Monday, January 31, 2011

February Movie Preview!

It’s movie time again! Where the heck did the month go?

And I'm visiting the blog of Chris Phillips today with a song that inspired the writing of CassaStar. It’s a short piece – and also a cautionary tale for those who leave suggestive comments. (Read it and you’ll understand!)

1st -

DVD - Monsters
Excellent film! Haunting. Read my review HERE





4th -

Sanctum
Director: Alister Grierson
Stars: Rhys Wakefield, Allison Cratchley, Christopher Baker
The Plot: A diving team experiences a life-threatening crisis during an expedition to an unexplored cave system.
James Cameron is the producer, which bodes well for this film. And while this is based on a real event, it bears a striking resemblance to the horror film, The Cave. (Sans creepy monsters of course.)


11th -

Gnomeo and Juliet
Director: Kelly Asbury
Stars: James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Maggie Smith
The Plot: An animated version of Shakespeare's play, where Gnomeo (voice of McAvoy) and Juliet (voice of Blunt) are would-be lovers from rival garden-based families.
Not holding my breath on this one, as the previews look cheesy…



15th -

DVD – Unstoppable
Another great movie – lots of action and tension. Read my review HERE




18th –

Unknown
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Stars: Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, January Jones
The Plot: Dr. Martin Harris (Neeson) awakens from a coma, only to discover that someone has taken on his identity and that no one -- not even his wife (Jones) -- believes him. With the help of a young woman (Kruger), he sets out to prove who he is.
If it’s done well, this one could be really good.




Vanishing on 7th Street (limited)
Director: Brad Anderson
Stars: Hayden Christensen, Thandie Newton, John Leguizamo
The Plot: When a massive power blackout causes a city's population to vanish, a handful of survivors band together inside a tavern in an effort to survive as darkness approaches.
Anderson has done some great films (like Session 9) but so far early reviews are “eh.” Bummer, was really hoping for a good film… It’s free on Direct TV on the 16th, so I’ll still check it out.

I Am Number Four
Director: D.J. Caruso
Stars: Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant, Dianna Agron
The Plot: Nine alien teens come to Earth after their planet is destroyed by an enemy species. But soon discover that their enemy is now after them on Earth.
I know so many are excited for this film, but after reading story behind the publisher and the writer (who earned a whole $500 for this tale and that's it) I’d rather not give money to that machine…


25th –

Drive Angry 3D
Director: Patrick Lussier
Stars: Nicolas Cage, Amber Heard, William Fichtner
The Plot: A felon (Cage) breaks out of hell for one last chance at redemption: to prevent the cult who murdered his daughter from sacrificing her baby in three days' time. He's aided by a young waitress (Heard) and her ex-boyfriend's muscle car, and together the duo will have to face down the leader of the cult, the police, and a killer known as "The Accountant" (Fichtner) -- who wants to return him to the Devil.
Expecting another cheesy fest in the same vein as Ghost Rider.

DVD – Megamind
I skipped this one in the theater, but I’m looking forward to seeing it on video.


All movie info and descriptions from the IMDB.





So, what are you catching next month?

82 comments:

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Ohhh I want to see Monsters for sure. Thrillllling!

I am number four, really? That's terrible.

Then's there is anything Denzel does...I'm in.

Thanks, Alex.

T

Jeremy [Retro] said...

i will mostly catch a cold, cause the new releases look awful! unstoppable was very "speed-like" and was not to over the top... hopefully march will have some better choices. for now i am going to watch "nbc's chuck" and the last season of "smallville"
:)
iZombie

Gail said...

I was excited about Sanctum but I doubt I even go now.

Old Kitty said...

Gnomeo and Juliet!! LOL!!!! That sounds like my kind of thing - garden wars with gnomes - what's not to like??!!! Yay!!!

Take care
x

LeX said...

Megamind was AWESOME!

Vicki Rocho said...

Maybe my tastes are changing, but I really was disappointed in the movies that were out this past holiday season. I can't remember the last time I was anxious to go see something.

DEZMOND said...

I won't miss GNOMEO AND JULIET since it features Elton John and Lady Gaga and the voices from my favourite actors.
And I will be watching I AM NUMBER FOUR with my dear Alex Pettyfer and SANCTUM is also fun.

Renae said...

Thanks for the list Alex. Monsters and Sanctum are on my list, but who knows if I actually get to see them at the theater or if I will have to wait for the DVD.

Sommer Leigh said...

Alex- I have the same feelings about I Am Number Four. I bought the book less than 24 hours before reading the story about the author and publisher. I wanted to read the book so badly when it came out and then I sat and stared at the book for more than a month trying to bring myself to read it. When I knew I couldn't do it I took it back.

The original author isn't even writing the sequels because he left the publisher. I think it is too bad because the premise is fabulous.

