What’s on the Menu (April 23 – 25)

- Posted by Rusty


All in all, this looks like a pretty quiet weekend; think of it as the calm before the Iron Man 2 storm hits in 2 weeks. Although there’s some variety (we have a romantic comedy, a comic-book flick, and another entry into Disney’s new nature series), I’d use this weekend to catch up on some standbys, especially How to Train Your Dragon if you haven’t caught that yet (and I swear that review is coming soon—it’s my favorite film this year, and I can’t wait to talk about it!). Of the new releases, one looks solid (can you really go wrong with beautiful nature footage on the big screen?), one looks really entertaining, and one just looks plain dreadful. Let’s look at them in more detail… [breakdown of new releases after the jump]

1. “The Losers”

Story: Based on the popular graphic novel, this follows the title team of charismatic mercenaries (featuring Watchmen and Grey’s Anatomy’s Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Rock 'n' Rolla and The Wire’s Idris Elba, and the future Captain America, Chris Evans) as they join forces with a shady, badass femme fatale (Avatar’s Zoe Saldana) in an attempt to uncover the identity of the man that betrayed them.

The Good: Honestly, it looks like a lot of fun. This film is part of a surprising pattern of macho-specialized-teams films coming out in the next few months, including the update of The A-Team and Stallone’s 80’s nostalgia-fest, The Expendables. Of the three, I liked the trailer for The Losers the best, probably because it showed the best sense of humor amidst all the over-the-top stunts. I also like that it features no stars, but just a bunch of talented, very likable up-and-comers – Jeffrey Dean Morgan seems poised to headline many blockbusters in the future, if his turn as the Comedian in Watchmen proved anything, and I’m also psyched that Zoe Saldana, as brilliant as she was as Neytiri in Avatar, gets to have some actual face time in another big-budget flick. Best of all, word is that Chris Evans (who’s been all over the movie news lately, due to his landing the title role in some star-spangled, blue-tight big superhero movie) effortlessly steals the film, continuing his run of being the highlight in pretty much everything he makes.

I love pure entertainment movies like this, and if it shows more brains than the recent Clash of the Titans, I think we’ll be in for a good time.

The Bad: The reviews don’t inspire too much confidence, and even the people that liked it mention that the story holds barely any substance (as could be expected). It might also be hurt by opening so closely after the buzzy comic-book-based Kick-Ass and right before the blitz of Iron Man 2, one of the most anticipated movies of the year. Unfortunately, I don’t see this becoming a hit, for it doesn’t look like strong enough material to catch much fire right now.

Reviews: Mixed, with some loving it (like my fellow action-adventure nerd, Roger Ebert) and some just dismissing it as frivolous entertainment. Oh, and check out my friend’s great early review, which highlights the good and bad elements of the film in whole.

Overall: I think I’m seeing this sometime later this weekend. It does look enjoyable, but I'll admit that it also lacks the “must-see” factor that Kick-Ass and Iron Man 2 displayed. Still, of the movies out this weekend (at least the fictional ones) or just for some (most likely) good kicks on a lazy Friday or Saturday night, I’d go for this one.

2. “Oceans”

Story: Is there really one? The second entry in Disney’s new Disneynature brand looks to follow comfortably in last year’s Earth’s footsteps, here exploring the fascinating worlds and creatures of our seas and oceans.

The Good: I’m not sure if this will be repackaged Planet Earth material (a breathtaking, landmark series if there ever was one, which I’m very close to finishing on DVD!) like Disney’s Earth was last year, but, either way, this should be gorgeous on the big screen. In honor of the just-passed Earth’s Day, you really can’t go wrong with this one.

The Bad: Can’t really think of anything, with the small exception that some people might feel cheated if Disney has indeed recycled Planet Earth footage again. Nonetheless, I can't see much disappointment arising from a film of this kind, so I’d just sit back and enjoy what should be some astounding, remarkably-captured images.

Reviews: Excellent, as expected.

Overall: I wish I was a bit more of an animal enthusiast (and therefore could say that I’d rush out to see this right away), but, even if I don’t catch this in theaters, I still think it’s worthwhile to watch someday. Earth got a very positive reception last year, so, in that vein, this should uphold that tradition, and nicely educate and entertain all possible audiences.

3. “The Back-Up Plan”

Story: Jennifer Lopez stars as a fashionable, single gal who meets the man of her dreams…unfortunately, that same day, she undergoes artificial insemination and winds up pregnant! Most likely, some hijinks and wackiness ensue.

The Good: Well, it’s slim pickings for this one. Jennifer Lopez looks great, and it’s certainly nice to see her back on the big screen (am I wrong, or this her first starring vehicle in a while?). She’s also a legitimately good actress (as Selena and Out of Sight proved), so, on that level, it’s pretty disappointing to see her reduced to making Kate Hudson-esque romantic comedies like Maid in Manhattan, Monster-in-Law, and now this one. I also want to spotlight her co-star, the undeniably uber-handsome Alex O’Loughlin. I worked at CBS the year his vampire series Moonlight premiered, and everyone was excited about him, convinced he’d be a big star. It was for good reason – the guy has talent to spare (and isn’t it cool that the CBS big brass have so much confidence in him that, even after Moonlight and this year’s Three Rivers fizzled in the ratings, they’re giving him one more shot with the sure-to-hit remake of Hawaii Five-O…co-starring Jin from Lost?!). I like him, but even he deserves something that looks better than this.

The Bad: All of it sounds like some rejected sitcom. I hate when people falling, hitting stuff, spilling food on each other, etc substitutes for actual good writing and wit, and this film looks to revel in that. The premise maybe could have been cute and worth some laughs, but the trailer – and the near-universal terrible reviews, as seen below – suggest it’s not worth our time in the slightest.

Reviews: Very weak, though a few critics suggest that it’s no better or worse than an average Hollywood rom-com, which, admittedly (and only semi-embarassingly) I’ve ended up watching on more than one occasion.

Overall: It might not be terrible, or simply be a decent “turn off your brain” kind of rom-com choice, but I think you’ll be better off just renting a romantic comedy (or just catching one on TNT or something) if you’re in the mood for something like that.

And that’s it for the new releases. What do you guys think? Thinking of catching any of these this weekend, or will you check out some standbys instead?

I’m leaning towards The Losers and Oceans, with the latter sounding like the clear better of the two.

See you in a bit for some new trailers and my How to Train Your Dragon review!

Clips courtesy of Trailer Addict.
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What’s on the Menu (April 2 – 4)

- Posted by Rusty

For a quick refresher (since it’s been an embarrassingly long time since we’ve done one of these columns), this is where we look at all the movies coming out this weekend (some of which we’ve seen, some we haven’t) and try to decide what looks best. It’s not always foolproof, but, for me at least, it’s a good way to see the variety of films being released and to juggle the good and bad elements that each offers. With that, this weekend brings us a summer-like blockbuster (welcome back to the movies, Greek mythology!),a tween queen moving on to more dramatic work, and another entry from a guy who just keeps on making hits. Let’s see what we have… [breakdown of this week's new releases after the jump]

1. “Clash of the Titans”

Story: To save the ancient Greek city of Argos, the heroic Perseus (Avatar’s Sam Worthington) must venture out to kill the Gorgon, Medusa, the lizard-like witch who turns all men who gaze at her into stone. Oh, and there’s also some business with warring gods (played by the great British thesps Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes) and lots of good modern angst for our hero, Perseus, who vows to reject his demi-god nature to defeat these evil forces as a man. Along the way, of course, lots of other action and special effects happen, but that’s all just part of the fun, leading up to the show-stopping epic battle between Persesus and the Kracken, the gods’ personal giant sea beast.

