FEBRUARY 17th Select: FreedomlandEight BelowNight WatchDate MovieTamaraWinter PassingThe Second Chance
Freedomland Director: Joe Roth Stars: Julianne Moore, Samuel L. Jackson, Edie Falco (Full Cast) Studio: Sony Pictures Releasing
The Plot: When her daughter disappears, a single mother (Moore) blames an African-American man for the crime. During the resulting controversy, a detective (Freeman) and reporter (Falco) work together on the ever-twisting case.
THE BUZZ: What is it with Joe Roth, Julianne Moore, and mothers in distress? Moore follows The Forgotten with another story of anguish, though the extra fear here is provided by the notion of Roth directing a racial drama. We predict another Sony stumble.
Message Boards: Hmmm, sounds alot like the Susan Smith case | so wait...
Eight Below Director: Frank Marshall Stars: Paul Walker, Jason Biggs, Bruce Greenwood (Full Cast) Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
The Plot: Brutal cold forces two Antarctic explorers (Walker, Biggs) to leave their team of sled dogs behind as they fend for survival.
THE BUZZ: Development was first halted on this project when The Alamo's wildly out of control production costs caused Disney to pull in their purse strings. Out went mildly hot star Josh Duhamel and director Bruce Hendricks (a seasoned second unit director, who now is executive producing instead), and in came the buffer Walker and producer-turned-director Marshall. Survival stories tend to do well, but what's the fun in watching overly dressed hunks? Jason Biggs can put on as many layers as he likes, though.
Message Boards: I'll have to wait for the dvd | Anyone know the actual story this is based on?
Date Movie Director: Jason Friedberg Aaron Seltzer Stars: Alyson Hannigan, Adam Campbell, Fred Willard (Full Cast) Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures
The Plot: A spoof of romantic comedies that follows a young guy's (Campbell) attempt to get his crush (Hannigan) to love him.
THE BUZZ: The two Scary Movie writer guys try their manhands at romantic comedy! Eddie Griffin plays Hannigan's father! Dude, classic! Really, though, we love Willow ... I mean, Hannigan, and there's no reason the genre can't be served well by a Scary Movie treatment.
Message Boards: what do they make fun of? | Wayans bros. should make another classic like Dont be a menace
Date Movie Director: Jason Friedberg Aaron Seltzer Stars: Alyson Hannigan, Adam Campbell, Fred Willard (Full Cast) Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures
The Plot: A spoof of romantic comedies that follows a young guy's (Campbell) attempt to get his crush (Hannigan) to love him.
THE BUZZ: The two Scary Movie writer guys try their manhands at romantic comedy! Eddie Griffin plays Hannigan's father! Dude, classic! Really, though, we love Willow ... I mean, Hannigan, and there's no reason the genre can't be served well by a Scary Movie treatment.
Message Boards: what do they make fun of? | Wayans bros. should make another classic like Dont be a menace
Tamara [limited] Director: Jeremy Haft Stars: Jenna Dewan, Katie Stuart, Chad Faust (Full Cast) Studio: Lions Gate Films
The Plot: An unpopular high school girl (Dewan) dies when a prank played against her goes awry. She returns from the grave with more than a few scores to settle, and the means to fulfill her wishes.
THE BUZZ: Lionsgate is behind the ultralow budget horror film written by Final Destination creator Jeffrey Reddick. Unlike most other Lionsgate movies, Tamara looks to have a sense of humor about herself. Star Jenna Dewan will next be seen in two bigger-budget movies, Take the Lead and an untitled project about musical high schoolers.
