January Movie Preview
Ah, the start of a New Year and new decade. What will 2010 bring us? For some, January brings a return to the norm after the craziness of the holidays. Hollywood has once made January a dumping ground for so-called films they had little faith in, but in recent years, the quality of films have improved. Usually, left over Oscar films are released in new markets and genre films litter the weekends. What does this month have in store? Let Jon Peters and Donny Broussard shift through it all with simple explanations and a simple See It or Skip It recommendation in Winter Preview: January.
(January 8th)
Daybreakers
Jon: While the vampire genre is do for a comedown, I think this film looks pretty fun. It has a feeling of a Blade movie, with a twist, and after hearing Willem Dafoe say: “We’re the folks with the crossbows” I was instantly sold. Now, this use of a blue tint like Underworld is getting on my nerves, but my faith is restored after reading Serena Whitney’s early TIFF review here. See It
Donny: I’m totally with Jon on this one. The Spierig brothers seem to have their fingers on the pulse of horror fans the world over and I’m ready to see them rock the shit out of the vampire genre. See It
Youth in Revolt
Jon: I’ll admit that Michael Cera’s so-called charm is on my last damn nerve, yet this might be a breakout/satirical spin on his persona. A Fight Club for the artsy nerd types even has gotten me excited for it. See It
Donny: I don’t love Michael Cera, but I’m stoked about this flick. The trailer is fun, so if the flick delivers the goods that the trailer promises it will I’m totally there. See It
(January 15th)
The Spy Next Door
Jon: Just when you thought Jackie Chan might be back after seeing The Forbidden Kingdom, here he comes with this goofy piece. Ugh. Remember the Tuxedo? Why does this look like it’s unofficial sequel? I’m sure the laziest of Chan fans will eat it up, but Skip It
Donny: This is pretty scary, Jon and I don’t usually agree this often, but I’m gonna agree with him again and say that this flick doesn’t interest me in the slightest. I’m gonna recommend  skipping it because my kids are gonna surely drag me into the theatre to see it.
The Book of Eli
Jon: I loved From Hell, the Hughes Brothers last directed film. With this film’s original screenplay, and a kick all ass trailer, all levels of interest are piqued. Denzel. Oldman. Kunis. Great cast, neat premise (is it some sort of Biblical journey?), and an ORIGINAL idea should be an instant see it.
Donny: What Jon said. See It
(January 22nd)
Legion
Jon: With silly looking special effects, maybe the premise of man versus angels will win us over. That crazy old lady is served for a hilarious joke, a nice bait and switch, yet my non-critic friend always forewarns of a new Dennis Quaid film. I don’t find him to be that bad. But with this month’s prior films-potentially better films-one genre film has to suffer, and I think this will be that one. Skip It
Donny: I want to see this flick strictly because of the whole killer angels sent by God to exterminate the puny humans angle. It seem so wrong it’s sweet. See It
The Tooth Fairy
Jon: The Rock has instant charisma, yet why is he always in goofy (the word of the month) films? This looks family friendly enough, as well as an unofficial sequel (another theme of the month) to The Game Plan. I doubt if there’s much to rally for or against on this one, yet the family market is slim this month, so expect decent box office numbers. Skip It.
Donny: Someone besides me is gonna see this flick because I’m definitely going to skip it.
Extraordinary Measures
Jon: I think this one feels like a wanna-be Oscar film that didn’t happen, as it is fishing for sentimentality. Big, bold, cliched dialogue should not hurt the older crowd from catching a drama this month. Seemingly based on a real story, one family will do whatever it takes to fund a researcher’s new treatment that could potentially save their children. Skip It.
Donny: I am going to disagree with Jon on this one. I think this flick looks like it could deliver the drama goods. See It
When in Rome
Jon: Donny’s imaginary girlfriend Kristen Bell stars in a film he’ll have to take his wife too. We laugh and point our single man fingers at him. Hey, Ms. Bell is hot, but this looks-word of the month-goofy. Directed by Daredevil’s Marl Steven Johnson, this is the type of flick I’m happy to announce I’m single to. If I have a date this month, we’re doing something…else. Enjoy boss! Skip It.
Donny: Jon is right. Kristen Bell is my imaginary girlfriend and I am positively going to take my wife to see this flick. See It
Edge of Darkness
Jon: I love revenge. At one point in the trailer, I expected Mel Gibson to yell “give back my son!” (a Ransom reference.) It looks solid and grim. With the SAG strike in 2008, this film barely came to be, but with The Departed’s screenwriter doing a polish and Mel in front of the camera again, I’m expecting some good, twist-y, fun. See It
Donny: I am so ready to see Mel in another revenge flick! This one has been on my radar for a while now, it has a solid script, great cast, and Mel in front of the camera. See It
Not really a stacked month, but expect films that were in limited release to trek out into your market this month. Luckily, us at Killer Film will be covering these films and more, so keep it here for their reviews! Feel free to leave comments below or email us!
the only thing i’d probably check out here is the Edge of Darkness.
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I was gonna go see “Legion”, but the premise for the film is just to ridiculous.
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I’m down for Daybreakers, Legion, and a movie that is not on the list – Clive Barker’s Dread.
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Daybreakers looks fun. But other than that and maybe (key word maybe) Extraordinary Measures, nothing looks good. Legion looks generic and boring, Book of Eli looks horrible and anything with Mel Gibson is just skipable now-a-days. Michael Cera is a turnoff for me, as I find him a little bland and boring. When in Rome I night see, since my mom did the payroll, and Kristen Bell is hot. The Spy Next Door has me very pissed, since it’s just the start of crappy Jackie Chan movies this upcoming year, with The Karate Kid coming soon.
Have to remember, there are reasons why movies come out in January, because they usually aren’t very good and people tend to forget them by the time March rolls around.
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Jon Reply:
December 28th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Well, depends on your market, studios also use January for releasing potential Oscar nominated films, indies, and docs. Most places will finally be getting “Lovely Bones” and “Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus”, both of which our Jason Bene reviewed.
But yes, this year looks a bit weak, but we shall see. Keep it here.
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Brad Reiter Reply:
December 28th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
You’re right about certain places getting those movies, but they are technically released in December for Oscar consideration. January is usually the “dumping month.”
Hopefully the rest of the year is better.
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Jon Reply:
December 28th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
It’s looking like, at least in terms of mainstream movies, 2010 looks better than 2009.
True, January is considered a dumping month for studios.
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