This week's movie releases.

Evan Almighty

1. Evan Almighty (3,602 Theaters): I think I've give up the ghost on recalling my California trip. If anybody want to know more, contact me. (And Drees? I have to e-mail you about the pictures.). But Jen and I stumbled across two movie premieres while we were there. One was Nancy Drew, which the were setting up at the Grauman's Chinese Theater while we were on the Grand Tour of Los Angeles. Another was this one. They premiered it at Universal Citywalk on Saturday. Walked past actor Larry Miller, but didn't see any other stars. I had to bail so as not to be in violation of the restraining order Lauren Graham has on me. MMM...Lauren Graham!. (BTW, there really isn't a restraining order. That is a joke.)

I like Steve Carell a lot. I like his sense of timing and think he's really funny. But I think there might be a chance that he will be the funniest part of the whole movie. Which I guess is good because he is the lead but I'd like a good script as well.

But I guess I could be wrong. I thought Bruce Almighty was funnier than the previews looked. And I will be interested how Carrell's character when from being a jerk in that movie to being a Congressman in this one.

 

1408

2. 1408 (2,678 Theaters): I think I got a reprieve on this one. My wife's lust for John Cusack is not as strong as her dislike of being scared. So it looks like I will dodge the bullet on seeing this one in a theater.

Don't get me wrong, this might be a great movie. I just can't stand two hours of John Cusack stuck in a hotel room, either going crazy or being scared by ghosts or both. Sure, I'm sure there will be other scenes, but that is what most of the movie will be about.

I know Cusack is a great actor and I'm sure he can pull it off. It just I can't stand these kind of scary movies.

I am also puzzled about Samuel L, Jackson's role in the movie. We see scenes in the trailer where he warns Cusack not to stay in room 1408 and then, later telling him that he shouldn't have stayed in 1408. Is he then the hotel manager? If people shouldn't be staying in 1408, why not just take the number off the door and board it up. Or is he Satan? I don't really know.

 

A mighty heart

3. A Mighty Heart (1,355 Theaters):  Here is another movie I am not really into seeing. I'm sure it's well made. I'm sure Angelina Jolie gives an Oscar worthy performance (although that accent she has is kind of wonky).But I just not a fan of tragedy.

I know this is based on the true story of Daniel and Mariane Pearl. We all know that Daniel Pearl was beheaded by terrorists while his wife was pregnant with their child. The whole situation is tragic. Heart-wrenchingly sad, even.

The fact that is a true story makes it worse. These type of movies, if done well, make me feel empathy for the characters. They also make me feel helpless because there is nothing I can do to help the characters. I usually end up sad and mopey for days after seeing movies like these.

This could very well be a story that needs and deserves to be told. But I can't put myself through the punishment of watching it willingly. That's just the kind of guy I am.

So, how do I think the Top 5 will look?

1. Evan Almighty
2. Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer
3. Knocked Up
4. 1408
5. Ocean's 13

I went to see Knocked Up on Tuesday with a friend. It was the Tuesday Night show at 7:15. And there were more people in the theater than at the 9:30 Friday show of Fantastic Four I saw. Weeks after it opened and on a weeknight! People are still coming to see it. So that;s why I have it so high. We'll see how it ends in.