Top Movies This Week

After 15+ years in development, the comic hero first based on Howard Hughes is refashioned as a contemporary industrialist whose technology is being used in the Middle Eastern war effort. (Funny, we can't compare him to any present-day eccentrics, just a list of bad guys come to mind.) Director Jon Favreau was the first name talent associated with project, and any doubt as to his ability to bring in a polished, smart-looking film should have been erased by not only the principal cast he got to sign on, but also his plan for the first film of a proposed trilogy (we hear Downey, Paltrow, and Howard signed 3-picture deals). Here's what we know: Stark is taken prisoner is Afghanistan, and that's where he builds the suit; both the grey suit and the red and gold suit will appear; Stark's alcoholism won't be addressed during the first go-round. And a note to old-school comics fans: It's kind of cool that Stark's old split book counterpart,Steve Rogers (a.k.a Captain America) was greenlighted soon after IM began pre-production. While that project seems to be languishing in development-heck, we imagine IM's initial returns might help get the red, white, and blue balls rolling.

Let's just skip over Ashton (I mean, really) and address the real sad story here: Ms. Diaz, who used to be a movie star and not just someone you see in magazines and print ads, has been absent from the top of the box office in quite some time. Unlucky in work and love, we guess. (Whoa, she's like America's own Nicole Kidman!) And now she and Ashton have to star in a by-the-numbers romantic comedy, the kind that reveals its entire hand in its trailer. Was this even filmed in Las Vegas?

In an earlier iteration of this project, Vince Vaughn was attached; in another Alfonso Cuarón was set to direct Johnny Depp as the man behind the wheel of the Mach 5 ... The main question mark here is whether Andy Wachowski and his still-a-man brother Larry can make a family film that they themselves would go see? (Our answer: of course, since there's no pressure for the plot to make a shred of sense.) We're definitely not worried about cool visuals, but there a lot of writers present here.

Patrick Dempsey is getting the roles that Hugh Grant will no longer consider and for which Hugh Jackman has become too spendy. And we guess this makes Michelle Monaghan the new Sandra Bullock? Anyway, will MoH revive the rom-com genre's failing heart? It's hard to say, especially when the movie will battle Iron Man, which we hear is tracking well with the ladies (not hard to imagine, given the presence of the Gwyneth and RDJ's beefed-up frame). P.S. Whoever first called this 27 Dresses for Guys is clever.

Sorry, Jimmy Fallon, but this is the "Weekend Update" reunion we've been waiting for. After proving themselves week-in and week-out behind the SNL news desk (the last time that program was truly worth watching), it's about time these ladies get their big-screen due. (Not that we're asking for an Amber, the One-Legged Hypoglycemic movie or anything.) We love the supporting cast here, which includes Greg Kinnear as a juice-shop owner and Maura Tierney as Tina Fey's sister; Sigourney Weaver adds to her ever-diversifying recent character choices as the owner of the surrogate agency. Our baby is kicking as we speak. Though it's too bad Ms. Fey didn't write Mama's screenplay ... maybe that's why the reviews have been less than stellar ...

The magical name of Judd Apatow hangs over this film, as the Knocked Up comedy guru is producing, with Apatow acolytes Nicholas Stoller (directing) and Jason Segel (writing and starring) on board. Who's Segel? He's the lovable lunk on the did-I-ever-watch-that-I-think-I-did-and-it-was-funny-I-think CBS sitcom "How I Met Your Mother." Most exciting, however, is the post-Veronica Mars appearance of Kristen Bell as famous girlfriend Sarah, leaving us all atwitter. Do you think she'll remember we used to be friends... a long time ago...?

Why New Line didn't release this film on Sunday, April 20th is beyond us, but we all know the troubles the once-powerful studio has had of late (and if you aren't aware, here's a primer). May H&K's ever-growing cult bring some cheer to those left at the studio, and we hope the movie's suer-shot success will serve as a blueprint for New Line's future projects (we understand they'll be focusing on smaller-budget comedies and genre pics).H&K 2 rocked the SXSW festival this year -- right alongside recent box-office champ 21 -- and fans should be stoked to hear that very few instances of the naughty stoner antics were trimmed for the theatrical release. So get ready for plenty of nude women, bong toting, and Neil Patrick Harris chasing unicorns while 'shrooming.

Jackie Chan and Jet Li unite for the first time for a kung-fu family comedy based on the Chinese legend of the Monkey King. A lot of people are asking who Michael Angarano is and why he was selected for the role (maybe the producers had foreknowledge of Shia LaBeouf's coming fame - he and Angarano look like brothers from the same mother); others are asking why Chan and the I'm-retired-from-kung-fu-films Li have come together for something so PG-13 (easy: both of them have officially cashed in on their global fame). Still, I think the trailer looks fun; a sort-of update on Time Bandits and The Karate Kid?

Finally, there's an Indiana Jones for girls, and who better to star in it (and receive top billing) than little miss Abigail Breslin, last seen being a touch too dreary in No Reservations. One peek at Nim's trailer reveals a promising springtime family adventure, with Jodie Foster taking a much-needed timeout from high-drama roles in order to showcase her comedic talents (truly, she's a major spazz and looks great with a smile on her face). Meanwhile, Gerard Butler looks to expand his appeal with a goofy/sweet performance as Nim's dad and Alex's life coach. P.S. Don't squint your eyes or you will think you see Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman.

Once-hot screenwriter Stephen Susco finally got one of his post-Grudgeideas to stick, but this remake got the green light before the R-rated horror backlash. And if you want to proof of how Grindhouse and Hostel: Part Deux's respective failures have affected upcoming projects, take a look at this ... So if we're to expect less violence and more stalking from this PG-13 affair, I guess we can stop imagining, contrary to what the trailer might have us believe, this one doesn't exactly play out like the cast of High School Musical picked off one by one by a scorned Wildcat.