New In Theaters - May 4, 2012

THE AVENGERS

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth,

Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston,

Stellan Skarsgård, Clark Gregg & Samuel L. Jackson

Directed by Josh Whedon for distribution by Disney, Marvel, Paramount

The Plot: Nick Fury and his diverse team of superheroes team up to save the world when an evil villain leads an all-out attack on Earth.

The Final Word: After years of lead-in, the exceptionally well put together Marvel franchise hits the big screen and audiences couldn’t be more excited!

New In Theaters - April 27, 2012

THE FIVE YEAR ENGAGEMENT

Starring: Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Chris Pratt,

Alison Brie & Rhys Ifans

Directed by Nicolas Stoller for distribution by Universal Pictures

The Plot: An engaged couple experience the ups and down of wedding planning as they attempt to make it down the aisle…at some point.

The Final Word: As with most movies starring “How I Met Your Mother” star Jason Segel, this one was co-written by the actor as well. Re-teaming with “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” director Nicolas Stoller, Segel could have yet another hit on his resume as “Engagement” is garnering a lot buzz and co-star Emily Blunt is just as likeable a lead.

THE RAVEN

Starring: John Cusack, Luke Evans, Alice Eve,

Brendan Gleeson & Oliver Jackson-Cohen

Directed by James McTeigue for distribution by Relativity

The Plot: After a psychopath begins staging horrific murders based on his books, Edgar Allen Poe teams with a young Baltimore detective to stop his serial streak.

The Final Word: It’s been a while since John Cusack fronted a movie, but audiences could be intrigued the concept, although the same audience may be more intrigued Jason Statham’s action film “Safe,” which opens the same weekend.

SAFE

Starring: Jason Statham, Robert John Burke, Chris Sarandon,

Anson Mount & Catherine Chan

Directed by Boaz Yakin for distribution by Lionsgate

The Plot: A one-time cage fighter’s quest for vengeance comes full circle when he finds himself the protector of gifted young girl being chased by the same gang that ruined his life.

The Final Word: By this point, does it really even matter what the plot of any Jason Statham movie is? The star of “The Transporter” franchise, Statham has consistently proven he can open a action film on essentially his name alone. “Safe” should be no different.

THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS

Starring: Hugh Grant, David Tennant, Imelda Staunton,

Martin Freeman & Jeremy Piven

Directed by Peter Lord for distribution by Columbia Pictures (Sony)

The Plot: Aided by his misfit crew a pirate sets out to be named “Pirate Of The Year,” but must contend with a number of enemies also vying for the honor.

The Final Word: Shot using stop-motion animation, this should tide over parents look for a kid-friendly film until the summer season officially kicks off. Although it’s also worth noting that the film’s voice cast is really intriguing as A-listers Hugh Grant and Salma Hayek lead the ensemble, which could net it some extra viewers.

New In Theaters - April 20, 2012

THE LUCKY ONE

Starring: Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling, Jay R. Ferguson,

Riley Thomas Stewart, Adam Lefevre & Blythe Danner

Directed by Scott Hicks for distribution by Warner Brothers

The Plot: A solider returning from his third tour of duty, tracks down a woman whose picture he believes saved his life while serving in Iraq and promptly begins to fall in love with her.

The Final Word: Anybody feel like this had to have been offered to Channing Tatum at one point? Between “Dear John” and “The Vow,” Tatum has proven he can open a movie like this with his eyes closed, but alas this time Zac Efron is in the lead role alongside a relative unknown. Opposite Taylor Schilling, who until now was best known for her short-lived NBC drama “Mercy,” Efron is hoping to find the same success Tatum has had, despite coming off a string of live-action misfires.

THINK LIKE A MAN

Starring: Michael Ealy, Jerry Ferrara, Meagan Good, Regina Hall,

Kevin Hart, Taraji P. Henson, Terrence J, Jenifer Lewis,

Romany Malco, Gary Owen & Gabrielle Union

Directed by Tim Story for distribution by Screen Gems (Sony)

The Plot: Four men team up to turn the tables on the women in the their lives after they find out the ladies have been using Steve Harvey’s book “Think Like A Man” against them.

