What will you be watching this weekend? (August 10)

Finally! The work week is over and you’ll have some free time to relax, crack a cold one, pop that corn and nuke some ‘chos all in the noble pursuit of cinematic entertainment! Every Friday, we’d like to hear what everyone will be watching over the weekend, whether it be on TV, DVD and Blu-ray or in theaters.

So what’s on your movie agenda this weekend? Here’s what I’m thinking about watching…

IN THEATERS…

There are only a few comic actors that I can truly depend on for laughs and it just so happens that two of them are starring in a political comedy due out this weekend!

Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis run for the same Senate seat in THE CAMPAIGN and if the trailers are to be believed nothing but shenanigans ensue ranging from baby punching, crossbow injuries, snake bites and some good ol’ fashioned political debating (with the much needed addition of wresting). I have always wondered if a movie could really capture the lunacy of American politics and if these two can’t I don’t think anyone ever will.

I’m also pretty pumped to check out the latest in the Jason(less) Bourne franchise with THE BOURNE LEGACY. This time around we lose Matt Damon’s titular amnesiac assassin but we gain Jeremy Renner’s Aaron Cross who appears to be just as capable at running from and killing conspirators as his predecessor. Be sure to check out what JoBlo’s own Chris Bumbray thought of THE BOURNE LEGACY right here!

Check out all of the THEATRICAL RELEASES right here

ON TELEVISION…

As awe-inspiring as the LONDON OLYMPICS have been (USA! USA! USA!) as the games wind down with the closing ceremonies scheduled for 7pm, Sunday on NBC I’m looking forward to finally return to my regularly scheduled programming.

The second season of HELL ON WHEELS, AMC’s unromanticized tale of how the American West was finally conquered by the railroads, kicks off this Sunday. The show has all of the hallmarks of a great Western; gunfighters, whores, indians with some extra grit and grime while also giving a fairly honest portrayal of the twilight days of the Wild West and the industry that tamed it. If you missed the first season AMC is having an all-day HELL ON WHEELS marathon leading up to the second season premiere Sunday night. I know I’m fix’n to tune in.

I think last weeks episode of HBO’s THE NEWSROOM possibly the best yet as the crew attempted to cover one of the biggest news stories of the decade. I think it’s worth noting that with the timeline of the show getting close to catching up with the present I’m excited to see what happens when THE NEWSROOM has to report on news as it happens in the real world … will it just be called “The News”? Last week’s episode also reminded me that star Jeff Daniels, on top of all the other awesomeness he has going on, is one hell of a musician. Just check out his appearance from last week’s CONAN for proof.

ON DVD & BLU-RAY…

On the homefront there’s a pretty solid selection of new releases on disc including the most recent adapation of Dr. Seuss’ THE LORAX. If I have time I think the inspired casting of Danny DeVito as the voice behind dimutive orange character deserves a look.

But the real winners this week are the Blu-ray catalogue titles with 1987’s ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING getting a “25th Anniversary” release. For the unitiated ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING stars a young Elizabeth Shue as a babysitter that goes on citywide adventure of epic proportions with her kids in tow. While I may not have seen this slice of childhood nostalgia in over a decade it will be a must buy for me solely for classic scenes like this.

Two classic John Cusack flicks, both 1997’s GROSSE POINTE BLANK and 2000’s HIGH FIDELITY are also getting the hi-def upgrade on Blu-ray this week as well. I don’t make “Top 10 All-Time” lists but if I did HIGH FIDELITY would have a legitimate shot to make it. It is by far my favorite Cusack flick and the fact that a young and energetic Jack Black gets to steal a few scenes doesn’t hurt matters either. Oh, and for the record, vinyl is better. Yes, that pun was intended.

Check out all of the DVD/BLU-RAY RELEASE DATES/COVERS right here

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU WILL BE WATCHING THIS WEEKEND BELOW!