The Good: Just saw this last night! (Review coming very shortly) This movie delivers exactly what it promises; if nothing else, it’s very entertaining. Its script leaves a lot to be desired (more on that in a bit), sure, but the action is superb, the creature designs and effects very well-done, and it features some fun scenery-chewing work by Ralph Fiennes as Hades (Warner Bros’ favorite bad guy, since he also moonlights as Voldermort in the Harry Potter series…ahem, sorry, as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named) and Liam Neeson as Zeus. Sam Worthignton (despite the fact that he’s the only Australian in ancient Greece) once again shows plenty of star quality; he’s very believable as Perseus, and a good enough actor to make you root for this reluctant, manly-stubbled and crew-cut hero to succeed. Plus, I have to commend the filmmakers for turning Andromeda (played by the beautiful Alexa Davalos), the Princess of Argos (and Perseus' would-be love interest, according to the myth) from a one-note damsel-in-distress into a strong woman with some actual personality.

Also, I’ve read quite a lot of reviews that accused the film of sidestepping the original Perseus myth. Having read the myth a few days ago, I can honestly say this movie is as faithful as it needed to be. All the set-pieces from the original story are here (the battle with the Gorgons, the three Fates with their one shared eye, Princess Andromeda being sacrificed to the sea beast), and I thought they were tied together as well as could be expected. If this is the first exposure to Greek mythology for a lot of kids, then by all means – it’s certainly better and more true to the world and myths than the kid-skewing Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

The Bad: Did I mention that script? It’s definitely not terrible, but all the useless subplots, thinly-sketched characters (mostly relegated to Perseus’ fellow warriors, who I’m positive are only there because they’re more expendable), not-quite-finished ideas (that’d be poor Ralph Fiennes’ Hades, who has a plan, but I’m not sure even he knows exactly what he wants), and odd, laughable character choices (that’d be Perseus’ sidekick who looks like a miniature Treebeard) prevent it from being a home-run adventure like the first Pirates of the Caribbean. Still, I think the entertainment value – and all the positive elements above – outweighs the bad in this instance. It won’t be on anyone’s Top 10 List, but it makes for an enjoyable night at the movies.

Reviews: Decent, although mostly pretty mixed. Some like Roger Ebert (a noted sucker for adventure films, just like me) liked it, while others panned it for its preference of loud special effects over, you know, actual drama and character work. But, really, you know what you’re getting into when you buy a ticket for a film called Clash of the Titans. Schindler's List, this is not (even though, ironically, it features two of that film's stars)...

Overall: I recommend it…although with a bit of caution. I think it appeals to our more kid-like sensibilities for great adventures in faraway, exotic lands. On top of that, it’s well-acted (for what this is) and the action sequences alone justify seeing it in theaters. If you liked the trailers and all the clips (which, admittedly, I liked too much), chances are you’ll come out satisfied by the final product.

Quick Note: The ads are pushing that this MUST be seen in 3D. Honestly, it’s just a ploy to capitalize on Avatar’s success (and now Alice in Wonderland’s as well), particularly since Clash star Sam Worthington also played the leading role in James Cameron’s 3D opus. Many fanboys cried foul at the 3D effects (which, to my inexperienced eye, were not awful in the slightest), but I can say that the added dimension does not do much for the film in whole. If the 3D showings are sold out, safely choose the cheaper 2D, and I doubt you’ll miss out on anything.

2. “The Last Song”

Story: A rebellious, angsty (is there another kind lately?) teen (played by reigning queen of the tween generation, Miley Cyrus) is forced or spend a summer in her father’s (Greg Kinnear, always good to see) Southern beach home. Young love, some good heart-to-heart chats, and (knowing that this comes from the pen of romance/cheesy novel guru, Nicholas Sparks), some kind of death will probably ensue.

The Good: I will always love Greg Kinnear (As Good as it Gets, Little Miss Sunshine, You’ve Got Mail), who, over the years, has become one of those dependable, charismatic actors who elevate just about anything they star in (yes, even Mystery Men). And as much as I can’t stand her overacting from the few episodes I’ve seen of Hannah Montana, I hear good things about Miley Cyrus’ performance here. Mainly, that it’s the work of a talented young actress, and not necessarily a Disney-packaged product trying to branch away from her target audience. Oh, and for a fun fact, this looks like the high-profile debut of young Aussie hunk, Liam Hemsworth – he’s the younger brother of Chris Hemsworth, who made an impressive splash in the opening of J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek (he played Kirk’s father) and will next tackle Marvel’s superheroic Norse god of thunder, Thor! (I know, not particularly relevant, but it’s nice to see that this family might just have two talented siblings up its sleeve.) I may have my problems with author Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, the recent hit, Dear John), but he is known to make watchable films, especially if you’re in the mood for a grab-the-hanky tearjerker.

The Bad: I really can’t stand Nicholas Sparks. I’m sorry, I respect the fact that he’s a mega-best-selling writer (while I’m, ahem, a grouchy newbie with nothing close to publication), and his books get turned into at least modest-hit films (even the pretty awful Nights in Rodanthe did well on home video). Nonetheless, the level of manipulation in his stories drives me insane. There is always some kind of death (really, it might as well be a character in each story! The Grim Reaper probably gets most of his business from Sparks’ novels/movies) and his characters seem to operate only on the level of big declarations and ultimate, hokey resolutions. I’ll admit: The Notebook was pretty good (mainly because of the performances, though, and despite that corny conclusion), but that was one of the few. Judging by the okay (if unenthusiastic) reviews, this looks to hit closer to Dear John or A Walk to Remember territory.

Reviews: Okay. Nothing too positive, but very few outright negative notices either. Much like Clash of the Titans (which, I’ll admit, must looks as bad to some people as this movie looks to me), you know what you’re getting into. If you’re a fan of the previous Nicholas Sparks adaptations, this one might do the trick.

Overall: This is probably good counter-programming to the male-skewing Clash of the Titans. I have a soft spot for adventure films, so I’m sticking with Sam Worthington and his band of Greek warriors and over-the-top special effects. However, if a romantic drama is more to your liking (and you’ve enjoyed the other films based on Nicholas Sparks' works), then this might be the choice for you. If anything, it could be the first promising step for a young actress to watch, and it will certainly have some nice moments with Greg Kinnear, if the below trailer is any indication.

3. “Why Did I Get Married Too?”

Story: Four couples (returning from the first film in this series, with Janet Jackson and Tyler Perry reprising their original roles) gather together for a tropical vacation, all the while exposing their marital problems and concerns.

The Good: At this point, Tyler Perry has become a brand all by himself, especially thanks to his tough-talking Southern grandma character, Madea. This is a sequel to a film that had quite a remarkable box-office debut in 2007, so there’s certainly a fanbase for it. I have never seen the first film, nor really any other film from Tyler Perry’s collection, so it’s impossible for me to judge (although some of my friends of mine have, and they warned me that his particular style of moralizing and focus on faith might not be up my alley).

The Bad: It’s hard to tell: the trailer did nothing for me (looks to be, like Nicholas Sparks' stuff, a lot of BIG emotional speeches) and the below disappointing reviews don’t exactly inspire confidence. Then again, like I said, I’m not familiar with any of Perry’s other films, so it’s hard to take a critical look at this.

Reviews: Yep, pretty weak. Critics attack the film for its sermonizing style (sounds like it reduces itself to a lot talking heads, as opoosed to actual narrative momentum) and a mostly lackluster shooting style.

Overall: Well, if you were a fan of the first film, you will probably want to see this for some sense of completion.

And that’s it for this weekend! What do you guys think? Are you tempted by the effects-heavy promise of Clash of the Titans (no worries if you’re not—I can admit that that film just happens to fall into my particular geeky preference)?

What do you guys plan on seeing this weekend, if anything?

