Written by Mitch Cyrus

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I was slightly off in my prediction last week that Date Movie would be #1. Whodathunkit that audiences would rather see a good family movie (Eight Below) rather than a gross piece of crap?

On the other hand, I was right in regards to both Date Movie and Freedomland sucking, while Eight Below was a good flick. But I won’t pat myself on the back too much. Predicting that a February movie is going to suck is about as difficult as predicting Bill Cowher spitting or Brian Billick saying something arrogantly egotistical.

One last crappy February weekend to go before we start seeing some decent shows in March. Anyone’s guess for the #1 show out of these three, but I’m leaning towards the family flick Doogal at this point. My recommendation? Stay home, watch some of the dvds that were released this week, and hang on for 16 Blocks, V for Vendetta, and The Inside Man.

Title: Running Scared

Release Date: February 24

Starring: Paul Walker, Cameron Bright, Chas Palminteri

Plot: Walker (again!) plays a low level mob guy who specializes in dumping guns used in crimes. When his son’s friend finds and uses one of these guns, Walker has to elude a psychotic Russian mob boss and a dirty cop.

The BeerBuzz: Despite my high opinion of director/writer Wayne Kramer’s previous film, The Cooler, I’m just getting a bad vibe about this one. First of all, Paul Walker is no William H. Macy, plus he doesn’t have eight adorable fur-balls to divert attention from his shitty acting. The February dumping ground release is another strike. Finally, this movie is reported to be one on the most grossly violent films in recent memory. Avoid like the plague.

Title: Madea’s Family Reunion

Release Date: February 24

Starring: Tyler Perry, Blair Underwood, Lynn Whitfield

Plot: Sequel of sorts to last year’s Diary of a Mad Black Woman. This time Perry’s pistol packing grandma must contend with a runaway placed under “her” care and the love problems of her nieces.

The BeerBuzz: Gag. Vomit. Seriously, it was funny as hell back in the early 90s having Larry Johnson of the Charlotte Hornets dress up as an old woman and then slam dunking a basketball, but having a second movie with the 6’5” Tyler in drag? Why?

Title: Doogal

Release Date: February 24

Starring: Voices of Jimmy Fallon, Jon Stewart, and Whoopi Goldberg

Plot: Candy loving mutt Doogal and his pals band together to thwart the plans of the evil Zeebad to deep-freeze the Earth.

The BeerBuzz: Family flicks are big right now with Disney’s pooches-in-danger flick and the animated Hoodwinked doing well. Like Weinstein’s most recent animation, Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, this is a bit UK-centric. However; it’s being touted as having a storyline that is similar to Lord of the Rings, so it might do well. Take the kids that are too young for Eight Below to this one.

New DVD Releases on Tuesday, February 28th

Walk the Line – The biggie of the week is the Joaquin Phoenix/Reece Witherspoon bio of Johnny Cash. Read DJK’s review here

The Ice Harvest – I normally never hate movies with either John Cusack or Billy Bob Thornton. Except when they are together, as Pushing Tin blew chunks. This has been touted as a Leonard Elmore-esque violent semi-comedy/crime caper with the usual seedy characters. Probably worth a rent if you liked Get Shorty.

Pride and Prejudice – Retelling of the Jane Austen classic with Keira Knightley in her Oscar nominated roll. If you’re the type that would rather chew on tinfoil than watch an Ivory-Merchant flick, stay away.

Yours, Mine, and Ours – Dennis Quaid and Rene Russo try to leverage off of Cheaper By the Dozen in this tepid remake. Not even worth watching for free on HBO.

Network 2 disc Special Edition – What was once considered far out satire can now be viewed almost as a documentary of the news/entertainment industry. A Must Buy in my book.

Dog Day Afternoon 2 disc Special Edition – ATTICA! ATTICA! ATTICA! Damn, I may have to cut back on the beer expenditures this week so I can buy this as well.