Donna B. said...

We saw UNSTOPPABLE...it was intense and kept us on the edge of our seats. I could hardly move my legs when we got up to leave...really GOOD!

My grandsons LOVED Megamind.

Want to see UNKNOWN.

We saw THE KINGS SPEECH and it was really awesome. Very inspiring and humorous.

Want to see 127 HOURS and THE FIGHTER.

Lindsay said...

I want to see Monsters and Sanctum. Not sure about the others. I'll probably wait until they come out on DVD. :)

Carol Kilgore said...

Unknown. Like you, I think it could be really good. Or not.

Charles Gramlich said...

Sanctum and I am number 4 look intersting.

Bryan Russell said...

I'm looking forward to Unstoppable and Sanctum, and I'm thinking about taking my kids to see Gnomeo and Juliet. And thanks for letting me know about Monsters, which I hadn't heard about.

Allison said...

What's up with I Am Number Four? I saw the book on my nook and thought it looked interested... I only added it to my wishlist though, didn't buy it. Now I'll have to read what's up with the author/publisher hubub...

Unknown said...

I am the only one in my community to think that MONSTERS' a great film. Sad to say.

Allison said...

Ooooh ok, James Frey's writing workshop ripoff, right? I remember reading about that actual thing, didn't know this book was a product of it! Thanks for the heads up - won't buy it now!

Unknown said...

I don't go to movie theaters so I haven't seen a single one. But, once they're available to watch at home... there are so many I want to see.

Chris Phillips said...

I have a feeling unknown will not be good. I have monsters on que.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Teresa, it is sad about i am number four.

Jeremy, it's a lean month.

Gail, doubt I'll go either.

Kitty, do you have garden gnomes?

Vicki, hopefully it picks up next month.

Dezz, guess you can't miss it then!

Ranea, Monsters is out on DVD tomorrow - check it out!

Sommer, it is a shame! And the publishing company is owned by the guy who conned Oprah with that fake book.

Donna, several of those are on my list. I like to see all Oscar contenders before the main show.

Carol, the preview I saw this weekend looked good.

Bryan, all the hype was for Skyline when it should've been for Monsters. Amazing low budget movie.

J-SON, now you know someone else who liked it!

Allison, now you know!

Anonymous said...

I liked Megamind, an unrealistic near future sci fi. It wasn't on the scale of The Incredibles but a light hearted film that was fun to watch.

I think Nicholas Cage has lost it. I expect cheesy as well and will skip it.

I missed Monsters but am looking forward to renting it. Thanks for the reviews!

JE said...

OH! I totally want to see "I am Number Four". The previews look amazing!

And seriously? A movie about garden gnomes? Wow. Just wow.

~JD

Sangu Mandanna said...

Yeah the I Am Number Four story sort of shocked me as well, put me off watching the film! Gnomeo and Juliet sounds like it might be fun, but also ridiculously contrived, so I'm keen to see it but not yet excited!

Arlee Bird said...

Sounds like some winners here, or at least potential winners. That Vanishing on 7th Street sounds like a good premise, but too bad if it's a dud.

I wouldn't mind getting $500 to have a story turned into a hit film if it catapaulted my career and brought me big bucks for future projects. But to be just used with no further outcome would be the pits.

Lee
Tossing It Out and the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2011

Ricky said...

It's going to be a busy month !

Unknown said...

I really wanted to see/read I am Number 4 until I read about all the controversy. I feel bad for the guy who really wrote it. If only there was a way for him to get the kickbacks.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Not sure about Gnomeo and Juliet. February alwasy seems lacking with movies.

ali cross said...

Ahhh! I didn't know that about #4!!

Not too much to get excited about this month. Tho thanks for the tip on Vanishing - gonna make sure I catch it on the 16th!

Hart Johnson said...

Ha! I will have to put Unstoppable and Unknown on my list--both look like they would please the kids and I (husband hates everything). Monsters looks good to me, but sounds too slow for the son... will have to see...

Sommer Leigh said...

For everyone wondering about the I Am Number Four controversy, here is a great story in the NY Times about it: http://nymag.com/arts/books/features/69474/

The article is written by a girl who got caught up in the whole thing only to be dropped as a writer because she wanted to make changes to the contract and they have a policy of no negotiations. She also talks about meeting and talking with the real author of I Am Number Four and what he went through. Very interesting and scary story. A must read for all author hopefuls.

On another note, I am very excited to finally see MONSTERS. I've been anxiously awaiting this movie for a long time.

Lydia Kang said...

I loved Megamind and the Gnomeo one looks hilarious.
I'm not going to see I Am Number 4, I decided that a while back.

Hannah said...

First off, I love movies.