The Final Word: The multi-talented Harvey has to be happy with the way his self-help book is being pseudo-adapted to the big screen especially
 given the strong ensemble attached. From Michael Ealy to Taraji P. Henson to Kevin Hart, this is a very talented group of actors and one that will draw in a solid opening weekend audience.

New In Theaters - April 13, 2012

THE CABIN IN THE WOODS

Starring: Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison,

Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins & Bradley Whitford

Directed by Drew Goddard for distribution by Lionsgate

The Plot: Five friends expecting a relaxing weekend in nature are thrown into a world of terror they never expected to experience.

The Final Word: Fanboy fave Joss Whedon teams up with friend and fellow “Buffy, The Vampire Slayer,” scribe Drew Goddard for what may be the most secretive film project of 2012. Whedon has given very little information on the project to ensure its multiple twists stay intact. After receiving overwhelming applause at the South By Southwest festival, moviegoers are quickly getting psyched for this film’s release.

THE THREE STOOGES

Starring: Chris Diamantopoulos, Will Sasso, Sean Hayes,

Jane Lynch, Larry David, Stephen Collins, Sofia Vergara & Jennifer Hudson

Directed by Bobby Farrelly & Peter Farrelly for distribution by Fox

The Plot: Based on the long-running TV series, the classic comedy trio are given a update. 

The Final Word: Given how long this film has been in development and how many cast changes it has gone through, you’d think the expectations would be higher for this film. Yet given how this adaptation has gone from starring Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, and Paul Giamatti to starring Sean Hayes, Chris Diamantopoulos and Will Sasso, you can understand how the bar has dropped. Nothing against Hayes Diamantopoulos and Sasso, who are each talented in their own right, but this could be a very low opening and embarrassing opening weekend.

LOCK OUT

Starring: Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Peter Stormare,

Lennie James, Vincent Regan, Tim Plester & Anne-Solenne Hatte

Directed by James Mather & Stephen St. Leger for distribution by FilmDistrict

The Plot: A wrongly convicted former government agent sees his one chance at redemption, when the President’s daughter is captured by rioting prisoners in an outer space maximum security facility. 

The Final Word: Even with suspending reality for a second, there is no way in a million years the daughter of any President would probably find herself visiting an maximum security prison, least of all in space. If you want a mindless shoot-em-up action flick to watch during a rainy day this is it! If not, move along.

New In Theaters - April 6, 2012

AMERICAN REUNION

Starring: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas,

Tara Reid, Seann William Scott, Mena Suvari, Eddie Kaye Thomas,

Jennifer Coolidge, Eugene Levy, Natasha Lyonne & Shannon Elizabeth

Directed by Jon Hurwitz & Hayden Schlossberg for distribution by Universal

The Plot: The gang from East Great Falls high school come together for one last round of fun and mischief as they attend their 10 year anniversary.

The Final Word: “American Pie” will forever be tied to a certain generation of filmgoers and that’s probably why it has stood up so well over the test of time. Spawning now three theatrical sequels and multiple direct-to-DVD ones, the franchise which launched the career of Jason Biggs, should be able to re-capture the nostalgic vibe Universal is hoping it gives off.

TITANIC 3D

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Gloria Stuart, Kathy Bates,

Frances Fisher, Billy Zane, Bill Paxton, Bernard Hill,

David Warner, Victor Garber, Jonathan Hyde & Suzy Amis

Directed by James Cameron for distribution by Universal

The Plot: The iconic Oscar winning film set on the doomed Titanic ocean liner returns to theaters in 3D.

The Final Word: As if James Cameron’s 1997 romantic drama hadn’t made enough money during its record setting run, Paramount is re-releasing the pic in 3D. Timed to mark the 100th anniversary of the ship’s historic sinking, the film which catapulted stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet into the stratosphere should once again clean up at the box office. While people are still skeptical about 3D conversion/re-releasing, James Cameron’s passion for the technique is unquestioned and as a result will forever be the king of the world in that category