Hancock  
  HANCOCK
Rating: About Ratings
Opens: 07/02/2008
Running Time: 92
Rated: PG-13
Cast: Will Smith, Jason Bateman, Charlize Theron, Daeg Faerch, Lauren Hill, Darrell Foster, Valerie Azlynn, Kate Clarke, David Mattey, Lily Mariye and Shea Curry.
Crew: Director: Peter Berg. Producers: Will Smith, Akiva Goldsman, James Lassiter and Michael Mann. Executive Producers: Ian Bryce, Jonathan Mostow and Richard Saperstein. Screenwriters: John August, Peter Berg, Vince Gilligan, Akiva Goldsman and Vincent Ngo.
REVIEW: By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs

Will Smith's latest movie "Hancock" had so much potential of being an exceptionally good film. But director Peter Berg ("Friday Night Lights") and screenwriters Vincent Ngo and Vince Gilligan never seemed to decide to play the film as a straight up comedy or a dramady.

"Hancock," which isn't based on a comic book, works best as a comedy during the first half of the movie but loses steam mid-way through when it gets all serious.

Smith does everything he can to muster up interest in his character as a drunken superhero that woke up in a Miami hospital nearly 80 years ago with a head injury and no recollection of anything.

He has all the superhero powers like flying through the sky at breakneck speed and incredible strength. He can pick up an Escalade SUV like it were a toy Hot Wheel. But Hancock has fallen out of favor with the people he helps and rescues in Los Angeles because he causes more damage and problems in his wake.

This superhero also has an image problem. And when he rescues Ray Embrey, (Jason Bateman, "Juno") a public relations manager, from a near fatal accident with a speeding train, Ray decides he can put his public relations skills to use on Hancock. After all he hasn't had much luck at work convincing his staff of his talents.

Of course Ray's wife Mary (Charlize Theron) thinks Ray is nuts for helping Hancock. But there's a story between Mary and Hancock that adds a strange twist to the film. Anyway, Ray stresses to Hancock that he should be a kinder and gentler type of superhero when he arrives on the scene. And he maintains that what Hancock arrives in is just as important as how he arrives. So Ray comes up with a tight leather suit which Hancock initially objects to wearing but finally does.

Ray wants the city to need and call on Hancock. He believes this strategy will do wonders for his career and image. And sure enough it works when the police summon Hancock to help them with a bank hostage situation.

Smith injects enough humor into most of the scenes particularly a crude one involving a couple of prisoners. But for the most part you've probably already seen the whale being tossed back into the ocean and the others from the film's trailers.


What "Hancock" needed was a good villain to bring more comedic and dramatic flair to the film. Theron's character attempted to be that but goes in another direction. Consequently, "Hancock" doesn't give us much to root for. But rest assured Smith--who has a strong fan base--will still handle his business at the box office Big Willie Style as he always does during the Fourth of July...
 


Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl
KITT KITTREDGE: AN AMERICAN GIRL
Rated: G
Opens: 07/02/2008

WALL-E
WALL-E
Rated: G
Opens: 06/27/2008

Wanted
WANTED
Rated: R
Opens: 06/27/2008

Get Smart
GET SMART
Rated: PG-13
Opens: 06/20/2008


OLD SCHOOL VIDEO PICK OF THE MONTH

The Omega Man Title: The Omega Man
Year Released: 1971
Running Time: 98
Production Company: Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: Boris Sagal
Director of Photography: Russell Metty
Screenwriter: Richard Matheson and John William Corrington
Author: Lana K. Wilson-Combs

REVIEW: Charlton Heston's 1971 movie "The Omega Man" has been digitally re-mastered and packaged on DVD. It's in stores now to coincide with the release of Will Smith's new movie, "I am Legend." Both "I am Legend" and "The Omega Man" are based on the Richard Matheson novel, also titled, "I am Legend." The new version of "The Omega Man" is...
NEW ON DVD

Vantage Point <b>(July 1)</b> Title: Vantage Point (July 1)
Year Released: 2008
Running Time: 90
Production Company: Sony Pictures
Director: Pete Travis
Review By: Lana Wilson-Combs

"SEEING IS BELIEVING"

"Vantage Point" probably sounded much more like a nail biting thriller when it was initially conceived on paper than when it actually translated to the big screen. That's not to say it's a bad movie, it's not. It's just that the repetitive subject matter--which is the basis of the film--is what actually trips it up most of the time.

