Despicable Me and Other Weekend Films

The box office is looking good lately and has a little something to offer everyone—from the comedy lover to those of us who are hankering for something a little more mindboggling. Here’s what the movie scene has going on this weekend:

Despicable Me

This animated flick, which borrows its inspiration from cartoon greats such as Looney Tunes, Disney, and Pixar, is sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike. If you’re looking for a fun, family friendly flick that packs a sentimental punch and also has a darkly humorous little bite to it, Despicable Me definitely delivers.

Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud direct this tale starring Gru (voiced by Steve Carell), a sinister little man who delights in all things wicked. Armed with all manner of guns and rays, plotting away in the secret hideout hidden under his rickety suburban home, Gru devises the ultimate heist: to steal the moon. What he doesn’t count on, however, are the three little orphaned girls he encounters: Margo, Edith, and Agnes. These three darlings turn out to be the biggest challenge Gru has ever faced when they decide his future for him—to be their new Dad. With beautiful animation and a hilarious cast featuring the voices of Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand and Kristen Wiig, Despicable Me is sure to please.

Inception

Better take that bathroom break before you get inside the theater—you’re not going to want to miss a second of this plot. Directed by the legendary Christopher Nolan and starring the talented Leonardo DiCaprio as Dom Cobb, Inception introduces a world of corporate espionage and intrigue in which technology can be harnessed to enter the mind. Cobb’s business is extraction, or the art of stealing valuable secrets from the subconscious when the mind is in its most vulnerable dream state—a distinction which not only makes him the world’s most skilled thief, but also the most demanded.

While his ability has granted him a coveted status in the world of subterfuge, it has also cost him his life and everything he ever loved. Now he’s offered a chance to get his life back—pull off one last job. But instead of extraction, Cobb and his crew must accomplish the impossible and plant an idea in a dreamer’s mind—inception. If they succeed, they will all be free of their burdensome life forever. But if they fail, the consequences will be dire—and the dangerous enemy that appears to destroy their efforts wants just that.

With visually stunning effects, brilliant acting, and layers upon layers of intricately woven plotwork, Inception is a must-see for movie-lovers everywhere. It comes to theaters this Friday, July 16th!

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Made by the creators of the “National Treasure” franchise, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is a bit of lighthearted summer fun for those who are feeling a more breezy moviegoing experience. Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) is a modern-day Manhattan sorceror, struggling to protect the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Max Molina). Needing a little help in his endeavors, Blake recruits Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel), a seemingly average Joe who actually has a great potential for magic hidden inside of him. Blake plays Stutler’s mentor, giving him a problem-riddled short version of a sorceror’s training, and together the two combat the forces of evil. With entertaining effects and a simple storyline, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is sure to please the kids—adults may want to scan the other movies playing in theaters this weekend.

Photos from ammy.lou, chaubaby, and popculturegeek.com via flickr