BATTLESHIP
Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Brooklyn Decker, Alexander Skarsgard,
Rihanna, Asano Tadanob & Liam Neeson
Directed by Peter Berg for distribution by Universal
The Plot: A fleet of US Navy ships are forced into battle with a species of unknown origin who have their sights set on world domination!
The Final Word: Based on the Hasbro board game (yes, you read that right), “Battleship” has been the focus of many jokes since it was officially announced. Yet, after blowing the competition out of the water in foreign markets, Universal is gaining increased confidence it could do just as well domestically. Taking the ridiculous of the plot out of the conversation, the film actually has a solid cast (including the very bankable Liam Nesson) and is being directed by “Friday Night Lights” guru Peter Berg, so the studio could end up getting the last laugh here.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Chace Crawford,
Brooklyn Decker, Anna Kendrick, Matthew Morrison, Dennis Quaid,
Chris Rock, Rodrigo Santoro, Ben Falcone, Joe Manganiello & Thomas Lennon
Directed by Kirk Jones for distribution by Lionsgate
The Plot: The lives of five couples intertwine as they go through the ups and downs of pregnancy in this film based on the best-selling novel of the same name.
The Final Word: With an all-star cast that includes Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Chace Crawford, Brooklyn Decker, Anna Kendrick, Matthew Morrison, Dennis Quaid and Chris Rock (among many others) this should have appeal to a wide variety of audiences. Although coming off the box office bomb that was “New Year’s Eve,” it looks like audiences could be tiring of this ensemble approach to comedy. Then again, after weeks of superheroes, vampires and alien ships, viewers may be begging for a comedy.
THE DICTATOR
Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Anna Faris, Ben Kingsley,
Megan Fox, John C. Reilly & J.B. Smoove
Directed by Larry Charles for distribution by Paramount
The Plot: A dictator risks his life to ensure that democracy never comes to the nation he “lovingly” oppressed.
The Final Word: Sacha Baron Cohen returns to the big screen with his latest crazy creation in a comedy that has the potential to be as successful as his 2006 hit “Borat.” For months Cohen has promoted the film in character as the self-absorbed leader of the fictional country of Wadiya and the buzz seems to be ready to pay off. Still, Cohen took an ego hit when his “Bruno” essentially crashed and burned at the box office, so experts still aren’t sure how this picture will play. Conservative estimates place it somewhere between the two features.
