New Releases - Week of November 5th

MEGAMIND

Starring the voices of: Will Ferrell, Jonah Hill, Brad Pitt,
Tina Fey & Ben Stiller

Directed by Tom McGrath for distribution by DreamWorks Animation

The Plot: An brilliant super-villain (Ferrell) must save the world after he actually takes out his arch-enemy (Pitt), a super hero who had previously held evil at bay.

The Final Word: DreamWorks has always been able to get animation right, even when its competition tried to trip them up. Here they have a great release date, a strong voice cast and a one month jump on what some insiders are calling Disney’s best film since “Beauty & The Beast.”  This should be a great way to start the holiday box office season.

DUE DATE

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galifianakis, Michelle Monaghan,

Jamie Foxx, Alan Arkin, Juliet Lewis & Danny McBride.

Directed by Todd Phillips for distribution by Warner Brothers

The Plot: After being banned from the skies due to a mix up on the “can’t fly” list, a uptight businessman (Downey Jr.) must depend on a eccentric wannabe actor (Galifianakis) to drive him across the country to be there for the birth of his child.

The Final Word: After “The Hangover,” Todd Phillips can do no wrong in the eyes of Warner Brothers.  While the trailer doesn’t exactly wow me, the cast does.  If Phillips is willing to put his name on the film and the cast was willing to sign on, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.

FOR COLORED GIRLS

Starring: Janet Jackson, Loretta Devine,  Michael Ealy, Hill Harper,

Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose, Kerry Washington,

Macy Gray & Whoopi Goldberg

Directed by Tyler Perry for distribution by Lionsgate

The Plot: Based on the award-winning play of the same (but slightly longer) name, the movie follows the lives of a group of African-American women whose paths begin to intersect.

The Final Word: Tyler Perry returns to theatres with his ninth film as a director and with one that gives him his best chance at Oscar gold. Backed a strong ensemble of talented African-American actors, Perry will look to continue his streak of box office hits.

127 HOURS

Starring: James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara & Lizzy Caplan

Directed by Danny Boyle for distribution by Fox Searchlight

The Plot: The true story of hiker Aron Ralston (Franco), who spent a harrowing 127 hours with his arm trapped under a boulder in an isolated Utah canyon.

The Final Word: “Slumdog Millionaire” director Danny Boyle reunites with Fox Studios for his first film since his big Oscar win a few years ago. Ralston’s story is already generating Oscar buzz, as is the actor portraying him. Franco has built up a amazing following the last few years even though he basically dropped off the grid to go back to school.  This could be a interesting power team come this year’s nominations.

Previewed next week: Fair Game, Morning Glory, Skyline, Unstoppable