FRIDAY PREVIEW: JAN 14th

Welcome to the first edition of the Friday Preview! Each week we will break down the new releases of the week for you and help you decide what movie you should spend your money on. Let’s face it; a trip to the movies can be expensive, why waste your money?  

Hit the jump to check out the new releases this weekend.




The Green Hornet: 

Length: 1 hr 48 min 

Directed by: Michel Gondry 

Written by: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Fran Striker, George W. Trendle 

Cast: Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Cameron Diaz, Christoph Waltz, Tom Wilkinson


Here is the official synopsis:  

In the film, Britt Reid (Seth Rogen), son and heir to Los Angeles' largest newspaper fortune, is a rich, spoiled playboy who has been happy to maintain a direction-less existence. When his father James Reid (Tom Wilkinson) mysteriously dies, Britt meets an impressive and resourceful company employee, Kato (Jay Chou). They realize that they have the resources to do something worthwhile with their lives and finally step out of James Reid's shadow. Kato builds the ultimate weapon, The Black Beauty, an indestructible car with every weapon and gadget imaginable and Britt decides that in order to be heroes, they will pose as villains. With the help of Britt's new secretary, Lenore Case (Cameron Diaz), they learn that the chief criminal in the city is named Benjamin Chudnofsky (Christoph Waltz). He has united all the gangs under his power, and he quickly sees that the Green Hornet is a direct threat to the prosperous criminal underworld he controls.

So what do I think? Expectations for this movie area set pretty low, so unless the movie is complete garbage it should be a pleasant surprise for most. Early reviews for The Green Hornet are pretty good but not great.

The Dilemma:

 







 

Length: 1 hr 58 min  

Directed by: Ron Howard  

Written by: Allan Loeb  

Cast: Vince Vaughn, Kevin James, Winona Ryder, Jennifer Connelly, Channing Tatum, Queen Latifah

Here is the official synopsis:  

Vince Vaughn and Kevin James headline an all-star comedy from director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer about a man who finds out that what you don’t say to a friend is just as important as what you do. Jennifer Connelly, Winona Ryder, Channing Tatum and Queen Latifah join them in The Dilemma, a story of how far you can bend a brotherly bond before it snaps.

Since college, confirmed bachelor Ronny (Vaughn) and happily married Nick (James) have been through thick and thin. Now partners in an auto design firm, the two pals are vying to land a dream project that would launch their company. With Ronny’s girlfriend, Beth (Connelly), and Nick’s wife, Geneva (Ryder), by their sides, they’re unbeatable.

But Ronny’s world is turned upside down when he inadvertently sees Geneva out with another man and makes it his mission to get answers. As the amateur investigation dissolves his world into comic mayhem, he learns that Nick has a few secrets of his own. Now, with the clock ticking and pressure mounting on the biggest presentation of their careers, Ronny must decide how and when he will reveal the truth to his best friend.

So what do I think? This movie will be terrible. Why? Two words: Vince. Vaughn.

Barney's Version:

Length: 2 hr. 12 min  

Directed by: Richard J. Lewis  

Written by: Mordecai Richler, Michael Konyves  

Cast: Paul Giamatti, Rosamund Pike, Jake Hoffman
Here is the official synopsis:  

From producer Robert Lantos, Barney’s Version is a film based on Mordecai Richler’s prize-winning comic novel. Barney Panofsky (Paul Giamatti) is a seemingly ordinary man who lives an extraordinary life. Barney’s candid confessional spans four decades and two continents, and includes three wives (Rosamund Pike, Minnie Driver and Rachelle Lefevre), one outrageous father (Dustin Hoffman) and a charmingly dissolute best friend (Scott Speedman).

So what do I think? This movie should turn out to be a winner. Giamatti has received a Golden Globe nomination for his role in this film. Unfortunately, this movie has a limited release and isn’t coming to a theater near me any time soon. 

  

Conclusion:

Well if you live somewhere where Barney’s Version is playing, go see that; otherwise stay in this weekend and do something productive. But Josh, you may say, I don’t have anything productive to do this weekend, what should I watch? Well for you unproductive folks out there that want to burn some cash, go see The Green Hornet. I’m not promising a great movie, but it should provide some mindless fun.

Side Note: For those of you who are reading this from Madtown, Sundance Theater is now running Blue Valentine. For you lucky folk, I would recommend that over The Green Hornet.