Trailer Hitch
By Eric Hughes
June 11, 2008
BoxOfficeProphets.com
Kicking It – Opens June 13th
I'm not sure whether the actual Liberation Entertainment documentary will follow suit, but I couldn't help but think how amateur this thing looked. White text steadily growing over a black background; corny, yet inspirational music; slow-motion video. Let's just say there's nothing groundbreaking here in the trailer, about the creation and execution of a World Cup for homeless people - appropriately called The Homeless World Cup. The film specifically follows seven players from all over the world who hope to overcome dangerous addictions and life on the streets to make their dreams on the soccer field. Colin Farrell is the docu's narrator.
Grade: D+
Also expected to be released on this date: The Happening, The Incredible Hulk
Space Chimps – Opens July 18th
Following past successes in Ice Age, Robots and The Simpsons Movie, 20th Century Fox continues its penetration of the digital animation film business with the wacky Space Chimps. Featuring an all-star voice cast including the likes of SNL's Andy Samberg and Kenan Thompson, Jeff Daniels, Cheryl Hines, Stanley Tucci and Kristen Chenoweth, Space Chimps tells the story of Ham III (Samberg), grandson of the first chimpanzee in space enlisted by NASA to retrieve a missing probe alongside crewmates Lt. Luana (Hines) and Commander Titan (Patrick Warburton). And the film makes great use of Beverly Hills Cop's electronic instrumental theme, Axel F, during Ham III's space training, where a NASA employee shakes his dirty self to the catchy tune. The trailer is an abundant source of funny material, evidence that the film should serve as excellent kidvid counterprogramming to The Dark Knight.
Grade: A-
Also expected to be released on this date: The Dark Knight, Mamma Mia!
Swing Vote – Opens August 1st
Wait a second, did hell just freeze over? Because apparently Kevin Costner is attached to a comedy project that looks to be his first good movie role since 1989's Field of Dreams. Granted, Swing Vote appears to be of a completely different genre - slapstick comedy - yet this kind of unexpected news certainly is a cause for celebration. In Swing Vote, Costner stars as Bud Johnson, a man who casts his vote for president on Election Day, only to be informed later that the vote caused errors and must be recast. Given that both presidential candidates (Dennis Hopper, Kelsey Grammar) miraculously received 50 percent of the vote, Bud's vote will ultimately decide which old white guy makes it in the White House. Also starring comic George Lopez, Nathan Lane and Stanley Tucci, this one looks like it could be a solid competitor to Rainn Wilson's The Rocker.
Grade: B+
Also expected to be released on this date: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, The Rocker
Choke – Opens September 26th
Fox Searchlight looks like it has a winner on its hands in Choke, an adaptation of the 2001 novel of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk, the man responsible for writing the beloved Fight Club. In this one, Sam Rockwell stars as Victor Mancini, a Colonial Williamsburg historical re-enactor who deliberately chokes - hence the title - in upscale restaurants to form relationships with the wealthy patrons who make the effort to "save" him. However, his life takes an interesting turn when his deranged mother (Anjelica Huston) reveals shocking truths behind his father's identity, which Victor aims to solve before it's too late.
It's unfortunate, though, that the first preview of the film fails to deliver on what the adaptation is essentially about. Instead, it relies more on snarky Victor dialogue to carry a majority of the trailer's weight. Perhaps this is a case of a comedy merely wetting the witty appetites of its viewers, in hopes that their interests are piqued just enough to view future clips.
Grade: B-
Also expected to be released on this date: Eagle Eye, Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Religulous – Opens October 3rd
A documentary about religion. It's a wonder why comedian Bill Maher didn't think to make it sooner. Host of HBO's Real Time With Bill Maher, the comic is an outspoken critic of organized religion. For example, a little over three years ago he had this to say about the topic on MSNBC's Scarborough Country: "Yes, we are a nation that is unenlightened because of religion. I do believe that. I think that religion stops people from thinking. I think it justifies crazies. ... I think religion is a neurological disorder."
In the film, Maher embarks on a journey to religious destinations, and speaks with a number of believers from varying backgrounds, like Christians, Muslims, polygamists and Satanists. The satirical docu - which is implied even in its name, Religulous, a "religion" and "ridiculous" combo - makes interesting use of Gnarls Barkley's hit song, Crazy, in the trailer, playing the song overtop video of people praying and crying out to their savior. Originally expected to coincide with Easter 2008, post-production delays from the writers' strike pushed its release to July 11th, and then again to October 3rd.
Grade: A
Also expected to be released on this date: Nights in Rodanthe, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, Possession, How to Lose Friends & Alienate People
Twilight – Opens December 12th
The first novel in Stephenie Meyer's hugely successful young adult vampire series, Twilight, released in 2005, is getting the big screen treatment courtesy of Summit Entertainment. The story, told in the modern day, is about a true love that blossoms between a vampire, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), and a human, Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart). At just 58 seconds, the trailer doesn't share much beyond that, but enough slick action scenes – an out-of-control car! - and quick cutting - a deer in the woods! - proves that director Catherine Hardwicke probably nailed the adaptation, without relying on stereotypical vampire imagery like fangs, blood and biting. (None of that is pictured here, at least). Depending on this one's box office performance, Summit could turn Meyer's series into a movie franchise. The series' fourth book hits stores later this summer.
Grade: B
Also expected to be released on this date: The Day the Earth Stood Still, Seven Pounds, The Reader