Opening this weekend:

District 9 (final trailer above) — South African filmmaker Neill Blomkamp’s critically-acclaimed faux-documentary about alien visitors being segregated to an alien ghetto by distrusting humans.  It’s a clever metaphor about race relations, like when I throw rocks at my Estonian neighbors.

The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard – Since this is an R-rated comedy produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay and directed by Neal Brennan (co-creator of “Chappelle’s Show”), you can expect the plot to be thin and allow for plenty of improv.  Which means this could be either hilarious or painful to watch.

It Might Get Loud (trailer) — Tracking at 80% on rotten tomatoes and opening in limited release this weekend, It Might Get Loud stars Jimmy Page, The Edge, and Jack White.  This documentary follows three generations of rock icons carving out their own sound with the electric guitar.  Les Paul just died.  Coincidence, or hardc0re viral marketing?

Bandslam – A boring jew-fro’d kid wants to date a girl way out of his league and we’re supposed to give a crap.  There are also musical numbers and a “battle of the bands” central conflict, in case you needed more reasons to avoid this steaming pile.  But it’s still going to make money because they have an exclusive Twilight trailer playing before the movie.  FML.

Ponyo – Ebert loves this anime from Hayao Miyazaki (Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away) based on a Hans Christian Andersen story.  Then again, Disney hired younger siblings of Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers to do voice acting.  What, was Frank Stallone too busy selling plasma?

The Time Traveler’s Wife (spoilers at link) — Eric Bana has a rare genetic disorder that causes him to ditch Rachel McAdams whenever she starts stressing him out.  I have this affliction as well.  It’s called “I’m going to the store for a pack of cigarettes” . . . itis.

~ robopanda