Upcoming Movies: October 2009

Tuesday, 20 October 2009 09:14

October movies mean scares and thrills, and this fall's titles don't disappoint.  But if gore, frights, twists and turns aren't your thing, worry not: there are still plenty of movies out this month for you to enjoy.

By Brad McKay

COUPLES RETREAT
October 9; Comedy, rated R; Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Kristen Bell, Malin Akerman

In this comedy (based on an original idea of Vaughn's), four married couples take off on a vacation to an island resort. You see, one of the marriages is on the rocks, and the couple wants to attend a retreat to repair their marriage. The catch? They can only afford it if they sign three other couples. Thinking they will get a cheap vacation out of it, their friends sign on, planning to do nothing but jet ski and lay in the sun. Soon after their arrival, they discover that attending the “sessions” is not optional, and the group begins to discover they all have more marital problems than they want to admit. With the star-studded list on this project, there's a very good chance you will split your sides laughing.

Also check out our interview with Malin Akerman!

LAW ABIDING CITIZEN
October 16; Psychological Thriller, rated R; Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx, Bruce McGill

Only those with strong constitutions need apply. This movie is going to be brutal. Clyde Shelton (Butler) was helpless when his wife and daughter were murdered during a home invasion. Seeking justice, the state hires hot-shot attorney Nick Rice (Foxx) to handle the prosecution, but is soon told he has to offer one of the killers a ridiculous plea bargain to get his testimony against the other. Ten years later, the informant is found dead, with Shelton fully admitting to the crime. His confession comes with a price; fix the justice system, or key players in the trial will begin to die. The stage is set for very violent deaths and a seemingly impossible race to stop the killer.

ASTRO BOY
October 23; Animation, rated PG; Freddie Highmore, Nicolas Cage, Kristen Bell

Even if you don't know the story, you've probably heard the name. Astro Boy has influenced Japanese animation, sci-fi stories and even modern books with its iconic characters and story. The new computer-animated film will follow Astro Boy, a robot with amazing powers, on his quest to become as human as possible. He lives with his creator, Dr. Tenma (voiced by Cage), and his family in Metro City, learning about the world around him. Along the way, he battles extremely powerful (and evil) foes, discovers a range of human emotions and learns how to be a hero.

SAW VI
October 23; Horror, rated R; Costas Mandylor, Mark Rolston, Betsy Russell

Let's face it: it wouldn't be Halloween without a Saw movie. The franchise, now six years running, will debut its latest installment, bringing gore fans fake blood by the bucket load. With most of the original players dead, Detective Hoffman has become the undisputed heir to the Jigsaw madness. But with his identity released to the authorities and the FBI coming closer to discovering his whereabouts, Hoffman sets a new, far deadlier game into effect—but is he the grand schemer, or will Jigsaw's twisted vision finally be fully realized?