There’s more to March than just the Oscars. Finally, March arrives and we can stop dwelling on 2009. In my opinion, March is usually a pretty decent movie month. This year’s crop looks especially promising with new movies from Tim Burton, Paul Greengrass (“The Bourne Ultimatum”), and Noah Baumbach (“The Squid and the Whale”).
March 5
After almost 3 months, “Avatar” will have to cede those illustrious 3-D and IMAX screens to Tim Burton’s twist on “Alice in Wonderland.” The titular character is played by relative newcomer Mia Wasikowsa, who will look quite a bit older than the Alice you remember from Disney’s 1951 animated classic. If that’s not a big enough draw for you, surely Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter (who will hopefully channel more of his glorious Jack Sparrow than his Jacko-esque Willy Wonka) will suffice. No? How about Helena Bonham Carter as the Queen of Hearts? Or Anne Hathaway as the White Queen? Perhaps Alan Rickman as the Caterpillar? No doubt about it, this is one exciting cast, and I’m sure Tim Burton won’t have any problem distinguishing himself from the numerous “Alice in Wonderland” rip-offs that have sprouted over the past few years.
“Brooklyn’s Finest” is directed by Antoine Fuqua, helmer of “Training Day,” which was enough to get me interested. However, it really looks to be little more than a mash-up of every cop movie ever made. But hey, that may be your thing, which would make this your potpourri.
March 12
I’m excited for “Green Zone,” which looks to be a smart political thriller. See my previous post at the release of the trailer for more info.
On the indie side of things, Noah Baumbach looks to return to Oscar form after “Margot at the Wedding” underwhelmed with “Greenberg.” The movie stars Ben Stiller as Greenberg, the grouchy misanthrope who finds a reason to be pessimistic about everything. However, a special woman comes along and begins to melt his heart. I’m looking forward to a double-edged performance from Stiller, one that can show off his dramatic chops but also give us plenty of hearty laughs.
Seth Rogen’s four roommates in “Knocked Up” were equally as funny as he was. Each of them have slowly gotten their “moment”: Jonah Hill in “Superbad,” Jason Segel in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” Now, it could be Jay Baruchel’s turn. “She’s Out of My League” pits him similar situation: the uncomely guy getting the smoking hot babe. Hopefully Paramount gives this the push it deserves, maybe making Baruchel a breakout comedic star of 2010.
Could “Remember Me” get Robert Pattinson the Razzie for Worst Actor? After narrowly missing the cut for his two performances as Edward Cullen, this could finally be the one to get him the kind of awards attention he deserves.
Forest Whitaker is an Academy Award winning actor. What on earth is he doing in “Our Family Wedding?” For that matter, America Ferrera has won SAG and Golden Globe awards, and Carlos Mencia was once actually funny! This looks not only insufferable but almost racist. Plus, didn’t I see this movie in 2005 when it was called “Guess Who?”
March 19
“The Bounty Hunter” has me curious. It is directed by Andy Tennant, who brought us the hilarious “Hitch” and the charming “Sweet Home Alabama.” However, he also gave us “Fool’s Gold,” which couldn’t make even a fool laugh. The female lead is Jennifer Aniston, who has been in some good movies like “Bruce Almighty” and “Marley & Me.” But in those movies, she was more of an accessory, not the main reason for success. When she has been the dependent factor for that, the movies have stunk – cough, “The Break-Up.” The male lead is Gerard Butler, who is making only his second foray into the romantic comedy genre. His first movie, “The Ugly Truth,” was pretty funny. Here, he looks to be playing another crude male type. Does he have more tricks up his sleeve, or is he going to wear out quickly? Like I said, I’m curious. If it’s good, it could easily net $100+ million.
The spring break kiddie movie is “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” based on the popular book series that my 9-year-old brother absolutely adores. Kids’ entertainment has been largely missing the mark in 2010 (“Leap Year,” “The Spy Next Door,” and “Tooth Fairy”). Could this be the movie to turn the tide (although I’d look to next week’s release for that)?
I can’t tell if I’m supposed to take Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett in “The Runaways” seriously. Are we to expect an actual performance like she gave in “Adventureland” or do we expect comically horrific acting like “Twilight?”
Seth Rogen will get some fresh material for Jude Law jokes with “Repo Men,” co-starring Forest Whitaker in a movie that is at least somewhat better suited for his talents.
(“Season of the Witch” was removed from the March schedule.)
March 26
The highlight of the weekend is 2010′s first bankable hit, “How to Train Your Dragon.” Created by DreamWorks Animation, the studio that consistently cranks out entertaining second fiddles to Pixar, the movie takes us back to the time of the Vikings. You know, when dragons still roamed the earth. Featuring voices from Jay Baruchel (who could have one heck of a month), Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, and Kristen Wiig (thank god!), this could be a fun ride for the whole family.
I can’t tell if “Hot Tub Time Machine” is the next “The Hangover” or the next “Year One.” If it gets Craig Robinson some parts, it’s all good by me.
Probably only opening in LA and New York this Friday is “Chloe,” which particularly excites me because we get two incredible actors in Julianne Moore and Liam Neeson. However, what I’m really looking forward to is seeing Amanda Seyfried play serious as the titular character. In the erotic thriller, she is hired by Moore to see how far her husband (Neeson) will go when it comes to cheating. But as time goes on, we see that it isn’t how far her husband will go that should worry her so much as how far Chloe will go with him.
(“I Love You Philip Morris” was pushed back to April.)
Thoughts on the month? Excited? Or just hoping that your theater will still have “Avatar” in 3D? As always, the poll is up for your voting.
