The Big Screen Bulletin: Always the Life of the Party

Posted by Chad Webb on 03.10.2008

A nightmare with Michelle Pfeiffer and Paul Rudd, the box office results, Notorious B.I.G. has been cast, new projects for DiCaprio and Carrey, new DVD releases, new quickees, trailer ratings, and much more!

Straight to Video Nightmares

I Could Never Be Your Woman







Starring: Michelle Pfeiffer, Paul Rudd, and Saoirse Ronan
Written/Directed By: Amy Heckerling
Release Date: February 26, 2008
Running Time: 97 minutes
Rated PG-13 for sexual content and language.

All the reviews you'll read will say the same thing about writer/director Amy Heckerling's new film, I Could Never Be Your Woman. How can it be that a romantic comedy with such strong star power winds up going directly to DVD? It is one of the strangest stories one can imagine with regard to a film's release, and sadly I don't have time to divulge the entire saga here. It was summed up in an Entertainment Weekly article. Basically Heckerling made the mistake of trusting a man named Philippe Martinez, a Frenchman who was a rookie in Hollywood, and might have been way in over his head. He flaunted a bunch of money, and apparently that was all it took to reel in this project. From then on it was one wrong turn after the other. Piles of cash were lost and several deals dissolved away.

The sad thing is, I Could Never Be Your Woman was certainly worthy of a theatrical release. One would think the popularity of Rudd and Pfeiffer would be enough, but I guess not. Admittedly, this is a solid romantic comedy in many respects. The dialogue is witty, the performances are engaging, and the pacing is brisk and fulfilling. However, all of Heckerling's talents are masking the very thin and hackneyed romance premise that we have seen a million times before. While many will argue about the quality of this, it must still be judged according to the fact that it went directly to DVD, and it is just not memorable enough. It is pleasant viewing for a rainy night, but after that it will evaporate from your brain.

The story begins with Mother Nature (Tracey Ullman) greeting us with a rant on getting old or some such nonsense. From there it follows Rosie (Michelle Pfeiffer), a 40-year-old television writer and producer whose once hit series You Go Girl is starting decline. She is also raising her daughter Izzie (Saoirse Ronan). She is a rambunctious girl who is beginning to explore womanhood. She is getting tired of playing with Barbies, and now has her first crush on some geek named Dylan. One day, 29-year-old actor Adam (Paul Rudd) walks into an audition for the show and captures Rosie's heart. He also becomes incredibly popular as a character on You Go Girl. Although Rosie is tormented by Mother Nature about whether or not dating Adam is suitable, she proceeds anyway, and the two seem to have a cute relationship. Unfortunately one of Rosie crew members sees fit to mess with the happiness they share, which in turn causes some trouble.

Normally I would examine the plot and fill this segment with amusing one-liners that I know all of you enjoy. I figured I would not go that route this week only because I do think this film should be seen. Despite the roles being next to hollow and paper thin, the cast is brilliant. Michelle Pfeiffer is not getting any younger, but damn she still looks stunning next to any female. She sports a bright smile with a sharp presence that is easily attractable to viewers. The big problem is the insertion of Mother Nature, which definitely hurts the Rosie character. Tracey Ullman plays Mother Nature as sort of a conscience, but she is terribly irritating, and her ramblings are inconsequential. It seems that Heckerling was trying too hard.

Paul Rudd is approaching Philip Seymour Hoffman territory due to how consistently awesome his supporting efforts are. As Adam, Rudd steals this film out from under everyone else's feet. He has so many priceless scenes that are just hilarious. For instance, one spicy young woman in the film bends over to reveal her buttcrack. Adam tosses a piece of candy that lands…well you get the idea, and he says "Nothing but net." In another great moment Rosie and Adam have a date at a club, which results in Adam exposing his super cool dance moves. Now that the world has laughed at Rudd in Knocked Up and The 40 Year-Old Virgin, it is impossible not to adore him here. His chemistry with Pfeiffer is just fine. They convey the motions and signs of a perfectly acceptable couple with a significant, but trivial, age difference

If Saoirse Ronan's mesmerizing portrayal in Atonement was impressive, her contribution as Izzie will only heighten your fondness of the 14-year-old Irish actress. Her accent is flawless, and she is almost as funny as Rudd to be honest. Ronan is already better than all the young female performers of this generation, and when she assumes the center role in Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones, her reputation will only improve. Her spoof songs of Alanis Morrissette that mock celebutantes and George Bush among other things are by far the moments you'll remember after the movie is over.

