Trailer Hitch

By Eric Hughes

November 12, 2008

Are you sure you have to leave early, Veronica? We could play Dungeons and Dragons.

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Welcome to Trailer Hitch, BOP's look at the latest movie trailers to hit the Internet. This week: Michael Rapaport develops some superhuman abilities, Steve Martin stars in yet another disappointing release and Star Wars' biggest fans show off their geeky selves.

How About You – Opens November 14th

Based on a short story of the same name by Maeve Binchy, How About You centers itself around everyone's favorite narrative setting: retirement homes. (Did you catch the sarcasm?) Here, Hayley Atwell plays the free-spirited Ellie, who is left in charge of a home for the elderly over Christmas. While most of the residents have gone home to visit their families, four of them - played by Vanessa Redgrave, Imelda Staunton, Brenda Fricker and Joss Ackland - remain with poor Ellie. Hilarity supposedly ensues, as the four residents (who are known as the Hard Core) are anything but civilized.

Admittedly, it appears to be a bit too...melodramatic (though some of that has to be the fault of the trailer, which relies on a surplus of poor pop-up text and cheesy soundtrack once some of the real sap starts showing up). Elsewise, I think this one could be a delightful little Irish indie for those that go and check it out. However, I have a feeling most audiences have another movie on their minds this weekend...

Grade: B-
Also expected to be released on this date: Quantum of Solace, A Christmas Tale, Dostana

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Special – Opens November 21st

Billed as a drama, though appearing more like a comedy in its trailer, Special is the story of a man, Les Franken (Michael Rapaport), who is accepted into an experimental drug study for a new antidepressant. Problem is, the drug gives Les a number of extraordinary abilities (like walking through walls, reading peoples' minds, levitating). With these "powers," Les decides to use them for good by fighting crime and protecting the world from evil. However, when some bad publicity catches the attention of the public (and of his "creators"), Les, in true comic book fashion, thinks it best to go after the people who made him this way, his supposed arch nemeses.

Props for originality, no? This one's got a plot that easily distances itself from anything else I've ever had the pleasure of coming across. Special's trailer also has some funny moments, especially when Les discovers he's telepathic

Grade: A
Also expected to be released on this date: Bolt, Twilight, I Can't Think Straight


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