CinePhillyist

Most Likely to Rule: The Science of Sleep - We've been excited about this one ever since we first heard about it. It's the next film from Michel Gondry, the talented director of the amazing Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and he's exploring the surreal interiors of the mind yet again with this film, about a shy and withdrawn but incredibly creative young man whose dream life keeps threatening to take over his waking life. Gondry does amazing special effects the old-fashioned way - live, with real props, in front of the camera. We can't wait to see what he puts together for this film.
Trailer
Showing at: Ritz Five

Renaissance - We remember seeing a French trailer for this one way back. It's another live action film enhanced with computer-animation, and stars Daniel "Blonde Bond" Craig, as well as Ian Holm. It's a sci-fi flick about a dystopian future Paris, where everyone is under constant surveillance and under the control of a company selling eternal youth and beauty. The plot has a noirish feel: when a beautiful scientist at the company is kidnapped, they naturally get the cop (Craig) who can find anybody no matter what the cost. But other people are looking for her, too, all the witnesses are turning up dead, and soon our cop hero finds himself in the midst of a deep and labyrinthine conspiracy. Sounds awesome! Sadly, the folks at Rotten Tomatoes aren't too enthusiastic. Still, we might give this one a shot; it'll be fun to look at, if nothing else.
Trailer
Showing at: Ritz East

Most Likely to Suck: The Guardian - Kevin Costner plays a Rescue Swimmer who loses his entire crew in a tragic crash and is sent to run the elite training program for the Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers. Would you be surprised if we told you he used wacky, unorthodox training methods? He becomes particularly close with one very determined and cocky student, played by Ashton Kutcher, and tries to mold him into a great Rescue Swimmer. We bet their courage and resolve will be tested, etc., etc. We seriously couldn't care less about this movie. Kutcher playing a serious role makes no sense, and Costner lost his relevance ages ago. Boring!
Trailer
Showing at: The Riverview, The Bridge

Open Season - The new computer-animated kids movie featuring anthropomorphized animals voiced by celebrities this week. Celebrities are Martin Lawrence, Debra Messing, Gary Sinise, and Ashton Kutcher (there he is again!). A domesticated bear saves a moose from a paranoid hunter, and in return the moose shows the bear what more there is to life, in the process activating the bear's hidden instincts. Then, if the ads are any indication, things escalate to full-scale war. Eh, could be fun.
Trailer
Showing at: The Riverview, The Bridge

School for Scoundrels - An anxious young fellow with poor self-esteem named Roger (Jon Heder) enrolls in a secret confidence-building class run by the rather crazed and competetive Dr. P (Billy Bob Thornton) and his assisstant (Michael Clarke Duncan). The class actually starts to work and our poor hero sees results; he even asks out his long-time crush. But Dr. P starts competing with him and trying to steal his girl, so Roger enlists the help of his classmates to beat the master at his own game. This is probably a stupid movie, but it actually looks pretty funny, and the story is rather clever. Might be worth it.
Trailer
Showing at: The Riverview

Image Credit: Internet Movie Poster Awards