New Releases - Week of December 24th

GULLIVER’S TRAVELS (12/25)

Starring: Jack Black, Emily Blunt, Jason Segel & Amanda Peet

Directed by Rob Letterman for distribution by 20^th Century Fox

The Plot: A big talking dreamer (Black) gets a break when’s mistaken for a travel writer and assigned to cover the Bermuda Triangle. Once on location he soon ends up lost at sea and marooned on the island of Lilliput, where he is literally a giant among men.

The Final Word: The classic tale gets a 3D upgrade with Jack Black in the lead role. Whether critics praise it or bash it, it should still perform during the holiday break.

LITTLE FOCKERS (12/23)

Starring: Robert DeNiro, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Blythe Danner,

Jessica Alba, Laura Dern, Harvey Keitel, Teri Polo,

Dustin Hoffman & Barbara Streisand

Directed by Paul Weitz for distribution by Universal Pictures

The Plot: After ten years of being with his beloved bride Pam (Polo), Greg Focker (Stiller) is finally beginning to get along with his tightly-wound father-in-law Jack (DeNiro), but when Greg finds himself cash-strapped and his twins birthday fast approaching, his plan to earn some extra money begins to cause nothing but chaos.

The Final Word: “Meet The Parents” debuted in 2000 and became a comedy classic. While its sequel “Meet The Fockers” didn’t have the same charm as the original, audiences still flocked to see it, but with this being the third (and presumably final) installment in the series, the stakes for the second sequel has been raised. With a holiday release date and the nostalgia factor being to take hold, “Little Focker” is hoping to re-capture what made the original so successful.

TRUE GRIT (12/23)

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin,

Barry Pepper & Hailee Steinfeld

Directed by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen for distribution by Paramount Pictures

The Plot: A fourteen year old girl (Steinfeld) turns to a trigger-happy US Marshal (Bridges) for help after her father is brutally murdered in front of her. Once she gets the Marshal on board, the situation becomes more complicated when she insists on joining him in tracking down the killer.

The Final Word: In 1969, John Wayne starred in the original “True Grit” and picked up his first and only Best Actor Academy Award. With the Coen Brothers behind this 2010 remake, Paramount is hoping for similar luck for both the film and lead Jeff Bridges who also happens to be the reigning Best Actor winner.

Previewed next week: "The Flicks Flashback: Best of 2010"