New Movies: Oct. 29-Nov. 5, 2012

It's a cool idea that's probably occurred to anyone who's contemplated video game character fan fiction, and if it's going to work as a feature film Rich Moore (a director and producer on The Simpsons, The Critic, and Futurama) and Phil Johnston (screenwriter for the indie Cedar Rapids) are a good team to have on board.
The story: A video game villain wants to be a hero and sets out to fulfill his dream, but his quest brings havoc to the whole arcade where he lives.
Starring: John C. Reilly (Wreck-It Ralph), Jack McBrayer (Fix-It Felix), Sarah Silverman (Vanellope von Schweetz), Jane Lynch (Sergeant Calhoun), Adam Carolla (Wynchel), Jamie Elman (Rancis Fluggerbutter), Rachel Harris (Deanna), Dennis Haysbert (General Hologram), Mindy Kaling (Taffyta Muttonfudge), Edie McClurg (Mary), Ed O'Neill (Mr. Litwak), Horatio Sanz (Duncan), Stefanie Scott (Moppet Girl), Alan Tudyk (King Candy).
Directed by: Rich Moore.

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• Image gallery.
• Video, trailer, and clips.
• Review.

Another film out this week featuring by-definition monsters in recovery programs, Vamps--the latest comedy from veteran writer-director Amy Heckerling, who used to spawn low-rent but fun genres (Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Look Who's Talking, Clueless) and moved on to perpetuating existing ones (I Could Never Be Your Woman, Loser)--starts with the solid but not exactly radical casting of Krysten Ritter as a hip, scene-loving Manhattan vampire and tries to make a light comedy that's also a biting social satire (sorry). On the plus side: At least it's not a spoof.
The story: Two female vampires in modern-day New York City are faced with daunting romantic possibilities.
Starring: Alicia Silverstone (Goody), Krysten Ritter (Stacy), Dan Stevens (Joey), Richard Lewis (Danny), Sigourney Weaver (Cisserus), Wallace Shawn (Dr. Van Helsing), Justin Kirk (Vadim), Malcolm McDowell (Vlad), Zak Orth (Renfield), Marilu Henner (Angela), Scott Thomson (Erik), Todd Barry (Ivan), Kristen Johnston (Mrs. Van Helsing).
Directed by: Amy Heckerling.

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• Trailer.

Clue #1 that you're in for a hilariously witty satire of supernatural/horror films: The poster references The Blair Witch Project only thirteen years after it came out. (Ooh, thirteen, I get it!) Clue #2: The people behind the film haven't quite mastered the formation of plurals (see below).
The story: The official synopsis runs as follows: "The world's most beloved illusionist, armed with his team of oxymoron's [sic], embark [sic] on the freakiest, most adventurous paranormal investigation of all time. Terrorized at every turn by an unexplainable irregular patterns of mysterious paradox's [sic], this witch-hunting, ghost busting, creature questing supernatural spooftacular is the funniest footage ever found!" (I especially like the dangling modifier that results in the "spooftacular" itself being "terrorized." Hey buddy, that's no way to treat a movie, even if it is a zero-budget satire!)
Starring: Philip Marlatt, Donny Boaz, Kurt Wehner, Conley Michelle Wehner, Devin Bonnee.
Directed by: Derek Lee Nixon.

• Video, trailer, and clips.