barbra Streisand and Seth Rogen pair up as a mother-son duo on a road trip.  This is another one that could be really good or really bad, I'm going to go with good.

The Impossible - I suspect I already know how this one's going to end, having watched just the trailer.  The Impossible follows a family torn apart during the mayham of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.  I expect that this will be good and I will cry.

On the Road - The latest book-to-movie adaptation of a Jack Kerouac novel, this one takes to the road and has a cast that makes me really want to see it.  It's not gotten the best of reviews so far, though, so I don't think I would hold your breath expecting greatness.

Pitch Perfect - This movie is absolutely awesome.  Pitch Perfect knew exactly what it was trying to be and completely went with it.  It was a full out comedy without attempts at being a serious drama as well.  The one liners just don't stop, and the music is actually pretty good too.

Total Recall - The remake of the original, this movie wasn't really well received but I enjoyed it.  Don't try to make sense out of it, but just enjoy the sci-fi action.

Trouble with the Curve - This is another one of those ones that could have been more than it was.  It was okay, but definitely didn't live up to the expectations.

Arbitrage - I haven't seen this one yet, but I really want to.  At one point it had awards buzz around it, but the reviews it's gotten have since silenced them - I suspect that this is going to be like Trouble with the Curve in that it'll be enjoyable but not nearly as good as it should have been.

Liberal Arts - Okay, so I want to see this because Zac Efron's in it.  It's one of the artsy movies that he ends up in that no one actually ever hears about.

Premium Rush - This was a fun movie.  Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and about bike messengers, it somehow still has the suspense of an intense thriller and at least some of the action of a good action flick.  Check it out if you haven't already.

10 Years - Another one of those probably not really good indie flicks starring a cast that I enjoy watching.  10 Years seems like it's really one of those flicks you just watch for fun.

A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens' Christmas classic, A Christmas Carol is the story of one Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by Jacob Marely and the three Ghosts of Christmas (Past, Present, and Yet to Come), one Christmas Eve.  A classic in the purest sense of the word, A Christmas Carol has been adapted by roughly everything and has always been one of my favourite books to read in the week leading up to Christmas.

Recommendations: December 14

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - The first in Peter Jackson's prequel to The Lord of The Rings trilogy, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is being cited as the most anticipated prequel since Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.  One hopes that it ends up being better than Phantom Menace, but based on the fact that it takes its basis from Tolkien's novel The Hobbit, which people seem to like, I'm predicting good things will come from An Unexpected Journey.

Save the Date -The newest romantic comedy about weddings and the like, Save the Date stars Lizzy Caplan and Alison Brie as two sisters - one who has just rejected her boyfriend's hasty proposal and is rebounding, and the other who is planning her upcoming nuptials. According to IMDb, this is more like Girls and less like Bridesmaids, which I assume is supposed to be a good thing - I didn't really like Bridesmaids, so not being like that is definitely a good thing, but I haven't seen Girls so I can't say if being like it is good or not.

Ted - A semi-creepy, kind of pervy, surprisingly hilarious movie about a man and his anthropomorphic teddy bear.  I really enjoyed this, although logic and taste tells me I probably shouldn't have.

The Bourne Legacy - Don't see this movie.  I don't even know why I'm recommending it.  By far the worst of the Bourne movies, it's best forgotten about - like many other fourth additions to a series.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - Ken Kesey's classic novel about a group of men in an insane asylum during the 1960s.  This book is absolutely awesome.  The narrator, Chief, has many hallucinations (I believe he's schizophrenic, but I could be making that up), which Kesey skillfully works into the story, aided by the fact that Kesey was under the influence of LSD at the time of writing.  This book is just great.

Recommendations: December 7

Hyde Park on Hudson - I'm not too sure about this one.  It's a biopic featuring FDR (Bill Murray), his wife (Olivia Williams), and future mistress (Laura Linney), during the visit of King George VI (Samuel West) and his wife (Olivia Colman) shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War.  All enough to catch my attention, except it's not getting the best reviews so far and it's only getting a limited release.  We'll have to see.

Playing for Keeps - This one's about a former soccer star (Gerard Butler) who starts coaching his kid's soccer team in an effort to win back the love of his ex-wife (Jessica Biel).  It's a romantic comedy starring Gerard Butler, so I wouldn't recommend expecting much from it. Heck, I expect I already know the ending to it.

