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FacebookHome > Blogs > Sir Critic on Cinema > Archives > 2009 > January > 07 > Entry
March movies: What’s coming up? Better prospects
As the winter comes to an end in 2009, the doldrums at the movies melt away too, as prospects improve considerably. Here are the January and February releases, if you must relive them.
MARCH 6
All About Steve
The lowdown: After Sandra Bullock, playing a crossword puzzle creator, has one date with a CNN cameraman (Bradley Cooper), she follows him all over the country.
The forecast: Sounds quirky/intriguing enough - I just hope it’s better than some of Bullock’s recent vehicles like Premonition.
The prospect: B
Watchmen
The lowdown: Alan Moore’s lauded graphic novel comes to the screen courtesy of the director of 300, Zack Snyder.
The forecast: We shall see if this actually comes out in March amid the ongoing dispute between WB and Fox, both of whom claim to have the rights. I know for many people this is THE must-see film of the season, but I’m feeling a bit of fatigue in this genre. I hope the film exceeds my expectations.
The prospect: B
MARCH 13
A Perfect Getaway
The lowdown: A Hawaiian honeymoon turns dangerous Steve Zahn and Milla Jovovich when they discover they are being stalked by a pair of killers.
The forecast: The plot sounds old hat, but the director is David Twohy, who made Pitch Black, one of the few Vin Diesel movies I like. Then again, he also made the bloated sequel, but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.
The prospect: B
Race to Witch Mountain
The lowdown: Disney reboots its 70s franchise about telekinetic kids, with Dwayne Johnson and AnnaSophia Robb (the winning lead from Bridge to Terabithia).
The forecast: The kid in me still has a soft spot for the Witch Mountain movies. The original female lead, Kim Richards, who appears in the new film, gave me my first inkling that girls were cute. With a very promising cast, I’m actually more anxious to see this than Wathcmen. So there.
The prospect: A
MARCH 20
Duplicity
The lowdown: Julia Roberts and Clive Owen star as spies trying to con their corporate bosses.
The forecast: Ladies and gentlemen, here is the film I am most looking forward to seeing in the first quarter of the year. If this film is half as good as its dynamite trailer, and half as good as the previous film by writer-director Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton, we’re in great shape.
The prospect: A Here’s the trailer:
I Love You Man
The lowdown: Paul Rudd goes on a series of man-dates to find a Best Man for his wedding. Jason Segel (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) co-stars.
The forecast: Potentially funny premise, but director John Hamburg’s last film was the lame Along Came Polly. We’ll see.
The prospect: C
Knowing
The lowdown: Nicolas Cage begins to suspect that his son has discovered an artifact that accurately predicts natural disasters and other catastrophes.
The forecast: The director is Alex Proyas, who has one of the best eyes in the business, having made The Crow and Dark City. For that reason alone, I’m curious.
The forecast: A
MARCH 27
The Accidental Husband
The lowdown: When a talk radio host (Uma Thurman) advises one of her listeners to break up with her boyfriend, the ex sets about getting his revenge.
The forecast: Sounds pleasant enough, but I just can’t get fired up about it, since it’s been kicked around the schedule like a soccer ball.
The prospect: C
Adventureland
The lowdown: A college grad (Jesse Eisenberg) takes what he thinks is a dead-end job at his local amusement park.
The forecast: The director of Superbad wrote and directed this. It should be interesting to see what he can do outside the Judd Apatow stable. Kristen Stewart and Ryan Reynolds co-star. This might appeal to those who miss the likes of Americana/LeSourdsville Lake.
The forecast: B
Janky Promoters
The lowdown: Two shady concert promoters (Ice Cube and Mike Epps) get into trouble when their plan to book a superstar rapper (Young Jeezy) goes awry.
The forecast: Fans of the Friday movies may be into this; that’s not me.
The prospect: C
Monsters vs. Aliens
The lowdown: After being hit by a meteorite on her wedding day, a woman (Reese Witherspoon) turns into a monster and is stashed away to a secret government compound where others like her have been rounded up over the years.
The forecast: Great premise, I have high hopes this is one of DreamWorks’ better efforts.
The prospect: A
12 Rounds
The lowdown: A Detective (John Cena) discovers his girlfriend has been kidnapped by a ex-con and he’ll have to successfully complete 12 challenges in order to secure her safe release.
The forecast: From the star of The Marine and director Renny Harlin, who hasn’t made a decent film since Deep Blue Sea? Pass.
The forecast: C
What do you think? Better, no?
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Coming Attractions
Comments
By SRCputt
January 8, 2009 7:11 PM | Link to this
“If you told me or if I believed you?” I am so there. Also, I think Adventureland shows real potential.By Allie D.
January 7, 2009 4:31 PM | Link to this
Now there’s Duplicity! That movie looked absolutely delectable when I saw the trailer at Benjamin Button. I have a bad feeling about Watchmen for some reason. Probably because I think Zack Snyder has far too much lust for the “slow-mo” button, and I noticed a good bit of that in the latest trailer for this movie. “Knowing” sounds very intriguing. I think Dark City was one of the greatest movies of that decade.