In the old days, people in need of a cinematic fix had to either trek to the movie theatre or visit a brick-and-mortar facility. But advances in technology have changed all that, and now online movies and TV shows can be streamed over your TV or computer, downloaded to your iPod or Blu-ray player, and even delivered to your door by the postal service. Yes, my friends, the times they are a changin’.

In the following article dedicated to all aspects of movies online, we’ll be looking at some of the best places to find online movies for free, as well as subscription services dedicated to bringing you all the best streaming online movies. We’ll also examine the types of subscription plans, the best sites to find online movies for kids, and the much-loathed practice known as “throttling.”

Online Movies and TV Shows

If you’re on a quest to enjoy some online movies and TV shows from the comfort of your home, you’ll find the number of choices initially confusing. But before we get to the best options available, let’s first look at the kind of subscription plans you might encounter, how renting movies online works, and the practice of “throttling.” And don’t forget that online movie rental services offer one major advantage over their brick-and-mortar counterparts: no late fees.

How Renting Online Movies and TV Shows Works

Most online subscription services work the same way, so the following section should apply to almost any company you choose (with the exception of Redbox, where you get the movie out of a kiosk and return it the same way).

• Step 1 – Look at the array of online movies and TV shows, and make your selection. You’ll then be able to choose whether to have the title delivered to your home or streamed online.
• Step 2 – If you watch the movie or TV show online, there’s nothing more to tell. As soon as the movie has ended, you can choose to watch another one if you wish. If it’s delivered to your home, then you put it back into the mailbox when you’re through (postage is always pre-paid). As soon as that title is received by the service, the next title on your list will be mailed out.

That’s all there is to it. Most services allow you to keep movies out as long as you like, and there are never any pesky late fees to worry about.

Subscription Plans for Online Movies and TV Shows

When you join an online movie service, these are the subscription options you’re most likely to encounter:

• Limited – The customer can only receive a certain number of titles per month, as well as a limited number of movies at a time. This usually applies to the cheaper subscription options, and streaming online movies are often exempt.
• Unlimited – While customers can only have a certain number of movies at home at one time, there’s no limit to the number of movies they can rent in a month.
• Package – Instead of an individual disc, the customer receives a package of discs. All discs in the package are returned at the same time.
• Peer to Peer Trading – Customers exchange movies directly with other members via the mail. This option isn’t used very often.
• Pay-As-You-Go – There is no monthly rental charge with this plan, and customers only pay for the movies that they watch.
• Season Rental – All the movies of an entire film series can be received at once, as well as all the discs in a single season of a television show. All of the discs in a season rental are returned at the same time.

Throttling

Perhaps the most despised practice when it comes to renting online movies and TV shows, throttling occurs when a subscriber rents enough movies in a month to result in the company losing money on the pre-paid postage option. When this happens, the company may slow down the delivery time of movies by having them sent from a delivery center that’s located farther away. All of the major companies have been accused of this practice, and Netflix has even come up with a term to make it sound not as bad: “fairness algorithm.” This has resulted in lawsuits and hard feelings, but throttling isn’t something you’ll have to worry about unless you run through movies like crazy. Still, it does exist, so you might as well be familiar with the practice.

Online Movies for Free

Many cinephiles with an Internet connection enjoy the option of watching online movies for free. As you might expect, there are a number of sites which offer such services without regard for copyright laws, while others provide movies that are in the public domain are have otherwise been licensed. This section will focus on the latter, as I have no desire to get my pants sued off by some overly ambitious lawyer at one of the Hollywood studios. Most of the sites listed below offer free streaming online movies, although the option to download to your computer is sometimes available.

• Hulu – A joint effort between NBC Universal, Disney-ABC Entertainment Group, and Fox Entertainment Group, Hulu allows visitors to watch a number of free streaming movies and TV shows. And I’m not talking about episodes of Sanford and Son; you can view the latest episodes of The Office, The Daily Show, 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live and many other recent hit programs. The movies and episodes are rotated from time to time, and shows that are rotated off the free Hulu site can later be viewed by joining the Hulu Plus subscription service. Some of the current networks that can be viewed on Hulu include: ABC, NBC, FOX, PBS, USA, NFL Network, Bravo, Fuel, Speed, A&E, Oxygen, Versus, G4, FX, Syfy, Sundance, E!, Spike, MTV, Comedy Central, and many more. Viewing options include your computer, television, iPhone, iPad, and iPod.
• Joost – This site includes channels ranging from BET to MTV, and these plenty of sports action and celebrity gossip to keep you entertained. Besides watching Joost on your PC, recent innovations also allow users to go mobile and enjoy it on their portable device.
• TVchannelsfree.com – If you’ve always wondered what people in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe are watching, then give this unique and free website a try. North American programming is included, and a selection of free online movies can also be enjoyed.
• YouTube – There’s a strong chance that you’ve used YouTube over the years to watch fat people falling down and funny animals performing all kinds of tricks. Did you know, however, that numerous motion pictures and television shows can be viewed for free? Some of these are submitted by users, although these are broken up into smaller segments. The site itself also includes a number of films in the public domain, allowing you to watch free streaming movies without a lot of fuss. And once you’re through, you can check out some laughing babies and people accidentally knocking themselves unconscious.
• FEARnet – Want to watch free horror movies online without going to prison or getting fined? That’s where FEARnet comes in, as they offer a rotation of numerous tales of terror. Granted, many of them are of the less-than-brilliant kind, but horror fans have come to expect that from the genre anyway.
• FreeTubeTV – This site includes a large array of channels dedicated to presenting sports, TV shows, religious programming, adult content, as well as business and educational options. A number of free streaming movies are also available, including genres ranging from kung-fu films to sci-fi, horror, and romance.
• Veoh – Combining online movies for free with the social networking craze, Veoh allows users to use webcam images, Facebook pics, or 3D avatars to identify themselves while chatting with other visitors. Meanwhile, you can also enjoy the latest movie trailers, music videos, TV shows, and feature films.
• Google Video – Similar in design to YouTube, Google Video offers movie trailers, the latest news reports, and free online TV shows and movies.
• Fancast – Fancast presents a range of large-sized, free online videos, with TV shows included Friends, CSI, Arrested Development, Family Guy, South Park, Star Trek, and many more. Online movies are also included, as well as movie trailers, news reports, and editorial content from around the globe. Networks include HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, Encore, Starz, ABC, BET, CMT, CNN, FOX, Comedy Central, IFC, Nick, PBS, USA, Lifetime, and many more. Do note, however, that you’ll need to upgrade to a paid subscription to enjoy all the shows from the premium cable channels.
• Indie Movies Online – Dedicated to supporting independent films, this site offers up the best motion pictures and documentaries made without the interference of major studios. You probably haven’t heard of most of the films playing on this site, but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth watching.

Streaming Online Movies

While being able to watch free online movies is a real treat, your selection is often limited. But thanks to the many pay services available, there are hundreds of thousands of movies at your fingertips. If you’re into streaming online movies, be sure to sign up with one of these services. And just in case you’re wondering, I recommend Netflix.