The Dark Knight Rises - The final installment in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy.  This was a great movie, so check it out now if you haven't seen it already.

Finding Nemo - This Pixar hit is being re-released on DVD and Blu-ray, probably because of the 3D release of the film a few months ago in theatres.  This is always a good one.

Hope Springs - A cute movie about an older couple struggling to revitalize their marriage.  This one stars Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones as said couple, so yeah. If you like romantic comedies, I'd say check this one out.

Fifth Business - The first novel in Robertson Davies' Deptford Trilogy, this novel is considered one of the best novels of the 20th century, and in my opinion is one of the best Canadian novels and definitely Davies' best novel.  Fifth Business follows the life of narrator Dunstan Ramsay and the constant struggle that he has with the guilt surrounding his part in the childhood accident that deeply affected the life of Mary Dempster, a woman Dunstan considers to be a fool-saint.  The novel really nicely integrates religion, morality, myth, and history,

Recommendations: November 30

To be honest, there really isn't anything coming out this week that I'm all that interested in seeing, and thus recommending to you.  There's a lot already out, however, so if you haven't seen them yet, check out any one of this week's box office top ten: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2, Skyfall, Lincoln, Rise of the Guardians, Life of Pi, Wreck-It Ralph, Red Dawn, Flight, Silver Linings Playbook, or Argo.  Some of these I've already checked out, others I haven't seen yet, but I believe I have recommended them all.

Men in Black 3 - The latest installment in this alien movie franchise, MIB3 deals with time travel and really surprised me.  It's a lot better than I was expecting it to be, and if you haven't checked it out yet and want something easy to watch I'd say check it out now.

ParaNorman - I didn't recommend this the first time round, because the commercials annoyed me and I decided that I didn't want to see it.  Still a bit on the fence about it, but I've been told that it's really good.

Sparkle - There was one good thing about this movie, the music.  That was always the best part about a Whitney Houston movie, so I guess it's fitting that her last film should be no exception.  I just kind of wish that the rest of it had been better.

Lawless - This one actually made Sparkle look good, so there's that.  There's a few good action sequences too.  Check it out if you want a mindless action flick, although it's not too actiony.  I think the big problem here was an over use of Shia LaBeouf and an under use of Gary Oldman.  Never under use Gary Oldman.

Step Up Revolution - This movie was awesome! I loved it! Okay, so the plot is lame and ridiculous, but the dancing is great and why else would you go to a Step Up movie?

The Colour of Magic - This past week author Terry Pratchett won an Emmy for his documentary program "Choosing to Die," so I figured I'd celebrate by recommending Prachett's first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic.  This novel introduces us to the Discworld and the characters of Rincewind, Twoflower, and The Luggage - Luggage being my favourite of the Discworld characters.

Recommendations: November 23

Red Dawn - An updated version of the 1984 film, this one is about the invasion of America by the North Koreans.  More importantly, it stars Chris Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson, which are two good reasons to go see it.

Rise of the Guardians - This year's cute Christmas movie for kids, I've been waiting anxiously to see it since I saw the first trailer for it months ago.  Rise of the Guardians is about what happens when an evil spirit launches an assault on Earth's children, the Immortal Guardians band together in response.  My favourite part of the trailers is the fact that Santa Claus (Alec Baldwin), here called North, really resembles a Russian crime boss.

Life of Pi - Ang Lee's latest, this is based on the book of the same name and follows a young man and a Bengal tiger on one of those life changing journeys - presumably different to many life changing journeys that feature tigers in that the young man does not become food for the tiger.  I'm not sure, I haven't read the book, but IMDb is referring to the tiger as "an unexpected connection" which implies a lack of eating.  Based on the four Ang Lee movies I've seen, I'd say this could either be great or really bad.

Hitchcock - This one's getting a limited release for now, in order to be out in time to be considered for the Oscars - I can't find any word on when, or if, it will be given a further release.  This is based on the life of Alfred Hitchcock (Anthony Hopkins) and his wife Alma Reville (Helen Mirren) around the time that he was filming psycho.  I love the fact that the man who played one of the creepiest villains ever, Dr. Hannibal Lector, is now playing one of the most influential horror film directors ever.

