By David Weiner
9:01 AM PDT, August 12, 2011
Summer is quickly winding down at the box office. Which new movies are worth spending your hard-earned dollars on? Here's a quick breakdown...
1 / 6
Littlerock (limited release)
Variance Films
Who's in it: Atsuko Okatsuka, Cory Zacharia, Rintaro Sawamoto, Roberto 'Sanz' Sanchez
Director: Mike Ott (Analog Days)
The Plot: A pair of Japanese siblings touring America break down in a small California town on their way to San Francisco. One finds love with a local, while the other wants to leave.
Reason to See it: Cultural and language barriers are overcome by the universal language of love and curiosity in this charming, original indie flick about aimlessness and finding a sense of belonging.
To Help you Decide: Watch the trailer.
Director: Mike Ott (Analog Days)
The Plot: A pair of Japanese siblings touring America break down in a small California town on their way to San Francisco. One finds love with a local, while the other wants to leave.
Reason to See it: Cultural and language barriers are overcome by the universal language of love and curiosity in this charming, original indie flick about aimlessness and finding a sense of belonging.
To Help you Decide: Watch the trailer.
'Senna' (limited release)
Producers Distribution Agency
Who's in it: Ayrton Senna
Director: Asif Kapadia (Far North)
The Plot: The remarkable story of Brazilian Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna tracks his early races and rise to fame in the '80s to his untimely death in 1994.
Reason to See it: This full-throttle Sundance documentary winner charts Senna's incredible achievements and quest for perfection on the track and off, featuring incredible, never-before-seen footage.
To Help you Decide: Watch the trailer.
Director: Asif Kapadia (Far North)
The Plot: The remarkable story of Brazilian Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna tracks his early races and rise to fame in the '80s to his untimely death in 1994.
Reason to See it: This full-throttle Sundance documentary winner charts Senna's incredible achievements and quest for perfection on the track and off, featuring incredible, never-before-seen footage.
To Help you Decide: Watch the trailer.
'Final Destination 5' (nationwide)
New Line Cinema
Who's in it: Nicholas D'Agosto, Emma Bell, Miles Fisher, Courtney B. Vance, Arlen Escarpeta, P.J. Byrne, Ellen Wroe, Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, David Koechner and Tony Todd
Director: Steven Quale (Aliens of the Deep)
The Plot: A young man has a vision of a bridge collapsing with his bus on it, killing him and his co-workers. After they cheat death, the Grim Reaper picks off the survivors one by one. But there's a twist – the survivors get to live if they kill someone else in their place.
Reason to See it: More nail biting, creative ways to die -- in 3D! Series regular Tony Todd says, "I think this is the epitome of a date movie; you're sitting there with your partner and you're sharing an experience: You're trying to figure out A) Who's going to survive. B) Will they survive? And C) How each one of the set pieces are going to unfold."
To Help you Decide: Watch the trailer.
Director: Steven Quale (Aliens of the Deep)
The Plot: A young man has a vision of a bridge collapsing with his bus on it, killing him and his co-workers. After they cheat death, the Grim Reaper picks off the survivors one by one. But there's a twist – the survivors get to live if they kill someone else in their place.
Reason to See it: More nail biting, creative ways to die -- in 3D! Series regular Tony Todd says, "I think this is the epitome of a date movie; you're sitting there with your partner and you're sharing an experience: You're trying to figure out A) Who's going to survive. B) Will they survive? And C) How each one of the set pieces are going to unfold."
To Help you Decide: Watch the trailer.
'30 Minutes or Less' (nationwide)
Columbia Pictures
Who's in it: Jesse Eisenberg, Danny McBride, Aziz Ansari and Nick Swardson
Director: Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland)
The Plot: A small town pizza delivery guy is kidnapped by two wannabe criminal masterminds and forced to rob a bank. As the clock ticks, he enlists the help of his ex-best friend to pull it off.
Reason to See it: In his first live-action role since blowing up with The Social Network, Eisenberg reteams with his Zombieland director for more outrageous, unpredictable action-comedy hijinks -- with the added, unique comedy stylings of McBride and Ansari.
To Help you Decide: Watch the trailer.
Director: Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland)
The Plot: A small town pizza delivery guy is kidnapped by two wannabe criminal masterminds and forced to rob a bank. As the clock ticks, he enlists the help of his ex-best friend to pull it off.
Reason to See it: In his first live-action role since blowing up with The Social Network, Eisenberg reteams with his Zombieland director for more outrageous, unpredictable action-comedy hijinks -- with the added, unique comedy stylings of McBride and Ansari.
To Help you Decide: Watch the trailer.
'The Help' (nationwide)
Walt Disney Pictures
Who's in it: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sissy Spacek, Allison Janney, Mary Steenburgen, Octavia Spencer and Cicely Tyson
Director: Tate Taylor (Pretty Ugly People)
The Plot: An aspiring journalist in 1960s Mississippi looking for a story angle turns to her own experience growing up with "the help" that raised her.
Reason to See it: Based on the moving New York Times best-seller, the movie features Hollywood "It" girl Emma and Oscar nominee Viola in a warmhearted ensemble project that bridges the racial divide.
To Help you Decide: Watch the trailer.
Director: Tate Taylor (Pretty Ugly People)
The Plot: An aspiring journalist in 1960s Mississippi looking for a story angle turns to her own experience growing up with "the help" that raised her.
Reason to See it: Based on the moving New York Times best-seller, the movie features Hollywood "It" girl Emma and Oscar nominee Viola in a warmhearted ensemble project that bridges the racial divide.
To Help you Decide: Watch the trailer.
'Glee: The 3D Concert Movie' (nationwide)
20th Century Fox
Who's in it: Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Darren Criss, Ashley Fink, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Heather Morris, Amber Riley, Naya Rivera, Mark Salling, Jenna Ushkowitz, Harry Shum, Jr., Chord Overstreet
Director: Kevin Tancharoen (Fame)
The Plot: Calling all Gleeks! The energy and best moments of The Glee Live! In Concert tour have been captured on film, featuring the stars of the hit FOX show singing your favorite tunes.
Reason to See it: Embrace your inner Gleek and see all your favorites perform live in 3D on the big screen. For the uninitiated, it's an entertaining greatest hits package from the TV phenomenon wrapped in one electric concert movie. Don't Stop Believin'!
To Help you Decide: Watch the trailer.
Director: Kevin Tancharoen (Fame)
The Plot: Calling all Gleeks! The energy and best moments of The Glee Live! In Concert tour have been captured on film, featuring the stars of the hit FOX show singing your favorite tunes.
Reason to See it: Embrace your inner Gleek and see all your favorites perform live in 3D on the big screen. For the uninitiated, it's an entertaining greatest hits package from the TV phenomenon wrapped in one electric concert movie. Don't Stop Believin'!
To Help you Decide: Watch the trailer.