January 2008 Movie Preview

I've recently written a few preview articles on upcoming released films; such as, Sweeney Todd, and National Treasure: Book of Secrets. This is a list of more new films you should look for or watch out for. Find out all you need to about these films, and see what I have to say.

Cloverfield

Directed by Matt Reeves
Written by Drew Goddard
Release date: January 18, 2007

If you've seen the trailer to this movie, you should probably know that there are parts of the film that are filmed in a kind of Blair-Witch-style and the entire story seems to revolve around a group of young people running away from something very destruction in New York City. One thing you probably didn't know is that the destruction is being caused by a bunch of monsters. Michael Stahl-David plays Rob Hawkins and Mike Vogel plays Jason Hawkins. If you remember The Blair Witch Project, you'll remember that some people were scared by nothing for 2 hours. People actually thought the events in Blair Witch had actually happened. This should be a different story. Whether or not the style works for this kind of a movie will depend. We'll have to see how well well it does and how scary it is this January.

More of the principle cast

Lizzy Caplan plays Marena Diamond
Jessica Lucas plays Lily Ford
T.J. Miller plays Hud

Rambo

Directed by Sylvester Stallone
Written by Sylvester Stallone
Release date: January 25, 2008

In this long-awaited follow-up to Rambo 3 or First Blood 3, Rambo (Stallone) goes to Thailand to kick butt and take names. This time, he's got a group of mercenaries to help him to help rescue a missing group of Christian aid workers. If you're a Rambo fan, you'll probably want to see your favorite gun-toting, knife-wielding action hero back on the big screen. If you're an action fan, Rambo or Rambo 4 might not be much of a disappointment either. If memory serves, Rambo movies have always been chalked full of bloody, loud, violent and jaw-dropping action. However, if you like action movies with more plot, more character, more drama and perhaps even some more comedy than a movie of this kind, I suggest you find another movie to pass the time. Die Hard maybe? As for me, I'll be there in the theater, waiting to see how Rambo kills the next bad guy.

More of the principle cast

Julie Benz plays Sarah
Graham McTavish plays Lewis
Jake La Botz plays Reese
Reynaldo Gallegos plays Diaz

One Missed Call

Directed by Eric Valette
Written by Andrew Klaven
Release date: January 4, 2008

For starters, this is a remake of the 2003 Japanese horror film, Chakushin Ari. It's about people dying after receiving a phone call. They can hear themselves dying on the other end of the line. Edward Burns plays Jack Andrews and Shannyn Sossamon plays Beth Raymond. Who knows if either of these characters will survive. But it should be interesting to find out. Automatically, you might be thinking about the other Japanese remade horror flicks; such as, The Ring or The Grudge. As well as those did at the box office, as scary as they may have been, one can't help but also be reminded of Pulse. This could either fall flat or be terrifying for a lot of people.

More of the principal cast

Azura Syke plays Leann Cole
Ana Claudia Talancon plays Taylor Anthony
Ray Wise plays Ted Summers
Rhoda Griffis plays Marie

27 Dresses

Directed by Anne Fletcher
Written by Aline Brosh McKenna
Release date: January 11, 2008

Jane is in love with a man who is about to marry her sister. How does she deal with it? Find out in this cutesy looking film, starring Katherine Heigl in the lead role, James Marsden as Kevin, and Malin Akerman as Tess. Will this be a great movie? It may or may not. Could this be fun? I don't see why not.

More of the principle cast

Edward Burns plays George
Judy Greer plays Casey
Krysten Ritter plays Gina
Maulik Pancholy plays Trent

More releases for January 2008

Be Kind Rewind

Directed by Michel Gondry
Written by Michel Gondry
Release date: January 25, 2008

Starring Jack Black, Mos Def, Mia Farrow, Danny Glover, Melonie Diaz, Marcus Carl Franklin

In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale

Directed by Uwe Boll
Written by Doug Taylor
Release date: January 11, 2008

Starring Jason Statham, John Rhys-Davies, Ray Liotta, Matthew Lillard, Leelee Sobieski, and Burt Reynolds

Fanboys

Directed by Kyle Newman
Written by Ernest Cline and Adam F. Goldberg
Release date: January 14, 2008

Starring Sam Huntington, Chris Marquette, Dan Fogler, Jay Baruchel, and Kristen Bell

Mad Money

Directed by Callie Khouri
Written by Glenn Gers
Release date: January 18, 2008

Starring Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah, Katie Holmes, Ted Danson, and Roger R. Cross

More new releases to check out, and Matt Walsh

The Golden Compass

Directed by Chris Weitz, written by Chris Weitz from the Philip Pullman novel, released on December 7, 2007, starring Dakota Blue Richards, Nicole Kidman, and Daniel Craig

I Am Legend

Directed by Francis Lawrence, written by Akiva Goldsmith based on the Richard Matheson novel, released on December 14, 2007, starring Will Smith

National Treasure: Book of Secrets

Directed by Jon Turteltaub, written by Marianne and Cormac Wibberly, released on December 21, 2007, starring Nicolas Cage, Justin Bartha, and Diane Kruger

Alvin and the Chipmunks

Directed by Tim Hill, written by Jon Vitti, Will McRobb, and Chris Viscardi, released on December 14, 2007, starring Jason Lee

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Directed by Tim Burton, written by John Logan, released on December 21, 2007, starring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Alan Rickman

P.S.: I Love You

Directed by Richard LaGravenese, written by Steven Rogers and Richard LaGravenese, released on December 21, 2007, starring Hilary Swank as Holly Kennedy, Gerard Butler as Gerry Kennedy, Lisa Kudrow as Denise Hennessey, Harry Connick Jr. as Daniel Connelly, Gina Gershon as Sharon McCarthy, and Kathy Bates.

Atonement

Directed by Joe Wright, written by Christopher Hampton, released on December 7, 2007, starring Keira Knightley as Cecilia Tallis, James McAvoy as Robbie Turner, Brenda Blethyn as Grace Turner, Romola Garai as Briony Tallis at 18, Saoirse Ronan as Briony Tallis at 13, and Vanessa Redgrave as the Older Briony.

Grace Is Gone

Directed by James C. Strouse, written by James C. Strouse, released on December 7, 2007, starring John Cusack as Stanley Philipps, Gracie Bednarczyk as Dawn Philips, Doug Dearth as Captain Riggs, Michael Thomas Dunn as Tourist, Brian Patrick Farrekk as Balloon Man, and Dane Lynne Gilhooley as Grace.

The Bucket List

Directed by Rob Reiner, written by Justin Zackham, released on December 25, 2007, starring Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, Sean Hayes, Beverly Todd, Robb Morrow, Lauren Cohn, Ian Anthony Dale, Jennifer, Defrancisco, Verda Bridges, and Angela Gardner.