• Netflix – With a library of over 100,000 movies and TV shows, Netflix is the biggest online service in the United States. Members can choose to have films delivered right to their door by the postal service, or you can enjoy streaming online movies on your PC or television set. Numerous membership plans are available, new selections are constantly being added, and their number of delivery centers (which determine how long it takes for a movie to reach you) is second to none. .
• Blockbuster - While their land-based stores are going under in droves, Blockbuster is still plugging along online. They have almost as many movies as Netflix, but they also offer video game rentals. And just like Netflix, you can choose to either have movies delivered to your home or stream them online. Their future is uncertain at the moment, but they make an excellent alternative for anyone who blindly refuses to sign up with Netflix.
• Redbox – While they don’t offer streaming online movies, any list of major Internet film services should include this growing company. Redbox kiosks are located in many convenience stores, supermarkets, and pharmacies, and the movies inside can be rented for online $1 per day. While every step can be performed right at the machine, you can also choose to log into their website and reserve a movie to be picked up when you get off work. A favorite choice for soccer moms.
• GreenCine – If indie and foreign movies are your thing, then be sure to give GreenCine a try. Their library has swelled to include 50,000 titles, and they have more anime than any service offering streaming online movies. Films can also be received via the mail, and a sister service called BlueCine also allows subscribers to receive adult films alongside movies for the family (just be careful not to get the two mixed up). Based in San Francisco, their single shipping center means members on the East Coast may have to wait as long as four days to receive a shipped movie (although one feature ensures that you next film will ship to you as soon as you’ve put the old one in the mailbox).
• VUDU – With this service, you can watch streaming online movies and avoid any bloated subscription fees. You only pay for what you watch, and streaming can be enjoyed via your PC, TV, Playstation 3, or Blu-Ray player. Films are presented in high definition, and movies are available the same day they come out on DVD.
• CinemaNow – Thanks to Best Buy, subscribers to this service can download movies to their PC and even legally burn them to a disc. Their library of titles is slowly expanding, but it looks to be a long time before they challenge streaming online movie giants such as Netflix and Blockbuster.
• BIGFlix – The largest online rental service in India, BIGFlix carries an endless supply of your favorite Bollywood films. They carry over 15,000 films in their library, and you can sign up and enjoy their service from anywhere in the world.
• iTunes – This popular online service sells downloadable online movies and television shows in addition to their vast stock of music. The cost of a movie is cheaper than buying in on DVD, and playback is available on you iPad, iPhone, or iPod.
• Amazon – They sell everything else, so why not movie rentals? In addition to watching streaming online movies that have just come to DVD, you can also catch certain indie films before they’re even released in theatres.
• Big Pond Movies – Owned by the country’s largest Internet provider, Big Pond is only available to residents of Australia. Rentals can be delivered right to your door, or you can choose to watch streaming online movies instead. The latter option allows you access to the movies for a set period of time (usually 48 hours).
• LoveFilm – The top online rental service in the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands, LoveFilm has over 67,000 titles to choose from. Their membership numbers over one-million customers, and movies can either be received via mail or streamed online via your personal computer.
• DVD Avenue – While this U.S. online rental service carries all the blockbuster titles you might expect, they also allow customers to receive video games and adult movies.
• iReel – Available to subscribers in the United States and Canada, iReel specializes in online streaming movies, and titles can be viewed for up to a month. Titles are shown in high definition, although you must pay for each rental in addition to the monthly membership fee.
• eHit.com – Operating since 2001, this online rental service carries both American films and a wide range of motion pictures from Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and China.
• HindiFlix – A U.S.-based online rental service that specializes in films from Bollywood.
• CinFlix – With no late fees and thousands of titles to choose from, this service offers one of the largest selections of foreign (especially Asian) titles.
• DVD2GO – A movie rental service available in the Monterrey and Guadalajara areas of Mexico. That’s assuming, of course, that members of a drug cartel don’t hijack the shipment before it gets to your house.
• Canflix – One of the leading online movie rental services in Canada.
• Zip.ca – The largest online movie rental service in Canada. Over fifty percent of online subscribers in Canada subscribe to this service.
• Cinemail – A Canadian online movie rental service.
• Videomatica – Another Canadian movie rental service that’s available online.
• Musimundo Videoclub – The top online movie renter in the nation of Argentina.
• Cineadomicilio – Colombia’s leading movie rental services, with both brick-and-mortar stores and an online rental option.
• Cinema Paradiso – An online rental service based in the UK.
• OutNow! – Another online movie rental service available in the UK.
• Glorimedia – Online movie rental service available in Germany.
• Videobuster – One of the top services offering online video rentals in Germany.
• DVDPost – If you live in Belgium, this is the place to go for streaming online movies.
• Film Express – One of the oldest and most respected online movie rental services in Switzerland.
• Screenclick – Citizens of Ireland prefer this company when it comes to renting movies online.
• DVD Sokagi – A Turkish online movie rental service.
• Film Servisi – A movie rental company located in Turkey.
• Evde Izle – A service located in Turkey that rents movies online.
• FilmAmora - A leading online rental service that serves the residents of Spain.
• Fatso – Formed when the three leading companies merged, Fatso provides online movie rentals to the residents of New Zealand.
• Quickflix – Offers over 35,000 movies to the people of Australia.
• RussianMovies - Specializes in renting movies to all the Russian immigrants living in Australia.
• Madhouse – An online rental service locate in India.
• ClickFlix – Another movie rental service located in India.
• CineSprite – Yet another online movie rental company located in the nation of India.
• PushPlay – One of the major services in South Africa.
• DVDs Online – An online movie rental company located in South Africa.
• BigPix – Located in South Africa, this company is one of the leaders when it comes to streaming online movies.
• Rakuten Rental – Residents of Japan can receive movies online from this service.
• Posren – If you live in Japan and want to enjoy streaming online movies, be sure to give this service a try.
• Tsutaya Discas – Another online movie rental service based in the always wacky nation of Japan.

That concludes our list of services offering streaming online movies and deliveries right to your door.

Online Movies for Kids

If you’re looking for online movies for kids (and assuming you live in the United States), you should start by checking out Netflix and Blockbuster Online. Here’s what they have to offer:

• Netflix – They have a section labeled “Children and Family,” and it’s packed with more online movies for kids than you can shake a stick at. Subcategories include: Ages 0-2, Ages 2-4, Ages 5-7, Ages 8-10, Ages 11-12, Animal Tales, Book Characters, Cartoons, Coming of Age, Dinosaurs, Disney, Educational & Guidance, Family Adventures, Family Animation, Family Classics, Family Comedies, Family Dramas, Family Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Kids Music, Kids TV, Nickelodeon, Teen Comedies, Teen Dramas, and Teen Romance.
• Blockbuster – They have a section for “Family Movies” and “Kids Movies,” and the sub-categories include: Infant, Toddler, Ages 4-6, Ages 7-10, Ages 11-13, Children’s Entertainment, Family Adventure, Family Classics, Family Comedy, and Kids Fantasy.

Of course, keep in mind that almost every online movie rental service will have a similar section, so finding online movies for kids shouldn’t be tough at all.

The 2011 movie season is underway, which means comic book fans will have a number of films to choose from. From muscular superheroes wielding enchanted hammers to post-apocalyptic priests hunting down vampires, this list details all the 2011 comic book movies slated to debut this year.