- Trailers courtesy of Trailer Addict.
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What's on the Menu (February 12 - 14)

- Posted by Rusty

YES! Finally, a packed weekend with lots of choices, and most of the new films look like they’re worth the $12 and fighting through the Valentine’s Day crowds. Now, I’m not the biggest fan of this weekend’s big holiday (although I'm crazy about the President’s Day no-work holiday on Monday!), but I’ll concede: I love the variety of films released in this frame, and two of these I can’t wait to check out. And, fine, although Valentine’s Day (as perfect a movie to capitalize on the buying frenzy of Cupid’s big day as there has probably ever been) looks corny, I still want to see it somewhere down the line too. With that, let’s check out the gods, Los Angeles romantics, and hairy Englishmen out this weekend… [breakdown of new movies after the jump]

1. “The Wolfman”

Story: In a remake of Universal’s classic 40’s monster flick, Benicio Del Toro stars as an actor forced to return to his native England after his brother’s mysterious death. And, well, before he knows it, he gets bitten and, on each full moon, unleashes his inner, hairy beast on the poor, poor Gothic citizens of turn-of-the-20th-century London. The amazing Anthony Hopking stars as Del Toro’s father (who maybe holds a secret of his own), and the lovely Emily Blunt and Hugo Weaving (another favorite of mine—Agent Smith from The Matrix trilogy, Elrond in The Lord of the Rings, and V in V for Vendetta) round out the cast.

The Good: Actually, looks like an overall entertaining package. Love the mood and atmosphere from the trailer—seems like the production team went above and beyond toward capturing the shadowy, Gothic gloom of classic horror movies. The film promises less an emphasis on gore than on character and quality scares, a rarity nowadays. Very encouraging to hear. The cast is superb; Blunt has been on a roll since her big break in The Devil Wears Prada (check her out in the currently-playing The Young Victoria. You won’t be sorry), Hopkins and Weaving are always-watchable, classically-trained actors who make the most of supporting roles in genre films, and, with all due respect, Benicio Del Toro was born to play a role like this. He has the stature, the talent, and the natural look of unkemptness to convincingly play the Wolfman. In fact, this entire project was shepherded by him; he takes a producer’s credit and seems very genuine in his passion for the original Lon Chaney Wolf Man film. Oh, and the music is by Danny Elfman, a regular Tim Burton collaborator, and, as you can hear in the trailer, it looks like he’ll knock another score out of the park.

The Bad: The production history is pretty spotty. Talented director Joe Johnston (October Sky, Jumanji, Jurassic Park III, the underseen and very fun Hidalgo) was a last-minute replacement for the original man in charge, Mark Romanek. There were also lots of rumors of reshoots and midnight-hour studio tinkering. In fact, for anyone who followed this movie’s production news, it went before the cameras in 2008 and then shifted through several 2009 release dates before settling on this weekend. A lot of the reviews (see below) mention a disjointed quality to the film, that some elements (mainly the emphasis on quick-moving horror over the film’s early, careful building of suspense) simply don’t mesh as well as they should. Honestly, I don’t expect this film to be perfect; at best, it will be a flawed, but hopefully well-made and entertaining ride.

Reviews: Decent, with a surprising amount of critics complaining that it’s quite dull and too serious for its own good. Still, the actors earn fine notices, especially Hopkins and Del Toro, who are said to elevate this material into something much more watchable and interesting.

Overall: Although the buzz is unenthusiastic and somewhat negative, I still really want to see this. I’m a big admirer of the actors they have here, and the whole idea of a period, psychologically-tinged horror film has me much too interested to brush this off.

2. “Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief”

Story: Based on Rick Riordan’s best-selling book (the first of five in the Olympians series, so obviously a lot is riding on The Lightning Thief to do well), this follows the story of young Percy Jackson, a dyslexic, rebellious, boarding-school teen who discovers his destiny is greater than anything he could have ever imagined. As it happens, he's the son of the Greek god of the sea, Poseidon, and unbeknownst to Percy this whole time, the Greek gods are all real, and all on the verge of war. When Zeus’ (Sean Bean) lighting bolt is stolen, Percy becomes the chief suspect, and, to clear his name, he must learn to embrace his demi-god powers and get to the bottom of the truth. Wonderful actors populate the Greek god side of the equation, with Pierce Brosnan, Uma Thurman, Sean Bean, and, best of all, Steve Coogan and Rosario Dawson looking like highlights amidst the awesome visuals.

The Good: The premise is fantastic. I’ve been meaning to check out the books, but, just from what I hear, they’re supposed to be clever and very engaging (if not to the level of Harry Potter). Brosnan (as the half-horse Chiron), Thurman (as the snake-haired, turning-men-into-stone Medusa), Bean, Coogan, and Dawson should all be fun to watch, and Logan Lerman, the talented young actor at the center of this film, has been on the rise for a few years now (check out his terrific turn in 3:10 to Yuma opposite Christian Bale). The effects look strong, the story interesting, and director Chris Columbus (the first two Harry Potter films) certainly knows his way around kids and fantasy.

The Bad: The trailers (like the one below), despite how hard they try, make me just a tad suspicious. For all the creatures and dazzling light shows, there seems to be missing an element of magic and wonder, or, for that matter, of characters we might want to follow through this (or several other) films. That could very well just be the trailers; the final film could be as clever and fun as the premise deserves, and, after all, how much character development could a trailer sell? Also, just for a personal gripe, I know 20th Century Fox really wants this to hit, for it could very well be their Harry Potter-like phenomenon. Too bad they also released The Seeker: The Dark is Rising and the phenomenally crappy Eragon to try to capitalize on this market before. I really hope that this isn’t as rushed and as barely thought through as those two previous fantasy misfires. Harry Potter works because it has well-drawn characters and wonderfully imagined adventures. I could see Percy Jackson, with the limitless possibilities of the Greek mythology world, enjoying a similar — if not quite as financially lucrative — path. For me, I’d rather see something that has more (potential) depth than Twilight become a rival, talked-about young-adult-lit franchise.

Reviews: Good (just not great)—lots of praise for the cast (particularly Brosnan, Coogan, and Thurman) and the original set-up. On the other hand, the Harry Potter comparisons were inevitable (especially with Columbus behind the camera), and most critics indicate that this one falls short of the high-quality, emotional benchmark set by the boy wizard.

Overall: I’ll probably check this out in the next few weeks; I want to see how it all comes together, and whether or not there’s enough substance here to launch a series of films. All in all, looks like a solid choice for kids and teens. It’s not a must-see for me, but certainly an interesting option to choose from…and a good way to get a Greek mythology fix before the (now in 3-D) onslaught of Clash of the Titans in March.

3. “Valentine’s Day”

Story: Think of it as Love Actually…but American. Some of our brightest and most beautiful stars (Julia Robert, Jennifer Garner, Jessica Biel, Jamie Foxx, Patrick Dempsey, Topher Grace, Anne Hathaway, Shirley Maclaine, and many, many more) pop in and out of criss-crossing stories as Los Angelinos navigate the weird and hopeful and bittersweet (and probably quite predictable) waters of love.

The Good: Have you seen that cast? Of course, by sheer math/paycheck ratios, they can’t all be on screen for that long (Julia Roberts looks to be stuck on an airplane for pretty much her entire storyline), but chances are you’ll like someone in this movie. This hodgepodge of people is directed by Garry Marhsall, who, while an imperfect filmmaker, does usually make pleasant and enjoyable romantic comedies (Overboard, Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries).

The Bad: I doubt this will hit anything close to Love Actually. That was a thoughtfully-written, beautifully-cast British film, exploring all kinds of love. This, on the other hand, looks to be a star-stuffed, phony-emotion experience (as much of the below reviews argue). I like a lot of these actors, but, even though the below trailer comes off as pretty cute, a majority of these stories look played out and much too familiar. I also keep getting the feeling that some of these actors were chosen more for who they are (Jessica Alba, Twilight’s Taylor Lautner) – and what fanbase they’ll attract on opening weekend – as opposed to what they could bring to their characters or storylines. Finally, the script was co-written by Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein, who last penned the similarly star-driven (if not to this extent) rom-com, He’s Just Not That Into You, a very mediocre film that was only occasionally salvaged by the charisma of its stars, something that might just happen here as well.

