New Movies to Crave: An Updated Fable, an Updated Classic and Two Sci-Fi Films Fight It Out

By Chris Kavan - 03/11/11 at 10:40 AM CT

Welcome, welcome - what is your pleasure? Kidnapped mothers? All-out destruction? Comely lasses and werewolves? Sweeping Romance? - Well, then pull up a comfy seat, enjoy your heart-clogging popcorn and help bolster a down year at the box office.

1) Sure, comparisons can be made to any other "aliens-invade-and-destroy-large-swathes-of-the-earth" films (see Independence Day, War of the Worlds), but by and large, these kind of films are also entertaining. Death, destruction, horror - it's the American way!

2) It's trendy to update the classics with a new twist, and that's just what Amanda Seyfried hopes to do with Red Riding Hood. Putting an edgy twist on a classic fable, there's romance, there's fear, there's even a bit of mystery. There are plenty of these "updated" tales currently in production - we'll see if the trend has a chance of surviving with the opening weekend of this film.

3) With family films having the biggest impact this year, another contender approaches when Mars Needs Moms! hits this weekend. It looks like a great sci-fi adventure when Milo, who takes his mom for granted, must journey to Mars and rescue her from, well, martians. I don't know if it brings anything new to the table, but I'm sure the kids will enjoy it.

4) Finally, if you're into brooding lords, simmering romance and classic literature - you have Jane Eyre to look forward to. Mia Wasikowska (of Alice in Wonderland fame) plays the title character who survives a brutal childhood to become a governess who falls in love with her employer only to uncover a dark secret. This is only about the 20th adaptation or so, but if this is your kind of thing, have at it.

While it looks like a promising lineup, I have a feeling that we're in for another down week at the box office. We'll see come Sunday if any of the films pack enough punch to finally give Hollywood a much-needed victory compared to last year.