The Expendables 2 - Did everyone see this in theatres?  It really wasn't all that good.  Now, you have the chance to spend more money on it and buy it on DVD - or spend no money on it and download it (which I don't condone at all).

That is, in all honesty, the only new DVD release this week and none of the other releases are all that interesting to me.  So, in celebration of Hitchcock, I'm going to say go watch Psycho (the original, not the 1998 Gus Van Sant remake) or whatever Hitchcock film is your favourite.

The Apple Tree - My favourite Hitchcock is The Birds, which is based on a novellette by Daphne du Maurier.  Both "The Birds" and other stories can be found in du Maurier's collection The Apple Tree.  Check it out if you haven't already.  Just a note, this collection can also be found as The Birds and Other Stories.

Recommendations: October 26

Cloud Atlas - This movie could either be great or really bad, depending on how they do it.  It kind of goes into the whole thing of reincarnation and what not, following the ways that the actions of individuals impact one another through time.  This is from the Wachowskis who are known for making both great movies and horrible ones, so we'll see.

Fun Size -The newest thing from TV executive Josh Schwartz, this is another one that could be great or really bad. It follows a teenage girl, Wren (Victoria Justice), on Halloween night.  Her plans go to shit when she's forced to babysit her brother, and then even more to shit when he disappears.

Magic Mike - The movie loosely inspired by Channing Tatum's life as a stripper.  It's a weird one, it's not entirely sure what it's trying to be here.  At best, I'd say it's a mindless entertainment flick with some pretty boys.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - I'm not recommending this movie at all.  In fact, I'm recommending that you avoid this movie.  This was probably the worst movie I've seen all year.

Blade Runner - The only older movie that I'm recommending this week, Blade Runner is being re-released in time for its 30th anniversary.  Get it now on Blu-ray or the extra special pack!

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World - How about a comedy about the end of the world?  This one actually really surprised me, so if you haven't checked it out yet I'd say do so now.

Take This Waltz - Another one that I think hasn't really decided what it wants to be.  I liked elements of this and hated other elements.  It's skillfully acted, but I'm not a huge fan of really any of the characters or the decisions they make.

Angela's Ashes - Frank McCourt's first autobiography follows the early years of his life, first in Brooklyn, New York, then in Ireland during the 1930s and 1940s.  McCourt's family embodies the divide between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, as well as the struggles of a working class family in Ireland at the time - made all the worse by McCourt's father's alcoholism.  This is a really heart wrenching book, but still amazingly written and deserving of the accolades it's received.  If you haven't checked it out yet, do so now.

Recommendations: October 19

Alex Cross -The latest in the series of Alex Cross films, based on the books by James Patterson, this one is... I don't know.  I'm not sure if it's a reboot of the franchise, a continuation of the franchise, or if there ever really was a franchise at all - it is entirely possible that they're just movies that have only the flimsiest of connections.  I'm probably going to skip this one; I usually enjoy Patterson's books, but I'm not a big fan of his movies.

The Sessions - I actually really want to see this one.  The synopsis on IMDb alone has made me interested: "A man in an iron lung who wishes to lose his virginity contacts a professional sex surrogate with the help of his therapist and priest."  I want to see this.

The Paperboy - This one's not getting the best reviews, but I want to see it just because of the cast.  It's about a reporter who is investigating the death of a death row inmate in his hometown, and features Matthew McConaughey, Nicole Kidman, John Cusack, and Zac Efron, among others.

Moonrise Kingdom - I'm really not sure what to think about this movie.  I still haven't seen it, and I'm not sure if I want to.  It's Wes Anderson's latest, and it's gotten good reviews and has a good cast, I'm just not sure if I want to check it out. I'm sure I will, eventually.

Pete's Dragon - It is the 35th anniversary of this childhood classic.  All I really remember about this movie was that it both made me feel happy and disturbed, although not necessarily at the same time.  Now that it's being released on Blu-ray I feel like I have the opportunity to rewatch it and see if it still gives me that feeling.

The Suicide Index -Speaking of things that disturb you, book recommendation of the week is The Suicide Index, by Joan Wickersham.  When I first started reading this book I thought it was a novel, and a weird one at that.  Since then I've learned that it's actually a memoir, although still a weird one.  It's definitely a good one though.  Worth checking out, although you've been warned it's dark and follows Wickersham after she learns of the suicide of her father.

