When the weather finally starts to get warmer,
we are promised a few absolutes - blossoming flowers, shortening
hemlines and movies that are at least a little better than the gruel
the industry heaped onto our plates during the bleak winter months.
This year, it looks like Hollywood has not forgotten some of the
biggest hits of 2007 - whether it be the unstoppable "Spiderman"
trilogy, the edgy comedy of the Judd Apatow-directed
"Superbad"/"Knocked Up" variety or the surefire box office might of "I
Am Legend." Since Hollywood tends to abide by the
if-it-ain't-broke-don't-fix-it rule, viewers will have to look far and
wide this year to find a studio film that does not contain superheroes,
Judd Apatow or Will Smith. Or, in the best-case scenario, some kind of
glorious amalgamation of some or all of those ingredients.
"Drillbit Taylor"
(March 21)
Three nerdy youngsters hire a bodyguard to fend off a school bully. But
this is no ordinary bodyguard: It's bumbling ladies' man Drillbit
Taylor, played by Owen Wilson.
Superheroes, Judd Apatow or Will Smith: Apatow produced it, which makes
it easy to write off as a middle-school version of "Superbad" without
the dick jokes and alcohol, except that '80s teen guru John Hughes
co-wrote it under a pseudonym, which seems unnecessarily mysterious and
incredibly intriguing.
"Iron Man"
(May 2)
John Favreau directs and Robert Downey Jr. stars in this Marvel
blockbuster. When inventor Tony Stark is kidnapped and forced to use
his skill for evil, he instead makes the world's most badass suit of
armor and plans an adrenaline-pumping escape. Hey, there's no
"Spiderman" movie coming out this summer, so why not?
Superheroes, Judd Apatow or Will Smith: Just superheroes in this one.
"You Don't Mess With the Zohan"
(June 6)
Adam Sandler dons silly outfits and speaks in an exaggerated accent,
except this time he's Zohan, an Israeli counter-terrorist agent who
fakes his own death so he can pursue his dream of being a hair stylist
in New York. How ... topical?
Superheroes, Judd Apatow or Will Smith: Apatow co-wrote this one, along
with Sandler and Robert Smigel. On the heels of his recent success and
ever-increasing ubiquity, it will be interesting to see if Apatow can
inject some new life into Sandler's old tricks.
"Hancock"
(July 2)
Will Smith plays Hancock, a lackadaisical homeless superhero who
unwittingly leaves a trail of destruction everywhere he goes. Toss in
supporting roles from Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman and a bunch of
shots of Will Smith flying through the air at light speed, and you've
got the most blockbuster-worthy trailer of the year thus far.
Superheroes, Judd Apatow or Will Smith: A superhuman Will Smith heaving
a beached whale back into the ocean? When God created CGI, he probably
had that very image in mind.
"Pineapple Express"
(Aug. 8)
Dale (Seth Rogen) scores some of "the dopest dope ever" from his dealer
Saul (James Franco, looking surprisingly perfect for the role). The two
witness a murder; hilarity ensues. Best-case scenario, as one YouTube
commentator put it: "The most realistic weed action movie ever!"
Worst-case scenario, as another responded: "Harold and Kumar II."
Superheroes, Judd Apatow or Will Smith: Produced by Judd Apatow and
written by Rogen and Evan Goldberg. This formula proved golden in
"Superbad." Hopefully, they can recreate the magic.
"Eagle Eye"
(Aug. 8)
Shia LaBeouf, Rosario Dawson and Billy Bob Thornton star in this
thriller about two ordinary strangers who find themselves framed as
terrorists. Can they free themselves from the cell before they become a
part of a political assassination?
Superheroes, Judd Apatow or Will Smith: None. Is it too late to call up Will? He could only make this better.
Totally Recalled
Upcoming movies rehash many of last year's successful features. Is a cinematic era taking shape or is Hollywood losing their edge? From The Eagle.