New Movie Releases for 12/23/05: Featuring The Producers, now with Trailers!

This last full weekend of 2005 is absolutely packed. We get comedy, drama, musical, and horror representation. All of these films open between the 21st and the 25th, and I doubt I will be able to squeeze all of them in. No matter how much I want too.

The Ringer. This has been sitting on the shelf for a couple of years now, I wonder why? Surprisingly, I think it looks funnier than it has any right to be. The biggest problem that this sophomoric comedy has, is belittling the mentally challenged, which is something I don't get from the trailer. It stars Johnny Knoxville as the title character. TRAILER

Cheaper by the Dozen 2. Never saw the first, and never really planned on a sequel, yet here it is. The gang is back, and going on vacation. It stars Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, Eugene Levy, and Tom Welling. TRAILER

Fun with Dick and Jane. The latest remake to arrive in theaters stars Jim Carrey and Tea Leoni. This looks to be a bit of a throwback to some of Carrey's earlier slapstick. TRAILER

Memoirs of a Geisha. An adaptation of a book that I never read. The trailer looks great, but I have seen wildly mixed notices for it. A problem I see is the casting of Chinese women in roles that should be Japanese. Despite that, I still look forward to seeing it. It was directed by Rob Marshall, and stars Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi. TRAILER

Rumor Has It. Kevin Costner, Jennifer Aniston, and overtones of The Graduate collide in this romantic comedy. This looks like it could be funny, but nothing really stands out in the trailer. This one is going to survive on the backs of its stars. I will say that Aniston looks to be the standout performer in this one. TRAILER

Wolf Creek. Christmas just wouldn't be the same without a little dose of blood and terror. This one hopes to deliver the goods, it looks like it could, but it also looks like it could be a little too derivative. It does have good reviews from Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. Not to mention the distinguishing fact of it being based on true events (yes, that is sarcasm). Anyway, I still want to see it. TRAILER

The Producers. A film, becomes a Broadway show, becomes another film. What a long strange trip its been. The commercials look great, the clips I've seen look great, I can only hope that the film stands up. Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick team up with new cast additions Will Ferrell and Uma Thurman to bring the stage play to the big screen. TRAILER

Following Sean. This is opening at the local arthouse. It is about director Ralph Arlyck's days in the late 60's living below a gaggle of hippies, and his present day reunion with one of them, Sean.

Brokeback Mountain. This is also opening at the local arthouse. This is getting the early buzz as the top contender for the Best Picture Oscar. It stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhal as a pair of gay cowboys who have a forbidden relationship. This is supposedly a wonderful film, but I swear, if there is even a hint of pudding I will lose it (South Park fans will understand that one). TRAILER

Also opening this weekend, but not near me:

• Cache
• Casanova
• Munich
• The New World
• The White Countess

That is all for this week. I hope you find something you like!