I feel bad for Amy Heckerling on how this whole scenario played out. I truly do, but I will not give this film a free pass just based on the hardships she experienced. Her writing is acerbic, but let us not forget that Heckerling has been on a downward spiral for years now. Yes, Clueless and Fast Times at Ridgemont High are terrific offerings that have aged well, but what about the Look Who's Talking franchise, or the abomination that was Loser. It is safe to say that Heckerling is lacking some of her directorial spark. The dialogue is still edgy and delightful, but her story structure is becoming weaker, and dampens the positive aspects of anything she completes.

I am on the fence with I Could Never Be Your Woman, but I will afford a generous rating because of the marvelous performances by the cast, and because of stellar jokes like Mindy Menstruation, the concentration camp Barbies, and the cameo by Henry Winkler . This is the perfect rental. Nobody would buy it, but if you are searching for a proper film to watch with a loved one or friends, you can't get better than this. In the garbage bin of Direct-to-DVD trash, this stands out, especially with appearances by Jon Lovitz, Fred Ward, and Stacey Dash. Don't expect a classic, but give this a shot. I'm sure Heckerling would appreciate it.

Final Rating = 7.0/10.0

The News Bulletin

"10,000 B.C." is No. 1 for the Weekend
Prehistoric populations were big if not quite epic this weekend, as Warner's "10,000 BC" grossed a solid $35.7 million. Though some had thought the Rolland Emmerich-helmed f/x-fest could come in over $40 million, pic ended up right around where studio insiders said they were targeting. If pic holds well, it could end up topping $100 million domestically and it's expected to do very well overseas. Average was $10,478 per play at 3,410 theaters. Nobody had thought "10,000 BC" would come close to "300's" $71 million bow on the same weekend last year. Also performing decently was Disney's "College Road Trip," which opened to $14 million, or $5,174 per location at 2,706 playdates. Gross was just a little off from that off Martin Lawrence's last pic, "Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins," which bowed to $16.2 million last month. Mouse House is expecting a particularly strong hold for the family film as spring breaks start around the country this week.
Lionsgate's actioner "Bank Job," bowed at a modest $5.7 million, right around where the studio had expected. Jason Stathan starrer, which was a negative pickup for the indie studio, averaged $3,561 at 1,603 theaters.

Focus opened "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day" at 535 locations, where the comedy averaged $4,750 and grossed a total of $2.5 million. New Line's swan song "Semi-Pro" continued to foul out on its second weekend, falling a steep 62% to $5.8 million. Cume on the Will Ferrell starrer after 10 days is $24.7 million. Sony's "The Other Boleyn Girl" declined 51% on its second frame to $4 million, bringing cume on the period sudser to $14.6 million. On the limited front, Warner Independent bowed the David Gordon Green-helmed drama "Snow Angels" to $14,000 at two theaters in Gotham. Sony Pictures Classics opened crime drama "Married Life" on nine screens, where the Chris Cooper starrer averaged just $4,043, giving it a bow of $36,384. SPC's Chinese import "CJ7" grossed $41,098 at 19 locations, making its opening weekend average $2,163.

Well, we all knew Emmerich (Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow) was capable of gaining the #1 spot, and truthfully I didn't even expect $35 million, but that cannot be the opener they were hoping for. Semi-Pro took a huge dip. The Ferrell camp has to be disappointed. College Road Trip landed about where I expected, as did The Bank Job. The Other Boleyn Girl dropped a hefty percentage in its second week. Other than that, the holdovers are where they should be on the top 10. Next week, Doomsday and Funny Games will finish behind Horton Wears a Who!. What else could possibly get #1?






