The first
two months of any cinematic year can easily be described as Movie Siberia; a
place where films not good enough for the summer or Oscar season are sent to
languish and hopefully be forgotten. No one is expecting much critical or box
office success from this time of year, but here are the more interesting ones
for January and February…
January
THE LEGEND
OF HERCULES – Renny Harlin (DIE HARD 2), directs this CGI-heavy take on the
mythical Greek hero. Kellan Lutz (TWILIGHT), plays Herc.
I,
FRANKENSTIEN – Aaron Eckhart (THE DARK KNIGHT), plays the monster in this
modern-day take on the classic tale which adds battles with gargoyles and
demons. Co-stars Miranda Otto (THE LORD OF THE RIGNS), and Bill Nighy.
JACK RYAN:
SHADOW RECRUIT – Chris Pine (STAR TREK) is the latest actor to become Jack Ryan
in this reboot of the franchise which has nothing to do with the Harrison Ford
series, the Ben Affleck version, the Alec Baldwin effort, or anything that series
creator Tom Clancy ever wrote. Co-stars Kevin Costner and Keira Knightly, and
is directed by Kenneth Branagh (THOR).
KNIGHTS OF
BADASSDOM – This indie flick is about a geeky group of medieval role-players
who have to summon their inner-heroes when a magic spell actually works and causes
havoc at a fair. Stars Peter Dinklage (GAME OF THRONES), Summer Glau
(SERENITY), and Steve Zahn.
February
THE
MONUMENTS MEN – This WWII comedy/drama was set to be released in December of
2013, but was delayed due to post-production problems (never a good sign).
George Clooney stars and directs, and he is joined on-screen by Matt Damon,
Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, Jean Dujardin, and John Goodman.
THE LEGO
MOVIE – The ever popular child’s (and let’s face it, adults too) toy finally
gets its own action/adventure movie. Stars the voices of Chris Pratt, Will
Arnett, Elizabeth Banks, Morgan Freeman, and Will Ferrell.
ROBOCOP – A remake
of the 1987 hammy sci-fi film. Directed by Jose Padilha, it stars Joel Kinnaman
(SAFE HOUSE) as the cop turned cyborg. He is joined by Gary Oldman, Samuel L.
Jackson, Abbie Cornish, Jackie Earle Haley, and Michael Keaton.
POMPEII –
Directed by Paul W.S. (worthless shit) Anderson (RESIDENT EVIL), this 79
B.C.-set tale concerns a slave turned gladiator who races to save his true love
before Mount Vesuvius erupts. Stars Kit Harington (SILENT HILL), Emily Browning
(SUCKER PUNCH), Carrie-Anne Moss, Jared Harris, and Kiefer Sutherland.
3 DAYS TO
KILL – Kevin Costner is an international spy who has to complete one last mission
before he can retire. Directed by McG (TERMINATOR SALVATION) and co-stars
Hailee Steinfeld (TRUE GRIT).
NON-STOP – Liam Neeson is a U.S. Air Marshal fighting a terrorist on a (non-stop) flight from New York to London. Co-stars Julianne Moore.
*
Next month,
Episode II looks at the month of March.
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