And be sure to check back with Only Good Movies, as the coming months will see us talk more about comic book movies slated for 2012, such as The Avengers and the next film in the Batman franchise. It’s a great time to be a geek.

• The Green Hornet – Seth Rogen stars as Britt Reid, a worthless playboy who spends money just as fast as his newspaper-owning father (Tom Wilkinson) can make it. But when daddy turns up dead, Britt is suddenly forced to grow up. Of course, his idea of “growing up” is different from the average person, as he dons a mask and begins fighting crime alongside his father’s former mechanic (Jay Chou). Christoph Waltz parlays his 2010 Oscar win for Inglourious Basterds into a role as a Russian mobster looking to take over Los Angeles, and Cameron Diaz provides a little sex appeal as Reid’s secretary and love interest. If you’re searching for a comic book movie that plays things straight, then you’ll want to look elsewhere. But if you want plenty of laughs mixed in with your action, be sure to give The Green Hornet a try. Released on January 14th.
• Priest – Set on an alternate Earth where humans and vampires have warred for centuries, this horror film is based on a popular comic book series from Korea. Paul Bettany stars as Priest, a holy warrior who breaks his vows in order to track down the undead who’ve kidnapped his niece (Lily Collins). He’s assisted in his quest by a wasteland sheriff (Cam Gigandet) and a former warrior priestess (Maggie Q). Co-stars include Christopher Plummer, Brad Dourif, Karl Urban, and Stephen Moyer. Directed by Scott Stewart, who also worked with Bettany on the supernatural actioner Legion.

• Thor - One of the most talked about of all the 2011 comic book movies, Thor stars Chris Hemsworth as an Asgardian god who proves himself to be an arrogant pain in the ass. Because of this, he’s banished to Earth by his father, Odin (Anthony Hopkins), in an effort to teach him humility. But that’s when things get complicated, as half-brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) decides to make a play for power and send an invasion force to Earth. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, the superior supporting cast includes Natalie Portman, Jaimie Alexander, Colm Feore, Stellan Skarsgard, Ray Stevenson, Idris Elba, Kat Dennings, Rene Russo, and cameos from Stan Lee and J. Michael Straczynski. Scheduled for a May 6th release date.
• X-Men: First Class – A prequel to the other three X-Men movies, this film is set in the 1960s and focuses on the friendship and rivalry between Professor Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Magneto (Michael Fassbender). The origins of their competing groups are also shown, as Xavier forms the heroic X-Men and Magneto counters with the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Directed by Matthew Vaughn, the film co-stars Kevin Bacon, January Jones, Rose Byrne, Ray Wise, Jennifer Lawrence, Lucas Till, and Jason Flemyng. If they get their way, the filmmakers are hoping this will be the first in a new trilogy involving Earth’s most famous super-powered mutants. Releases on June 3rd.

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• Green Lantern – Ryan Reynolds is Hal Jordan, a cocky test pilot who’s selected to be the newest member of the galactic peace-keeping force known as the Green Lantern Corps. But as Hal tries to master his powers and overcome his insecurities, a threat named Parallax threatens to disrupt the delicate balance of the universe. And don’t forget about Hector Hammond (Peter Sarsgaard), a brilliant scientist whose experiments drive him mad while granting him vast psionic powers and an oversized cranium. Also starring Mark Strong, Blake Lively, Angela Bassett, Tim Robbins, and Temuera Morrison. Expect plenty of CGI effects and lots of opportunities for Reynolds to show off his talent for playing cocky smartasses.
• Transformers: Dark of the Moon – The third film in Michael Bay’s Transformers franchise finds the heroic Autobots and the villainous Decepticons in a race to reach a massive alien spacecraft that rests on the surface of the Moon. Shia LaBeouf returns in the role of Sam Witwicky, while Megan Fox is being replaced by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as his love interest. Other returning actors include Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, and John Turturro, while John Malkovich shows up for the first time. If you’re a fan of explosions, jerky camerawork, and racially offensive robots, then be sure to get in line on July 1st.

• Captain America: The First Avenger – Scheduled for release on July 22nd, the iconic and patriotic superhero from Marvel finally comes to the big screen (no, I’m not counting that crapfest starring J.D. Salinger’s son). Chris Evans will don the costume and also play Steve Rodgers, the man underneath. Set during World War II, the film will depict Cap’s creation through Project: Rebirth, his friendship with sidekick Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), and his rivalry with one of Hitler’s most trusted men, The Red Skull (Hugo Weaving). Members of the supporting cast include Hayley Atwell, Toby Jones, Samuel L. Jackson, Stanley Tucci, and Tommy Lee Jones. With a reported budget of $140 million, this sure-fire blockbuster will be continued in 2012’s Avengers movie.
• Cowboys and Aliens – Based on the 2006 graphic novel from Platinum Studios, Cowboys and Aliens stars Daniel Craig as Jake Lonergan, a man who wakes up in the Old West with no memory of his past and a mysterious device attached to his wrist. Wandering into the town of Absolution, he learns that he’s a wanted criminal with enemies around every corner, especially Colonel Woodrow Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford). Then alien spacecraft descend from the sky, and the former enemies must join forces, especially when it’s learned that the device on Jake’s wrist holds the key to defeating the invaders. Directed by Jon Favreau (Iron Man 1 and 2), the film also stars Olivia Wilde, Sam Rockwell, Paul Dano, Clancy Brown, Keith Carradine, Abigail Spencer, and Walton Goggins. This weird western releases on July 29th.
• Conan the Barbarian – Scheduled for an August 19th release date, this latest tale of Conan the Cimmerian has nothing to do with the previous films starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Details on the plot are still sketchy at this point, but you can expect Conan (Jason Momoa) to butt heads with a warlord played by Stephen Lang. Rachel Nichols will serve as Conan’s love interest, Ron Perlman plays his father, Rose McGowan is a witch, and MMA fighter Bob Sapp is the villain’s second-in-command. Marcus Nispel (Pathfinder, Friday the 13th) will direct, and he’s referred to the film as his dream project.

That concludes our look at the 2011 comic book movies you can look forward to. Once they’ve been released on DVD or Blu-ray, become a member of Netflix to enjoy them in the privacy of your own home. We do receive a small commission when you sign up, but it doesn’t add anything to your final price.

In 2011 moviegoers will be treated to more sequels than ever before. If you like follow-up films, then you should be jumping for joy. But if you’re like me and assume that most sequels are inferior products brought to life solely by a desire to pad Hollywood’s collective bank account, then it may be a long year at the movies.

By way of comparison, 2010 saw 19 sequels hit the theaters. 2003 held the previous record with 24, but 2011 will beat that mark by two. Prepare yourself for a whopping twenty-six 2011 movie sequels. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

• Second movies in a series – 8
• Third movies in a series – 5
• Fourth movies in a series – 5
• Fifth movies in a series – 5
• Seventh movies in a series – 2
• Eighth movies in a series – 1

So what are these 2011 movie sequels? Here’s a complete list of 2011 film sequels. I’ve provided a synopsis of each film, the tentative release date, and information on cast and crew.