Reviews: Pretty poor from all angles, with nearly everyone mentioning the script’s endless clichés and inability to make these characters feel like real people. Nonetheless, the reviews mention that a good chunk of the stars still come off likable, despite their corny circumstances (particularly Hathaway, Roberts, Garner, Grace, and, in a nice surprise, Ashton Kutcher), and, if anything, I’m sure this is the type of film that goes down pretty easily. You’re bound to find something here to laugh about and enjoy; it’s just too bad that it seems the whole film doesn’t follow suit.

Overall: Oy, I know this will probably suck…and yet I still want to see it. Damn you, my love of romantic comedies and this bunch of charismatic actors! This will be a mediocre film at best, but, as a date movie (especially for this oh-so-perfectly-timed weekend), I think this might do the trick. At the very least, sight unseen, I’m sure this will be infinitely better than dreadful Matthew McConaughey rom-com vehicles like Fool’s Gold and How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

And that’s it for this weekend. There really is a nice variety this time around—one for the couples, one for the anti-Valentine’s Day or just non-chick-flick crowd who crave some good period Wolfman violence, and one for the fantasy-minded. Of all 3, I think The Wolfman looks like the most fun—a techologically savvy update on a classic horror institution. For a second choice, I’m mighty curious to check out Percy Jackson, and see how it stands as just a fantasy adventure in its own right.

How about you guys? Are you interested to see anything from this list?

And, of course, Happy Valentine’s Day to all those celebrating! (It might be a phony holiday, but I can still dig the genuine romantic spirit that sometimes comes out of it). And for anyone not quite enthused by candy hearts and valentines, I bring you the genius of Jimmy Fallon/a "Bothered" Robert Pattison:



Clips courtesy of Trailer Addict.
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What's on the Menu (January 29 - 31)

- Posted by Rusty

Like the last couple of weeks, there aren’t that many new choices in this frame. With the exception of one film that looks interesting, the other 2 new releases this weekend don’t sound very worthwhile. Let’s look at these films in detail… [breakdown of new releases after the jump]

1. “Edge of Darkness”

The Story: Mel Gibson plays a Boston cop who, looking to avenge the murder of his daughter, stumbles upon a conspiracy of powerful players and shady government agents (including the great British actor, Ray Winstone).

The Good: Off-screen antics aside, Gibson remains a terrific actor; it’s good to see him on screen again, particularly in terra firma dramatic territory. Lethal Weapon’s Martin Rigs made him a superstar, and this film looks to play on that type of role—a desperate, emotional man with (you guessed it) nothing to lose. It helps that few could do intensity quite like Gibson too—the phone call scene/duel of threats in Ransom comes to mind, and it remains one of my favorite moments in his career. He’s backed here by the gifted Brit, Ray Winstone, who made the most of his screen time in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and as a CGI-ed Sean Bean look-alike in the title role in Beowulf. He could do shifty, commanding personalities at the tip of a hat.

Behind the camera, this comes from director Martin Campbell, the man who brought us two of the best Bond films, the Pierce Brosnan launcher, Goldeneye, and the exceptional Daniel Craig reboot, Casino Royale (with one of my favorite adventure films, The Mask of Zorro, squeezed in the middle). The man knows how to stage great action, and, for the most part, he makes thrillers with intelligence and taste. Finally, the script is by William Monahan, who won an Oscar for The Departed (which I wasn’t enthusiastic about) and penned Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven, a hugely underrated, beautiful epic (watch the 4-Disc Director’s Cut if you don’t believe me).

The Bad: Actually, I don’t have too much here. This film might not be a masterpiece or a future Oscar winner, but the reviews and word of mouth are quite strong (see below). However, the reviews specify that the film is not exactly a deep or thoughtful one, and the overarching conspiracies (which are, thankfully, nicely hidden from the film’s marketing) don’t hold as much weight as they should. Plus, from the sound of it, the nature of the picture is straightforward—Gibson loses his daughter, he goes out to avenge her—which might sacrifice some room for needed character development, particularly of the supporting cast. And, yes, there is a bit of the “cheesiness” factor—ie, Gibson in the trailer even specifies that he’s a “guy with nothing to lose”.

Reviews: Good, just not great. I especially like the numerous comparisons to last year’s State of Play, which, perhaps in a similar way, unfolded its mystery into a large tapestry of players and seedy motivations. It’s a good sign for me, but, to be fair, I was also one of the few to really like State of Play, so take that as a good indicator.

Overall: This is what I want to see most this weekend. It’s the best-reviewed movie of the bunch, and, I don’t know about you guys, but I’m always up for a well-acted, well-made thriller.

2. “When in Rome”

Story: Kristen Bell plays Beth, one of those standard romantic-comedy gorgeous workaholics—she’s got a great career, but is just perpetually unlucky in love. But, lo and behold, in Rome for her little sister’s wedding, she happens to meet Josh Duhamel at the reception. Sparks fly, though through a series of comic circumstances, things don’t work out the way they should, and a desperate Beth ends up plucking five coins from Rome’s magical wishing fountain. And here’s the film’s big conceit: by the “rules” of this fountain, if you remove a coin from the water, then the owner of that coin is automatically in love with you. And, so, Kristen Bell must then ward off four new suitors (the very colorfully-cast Will Arnett, Dax Shepard, Jon Heder, and Danny DeVito) and figure out if Suitor #5 (Duhamel, who also happened to drop a coin in) is actually in love with her…or if he’s just under the magic spell.

The Good: Kristen Bell. For anyone who’s seen Veronica Mars, you know that there’s nothing this girl can’t do. She’s pretty, brimming with talent and charisma, and just poised to become a major star. It’s a shame she’s not a household name yet (although, I doubt this will be the film that will make that happen). She’s also surrounded by a well-chosen group of funny guys: DeVito is always a delight to see; Shepard stole his scenes in Idiocracy (he played Frito, the lawyer who liked “sex and money”) and Without a Paddle; Napoleon Dynamite’s Jon Heder; and Will Arnett, forever the amazing G.O.B. in Arrested Development, is any film’s secret weapon. These four guys alone guarantee some laughs. Plus, Duhamel may not be a great actor (at least he hasn’t shown much range yet), but he’s a likable screen presence, and, from the trailer, he looks to share some good chemistry with Bell.

The Bad: Well, the whole movie just looks trite and extremely predictable. The trailer was occasionally cute, sure, but it seems to rely on wacky slapstick instead of well-written jokes, something I think will translate to the final film. It also doesn’t help that the conclusion looks telegraphed for miles, and, unless it has some cleverness or twists up its sleeve, I think the ending was actually shown in the AMC Extended preview (the one that plays before the trailers in AMC theaters). Like many romantic comedies, it just seems stupid and gimmicky, possibly ruining the potential for a believable romance. Plus, while I enjoyed director Mark Steven Johnson’s Daredevil (which I still think is underrated, despite its many flaws), he also made Ghost Rider, which I just can’t argue for.

The Reviews: Poor, pretty much all around. Like it looks, the critics attack its underdeveloped script and, perhaps worst of all, the notable lack of laughs.

Overall: Looks like we could easily skip this. As much as I like this cast (and rom-coms in general), there are more worthwhile films out right now. It’s probably harmless and cute, but we could really do better.

