FILM: New in Theaters - 7/11/08

There are three potential blockbusters premiering this Friday. Whereas I'll be watching the fantasy-filled sequel Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, along with several other comic lovers, other people might gravitate towards the 3D Journey to the Center of the Earth or--what could potentially be the nail in Eddie Murphy's comedic coffin--Meet Dave.

In Hellboy 2, big red will have to decide which team he's fighting for: the mythical world of which he was born or the human world, which might die without his protection. If you're a fan of fantasy worlds, I'd recommend this for its uber-usage of creatively designed creatures. Watch the trailer!

In Journey to the Center of the Earth, Brendan Fraser returns to the action genre as a geologist searching for his brother with the help of his nephew (Josh Hutcherson from Bridget to Terabithia). Their adventure leads them to a world that can only be described as prehistoric utopia. Did I mention that it's in 3D? Watch the trailer!

In Meet Dave, we get a sort of Honey I Shrunk the Kids meets Galaxy Quest slash Coneheads situation. Eddie Murphy simultaneously plays a tiny alien that is the captain of a spaceship that looks exactly like him. Their mission is to save their planet, but they get a bit sidetracked when the ship falls in love with a human (Elizabeth Banks from Definitely, Maybe). Gabrielle Union, Kevin Hart (Fool's Gold) and Ed Helms ("The Office") are apart of the ship's crew. Scott Caan (Ocean's Thirteen), Judah Friedlander ("30 Rock"), and Marc Blucas (The Jane Austen Book Club) are also starring. Watch the trailer!

Then there are the indies:

In the comedy Harold, a prematurely bald teenager (Spencer Breslin from Zoom) tries to fit in at a new school where he is berated daily. That won't kill his spirit though as he tries to woo his crush. It also stars Cuba Gooding Jr., Ally Sheedy (Breakfast Club), Nikki Blonksy (Hairspray).


In August, Josh Hartnett plays an Internet-startup guru who has to avoid bankruptcy and a premature mid-life crisis. Joining him in the cast are Adam Scott ("Tell Me You Love Me"), Naomie Harris (Street Kings), and Emmanuelle Chriqui (You Don't Mess With the Zohan).


In the mystical drama Death Defying Acts, you will learn of the story of how Harry Houdini (Guy Pearce) fell in love with a potentially manipulative psychic (Catherine Zeta-Jones). (Just a warning: If you keep watching magician movies, they will keep making them. Don't say I didn't warn you. That's how this whole robot thing got started.)