• Big Momma: Like Father, Like Son (February 18th, 2011) – FBI agent Malcolm Turner (Martin Lawrence) must again go undercover as Big Momma, but this time he’ll be joined in disguise by his stepson, Trent Pierce (Brandon T. Jackson). Faizon Love co-stars as a janitor with a fondness for plus-sized women.
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules (March 25th, 2011) – Zachary Gordon reprises his role as Greg Heffley. Now entering the 7th grade, he must endure the well-meaning efforts of his parents to get him to bond with older brother and chief tormentor, Rodrick (Devon Bostick).
• Scream 4 (April 15th, 2011) – When Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) returns to her hometown on the anniversary of its first serial murder, a familiar masked face reappears to terrorize her and her friends. Wes Craven directs. Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Emma Roberts, Adam Brody, and Hayden Panettiere star.
• Madea’s Big Happy Family (April 22nd, 2011) – When her niece falls ill, Madea (Tyler Perry, who wrote, directed, and produced) comes to the rescue and helps get the sick woman’s three kids (Bow Wow, Shannon Kane, and Natalie Desselle-Reid) in line. The 11th film in Tyler Perry’s film franchise.
• Fast Five (April 29th, 2011) – The fifth film in the Fast and the Furious franchise, this installment features characters from previous films, including Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker), Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster), Tej Parker (Ludacris), Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson), and Han Lue (Sung Kang). Dwayne Johnson co-stars as a federal agent on their trail. Directed by Justin Lin.
• Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (May 20th, 2011) – Johnny Depp returns as Captain Jack Sparrow, and this time he’s searching for the legendary Fountain of Youth. He’s joined in by Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Blackbeard’s daughter (Penelope Cruz), and former pirate Hector Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), who now works for the court of King George II. This will be the first film of the franchise to be released in 3D.
• The Hangover: Part II (May 27th, 2011) – The gang returns, but this time it’s Stu (Ed Helms) who’s getting married. When the guys go to Bangkok for his wedding, you can just imagine what kind of hell will break loose. Mike Tyson reprises his role as himself, plus keep an eye out for Liam Neeson and Paul Giamatti.
• Kung Fu Panda 2 (May 27th, 2011) – When an evil peacock named Lord Shen (voiced by Gary Oldman) threatens the very nature of kung fu, Po (Jack Black) and the Furious Five must join forces with a new team of anthropomorphic animal fighters. New cast members include Jean-Claude Van Damme, Michelle Yeoh, and Victor Garber. Most of the original voice cast returns, including Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Dustin Hoffman, and Seth Rogen.
• X-Men: First Class (June 3rd, 2011) – Set in the 1960s, X-Men: First Class will focus on the relationship between Professor X and Magneto, as well as detailing the origins of their opposing schools for mutants. Starring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Kevin Bacon, January Jones, Jennifer Lawrence, and Oliver Platt.
• Cars 2 (June 24th, 2011) – Animated racecar Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) and his tow-truck pal Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) head overseas to compete in the World Grand Prix. But while Lightning tries to prove himself as the best racer on the planet, Mater gets caught up in a hilarious case of international espionage. Other voice talent includes Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Tony Shalhoub, Cheech Marin, and John Ratzenberger.
• Transformers: Dark of the Moon (July 1st, 2011) – While Megan Fox won’t be returning, Shia LaBeouf and the rest of the cast will be. In this Michael Bay explosion-fest, the Autobots and the Decepticons race to reach a Cybertronian craft hidden on the Moon.
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two (July 15th, 2011) – The conclusion of the long-running franchise sees Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his wizardly pals engage in a final showdown with Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and his gang of Death Dealers. Expected to be the top earner of 2011.
• Winnie the Pooh (July 15th, 2011) – Featuring five previously unadapted stories from the classic children’s character, Winnie the Pooh will be an animated feature narrated by John Cleese and featuring the voices of Jim Cummings, Tom Kenny, and Craig Ferguson.
• Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World (August 19th, 2011) – Robert Rodriguez will write, produce, direct, and edit this tale of a pair of twins who must become youthful spies when the world is threatened by a lethal assassin (Jeremy Piven). Also starring Jessica Alba, Joel McHale, Danny Trejo, Antonio Banderas, Alexa Vega, and Daryl Sabara.
• Final Destination 5 (August 26th, 2011) – The previous installment was intended to be the last, but the box office numbers were too good to ignore. This time there’s a collapsing bridge that wipes out a bunch of people, and the young survivors find themselves being stalked by the Grim Reaper. Staring Emma Bell, Nicholas D’Agosto, and Tony Todd.
• Piranha 3DD (September 16th, 2011) – Ving Rhames somehow survived and will return to once again battle ravenous piranha. Other cast members include Neil Hopkins and Aubrey O’Day. If it isn’t already closed, look for a poll where filmmakers will allow viewers to vote for which celebrity they would like to see in the film.
• Paranormal Activity 3 (October 21st, 2011) – The plot hasn’t been released yet, but you can expect it to pick up where the events in the previous film left off. For those of you who’ve yet to see the last two films, we’re talking demonic possession often captured through video and surveillance cameras.
• Puss in Boots (November 4th, 2011) – The Antonio Banderas character from the Shrek films gets his own movie, and it will serve as a prequel to his meeting the large green ogre and pals. Other voice actors include Salma Hayek and Zach Galifianakis.
• The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn (Part One) (November 18th, 2011) – The beginning of the end for Twilight fans, this film features Bella (Kristen Stewart) marrying her vampiric love, Edward (Robert Pattinson), and even becoming pregnant. But it’s not all romance and longing glances, as the ruling council of the vampires are up to some nefarious schemes. All your favorite cast members return, especially the big three of Stewart, Pattinson, and Lautner.
• Happy Feet 2 (November 18th, 2011) – Once again set in Antarctica, this sequel finds dancing penguin Mumble (voiced by Elijah Wood), his mate Gloria (Pink), and their pals Ramon and Lovelace (Robin Williams), battling the threat of a Giant petrel and his henchmen. Voice talents include Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Hank Azaria, and Elizabeth Daily.
• The Muppets (November 23rd, 2011) – In additional to the lovable Muppet characters, human cast members include Jason Segal, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, and Rashida Jones. And look for cameos from Jack Black, Lady Gaga, Mila Kunis, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Alan Arkin, and many more.
• Rise of the Apes (November 23rd, 2011) – James Franco stars as a modern-day scientist searching for a cure to Alzheimer’s. When one of his test apes, Caesar, begins to mutate, he takes him home. Fans of the rest of the series may be able to guess at what comes next. Also starring Freida Pinto, John Lithgow, Andy Serkis, and Brian Cox. Directed by Rupert Wyatt.
• Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (December 16th, 2011) – Details are still sketchy, but we do know that Alvin, Simon, and Theodore will be returning, as well as Jason Lee as their human pal, Dave.
• Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol (December 16th, 2011) – Tom Cruise is back as secret agent Ethan Hunt, and he’ll get plenty of help from the likes of Ving Rhames, Jeremy Renner, Josh Holloway, Simon Pegg, and Paula Patton. The bad guys include Michael Nyqvist, Lea Seydoux, and Anil Kapoor. Brad Bird directs.
• Sherlock Holmes 2 (December 16th, 2011) – Guy Ritchie returns as director, and you can also count on seeing both Robert Downey Jr. (Holmes) and Jude Law (Watson). This time, the duo are pitted against their most formidable foe ever: Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris). Also starring Noomi Rapace, Rachel McAdams, Stephen Fry, and Eddie Marsan.
• A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas 3D (??) – Everyone’s favorite stoners will return in time for the holidays, and they’ll also be joined by the always-hilarious Neil Patrick Harris. Also keep an eye out for Patton Oswalt, as he’s scheduled to co-star.

