Liam Neeson makes some super crappy thrillers that can still be enjoyable to watch. I believe Unknown is one of those so I’ll be checking it out. I Am Number Four seems to be wasted potential. Why do people keep letting Martin Lawrence make movies? Out of the limited releases, only Even the Rain looks like a thriller wrapped up in some political drama of the country.
Nationwide Releases
Unknown I Am Number Four Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son
Unknown
Directed: Jaume Collet-Serra Starring: Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, January Jones, Aidan Quinn, Bruno Ganz, Frank Langella, Sebastian Koch Trailer
Synopsis: After a car crash, a guy wakes up with no identification but no one believes who he says he is including his wife.
My Take: It sounds like a psychological thriller, but looks like it is poorly done so the outcome probably wouldn’t have as satisfying as it could be.
RT Score: 56% RT Consensus: Liam Neeson elevates the proceedings considerably, but Unknown is ultimately too derivative — and implausible — to take advantage of its intriguing premise.
The alternative for Harry Potter should be a movie for grown ups, but it seems less plausible than the plot involving a wizard boy attacking an evil mastermind.
Nationwide Releases
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I The Next Three Days
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I Directed: David Yates Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Tom Felton, Ralph Fiennes, Brendan Gleeson, Richard Griffiths, John Hurt, Jason Isaacs, Helen McCrory, Bill Nighy, Miranda Richardson, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall, Imelda Staunton, David Thewlis, Julie Walters, Bonnie Wright Trailer
Synopsis: The beginning of the end for Harry Potter where he goes out on the world’s longest camping trip in search of Voldemort.
My Take: Of course, I need to see it. I’ve read the book!
RT Score: 79% RT Consensus: It can’t help but feel like the prelude it is, but Deathly Hallows: Part I is a beautifully filmed, emotionally satisfying penultimate installment for the Harry Potter series.
The director and writer of The Other Guys made the actors watch old cop movies like The French Connection and All the President’s Men instead of the comedy cop buddy movies so they wouldn’t copy what the comedies had already done. Maybe that’s why when I first watched the trailer, I had really low expectations, but laughed more than I thought I would.
Nationwide Releases
The Other Guys Step Up 3D Middle Men
The Other Guys Directed: Adam McKay Starring: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes, Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan, Dwayne Johnson, Samuel L. Jackson Trailer
Synopsis: Two cop partners wish they were like some superstar cops in their department, but they are an odd couple that don’t mesh together very well.
My Take: I love the last scene in the trailer that talks about explosions.
RT Score: 79% RT Consensus: While not the best collaboration between Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, The Other Guys delivers bursts of comedy during a summer largely devoid of laughs.
In Date Night, the best parts are when Steve Carell and Tina Fey are just interacting with one another and not dealing with the mistaken identity plot of the movie. Letters to God is a movie that came out with no promotion and wasn’t screened for critics. After seeing the trailer, I can see why. The Square and The Misfortunates look pretty entertaining in the limited releases. Finally, the cheese factor of The Black Water of Echo’s Pond could make for a good movie to watch while drunk so you can just laugh at it.
Nationwide Releases
Date Night Letters to God
Date Night Directed: Shawn Levy Starring: Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Taraji P. Henson, Common, Mark Wahlberg Trailer
Synopsis: A married couple tries to spice up their love life with an actual date night, but when they get mistaken for a couple that owes money to some guy, things get all crazy.
My Take: It doesn’t look laugh out loud funny like I’ve come to expect from Steve Carell and Tina Fey, but looks mildly amusing enough for Netflix.
RT Score: 66% RT Consensus: An uneasy blend of action and comedy, Date Night doesn’t quite live up to the talents of its two leads, but Steve Carell and Tina Fey still manage to shine through most of the movie’s flaws.
Put the Kraken back in its hole because Clash of the Titansis getting horrible reviews. Even though the original was campy, this one isn’t any fun or campy. Also, the 3D is supposed to be horrible so if you are going to see it, it is probably best in 2D. In the sappy territory, Miley Cyrus stars in the latest Nicholas Sparks’ dreck. The other wide release movie is the latest from Tyler Perry. He’s another person that keeps making the same movie over and over again.