"Vantage Point" centers on an assassination attempt of the United States President at an anti-terrorism summit in Spain. A chain of events erupts that include President Ashton (William Hurt) being shot by an assassin. Then a bomb explodes. All this leaves Secret Service agents Thomas Barnes (Dennis Quaid) and Kent Taylor (Matthew Fox) to figure out how this could have possibly happened since all their men and women took every precaution to secure the entire area.

But an innocent camera-toting bystander named Howard Lewis (Forest Whitaker) may hold the key to who pulled the trigger. Seems Howard recorded the entire event and it may reveal the shooter.

Adding to this twisted plot is police detective Enrique (Eduardo Noriega) who has been assigned to the mayor and is convinced he knows who killed the president too.

But nearly everyone has an opinion about the assassination attempt and we hear from them and their various vantage points. But all these viewpoints do little to clear things up and instead muddle them.

Their stories become conflicted, confusing and at times even implausible. Screenwriter Barry Levy and director Pete Travis work really hard to establish tension filled moments and succeed at times thanks largely to a strong cast which keeps us glued to the screen waiting for the next big thing.

But overall, despite the strong acting, the instant replay begins to wear thin and diminishes the film's momentum.
(Recommended)

Meet The Browns <b>(July 1)</b> Title: Meet The Browns (July 1)
Year Released: 2008
Running Time: 100
Production Company: Lionsgate Films
Director: Tyler Perry
Review By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs

"IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR"

What keeps Tyler Perry's "Meet the Browns" from completely going off track are the film's lead stars Angela Bassett, former NBA star turned actor, Rick Fox and Jenifer Lewis.

In "Meet the Browns," Angela Bassett plays a struggling single parent living in Chicago with three kids. Just when Brenda (Bassett) thinks that things can't get any worse for her, they do. She gets laid off from her job and has no immediate prospects of landing another one. Her son Michael (Lance Gross, TV's "House of Payne") is shaping up to be a fine basketball player. Scouts and coaches like Harry (Rick Fox) want to help him get to the next level.

In the meantime, he hasn't signed with the Lakers yet so Brenda has to find a way to put food on the table and keep the lights on in the house especially since her ex-husband contributes nothing to help out his family.

Brenda's good friend Cheryl(Sofia Vergara, "Four Brothers") has her back and helps her out as much as she can. But it's still not enough. Even she's strapped for cash.

As luck would have it, Brenda receives a letter in the mail explaining that her father--whom she's never met--has died. And his family, the Browns, want her to come to Georgia and attend the funeral.

Although she's reluctant to go, Brenda realizes she really has nothing more to lose. The trip turns out to be eye-opening in more ways than one. Mr. Brown (David Mann) is a colorful character to put it mildly. And Cora Brown (Tamela Mann) is as country as the day is long. Vera (Jenifer Lewis) adds plenty of sass in the household and Sarah (Margaret Avery) and the rest of the clan are a rambunctious crew too. In fact, they really are too much for Brenda and her family to handle.

But once Brenda opens up and allows herself to get to know everybody, things aren't nearly as bad as they seemed. Harry (Fox) arrives announcing that Georgia is his hometown. And he shows a big interest in getting next to Brenda and genuinely helping her son reach his basketball potential. All the warmth and craziness that only a family can provide, along with a budding romance that she least expected changes Brenda's life and allows her to truly live again.

"Meet the Browns" may be predictable, but the film has plenty of heart and enough of an uplifting and family bonding storyline that Perry's fans can't seem to get enough of.
(Recommended)

Drillbit Taylor <b>(July 1)</b> Title: Drillbit Taylor (July 1)
Year Released: 2008
Running Time: 102
Production Company: Paramount Pictures
Director: Steven Brill
Review By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs

"TO PROTECT AND TO SERVE"

Owen Wilson can take a predictable and silly movie like "Drillbit Taylor" and turn it into a hilarious romp.

It's the first day of high school for Wade (Nate Hartley) and Ryan (Troy Gentile). Naturally the two are worried about how they'll fit in.

They aren't jocks by any means so they are already working from a disadvantage. They violate the first rule of school fashion when they both show up wearing the same shirts.

They try to do the right thing and stick up for their little buddy, Emmit (David Dorfman) when he's picked on by school bullies Filkins and Ronnie (Alex Frost and Josh Peck). Now they are ready to tear into Wade and Ryan.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Wade and Ryan decide that they need a bodyguard. They fall for homeless, scam artist Drillbit Taylor (Owen Wilson). He assures them that after his training he will have the fellas in tip-top fighting shape.

The good news for them is that Drillbit is very inexpensive mainly because he's not really a bodyguard and not much of a fighter either.