3. “Saint John of Laws Vegas”

Story: The great character actor Steve Buscemi (Fargo, Con Air, Big Daddy, Big Fish, and lots lots more) plays compulsive gambler, John Alighieri (does that last name sound familiar?). Having escaped Las Vegas once to construct some sort of normal life, he finds himself drawn back to Sin City to investigate an insurance-fraud claim with his old pal, Virgil (Romany Malco from The 40-Year-Old-Virgin). From then, what ensues is a supposedly wacky road comedy, with wonderful supporting actors popping in, like John Cho (Sulu in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek! And, of course, Harold from the Harold & Kumar movies), Sarah Silverman, and perpetual scene-stealer, Peter Dinklage (Elf, Death at a Funeral). Oh, and perhaps best of all, Dante Alighiri gets a “Story By” credit here—that’s right, the film is like a comic reworking of Dante’s Divine Comedy, with Buscemi playing the Dante role and heading off with Virgil into Inferno’s Hell (re: Las Vegas).

The Good: I love how that story sounds, and the cast is definitely full of entertaining people. Most notably, Buscemi is one of the most likable and watchable people working in Hollywood—just watch how effortlessly he takes the audience’s attention in films like Con Air and The Island.

The Bad: Well, the reviews below aren’t a good sign. It appears like the film doesn’t quite come together into a cohesive package, ending up as a sort of loose collection of comic vignettes, many of which might not be that funny.

Reviews: Pretty poor. Although, for a silver lining, Buscemi and the cast are earning great notices; it just seems like the rest of the film doesn’t rise to their caliber.

Overall: This one’s in very limited release (playing only in LA and New York for now), and it doesn’t seem like it’s worth hunting down. Still, I will rent this in the future—with that cast and its Dante’s Inferno connection, I’m very curious to see how it all turns out (even if I’m not driven to shell out upwards of $10 for it).

And there you have it. Not too exciting of a weekend, but I think Edge of Darkness looks like solid entertainment. What do you guys think? Are you up for watching Mel Gibson kick corrupt-agent ass and take some names?

Like I mentioned before, we’re in for much better-looking movie choices in February, which is now just around the corner. See you guys next week!

Clips courtesy of Trailer Addict.
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What's on the Menu (January 22 - 24)

- Posted by Rusty

This is the most packed weekend so far in 2010—there are a total of 4 new releases hitting theaters. And what’s the outlook? Well, not pretty. I saw one of these films last night, and it was downright awful (although, unintentionally, very funny). And the rest of the bunch don’t exactly look awesome either. Nonetheless, let’s take a closer look at what came out… [breakdown of new releases after the jump]

Quick note: I’m going to shake up the format to this thing a bit. I like this column a lot, but I know that I tend to make it rambly, especially if the movies are really interesting to talk about (even when they’re not good). So, I figured a more streamlined and organized approach could do the trick. Let me know what you guys think.

1. “Legion”

Story: God, in a fit of vengeance, wants to exterminate the sinful people of the Earth. But, lo and behold, his loyal archangel, Michael (the always-great Paul Bettany) rebels and vows to protect a woman in the Mojave desert, the very one bearing mankind’s future savior. Oh, yeah, and it features lots of angles firing machine guns and cursing grandmas crawling on the ceiling.

The Good: Paul Bettany. Clear and simple. I saw this last night, and I can say that Bettany, a longtime favorite of mine (see: A Knight’s Tale, A Beautiful Mind, Wimbledon), gives it his all and manages to come out unscathed from this mess. There are also about two good sequences that deliver some solid scares. Finally, and maybe this is just me, I love films that revolve around religious iconography or just Christian mythology in whole. You give me warring angels in Heaven, Lucifer, Paradise Lost overtones, all the like, and I’ll usually go for it (which explains why I like Keanu Reeves’ Constantine so much). Too bad this film barely works on that level.

The Bad: Everything else. This is the January movie—the prime example of the type of films we usually see in the beginning of the year. I’ll have a full review up next week, but, for now, just take my word that this film isn’t worth your time. Seriously, the plot’s ridiculous (with the most inept way of causing an apocalypse I’ve ever seen), the dialogue’s atrocious (I’m going to write down some of Tyrese’s thug character’s nuggets of wisdom next week—they’re priceless), most of the acting is over-the-top, accents are misplaced (we’re in California—why is the son of the main character speaking in a long Southern drawl?!), and the list goes on and on. There’s not even that much action—for the most part, the armies of bad guys seem more intent to give the characters time to talk about their problems than actually attack. It’s only grace note, though: it’s incredibly funny, almost in a so-bad-it’s-good way.

Reviews: Poor, pretty much as expected.

Overall: Don’t see this. Maybe if you want some laughs or you're a fan of Bettany, but I can’t think of any other reason to spend upwards of $10 on this. It might be best saved for a rental, and then you can get some friends together and make fun of it. (Although, in some tiny way, I hope this is a hit for Bettany, who deserves the attention and to move on to bigger and better things.)

2. “The Tooth Fairy”

Story: Dwayne Johnson (a.k.a. The Rock) stars as a hockey player nicknamed the Tooth Fairy (since he, you know, knocks out opponents' teeth). Life is perfect for him, until, accidentally, he squashes his girlfriend’s daughter’s belief in the Tooth Fairy. As punishment, the Fairy division forces him to serve as the actual Tooth Fairy, complete with tutu and wings (anyone else find it weird that we have two action heroes in one weekend with wings?). Cue the laughs and cuddly family moments.

The Good: The cast features The Rock, always likable (even though he should start doing better films), Julie Andrews, always regal and charming, Billy Crystal (great to see back on the screen), and, best of all, British comic Stephen Merchant in what I think is his first big movie role. He’s Ricky Gervais’ uber-tall better half, having co-created the British version of The Office and Extras with the genius funnyman, and co-starred in the latter series as the most hilariously inept agent you’ve ever seen. Here’s a clip below—he’s the consistent highlight of that very funny show:



Really, The Tooth Fairy might be cute and harmless, if not exactly good.

The Bad: Have you seen that trailer (embedded below)? It’s dreadful—I have no idea how the suits and filmmakers passed off on that. Even if it’s not a fair representation of the film, this still looks like something you could easily skip. The message if hammered in the trailer (Follow your dreams! Be true to yourself!) and you could probably predict most of the plot developments. The Rock is always watchable, but I think he could finally stretch his range and see what else he’s capable of (like his great role as a gay actor/henchman in Be Cool).

Reviews: Okay…though nowhere near good or recommendation-worthy. Most critics agree that it’s watchable but disposable, which is exactly what it looks like.

Overall: If you have little siblings, maybe it’s best to let them see something else (dust off a Pixar DVD, The Princess and the Frog, etc). For everyone else, I’m sure it’s better than Legion, but I’m also sure there are better things playing right now, even the flawed Book of Eli.

3. “Extraordinary Measures”

Story: Based on a true story, this film follows the exploits of the Crowley family (Brendan Fraser and Keri Russell) and how they sought to cure their children of the rare genetic illness, Pompe disease, with the help from the curmudgeonly but brilliant Dr. Stonehill (Harrison Ford).

The Good: I’m a huge fan of both of the stars, especially when they put aside their blockbuster roles for more quiet, challenging ones. (They were both even the subject of one of my first big pieces for this blog). The story also sounds like it could deliver some powerful drama. If only that's the case…

The Bad: Well, for starters, the below trailer does it no favors. It sounds like an Oscar-type picture—big stakes, big stars, heart wrenching subject matter. Instead, it comes off as a well-cast TV movie, with lots of corniness and overly dramatic scenes. I do want to see it because the story holds so much promise, and there is real hope and beauty in what the real-life scientists accomplished here (and, by the way, Dr. Stonehill never existed—the man who played the vital role in the cure for Pompe was the distinctly Asian Dr. Yuon-Tsong Chen). That aside, the word-of-mouth is mostly negative (see the status of the reviews below), with most people who've seen it complaining that the script lacks the necessary emotional impact, and that Fraser, Russell, and, of course, Ford get stuck amidst the heavy melodrama. It’s really too bad; on paper, this sounded like a winner—a nice chance for some of my favorite actors to stretch and deliver some inspiring entertainment.