Biggie Has Been Found
Notorious, the long-planned biopic of slain hip-hop megastar Notorious B.I.G. has found its star. The Fox Searchlight movie project will now move forward with a 2009 big-screen debut set. The film, which tells the life story of the late rap icon whose real name was Christopher Wallace, will start shooting on March 24 with a January 16, 2009 release planned. The production has been looking for the right actor to portray B.I.G. for a year now. Their worldwide search recently came to an end with unknown Jamal Woolard, a Brooklyn native, landing the role. Woolard will star alongside actress Angela Bassett, who plays Voletta Wallace, B.I.G.'s mother. Derek Luke will play Sean Combs in the movie -- the real-life Diddy is one of the producers. Anthony Mackie is set to portray Tupac Shakur. Notorious also stars up and coming actors Antonique Smith, Naturi Naughton, Dennis White and Julia Pace Mitchell.

Director George Tillman Jr. will shoot the movie in and around the five boroughs of New York. Voletta Wallace, who is producing the movie, released this statement: "Finding B.I.G. was a task in itself and I'm honored that so many young men came out to audition for the role. However, it was Jamal's charming personality, warm spirit, wonderful sense of humor and beautiful smile that won my heart. He is a talented and charismatic actor and I am excited that he will bring Christopher's character to the big screen." The Notorious B.I.G. rose from the streets of Brooklyn to become one of the most influential hip hop artists of all time. B.I.G. was a gifted storyteller; his narratives about violent life on the streets were told with a gritty, objective realism that won him enormous respect and credibility. B.I.G. became heavily involved in the East Coast-West Coast rap rivalry. On March 9, 1997, he was killed by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles.

The above picture is of Woolard. He is closely reminiscent of Christopher Wallace, but it is not an exact match. We shall wait and see if he is properly molded into the role. This film could either be shockingly good, or a total flop. I do feel the biopic is in reliable hands with George Tillman Jr. (Men of Honor), and Derek Luke is a fabulous performer, but what worries me is that these people are still very fresh and familiar in the public's mind, so accurately portraying them will be a bit more difficult. B.I.G has an interesting story and life, and I just hope it is adapted factual. That is the key. Most of us remember how things went down years ago, so the screenwriters shouldn't be changing too much for the sake of entertainment.






Leo Chases Monahan
Scribe William Monahan ("Kingdom of Heaven," "The Departed") is in discussions to adapt and produce an American remake of the Korean thriller "The Chaser". Leonardo DiCaprio is circling the lead role of an ex-cop who goes on the warpath trying to find a missing girl. The girl, who may or may not be alive, is being used by a serial killer to taunt the police. The story is loosely based on the exploits of a real-life serial killer. Warner Bros. Pictures just picked up the remake rights to the project and is developing with Vertigo Entertainment's Roy Lee and Doug Davison. "Chaser," from director Na Hong-jin, has been a hit in Korea, grossing more than $20 million in just three weeks.

According to IMDB, the director's name is Jin-ah Hong, but I'm not sure who is correct. Other than what was listed, no other information is available on this film. All I can say is that this strikes me as a role Leo could really sink his teeth into. If he is "circling" this part, I am sure he is waiting to see what American filmmaker signs on. We know by now that DiCaprio doesn't work with just anyone. This also seems a bit quick to begin discussion of a remake. Let the original make its rounds first, geez. Although, if they are proceeding with the plans, at least Bill Monohan is penning the script.






Warner Has a Bone To Pick
Warner Bros. has picked up rights to "Bone," the acclaimed independent comic book series from artist Jeff Smith. Dan Lin will produce. The fantasy series followed three cousins from the Bone family who are small, white and bald humanlike creatures with big noses. The trio are run out of their hometown and find themselves in a mysterious valley where they are separated and hunted by other creatures. They are taken in by a girl named Thorn and her grandmother, and find out that the valley is threatened by an evil force called the Lord of the Locusts.

The series ran irregularly from 1991-2004. Scholastic has been publishing the collected stories in graphic novel format since 2005, selling more than 1 million copies so far. Smith, who will executive produce, was influenced by classic cartoonists Walt Kelly, Charles Schultz and Will Eisner on the series, which won several comic awards. Smith went on to become a noted artist whose work will be exhibited in the spring at the Wexner Center for the Arts in Ohio.