See also:

1. 2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards
2. 2011 Angelika Movie Theater Coupons
3. 2011 Clearview Cinemas Coupons
4. 2011 Vulcan Video Coupons
5. 2011 Oscar Nominations and Predictions
6. 2011 Razzie Nominations
7. 2011 Walmart Coupons
   

As for AMC Theatres, they’re the second largest movie chain in North America (they also have theatres in the UK, France, Canada, and Hong Kong). Founded in 1920, they currently have over 5,000 screens in the U.S., so it’s likely that they have one just down the road from you. If you’re going to go there anyway, shouldn’t you try to save a few bucks in the process?

AMC Theatres – If you’re going to look for AMC discount tickets, you might as well start at the source. Here are the deals currently offered by the fine folks at AMC:

• MovieWatcher Rewards – A free program that requires participants to carry around a little card with them. Each time you see a movie at AMC, you’ll earn two points on your card. When you get 10 points, you’ll be eligible to receive free tickets or items from the concession stand. When you first sign up, expect your card to take about three or four weeks to arrive (although a temporary print-out card can be used in the meantime).
• AMC Weekday Escape – Monday through Thursday during the day, you’ll find that AMC offers reduced ticket prices in an effort to draw in additional customers.
• A.M. Cinema – AMC offers lower prices on films showing before noon.
• Student Day – Certain AMC theatres offer discounts to high school or college students on Thursdays.
• Senior Day – Every Tuesday is Senior Day at AMC theatres. If you’re 60 or older, be sure to show up an enjoy discount ticket prices.

EBates – This website claims to offer the best specials and coupons for over 1,200 brand name businesses. They’ve been featured on several of the major networks, but the process for signing up consists of just entering your email address. While it might be as good as they claim, this seems like a good way to suddenly find your inbox flooded with spam instead of AMC discount tickets.

Entertainment-Savings-Offers.com – Before you can save any money, you’ll first need to order the Entertainment Book from their website. The price is listed as $30 to $45 (no idea why the price isn’t fixed). This book of specials and coupons boasts total savings of over $10,000. They claim that their book offers AMC tickets for $6, and you can get your third ticket for free. Personally, I’d be wary of this claim. Besides, spending $30 to $40 to save a few bucks doesn’t make much sense. Maybe it’s a whole other matter if you’re a fanatical coupon clipper.

Angie’s List – To take advantage of these discount movie ticket prices, you’ll need to join up (which costs $6 per month). If you become a member for a year or more, you can get discounts on the price of membership, too. They claim to offer AMC tickets for $6.50.

BulkTix.com – A discount service that allows you to buy tickets in bulk and save money. Of course, why anyone (besides a scalper) would need to buy tickets in bulk is beyond me. Their participating chains include AMC, Cinemark, Cobb Theatres, Bowtie Cinemas, and Landmark Theatres. Tickets should arrive in 3 to 5 business days, although expedited shipping is also available. Here are some of the AMC movie ticket deals offered at the time of this writing:

• AMC Silver Experience Ticket for $7.49 (this includes an $0.89 surcharge that’s automatically reduced when buying a larger quantity of tickets)
• AMC Gold Experience Ticket for $8.99

Discount Movie Passes – Another site that deals in bulk, they claim to offer movie ticket savings up to 40% over box-office prices. If you live in the New York City area, expect to pay a surcharge when ordering (the same goes for IMAX and AMC premium locations). Current prices include:

• 5 AMC Silver Movie Passes for $35 (you save $36.25)
• 10 AMC Silver Movie Passes for $70 (you save $37.50)
• 50 AMC Silver Movie Passes for $350 (you save $187.50)
• 100 AMC Silver Movie Passes for $700 (you save $375)

Be sure to check out details on any restrictions to your passes. In some cases, you may not be able to see the movie for the first 10 days that it’s showing. You should expect your tickets to arrive in five to seven business days (depending on the time of year and your location).

Wild About Movies – This website claims to offer AMC discount tickets, but then they want you to install an annoying add-on called Click Potato (which displays lots of advertising in a slider or additional browser window). Avoid this site, if for not other reason that it’s one of those annoying pages that can’t be escaped from once you arrive. Screw you, Wild About Movies.

That wraps up our look at sites claiming to offer AMC discount tickets. Of course, you can always choose to skip the theatre lines entirely and become a member of Netflix. They have over 100,000 available to rent online, and there are never any late fees. We do get a small commission if you sign up, but all profits go right back into making our site as excellent as possible.

The average video game now costs $60. GameFly customers rent an average of 22 games per year at a cost of $275.40 (based on the most popular monthly subscription plan). Purchasing the same number of games in a 12-month period would cost $720. By choosing GameFly, the customer saves an average of $444.60 per year. As you can see, GameFly is a smart option for anyone who’s passionate about video games.

In this article, I’ll be taking a look at all the features available at GameFly, from their online arcade to their free trial membership. If you’re a video game enthusiast living within the borders of the U.S., you’ll definitely want to give them a try.

How Does GameFly Work?

In essence, GameFly works just like Netflix or Blockbuster. But instead of movies, Gamefly offers a wide range of video game rentals for both new and classic consoles.

The first step involves customers searching through the GameFly website and adding select titles to their “GameQ.” Once this has been done, the top selections are sent to the customer via the United States Postal Service in pre-paid envelopes.

Once the games have arrived, the customer may keep them for as long as they want. But in order to receive new titles through the mail, they’ll need to occasionally send titles back. The number of games available to a customer at one time is determined by the level of their subscription plan.

When GameFly receives a title from the subscriber, they immediately send out the top video game in the customer’s GameQ. The average delivery time ranges from two to four days, although it can take longer.

GameFly Restrictions and Limitations

In order to become a Gamefly subscriber, you must meet the following requirements:

• The subscriber must be a resident of the United States or the District of Columbia.
• The subscriber must be at least 18 years of age. Those under 18 can make use of the service, but it will require a parent or guardian to provide the credit card information.

Systems Supported by GameFly

The following video game systems are supported by GameFly:

• Playstation 3
• Playstation 2
• PSP
• XBox 360
• Xbox
• Wii
• Nintendo Gamecube
• Nintendo DS
• Game Boy Advance

GameFly Game Categories

Whether you’re looking for the latest Playstation 3 hit or something from the original Xbox, you’ll find over 7,000 video game titles in the following categories:

• Action/Adventure
• Arcade/Puzzle
• Family/Party
• Fighting
• Music/Dance
• Online Enabled
• Racing
• RPG
• Shooter
• Sports
• Strategy/Simulation
• Multiplayer

GameFly Pricing Plans

No matter what your financial situation, GameFly has a subscription plan to meet your needs. All new users are charged $8.95 for the first month, while subsequent months are paid for in accordance with the following pricing structure:

• 1 game out at a time – $15.95 per month
• 2 games out at a time – $22.95 per month (This is the most popular option for subscribers)
• 3 games out at a time – $29.95 per month
• 4 games out at a time – $36.95 per month

GameFly Free Trial

If you’d like to sample what GameFly has to offer, you can opt to try their 10-day free trial. Customers will be allowed 2 games out at a time, although the monthly rate of $22.95 automatically applies if the customer fails to cancel before the end of the free trial (credit card information must be provided beforehand). Free trials are limited to one per household.