Recommendations: October 12

Argo - I love Ben Affleck movies, both the ones where he just acts in and are bad but also good, and the ones that he directs which tend to be absolutely awesome.  This is his latest film in the latter category, based on the weird but true story of the Canadian Caper.  With a stellar cast this promises to be good.

Here Comes the Boom - I wasn't convinced by this one at first, I've never been a huge fan of Kevin James.  Then I saw the trailer for it.  I doubt it's going to be amazingly good, but I still think it's going to be fun and enjoyable - one of those movies that you know is bad but you like anyways.  Plus Henry Winkler's in it!

Seven Psychopaths - This is about a group of oddballs who get involved in all kinds of bad things when their easy money scheme goes wrong and they kidnap the beloved Shih Tzu of a gangster.  I've seen the trailer for this a couple times now and it's had me laughing each time, so I can't wait to see this.

3, 2, 1... Frankie Go Boom - This one's getting a limited release, so I doubt I'll see it in theatres, but it's caught my attention just because of the two male leads.  One is Chris O'Dowd, who we last saw in Bridesmaids, and the other is Charlie Hunnam, who I'm always amazed by in Sons of Anarchy.  This one's about a guy, Frankie (Hunnam), who's been humiliated many a time by his brother, Bruce (O'Dowd), but thinks that now that he's off drugs things are going to change - except they don't.  I'm assuming that this movie is going to be about him trying to rectify that.

Prometheus - The latest from Ridley Scott this movie got less than stellar reviews and kind of tanked... but I'm still interested in seeing it.  It's got a great cast, and really this is the guy who did Alien.  It might not be the greatest, but I still want to see it.

Rock of Ages - The latest musical to come out, this one borrows music from 80s hair bands and rocks out.  I really enjoyed Rock of Ages, it was fun and you got to sing along.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial - It's the 30th anniversary of this classic Spielberg film about the love between a boy and an alien, without getting all creepy. Whenever I watched this film as a kid it always creeped me out, but as an adult I've really grown to love it.

Little Shop of Horrors - While on the musicals kick, Little Shop of Horrors is currently releasing the director's cut.  This is great for two reasons: one this is a musical about a giant man-eating plant so you can't really go wrong, and two the director is the legendary Frank Oz.

Red Dawn - The classic Cold War-era film about the invasion of the Soviets is being released on Blu-ray, just in time for the release of the remake, which is about the invasion of the North Koreans (proving that we're always afraid of someone invading).  This one is kind of a classic, starring, among others, young versions of Patrick Swayze and Charlie Sheen.  I kind of wonder if in 26 years someone will be saying the same about the stars of the 2012 Red Dawn.

Thinner - Speaking of things released in 1984, this week's book pick is Stephen King's Thinner.  Thinner is about a man who's been cursed following his successful defeat of a vehicular manslaughter charge.  The man, Billy Halleck, killed a Gypsy woman and her father curses him and, consequently, all those who had a role in him getting off.

Recommendations: October 5

Frankenweenie - I'm really excited about this movie, which I'm sure will mean that it's going to be horrible.  Frankenweenie is the latest from Tim Burton, but is based on an short that he did before he became famous and doesn't feature Johnny Depp.  This could be the return to Tim Burton awesomeness that I hope for every time I go to see a trailer for the next new Tim Burton movie.

Butter - This movie is about butter carving.  I honestly don't really know anything else about it, but I want to see it just because the idea of a butter carving based comedy intrigues me.

The Oranges - This one's about the prodigal Ostroff daughter (Leighton Meester) who has an affair with the head of the Walling family (Hugh Laurie), and how their families, who have an enduring friendship, deal.

Dark Shadows - The last Tim Burton movie to come out, I actually enjoyed this one.  It could have been better, but meh. I'm a fan.  I would say it's definitely a good Halloween film, especially if you're not a big horror fan.

People Like Us - Another one of those movies that went in a few interesting places.  I'm not exactly sure if People Like Us met all of my expectations, and I definitely didn't like a few of the directions that it went (or at least tried to go in), but overall I found it enjoyable.  If you haven't seen it yet, check it out now.