A decision on what kind of format "Bone" should take -- live-action or animated or both -- will be based on filmmaker meetings. An animated version was in development at Nickelodeon Films but fell through, partly because Smith was displeased that the studio was aiming it for kids and wanted the film to include pop songs. Jon Silk at Lin Pictures brought the project in and is a co-producer. Jessica Goodman is the studio executive. Smith is repped by Rabineau Wachter Sanford & Harris Literary Agency.

This is a slow news weeks folks. It happens. Not that this is a rubbish update mind you, but I know little of this comic series. It does sound like a lot of fun, and I sincerely hope and pray they choose to make it animated. Changing this to live-action, unless it's the Sin City approach, is a huge risk that is likely to fail. With a villain named Lord of the Locusts, how can we not be semi-intrigued? The next time I am browsing through a book store, I'll have to keep my eyes peered for one of these. I wouldn't mind giving them a shot since a film is expected.






Ross Takes on NASCAR
Universal Pictures is teaming with filmmaker Gary Ross (Seabiscuit, Pleasantville) for a big-screen drama set in the sport of NASCAR. The script, according to Variety, is being written by Sopranos producer Terence Winter who's most recent credit is The Wolf of Wall Street, an upcoming Martin Scorsese film. That's a pretty good pedigree -- it's safe to say this isn't Ricky Bobby territory. Thanks to the racing organization's cooperation, Ross will have full access to the NASCAR circuit, including the use of actual NASCAR tracks, and footage of races and drivers. Ross also can, and likely will, shoot scenes for the movie during actual NASCAR events.

Ross reportedly hatched the story after becoming interested in NASCAR culture while researching his next film, The Free State of Jones, in Mississippi. The story, Variety says, will focus on a newbie driver who forms a mentor/rival relationship with his racing idol. Things are even more complex because the veteran driver's son races for his father's team. "The race scenes are only interesting if they reflect the tension and conflict that is occurring between the characters, and you can do a lot with emotions that are being played out at 200 mph," Ross told Daily Variety. "The other benefit of NASCAR is it's the rare sport that is conducive to a generational competition."

By our count, Ross' film is the third NASCAR movie in development right now. Producers Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher are setting up a biopic of late NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt, which may land at Sony. And as far as we know, Disney is still developing their film about prolific NASCAR driver Richard Petty.

I'm not sure what the deal is with this latest NASCAR trend, but I know that Gary Ross is a highly respectable filmmaker. He wrote the script for Big, and his movies Seabiscuit and Pleasantville were exceptional. Everyone always complains about the accuracy of the races in films about NASCAR, so now that we know Ross has full access to footage and the tracks, this better not be an issue. This has the daunting task of connecting with audiences because it is fictional. The biopics are usually popular due to the fact that most people know who the person is. All signs point to this being a good movie though. If anyone can pull it off, it is Gary Ross.






Reitman + Carrey = Box Office Magic
Jason Reitman ("Juno") is attached to direct and Jim Carrey will star in Fox Atomic's comedy "Pierre Pierre" reports the trades. Written by Edwin Cannistraci and Frederick Seton, the politically incorrect story, dealing with racism, sexism and Europeans, centers on a self-indulgent French nihilist (Carrey) who is entrusted to transport a stolen Mona Lisa and in the process falls back in love with his homeland. "Pierre" will not be the Oscar-nominated Reitman's next project however so no dates are yet set.

This worries me because this will be an already established star Reitman must contend with. His resume so far definitely has some popular names, but not near Carrey's caliber. This could wind up being a match made in Heaven, or a disappointment, but on the bright side, Reitman has yet to let us down, so we can all be optimistic right? I love the brief summary of the plot, but Carrey with a French accent scares me. I have mixed feelings about this so far. Stay tuned.

The 20 Second Sermon

Michelle Rodriguez plans to reprise her role of "Letty" in The Fast and the Furious 4 with Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, and Jordana Brewster. Oh merciful God, please let something happen so that this film never comes out. I seriously loathe every single facet of this dastardly franchise. Apparently, the owner of Satin Dolls, the strip club in Lodi, NJ, which was re-disguised as the "Bada Bing!", is not making renovations because of a tip that a film might be made. Wow, some sites are actually relying on film gossip from strip club managers. We have reached a new low folks. Too early to tell if a movie will ever happen in my eyes. I'm finally in the middle of the Firefly DVD set I've had for awhile. I love the show, and am saddened that the episodes will end soon. I just saw an image from Tropic Thunder featuring Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr. Looking at Downey Jr. will make your eyes pop out of your head. It is mind boggling that he is the one under that makeup.

