Sci-Fi / Fantasy Films - Jan. 2008

Jan. 7 (limited release) A father and daughter who find themselves in a series of battles of mind and body with the deadly Sphinx as they attempt to decode seven riddles in an effort to save humankind. Stars Dina Meyer (Saw and sequels) and Lochlyn Munro (Deck the Halls). The movie is being directed by George Mendeluk (Her Fatal Flaw). This is a Sci Fi channel production; theatrical release is probably very limited and contractual. It will be on Sci Fi later this year.

Jan. 14 Not a sci-fi flick per se, but about one: the plot concerns some Star Wars fans who travel to Skywalker Ranch to steal an early copy of Episode I: The Phantom Menace for their dying friend. Directed by Kyle Newman (The Hollow) and starring Sam Huntington (Jimmy Olsen in Superman Returns), Chris Marquette, Dan Fogler, Jay Baruchel, and Kristen Bell. Early cuts were seen and enjoyed by both George Lucas and Kevin Smith, and the film's release was delayed by the expansion of the budget, which allowed new scenes to be shot. So they did.

Jan. 18 A attack by a skyscraper-sized monster in New York is told from the point of view of a small group of people with a video camera. Produced by J.J. Abrams (Star Trek) and written by Drew Goddard (Lost, Alias, Angel, Buffy), which sounds good for dealing with monsters from a character-driven perspective. I love the poster, which turns the Statue of Liberty into a chocolate Easter bunny. (I hope the biting-the-head-off scene is in the film.) With Michael Stahl-David (The Black Donnellys) and Jessica Lucas (CSI).

Jan. 31 (limited release) A Hong Kong sci-fi comedy about an unemployed Chinese laborer who finds his foster son a strange new toy, which turns out to be of alien origin. Directed by, written by, and starring Stephen Chow (Kung Fu Hustle). From the trailer this looks like it could be a lot of fun.