See-it, rent-it, skip-it: top 15 movies in theaters Friday, July 3rd

July 9, 7:38 PMMovie ExaminerRyan Pratt

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Johny Depp is John Dillinger.

Not sure which movie to see this week in theaters? Let me help you out. The following is a list of films playing in the majority of theaters around the nation, including a little something for everyone: a gangster film full of action and violence, an animated film with a few laughs for all ages, and even something oof the lesser.

1.  Up - See-it - By far the best film in theaters and the first real shot at a Best Picture nomination (not just Best Animated Picture -- which should be a lock) for Pixar. Up is not just an animated film for children and Pixar fans, it's a thoroughly entertaining adventure for all movie-goers. As of now, almost half way through the year, Up is the best picture of 2009.

2.  The Hangover - See-it - Carried by hilarious performances by the three leading roles, The Hangover sets the bar at an all-time high for bachelor party movies. It will define comedy for a generation like Animal House did for the Boomers.

3.  Hurt Locker - See-it if you can - This nearly perfect war epic is "well-acted, intensely shot, and action filled." Like Jarhead or Blackhawk Down? You’ll love this!

4.  Afghan Star - See-it if you can - A sobering documentary about Afghanistan's wildly popular American Idol-style TV series Afghan Star.

5.  Public Enemies - See-it - Depp plays Dillinger perfectly and Mann's Tommy-gun-blasting-vintage-car-chase action sequences are top notch (as expected), but Bale falls short with little to work with in this generally lacking dramatic story.

6.  Tony Manero - See-it if you can - This film about life under a dictatorship is shockingly original and unprecedented in every way - it will have you wishing you were in an "Art History 101: Feature Film as Art" class.

7.  The Girl From Monaco - See-it if you can - If your looking for something less loud, less dumb and less big this summer (which is hard to find at most theaters), this film delivers a romantic drama that delivers all three. 

8.  Surveillance - Rent-it - An extremely gory thriller that does exactly as it intends to do, gives you chills and stirs your stomach to near nausea.

9.  My Sister's Keeper - Rent-it - If you are in the mood for a heart-wrenching story about two young sisters facing some very grown-up decisions.

10.  Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - Rent-it - Like everyone has said and heard: It was super racist, raunchy, long and cheesey. But giant robots fighting to the "death" Michael-Bay-style is always totally rad.

11.  Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs - Skip-it - Unfortunately, this originally hilarious and adorable series about our near-Dinosaur and pre-human friends is nearing its extinction.

12.  Whatever Works - Skip-it - Despite a smart, talented cast including Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, and Patricia Clarkson this film directed by Woody Allen about an eccentric New Yorker is anything but eccentric itself.

13.  I Hate Valentine's Day - Skip-it - And I hate this film - pairing Nia Vardalos and John Corbett together again following the enormous success of My Big Fat Greek Wedding does nothing but remind me how much better they were the first time around.

14.  The Proposal - Skip-it - Like Biel's scene in Powder Blue, Reynolds and Bullock's nude scene should fill the seats for this mostly lacking romantic comedy.

15.  The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 - Skip-it - Despite Denzel and Travolta's usual draw there seems to be a lack of interest in this remake of the much better original of the same name.