Upcoming Releases — March

Let's face it, 2013 has been kind of a weak year so far. January was blah and the big releases in February, well, for the most part they fizzled. "Beautiful Creatures" was supposed to be the heir to "Twilight," but  I don't see that happening. "A Good Day to Die Hard" didn't quite have the pop of earlier films, and "Safe Haven" wasn't the most successful Nicholas Sparks adaptation. At least "Identity Thief" made some hey at the Box Office.

Well, let's put that behind us because March arrives tomorrow and, with it, the promise of some better films. Or at least the hope of some better films.

Friday, March 1:
Jack the Giant Slayer — Nicholas Hoult is off to a good year. He was in the excellent "Warm Bodies," one of the better February films, and he kicks off March with this action adventure from director Bryan Singer based on a famous fairy tale. It's got a good cast, good director, and a good trailer. The hope of March begins.

21 and Over — ... And then the hope dies. This looks awful. Now, granted, that might be because I  am 31 and entering a new phase in my life. Seeing the trailer for this film made me feel like an old man because I despised it so much. It could also be that the movie just isn't good. This is a film aimed at encouraging high school and college students to make bad life decisions.

Stoker — I am glad this film is finally coming out because that means we won't have to see the trailer again. The trailer is strange, the film looks creepy, and I still can't see its appeal. Sure, Nicole Kidman is in it, but that doesn't make it look any more heart warming.

The Last Exorcism 2 — Doesn't the title "The Last Exorcism" imply finality? I guess not in the case of this "B" horror movie. And to think, with "Jack the Giant Slayer" we appeared to be off to such a good start...


Friday, March 8:
Oz The Great and Powerful — Um, a "Wizard of Oz" prequel starring James Franco, Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis, and Rachel Weisz directed by Sam Raimi? Count me in! This film looks awesome. I hold high hopes for it — hence the picture to begin the post.

Dead Man Down — Collin Farrell has developed into quite the actor later in his career. This gritty crime drama starring Farrell, Noomi Rapace, and Terrance Howard, directed by the man who did the original "Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" movie looks intriguing.

Friday, March 15:
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone — The Ides of March you say, hardly! This comedy starring Steve Carell and Jim Carrey as rival magicians looks hilarious. These are the kinds of films we need more of in the spring to whet our appetite for the action buffet to come during the summer.

The Call — You can't win them all. That could be the theme of this film and also the way we feel about seeing this film released. I'm sure it will be engaging in some way, but the trailers leave me feeling bored. I think the movie might as well.

Friday, March 22:
Olympus Has Fallen — This is the first of two films this year about attacks on the White House. This one features Morgan Freeman as a high ranking government official, which is never good for the U.S. during a cinematic crisis. Remember "Deep Impact" or "The Sum of All Fears?" This is directed by "Training Day" auteur Antoine Fuqua, so it could have some fun action sequences.

Admission — This is a cheerful comedy starring Tina Fey and Paul Rudd. Really, what more do you need to know? That is delightful comedy gold right there. You're welcome America.

The Croods — The first big animated release of the year is about cave men. This comes out just in time for those bored students heading into Spring Break. You're welcome parents.

Spring Breakers — This may sound like a fun title and feature a couple tweens from the Disney stable of stars, but this film is for adults only. It's a gritty film meant to change the image for Vanessa Hudgens and Selena Gomez. Judging by the trailers, it might happen.

Friday, March 29:
G.I. Joe Retaliation — This sequel to the first "G.I. Joe" film has a new writer, director, tone, and plot. It's a sequel in the loosest sense. It was pushed from last summer — the year of Channing Tatum — over reports his character was killed WAY TOO EARLY in this film. We'll see what the reshoots did to help that. This film also has The Rock and Bruce Willis so, you know it can't be all bad.

The Host — Not content to let other authors attempt to court the "Twilight" audience, Stephanie Meyer is back with a film based on her newest book. It looks strange and like it might have an unconventional love story. Tween girls and soccer moms everywhere are swooning.

Tyler Perry's Temptation — Perry has a built in audience that will be happy to see his latest offering. I'm not in that group, especially since this looks like a film that's taken a serious turn toward the dark side. That and I still haven't gotten over "Alex Cross." If you'd seen it, you wouldn't have either...

A Place Beyond the Pines — This film from the director of "Blue Valentine" stars Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper as two men on opposite sides of the law but facing similar problems while trying to protect their children. In a word, it looks awesome.