Disclaimer: Please see my post on January 2010 Wide Releases.
February, 5th:
Dear John
A perfect combination of my personal nightmare. Chaning Tatum, based on Nicholas Sparks’ novel, and an un-compelling, nausea inducing poster. Now granted, I haven’t seen nor read any films or books that bear the name Nicholas Sparks, but I’m surely not going to waste my money on this film.
Verdict: I will *never* see this film even if I had absolutely nothing to do, or if I had stranded on a deserted island with nothing but the copy of this film in hand.
From Paris with Love
Even if its title was rather uninteresting, John Travolta as a tough bastard? A redux of his role in Pelham 123? I’m sold.
Verdict: I had immensely enjoyed Morrie’s latest effort, Taken. I had expected to enjoy this film as well.
February, 12th:
Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief
The success of Harry Potter in films were soon followed by other young adult fantasies geared toward the silver screen. We’ve heard about Eragon (I’ve never seen one), Narnia (kinda ‘meh’ films for my taste), The Golden Compass (failed miserably) and now this, Percy Jackson. While the concept looks cool, my biggest problem is that I could easily mentally replaced the young boy in this film with the young boy from Eragon, or Narnia. Translation: stereotyped protagonist.
Verdict: I’ll read the book first if I had the time, but looks like I’m going to see it first anyway.
Valentine’s Day
Can’t you guess from the title and the many faces that decorated the poster? This would be another attempt to exhaust the idea of many intertwined love stories. But that is just my guess. Not interested.
Verdict: I’ll see it when I see it.
The Wolfman
Crappy title, crappy trailer.
Verdict: I’ll see it. Benicio Del Toro is still one of my favorite actor and he has been out of picture for quite a while.
February, 19th:
Shutter Island
The biggest title to open in February I think and the only one occupies this slot. The trailer gave a twinge of horror film with an asylum setting which further sets the mood.
Verdict: Leonardo di Caprio under Martin Scorcese. Good enough reason for me.
February, 26th:
A Couple of Dicks Cop Out
By becoming one of the million twitter users that followed Kevin Smith, I’ve been following the development of this film since it still called “A Couple of Dicks.” Apparently dissatisfied with the title, the studio changed the title to “Cop Out.” A decision that I think, sorta loathed and sorta approved by Kevin Smith himself. I cannot tell. With Bruce Willis.
Verdict: Kevin Smith. Another good enough reason for me.
The Crazies
Not much I know about this film. It’s a horror film, with Timothy Olyphant.
Also Out, limited releases:
District B-13: Ultimatum
Hm, I haven’t seen District B-13. My wife had, though, and she said it was okay. A sort of sequel on an okay parkour film? I personally thought that the parkour-niche was rather overworked and already exhausted.
Frozen
Three friends stuck in a ski-elevator. Much like “Buried,” it has a simple premise. I was itching to find out about how the film is going to unfold. The very same itch I had on “Buried.”
The Ghost Writer
Polanski. Last time I read about him, he was arrested in prison somewhere in Europe. I’m not considered myself as a fan of his but I think it was worth checking.
A Prophet
My fellow Indonesian film critic, who dedicated himself mostly in European films included this film as one of his best in 2009. Being an European film, I’d probably going to see it (much) later this year, or even next year. No rush (for me).
The Korean, The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers, Terribly HappyProdigal Sons
Nothing much I had on these films, probably indies.
Verdict: Very slim chance I’m going to see one these. Aside from the scarcity to obtain one of these titles, I’ll be forgotten about these titles entirely in a week or two.
In summary, here’s the list of the films ordered by my anticipation level. First one on the list, is my most anticipated.
1. Shutter Island
2. Cop Out
3. From Paris with Love
4. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief
5. The Wolfman
6. The rest of the titles, by the exception of
7. Dear John which I would *never* see even if you pay me to. Yeap, that’s right.