GREEN LANTERN
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter
Sarsgaard, Mark Strong,
Angela Bassett,Tim Robbins, Temuera Morrison, Jay O. Sanders,
Taika
Waititi,Jon Tenney, Geoffrey Rush & Michael Clarke
Duncan
Directed by Martin Campbell for distribution by
Warner Brothers
The Plot: A cocky test
pilot (Reynolds) is entrusted with a ring that supplies unimaginable power to
its beholder in this adaptation of the popular DC Comics series.
The Final Word: With the
exception of the highly successful Christopher Nolan “Batman” movies, DC and
Warner Brothers have not been able to get a handle on how to do a superhero
movie. Both parties hope their luck will change with “Green Lantern.” With a
strong fan reaction being built off the early trailers and presentation clips
and the charismatic Ryan Reynolds as the equally charismatic Hal Jordan, it’s entirely
possible “Lantern” could buck the current trend. Here’s one more thing to
consider; Martin Campbell, the film’s director has not only successfully jump
started a franchise once, but he’s done it twice. Both times he’s come on to
direct a James Bond, it’s been the initial debut of the new actor playing the
iconic superspy. If he can do that with Bond, imagine what he can do when he’s
allowed to play outside the laws of physics.
MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS
Starring: Jim Carrey, Carla Gugino, Ophelia
Lovibond, Philip Baker Hall, Andrew Stewart-Jones, James Tupper, Clark Gregg,
David Krumholtz & Angela Lansbury
Directed by Mark Waters for distribution by 20th
Century Fox
The Plot: A businessman’s
(Carrey) life is changed forever when he inherits a group of penguins that
create chaos in his life and make his friends and family begin to question his
sanity.
The Final Word: Believe it or
not, you actually have to go back to 1995 to find the last time Jim Carrey
released a comedy during the highly competitive summer movie season. This year
though he returns to the fray with “Mr. Popper’s Penguins,” and based on the buzz
the movie’s getting, the actor should have no problem fitting back into the
mix.
Previewed next week: Bad Teacher & Cars 2