Nationwide Releases
Clash of the Titans The Last Song Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too?
Clash of the Titans Directed: Louis Leterrier Starring: Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Mads Mikkelsen, Sam Worthington, Jason Flemyng, Alexa Davalos, Gemma Arterton Trailer
Synopsis: Remake of the cheese-tastic movie where the gods are fighting and a man born from one of them is in the middle of it.
My Take: I was looking forward to this remake since I thought the story with better special effects would just be better, but apparently it is boring and sad.
RT Score: 30% RT Consensus: An obviously affectionate remake of the 1981 original, Louis Leterrier’s Clash of the Titans doesn’t offer enough visual thrills to offset the deficiencies of its script.
The wide releases actually look like a good time at the movies. It’s about time.
Nationwide Releases
Hot Tub Time Machine How to Train Your Dragon
Hot Tub Time Machine Directed: Steve Pink Starring: Crispin Glover, John Cusack, Lizzy Caplan, Chevy Chase, Rob Corddry, Clark Duke, Craig Robinson Trailer
Synopsis: For reasons unknown, four guys get into a hot tub and wake up in 1986 where shenanigans ensue.
My Take: It looks completely dumb and hilarious.
RT Score: 63% RT Consensus: Its flagrantly silly script — and immensely likable cast — make up for most of its flaws.
I guess when Hollywood doesn’t want to remake a movie, they can still borrow plot lines from other ones and call it a different name. Both Sorority Row and I Can Do Bad All By Myself seem to have the same plots as other movies, and not very good ones either. Sad.
Nationwide Releases
9 Sorority Row Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself Whiteout
9 Directed:Shane Acker Starring:Elijah Wood, Jennifer Connelly, Martin Landau, Christopher Plummer, John C. Reilly Trailer
Synopsis: Little creatures that were brought to life before all humans were made extinct must fight for their own lives from machines that want them dead.
My Take: The animation looks awesome, but it is something that can be saved for cable.
RT Score: 55% RT Consensus: Although its story is perhaps too familiar and less complex than some might wish, 9 is visually spectacular, and director Shane Acker’s attention to detail succeeds in drawing viewers into the film’s universe.
The only movie worth paying attention to this week is Inglourious Basterds with its horrible spelling and all. Also, even though I am not a Robin Williams fan, his limited release movie World’s Greatest Dad looks pretty funny and it is directed by Bobcat Goldthwait!
Nationwide Releases
Inglourious Basterds Shorts Post Grad X Games 3D: The Movie
Inglourious Basterds Directed: Quentin Tarantino Starring: Brad Pitt, Eli Roth, BJ Novak, Mike Myers, Diane Kruger Trailer
Synopsis: Brad Pitt leads a group of Jewish soldiers that are killing Nazis behind enemy lines during World War II.
My Take: As much as I’m tired of WWII movies, it is Tarantino so I must see it.
RT Score: 86% RT Consensus: A classic Tarantino genre-blending thrill ride, Inglourious Basterds is violent, unrestrained, and thoroughly entertaining.
For Superbowl weekend, audiences have their pick of a thrill produced by Luc Benson (The Professional) that also has Liam Neeson in his first starring role; another horror remake, this time from Korea instead of Japan; and a romantic comedy where people really should be searching for Renee Zellweger’s eyes.
Nationwide Releases
Taken The Uninvited New in Town
Taken Directed: Pierre Morel Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Leland Orser, Jon Gries, David Warshofsky Trailer
Synopsis: Two young girls go to Paris on vacation where they get kidnapped. Good thing one of the girl’s dad is some bad ass that will find them and mess up the guys that took them.
My Take: Watching some get the bad guys and kick their butt can be satisfying but it looks to be on the verge of eye rolling.
RT Score: 54% RT Consensus:Taken is undeniably fun with slick action, but is largely a brainless exercise.
Unknown
Sorority Row
Inglourious Basterds
