Continuing with our preview of the year’s upcoming movies, we focus this week on those films that will be making their debuts in early March.
“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].
