Piranha 3D, Vampires Suck, and other movies to check out

Summer is slowly drawing to a close, and you know what that means—so are summer movies. So before the box office starts debuting its fall openings, grab yourself a ticket and a tub of popcorn and settle in for some movie magic. Here are some fun summer films to check out:

Piranha 3D

Directed by Alexandre Aja, Piranha 3D tells the tale of a group of strangers celebrating their Spring Break at Lake Victoria, a small, quiet town that turns into a hub of debauchery for 50,000 teenagers each year. When an unexpected underwater tremor cuts the festivities short and sets free droves of prehistoric, man-eating fish, it is up to these 9 individuals to band together to stay alive. Starring Elisabeth Shue, Jerry OConnell, Ving Rhames, Adam Scott, Richard Dreyfuss, Christopher Lloyd, Kelly Brook, Jessica Szohr (Gossip Girl), and Steven R. McQueen (The Vampire Diaries), Piranha 3D delivers just what every horror film enthusiast wants—plenty of gore and tons of thrills. Don’t expect great special effects though (if you’ve seen the trailer you know why…)

Vampires Suck

The tagline for this film essentially says it all: “From the guys who couldn’t sit through another vampire movie!” Writers Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer direct this obvious spoof of contemporary teen romance movies—namely, the Twilight films. Becca, a young, angst-ridden teenage girl, is torn between her love of two different boys, one a werewolf and one a vampire. On top of this, she must deal with her overbearing father, and be there for her friends as they all deal with their individual teenage dramas. The film comes to a head when everyone’s problems collide at the high school prom. With ridiculous hyperbole and just plain goofy humor, Vampires Suck is sure to please anyone who is, well, tired of vampire movies. But beware—the comedy isn’t exactly high caliber.

The Switch

Starring Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman, this offbeat comedy depicts the ridiculous story of Kassie (Jennifer Aniston), a young, fun-loving single woman who decides that it is finally time to have her own baby. So, with the help of a turkey baster, a generous sperm donor (Patrick Wilson), and a little do-it-your-self spirit, Kassie gets pregnant. Little does she know, however, that her quirky best friend Wally (Jason Bateman) switched the donor sperm with his own—making him the baby’s real father. When Wally comes to visit 7 years after the baby’s birth, Kassie begins to think it’s strange how well her son’s quirks resemble her old best friends’…Hilarity ensues.

Nanny McPhee Returns

If you’re looking for something to take the kids to see this weekend, look no further than Nanny McPhee Returns, the heartwarming sequel to 2005’s Nanny McPhee. The film tells the story of a small family, composed of Mrs. Isabel Green (Maggie Gyllenhaal), her two daughters, and her son, living in a scenic valley while Mr. Green is in the military overseas. Everything is running beautifully for the happy family until, one day, two spoiled cousins arrive for a visit and turn the family’s peaceful life into a chaotic mess. Cue Nanny McPhee (Emma Thompson), who arrives on the Green’s doorstep one day offering her services as a caretaker for the children. Through the use of magic, the benevolent babysitter teaches the children important life lessons and earns their trust. With a plethora of  heartwarming scenes and an educational plotline, this movie is a good bet for the kids this weekend.

Each of these films offers a little something different, so whether you feel like a romantic comedy or a scary movie that will leave you with the shivers, the box office has you covered this weekend. Happy viewing!

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