With the holiday movie season come and gone, it’s a wonder what there is to look forward to in the upcoming months. Sadly, it seems that Hollywood is forcing filmgoers to fend for themselves this winter, as they save their best releases for the summer (such as “The Da Vinci Code” (May 19), “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” (July 7) and the much anticipated June 30 release of “Superman Returns”). While there are a few pleasant surprises in the mix, the winter movie releases appear to be almost as depressing as the weather.
“Match Point,” the Woody Allen drama starring Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers is scheduled for a wide release on Jan. 20. The story unfolds around a married tennis instructor (Rhys-Meyers), who falls for one of his wealthy students (Johansson). Naturally, chaos follows as the affair ruins the worlds around the main characters. “Underworld: Evolution” also opens on Jan. 20. This follow up to 2003’s “Underworld,” trails Kate Beckinsale and Scott Speedman as Selene, the vampire warrior, and Michael, the werewolf hybrid, respectively, as the secrets to their bloodlines unfold. Well, at least Beckinsale looks great in black leather.
Jan. 27 brings “Annapolis,” which stars James Franco as a young rebel in one of the toughest military schools in the nation. As he fights to prove himself to the officers, he shows everyone, including himself, that he has what it takes to be the best. “Annapolis” also stars Tyrese Gibson, Jordana Brewster and – oh yes! – New Kids on the Block’s Donnie Wahlberg.
Hollywood seems to think that sequels are where it’s at, as “Big Momma’s House 2” hits theaters on Jan. 27. This time around, FBI agent Malcolm Turner, played by Martin Lawrence, goes back undercover as Big Momma, who finds work as a nanny for the child of a woman under investigation for murder. Expect big laughs from this big comedy.
Feb. opens with the bone-chilling “When A Stranger Calls,” a remake of the 1979 flick of the same name. Based on the urban legend of the baby-sitter that receives frightening calls coming from – dun dun dunnn! – inside the house, this horror flick starring relatively unknowns is sure to creep out even the bravest baby-sitter.
Feb. 10 brings out a slew of good movies. Why Hollywood decides to release them all on the same day is a good question, but will remain unanswered. “Curious George,” the much anticipated animation starring Will Ferrell as The Man in the Yellow Hat, finally hits theaters. Jack Johnson, the surfer-turned-singer/songwriter, provides insight into Curious George’s psyche with brand new songs. Drew Barrymore, Eugene Levy and Dick Van Dyke also lend their vocal talents to this classic children’s storybook tale. “The Pink Panther” is also released on Feb. 10. Steve Martin stars as Inspector Jacques Clouseau, a detective who must solve the murder of a famous soccer coach and find out who stole the infamous Pink Panther diamond. Kevin Kline and Beyonce Knowles also star. Feb. 10 also brings “Failure To Launch,” a romantic comedy starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew McConaughey, “Firewall,” a thriller starring Harrison Ford, Virginia Madsen and Paul Bettany, and “Final Destination 3,” a teenage suspense film about escaping death.
Feb. 17 opens with “Freedomland,” starring Samuel L. Jackson, Julianne Moore and Edie Falco. This mysterious drama focuses around a white woman (Moore) who claims that an African-American man stole her car and kidnapped her son who was in the backseat, causing a racial controversy. A detective (Jackson) attempts to solve the case, which quickly becomes more complicated than he could have imagined. “Eight Below,” a Disney film starring Paul Walker, Jason Biggs and some dogs is also released on Feb. 17, as is “Date Movie,” starring Alyson Hannigan, Eddie Griffin and Jennifer Coolidge. From two of the six writers of “Scary Movie,” “Date Movie” spoofs romantic comedies like “Meet the Fockers,” “Hitch” and “The Wedding Planner.”
In March, expect movies like “Idlewild” starring Outkast’s Andre Benjamin and Big Boi, “V for Vendetta” starring Natalie Portman, “Inside Man,” with Clive Owen and Denzel Washington, and “Ice Age 2: The Meltdown,” featuring the voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo and Denis Leary.
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