January is a terrible month for film-goers. There is just no way around it. A few Oscar-hopefuls see expansion and we get a few film festival leftovers, but for the most part it is studio dumping ground. I couldn’t even muster up 10 picks like normal. It does make it a good month to catch-up on everything you may have missed last year, so check out our Best Films of 2010 list, and if you dare, see the short list below of recommended January releases.
December films expanding wider:
I Love You Phillip Morris (Jan. 7th)
Rabbit Hole (Jan. 14th)
Barney’s Version (Jan. 14th)
The Way Back (Jan. 21st)
The Company Men (Jan. 21st)
Biutiful (Jan. 28th).
Blue Valentine, Somewhere, The Illusionist and Rare Exports don’t currently have concrete expansion plans, but they may, depending on limited box office gross. Now, on to the new releases:
Five to See:
5. The Mechanic (Simon West; Jan. 28th)
Synopsis: An elite assassin (Statham) takes on an apprentice (Foster) who has a connection to one of his earlier targets.
Why You Should See It: From the director of Con Air, this film features Jason Statham kicking ass alongside the highly talented Ben Foster. This should also prove as an apology for all those disappointed by the disaster that was The Expendables.
4. Kaboom (Gregg Araki; Jan. 28th)
Synopsis: Smith’s everyday life in the dorm – hanging out with his arty, sarcastic best friend Stella, hooking up with a beautiful free spirit named London, lusting for his gorgeous but dim surfer roommate Thor – all gets turned upside-down after one fateful, terrifying night.
Why You Should See It: For all those waiting to get a dose of “lesbian witches, crazy animal-mask wearing cults, lots of gay sex, lots of naked Juno Temple, and so much more” then you will be satisfied by Araki’s acid-trip college comedy.
3. Phil Ochs: There But For Fortune (Kenneth Bowser; Jan. 5th)
Synopsis: As our country continues to embroil itself in foreign wars and pins its hopes on a new leader’s promise for change, Phil Ochs: There But For Fortune is a timely and relevant tribute to an unlikely American hero.
Why You Should See It: This documentary chronicling the rise and fall of a musician impressed us at early festival screenings, and now it is making its limited debut. If you know the story, this would be worth checking out. If you don’t, it is an entertaining history lesson.
2. The Green Hornet (Michel Gondry; Jan. 14th)
Synopsis: A newspaper publisher by day and masked crime fighter by night, The Green Hornet and his martial arts expert sidekick, Kato, fight crime while trying to keep their true identities a secret.
Why You Should See It: The only note-worthy blockbuster of the month comes from the intriguing mind of Michel Gondry. Since its push from December, many have been worried at the outcome, but if early screening reports are any indication this will deliver on the fun factor. With Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg also writing two of my favorite comedies, Superbad and Pineapple Express, I have high hopes for this.
1. Battleship Potemkin (Sergei M. Eisenstein; Jan. 14th)
Synopsis: For eight decades, Sergei Eisenstein’s 1925 masterpiece has remained one of the most influential silent films of all time. This all-new restoration — available for the first time in 35mm — restores dozens of missing shots, all 146 title cards, and Edmund Meisel’s definitive 1926 score, returning the film to a form as close to its creator’s bold vision as has been seen since the film’s triumphant Moscow premiere.
Why You Should See It: It may be cheating, but in this sad month of January, this 35mm theatrical restoration is what I’m most excited to see. One of the most important films in cinema history, influencing top directors from Martin Scorsese to Brian De Palma, is getting a limited run in NY and LA.
Three to Avoid:
Season of the Witch (Dominic Sena; Jan. 7th)
Synopsis: A 14th-century Crusader (Cage) returns to his homeland, which has been devastated by the Black Plague. To appease members of the church, he and his comrade (Perlman) look to transport an accused witch (Foy) to a remote abbey, where monks hope that a ritual will end the pestilence.
Why You Should Avoid It: After Lionsgate pulled the film at the last-minute earlier in 2010, things haven’t been looking good for Nicolas Cage’s actioner. Coupled with poor early reviews and Sena’s coming off one of the biggest disasters of 2009, Whiteout, I’d avoid this at all costs.
The Dilemma (Ron Howard; Jan. 14th)
Synopsis: A comedy centered on a guy (Vaughn) who struggles with whether or not to tell his best friend (James) that his wife (Ryder) is having an affair.
Why You Should Avoid It: My serious dilemma with this film is putting any sort of trust into Ron Howard for The Dark Tower series. After Angels & Demons and this, what looks to be a painful comedy, I hope the director can get his mojo back. Or at least spend his time narrating the Arrest Development movie we will never see.
From Prada to Nada (Angel Gracia; Jan 28th)
Synopsis: Two spoiled sisters (Belle and Vega) are left penniless after their father’s sudden death, forcing them to move in with their estranged aunt in East Los Angeles.
Why You Should Avoid It: This update on Jane Austen‘s Sense & Sensibility has already been done numerous times, and judging from the cookie-cutter trailer, this isn’t bringing anything new to the table.
Three to Matinee:
No Strings Attached (Ivan Reitman; Jan. 21st)
Synopsis: A comedy centered on casual friends Adam (Kutcher) and Emma (Portman) as they try to keep their relationship strictly physical.
Why You Should See a Matinee: I saw a test screening of this last month and the first half of Reitman’s romcom is surprisingly funny. The crude R-rated humor is a delight and matches the earlier title of the project, F__kbuddies. It’s a shame the last half turns into a predictable exercise in the genre it looked like it was trying to avoid.
The Rite (Mikael Håfström; Jan. 28th)
Synopsis: A thriller centered on a disillusioned American seminary student who attends exorcism school at the Vatican, and his encounter with demonic forces.
Why You Should See a Matinee: I enjoyed 1408, but can’t heartily be enticed for this supernatural horror. It looks a little bland and wouldn’t you rather just re-watch The Exorcist?
The Time that Remains (Elia Suleiman; Jan. 7th)
Synopsis: An examination of the creation of the state of Israel in 1948 through to the present day.
Why You Should See a Matinee: After a promising film festival run where it picked up a few wards, this episodic look at Israel’s birth as a state, looks to be as entertaining as it is important.
What are you seeing this month? What are you avoiding?