If you begin with the free trial, you will not be eligible for the first month discount of $8.95. Instead, you will pay the full price depending on the level of your subscription plan.

GameFly Delivery Centers

As of this writing, GameFly has delivery centers located in the following areas:

• Lakewood, California
• Emsworth, Pennsylvania
• Tampa, Florida
• Austin, Texas

One you’ve sent back a game, your next choice will be mailed out from the shipping center nearest to you. The delivery time can take anywhere from one day to a week, and this has traditionally been the biggest complaint from GameFly customers. However, the company plans to install additional shipping centers as their number of subscribers continues to grow.

Buying Games

If you really enjoy a rental, you always have the option to buy it. Thanks to the GameFly Store, subscribers can purchase new and used games and save up to 50% off the standard retail price (with some games being offered for less than $10). Each game comes with the original case and instruction manual, and all titles are pre-inspected and carry a 100% guarantee. PSP movies are also available for purchase through the GameFly Store.

GameFly Rewards

GameFly Rewards allow you to receive discounts when purchasing games. The longer you’re a subscriber, the most rewards you’ll receive.

Video Game Trade-Ins

In addition to renting and buying titles, GameFly customers can choose to trade in their video games for credit towards their monthly subscription. To participate in the trade-in program, you must be a renting member for at least three months. As of this writing, residents of Utah and Florida are not eligible to participate in this program.

Other Sites from GameFly

GameFly also owns a number of video game websites dedicated to providing cheat codes, game trailers, and news. Here’s a complete list:

• Cheat Freak – An online source for cheat codes, tips, hints, strategies, hacks, and Easter eggs.
• Console Cheat Codes – A massive resource featuring nothing but video game cheat codes.
• CheatServer – A search engine tailored to those searching for video game cheats.
• Game Answers – Questions and answers for games from the following platforms: Gamecube, XBox 360, Xbox, Gameboy Advance, Nintendo DS, PSP, Wii, Playstation 3, Playstation 2, and PC games.
• Ponged – Play free online games ranging from action and RPG to shooter and sports.
• Shacknews – All the latest video game news, reviews, and previews for the most popular systems.
• Shackvideo – Video game trailers and movies for all the major systems.
• FileShack - Includes free game patches, PC demos, PC mods, and PC downloads.

GameFly Gamecenter

Offered free to subscribers on their iPhone, iPad, Android, and Palm devices, the GameFly Gamecenter allows customers on the go to retrieve cheat codes, gets information and news on upcoming games, view game videos, and share content with friends on Twitter and Facebook.

GameFly SMS Alerts

Thanks to the GameFly SMS Alerts, subscribers can choose to receive a text message on their mobile device each time one of their video games is shipped or received. There is no charge to sign up, although standard text messaging rates apply.

Video Games Based on Movies

Since we’re primarily a movie site, I thought I would put together a brief list of video game titles adapted from feature films. GameFly carries all these titles, and many more are available for a wide range of gaming platforms.

• Spider-Man
• Scarface: The World Is Yours
• The Warriors
• Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
• Saw II: Flesh & Blood
• Toy Story 3: The Video Game
• Evil Dead: A Fistful of Boomstick
• Reservoir Dogs
• The Great Escape
• James Cameron’s Avatar: The Game
• Mean Girls DS
• The Godfather II
• The Lord of the Rings: Tactics
• Alice in Wonderland
• The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay
• The Golden Compass
• Aliens vs. Predator
• Home Alone
• Robots
• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
• How to Train Your Dragon
• G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
• Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game
• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

That wraps up our look at GameFly, the nation’s leading online video game rental service. They offer reliable delivery, thousands of titles, and numerous subscription plans to meet almost any budget. As they continue to grow in size, expect their video game library and number of shipping centers to increase exponentially.

If you’re unable to see these films when they’re in theaters, you can always rent them from Netflix. They have over 100,000 movies to choose from, and their library of titles is growing every day. And there are never any late fees, meaning you can keep the films for as long as you want without getting obnoxious calls or having the amount removed from your credit card (I’m talking to you, Blockbuster). To become a member of Netflix, just click on the provided link.

• Easy A – Emma Stone has received rave reviews for her performance as Olive Penderghast, a high school student who lies about losing her virginity over the weekend and soon finds herself labeled a total slut by the school’s Christian element. Deciding to run with it, she begins a prostitution-without-the-sex business where she claims to sleep with specific guys (to boost their rep) in return for cash or gift cards. Patricia Clarkson and Stanley Tucci are a scream as Olive’s supportive parents, and the rest of the supporting cast is rounded out by Penn Badgley, Amanda Bynes, Thomas Hayden Church, Cam Gigandet, Lisa Kudrow, and Malcolm McDowell.

• The Town – Ben Affleck never went to film school, be he’s still drawing rave reviews for his turn as both actor and director in this tense crime movie about Doug MacRay (Affleck), a Boston thief who strikes up a relationship with a former hostage (Rebecca Hall) and tries to go straight. But his old pals from the neighborhood (including Jeremy Renner) aren’t quite so willing to give up a life of crime, and so Doug finds himself pulled back in for one final job. Jon Hamm co-stars as the FBI agent who’s hot on the trail of Doug and company.
• Catfish – While some have questioned its authenticity as a pure documentary, Catfish remains an entertaining look at a New Yorker (Nev Schulman) who begins an online relationship with a talented musician named Megan. But as they get better acquainted via computer and telephone, he begins to find holes in her stories, eventually culminating in an impromptu trip to her Michigan home. Catfish is well worth your time, especially if you’ve ever struck up a relationship with someone online and wondered if they were being entirely honest. Just keep in mind that it’s not a thriller like the promotional campaign would have you believe.
• Buried – A bold, inventive premise that focuses on a truck driver (Ryan Reynolds) buried alive in the desert of Iraq with nothing more than a Zippo, knife, and cell phone. As his oxygen slowly runs out, he receives a call from his kidnappers demanding $5 million. Directed by Rodrigo Cortes, the film is set entirely inside the dimly-lit coffin, providing Reynolds with ample opportunity to show off his acting chops. While it’s primarily labeled as a thriller in the vein of Alfred Hitchcock, Buried is far more terrifying than any film starring a machete-wielding madman.
• Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga‘Hoole – While the title is certainly a mouthful, this computer-animated film adapted from the works of Kathryn Lasky is filled with romance, intrigue, and plenty of intense battle sequences featuring owls wearing armored masks. Zack Snyder directs the impressive visuals, and the assembled cast of voice actors includes Jim Sturgess, Geoffrey Rush, Helen Mirren, Hugo Weaving, Emily Barclay, Anthony LaPaglia, and Sam Neill.

Join Netflix and enjoy these movies now playing when they reach the home market.

