By Chris Kavan - 02/18/11 at 10:13 AM CT
While not quite as competitive as last week, Hollywood ups the ante by offering a few bigger guns this week.
1) If you liked Liam Neeson kicking ass and taking names in Taken, then another one-name title should also work out well for you. Unknown is about a man who thinks he knows who he is, but everyone around him says different. Do you think he's just going to roll over and forget that? Hell no! He's going to find out what's going on, no matter who he has to chase or punch or whatever. Who cares about plot holes - this isn't a film you analyze - to watch it for the sheer pleasure.
2) In the tween-teen-young adult category, I Am Number Four should be a knockout. I mean, for all intents and purposes to me it looks exactly like a Twilight story, but switches vampires for aliens. However, unlike Twilight it doesn't have a ravenous fan base, so it remains to be seen how much of a crowd it can draw away from Bieber. I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you.
3) Finally, Martin Lawrence brings the improbably popular Big Momma franchise back to the big screen after a 5-year absence. Plus he's brought company in the form of Brandon T. Jackson as his son / fellow undercover cross-dresser. I'm sure there is a built-in audience for this, but don't count me as one. I would see emo alien teens well before this. Still, I'm interested to see who shows up for this.
4) In limited release, if it happens to be playing anywhere near you, is Brotherhood. Casting bad light on the fraternity system is nothing new, but at least this one looks like it has a bit more bite than your typical "evil fraternity prank gone wrong" type of movie. A little more edge never hurt anyone.
We'll Sunday night if any of the newcomers can make a hearty debut and if Justin Bieber can hold up or, taking a cue from the last episode of CSI, go down for the count.
