Movie Trailer Report No. 1: 27 Dresses and 10,000 B.C

One of my many jobs to watch movie trailers and report to the studios on the audience's reaction to them. Periodically, I will be checking in to tell you which movies look good and which you could probably skip.

Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins

Martin Lawrence stars as a successful talk show host (think Montel Williams) who is introducing his new wife to his crazy family and friends. While this sounds like a cliché, the family includes Cedric the Entertainer, Michael Clarke Duncan , and James Earl Jones among others. The best scene looks like the softball game, with Mo'Nique in full catcher's gear and Cedric taunting "I'm gonna strike you out, playa!" This movie is going to make a lot of money.

Under the Same Moon (La Misma Luna)

I saw this trailer in English and Spanish on the same night. Will I see this movie? Voy a ver esta pelicula? No and no. It is the story of a boy who is trying to cross the Mexican border to reunite with his mother after his caretaker grandma passes away. The film seems very formulaic and desperate to tug on our heartstrings. Will the boy make it across and reunite with his Mami? Si. Will I care? No.

Cassandra's Dream

Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell star as a pair of brothers who are goaded by their uncle into committing a crime to solve their financial problems. I was very surprised to hear that this was a Woody Allen film, since breaks from his usual romantic mold. This looks like an exciting, tense movie.

21

This is a dramatization about the kids from MIT who figured out how to take Las Vegas casinos to the cleaners by learning to win at blackjack. The transition from of the kids from the classroom to the glamour of Vegas is a great visual in the trailer. Kevin Spacey is a great pick to portray this kids' teacher. I am looking forward to seeing 21 when it comes out on March 28. The trailer makes it look like a much more exciting story than it probably was in real life.

27 Dresses

This movie is going to attract everyone who liked Katherine Heigl in Knocked Up. This time, Heigl stars as a perennial bridesmaid who falls in love with a man who plans to marry her sister (Malin Akerman of The Heartbreak Kid). While this sounds like a female version of Dan In Real Life, the trailer makes it look like a lot more fun.

10,000 B.C.

Yes, another number in the title, and it's clear that the producers want to attract everyone who saw 300 last year. This trailer does a great job of actually being a teaser and not telling you everything about the movie. I don't know the plot at all, but I know there is a lot of fighting and cool prehistoric animals. It's all action, and that is hot right now with the success of 300 and Beowulf. If you liked either of those, this movie is for you.