Reviews: Moderate, with critics citing the film’s poor dialogue and tacky moments for ruining the potential of this story.

Overall: I had higher hopes for this. But, with the disappointing trailer and the lukewarm reviews, I think I’ll catch it on TV someday. Here’s hoping Ford and Fraser (and Russell as well, who’s far too talented to be typecast in weepy wife roles) will find more quality dramas for their next go-arounds. For now, this doesn’t look like a great choice for the theaters.

4. “To Save a Life”

Story: Jake Taylor, a popular, cocky high-school athlete must reexamine his life after an old friend (whom Jake ignored as they got older) commits suicide.

The Good: In the right hands, this could be touching and real material. I like that it’s a cast of unknowns as well, and, as long as it doesn’t get too preachy, it’s always interesting to explore how people grow up and fit themselves into (or break away from) social hierarchies.

The Bad: Its limited January release isn’t a good sign. Neither is the overdone trailer, which pushes the angsty and “make a difference” notes much too hard. I think there is potential here (Veronica Mars did wonders with honest, believable high school stories, albeit with a savvy tone and top-notch writing); I’m just not sure if this film will follow through on it.

Reviews: Completely mixed, with some praising its genuine approach to the subject matter and moving performances…and others despising its 7th Heaven-ish, hokey tone and, well, poor acting. It’s difficult to judge, but the 30% Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes seems to be a good indicator of the movie’s quality.

Overall: I doubt this will be any good. From the trailer, the writing looks anything but subtle, and it’s a personal pet peeve of mine whenever movies try to hit hard with their Big Lessons. I could be wrong, but this simply doesn’t look like something worth catching.

Yeah…so maybe not the best weekend for movie-going. What do you guys think? Is anyone thinking of watching Legion? (and I don’t blame you at all—I was actually kind of excited to see it) At the very least, February looks to bring some interesting new flicks, including The Wolfman, Valentine's Day (although its U.S. Love Actually approach might stumble upon itself), the could-be-good franchise-starter, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and, perhaps best of all, a 3-D reissue of Disney's Beauty and the Beast!

Clips courtesy of Trailer Addict.
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What's on the Menu (January 8 - 10)

- Posted by Rusty

…and welcome to January. Unofficially, this is known as “dump month”. January is when studios typically release the films they have the least confidence in, hoping to just make a quick buck and fade the films from memory. Still, some genuinely good movies managed to come out in the doldrums of the New Year (ie, Children of Men and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, two of the best films of the decade, in my opinion; as well as more recent hits like Cloverfield and Taken). From the looks of it, this weekend’s new movies aren’t the most promising group, though I suspect they might make for passable entertainment. Let’s take a peek at the first batch of new movies for 2010… [breakdown of new releases after the jump]

1. “Leap Year” - Ah, Amy Adams…you and your adorableness might even make this worth seeing. Adams really is one of the most charming actresses working in any genre. She could do drama effortlessly (and has two Oscar nominations as a reward), but she’s also one of the most gifted comic actresses out there (Enchanted takes the cake, but her small roles in Catch Me if You Can and Talladega Nights were wonderful as well). And that brings us to Leap Year. Plot-wise, most of us know how this is going to play out: A city career girl (Amy Adams) keeps waiting for a proposal from her long-time boyfriend (Adam Scott, of Starz’ brilliant sitcom, Party Down). When the ring doesn’t come on the eve of their fourth anniversary, she decides to take drastic measures. With her boyfriend out in Dublin for a conference (ah, Ireland—how lucky that his conference takes place in one of the most picturesque, lushly green locations), she learns that, by Irish tradition, a woman could propose to her man on Leap Day, February 29th. Adams then takes off to Dublin, and through a series of comic obstacles, she ends up recruiting a scruffy, handsome Irishman (Matthew Goode, the talented and versatile actor from Watchmen, Match Point, and The Lookout) to drive her to Dublin. Might sparks fly? Albeit with this tall, sensitive ruffian instead of the squeaky-clean boyfriend from back home?

Yeah, it sounds mighty predictable, and, in watching the trailer, I could already guess most of the story beats. But this film does have a few things in its favor. First off, Adams is a delight in pretty much anything she makes, and I’m hoping she could bring some personality and depth to what sounds like a pretty hokey, stereotypically-written character (and premise). As for her co-star, Matthew Goode is a genuine talent—if you guys ever have the chance, see his electrifying work in The Lookout and Woody Allen’s Match Point. He’s great in the more high-profile Watchmen too, and, so far, I like that he downplays his obvious good looks to tackle more meaty character parts (you can currently see him as Colin Firth’s lover in A Single Man). He looks to bring just the right kind of swagger from the trailer, and the guy is hilarious in interviews and panels, so I’m sure he’ll handle the comedy aspects as well. Finally, this is from director Arnand Tucker, known for sensitive indies like Shopgirl and a script by writing duo Harry Elfont and Deborah Kaplan (who wrote one of the best teen movies, Can’t Hardly Wait…as well as the lame Made of Honor from last year), with a final polish by Slumdog Millionaire Oscar-winner Simon Beaufoy.

With these people involved, I’m hoping that the film overcomes the familiar story to give us something sweet and likable. More so, I really hope it doesn’t end up like Elfont and Kaplan’s last scripted movie, Made of Honor, just substituting the prettier Ireland for the former movie’s Scotland, while still retaining all the clichés of a weak rom-com. All in all, The reviews are decent, but not great (even Roger Ebert said that he couldn’t resist the movie’s charms), so it could end up being a pleasant date movie a la The Proposal.

P.S. Quick moment to plug an awesome show: I mentioned this briefly already, but co-Star Adam Scott is the star of Party Down, a brilliant sitcom that’s still relatively unheard of. It just aired its first season on Starz, and it comes back for a second (and probably last season) this April. But, even if you don’t have Starz, you can catch all 10 episodes if you’re a Netflix member—the entire first season is available for streaming, and I highly recommend you check it out. From the people who gave us Veronica Mars (itself a genius show—I just obsessively plowed through all 3 seasons during Christmas Break), it’s about a group of showbiz hopefuls who make ends meet by working in a minimum-wage catering company. The characters are all well-drawn and relatable, and the writing is top-notch throughout all 10 episodes. Plus, Veronica Mars fans get a lot of bonus goodies—not only is Mars regular Ryan Hansen (the infamous Dick Casablancas) a member of the Party Down “catering team”, but a good portion of the former show’s cast appear as guest stars (including Veronica Mars herself, Kristen Bell, in the Season 1 finale). And, lastly, it’s easily one of the funniest shows on TV—its humor isn’t obvious, but more in the vein of the witty, sometimes-painfully-awkward kind we see on The Office and Ricky Gervais’ Extras, just the kind that I love. A really great show, and one I’ll make sure to blog about when it comes back in April.

2. “Daybreakers” - Vampires are a huge pop-culture property right now—with Twilight, True Blood, and The Vampire Diaries ruling the theaters and airways, it was only a matter of time before we’d get even more blood-sucker stories. And here’s what look like a potentially interesting spin on vampire lore—a welcome entry into the overdone genre. Daybreakers presents a world where the vampires won—humans are rare and hunted for their blood, and society continues to function, albeit composed almost entirely of immortals. But here’s the rub: human blood is running out, and (though this is where the trailer gets a bit muddled), the consequences of no more blood could be devastating for all vampire citizens. Somehow, Willem Defoe’s renegades come into play, and Ethan Hawke’s (always good to see on the screen—he’s a dependably good actor) conflicted vampire hero takes center stage for some world-shaking events. I’m not familiar with writer/directors The Spierig Brothers, but, from the trailer, it looks like they created a nifty visual experience, and I like that this story explores vampires in a fresh light (and, on a quick note: thank you to the filmmakers for not making them sparkle, and having no werewolves or indecisive, poorly-written female leads in sight). I’m guessing the good (but not great) reviews are more due to story problems, since even the trailer can’t effectively explain what happens when the blood runs out…besides there being a lot of action scenes, of course. Still, the take is creative, and it looks like an overall entertaining film. Not mandatory big-screen watching for me, but I do want to catch this somewhere down the line.