I'll probably see all of these one day. I don't see many in the theater but you know I burn up my Netflix subscription.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Yes! where did January go? I suddenly realise I'm 10 days away from Nashville( America get ready for Yvonne)

I enjoyed your reviews as always, I do eventually see them on TV.

Thanks for the visit and lovely comment.

Yvonne.

M Pax said...

Lean times indeed. Not much has interested me lately. Watched "Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" on netflicks. That was good. Learned some Swedish in the process. The others in the series are good, too.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Clarissa, I'm sure!

Chris, Monsters is excellent.

Stephen, Megamind will go into my queue!

Sangu, I share your reservations.

Lee, that's how I feel. Kid didn't even get to use his real name.

Anne, I know, it's sad.

Ali, why pay for a potential dud when you can watch it for free?

Hart, I think it would be too slow for a kid.

Thanks for the link, Sommer! I saw another article on Helen Ginger's site. And Monsters is great!

Lydia, good for you!

Hannah, you and me both!

Yvonne, enjoy your trip!

M Pax, I saw the first one last year. Brutal, but that guy got what was coming to him.

Colene Murphy said...

Wow! I had no idea that I Am Number 4 guy got such a rotten deal! Nope. Won't be spending my $$ on theater tix for that one...what a bummer!

Ciara said...

I have to pull my up from edits and pay attention. I've only heard of a few of these movies. LOL. My boys are BEGGING to see Megamind. :)

Pat Tillett said...

Sanctum and Monsters for sure!
Mr. Cage shall have no more of my money! It's a pledge...
thanks for the reviews Alex!

Karen M. Peterson said...

I think Gnomeo & Juliet looks really cute. And I'm planning to see Unknown, just because I like Liam Neeson, not because I'm expecting anything fantastic.

Jennie Bailey said...

I skipped Megamind in the theater as well, but can't wait to see it on DVD! I didn't realize the Vanishing was going to be on DirectTV so if I remember, I'm checking it out. I'm looking forward to Sanctum this weekend! Not a James Cameron fan at all so the fact that he only produced it is a plus in my book. Had he written and directed it, it would be a pass for me. I love psychological thrillers, which this looks to be. Sometimes man against himself is much scarier than man against the monster/vampire/evil whatever that will rip him to shreds!

Jemi Fraser said...

A couple of these look good for date night with hubby! :)

N. R. Williams said...

Hey Alex, I was just over at L'Aussie's Reading at Dawn. She did an awesome review of CassaStar.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Gnomeo and Juliet looks like a bit of fun. But then, I'm a sucker for animated films ;)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Colene, it rather sucks.

Ciara, soon you can just rent it!

Pat, he hasn't gotten any of mine in a while...

Karen, Unknown has great potential!

Jennie, February 16 on HD Net - watch for it!

Nancy, really????

Lynda, I usually am as well.

Jane Kennedy Sutton said...

This time of year we don’t often go to movies, because the weather is too nice. If we have an unseasonable cold or rainy day, we might try to find a movie we want to see, but we seldom make plans ahead of time. Some of those you listed sound interesting though.

WritingNut said...

These all look great, I wanted to see Megamind but I missed it too... I saw Despicable Me the other day, and it was much better than I thought it was going to be.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Jane, you must live in a warm state then!

Writing, glad you saw it - thought it was one of the better films of last year.

Unknown said...

Looking good! Looking good! Gives me some great movie options!!!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Mega-mind is the only tempting me. I'll wait for your reviews on the others.

Doo said...

Can't wait for a few of these!

DiscConnected said...

Alex-

All of the previews I've seen made me think of either The Cave or The Descent...enough with the cave movies!

Unknown and I Am Number Four looked interesting...so does Drive Angry.

I'll end up seeing them on Netflix-it seems when I go out to movies, I get roped into sappy romances.

Since I picked "True Grit" last time and we both thought it was awful, I'm probably stuck with the romances for a while.

LC

Hanny said...

Megamind sounds like it could be good! Seems like I watch a lot of movies aimed at younger audiences:)

Copyboy said...

500 bucks! No way!!!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Disc, sorry you didn't like True Grit! Thought it was amazing.

Hanny, I usually end up seeing all the animated flicks as well.

Mason Canyon said...

Sanctum and Unknown sound interesting. I saw a preview for Drive Angry 3D but couldn't really tell what it was about.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

That makes me angry that the writer of a (soon-to-be)hit movie would only earn $500. Good call to boycott it.
xoRobyn

Melissa said...

I heard about the story behind I am number four....after I read the book. I was so disgusted. I read the book because I wanted to before the movie. I am definitely not going to the movie and am not going to be reading anymore in that series!

SF said...

Oh, I'll have to go see Gnomeo and Juliet, just for the pun! Of course, won't be for a few more months down under.