• Inception – Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight) wrote, directed, and produced this mind-bending tale of a high-tech thief (Leonardo DiCaprio) who makes a living stealing secrets from the dreams of others. But when he’s hired to insert a thought into the mind of a client’s competitor, he’ll be forced to take on his toughest mission yet. Breathtaking visuals and explosive action abound in the dream realms, and anyone who enjoyed the Matrix trilogy should get a kick out of the trippy implications of reality manipulation. The film also boasts an all-star cast including Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Caine, Cillian Murphy, Ellen Page, Marion Cotillard, and Ken Watanabe. Another monster hit from Nolan.

• The Expendables – A veritable Who’s Who of action movie heroes, The Expendables includes Sylvester Stallone (who also directed), Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, and Mickey Rourke. Throw in cameos from Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger–plus eye candy courtesy of Gisele Itie and Charisma Carpenter–and you’ve got an action-packed tale about a team of mercenaries who defy the odds to liberate an island nation from the sinister machinations of a white guy in a suit (Eric Roberts). If you’re a fan of big guns, wait until you get a load of the automatic shotgun wielded by Hale Caesar (Crews). While Jean-Claude Van Damme, Steven Seagal, and Kurt Russell turned down the opportunity to appear in the film, there’s been talk that the sequel may include such muscled-up luminaries as Vin Diesel, Carl Weathers, Hulk Hogan, Mr. T, Dwayne Johnson, Jeff Speakman, and even Chuck “Master of the Cosmos” Norris.
• The Social Network – Based on Ben Mezrich’s book The Accidental Billionaires, the film details the creation of Facebook via a less-than-flattering portrayal of founder Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg). Cocaine is snorted, girls are seduced, and lawsuits are filed. Justin Timberlake is a standout as Napster co-founder Sean Parker, and other notables include Andrew Garfield, Rooney Mara, Brenda Song, and Armie Hammer. An entertaining, if factually inaccurate, look at the birth of the world’s most popular social networking site. Directed by David Fincher and co-produced by Kevin Spacey.
• The Other Guys – When New York’s top cops (Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne Johnson) die in the line of duty–after inexplicably jumping off a 20-story building–the role of “city hero” is wide open. Detective Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg) wants to fill that void, as his promising career has been derailed ever since mistakenly shooting Derek Jeter and costing the city a World Series win. But it won’t be easy, as Terry’s partner is Detective Allen Gamble (Will Farrell), a mild-mannered forensic accountant who’s more interested in pursuing permit violations and discharging his gun in the workplace. In a summer short on laughs, this buddy-cop spoof stands head and shoulders above the competition thanks to director Adam McKay and the supporting cast of Eva Mendes, Michael Keaton, and Steve Coogan.
• Get Low – Robert Duvall stars as Felix Bush, an old hermit who’s inspired decades of rumors about murder and devil worship among local residents. Imagine their surprise when he shows up in town one day and arranges for a “living funeral” (meaning that Felix will be present while still breathing). He wants everyone to come and tell the stories they’ve heard about him over the years, and Felix also has a few tales of his own to spin about his seclusion in the woods. Bill Murray is the owner of the funeral home, Lucas Black is his assistant, and Sissy Spacek is the widow who shares a mysterious past with Felix. Based on true events that occurred in 1938 Tennessee, Get Low is a quirky indie filled with wit, wisdom, and fine performances from an immensely likable cast.

I hope this list of 10 movies now playing in theatres will give you a better idea of what‘s currently available to fans of cinema. But even if you can’t afford an evening out at the movies, you can always subscribe to Netflix and check out their massive selection of DVDs and Blu-ray discs. We do get a commission if you join, but it doesn’t cost you a penny and all profits go right back into our site.

Also recommended:

• 12 Good Movies about the Future
• Good Movies from Netflix
• Movies Scheduled for 2011

When you venture out and watch some of the films on this list, be sure to share your thoughts in our comments section. And if you want to know more, you can read reviews for many of these movies over at our sister site, A1 Movie Reviews.

Name: Case 39
Release Date: October 1st, 2010
Premise: Emily Jenkins, a social worker, takes 10-year-old Lillith away from her abusive parents and cares for her until a suitable family can be found. As soon as the little girl moves in with Emily, strange things begin to happen.
Notable Cast Members: Renee Zellweger, Ian McShane, Bradley Cooper, Callum Keith Rennie
Tagline: Some cases should never be opened.
Note: Originally filmed in 2006, the movie was released in some countries in 2009.

Name: Let Me In
Release Date: October 1st, 2010
Premise: A lonely 12-year-old boy becomes friends with his new neighbor, a girl who appears to be his own age. She’s actually far older. In fact, she’s a vampire with an insatiable craving for blood.
Notable Cast Members: Chloe Moretz, Richard Jenkins, Elias Koteas
Tagline: Innocence dies. Abby doesn’t.
Note: Based on the Swedish film Let the Right One In.

Name: Hatchet II
Release Date: October 1st, 2010
Premise: Picking up where the previous film left off, the lovely Marybeth manages to escape from deformed killer Victor Crowley. After recovering from the attack, and learning a few family secrets along the way, she assembles a group of hunters and heads back into the swamps of Louisiana to end Crowley’s rampage once and for all.
Notable Cast Members: Danielle Harris, Kane Hodder, Tony Todd, AJ Bowen
Tagline: Hold on to all of your pieces.
Note: Hatchet II will be released unrated throughout the United States at AMC Theaters.

Name: My Soul to Take
Release Date: October 8th, 2010
Premise: Sixteen years after the death of a serial killer known as the Ripper, people in the town of Riverton begin to disappear. Seven children who were born on the night the Ripper died face the greatest danger, and one of them may very well be the reincarnation of the killer himself.
Notable Cast Members: Written and directed by Wes Craven.
Tagline: Only one has the power to save their souls.
Note: The first film both written and directed by Wes Craven since Wes Craven’s New Nightmare in 1994.

Name: Buried
Release Date: October 8th, 2010 (expands to wide release)
Premise: A truck driver named Paul Conroy wakes up to find that he’s been buried alive with nothing more than a lighter, cell phone, and knife. As his oxygen quickly begins to run out, Paul must remember how he got there and figure out what his tormentors want.
Notable Cast Members: Ryan Reynolds, Anne Lockhart, Samantha Mathis
Tagline: 170,000 square miles of desert. 90 minutes of oxygen. No way out.

Name: I Spit on Your Grave
Release Date: October 8th, 2010 (limited release)
Premise: After being raped and nearly killed, a young female writer sets out to get revenge on her attackers.
Notable Cast Members: None
Tagline: It’s date night.
Note: Remake of the 1978 film of the same name.

Name: Paranormal Activity 2
Release Date: October 22nd, 2010
Premise: The plot of the film is being kept secret, but you can bet that it will deal with demonic possession in one form or another. After the massive success of the original Paranormal Activity, a sequel was almost guaranteed.
Notable Cast Members: Katie Featherston
Tagline: None

Name: Saw 3D
Release Date: October 29th, 2010
Premise: Dr. Gordon (from the first film) crawls to get help, his severed foot cauterized by a hot pipe. Meanwhile, Jigsaw survivors gather to cope with their pain through the assistance of a self-help guru. A public display features two men wielding buzz saws while their mutual lover is slowly lowered towards her death. And finally, Jill Tuck (Jigsaw’s ex-wife) and Mark Hoffman (Jigsaw’s successor) battle one another over the legacy of the trap-obsessed killer.
Notable Cast Members: Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Cary Elwes, Betsy Russell, Sean Patrick Flanery
Tagline: The traps come alive.
Note: The final installment in the Saw series, and the first to be shot in 3D. Eleven of the characters in the film have appeared in previous installments, so it helps to have seen the others.