3. “Youth in Revolt” - Based on the much-loved “rebellious teens” book of the same name, it looks like this movie adaptation is not too shabby, taking some recognizable plot points (ie, nerdy boy wants to lose his virginity) and turning them on their head (ie, said boy invents a suave, Frenchman, mustache-twirling alter ego, Francois, to win over the girl of his dreams). Although Michael Cera could do the stuttering/awkward/funny-guy routine in his sleep (I know it’s become a bit repetitive, but he’s still an absolute genius in this type of role), I’m actually much more interested to see his take on Francois, which should allow the young actor to show some range and quiet the naysayers who think he’s one-trick pony. The rest of the film sounds equally interesting (and quite demented too)—Nick Twisp, a horny, lonely kid from a trailer park (Cera) meets a blonde bombshell (newcomer Portia Doubleday) and vows to win her over. When he can’t do it as Nick, he invents, in a Fight Club-esque manner, Francois to swoop in and finish the job. The trailer implies a lot of crazy scenes follow, and I’m curious to see how this thing comes together (especially since I hear that the novel is epically long, with a final part that’s too out-there to put on screen coherently). Great comic actors appear in this too, including Zach Galifianakis (the scene-stealer from this year’s giant hit, The Hangover), Justin Long, Ray Liotta, Fred Willard, and the great Steve Buscemi. Could be interesting—the reviews are pretty good, and I think, of all the films coming out this weekend, I’ll probably catch this one with my friends in the next few weeks.

4. “Crazy on the Outside” - With next to no publicity, this one doesn’t seem to have much of a chance. Still, it sounds intriguing—if nothing else, I’d see it for its Galaxy Quest reunion of Tim Allen and Sigourney Weaver (who are obviously friends, and have a great rapport in the trailer), and for the fact that it’s Tim Allen’s directorial debut. I’ll be the first to admit that Allen makes a lot of horrible movies, but just watch how he lights up the screen in something like Galaxy Quest, a comedy that’s actually worthy of his talent. He strikes me as a cool, very smart guy, but one that unfortunately seems to prefer paycheck roles over making quality films. So, the fact that he took directorial reigns on this is a good sign—there might be a sneaky, dark comedy lurking underneath that bland poster and decent (but far from great) trailer. The story—about Allen’s just out-of-the-joint con man who tries to start a normal life—has promise. Even better, the actors Allen rounded up are superb: in addition to Weaver, we have the amazing J.K. Simmons (the perpetual scene-stealer of the Spider-Man films as editor J. Jonah Jameson), Kelsey Grammar, Modern Family’s Julie Bowen, and Ray Liotta. It’s only opening in a few cities this weekend, so there aren’t too many reviews to help us judge; however, the two available reviews aren’t swimming in praise. I don’t have high hopes for this, but I like that Allen is trying something new here, and it’d be great if this paves way for more intelligent comedies from him in the future.

And that’s it for the weekend. I can’t say that it’s filled with great choices, but all of them, especially Leap Year and Daybreakers, could turn out better than expected, providing some good early-January entertainment in the process. Or, of course, you could finally catch (or re-watch…ahem, like I’ve been known to) Avatar and Sherlock Holmes, two of the best films out right now. And don’t forget about awards darling, Up in the Air, too (which I’m looking forward to catching, and might just see this weekend or next)!

What do you guys hope to catch this weekend, or in the next few weeks of January?

Clips courtesy of Trailer Addict.
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What's on the Menu (Christmas 2009 edition)

- Posted by Rusty


Merry Christmas, everyone!! In keeping with the present-filled tradition, Christmastime is among the best weekend frames for movies all year. So, minus singing chipmunks, there are some excellent choices out this week, including my personal favorite: the return of one of the best literary detectives of all time! Elementary, my dear readers? You bet. Let’s check out the new movies… [breakdown of new releases after the jump]

1. “Sherlock Holmes” - Just caught this last night, and, honestly, it’s a good time at the movies. Director Guy Ritchie’s (Snatch, Rock ‘n’ Rolla) take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most classic character is revisionist, to be sure, but it wonderfully captures both the adventurous spirit and character details that made Doyle’s stories so irresistible. Led by Robert Downey Jr. in top, witty form as the great detective, and backed up by Jude Law (in one of his best and most likable on-screen turns—who would’ve thought he’d be such a perfect Watson?) and a game Rachel McAdams, Sherlock Holmes is a great ride. The relationships and banter between the characters are pitch-perfect, and, for that, I’m willing to let slide the many, many (quite fun, to be honest) outlandish action sequences. And, like I told my sister when she scoffed at a chop-suey Sherlock Holmes, even Doyle said that that deductive genius knew baritsu and used it on his enemies (aha, that’d be an ancient martial art, one that I’ve never heard of until reading Holmes’ confrontation with Professor Moriarty), so Holmes logically kicking and punching his way through London hoodlums isn’t too far of a stretch. The story is a bit weak in terms of the villain and overall mystery—the Satanist, Lord Blackwood, is well-played by character actor extraordinaire, Mark Strong (Rock ‘n’ Rolla, Stardust, Body of Lies, the upcoming Robin Hood), but he’s not enough of an intellectual match for Holmes. And the puzzles, while clever, don’t tickle and tease the brain like some of Doyle’s original head-scratchers. Hmm…(MINOR SPOILER ALERT) maybe the movie’s much-hinted, always-in-shadows “M” fellow would be a more worthy adversary? And who’s this superstar and old Ritchie collaborator (hint: Snatch) that might just play him in the already-in-preproduction sequel? (END OF SPOILERS) If that’s the route they go, I’m looking forward to see what else this team can conjure up. All in all, I think both fans of the original stories and complete newcomers will enjoy this. This is smart, quite clever entertainment, and what looks to be the start of another excellent franchise for the deserving Comeback King, Robert Downey Jr.

2. “It’s Complicated” - I think this will find a nice, mature niche audience and will probably be a hit. I’m also pretty positive that I will see it later on, most likely on DVD, like I do with all of Nancy Meyers’ romantic comedies. Meyers has given us (whether only through her screenplays or stints as writer/director) the remake of The Parent Trap (with Lindsay Lohan, back when she was a promising, cute, young bundle of talent), the Father of the Bride movies (with Steve Martin, one of the It’s Complicated stars), What Women Want, Something’s Gotta Give, and, my personal favorite, the flawed-but-charming The Holiday (with Kate Winslet, Jack Black, Jude Law, and Cameron Diaz). And this one sounds like a solid rom-com recipe: the indisputably-brilliant Meryl Streep plays an aging divorcee, while perennial funnymen Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin play her suitors. That’s the central love triangle, and Streep presumably must figure out where her heart truly lies, with the husband who left her for a much younger woman (Baldwin), or the sweet, shy architect who’s head over heels for her (Martin). Oh, and The Office’s John Krasinski pops up too, as Streep’s supportive future son-in-law (always great to see him! If you look carefully, you’ll see Krasinski in a two-minute guest spot in The Holiday). The odds of this being pleasant and enjoyable are quite high—there is too much talent here to suggest a bad movie, and Streep, Mamma Mia aside, rarely shows poor taste. However, I’m going to approach this with my expectations in check—the reviews are fine, but certainly not glowing, and as much as I like Meyers, her movies sometimes dissolve into too much sap, or simply wear out their welcomes briefly (ie, What Women Want) or completely (ie, the massively overlong Something’s Gotta Give). There are good people here, and it will probably be a safe choice for a grown-up romance, or perhaps just some good character comedy. Most likely, we won’t regret seeing this, though I’m pretty sure this won’t join the ranks of When Harry Met Sally and Love Actually as insightful (and very funny) movies about relationships.

3. “Nine” - At one point, Nine looked like it was going to sweep the awards season with its ridiculous, brimming-with-Oscar-winners cast, strong musical pedigree (from the team that brought you the Best-Picture winner, Chicago), and, potentially, its story—tracing a once-great filmmaker’s existential crisis right before production of his new movie begins. Since then, the buzz has cooled—judging by the decisively mixed reviews, some believe that the musical numbers have a great pop and zing to them, but the rest of the film falters. That’s too bad; the cast boasts Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood, Gangs of New York, and The Last of the Mohicans—easily one of the best and most unpredictable actors alive), Nicole Kidman, Marion Cotillard (Public Enemies and Big Fish, and the one who’s earning the most raves for her performance here), Penelope Cruz (who just won an Oscar last year, and looks to enter back into the race with her supporting role in this picture), the amazing Judi Dench (Shakespeare in Love, the Daniel Craig Bond movies), Kate Hudson (in a welcome return to making more substantial movies), Fergie, and Italian legend Sophia Loren. That’s a lot of star-power (not to mention beautiful women), and it’s supposedly wrapped in a glitzy package by Chicago director, Rob Marshall. From skimming the reviews, the problem seems to lie in the emotional parts of the movie—the characters and Day-Lewis' crisis apparently don’t resonate as much as they should, and the musical numbers, while well-staged, don’t gel as comfortably with the talky parts as Chicago accomplished. Back when Chicago premiered, I was impressed with how comfortably Marshall brought the big-screen, live-action musical back into the public consciousness (I think Moulin Rouge! probably helped to achieve that as well). However, then Marshall made Memoirs of a Geisha, one of the most gorgeous empty-headed films I’ve seen recently. Beautiful to look at, sure, but with no soul underneath all that fancy production design (and let’s ignore that the Memoirs book is an excellent one, and, in my opinion, much easier to adapt as it was than the wrangled, toned-down version we got). Marshall is a talent, and I hope Nine, mixed reviews and all, is some sort of return to form. At the very least, Nine could be a step for him to become a stronger storyteller, an area that he definitely hasn’t mastered yet. His next directing gig looks to be the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean film with Johnny Depp (yeah, seriously)—I hope he embraces that out-of-left-field genre for him and knocks it out of the park. As for now, Nine might be worthwhile, and I’m sure I’ll catch it eventually; of all the movies this weekend, I think it stands as a cautious recommendation. I like the cast and behind-the-scenes talent, and even if it’s not the home-run people initially predicted, I think it might still be interesting to check out, flaws and all.

4. “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” - This is a super-limited engagement (its full nationwide release is in January), so for anyone living in either New York, Los Angeles, or Toronto, you’ll be able to catch it this weekend before the rest of the country. This comes to us from visionary director Terry Gilliam (12 Monkeys, Brazil, The Brothers Grimm), and is getting lots of attention for being the last full screen performance of the late (and very missed) Heath Ledger. As it should. For anyone who missed it, Ledger tragically died mid-filming, but the quick-thinking Gilliam “completed” his role with old friends Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, and Jude Law. How’d they do it? Apparently, the screenplay allowed for such a shake-up—throughout the course of the film, Ledger’s character steps into a magic mirror, and thus come out a different manifestation of himself. I love that they managed to do that, getting Ledger’s work out there and preserving the heart of his performance (it’s also quite heart-warming to know that Depp, Farrell, and Law all gave their proceeds to Mathilda, Ledger’s daughter). This movie arrives with a lot of goodwill, and from the trailer (check it out below) it looks to be a doozy of a story. In a nutshell: Doctor Parnassus (the great Christopher Plummer) makes a deal with the devil for immortality, allowing him to travel the world for ages with his portable Imaginarium, a vessel for dreams and magic for all who wish to partake in it. Ah, but here’s the catch: as payment, the devil wants Parnassus’ daughter (Lily Cole) on her 16th birthday, a day that’s frighteningly imminent. Along the way, Ledger’s con man comes into play to join the Imaginarium, and a gorgeous-visuals-filled adventure begins.

I’m not sure what to make of it, but I can definitely say that I like the footage. There’s lots of visual invention on display, and Ledger (along with his brilliantly chosen three “replacements”) is one of my big reasons for wanting to see it. In all honesty, I respect director Gilliam’s limitless and playful imagination, but I’m pretty hit-and-miss on his films—he has his excesses, and when he tones them down (ie, 12 Monkeys) the results are superb, but when he lets loose and goes crazy with style, they can sometimes be dreadful (ie, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas—never thought that I could hate a Johnny Depp movie). Still, he remains one of our most interesting filmmakers, and, even with weak material like The Brothers Grimm, he could still add some magic and scrappy, underdog charm to the proceedings. With good reviews, this looks like a strong film, bridging both Gilliam’s good storytelling talents (which he definitely has, even if I have problems with some of his films) and his eye for vast visual wonder. It might not be for everyone (even me), but this is one I’ll make sure to check out in theaters.

P.S. Does anyone else think the actors chosen to help finish Ledger’s performance are even more perfect than meets the eye? If you think about it for a second, each represents an aspect of Ledger’s screen work and persona. Depp is the hugely talented character actor, one that tries to mask his good looks to truly challenge himself as an actor (shades of The Dark Knight, The Brothers Grimm, and Brokeback Mountain--all transformative performances from Ledger). Colin Farrell looks to be the scruffy bad boy-type, but is really just a bright young actor, brimming with talent (same with Ledger, who pounced on every role and continued to gain credibility, even if he was initially considered as the Aussie rebel-type). And, finally, Law is the handsome leading man, the one with charm to spare and who can deliver terrific performances without seeming to break a sweat (Ledger was cast in those types of roles as well, like 10 Things I Hate About You and The Four Feathers, but, of course, famously moved on to be the kind of actor he always wanted). All those guys are Ledger’s contemporaries, both in talent and (more or less) age. Thus, I find it all the more fitting that three of our absolute best actors helped to preserve the work of one who would have surely joined their ranks (if he wasn’t already a worthy member).

5. “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel” - I’ll make this short and sweet. I adored the cartoon in elementary school (it actually holds up nicely if you ever check it out now), and, yes, couldn’t resist buying the albums. But the first film looked dreadful—even the presence of my long-time faves Jason Lee and Justin Long (as the voice of Alvin) didn’t drive me to see it. Same here—the lesson (be true to your self…and your music! Kids’ movies love the “don’t sell out” message) looks obvious, and as much as I love new cast members Zachary Levi (Chuck on TV’s Chuck, which comes back January 10!) and Anna Faris (as the voice of one of the Chippettes—yep, that’d be the nearly identical girl chipmunks), I think I’m cool with skipping it. Maybe for very little kids, if nothing else is playing…but, seriously, The Princess and The Frog looks to be the far better choice if you need to find a good kid’s movie. Or, if the predominantly poor reviews pull you away, you could always just rent Up or another gem from the Pixar factory…

And that’s it for this busy Christmas weekend. Are you guys going to catch one (or more) of these? If you are, Sherlock Holmes, like Avatar from last week, is a high recommendation.

Have a great time celebrating, everyone (and a Happy belated Hanukkah as well)! We’ll be back very soon with more trailers, reviews, and end-of-the-year lists.

Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.
Clips courtesy of Trailer Addict.
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