FRIDAY PREVIEW: APR 1st

Another week in the dust, another week upon us. That sorta rhymes, right? With Sucker Punch getting terrible reviews and Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2 controlling the box office, no one can predict what will happen in the weeks to come. However, we can try to give some insight into what's to come. Here's our look at the movies coming out this week:


Source Code

Directed by: Duncan Jones
Written by: Ben Ripley
Length: 1 hr 33 min
Rated: PG-13
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga


Synopsis:

An action thriller centered on a soldier who wakes up in the body of an unknown man and discovers he's part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train. (IMDb)

Alrighty, movie number one this week is promising. As I'm writing this, Source Code has an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, out of 93 votes (82 positive reviews, 11 negative). When watching the trailer, I am reminded of some Phillip K. Dick novel (or movie, in this case), with an original story for when it was written, but not so much anymore. Source Code is directed by Duncan Jones, who did 2009's Moon, starring Sam Rockwell (one of the better movies of 2009, and one of the better actors alive). I could definitely see how this might be good, albeit unoriginal (action packed Groundhog Day anyone?).




Insidious

Directed by: James Wan

Written by: Leigh Whannell

Length: 1 hr 41 min

Rated: PG-13

Cast: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne

Synopsis:

Josh and Renai have a happy family with their three young children. When tragedy strikes their young son, Josh and Renai begin to experience things that science cannot explain. (Rotten Tomatoes)

Save yourself the trouble. Insidious is Insidious is Paranormal Activity with a budget. It's nice to see a scary movie not rated R for once, being a former movie theater employee, I know how much the box office will appreciate kids not trying to sneak in to the movie. "Uh, one for Diary of a Wimpy Kid please". Give me a break. Don't waste your time, unless you're 15.




Super

Directed by: James Gunn

Written by: James Gunn

Length: 1 hr 36 min

Rated: Unrated

Cast: Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page, Liv Tyler, Kevin Bacon

Synopsis:

After his wife falls under the influence of a drug dealer, an everyday guy transforms himself into Crimson Bolt, a superhero with the best intentions, though he lacks for heroic skills. (IMDb)

I don't know. As much as I like Rainn Wilson, didn't they just make this movie a few years ago with Woody Harrelson? Defendor came out in 2009, and has the same exact general idea. two goofy guys try to become superheros, although they have no super powers (or skills of any kind), and fight some sort of crime. Wait, they already remade Defendor in 2010, with Kick-Ass. In other words, expect no originality, mild humor, and lame action due to a low budget.




Hop

Directed by: Tim Hill

Written by: Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio, Brian Lynch

Length: 1 hr 35 min

Rated: PG

Cast: Russell Brandt, James Marsden, Hank Azaria, Kaley Cuoco

Synopsis:

The battle for Easter is on! In HOP, Despicable Me's Russell Brand voices E.B., the teenage son of the Easter Bunny. On the eve of taking over the family business, E.B. leaves for Hollywood in pursuit of his dream of becoming a drummer. Once there, he encounters Fred (James Marsden of the X-Men series, Enchanted), an unemployed slacker with his own lofty goals. Feigning injury, E.B. persuades Fred to take him in, and Fred finds himself living with the world's worst houseguest. Back on Easter Island, a power-hungry chick who has lived in the shadows for far too long has been plotting a coup to take over one of the biggest jobs in the world. Now that E.B.'s gone, he's got his chance. As E.B. discovers who he really wants to be and who he's meant to become, everything will lead him and Fred to an epic showdown to try and save Easter. (Rotten Tomatoes)

The kids movie of the week (a little risqué, with the whole PG rating though, huh?). Guarantees a few easy laughs, and with Brandy and Marsden in the mix, you're in for whatever they entail. I'd actually rather see Diary of a Wimpy Kid, so if that says anything about this movie...


Cat Run

Directed by: John Stockwell

Written by: Nick Ball, John Niven

Length: 1 hr 42 min

Rated: R

Cast: Paz Vega, Janet McTeer, Scott Mechlowicz, Christopher McDonald




Synopsis:

When a sexy, high-end escort holds the key evidence to a scandalous government cover-up, two bumbling young detectives become her unlikely protectors from a ruthless assassin hired to silence her. (IMDb)

I'm not really interested in this one at all. The trailer barely made any sense and didn't have any decent comedy (it is listed as a comedy/action on IMDb). Hey, maybe they left all of the funny parts in the actual movie this time, but I'm doubting it. And an action movie from the director of Blue Crush? All he needed to do was cast Kate Bosworth and I'd be there. But no dice.




Rubber

Directed by: Quentin Dupieux
Written by: Quentin Dupieux
Length: 1 hr 22 min
Rated: R
Cast: Stephen Spinella, Roxane Mesquida, Wings Hauser


Synopsis:

When Robert, an inanimate tire, discovers his destructive telepathic powers, he soon sets his sights on a desert town; in particular, a mysterious woman becomes his obsession. (IMDb)

Yes, you read the synopsis right. This is tied for the movie you should see this week, with Source Code. A ridiculously original idea for a movie; it's so crazy it just might work.  I see mountains of comedy gold, and a lot of opportunity for great character development of a tire. Before you see it, know what you are going to be seeing. Watch a trailer, read a review, whatever. If you go into Rubber blind, you might think that Hollywood has gone to hell (which it has, so you'd be right). Check this one out, only if you know what you're in for.


Conclusion:
The two worth your time: Source Code and Rubber. Everything else is sure to be surface level entertainment at least. There's not much else to it. I'm betting Super, Cat Run, and Rubber are all on limited release though, so good luck in that department.

Watch Responsibly.