Movie: Amelia * Official Site
In Theaters: Oct. 23, 2009

Runtime: 111 minutes
Directed by: Mira Nair

MPAA Rating: PG for some sensuality, language, thematic elements and smoking
Gecko Rating:

I’m sort of hot and cold on Hilary Swank. There’s no doubt that she’s a great actress – she’s won two Oscars, after all (for “Million Dollar Baby” and “Boys Don’t Cry”). But there’s something about her that’s just a little annoying. I almost hesitate to say it, but she seemed to be over-acting in her portrayal of Amelia Earhart. I just wanted her to snap out of it and be a real …read more

Movie: The Invention of Lying * Premiere Pics * Official Site
In Theaters: Oct. 2, 2009

Runtime: 99 minutes
Directed by: Ricky Gervais

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language, including some sexual material and a drug reference
Gecko Rating:

“The Invention of Lying” is a sweet little movie – not particularly funny, but sweet with a nice message: we need to look beyond the surface of people to see what they’re really like inside.
It stars Ricky Gervais, the award-winning creator and star of the original BBC series "The Office" and HBO’s "Extras," as Mark, a down-on-his-luck loser who lives in an alternate reality …read more

Movie: 9 * Trailer * Official Site
In Theaters: Sept. 9, 2009

Runtime: 79 minutes
Directed by: Shane Acker; produced by Tim Burton

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violence and scary images
Gecko Rating:

I’d like to crack Tim Burton and Shane Acker’s heads open sometime (hypothetically speaking) and peek inside to see where they get all of their ideas.
This is Acker’s first major film as a director and writer, although he’s done some shorts – including the 2005 Oscar-nominated short on which this movie is based. He was also an animator on “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.”
Tim …read more

I loved “Duplicity,” because it’s like a throwback to all of those great film noir flicks of the 1940’s, 50s and 60s, with the sexual tension and rat-a-tat banter between Clive Owen and Julia Roberts.
The story is all about corporate intrigue, spies and secrets, but it’s more light-hearted than you might think at first glance. Instead of missiles and terrorists, we’re dealing with something more benign, along the lines of body lotion, hair gel and pizza crust. The great Tom Wilkinson and Paul Giamatti also star in this fun caper, written and directed by Tony Gilroy.
Read my …read more

Movie: Post Grad * Official Site
In Theaters: Aug. 21, 2009

Runtime: 89 minutes
Directed by: Vicky Jenson

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sexual situations and brief strong language
Gecko Rating:

"Post Grad" is one of those movies that’s fun while you’re watching it, but you probably won’t remember it the next day. Or even 10 minutes after you leave the theater.
It stars the adorable Alexis Bledel as Ryden Malby, a girl who’s just graduated from college and is ready to go out and conquer the world. Or at least her own little corner of it.
Ever since she was a little girl, …read more

Movie: Aliens in the Attic * Official Site
In Theaters: July 31, 2009

Runtime: 86 minutes
Directed by: John Schultz

MPAA Rating: PG for action violence, some suggestive humor, and language
Gecko Rating:

Remember when family movies used to be good? I can’t even think of a great family movie in recent months or even years. Ok, the "Harry Potter" movies and a stand-out here and there, like "Up" or "Kung Fu Panda." But most family movies fall in the mediocre category, the kind you either forget about the next day or don’t even see at all.
Such is the case with "Aliens …read more

Movie: The Answer Man * Official Site
In Theaters: July 24, 2009

Runtime: 95 minutes
Directed by: John Hindman

MPAA Rating: R for language
Gecko Rating:

Jeff Daniels is one of those versatile actors who can do any role and do it well. Comedy, drama, musical, quirky, sad, romantic — you name it, he does it. In “The Answer Man,” he gets to do several of those things all in the same movie.
He plays Arlen Faber, a self-help guru who’s written scores of books on the “Me and God” brand during the past 20 years. But Arlen is crotchety and cynical, and …read more

Movie: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince * Trailer * Official Site
In Theaters: July 15, 2009

Runtime: 153 minutes
Directed by: David Yates

MPAA Rating: PG for scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality
Gecko Rating:

One thing I love about Harry Potter movies is that they appeal to all age groups. We saw "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" last night, and the people in the theater spanned at least eight decades, kids from 8 to 80. Aside from that, it’s just a really great production with beautiful cinematography, stunning locations, and thoughtful performances. And oh yeah, a fantastic storyline that …read more

Movie: Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs * Trailer * Official Site
In Theaters: July 1, 2009

Runtime: 94 minutes
Directed by: Carlos Saldanha

MPAA Rating: PG for some mild rude humor and peril
Gecko Rating:

 
They’ve really mined everything they can out of these "Ice Age" movies, haven’t they? That’s not to say they’re not cute and fun and all that stuff. Just that maybe they’ve come to the end of the line on these particular characters and stories. Then again, they’ve added a few new characters in this movie, and let’s face it, they’re just at the dawn of the dinosaurs, which …read more

Movie: The Hangover * Official Site
In Theaters: June 5, 2009

Runtime: 100 minutes
Directed by: Todd Phillips

MPAA Rating: R for pervasive language, sexual content including nudity, and some drug material
Gecko Rating:

Sometimes a movie comes along that you think will be crude and stupid, and it turns out to be smart and funny. That’s "The Hangover." At first glance, it’s a crude buddy movie with lots of sex and drugs. Ok, it’s all that, but look a little further and you’ve got a smart, funny film with great writing and real characters, not movie cliches.
Basically, the story is about …read more