FRIDAY PREVIEW: MAR 4th

Without a doubt, the best part of researching these movies is reading their ridiculous tag-lines that, for whatever reason, the distributing studio thinks will make people want to see the movie. With the exception of one, (Rango) the tag-lines for this weeks movies have been included in the preview. 

Hit the Jump to check out which film this week will take home the bones.

Rango

Length: 1 hr 47 min
Rated: PG
Directed by: Gore Verbinski
Written by: John Logan, Gore Verbsinski, James Ward Byrkit
Cast: Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Timothy Olyphant

Tagline: None Provided

Official Synopsis:

Rango is an ordinary chameleon who accidentally winds up in the town of Dirt, a lawless outpost in the Wild West in desperate need of a new sheriff.

Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean) directs the latest Johnny Depp flick, where he stars a Hawaiian-shirt wearing chameleon, pretty much reprising his own role in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. This just looks like another ploy to get parents to bring their kids to the movie theater, buy them popcorn, and sit facing forward for an hour and a half. I'm not seeing the cleverness of Shrek, Toy Story, or How to Train Your Dragon anywhere in the trailers, so I think I'll pass.

The Adjustment Bureau

Length: 1 hr 45 min
Rated: PG-13
Directed by: George Nolfi
Written by: George Nolfi (Screenplay), Phillip K. Dick (Short Story)
Cast: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, John Slattery

Tagline: They stole his future. Now he's taking it back.

Synopsis: 

The affair between a politician and a ballerina is affected by mysterious forces keeping the lovers apart.

That tag line is hilarious. So dumb. As much as I love Phillip K. Dick (Author of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (aka Blade Runner), Minority Report, and A Scanner Darkly, I don't see this film really being anything different from everything else out there. It does have that epic redemption song that starts at 1:20 in the trailer, which I personally think has been beaten to death in trailers in the last four years. As much as Emily Blunt & Matt Damon might make a good on screen couple, this is no way to go about it. They'll steal your money. Before it's too late, take your weekend back.

Happythankyoumoreplease

Length: 1 hr 40 min
Rated: R
Directed by: Josh Radnor
Written by: Josh Radnor
Cast: Josh Radnor, Malin Akerman, Kate Mara

Tagline:  Go get yourself loved.

Official Synopsis:

Captures a generational moment - young people on the cusp of truly growing up, tiring of their reflexive cynicism, each in their own ways struggling to connect and define what it means to love and be loved.

I was actually somewhat interested from this trailer. Josh Radnor seems like a pretty convincing actor, especially since he's playing an older version of my current college self (except the fact that I don't have a chance getting Kate Mara). I like the general casting in this though, Tony Hale and Malin Akerman round it out nicely. I'd have to say I wouldn't pay money to check this out in theaters, but that isn't to say I'd hesitate putting it in my Netflix queue. Go get yourself thanked.

Beastly

Length: 1 hr 35 min
Rated: PG-13
Directed by: Daniel Barnz
Written by: Daniel Barnz (Screenplay), Alex Flinn (Novel)
Cast: Vanessa Hudgens, Alex Petteyfer, Neil Patrick Harris

Tagline: It's what's underneath

Official Synopsis:

A modern-day take on the "Beauty and the Beast" tale where a New York teen is transformed into a hideous monster in order to find true love.

Junk. Maybe those I Am Number Four and Twilight fans might enjoy this one (Who are we kidding, this is another Twilight poster in disguise), but there isn't a chance in science I'll be caught dead in the theater for this one. Also, what the hell is Vanessa Hudgens doing? "It's what's underneath"? Please. What's underneath his layers of makeup is another pretty-boy Hollywood face. Just watch the original Beauty and the Beast and retain your dignity.

Take Me Home Tonight

Length: 1 hr 54 min
Rated: R
Directed by: Michael Dowse
Written by: Jackie Filgo & Jeff Filgo (Screenplay), Gordon Kaywin & Topher Grace (Story)
Cast: Topher Grace, Anna Faris, Teresa Palmer

Tagline: Best. Night. Ever.

Official Synopsis:

Follow an aimless college grad who pursues his dream girl at a wild Labor Day weekend party. He, his twin sister and their best friend struggle with their burgeoning adulthood over the course of the night.

This one could go either way. Based on the trailer, Take Me Home Tonight looks like it parallels Happythankyoumoreplease in terms of the whole 'can't make decisions' thing. I did laugh once or twice during the trailer, which gives me hope, but also reminds me how the best parts are always ruined in the trailers. It's good to see Anna Faris in another Waiting..., but this one could be thinker or a stinker. I'm sure you'll have the best night ever if you buy the lady you take to this dinner first. I had to. 

I Saw the Devil

Length: 2 hr 21 min
Rated: Unrated
Directed by: Jee-woon Kim
Written by: Hoon-jung Park
Cast: Byung-hun Lee, Min-sik Choi and Gook-hwan Jeon

Tagline: Evil lives inside.

Official Synopsis:

When his pregnant wife becomes the latest victim of a serial killer, a secret agent blurs the line between good and evil in his pursuit of revenge.

Maybe one of the better films of the weekend; I'm a sucker for a good foreign film (speaking of which, I'm watching Let Me In, the American remake of Let the Right One In tonight. But I digress...). I'm guessing this one will be relying pretty heavily on action and cinematography to pull of a win at the box office (although I think this has a limited release anyways).  I'm curious to see how it does in the United States, so we'll just have to wait and see. An American remake lives inside (thats the best I've got).

Conclusion:

You've got three options in my opinion:

1). Happythankyoumoreplease

2). Take Me Home Tonight

3). I Saw the Devil

Although none of these are for sure must-sees, I have to say that they look phenomenally better than anything from the last few weeks. If you can, check out some of the Oscar winners at your local theater. They're sure to not disappoint. 

Have a great weekend.