Winter movies roll in like a 800-lb. gorilla

“King Kong”

Universal Pictures

Starring: Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Andy Serkis, Thomas Kretschmann, Colin Hanks, Kyle Chandler, Evan Parke, Lobo Chan, Jamie Bell
Director: Peter Jackson
Story: In this remake of the 1933 classic, Jack Black stars as Carl Denhem, an adventurer and filmmaker who’s decided to join the crew of the Venture, who are headed for the dreadful Skull Island. Watts plays Ann Darrow, the unknown actress that Denham has cast as his movie's lead. Brody is idealistic screenwriter Jack Driscoll, who finds himself drawn to Ann. On the island they discover a giant ape (Serkis) living in a massive jungle with prehistoric creatures. You know the rest: They capture the ape and take him back to New York — where the climax takes place on the Empire State Building.
Buzz: Coming off the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, it may seem as if Jackson can do no wrong, but there are definitely a lot of question marks with this film. According to Sharon Waxman of the New York Times, Universal has decided to let Jackson release the film with a three-hour run time. That’s three hours of giant ape, people. The budget of the film has ballooned to $207 million, and Jackson alone took in a hefty $20 million to direct and produce. The effects look good but is that enough to draw the crowd this film needs to make its money back? This could certainly be this year’s “Titanic,” but the subject matter doesn’t seem like the type of thing that earns studios little gold bald statues.
Web site:  http://www.kingkongmovie.com/

“The Family Stone”

Michael Buckner / Getty Images

Starring: Claire Danes, Tyrone Giordano, Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Dermot Mulroney, Craig T. Nelson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Elizabeth Reaser, Paul Schneider, Brian J. White, Luke Wilson
Director: Thomas Bezucha
Story: This romantic comedy stars Mulroney as Everett Stone, who brings home his uptight fiancée (Parker) to introduce to his family. Keaton is the family matriarch who thinks Parker just wants her wedding ring. McAdams plays the Stones’ sister who likes making snotty comments, while Wilson is odd but charming brother Ben. Thrown by the clan, Parker decides she needs moral support, so she invites her sister (Danes) to join them. Will Parker ever feel at home with the Stones?
Buzz: This could be one of those little dark-horse romantic comedies, much like Keaton’s last film, “Something’s Gotta Give.” That film scored Keaton an Oscar nod, and history may repeat itself — she’ll certainly at least be nominated for a Golden Globe (and the Globes have a history of awarding Parker). This is Parker’s first movie since “Sex and the City” wrapped. The true star of this film may be Wilson — this is said to be his funniest role since “Bottle Rocket.”
Web site:  http://www.thefamilystonemovie.com/

“The Producers”

Universal Pictures

Starring: Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Uma Thurman, Will Ferrell, Gary Beach, Roger Bart
Director: Susan Stroman
Story: Based on the Broadway play that was based on the 1968 film. Lane and Broderick star as a producer and accountant who realize that they could make more money with a flop on Broadway than a success. They set out to seek the worst play they can imagine and hook up with Will Ferrell, who has penned “Springtime for Hitler.” Beach plays flamboyant director Roger de Bris. Thurman is secretary turned wannabe showgirl Ulla.
Buzz: The musical took home the Tony, which suggests it has pretty good Oscar potential. However, this is a bit of an odd beast — considering the original film is fairly beloved and won the best screenplay award back in 1969. Gene Wilder also was nominated for the role Broderick plays in the new film. Considering “Chicago’s” win, the film could score an Oscar nomination (though, perhaps that’s what the studio behind “Phantom of the Opera” thought last year.) Golden Globes nods for all involved are basically a lock. Thurman looks good to score a nod for her role here.
Web site:  http://www.theproducersmovie.com/

“Cheaper by the Dozen 2”

Haraz N. Ghanbari / AP

Starring: Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, Eugene Levy, Piper Perabo, Tom Welling, Hilary Duff, Kevin Schmidt, Alyson Stoner, Jacob Smith, Liliana Mumy, Carmen Electra
Director: Adam Shankman
Story: In this sequel to last year’s “Cheaper by the Dozen,” the Bakers (Martin, Hunt and the brood) spend a summer vacation in Lake Winnetka. There they encounter Martin’s long-time rival Jimmy Murtaugh and his family of eight. The two families end up engaged in an all-out, cutthroat competition. Electra play’s Levy’s wife. Duff and Perabo are back as a couple of the Baker girls.
Buzz: Well, if you enjoyed the first film (which was fairly awful) you’ll probably enjoy this one. These movies are strictly about slapstick and — with that many children in the cast — noise. Levy is funny but undermines himself by saying yes to everything he’s offered (witness: “New York Minute” and “The Man” to name just a couple). And, for the ladies, hate to tell you this but neither Ashton Kutcher or Tom Welling return for the sequel.
Web site: http://www.cheaperbythedozen2movie.com/

“Fun with Dick and Jane”

Columbia Pictures

Starring: Jim Carrey, Téa Leoni, Richard Jenkins, Angie Harmon, Vincent Curatola, Jacob Davich, Alec Baldwin, Stacey Travis
Director: Dean Parisot
Story: Carrey and Leoni star in a remake of the 1977 film (that starred Jane Fonda and George Seagal) as a suburban couple who find themselves in debt and turn to armed robbery to raise some cash.
Buzz: According to the not-always-reliable Ain’t It Cool News, this one is looking like close, but no cigar. Leoni is an actress who almost comes off too abrasive for comedy (see “Spanglish”), and the folks at AICN say she’s miscast here. Crowds should come out for Carrey — who is doing fewer straight-forward comedies these days — but AICN says even he can’t save the weak script. Parisot did direct the cult fave, “Galaxy Quest.”
Web site: http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/funwithdickandjane/

“The White Countess”

Sony Picture Classics

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson, Vanessa Redgrave, Lynn Redgrave, John Wood, Madeline Cooper, Hiroyuki Sanada
Director: James Ivory
Story: Set in Shanghai in the 1930s. Fiennes plays Todd Jackson, a blind American diplomat who is disillusioned with life and politics and grieving the deaths of his wife and children. Richardson plays Sofia, a refugee Russian countess that Jackson encounters in a taxi-dance hall. She lives with her late husband’s aristocratic family, who ostracizes her, and her 10-year-old daughter Katya (Cooper). As Jackson and Sofia get to know each other, she slowly begins to bring him out of his shell. But will World War II tear the couple apart?
Buzz: This is the final film James Ivory worked on with the late Ismail Merchant (“Passage to India,” “Howards End”). Novelist Kazuo Ishiguro (“Remains of the Day”) wrote the screenplay. Richardson works not only with her mother Vanessa Redgrave in this film, but also with her aunt, Lynn. Fiennes already racked up one Oscar-worthy performance this year in “The Constant Gardner.”
Web site:  http://www.sonyclassics.com/comingsoon.php?filmid=87&page=1

MORE FROM MORE NEWS AND OTHER FEATURES

Kidman says she's unsure about future acting

Kidman says she's unsure about future acting Actors, studios meet again with mediator Vamp tale 'Twilight' seeks blockbuster bite Winslet, DiCaprio meet on ‘Road’ to Oscars Australia pins high hopes on costly movie Baz Luhrmann scrambles to finish ‘Australia’ Economy may make crowds shun gloomy films Jackson: It’s weird Mac didn’t see ‘Soul Men’ Kirsten Dunst working on voting documentary Baron Cohen crashes Prop. 8 rally as ‘Bruno’   Add More news and other features headlines to your news reader: