Daybreakers (1/8), Book of Eli (1/15), Legion (1/22):
A clump of post-apocalyptic action thrillers are being released, each a week apart, throughout the month of January. Daybreakers is set in a world where everyone is now a vampire except a small group of humans. It stars Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe. Book of Eli has Denzel Washington wandering a deserted wasteland trying to keep a mystical book out of the evil clutches of Gary Oldman. Legion is about a war begun against earth by heaven to bring on Armageddon. Paul Bettany and Dennis Quaid star. While the Hughes brothers directing team has the most reputable credentials, the Book of Eli looks rather standard for a post-apocalyptic picture. Daybreakers includes a horror element which could attract audiences. Legion appears to be treading the same sacred ground The Prophecy saga did (which ended up going directly to DVD).
Leap Year (1/8):
As talented and energetic as Amy Adams is, I am doubtful she can invigorate a tired plotline. Waiting for her fiancé to marry her, Adams’ character decides to revoke an old Irish tradition and ask him the ultimate question on February 29th. Being stranded across Ireland from him could be a problem and so could the sexy guide who is assisting her on the trek. The director has done more cerebral relationship films in the past, it is unlikely she will succeed in this first attempt at mainstream fare.
Youth in Revolt (1/8):
Michael Cera tries sole leading man status in this dark comedy based on a popular novel. The director, Miguel Arteta, may have satisfied critics with his early works but has yet to connect with audiences. The strange alter-ego created by the main character in the film (which the audience sees as an illusion?) is unlikely to drum up much enthusiasm. Cera as a tough guy? The scrawny actor should remain as part of ensemble comedies awhile longer.
Lovely Bones (1/15):
Bumped from its December wide release date because of poor critical reviews and its being overlooked by the awards shows, this movie adapted from the popular novel may be a jewel in the rough month of January. While not deemed critically worthy, it could still be a movie that plays well to general audiences who are looking to be emotionally moved by a religiously-tinged thriller. Oscar winner Peter Jackson directs with Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz starring.
Spy Next Door (1/15):
Jackie Chan goes where Arnold Schwarzenegger and Vin Diesel have gone before, protecting kids in a feel-good family action comedy. Please save us.
Tooth Fairy (1/22):
The director, Michael Lembeck, is a veteran of comedy and the star, Dwayne Johnson, recently discovered his comedic side (taking a break from his action star image). The tooth fairy was a pretty funny part of the Santa Clause movies (the second and third of which Lembeck directed); maybe a movie about a hockey player forced to be the tooth fairy could also be funny. Ashley Judd and Billy Crystal co-star.
Extraordinary Measures (1/22):
A drama about a race to save the lives of two children with rare genetic disorders, directed by the talent behind What Happens in Vegas? I’m not so sure. The film is based on a book with a compelling storyline about a father (Brendan Fraser) who seeks out a cure from an eccentric scientist (Harrison Ford). Neither man’s recent film choices garner much hope that this film will go beyond the standard generic medical drama.
When in Rome (1/29):
Where do you go as a director when you screw up two comic book movie franchises (Ghost Rider and Daredevil)? To the purgatory of romantic comedies, of course. Mark Steven Johnson directs a quaint little story starring Kristen Bell as an American who takes three coins out of a wishing well and has the three men fall madly in love with her. Perhaps Johnson will have found his calling back in comedies and the rest of comic-dom will remain safe.
Dear John (2/5):
This film actually looks like it might be both a critical and financial success. Lasse Hallstrom of Chocolat and Cider House Rules fame directs this movie based upon a Nicholas Sparks romantic novel. Two up-and-coming young actors star as a military man (Channing Tatum) and a college girl (Amanda Seyfried) who fall in love just before he is shipped overseas. They stay in touch through letters. Get ready for a good, heartfelt cry from some of the masters.
From Paris With Love (2/5):
The director of Taken returns to hopefully surprise audiences with another action intense thriller overseas, this time starring John Travolta and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Can a bald tough-guy cop be Travolta’s third career-saving performance?
Wolfman (2/10):
A Universal pictures horror remake from some respectable talent who have taken this project very seriously. Benicio del Toro stars as Laurence Talbot in the original Wolfman story. Anthony Hopkins costars as the father and a veteran adventure filmmaker, Joe Johnston, directs. The early trailer for this picture looks eerie, breathtakingly beautiful in a Victorian sense, with a grand sense of scale and an epic quality to it. I am excited to see it.
Remember Me (2/12):
Robert Pattinson is in something other than a Twilight movie. Yawn. There will be teen angst and a strained father-son relationship in this movie. Pattinson looks pretty somber throughout much of the trailer. The capable Chris Cooper and Pierce Brosnan co-star.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2/12):
Director Chris Columbus hopes to jump-start another children’s fantasy series, after his success with Harry Potters 1 and 2. This series is not as broadly known as Harry Potter but there is some promise here. Everyone wants to mine the ideas of ancient gods and goddesses with Clash of the Titans coming out later this year and Thor arriving in theaters next year. Is there room in the mix for a young man in the modern world who didn’t know he had the blood of a god running through his veins?
Valentine’s Day (2/12):
Another ensemble romantic comedy is released (limited) just in time for the chocolate covered holiday. This follows in the footsteps of “He’s Just Not that Into You” by having several barely intersecting stories being told at the same time. Instead of taking one good idea and making a movie out of it, the filmmakers take several good ones and ruin them by not spending enough time exploring them. A star-studded cast including Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, and Bradley Cooper are involved.