What's Coming to DVD….Buy or Avoid?

DVD Headline of the Week



No Country for Old Men - Stay tuned because my review of this new DVD will be up on the site tomorrow!

Bee Movie - While the animation was gorgeous, the story was nothing special aside from some ok Jerry Seinfeld one-liners. This is really not that great. There is also a two-disc version available. Borrow

August Rush - This was my #2 worst film of the year, so I think I'm going to urge you all to avoid this as much as possible. It was laughably awful. Trashable

Tin Man (2-Disc Collector's Edition) - I didn't get a chance to see this, and regardless of the intriguing cast, it strikes me as a Wicked rip off.

Dan in Real Life - Here is one I failed to see, but I know people who did, and they hated it, and referred to it as an imitation of The Family Stone. I'll pass then.

Nancy Drew - I hated it the first time I saw it, and I hate it just as much now. This had none of the charm of the books, the acting was dreadful, and the story was ludicrous. Forgettable

Hitman (2-Disc Special Edition) - Although I dig Timothy Olyphant, this video game adaptation was a piece of junk, plain and simple. The action was boring, the acting was poor, and the story was retarded. Multiple versions of this will be available such a one-disc and an Unrated edition. Forgettable

Sleuth - Netflix does not have the original and I want to see that before this Kenneth Brannagh remake. Michael Caine stars in both by the way. Who knows when I'll get around seeing this.

South Park: Imaginationland - I also reviewed this DVD. Make sure to keep an eye out for it on the site this week!

Lil' Bush: Resident of the United States – Season One - I caught a trailer for this DVD, and some of it made me laugh, but I really care for it enough to check out the show anytime soon.

Bobby Deerfield - A highly underrated and little seen 1977 racing drama starring Al Pacino. This is its first appearance on DVD. I own the VHS so this is exciting. Buyable

Gattaca (Special Edition) - I have only seen parts of this science fiction film, so I cannot make a judgment call. All I know is, most people either loved it or hated it.

Bachelor Party 2: The Last Temptation - Now I truly have seen it all. Why in the blue hell would they make a sequel to this for Direct-to-DVD? With Harlan Williams no less! Tom Hanks should be using his superpowers to stop this.

WWE: Undertaker: 15-0 - This is one of those crappy one disc WWE releases that Wal-Mart normally sells for cheap. Seriously, Taker must have the most DVDs in the company by now.

…And Justice For All (Special Edition) - No, not the Metallica album. This was the 1979 Pacino courtroom drama. His performance is best part of this unstable film. It had no idea what it wanted to be and exaggerated the flaws of the system. This is a double dip, and I say it was unnecessary Borrow

TNA Wrestling: Final Resolution 2008 - At one time, I really thought TNA was cool, but these matches just look like the suck. Maybe I'm wrong, but they don't interest me one bit.

Movie Dictionary: Word of the Week

Spec Script - A spec script is a "speculative" screenplay, one that the Variety slanguage dictionary defines as being "shopped or sold on the open market, as opposed to one commissioned by a studio or production company." Spec scripts are written for various reasons:

• by writers, who hope to have a script optioned and eventually purchased by producers or studios;
• by writer/directors, who want to direct a film themselves;
• by amateur writers hoping to convince a literary agent to represent them or a producer to hire them.

Spec scripts have not always held as much cachet in the business as they do now. Ernest Lehman describes how his original script for North by Northwest was unusual at that point in his career: "Originals were not smiled upon in those days, believe it or not. There was very little interest in originals in those days. [...] Studios, distributors wanted the assurance of someone else having thought a property worth publishing[...] In those days, if you went to a party in the Hollywood community and somebody would ask, "What are you working on, Ernie?" and you replied, "I'm doing an original now," the response would be "Oh." [...] Like they were a little embarrassed[...] If you were working on something that you were going to create all by yourself, they'd secretly think, "He's in bad shape. Working on an original." That definitely was the climate at one time in this town.

