Hollywood movies we've missed out on

Image: A scene from Up

It's been a summer without films so far. The producer/multiplex strike has ensured no new Hindi films for a really, really long time, and as the curtain lifts and we prepare for an overdose of Bollywood, here's a look at some Hollywood films that just didn't come to our theatres:

Pixar's fantastically reviewed latest film got raves at the Cannes Festival, and is currently overwhelming audiences across the US. The UK release is scheduled for October but there isn't an official word on the Indian release date yet.

Drag Me To Hell

Image: A scene from Drag Me To Hell

Spider-Man helmer Sam Raimi has his roots in low-budget horror, and the Evil Dead filmmaker seems to have found his niche again with this phenomenally praised latest effort. Audiences around the world love it, but our local theatres seem too scared.

The Hangover

Image: A scene from The Hangover

The current rage in the US is a comedy about four clueless men who go to Las Vegas and end up in much chaos following a night of forgotten drunken revelry. The Todd Philips film seems like one of the year's sleeper hits, but we'll likely have to wait for the DVD.

Taken

Image: A scene from Taken

It's a French thriller, but when you hear the words Luc Besson you can expect high-adrenaline thrills. The film stars Liam Neeson in an uncharacteristically wild role, and while it released in the US in January, the smash hit hasn't made it here.

Crank: High Voltage

Image: A scene from Crank: High Voltage

The sequel to Jason Statham's Crank is being hailed as a far better ride than the original. The late David Carradine makes his final appearance a memorable one, and the action franchise has already announced a third film, possibly in 3D. Nope, not coming to theatres here at all.

I Love You, Man

Image: A scene from I Love You, Man

Indie comedy darling Paul Rudd stars alongside Jason Segel (from Forgetting Sarah Marshall and How I Met Your Mother) in this out and out bromance about a man who realises he doesn't have a best friend, and goes out to rectify that. Go on, rent that DVD.

Coraline

Image: A scene from Coraline

Children's book Coraline has been painstakingly and loyally adapted into 3D stop-motion animation by stop-motion guru Henry Selick, and novelist Neil Gaiman is absolutely thrilled with the results. The film is supposed to hit Indian theatres, but there's no clue as to when.

Friday The 13th

Image: A scene from Friday The 13th

It might be a badly panned reboot of a classic franchise, but there's no doubting the fact that -- no matter what critics say -- the new Friday The 13th movie has scared audiences effectively, at least in the US. It's been a while since we've watched a fun slasher movie on the big screen -- and it looks like the wait is only going to get longer.

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