SIDELINE: MORE REVIEWS FOR 09/09

IN THEATRES...

* 9, the new animated film from Shane Acker turned out to be one of the most disappointing movies this year. Pretty, but pretty vacant.

* The Baader Meinhof Complex, an involving docudrama about the 1970s campagins of the European terrorist organization, what Luke Haines called a "Hate Socialist Collective."

* Big Fan, the Patton Oswalt-starring drama is a good portrait of one man's chosen isolation and obsession, though it may be getting oversold in the hype.

* Bright Star, Jane Campion's portrait of the romance between John Keats (Ben Whishaw) and Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish).

* Capitalism: A Love Story, an important message from Michael Moore. Keep an open mind, you don't have to be his fan to listen to the message.

* Extract, Mike Judge's new comedy. Some big laughs, but ultimately too uneven.

* The Informant!, my favorite movie of recent memory and one of the best of the year. Steven Soderbergh delivers another winner in this offbeat comedy starring Matt Damon.

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* Lorna's Silence, a suspenseful drama from the Dardenne Brothers.

* Whip It, Drew Barrymore's directorial debut is an endearing turn on the sports flick starring Ellen Page.

* Whiteout, the Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber comic book comes to the big screen. As an original editor on the comics, what did I think...?

* World's Greatest Dad, an unfunny black comedy from director Bobcat Goldthwait and Robin Williams. I am surprised by the reviews of this, as I am apparently the only one who found it execrable. I didn't laugh at all, and seeing Robin Williams' penis...well, that speaks for itself.

* Zombieland is funny and gross. A great time at the movies. Woody Harrelson, FTZ.

ON DVD...

* The Girlfriend Experience, Steven Soderbergh scores another big win in this experimental picture with Sasha Grey.

* Important Things with Demetri Martin: Season One, a pretty good attempt at a thinking man's sketch comedy show.

* Mad Monster Party: Special Edition, a new reissue of the Rankin-Bass horror send-up, one of my favorite movies from my childhood.

* Observe and Report, Jody Hill's divisive dark comedy. It made me laugh.

* Treeless Mountain, the second feature from director So Yong Kim. This quiet tale of two young sisters and their private world is wonderfully observed and poignant.