What starts out as a plan to steal every penny from these kids, turns out completely different. He begins to really like them and especially their teacher, Lisa (Leslie Mann).

There are several funny scenes involving Drillbit showing the guys how to fight and him trying to stay one step ahead of them from finding out that he's a fraud.

"Drillbit Taylor" has its hokey moments, but screenwriters Kristofor Brown and "Superbad" man Seth Rogen mix just enough of them with laugh-out-loud jokes that hit the mark nearly every time.
(Recommended)

Definitely, Maybe <b>(June 24)</b> Title: Definitely, Maybe (June 24)
Year Released: 2007
Running Time: 110
Production Company: Universal Pictures
Director: Adam Brooks
Review By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs

"A SURE-FIRE ROMANTIC COMEDY"

"Definitely, Maybe" is a warm-hearted, romantic comedy starring comedian Ryan Reynolds and "Little Miss Sunshine's" Abigail Breslin.

Will (Ryan Reynolds) is an accomplished New York advertising executive who has an inquisitive 11-year-old daughter named Maya. Both are trying to adjust to their newfound lifestyle change since Will is headed to divorce court.

Will is also discovering that parenthood is some undertaking. It seems Maya is growing up much too fast. At her Manhattan public school, she's learning more about sex education than reading, writing and arithmetic.

So when Maya comes home each day to her father with questions about reproductive organs and whether her being born was a mistake and insisting he tell her how he met her mother, it makes Will a bit uncomfortable. In fact, he replies, "it's complicated."

Truer words have never been spoken. Will's life story is filled with plenty of drama. Fortunately, Adam Brooks, the film's writer and director tells it in such dramatic, comedic and compelling fashion that it zips right along. And watching Will recount to his daughter his deeds and misdeeds while growing up are heartwarming and heartbreaking. But, it's what gives "Definitely, Maybe" its tender touch.

We see through flashbacks that Will was a real go-getter during his younger days. He worked on Bill Clinton's presidential campaign alongside his friend and roommate Russell McCormack (Derek Luke). It was during the campaign that Will met Maya's mother.

The film takes a playful turn at keeping the identity of the three women that Will is seeing, under wraps.

Romantic comedies suit Brooks well. His films, "Wimbledon" and "French Kiss" are two of his best and "Definitely, Maybe" should be added to the list.
(Recommended)
  MOVIE TRIVIA
 
What 1975 urban drama did Rosalind Cash star in playing the mother of 10-year-old Laurence Fishburne?
"The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh"
"Cornbread, Earl & Me"
"Black Mama, White Mama"
"Sparkle"
 
  "REEL" MOVIE NEWS
FINAL DONNY OSMOND By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs:

COLUMBIA PICTURES TO PAY OFF MORTGAGE FOR ONE DESERVING FAMILY

In keeping with the spirit of their upcoming film Hancock, starring Will Smith, (pictured) Columbia Pictures is launching a contest to pay off a family's home mortgage.

Hancock's Helping Hand Mortgage payoff contest was inspired by the film, "Hancock," which opens nationwide in theatres July 2 but will have some advance screenings on July 1. Hancock (Smith) is a misunderstood superhero who is encouraged to improve his public image when he meets a good-hearted public relations executive.

Columbia Pictures will pay off the mortgage debt of one deserving family, with a grand prize worth up to $360,000.

To enter and find the official contest rules, log on to www.Hancockmovie.com.

Entrants will write a 200 word essay explaining why they are deserving of the grand prize. The program begins June 29 and runs through July 6.

FOCUS FEATURES CREATES PROGRAM FOR AFRICAN FILMMAKERS

In an initiative earmarked exclusively for emerging filmmakers of African nationality and residence, Focus Features has established the Africa First Program. Focus Features CEO James Schamus announced that Africa First is offering participating filmmakers the chance to be awarded $10,000 in financing for production and/or post-production on their narrative short film made in continental Africa and tapping the resources of the film industry there.

Complete details on Africa First – including application information – can be accessed through www.filminfocus.com/africafirst.

Offering practical support in addition to the fiscal backing, an international advisory board of experts in African cinema has been convened. The Africa First board members are Ms. Mahen Bonetti, founder and executive director of the African Film Festival; journalist and documentary filmmaker Ms. Jihan El-Tahiri; Ms. June Givanni, who for four years programmed the Toronto International Film Festival's Planet Africa series; Mr. Gaston Kaboré, filmmaker and professor; Mr. Pedro Pimenta, manger of training programs throughout South Africa; and Mr. Keith Shiri, founder/director of the Africa at the Pictures film festival in the U.K.

