69797375
With “The Hunger Games” having just enjoyed one of the biggest opening weekends ever (it pulled in a whopping $155 million domestically), Hollywood proved that tentpole films don’t have to be released in the summer. But that doesn’t mean the warmer seasons aren’t still the chief sources for soon-to-be blockbusters — the usual mega-budget genre fare and effects extravaganzas. This spring and summer will see the releases of “The Avengers,” “Men in Black III,” “Prometheus,” “The Amazing Spider-Man,” and “The Dark Knight Rises,” to name a few.
But what about the underdogs? For every Batman installment, there’s a modestly budgeted dramedy ready to court its own audience. The buzz-builders of 2011 included “Midnight in Paris” and “Bridesmaids.” Here’s what could follow suit in ’12:
High School
(April 20)
Never underestimate a good stoner comedy. “High School” is the feature debut of filmmaker John Stalberg, Jr., and it features Adrien Brody as Psycho Ed, an extreme pothead who, in aiding a high school valedictorian, strives to intoxicate every student. Early buzz out of Sundance is overwhelmingly positive, and the film could prove to have crossover between critics and the key demographic of young men.
LOL
(May 4)
A remake of a ’08 French film, “LOL” promises to be an ultra-contemporary coming-of-age flick, with Miley Cyrus sowing her oats as a young girl coping with break-ups and mommy issues. Squarely targeted at the texting generation, the film also stars “Twilight” alum Ashley Greene, and it’s backed by new “Hunger Games” super-studio, Lionsgate. If nothing else, fans will want to catch Cyrus behaving badly, in the film that cut pot-smoking scenes after related video of the starlet circulated two years back.
The Dictator
(May 11)
The third film from cha-meleonic provocateur Sacha Baron Cohen, “The Dictator” is reportedly inspired by Saddam Hussein’s novel “Zabibah and the King,” and features Baron Cohen as Admiral General Aladeen, a leader “heroically” saving his people from democracy. Directed by “Borat” and “Brüno” helmer Larry Charles, “The Dictator” offers another edition of its star’s gonzo, subversive brand, and its political nature may just push the right box office buttons.
Bachelorette
(June 1)
Following in the footsteps of “Bridesmaids” is “Bachelorette,” another wedding-themed femme comedy about three mean girls (Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher and Lizzy Caplan) taking on wedding-party duties for the engaged frenemy (Rebel Wilson) they tortured in high school. Written and directed by Leslye Headland and produced by Will Ferrell, the vicious indie is bound to thrive on word of mouth.
Bel Ami
(June 8)
It may seem like just another costume drama, but “Bel Ami,” based on Guy de Maupassant’s 1885 novel, casts superstar Robert Pattinson as the lustful lead character, ready to loosen the corsets of Uma Thurman, Kristin Scott Thomas, and “Pan Am” head-turner Christina Ricci. Of his peers, Pattinson boasts the most promising post-“Twilight” career, and in this, he may prove his mettle with period romance.
To Rome with Love
(June 22)
Woody Allen’s tour of Paris netted him an Original Screenplay Oscar and the biggest box-office haul of his career. The director’s follow-up will shift the focus to Rome, and likely rope in the same romantics who swooned over “Midnight in Paris.” Allen stars in the film, alongside Alec Baldwin, Ellen Page and “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” muse Penélope Cruz.
Magic Mike
(June 29)
Based on co-star Channing Tatum’s actual days as a working stripper, Steven Soderbergh’s flesh-baring comedy “Magic Mike” is a veritable man-candy parade, also featuring Matthew McConaughey, Alex Pettyfer, Matt Bomer and “True Blood” hunk Joe Manganiello. On the heels of “21 Jump Street,” Tatum’s career is on a roll, and it’s hard to imagine a screaming fan shying away from this affair.
Ted
(July 13)
Ask a handful of pals to name their favorite TV shows, and odds are more than one will respond with, “Family Guy.” For those folks and more, funnyman and show creator Seth MacFarlane is serving up “Ted,” his first film as writer and director, in which he voices a live teddy bear who lives with Mark Wahlberg into adulthood. Co-starring It Girl Mila Kunis, “Ted” also boasts “Family Guy” co-writers Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild, and it could prove to be a major hit.
Tyler Perry’s The Marriage Counselor
(July 27)
Tyler Perry has proven himself a one-man moneymaking machine, scoring again and again with films that fill an in-demand niche. His 13th movie, “The Marriage Counselor,” is an adaptation of his 2008 play, and it involves a newlywed counselor (Jurnee Smollett) who’s struggling in her own marriage. Co-stars include Vanessa Williams and Brandy Norwood, but the key draw of the film is Kim Kardashian, who makes her “serious” cinematic debut as the counselor’s co-worker. You heard right: Kardashian as a marriage counselor’s co-worker.
Sparkle
(Aug. 17)
In any other year, this Motown-era, Supremes-inspired musical drama would likely go the way of so many of its ilk — quickly forgotten but for its catchy soundtrack. But in addition to being the screen debut of popstar Jordin Sparks (who plays a dreamer striving to make it in a girl group with her sisters), “Sparkle” is the final film to feature Whitney Houston, who passed away just three months after shooting wrapped. Like “Michael Jackson’s This Is It,” “Sparkle” will double as a tribute to a lost legend, and if even half of Houston’s fan base feels compelled to see it, it’ll be a smash.
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
69797365
69797385
