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The crux of The Dilemma is that Vince Vaughn can't tell best bud Kevin James that the best things he has going for him may not be all that great. The same caring, cautious approach should be taken towards The Green Hornet.
The Green Hornet looks incredible on paper. Seth Rogen brings the comedy, Christoph Waltz brings the charismatic villainy, Jay Chou brings the action, Neal H. Moritz (producer of The Fast & The Furiousfranchise) brings the car chases and Michel Gondry brings the wacky camera tricks & indie street cred. The production has also been kind to Los Angeles, with Moritz proclaiming "the city is a character" and vital to the soul of the film. But why is Sony releasing it in first quarter? It's nice to think it was to get a jump on the glut of superhero & 3D movies coming out this summer, but this is typically the dumping period for studio fare. Will you give it the benefit of the doubt?
There's a different dilemma in store for Zoe Saldana fans. She's in two black indie comedies - encompassing both turns of the phrase. The Heart Specialist is an African-American rom-com starring Saldana, Wood Harris (The Wire), Brian White (The Shield), Mya, Method Man & Ed Asner. The Burning Palms is an ensemble piece, featuring Saldana, Shannen Doherty, Dylan McDermott, Jamie Chung (of forthcoming Sucker Punch) & many others. The trailer promises "5 stories that will mess you up for life", but can its midnight mayhem match the likes of Cannibal Holocaust, Human Centpiede & the Big Momma's House trilogy?
Zoe Saldana isn't the only Burning Palms actress pulling double duty. British siren Rosamund Pike also opens against herself in Barney's Version. The film stars Paul Giamatti as an irreverent Canadian Jew who finds the love of his life (Pike) at his wedding... to another woman (Minnie Driver). Oops. Which lady will he choose to spend the rest of his life with? Which film will you choose to spend the rest of your evening with?
Decisions, decisions. Let's make it even more difficult. To see something even further off the beaten path, check out our weekly Film Calendar of specialty theatres, revival houses and midnight movies. See you at the movies!
Wide Release
Limited Release
Featured Trailers
The Dilemma
The Green Hornet
The Heart Specialist
The Burning Palms
Barney's Version
That's all for this week. Yes, there really is a third Big Momma's House film. Coming soon to a theater near you! (Crap, that means I'll have to write about it.)
