12.01.08: 6 new trailers, Planet of the Apes prequel news, and more

We've got some catching up to do here, folks, so this edition will be down and dirty.

BOX OFFICE WRAP-UP

Four Christmases overcame abysmal reviews to take the #1 spot for the holiday weekend, with Bolt barely edging out last week's winner Twilight for the #2 spot.  Despite a 62% weekend-to-weekend drop, Twilight is actually outpacing Quantum of Solace so far.  The latter film took a modest 27% hit, however; I wouldn't be surprised if Twilight's third week numbers were much harsher.  This coming weekend's sole wide release is Marvel's third attempt at starting a Punisher franchise, but we'll see if fanboys take the bait.  Bolt for the win?

MONDAY TRAILERAMA

• Duplicity, the latest from Michael Clayton director Tony Gilroy, tells a tale of romance and corporate espionage that feels like Mr. and Mrs. Smith meets, say, Out of Sight.  If that means something to you, fantastic.  If not, check out the trailer anyway, if only to see Tom Wilkinson go mano a mano with Paul Giamatti.  Clive Owen does his usual smoldering, only this time he's apparently been told to smile, which doesn't suit him much. Julia Roberts is his rival, cohort, and lady-love.

• Brendan Fraser is a charismatic, talented actor that nobody seems to know what to do with. So they just keep casting him in B-grade fantasy films. The latest is Inkheart, and it looks passable enough for the younger set.  Trailer here.

• The Great Buck Howard features Colin Hanks as the assistant to a wackadoo aging magician, played by the always fascinating John Malkovich.  This teaser doesn't show much, unfortunately, which makes me wonder what they're hiding.  Color me curious.

• Here is that same Star Trek trailer again, only with a shot of Leonard Nimoy as Spock at the end. 

• The feature film adaptation of He's Just Not That Into You, th Sex and the City dating advice one-liner turned self-help book, has a remarkable cast, including Scarlett Johansson, Jennifers Anniston and Connelly, Drew Barrymore, Ben Affleck, and Justin Long.  So it's too bad that the trailer for the multi-story romantic comedy feels so very flat.

• The Ugly Truth turns the age-old "men are pigs" quasi-myth into romantic comedy copper for the umpteenth time.  Gerard Butler tries his best to do Mel Gibson circa 1995, but based on the trailer he doesn't seem to have Gibson's effortless manic/comedic touch.

• Billed as "The true life story of writer/director Brian Goodman", What Doesn't Kill You is the latest in a long series of Boston-based crime dramas.  Two friends (Mark Ruffalo and Ethan Hawke) grow up in a crime-soaked environment, get in trouble, end up in jail, try to go straight, etc.  We've seen it before, but regardless – it looks engaging.  Check out the trailer.

ODDS AND ENDS

• Here's something a bit different – a flash animated poster.  Take a look at what the marketing folks working on Terminator Salvation have whipped up here.  You'll learn nothing new about the film, but it's a cool image.

• X-Men Origins: Wolverine is the first of several planned spin-offs from the über-successful mutant franchise.  Empire has a new publicity still of Hugh Jackman looking all howly, as well as the first shot of fan-favorite character Gambit.

• Michael Mann – creator of Miami Vice, director of The Insider, Heat, Collateral, etc. – defines cinematic cool. His name isn't as recognizable as some others, but the man seems incapable of making a bad movie.  His latest, Public Enemies, is about the FBI's hunt for infamous criminal John Dillinger, with Johnny Depp as Dillinger and Christian Bale as FBI agent Melvin Purvis. Empire has the first official images. 

• Steve Guttenberg claims that plans are afoot for a third 3 Men And A... film, this time centering on the daughter's wedding.  (IMDB via CHUD)

• Latino Review has a detailed plot description of a draft of the proposed new Bevery Hills Cop flick.  There's not much reason to believe this film will ever get off the ground, however, so consider the whole thing a giant "What if...?"

• CHUD reports that Fox is inching closer to a new Planet of The Apes prequel set in the distant future – 2009.

• Lillith and Frasier are reuniting (sort of) in the remake of Fame.  Kelsey Grammar and Bebe Neuwirth are playing instructors at the performing arts school, along with Debbie Allen, Charles S. Dutton, and Megan Mullally. (Variety)

• Fans of HBO's Rome series should be heartened by the news that there's a slim chance a feature version will make it to the screen, reportedly centering on the birth of Christianity. (CHUD)

Comments

[Liz]

Hey, Jared...Re: Gerard Butler resembling Mel Gibson...Gerard's about four inches taller, hunkier, funnier, and more handsome. I love his take on this role in "The Ugly Truth"..at least by the trailer I've seen. Did you feel the chemistry between Katherine Heigl and gorgeous Gerard Butler? He's more like Cary Grant than Mel...Did you see the one shot where he's looking to the side..wistfully? I don't think smug Mel could pull that off...Give it a chance! I like your column, but i disagree with this one. This is an R-rated comedy..that should fit the Butler perfectly. I cannot wait..Don't get down on it yet. Come on, it looks like fun!!!!

[Jared Blaut]

Hey Liz,

I'm a sucker for a good romantic comedy, absolutely. Butler may be hunky, but his comedy seems clunky, so I say "flunky" for the time being. (that's all the Gene Shalit you'll ever get from me, I promise. Until such time as I forget this promise.)

--Jared

[jlm]

HERESY. Gerard Butler is sex on a platter.