The process of 'going out' with a spec script can be an extremely tense and nerve-wracking one for a writer. If the writer has an agent, the agent will identify a number of prospective buyers who may range from small independent producers to executives working in the major studios, and attempt to build up 'heat' under the script. The script is sent out simultaneously to all the prospective buyers, usually to be read over the weekend, in the hope of attracting a bidding war. If the script sells, the writer may receive a payment of anything from a few tens of thousands of dollars to several million. If not, the script is sometimes dead in the water because it is now in the databases of the studios and development executives, and has been marked as having been 'passed' on. However, most of the hundreds of thousands of spec scripts penned each year are written by unknowns who are trying to attract attention and find it difficult to generate the kind of "buzz" that more established scribes count on to sell their scripts. (See the screenwriting documentary Dreams on Spec.)

The Critic's Quickee

Semi-Pro - I like Will Ferrell. He is a funny actor. Heck, his presence alone is amusing. Additionally, when he pumps out the same old shtick time and time again, it is nowhere near as torturous when someone like Ben Stiller or Adam Sandler does it. That being said, his sports routine is wearing thin on me. This story, which follows the ABA's Flint Tropics as they strive to merge with the NBA, had potential, but was crunched into a lame underdog tale instead. The casting was just brilliant though. The great Woody Harrelson, who is naturally a gifted actor, seems to be double time radical (yes I said it) in sports films (See Kingpin, White Men Can't Jump, and The Grand for proof). Andre Benjamin is also ideal for the role of the star team member. Ferrell is Jackie Moon. I read once that when Ferrell collaborates with anyone, he thinks of the title and the character name first, and then the premise. This makes sense. Ferrell's player announcements at the beginning were terrific, as were the verbal lashings to the referee which would frighten old folks in the audience. "I'll murder your family." Odd, that in this kind of comedy such a suspenseful scene involving a pistol is so enthralling, but that occurs, and it works. The problems emerge towards the middle where the storyline becomes overly silly and somewhat dull. Though Harrelson is wonderful, the romance angle is largely stupid and simply filler material. Ferrell's antics are forced to carry the plot to a 90 minute running time. You'll see Hot Rod type stunts, a fight with a bear, and vomiting. I loved "parts" of Semi-Pro, but disliked the offering as a whole. Just like Blades of Glory, it is fine entertainment for a weekend, but not memorable. This was Kent Alterman's directorial debut, and it shows unfortunately. He has so much more to learn about structure, pacing, and tone. This comes off a lot like Major League on a basketball court actually. On a side note, I did like the fight during the commercial and the song "Love Me Sexy." However, I think Ferrell's athletics train has finally run out of steam. Final Rating = 6.5/10.0

The Other Boleyn Girl - To read about all my thoughts on this new period drama, check out my full review by clicking here.

Based on the Trailer…

Newest Trailers

Righteous Kill - The new crime thriller with Pacino and De Niro! This looks average at the moment, but it should be excellent with the two of them as a duo on screen for most of the film. The supporting cast looks bravura as well. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Step Brothers - Now this is a Will Ferrell comedy I can't wait to see. The premise is unusual, and the jokes in this preview are side-splitting. Plus, it's directed by Adam McKay, who knows his stuff. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

My Blueberry Nights - Well, the cast looks amazing, and Wong Kar Wai is a fabulous filmmaker, but the wild card is musician Norah Jones. This teaser doesn't show a whole lot, which worries me a little. Still, I am anxious to see it. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

Wanted (2) - This movie does look extremely cool, but I still se a lot of Matrix elements. Oh well, Angelina Jolie is sexy with all those tattoos, Morgan Freeman is playing his customary wise instructor role, and the special effects look neat. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

March Releases

Funny Games - I'll give credit to whoever created this preview. It's different and gets your attention, but also annoying. Still, Tim Roth seems to be in his share of projects lately. This should be worth a look. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

Sputnik Mania - Some great looking documentaries are being released in the Spring and Summer, and this one follows that trend. It examines a frightening time in our history. It should be worth a look. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0