I am number 4 - sounds like a terrible story behind it if the writer really only got $500.

Donea Lee said...

Wow - hadn't heard that about The Number 4. That's awful. Had the same thoughts about Sanctum (hadn't that just been done? Oh yeah, The Cave...which I also didn't see).

I'll take your recommendation on Monster *stops to visit Netflix account*

I don't know...not too psyched about any upcoming movies at the moment. Although my gno in Feb. will most likely be to see the new Adam Sandler movie - Just Go With It... :)

Enid Wilson said...

Monster is really good. Worth watching.

Fire and Cross

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Mason, it's a little like Ghost Rider.

Thanks, Robyn!

Melissa, good for you!

SF, he did!

Donea, yeah not a lot for February. Monster is really good - a character study more than anything.

All right Enid - someone else who's seen it!

Karen Lange said...

I don't know. There are a few I'd like to see on dvd. Hoping to have a few free weekends soon to check out a few.

Ella said...

Monsters sound good; I am into the un theme. I want to see Unknown; sounds like my kind of movie, also
Unstoppable, lots of action and Unomeo..lol I mean Gnomeo n' Juliet.
I'm not so sure, about the last one, but daughter is reading Shakespeare,
"Romeo n' Juliet", so this might be fun homework~
Drive Angry sound good, but I so agree it sounds like a sequel to Ghost Rider. I still want to see "True Grit" didn't make it. I knew it would be great, when I saw the preview. Fun post~

Matthew MacNish said...

What's with Neeson and all the action roles? Is he not getting offers for character actor parts anymore? Maybe we should ask Dezzy.

Cheeseboy said...

Megamind was slightly disappointing for me. Not enough funny lines. I am dreading it, but I am sure I will be seeing that gnome movie what with the kids and all.

Hey, video of my on my blog today of me dressing up as Barney and picking up Chinese food.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Ella, hope you catch something this month!

Matthew, unless you count Aslan as a character...

Cheeseboy, so sorry! And on my way...

Southpaw said...

I'm so behind many of those I haven’t heard about (until now).I think I'll be passing on the gnome movie too.

Talli Roland said...

I don't know *any* of these films! Granted, it takes ages for things to cross the Pond, so maybe I will soon.

Anonymous said...

LOL! I hit the link for the review for Monsters and saw, "Today’s stop is at Stephen’s awesome site, Breakthrough Blogs. He interviews Byron and Bassa!'

I thought I messed up a guest blog, then realized this was a review from a couple months ago.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Talli, they will get there eventually!

Sorry Stephen! Guess I posted my Monsters review on the same day. Surprise!

Tina said...

I've been a Trekkie since age 10. (So 35 years...) and a fan of all sci-fi since. Looking forward to reading your novel! I headed over to Chris's to hear your muse. That's an awesome song! Now CassaStar is on my kindle and iTunes next in my journey. I've been reading your comments over at Rayna's coffee rings for a while now and am looking forward to joining you in this new blogging challenge.
Tina @ Life is Good

TerryLynnJohnson said...

I was also so exciting about I am number four. What a horrible story. But, I will probably still go see it (hides head in shame)
Also - can't wait for Sanctum!

Anonymous said...

Sanctum might be good; planning to boycott Number Four.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Tina, wow! Thanks so much! Yeah, I've been addicted to Trek for about that long. Maybe longer... Appreciate you purchasing my book!

Milo, good for you!

Natasha said...

You didn't post yesterday. All well?

Abby Minard said...

Omg, now I have to go read the story about I am Number 4. The movie looks good, but now I need to find out what happened!

SkyBlue said...

Hello~! I think i wanna watch the Gnome the most...I just hope that my girlfriend would watch it with me ^^

I have followed your blog.
Could you follow mine too please at:
SkyBlueTrading Blog

I currently have a competition of stock price guessing where I will give the winners $50.00 for winning the competition. Check it out!

Thanks!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Hey Rayna! I'm good - I post every other day now. Until the A to Z Challenge hits!

Abby, you need to get the real scoop.

Anonymous said...

Yeah...the Frey thing is kind of a bummer. Here's hoping there's some kind of backlash that puts the kibosh on his MFA-novel-mill.

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

I've seen and reviewed most of these, but I'm pretty excited for "I Am Number 4" and, of course, "Sanctum" which I won't be able to catch until the end of February. "Drive Angry" looks kinda lame and unnecessarily shot in 3D.

Dempsey Sanders said...

loved monsters, and the next two I would like to watch in this list is Drive Angry and Sanctum, though holding hope that Drive Angry will bring back the Cage I loved in the first place

Ty said...

Drive Angry and Unknown were fun. Hall Pass was a dud, one of the worst of 2011, in my opinion. Very light on the laughs.