Movie Preview for February of 2009

I love movies. I look forward to seeing almost every movie that comes out. There's always a question of whether or not it's a good movie. As a serious moviegoer, you've got to keep your mind open. Perhaps the most unlikely film will be your favorite film of the year. You never know. So I have gone ahead, taken a look at some movies coming out in January of 2009 and I decided to give my readers a glimpse at some of those movies. Once you've read what I've got to say, it'll be up to you whether or not you want to see the films listed below. One thing I'll tell you before I move ahead with this list is that I wish I could be paid to see these movies at their premiere and give my readers detailed reviews of each. But as it is, I am stuck making guesses and conjectures, not certain how well the movie will turn out.

2009 looks like a year of either great change or great disappointment. We've already had some great changes in the political world if you hadn't noticed. And, I'm obviously not talking about the shaky ecomony. This year in film may bring 3D to the screen like we've never seen before.

February 6

Coraline

Directed by Henry Selick

Written by Henry Selik

Dakota Fanning plays the voice of Coraline, a young girl who discovers a secret door in her new home that takes her to an alternate reality. In this "Other World", everyone she knows has buttons for eyes. As the stakes get higher, when her Other Mother threatens to keep Coraline forever and replace her eyes with buttons, Coraline must do everything she can to get home. Given the amazing success and brilliance of A Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride, this stop-motion animation feature should be a worthy follow-up. However, I noticed in the trailer that the film may be a little too wild to be coherent. We won't know for sure until February 6th.

More of the principle cast

Ian McShane plays Mr. Bobinski

Keith David plays The Cat

Teri Hatcher plays Coraline's Mother and Other Mother

Jennifer Saunders plays Miss Forcible

Fanboys

Directed by Kyle Newman

Written by Ernest Cline and Adam F. Goldberg

Just when you thought "Trekkies" were bad. This is the story of five friends who travel to the Skywalker Ranch to steal an early copy of the newest Star Wars film, The Phantom Menace in 1998. Along the way, traveling clear across the country, these five friends, Eric (Sam Huntington), Windows (Jay Baruchel), Hutch (Dan Fogler), Zoe (Kristen Bell) and Linus (Chris Marquette) have a few mis-adventures, giving us at least a few great laughs. But, from what I understand, comedy isn't the only thing Fanboys has to offer. I'm sure this film will be fun for anyone who loves science-fiction or movies in general.

More of the principle cast

Thom Bishops plays Gruvock

Charlie B. Brown plays Myron

Ernest Cline plays Ensign Wierzbowski

David Denman plays Chaz

He's Just Not That Into You

Directed by Ken Kwapis

Written by Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein

A movie that feartures several interconnecting storylines, exploring the dating world and how we deal with relationships. Jennifer Aniston plays Beth. From what I understand, Ben Affleck plays her boyfriend, Neil. Drew Barrymore plays Mary. Jennifer Connelly plays Janine. Scarlett Johansson plays Anna. Ginnifer Goodwin plays Gigi. Could this film about dating have a screenplay as smart as Woody Allen's best? Doubtful. Could He's Just Not That Into You be a fun, funny and all-around good time at the movies? Maybe. This is a star-studded cast. We really shouldn't say anything until we see the film on February 6th.

More of the principle cast

Bill Brochtrup plays Larry

Hedy Burress plays Laura

Bradley Cooper plays Ben

Justin Long plays Alex

Push

Directed by Paul McGuigan; written by David Bourla; starring Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle, Chris Evans, Dijmon Hounsou, Maggie Siff, and Cliff Curtis

Pink Panther 2

Directed by Harald Zwart; written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber; starring Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Emily Mortimer, Andy Garcia, Alfred Molina and Yuki Matsuzaki

February 13

The International

Directed by Tom Tykwer

Written by Eric Singer

Clive Owen plays Interpol agent, Louis Salinger. He tries to expose a bank's involvement in an international arm's dealing ring. He ends up having to resort to extreme measures in order to get justice. Naomi Watts co-stars as Eleanor Whitman. After his success in Sin City and Children of Men, Clive Owen exploded onto the scene as a promising action hero. Can he pull off this potential blockbuster? We won't know until February 13th.

More of the principle cast

Armin Mueller-Stahl

Ulrich Thomsen

James Rebhorn as Arnie Goodwin

Victor Slezak as Captain Martell

Friday the 13th

Directed by Marcus Nispel

Written by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift

He's back for the umpteenth or millionth time. Yes, Jason Voorhees (played by Derek Mears) returns after being "killed" more times than I can count in a series that went on for far too long. Has the story changed? No. Has the characters changed? No. We still have a bunch of stupid teenagers going to Camp Crystal Lake, having sex and getting slaughtered, hand over fist. The big difference between this remake and the original crap cult classic is that it's not about Jason's mother, it's about him. Like the tried to do with The Texas Chainsaw Massacre recently, the filmmakers want to make Jason more of a reality than I ever, I think. I for one will check it out for my own curiosity. However, I'm not expecting anything more than another lame slasher film.

More of the principal cast

Jared Padalecki plays Clay

Danielle Panabaker plays Jenna

Travis Van Winkle plays Trent

Aaron Yoo plays Chewie

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Directed by P.J. Hogan; written by Tracey Jackson and Tim Firth; starring Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy, Krysten Ritter, Joan Cusack, John Goodman and Kristin Scott Thomas.

Two Lovers

Directed by James Gray; written by James Gray and Ric Menello; starring Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, Vinessa Shaw, Isabella Rossellini, and Elias Koteas.

February 20

Fired Up

Directed by Will Gluck; written by Freedom Jones; starring Eric Christian Olsen, John Michael Higgins, Nicholas D'Agosto, Amber Stevens, AnnaLynne McCord, Molly Sims, and Sarah Roemer.

Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail

Directed by Tyler Perry; written by Tyler Perry; starring Derek Luke, Tyler Perry, Vanessa Ferlito, Sofia Vergara, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Keke Palmer, Drew Sidora, and David Mann.

February 27

Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li

Directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak; written by Justin Marks; starring Kristin Kreuk, Moon Bloodgood, Michael Clarke Duncan, Neal McDonough, Chris Klein and Robin Shou.

Crossing Over

Directed by Wayne Kramer; written by Wayne Kramer; starring Harrison Ford, Ray Liotta, Ashley Judd, Summer Bishil, Lee Horsley, Cliff Curtis and Jaysha Patel.