Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Jason Segel writes and stars in this break-up comedy, performing the first Dracula puppet musical and exposing himself (literally and emotionally) to Kristen Bell. But Russell Brand, as British rocker and sex god Aldous Snow, steals the movie.

d: Nicholas Stoller | imdb.com | trailer

Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show (2008)

Vince Vaughn rounds up four unfunny stand-ups from The Comedy Store in Los Angeles to perform 30 shows in 30 days in front of too-eager college audiences. The highlights turn out to be cameos by Dwight Yoakam, Jon Favreau and Justin Long.

d: Ari Sandel | imdb.com | trailer | Dinner for Five

Hot Fuzz (2007)

Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright and Nick Frost — the team behind “Shaun of the Dead” — pay homage to cop movies, capturing all of the genre’s clichés — from the fish out of water detective to the blood bath finale in deference to “Bad Boys II” and “Point Break.”

d: Edgar Wright | imdb.com | trailer | Pub.

Bridge to Terabithia (2007)

Based on the children’s fantasy book, the movie is grounded in reality — the well-told story of a boy and girl and their friendship. Josh Hutcherson captures the boy’s melancholy and AnnaSophia Robb the girl’s free spirit. She just might be a star.

d: Gabor Csupo | imdb.com | trailer | “Why Can’t We Be Friends”

The U.S. vs. John Lennon (2006)

When the documentary stays on target and lays off the sentiment, it’s a fascinating look at John Lennon in the 1970s — making love (with Yoko), not war. He also made Nixon’s enemies list and fought the U.S. government’s efforts to have him deported.

d: David Leaf, John Scheinfeld | imdb.com | trailer

Slither (2006)

Inspired by the B horror movies of the 1970s and 80s, director James Gunn deftly mixes comedy with suspense and gore. An alien slug inhabits the body of Michael Rooker, dampening his marriage to Elizabeth Banks and terrorizing their small Southern town.

d: James Gunn | imdb.com | trailer | Family Fun Day