Doomsday - This is directed by Neil Marshall, the same man who gave us The Decent, but Rhona Mitra is the lead, and that is a risk as she is normally used for eye candy and not solid acting. Still, any new sci-fi intrigues me, so I'm totally giving it a chance. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

Horton Hears a Who - CGI might be the best way to adapt a Dr. Seuss book to the screen. This doesn't look all that bad I guess. I'll give it a shot. Carell and Carrey should be funny together. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

The Grand - This is a new mockumentary about a poker tournament. I saw this at Tribeca last year, and I will have the review ready for you. The trailer is just average, but I recommend seeing the film. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Stop-Loss - The cast here is risky. Ryan Philippe and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are superb, but Channing Tatum is certainly not. Still, Gordon-Levitt is enough reason for me. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Drillbit Taylor - Another movie from the people who brought us Superbad and Knocked Up, and this one has Owen Wilson as bodyguard to high school kids. It looks ok I suppose. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

Superhero Movie - Another parody comedy. Oh joy. I'm going with Robert Sullivan when I say, I'll bet the next one (after Sci-Fi Movie) is Oscar Movie. This looks bad, not as dreadful as the others, but bad. Trailer Rating = 2.5/10.0

April Releases

The Ruins - As usual, this piece of horror does not interest me at all. A bunch of kids who get killed. Yippee. Although, it is more original than most lately. Trailer Rating = 5.0/10.0

Baby Mama - I wouldn't mind this trailer if Amy Poehler wasn't in it. I really think she is annoying on a whole new level. Tina Fey is amusing, but I think this will be a very blasé comedy. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

Prom Night - This is going to be a stinky turd. Nothing else needs to be said, and the trailer doesn't help. The bad cover song hurts as well. Trailer Rating = 4.0/10.0

88 Minutes - I do think this will be a competent thriller, mostly due to Pacino. For once the trailer revealed a lot without exposing too much. Hopefully this delivers. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? - Morgan Spurlock hunts for the Al-Qaeda leader. Morgan Spurlock is funny, and he tackles interesting topics, but this just seems goofy to me. What is the goal of this documentary keeps popping into my head. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

The Visitor - From Tom McCarthy, the director of The Station Agent, comes this new drama which actually looks pleasant and heartwarming with Richard Jenkins. I'll give it a shot. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

Leatherheads - George Clooney directs and stars in this football film with Jim from The Office and Rene Zellweger. I think it looks fun and entertaining. Clooney is a fine filmmaker. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0

Forgetting Sarah Marshall - The new pic from the Apatow pack looks hilarious with Jason Segel in the lead role. At this point, we'd go see anything with Apatow's name attached. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0

Nim's Island - This one requires a viewer to stretch their imagination far. Abigail Breslin is starting to annoy me, and what is Jodie Foster thinking here? Trailer Rating = 5.0/10.0

May Releases

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Hey, it Indy, our favorite history professor, and he has returned. This preview was wonderful. The action looks fantastic. I am so there. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Iron Man - I must admit, any trailer that has Black Sabbath's "Iron Man" is ok by me. This looks funny and could be a decent blockbuster. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Speed Racer - This film looks weird. I mean, it should visually amazing like only the Wachowski's know how, but I'm not sure about this one yet. It should be entertaining though. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

Son of Rambow - Since this was tagged to Rambo the action movie, one can't help but think this looks cute. It should be an entertaining children's film despite the peculiar title. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

Sex and the City (2) - The teaser was fine, and that should have been it, but this new trailer spoils the end of the series, and most of the plot in the film. Why bother seeing it now? This is one of the worst kind of previews. Trailer Rating = 2.5/10.0

What Happens in Vegas - This is a movie that gives people reason to say there is nothing good out. This will be a total and complete piece of junk. You know it, and I know it. Trailer Rating = 2.0/10.0

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian - I must admit, after disliking the first one, this trailer actually has me anticipating the sequel. Perhaps they improved with age. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

Midnight Meat Train - You watch this preview, and it strikes you as a riveting thriller, then the title comes up, and you can't help but chuckle. It seems to take itself way too seriously for a bizarre title like that. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

