1. Jack the Giant Slayer (Warner Brothers/New Line, 3,525 Theaters, 114 Minutes, Rated PG-13):I find it hard to remember that this film is based on a fairy tale.
There is a lot going for it. It is directed by Bryan Singer (whose days of films like Usual Suspects and Apt Pupil is now gone, I suppose),the script was reworked by Christopher McQuarrie, and stars Nicholas Hoult, an actor I’m increasingly impressed with.
But still, it is adapted from a fairy tale, a disturbing trend in today’s cinema, especially since the works are being adapted for a teen and adult audience. It’s a tricky thing to pull off, as Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters can tell you.
This one? Well, instead of ticking of just one giant, Jack reawakens a war between the giants and humans.
2. 21 and Over (Relativity, 2,771 Theaters, 93 Minutes, Rated R): If this strikes you as the young adult version of The Hangover, give yourself a star for thinking that.
Co-writers and co-directors Jon Lucas and Scott Moore co-wrote that film. So, if you are going to rip off another concept, why not make it your own.
Instead of a bachelor party, a group of friends help their one of their number’s 21st birthday. Of course, the night of debauchery gets way out of hand, and his friends have to keep track of the birthday boy and sober him up enough for his medical school interview the next day.
3. The Last Exorcism Part II (CBS Films, 2,700 Theaters, 88 Minutes, Rated PG-13): I thought The Last Exorcism would be the Last Exorcism. That film should now be renamed The Second-to-Last Exorcism or, if they want to be optimistic, An Exorcism That Hopefully Will Lead Up To One Last Exorcism, Someday.
This sequel abandons the “found footage” style of the first one and goes with a more straight forward narrative.
The film follows Nell as she tries to get on with her life after the event of the first film. Unfortunately for her, the experience has made it onto the Internet, not only making it difficult to get new friends, but also causing old demons to come back and try to sway her to their side.
4. Phantom (RCR Distribution, 2,000+ Theaters, 97 Minutes, Rated R): And then there’s this one. It might be tacky to say that a film about a submarine might be sailing under the radar, but this film has sailed under mine.
Ed Harris plays a Russian sub commander during the Cold War who was charged with a dangerous secret mission. This mission is complicated by the presence of a rogue KGB agent (David Duchovny) who wants to change the mission parameters to serve his own ends. If he succeeds, it could bring on a Third World War.
A tale of political intrigue set on a Russian submarine calls to mind The Hunt for Red October. If this film is as half as good as that one, it might be worth a shot.
