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NEW MOVIES!  SEPTEMBER 8 - SEPTEMBER 14, 2009

BATTLE OF THE WARRIORS (dir: Chi Leung 'Jacob' Cheung, R) – Andy Lau from HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS stars as a mysterious stranger who helps a tiny village take on a mighty advancing army. This epic throwdown set in 370 B.C. is helmed by the guy who handled all the action choreography in HERO.

CRANK 2: HIGH VOLTAGE (dir: Mark Neveldine / Brian Taylor, R) – You’ve got to hand it to Jason Statham. Dude does not give a flip. He’ll do sequels, remakes, car shows, commercials, just about anything with a couple of zeros on the paycheck. In his latest frenetic offering he probably shows off his abs and talks in a raspy voice.

DANCE FLICK (dir: Damien Dante Wayans, PG-13) – Shawn Edwards of FOX-TV says, “The Wayans Brothers score again!” But what exactly have they scored? Decent SAT scores? Drugs? A touchdown? No, nothing as cool as those things. Just another disposable spoof movie.
DEATH NOTE: L, CHANGE THE WORLD (dir: Hideo Nakata, Not Rated) – If you’re a fan DEATH NOTE, news of this latest addition to the Japanese horror series probably has your juices flowing rather swiftly. Others need not apply.

I'LL BELIEVE YOU (dir: Paul Francis Sullivan, PG) – Funny people Ed Helms, Chris Elliot and Patrick Warburton lend their talents to this low budget comedy about a small town that begins receiving messages from outer space.

LIVE ANIMALS (dir: Jeremy Benson, Unrated) – In this latest addition to the always sturdy torture genre, a deranged guy captures young people and keeps them chained up in his house. Strangely, this has already been optioned as a sitcom for Austrian television.
LOCAL COLOR (dir: George Gallo, R) – In 1974, a young painter forms a tenuous bond with an alcoholic mentor. Over the course of one memorable summer, they experience all the things that happen during memorable summers in movies like this.

THE OFFICE: SEASON 5 (dir: Ricky Gervais / Stephen Merchant, Not Rated) – So this season started off a little wack. Maybe it was just anticipation for the almighty 30 ROCK, which airs directly afterwards but things seemed a little routine for a few episodes. But when Michael leaves Dunder Mifflin to start The Michael Scott Paper Company you’ll see some of this show’s best episodes ever.

RANDY AND THE MOB (dir: Ray McKinnon, PG) – A doofus keeps getting into financial trouble so, wisely, he borrows money from the mafia. It’ll take his estranged gay brother and Burt Reynolds to get him out of trouble.
^SILENT LIGHT (dir: Carlos Reygadas, Not Rated) – While embarking upon a meditative journey with Mennonite farmers in northern Mexico who barely speak for two and a half hours may seem like a daunting task, don’t forget you’re in the hands of modern master Carlos Reygadas. Just remember how much you loved BATTLE IN HEAVEN and take a few deep breaths.

THE TOE TACTIC (dir: Emily Hubley, Not Rated) – Emily Hubley, who did all the cool animation in HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH, makes her directorial debut with this acclaimed “Highly emotional fable” about a lonely woman who makes an impulsive trip to her childhood home.

*VALENTINO: THE LAST EMPEROR (dir: Matt Tyrnauer, PG-13) – Other than instilling an all-consuming feeling of worthlessness in the female population of this planet, the fashion industry doesn’t really seem to serve a purpose. Regardless, this documentary about the grand vampire of that world is fascinating beyond belief. After all, the dude owns multiple castles.
* = GREG's pick of the week!         ^ = Bart's pick of the week!

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