That concludes our look at all the horror films coming to theaters in October of 2010. Personally, I’m interested in Hatchet II and Let Me In, while a film like Case 39 holds no appeal (especially since it stars Rene Zellweger). You no doubt have you own preferences, so be sure and share them with us in the comments section. When these horror flicks hit theaters, you can head over to our sister site, A1 Movie Reviews, to read more about them.

But all is not well in the land of the honeybee. Thanks to something known as Colony Collapse Disorder (or CCD), honeybees are disappearing at an alarming rate across the globe. While scientists are still trying to determine the factors responsible for CCD (pesticides, anyone?), filmmakers Maryam Henein and George Langworthy have decided to spread the world by making a documentary called Vanishing of the Bees.

August 21st, by the way, is National Honeybee Awareness Day, so what better time to discuss this important project?

Filmed across the United States, Asia, Australia, and Europe, Vanishing of the Bees details the plight of the honeybee and educates viewers as to the potential disaster facing the human race if honeybees become too few. Commercial beekeepers Dave Mendes and David Hackenberg are followed as they try to keep their bees healthy and meet pollination contracts, and they’re joined by an assortment of concerned scientists and beekeepers. Three years in the making, this documentary is narrated by Ellen Page (Juno) and will be released in theaters in September of 2010.

Langworthy and Henein are doing their part to promote Vanishing of the Bees by visiting with environmental groups, beekeeping associations, gardening clubs, women’s associations, and many more. That still leaves a lot of territory to cover, however, so they’re relying on word-of-mouth to help promote this important film. If you can take part in an Internet campaign to hype a film about two idiots plagued by an invisible demon, surely you’re willing to spend a few minutes trying to help the environment.

And if you’re still not convinced, here’s the trailer:

If you’re not already excited about the release of Kick-Ass, then the following blog posts should do the trick. From reviews and clips of the film to criticism of author Mark Millar, there’s plenty of Kick-Ass goodness to be found here. And be sure to check back often, as we’ll be bringing you even more quality blog post recommendations.

Site: Beyond Hollywood
Article Title: “Five Ass Kicking Clips from Kick-Ass”
Description: Just like the title indicates, this article has compiled five Kick-Ass clips to get your adrenaline pumping and your inner fanboy jumping for joy. A 12-year-old girl killing thugs has never looked so cool.

Site: Super Punch
Article Title: “Kick Ass by Michael Cho”
Description: Artist Michael Cho has created a stunning Kick-Ass cover for the Village Voice Spring Arts Guide 2010. Take a look at it here.

Site: FILMdetail
Article Title: Kick-Ass
Description: Ambrose Heron provides an in-depth look at the movie, although he fails to discuss the always-mysterious hairline of Nicolas Cage. Still, it’s suggested reading.

Site: ATTackerman
Article Title: “Lame-Ass: Comics Scribe Mark Millar’s Work is Sexist and Racist. So How Come He’s So Famous?”
Description: Guest writer Erin Polgreen takes Mark Millar to task for his perceived problems with race and gender. Whether you agree or not, it’ll still make you think. Personally, I think Millar is simply a media whore who’ll say or do anything to help his work get attention. But there are worse things to be, such as the dialogue coach for Chuck Norris.

Site: FirstShowing
Article Title: “Great NY Times Profile on Actress Chloe Moretz”
Description: When she’s not beheading bad guys on the screen or casually tossing out words like “cunt” and “cock,” sweet Chloe Moretz is actually just a normal kid. Read more about her life by clicking on the provided link.

Site: The Flick Cast
Article Title: “Hit-Girl Would Kick Robin’s Ass”
Description: This Kick-Ass blog post discusses the merits of Hit-Girl, as well as other tough comic book dames such as X-23, Batgirl, and Molly Hayes.

Site: Rama’s Screen
Article Title: “Kick-Ass Clip – Mistmobile”
Description: Wanna see what makes the Red Mist’s car, The Mistmobile, so cool? Then check out this clip from the movie.

Site: Comics Alliance
Article Title: “The 6 Most ‘Realistic’ Moments In Kick-Ass”
Description: After self-promotion whiz Mark Millar claimed to be showing superheroes as real people for the first time, Comics Alliance decided to look back at his Kick-Ass series and point out some of the not-so-realistic moments (like Kevlar being able to stop a barrage of hot lead from behind).

Site: True/Slant
Article Title: “Kick-Ass 11-year-old can kill people, but not cuss?”
Description: Journalist Sara Libby takes a look at the controversy generated by Hit-Girl’s foul mouth and the overall lack of controversy involving her decapitating and maiming of bad guys.

Site: I’m Not Obsessed
Article Title: “Celebrities Turn Out for Premiere of Kick-Ass”
Description: A look at all the stars who turned up on the red carpet for the film’s U.S. premiere. Nic Cage looks especially suave.

CinemaNow.com Deals

The Internet has made watching movies cheaper and easier. CinemaNow.com deals that are available from time to time include:

• 30% off a certain category of movies
• Special deals on Indie movies throughout the year
• Deals on new releases and hot movie titles
• Theme months where certain types of movies are discounted
• Two for one deals, where customers can save big on any multiple movie purchase
• The availability of these kinds of deals, discounts, and coupons vary according to the promotions that CinemaNow.com are currently offering. Visit their site for the latest deals.

How Does Cinema Now Compare to Hulu and Netflix?

One of the nice things about Cinema Now is that you can find a discount package to make movies cheaper on a monthly basis. Though sites like Netflix offer their basic services for a low price already, they are not known for offering any additional deals to make things even cheaper. This is where Cinema Now deals and coupons comes into play, and it is certainly better than what you’ll find when you work with Hulu.com. The money saved is important to today’s movie lovers, especially with the economy being in its current state.

CinemaNow.com’s Selection Versus Hulu’s Selection and Netflix.com’s Selection

CinemaNow offers over 4000 movie titles from over 250 different film distributors. Compared with the 85,000 different titles available on DVD and Blu-ray from Netflix, this doesn’t seem like many, but it’s important to keep in mind that fewer than 20% of those 85,000 titles are available to watch online via Netflix. (And you can’t buy movie downloads from Netflix like you can from CinemaNow.com.)

If you’re a movie lover, then Cinema Now is a better choice than Hulu, which focuses mostly on television shows.

Movies of the following types and genres are readily available for download at CinemaNow.com:

• New release movies
• Hard to find Indie films
• Film festival participants
• Comedy movies
• Foreign films
• Classic, older films
• Popular classics in comedy, drama, and other categories

Use our link if you want to give Cinema Now a try, and we’ll get a small commission.

We have another post about CinemaNow here: CinemaNow Movie Download Review – Is CinemaNow a Scam? How Does CinemaNow Work? Be sure to read that post too, if you’re interested in CinemaNow.