So, first -

Rotten Tomato lists forty-eight movies due out in January.

Thirty-two movies are due to be released in February.

March is offering forty-two movie openings, twenty-two in April. Don't feel too sorry for April;  it's early.

I saw trailers for nine movies while attending two movies, including a trailer for one of the two movies that I was going to see the next day, and one that I'm seeing this week.  That leaves 135 movies due out that I still know nothing about.  Chances are strong that they won't play in my town or that they will be released and that I won't see them.  

But I saw those nine trailers.  We were seeing one of those, "Les Miserables," the next day, and then "The Hobbit" this week.  That reduces the challenge to seven movies to decide if we will watch.  None seized us and shouted "Come see me!" Without being seized, we'll await critical reviews. Some did say, "Watch me," but they went on, suggesting, "You know, on Netflix or when I hit cable television."  Here are my brief insights into the five.

Monsters, Inc 3D

Now in theaters.  I've already seen it on television in 2D.  I don't think 3D changes the story or the characters.

The Great Gatsby

Leonardo Dicaprio as Gatsby didn't work in the trailer for me, just as Leonardo didn't work for me as Howard Hughes. My wife seemed it well:  she thought of the modern actors that could play Gatsby and came up with Adrien Brody, citing his aristocratic bearing and grace.  I could see him.  Tobey Maguire also stars, with Carey Mulligan.  This one is due out in July.

It's just in 2D.

Oblivion

A Tom Cruise science fiction flick, due out in June.  Lotta action, with Cruise wearing his Mission Impossible persona.  Although it calls out for big screen action, I'm leaning toward the little screen for this.  The packed audience at "Les Miserables" sort of collectively shrugged when this trailer played. Also starring Morgan Freeman, "Oblivion" is planned for an April release.

Identity Thief

Also seen at "Les Miserables", the trailer for this one had the audience roaring with laughter.  The question always before is, are we seeing the movie's only funny scenes?  It stars Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy.  I like Batemean and have enjoyed McCarthy on "Mike & Molly".  M&M doesn't do a great deal for me overall;  Mike & Molly have great chemistry but they have some truly coarse, empty supporting characters.  As for "Identity Thief", I'll await more trailers and some critical reviews.  

Look for it in theaters in February.

The Heat

This is also a Melissa McCarthy vehicle, this time with Sandra Bullock. Not a Bullock fan but the trailers in preview brought out many laughs.  McCarthy plays a tough cop and Bullock plays an FBI agent.  McCarthy mentors her into being tougher and the two bond.  It's iffy at this point.  

Coming in April.

Oz Great & Powerful

Well, it looks interesting, another reinterpretation of a great existing movie and book, from another character's POV.  That's what's been driving much of the graphic novel and comic book series and their revitalization - Spiderman, Batman, Superman, the Avengers - let's re-interpret them. 

The re-interpretation will be released in July.  It might work.  James Franco stars, and some re-interpretation do work.  Watch "Les Miserables" as one that's pretty good.  Of course, this was a re-interpretation of the musical.

The Lone Ranger

I like Johnny Depp but here we go again, another interpretation of one of our childhood fictions, and let's look at him more deeply, lift up the rocks and see what dark side there is, and give Tonto some greater dimensions.  That is who Depp plays.

Behind the mask is Armie Hammer - getting second billing behind Depp.  Due out in - yes, July - the movie also stars Tom Wilkinson and Helena Bonham Carter.  

Don't take any of this for recommendations about what to see.  There's no accounting for taste.  My Mom disliked "Lincoln".  She also disliked "Notes from a Scandal" years ago, claiming she could have written the dialogue.  I, of course, love "This Is Spinal Tap" but my wife leaves the room if it comes on.  

Tomorrow:  "The Hobbit".