This week has a couple of films that could potentially make a splash as we head into the final weekend before Christmas. How could it not with new films featuring Will Smith and Jim Carrey? There is also a sweet-looking, family-oriented, animated adventure and the expansion of a film gaining a lot of momentum as we wind down Oscar season. I just have to wonder how much the predicted bad weather will affect the bottom line.
Seven Pounds. (2008, 118 minutes, PG-13, drama, trailer) The trailer is compelling, but the thing I keep hearing muttered around theaters is: "What is it about?" They have a point; the trailer really doesn't tell you what it is about aside from a man giving things to people to "drastically change their situation." In a sense it is maddening not to know more than that. On the other hand, it is refreshing to see a movie that plays its hand close to the vest. One of the things that has changed over the years is the over-exposure of movies — a bit too much is released these days. Could be interesting to discover the movie's secrets.
The Tale of Despereaux. (2008, 94 minutes, G, animation, trailer) This week's animated offering looks considerably better than last week's. It is a tale of tiny bravery; this adaptation is the story of a small mouse with big ears and a thirst for adventure and knowledge. He doesn't want to just eat and cower, so he ventures into the human world, befriends Princess Pea, is banished from Mouseworld and discovers he is the only one who can save the kidnapped princess. It looks cute, hopefully it will pay off. The voice cast includes Matthew Broderick, Dustin Hoffman, Emma Watson, Tracy Ullman, Kevin Kline, William H. Macy, Stanley Tucci, Tony Hale, and Frank Langella.
Yes Man. (2008, 104 minutes, PG-13, comedy, trailer) Here is the movie with the biggest potential for box office success, perhaps in an attempt to recapture the success of Fun with Dick and Jane (despite that movie not being so good). First it has Jim Carrey, who is still a funny guy, and second, it is broad comedy that should appeal to a wide audience. Carrey plays a guy whose life is going nowhere until he goes to a seminar, given by Terence Stamp, that gets him to change his mantra of "no" into "yes," forever changing his life. Sounds like light fun.
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