1. The Green Hornet (Sony/Columbia, 3,584 Theaters, 108 Minutes, Rated PG-13): The project has gone through a number of directors, including Kevin Smith and Stephen Chow. There have been numerous changes in the lead actor before they arrived at Seth Rogen. Not every Hollywood franchise gets this kind of persistence granted to it.
It seems like the powers that be think the property will be like printing money. That the Green Hornet is such a known quantity that it is guaranteed to be a success.
But it has been decades since the short-lived TV series was on and even longer since the radio show that originated the character was on the air. The character is known primarily by historians these days and I’d wager a bet that if you asked any young person about the Green Hornet, you’d get a blank stare.
So, it remains to be seen if this film would be a slam dunk or not or if the chances the producers made will pay off.
2. The Dilemma (Universal, 2,941 Theaters, 112 Minutes, Rated PG-13): Seeing Ron Howard’s name attached to this project might seem strange. After all, his career for the last 20 years has been Oscar fodder, more or less. But Howard has a history with comedy. His first two “break out” films were comedies–Night Shift and Splash.
Even still, this film seems beneath him. Vince Vaughn plays a man who sees the wife of his friend and business partner kissing another man. He must then debate whether or not to tell his friend.
I do like the cast, which is pretty strong top to bottom. And I like Howard as a director. But the film still seems to be the kind of brainless farce that stinks up theaters these days. If this is true, it would be a true shame.