The Casual Vacancy - Did you know there's a new J.K. Rowling book out?  If you didn't, go check it out now.  If you did and you haven't, what are you waiting for? Unlike the Harry Potter books, The Casual Vacancy is for adults and follows the little town of Pagford following the unexpected death of Barry Fairbrother.

Recommendations: September 28

Looper - Oh, my God, I cannot wait to see this movie.  Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Joe, and Bruce Willis as his future self, this movie is (from the trailers) everything about time travel fiction that I love.

Won't Back Down - People trying to change school systems... we've seen this movie before, but I'm interested in seeing this one.  Director Daniel  Barnz doesn't really have the best reputation, but Viola Davis and Maggie Gyllenhaal

Pitch Perfect - This is another one of those movies that appears to be getting a limited release before (hopefully) having a fuller one later.  On the surface, Pitch Perfect sounds kind of like Glee, but it's being directed by Jason Moore, of Avenue Q fame, which makes me think that it's not going to be like Glee at all.

The Avengers - Have you seen the latest instalment in the Marvel Universe film series yet?  If not, check it out on DVD.  The Avengers probably would have been my favourite movie of the summer, had The Dark Knight Rises not also come out this year.

You Only Live Twice -The classic Bond film is being re-released (along with the other Bonds, I'd presume) this year to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the franchise.  Because movie franchises should totally last that long.

New York -The latest epic historical fiction from author Edward Rutherford.  I doubt Rutherford's style is for everyone, but I really enjoy it - rather than chronicling the story of one or a group of individuals he chronicles the stories of a group of families over the history of a place - New York starts in 1664 when New York was still New Amsterdam and continues until 2009, hitting various moments in the city's history.  Definitely worth checking out, especially if you like historical fiction.

Recommendations: September 21

Dredd 3D - The second attempt to bring the Judge Dredd comics to life, this time in 3D!  I've never read the comics themselves, but I always enjoyed the original Judge Dredd as a kid and all the trailers that I've seen of this one suggest that it'll be fun.  Maybe not the best movie, but I'm expecting it to be a good, mindless action flick.

End of Watch - Okay, so we've all seen this movie before - the two cops who end up getting marked for dead and then have to defy the odds in order to survive.  But this time we've got Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña.  This might end up being another mindless action flick, but hey, Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña!

Trouble with the Curve - A new baseball movie starring Clint Eastwood and Amy Adams as a father/daughter duo, struggling to overcome various issues.  This movie is getting Oscar buzz and I'm really looking forward to seeing it.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower -  Based on the book of the same name Perks follows wallflower Charlie (Logan Lerman) is starting his first year of high school without any friends.  Fortunately for him him he's taken under the wings of two seniors, Patrick (Ezra Miller) and Sam (Emma Watson).  While none of Lerman's films to date have been absolutely amazing they haven't been bad, and both Miller and Watson are absolutely awesome.  Even if I knew nothing about this movie before I would want to see it based on their performances in the trailer.

The Cabin in the Woods - I've been waiting eagerly for this movie to come out on DVD pretty much since I saw it in theatres. This movie really blew my mind and if you haven't seen it yet you should check it out.  If you have seen it, you should probably see it again.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - I really don't know much about this film but it keeps on popping up and the cast - Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson - is enough to make me want to see it.  It should be for you as well.

Ed Wood - The classic Tim Burton/Johnny Depp pair up (that isn't Edward Scissorhands), Ed Wood is about the legendary cult film director Ed Wood, the film follows a period of the director's life when he was making his most famous movies.  The thing that I love about this film is that it kind of envokes the feel of an Ed Wood movie, without being one (or as bad as one, for that matter).

Hysteria - I've been wanting to see this movie since I first heard about it, but due to the nature of its release I was unable to see it in theatres.  Starring Maggie Gyyllenhaal and Hugh Dancy it's based on the story of how the first vibrator was invented.  It's a period piece, so it's not for everyone, but hey, it's about vibrators, so maybe it is.

Stardust - By Neil Gaiman, this book is definitely not as good as the movie that it inspired.  That being said, though, this book is still pretty damn good.  I've always been a fan of Gaiman, and if you haven't checked him out before you should now.