Weekend Preview - AMELIA, SAW VI, ASTRO BOY, CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT

Hollywood needs to be more stable with its wide releases. Two weeks ago we only had "Couples Retreat" hit theaters; last week we had four new releases; now we have four more this week; but next week Michael Jackson's posthumous "This is It" is the only film on the docket...and it's not really a film at all! Below is a preview of this week's major box office releases. I've included a trailer, description, rating, and my early thoughts on what you should expect. Enjoy.

Saw VI

Description: Hoffman emerges as the next heir to Jigsaw's twisted legacy, but as the FBI closes in, he sets in motion a game that is designed to reveal Jigsaw's grand scheme. Rated R for sequences of grisly bloody violence and torture, and language.

My thoughts: Go see "Paranormal Activity" instead. Better yet, go see "Zombieland." If you're a diehard "Saw" fan, you know what to expect, and since this is made by the same team as all of the "Saw" films, it will likely be as competent a sequel as they annually are. I saw the first two and have skipped the parade ever since. I'll probably see this one because I run a film blog now, but it's not high on my list. "Saw" is all formula now. It might as well be a TV series, and if it does become one, it can take "Final Destination" with it.

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant

Description: A young boy named Darren Shan meets a mysterious man at a freak show who turns out to be a Vampire. After a series of events Darren must leave his normal life and go on the road with the Cirque Du Freak and become a Vampire. Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense supernatural violence and action, disturbing images, thematic elements and some language.

My Thoughts: It could be good, but it's a crapshoot. This looks like young X-Men meets vampires meets Harry Potter. It is rated PG-13, but from the trailer, seems aimed at a younger crowd. I'm really not sure what to make of it. Looks kind of funny, but it doesn't seem to have any prominent villian. Director/co-writer Paul Weitz has written and directed some decent films like "In Good Company" and "American Pie" and the movie is based on the first novel in the "Vampire Blood Series" by Darren Shan.

Amelia

Description: A look at the life of legendary American pilot Amelia Earhart, who disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 in an attempt to make a flight around the world. Rated PG for some sensuality, language, thematic elements and smoking.

My Thoughts: I think this is going to bomb critically and commercially. Judging by the lack of TV ads, the studio might agree. Everything about this movie screams "I want an Oscar!" but it is coming out too soon for awards season and early reviews on Rotten Tomatoes are generally negative. The biggest challenge facing director Mira Nair is that Amelia Earhart's story is anti-climactic. She claims she's going to do this great thing, then disappears. The other problem: everyone knows Amelia's story. Judging from the trailer and short-for-a-drama-like-this runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes, we aren't going to learn anything new. But hey, I'll be very happy if I'm wrong.

Astro Boy

Description: When a scientist's young son dies, he secretly creates a powerful robot child to replace him, however the robot uses it's incredible powers to become a world famous super-hero, and faces his biggest challenge when an alien race threatens Earth. Rated PG for some action and peril, and brief mild language.

My Thoughts: This could be good. "Astro Boy" is the definition of classic animation, and I fondly remember watching the 80s series when I was younger. In Japan, the original 1952 cartoon/manga defined the style that is today referred to as anime, and its creator Osamu Tezuka is pretty much the Japanese equivalent of Walt Disney. It's a bit odd that Sony is opting for a low-key 800 theater release; executives must believe American audiences aren't familiar with the brand...or it might not be a good film. I guess we'll see. Director David Bowers, most recently known for "Flushed Away" (2006), seems to stay true to the source material.

To stay updated please join my free RSS Feed. You can also join by Email and have new posts sent directly to your inbox.