Well Sci-Fi and Fantasy movie fans, we have all felt the abysmal absence of any really good SFF movies during the past couple of months.

During Oscar season it seems like everyone wants to throw some sort of serious drama out there with no special effects or imagination needed. There were a few shining lights (“InkHeart”, “Push”), but for the most part we have been left waiting.

The wait ends in a colossal way.

On March 6th the much anticipated “Watchmen” will finally hit the big-screen. I don’t know about all of you, but I have been biting my acrylic, blue nails (which don’t taste very good & cost money to get redone!) in anticipation of this movie. I caught the story about this movie a year ago in Entertainment magazine and have been counting down ever since. I loved “300” by the same director and also “Sin City” which has the same look as this film, not to mention being a bona fide comics (mostly X-Men) groupie. So I was hooked from the first trailer!

And of course the other film companies have to at least try to keep up, so now we can finally see some entertaining films, and not just the teary eyed, romance things that have been all over the place lately.

Below are my top 3 picks for the Big Screen and DVD. These are the ones that I am the most excited about going to see!

In Theatres:

Watchmen – (3/6/09) In an alternate 1985, the US & the Soviet Union are still embroiled in the cold war and superheroes are a reality. They are a reality and they are unwanted. Only a very few still remain, and those under the careful gaze of the government. When one of their own is found murdered, the rest of the heroes come out of retirement to find out what happened, and discover a plot that threatens not only them, but also possible the world. But is it worth it to save a world that no longer cares or even wants them around? Rated R for strong graphic violence, sexuality, nudity and language.

Race to Witch Mountain – (3/13/09) A remake of the 1975 Disney classic “Escape to Witch Mountain” (which I was completely enthralled with as a child) – Disney has taken this film and made it edgier and utilized all the amazing special effects that are now available. A New York cab driver picks up a brother and sister, unaware of how truly special they are. The siblings must reach a place known as “Witch Mountain” despite being chased by the government who wishes to study them, an alien who wishes to destroy them, and even mobsters who wish to control them. Rated PG for sequences of action and violence, frightening and dangerous situations, and some thematic elements.

Monsters VS Aliens – (3/27/09) The latest animated flick from Dreamworks (the company that brought us “Madagascar” and “Kung Fu Panda”) “Monsters VS Aliens” is about a young woman named Susan who is hit by a meteor on her wedding day and covered in gunk which causes her to grow to a whopping 49’11”. The US government quickly moves in and quarantines Susan to an underground facility where she meets other “monsters”. Soon enough the monsters learn of a threat to Earth – hostile alien robots, and they are the only hope we have. Rated PG for sci-fi action, some crude humor and mild language.

On DVD:

Punisher: Warzone – (3/17/09) Everyone’s favorite vigilante, The Punisher is back (wearing a new face, that of Ray Stevenson). This time, however he has to face the demons of his own making when he disfigures a mobster and kills an undercover FBI agent. Rated R for pervasive strong brutal violence, language and some drug use.

Twilight –( 3/21/09) The hit movie based on the novel by Stephenie Meyer is out on DVD next month. My 11 year old daughter and I will surely be fighting over this one. The story is simple. Girl moves to new town, girl meets boy, girl falls for boy, boy falls for girl, boy turns out to be an immortal vampire that can’t decide whether he would rather kiss girl or bite girl. Typical teenage angst with a gothic twist. Add in an entire family of vampires, a pack of Native Americans that are actually werewolves, and a visiting coven of vampires that do NOT love said girl (definitely just want to eat her), and you’ve got a pretty busy film. Rated PG-13 for violence and some sensuality.

Bolt – (3/24/09) This is almost the reverse of a SciFi film, but it is so cute, that I just had to mention it. Bolt is a dog that plays a superhero on TV. The problem is, he believes he really has the powers that his character possesses. So when he is accidentally separated from the studio and cast and thrown into the real world; he is not too sure what is going on. Aided by an alley cat, Mittens (who keeps trying to tell him he is NOT a superhero) and his biggest fan ever, an overweight hamster in a rolling ball named Rhino (possibly the cutest cartoon character ever drawn), Bolt tries to make his way back home and learns that superpowers may not be the strongest thing in the world. Rated PG for some mild action and peril.

So, if you guys get to see these movies before I do, be sure to stop in at the forums and let me know what you think.

Happy watching!