FauxNixon

The Internet Movie Database reports that the following pictures will be released in the US markets on Friday, February 1, 2008.

1.  The Eye

Unfortunately this is a remake of a mediocre Hong Kong horror film of the same name.  The Eye is directed by David Moreau who is for all intents and purposes, a newcomer in the world of directing, it stars Jessica Alba, Parker Posey, and Rade Serbedzija and tells us the story of a young woman who loses her eyes and is subjected to a full eye transplant to allow her to see.  As a consequence of this transplant she is now able to see into the supernatural world, witnessing the world of death, and she must determine what this power is to be used for and what she must do to keep her sight and use it for good.

The original was good for a couple of scares, but quickly dragged massively.  Looking at the group responsible for bringing this adaption to the US, I wouldn’t expect much and this is certainly something I won’t be seeing until it reaches the video market.

The Eye is rated  PG-13 by the MPAA.

2.  Strange Wilderness

Directed by Fred Wolf, Strange Wilderness tells us the story of two hosts of an animal-themed television show who embark on a quest for bigfoot in a bid to reverse the negative trend of their ratings. With a cast of relatively unknown actors, this is Wolf’s first attempt at direction after having long written and acted in a number of terrible movies like Dickie Roberts.  This sounds like a terrible movie and without anyone attached who looks capable of adding anything special to the effort, this project seems ruined before it even begins showing in the US.

Strange Wilderness has been rated R by the MPAA.

3.  Over Her Dead Body

Eva Longoria Parker, Paul Rudd, and Stephen Root star in this 2008 movie from writer/director Jeff Lowell, previously known for a handful of television show episodes as a writer, in his premiere attempt at direction of any kind.  Over Her Dead Body  is a comedy about a dead woman who haunts her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend in an attempt to prevent her from wooing her former lover.  The previews and buzz surrounding this movie lead me to be cautiously optimistic about what is to be found.  While this is a first in direction, it is not a first for Lowell in writing and with the help of a very solid cast, it’s possible, even likely, that this movie will turn out to be something worth seeing.

It is rated PG-13 by the MPAA.

4.  Hannah Montana: Best of Both Worlds

A confession before I begin: I have vaguely heard of Hannah Montana and that is the extent of my knowledge, though I recall having heard the show has a tremendous following among children.

Hannah Montana: The Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour sounds like a terrible idea.  It will be a wide release that will be nothing more than a 3-d look at concert footage from Hannah Montana.  I think the producers are banking on the idea that children will do anything to see Hannah Montana concerts, so by putting something like this into wide circulation, money can be made.  That’s possible, but an important consideration is how many children spend much at movie theaters.  When you consider how few do so, how unappealing this movie is to essentially everyone who isn’t a child, and the content itself, barring a miracle in the form of children’s finance, this is a flop.  Unless you’re a kid, skip it entirely.

It’s rated G by the MPAA (though that should really come as no surprise…)

5.  Sukkar banat [limited]

The first of two limited market re-releases this week is Sukkar banat. The movie is subtitled from Arabic and French and was made last year in Lebanon.  The bonus of this type of release is that seeing the ratings from the previous releases audiences it is easy to see that this movie is going to be something quite good.

Director Nadine Labaki gives this romantic comedy which tells the story of a group of five women living in Lebanon.  It promises to take comic look at an area that a lot of Westerns often think of as nothing more than warzone and may change some attitudes about that with a comic look at life, even in what may be a slightly dreary setting.

The MPAA has rated the picture PG.

6.  Trailer Park Boys: The Movie [limited]

Finally we come to the Canadian movie that was released two years ago, based on the hit Canadian comedy series.  Writer/director Mike Clattenburg brings a film adaption about the lives of a bunch of losers who live outrageous lives in a Canadian trailer park and as a result bring an absolutely hilarious situation to the screen with an incredibly entertaining and fresh comedy.

While all of the characters loved in the series return here in the film adaptation, the story centers around the boys after they get into trouble for stealing an ATM and (poorly) plan to pull a scam to steal a bunch of coins because they think they’re untraceable.  This movie is hilarious and if you like other Canadian comedy efforts, you’re going to love this one as well!

It is rated R by the MPAA.