Opening This Week: Marley Reading Watchmen At A Jo Bros Concert

Just as the title suggests, this week will be another jam-packed week of movie releases. Marley & Me, about a dog, The Reader, about the holocaust, Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience, about tween girls screaming and finally the long-awaited, much-anticipated Watchmen about superheroes in 1985 starring a Robert Downey Jr. lookalike.

In my opinion, all the movies except the Jo Bros movie is worth watching. Unless you are female and between the ages 8 and 16. But if you're male and 45 years old and you wanna see the Jo Bros movie, go ahead. If that's what you're into, I won't judge.

Enough talk, lets get straight into things.

Marley & Me (2008)
Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Owen Wilson
Director: David Fankel
USA release: 25 December 2008
Msia release: 5 March 2009
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance
Runtime: 111 mins
Rated in USA: PG for thematic material, some suggestive content and language
Rated in Msia: U

Based on a best-selling book by John Grogan, Marley & Me tells the true story of a badly behaved Labrador Retriever that brings love and the true meaning of life home to John (Owen Wilson) and his wife Jennifer Grogan (Jennifer Aniston).

Definitely a film for dog lovers. This may be a funny comedy but it is also heart-wrenching so be prepared for waterworks. Tissues at the ready!

The Reader (2008)
Starring: Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, David Kross
Director: Stephen Daldry
USA release: 10 December 2008 (limited), 9 January 2009 (wide)
Msia release: 5 March 2009
Genre: Drama, Romance
Runtime: 124 mins
Rated in USA: R for some scenes of sexuality and nudity
Rated in Msia: N/A

After a young Michael Berg (David Kross) is cared for by a stranger, Hanna Schmitz (Kate Winslet), they fall into a passionate love affair. One day, Hanna disappears with no explanation or goodbye leaving Michael confused and heartbroken. Eight years later when Michael is observing the Nazi war crimes trial, he is reunited with Hanna who is a defendant at the trial. He finally learns of her secret past.

Regardless of its interesting premise, this is a must-see film just for the fact it got nominated for Best Film at the Oscars. It didn't win though but Kate Winslet did bag the Best Actress award for her performance in this film.

Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience (2009)
Starring: Kevin Jonas, Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas, Taylor Swift
Director: Bruce Hendricks
USA release: 27 February 2009
Msia release: 5 March
Genre: Music, Documentary
Rated in USA: G
Rated in Msia: U

Jo Bros equivalent to Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour.

Watchmen (2009)
Starring: Billy Crudup, Carla Gugino, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Malin Akerman
Director: Zack Snyder
USA release: 6 March 2009
Msia release: 6 March 2009
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Superhero
Runtime: 163 mins
Rated in USA: R for strong graphic violence, sexuality, nudity and language
Rated in Msia: N/A

After the Watchmen are shut down by the government, one of the masked vigilante is mercilessly murdered. Set in 1985 in an America different from the one we know, the Watchmen reunite to bring the murderer of their fallen colleague to justice. In the process of saving themselves and investigating the murder, they uncover a deeper and darker plot.

Easily one of the most anticipated movie of 2009, Watchmen may live up to everyone's expectations or it may falter. The Hollywood Reporter definitely thinks so in this painful review, calling it "the first real flop of 2009". Regardless of bad reviews, this comic book-adapted movie should be watched just because of the anticipation leading up to its release. You be the judge of its quality after you've seen it. Watch this if you liked Hellboy and 300.




That's it for this week's 'Opening This Week' post. Be sure to share and comment. Oh and if there are 45 year-old guy who wants to see the Jo Bros movie, no offense intended. I was only joking. =)