May-be, May-be Not

I really dropped the ball this last month on keeping you updated on new releases. However, I am back and ready to give you the scoop on the coming attractions of theatre and DVD this May.

Coming soon to a theater near you...

1. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (May 1): This romantic comedy looks to be your run of the mill Mathew McConaughey flick. Yet again he plays a successful ladies man who learns a lesson about women and settles down with "the one," played by Jennifer Garner - also not a huge stretch for Garner. It looks predictable and furthermore watching the preview yields the whole plot without even paying to see the film. Perhaps this one would be a fun one for a girls night, but I might wait until it's playing at the cheap seats.

2. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (May 1): Yes, Hugh Jackman reprises his role as the short-tempered, unlikely hero. As I have noted in a previous post, this film looks like it will be sufficiently testosterone-filled and packed with special effects. Lets hope it has something of an intriguing plot and good acting to back it up. Movie review to follow shortly, perhaps.

3. Star Trek (May 8): It is the current fad in movie-making to restart superhero series. "Batman Begins" started the trend and effectively surpassed any of the previous Batman films. Now both "X-Men" and "Star Trek" are coming out with films depicting the beginning of their respective heros. I myself was never a Trekkie, though I do hear a lot of positive buzz about this film. But how does William Shatner feel about all of this?

4. Angels and Demons (May 15): There is absolutely no need for me to see this film. The previews alone feature images creepy enough for me to shy away. However, Tom Hanks is a very talented actor and does return in this film. He is joined by Ewan McGregor, who has also done some talented work ("Big Fish," "Moulin Rouge"... "Star Wars"). I forfeit any right to judge this film because I refuse to see it, but I hope that it meets the expectations of "Davinci Code" fans.

5. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (May 22): It is no secret that I am a adament Ben Stiller fan. Whenever I have chance, I always like to plug "Heavyweights" as one of Stiller's more brilliant roles. True, "Night at the Museum" was not his best work, but it is a fun family film. This sequel promises an impressively long list of big names joining Stiller: Amy Adams, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Hank Azaria, Bill Hader, Dick Van Dyke, Steve Coogan, Eugene Levy, and more. Props to the casting team for getting so many of the original people to return for the sequel in addition to so many new faces.

6. Up (May 29): Hooray for Pixar! I have likely already made this same exclamation. However, this new flick looks like a lot of fun. First, the premise makes me giggle: a grumpy 78-year old man ties a ton of balloons to his house and lifts it straight into the sky, only to notice that he has a terrified young boyscout stowed away on his porch. Also, Pixar has a knack for drawing up cute characters. Already I am a fan of the elderly gentleman and the boyscout (which oddly enough, sounds like its own film title...).

Bring it home on DVD

1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (May 5): Even recapping the premise of this movie sounds cliche by now. Benjamin Button, played by Brad Pitt, ages backwards, born as an old man and growing progressively younger. Opposite Pitt, playing the love interest, is Kate Blanchett. Now that the film has reached DVD I sadly might have to actually see it so I have something on which to base my criticism. Or perhaps I will discover that I truely enjoy it, despite its surpluss of obnoxious advertising.

2. Last Chance Harvey (May 5): I have already waxed rhapsodic enough about Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson. Short recap: Hoffman meets Thompson while stopping at a coffee shop on his way to his daughter's wedding. It looks like a fun, sophisticated romantic comedy -- I'll let you know.


3. Paul Blart: Mall Cop (May 19): This one might be fun. Kevin James has played some funny, endearing roles in the past, including Albert Brennamen in "Hitch." As you might have already deduced, James plays Paul Blart, a mall cop. Seriously dedicated to his job, it takes it upon himself to protect the mall against a gang of youngsters. This should be worth some good clean laughs.

4. Valkyrie (May 19): Oh, Tom Cruise. He has played some excellent roles; past hits include "Risky Business," "Top Gun," "Rain Man," "A Few Good Men," and "Mission Impossible." These are popular movies in which Cruise delivered memorable performances. Unfortunately, now Cruise is more known for his defense of Scientology and jumping on Oprah's couch, professing his love for Katie Holmes. This new film is set in Nazi Germany and revolves around a plot to assassinate Hitler.

5. New in Town (May 26): This is Renee Zellweger's new romantic comedy. She plays a business executive who moves to a small town to help her company. Consequentially she meets some new man and develops an interest outside her business. Perhaps this could be a cute romantic comedy, but if I want to see Zellweger in her prime, I will stick to "Bridget Jones's Diary."