This spring will bring us a veritable bevy of eye-catching films to choose from. Some will be fun and fulfilling, while others will simply be failed attempts at decent entertainment. The following is a brief look at the highlights and low-lights of the soon-to-come.
“When a Stranger Calls”Feb. 3Directed by Simon WestStarring Camilla Bell
They’ve actually done it. So many films and so many directors have replayed, over-used and downright worn out the ‘babysitter-gets-a-scary-phone-call’ motif. But now Screen Gems has taken that extra step on the well-beaten path by remaking the film that started it all. Those who like to watch screaming college girls ignore common sense will be pleased with “When a Stranger Calls.” Everyone else should have something better to do.
“The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada”Feb. 3Directed by Tommy Lee JonesStarring: Tommy Lee Jones, Barry Pepper
If there’s one movie to see this spring, “The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada” is it. Tommy Lee Jones plays a controversial rancher who takes vengeance on the U.S. Marshal (Pepper) who killed his friend by dragging him all over the Western countryside to rebury the corpse. Tackling issues on immigration and the American man’s need to jump to the gun, Jones acts in and directs this powerful drama that will no doubt contend for Oscars in several categories.
“A Good Woman”Feb. 3Directed by Mike BarkerStarring: Helen Hunt, Scarlett Johansson
It’s been said that women would certainly rule the world if only they could learn to get along; this film certainly agrees. Helen Hunt returns to the silver screen after a long hiatus to play a 1930s woman of sexuality and devious prowess, contrasted with Scarlett Johansson’s innocent little-woman character. The drama between them, as they battle for control over each other’s men, gushes with fine acting and will more than likely earn at least one of them Academy recognition.
“Night Watch”Feb. 17Directed by Timur BekmambitovStarring: Konstantin Khabensky, Vladimir Menshov, Mariya Poroshina
Saturated with CGI, this film seems to put together all of the pieces that the original “Underworld” was missing. The dark battle between forces of good and creatures of evil wages on, but it’s not Hollywood sap, so the film probably won’t reek of bad cheese. It’s very rare that we manage to see a Russian film, and in the past, most of the films coming from overseas have proven worthy … if you can handle the subtitles.
“Date Movie”Feb. 17Directed by Jason Friedberg and Aaron SeltzerStarring: Alyson Hannigan, Adam Campbell, Fred Willard
Anything anyone has ever wanted to say about the ridiculousness of romantic comedies, the writers of “Scary Movie” have come out and said it. Taking on just about every questionable moment in date-movie history, this film is sure to make some laugh and enrage the rest … just as “Scary Movie” did.
“Running Scared”Feb. 24Directed by Wayne KramerStarring: Paul Walker, Cameron Bright, Chazz Palminteri
Paul Walker, it’s about time. The laughable star of such cheese as “The Fast and the Furious” and “Timeline” has finally found a respectable role. This film has the mob drama of “Donnie Brasco” and the high-tension feel of “Training Day.” Walker fends off his own mob boss, the Russians, and Chazz Palminteri’s police force as he tries to recover a gun he swore on his life to protect. This looks good.
“Pulse”March 3Directed by Jim SonzeroStarring: Kristen Bell, Rick Gonzalez, Ian Somerhalder
For some reason, Hollywood wants to stick with the belief that ghosts are set on tormenting college girls. “Pulse” is a remake of a Japanese film, much like “The Ring,” and was probably only Americanized because of the latter’s success. This time it’s not the TV that coeds have to be afraid of. It’s the Internet. What happens when they discover dead bodies trapped within the realm of cyberspace? Who cares?
“The Hills Have Eyes”March 10Directed by Alexandre AjaStarring: Ted Levine, Kathleen Quinlan, Dan Byrd
The next in the long line of blood-drenched horror film remakes coming out this spring, “The Hills” upholds the age-old belief that ugly people want to kill not-so-ugly people. Another torture and torment film following the Texas Chainsaw-remake popularity, this film gives us new demented psycho-killers, new tourists to become their victims and new painful ways to commit a murder. Yet somehow it’s all the same.
“Lonesome Jim”March 10Directed by Steve BuscemiStarring: Casey Affleck, Liv Tyler, Mary Kay Place
This is the sort of uncomfortable, realistic, true-to-life masterpiece that one would expect to come out of Sundance. In his directorial debut, Steve Buscemi directs Casey Affleck and Liv Tyler through an awkward romance in a small suburban town completely devoid of anything Hollywood. Not intended for those looking for the thrill of a $50 million project, this carefully made drama captures all of the natural humanity that major motion pictures so often overlook.
“Thank You for Smoking”March 17Directed by Jason ReitmanStarring: Aaron Eckhart, Cameron Bright, Maria Bello
If this film were re-titled, it would be called “How to Tackle the Tobacco Industry.” Though that sounds unfathomably political, this movie looks downright hilarious. Much like Jerry McGuire exposed the heartless nature of the sports agent, “Thank You” puts a loveable/hateable tobacco lobbyist (Eckhart) on the silver screen and gives audiences a look at his bag of tricks, showing us how and why cigarettes are supported by the government and Hollywood.
“V for Vendetta”March 17Directed by James McTeigueStarring: Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, Rupert Graves
The timing on this film is amazing. While the White House argues about the need for unconstitutional surveillance, Americans will be watching this screen adaptation of the anarchist comic book. With what looks to be impressive acting and a plot that is disturbingly relevant at the very least, this film follows the freedom-fighter V (Weaving) and his counterpart (Portman) through a battle against an oppressive government. Natalie Portman was willing to shave her head for a movie; it has to have some potential.
“Inside Man”March 24Directed by Spike LeeStarring: Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster
This is without a doubt the action movie to see this spring. Spike Lee pits the calm and collected evil of Clive Owen against the under-pressure reactions of Denzel Washington in a film about what is supposed to be the perfect bank robbery. Though it might seem like a matching of past roles (Owen in Sin City and Washington in The Siege) it’s a combination that will no doubt end in rampant success.
“The Benchwarmers”April 7Directed by Dennis DuganStarring: David Spade, Jon Heder, Rob Schneider
It’s been a long time, but Napoleon Dynamite (or, as his mother calls him, Jon Heder) is returning to the screen in a starring role. Teaming with David Spade and Rob Schneider, the trio of slapstick comedians takes on the great American tradition of little league. They are beaten senseless by pubescent baseball players in a failing-to-inspire farce about teamwork. Nothing profound seems to happen, but hey, it’s got Napoleon Dynamite.
Colin Lacy can be reached at [email protected].