June, TBD, and Beyond Releases

Kung Fu Panda - This could be funny. Jack Black has solid voice for CGI, and the premise is intriguing. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Get Smart - I need to catch a few episodes of the original show before seeing the film. The trailer is funny, which means it should be somewhat fun. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

The Love Guru - I usually enjoy Mike Myers, but this new character might not be as popular as Austin Powers or Wayne Campbell. I laughed a few times, but this has not really jumped out as all that spectacular. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

Wall-E - Another Pixar classic is under our belt, and I can't wait for the next one. This robotic adventure should be great, and easily superior to Robots. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Wall-E (2) - The second trailer for Pixar's upcoming film makes me want to see it even more. I'm sorry, but this company is doing wondrous things right now. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

The Happening - While many have lost all faith in Shyamalan, I think he can still supply riveting thrillers if he puts his mind to it. I actually see this as a vast improvement from Lady in the Water. Here's hoping anyway. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

Mamma Mia! - I have never seen this musical on Broadway, but I suppose I'll have to see this film, featuring music from Abba…ugh. It doesn't look terrible, but it's not my type of thing. Trailer Rating = 6.5/10.0

Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D - This will most likely be cheesy and preposterous, but hey, it's in 3D, and it has Brendan Fraser, so it should be semi-enjoyable. This should be fun in the theater, but not much else. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

You Don't Mess With the Zohan - What a shame that Adam Sandler's films seem to be getting worse. I have no interest in seeing this, and I did not laugh once during this trailer. Same old song and dance from him. Trailer Rating = 4.0/10.0

The Duchess - This is a goofy trailer. You wonder who could be introduced, and then the title "The Duchess" comes up, and you wonder why all the hassle of building it up. Knightley is to period pieces as Seagal is to B-movie action. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

Hancock - Will Smith plays one of the most extraordinary looking super heroes in history. I'm actually excited to see this. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 - I generally hate the term "chick flick", but really what else applies here. Never saw the first one, won't see this one, and this trailer is not up my alley. That is all. Trailer Rating = 4.5/10.0

Star Trek XI - The teaser was superbly placed before Cloverfield, and this causes me to be amped for the next installment despite my doubts about the cast. I hope it's as good as we deserve. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Hellboy II: The Golden Army - I loved the first film, and am greatly anticipating the sequel. It looks to have kept the same sense of visual excitement and adventure. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

The Dark Knight (2) - I have to admit, despite the endless news bits about this film, the trailer is marvelous and could not have been handled better. This will rock. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl - The new Abigail Breslin vehicle. I'll bet this blows as it looks similar to Nancy Drew, which was horrendous by itself. I'll be passing on this one. Trailer Rating = 3.0/10.0

Defiance - This new Edward Zwick film looks outstanding with Daniel Craig leading the cast in World War II story. This gave me chills. I can't wait. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Other Stuff to Read

The Best Movies of the Alphabet – From A to E
The Best Movies of the Alphabet – From F to J
The Best Movies of the Alphabet – From K to O
The Best Movies of the Alphabet – From P to T
The Best Movies of the Alphabet – From U to X
The Best Movies of the Alphabet – From Y to #

411 March Roundtable - This month I compiled the thoughts of the movie zone staff on the winter/spring releases of March!
Fact or Fiction - Ben Piper gathers the thoughts of Scotty Flamingo and Ron Martin this week!
Furious on Film - Arnold Furious gives you his opinions on various films every week in his brand new news report.
What!!-This-Column!?? - Bryan Kristopowitz continues his column about…stuff. Check out his B-movie column too.
Two Tivos to Paradise - Al Norton brings all the news and updates in television that you can handle.
Ask 411 Movies - Leonard Hayhurst answers all the questions in Ask 411 movies.
The USB Evening Movie News - George Sirois brings the Thursday news for you.
Misunderstood Masterpieces - Will Helm gives you his weekly misunderstood masterpiece for your reading pleasure.
The MeeThinks Friday FreeThinks - Thanks again to John Meehan for providing my banner here, and for the Alphabet feature.

Make sure to check out all of this week's reviews of DVD's, Movies, Music, and more!
And of course read every movie review with the name Chad Webb attached to it.
Thanks for reading the whole way through, and make sure to tune in next week.