Valentine's Day Trailer Review

Let's not waste anymore time. Here is how much unoriginality is in "Valentine's Day", Patrick Dempsey is still playing a doctor.

Also as I'm writing this, "Dear John" has just beaten "Avatar" at the box office. WHAT THE FUCK!

"Valentine's Day" opens on Friday February 12th 2010 and is directed by Garry Marshall. Marshall's filmography includes "The Princess Diaries 1 & 2", "Georgia Rule", "Frankie and Johnny" and of course "Pretty Woman". "Pretty Woman" is easily one of the most popular romance movies ever and for me the only romantic movie of Marshall's work that I would own up to owning. Marshall does have the skill as a director to make movies such as "Valentine's Day" "cute", but I'm sure after the opening credits it will feel like the same old thing we've seen again and again.

Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Bradely Cooper, Eric Dane, Patrick Dempsey, Hector Elizondo, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Topher Grace, Anne Hathaway, Aston Kutcher, George Lopez, Shirley MacLaine, Queen Latifah, Emma Roberts and Julia Roberts.

Can we say overcompensating?

I'm going to guess these were the leftover audition tapes from the "He's Just Not That Into You" casting session. There is no doubt that this cast is impressive but I'm sure they solely saw that Garry Marshall was directing the movie and immediately thought of "Pretty Woman" and signed on, no questions asked. Actually upon further research I found out that most of them worked for a discounted salary and some even negotiated for a back end deal, probably a share of the box office revenue, because they could shoot their scenes fairly quickly and be away on another project. Basically easy money.

Another huge problem with this trailer is that all its doing is highlighting the faces of these actors and we as the audience are given no idea as to what the story might be, which leads me to believe the story is crap!

A better version of this idea of a movie is the short film compilation "Paris, Je T'amie" or even its successor "New York, I Love You", both of these movies took the idea of the romance movie and made it into something that was fresh and new. 5 minute short films about the different kinds of love; erotic, young love, love between an elderly couple; you see where I'm going with this. Judging by the trailer "Valentine's Day" is doing the same thing but with but an obvious watered down story and formula.

Two of the films writers Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein, previously wrote the movie "He's Just Not that Into You", (Queue the dramatic music) which was another poor dissection of love. So its only fitting they would do the same thing over again, but attach a popular holiday to it. The only reason that this movie will do good is because its called Valentine's Day. Its a smart move from New Line to invest in such a movie and release date, cause it pretty much guarantee's them a strong opening box office weekend. My box office prediction is $40 to $50 million, unfortunately.

So in terms of trailer etiquette what have we learned?

1. Get a director whose all about the love.
2. A shit load of actors who can sell the movie.
3. Get the editor to only highlight said actors in the trailer itself.
4. Make sure the movie revolves around a popular holiday.
5. AND.....Don't forget the cool Black Eyed Peas song for the cherry on top.

My suggestion is to stay clear from this movie. Just because its about Valentine's Day and its opening on the same weekend doesn't mean we are obligated to see it. Also if your significant other wants to see this movie, I might suggest a separation or possibly even a trade, "Ill see this if you watch "Star Trek" with me whenever I want", kinda deal. If that doesn't work treat your sweetie to romance movies that are worth the price; "The Apartment", "Ghost", "(500) Days of Summer", or "Sabrina".

Sadly according to Nikkie Finke (DeadlineHollywood.com) there is already talks of a sequel...drum roll please....New Year's Eve. God help us all.

Dueces!
Bobby