Africa First was conceived by producer Kisha Imani Cameron ("Sometimes in April"), whose Completion Films company has a first-look and consulting deal with Focus.

Focus creative executive Matthew Plouffe will coordinate Africa First submissions and evaluations with Ms. Cameron, who will supervise the program. In addition to on-site work in Africa, a weekend of workshops in New York City with board members is also planned.

Mr. Schamus said, "It's about time the American film industry took a more active interest in the enormous filmmaking talents emerging in Africa. Everyone at Focus is excited to be a part of this initiative." Ms. Cameron added, "As an independent producer myself, I'm always listening for new voices. Filmmakers selected for the grants will retain the copyrights to their projects as well as artistic, budgetary, and editorial control. But throughout the process – and, ideally, beyond – the team at Focus will lend them support."

Five (5) filmmakers will be awarded $10,000 apiece. The submission period began May 12, 2008 and runs through July 15, 2008. The five filmmakers selected will retain distribution rights to their completed shorts, with the exception of North American rights; Focus will have those, as well as the right of first negotiation to productions derived from the shorts, such as a feature-length expansion.

Completion is developing feature, documentary, and television projects. Its president, Ms. Cameron, previously worked as director of development at Walden Media, and as an executive at New Line Cinema, where she oversaw the development and production of Spike Lee's Bamboozled.

Focus Features (www.filminfocus.com) exists to produce, acquire and distribute original and daring films that challenge the mainstream to embrace and enjoy voices and visions from around the world that deliver global commercial success.

Upcoming Focus Features releases include: Andrew Fleming's irreverent comedy "Hamlet 2," starring Steve Coogan; Joel and Ethan Coen's "Burn After Reading," starring George Clooney, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins, and Brad Pitt, which will world-premiere as the opening-night film of the 2008 Venice International Film Festival.

Then there is Henry Selick's 3-D stop-motion animated feature "Coraline," starring Dakota Fanning and Teri Hatcher; Shane Acker's animated fantasy epic "9," starring Elijah Wood and Jennifer Connelly; Cary Fukunaga's immigrant thriller "Sin Nombre."

Other movies include: writer/director Jim Jarmusch's new film, tentatively titled "The Limits of Control," starring Isaach De Bankolé; a contemporary comedy directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes and starring John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph; and Gus Van Sant's "Milk," starring Sean Penn as Harvey Milk.

GEORGE LUCAS TO PRODUCE MOVIE ABOUT HEROIC TUSKEGEE AIRMEN

Filmmaker George Lucas will produce "Red Tails," a movie chronicling the brave and heroic African-American Tuskegee Airmen. Lucas said he wants to start filming by the end of this year or early 2009.

"Red Tails" is also being produced by Rick McCallum and written by John Ridley.

In 1995, HBO brought the Tuskegee Airmen's story to light with its movie that starred Laurence Fishburne, Cuba Gooding Jr. Andre Braugher and Allen Payne. Both McCallum and Ridley said in recent television interviews, that their film will delve even further into the story of these pilots who escorted thousands of U.S. bombers in World War II and yet still suffered blatant discrimination in their own country. Or as Lt. Col Eldridge F. Williams, 91, a former Tuskegee Airmen said, there were two historic fights; one against Adolf Hitler abroad and Jim Crow at home.

"At its heart, the film is a story about men with a dream to fly and serve their country," said Ridley.

The film's title, "Red Tails," refers to the distinctive color of their fighter planes' tails, and allowed U.S. bomber crews to know they were being escorted by the aggressive Tuskegee Airmen.

Lucas is currently scouting filming locations which will likely include Prague, Czech Republic, and Italy. "I think the story will speak to anyone who has ever wanted to succeed at something others told them was impossible," said Lucas.

FILM "THE GITS" REMEMBERS MIA ZAPATA

The documentary film "The Gits," (http://gitsb2b.libent.com/) will be released in theatres July 7, which marks the 15th memorial anniversary of the death of lead singer Mia Zapata. For those unfamiliar with the band of the same name, this is the story of the Seattle punk band led by lead singer Mia Zapata who was murdered just as the band was on the brink of breaking.

While this is indeed a tragic story, "The Gits," is a moving and loving documentary that is also uplifting and hopeful even after many years Zapata's death was thought to be unsolvable. "The Gits" will receive national theatrical screenings in selected cities throughout the US and Canada along with a DVD release around the same time.

Editor's Note: Some information used in this report obtained from publicity department press releases.