New Releases: August 13, 2010

1. The Expendables (Lionsgate, 3,270 Theaters, 103 Minutes, Rated R): It’s been so long that Sylvester Stallone put out a film that I might have actually wanted to see. Not that I’m going to see it, at least not this week. But still…

I really don’t know how he got this cast. Everyone of them could star in their own action pic, and many of them have. While I believe that Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis will only have maybe five minutes of screen time, that doesn’t lower the wattage of the action film star power any.

The plot, like you really need any, involves a team of mercenaries called upon to assassinate a foreign dictator. When they arrive in the country, they find a situation greatly different than the one advertised. They then have to decide if the want to change their mission into a rescue or just walk away.

I don’t expect deep thought plot here. One of the character’s is named Hale Caesar after all. But if you are looking for fun, brainless action film, you money will probably be well spent here.

2. Eat Pray Love (Sony/Columbia, 3,082 Theaters, 133 Minutes, Rated PG-13): Many people go through divorces each year. Painful, contemptuous divorces. Not many of the women in these cases go on soul-searching trips through Europe, but according to this movie, they should.

Adapted from the best selling memoir, it details the journey of a woman who travels around the world after one of these divorces, discovering spiritual wonders, great food, and love.

Yeah, it’s a chick flick. But it is a chick flick that stars Julia Roberts, which makes it a step above the normal chick flick. While dad is at The Expendables and the teens are at Scott Pilgrim, mom can go see this.

3. Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (Universal, 2,818 Theaters, 112 Minutes, Rated PG-13): What film am I going to see this week if I’m not going to see The Expendables? This one.

I have only read the first volume of the graphic novel series and while I didn’t fall as much in love with it as others, I can see that it has the potential to be a visually stunning, quirkily brilliant film.

Scott has fallen in love with Ramona. Ramona has seven evil ex-boyfriends. Scott must defeat the seven ex-boyfriends to get Ramona. Simple, right?

The graphic novel is equal parts manga, video games, and superhero. It’s an odd mix to pull off. I have every confidence that Edgar Wright can do it. I just want to see how.