1. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (Fox, 4,099 Theaters, 107 Minutes, Rated PG-13): If this movie came out at any time prior to 2006, there would not be as much concern about it. It could have probably just sailed by into theaters without much scrutiny.
However, X-Men:The Last Stand proved that a can’t miss franchise might actually be able to miss after all. And that put an extra critical eye on this franchise extending film.
As a result, you have people making snarky comments that this should actually be the fourth Wolverine movie rather than the first. You also have people questioning where the story fits in. Of course, it is the origin of Wolverine, but he faces off against a different Sabertooth–decidedly not blond and not monosyllabic–than he faced in the first X-Men film.
He also appears to have a run in with Cyclops, a meeting not mentioned in any of the other films–a fact that drives the comic book fan target audience crazy. In addition, the film seems chock full of fan favorite characters from the comics such as Gambit and Deadpool that seem just shoved in. This is always a bad thing (see Batman and Robin and Spider-Man 3).
Add to that a couple disappointing reviews of the script and a controversy over a leaked bare bones version of the film and you have what could be a disaster. I hope it isn’t, but I’m not optimistic.
2. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (Warner Bros. (New Line)/ 3,175 Theaters, 100 Minutes, Rated PG-13): Is it too early to appoint Matthew McConaughey the king of the romantic comedy? Basically, that’s all he is doing cinematically right now. Usually playing an overgrown adolescent whose heart must be tamed by a beautiful girl.
This latest entry adds a Dickensian twist as Matthew plays a serial monogamist who is forced to revisit all his past relationships. In the process, he finds his one true love is the one he’s about to let slip away forever.
3. Battle for Terra (Lionsgate, 1,159 Theaters, 85 Minutes, Rated PG): I have to admit, I know absolutely nothing about this film.
I haven’t seen any ads for it, I’ve read no articles, seen no trailers.
Now, I do have a newborn child, which occupies a lot of my time, but I have seen something for all the other films being released this week. This leads me to believe that Lionsgate is burying this film. Bad Lionsgate, bad.
According to IMDB, this is a computer animated sci-fi tale where the last survivors of Earth try to colonize an inhabited planet. The planet’s inhabitants resist and fighting ensues. So if that floats your boat, maybe you should check this out.
