Hollywood movie releases tend to slow down at the beginning of each year. In fact, some believe the only films that debut in January and February are those expected to underperform at the box office. And since the summer blockbuster movie season now begins in May, I wonder what kinds of films come out in March and April? To help you decide, here is a sampling of movie offerings for March and April.

March 8    Oz the Great and Powerful. A prequel to the 1939 film. Did you know a silent film version of The Wizard of Oz came out in 1925?

March 15  The Incredible Burt Wonderstone. A powerful magician’s tale, not a powerful wizard’s tale.

March 15  Upside Down. Sci-fi romance with a gravitational twist.

March 15  From Up On Poppy Hill. Based on a story by Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away).

March 22  Admission. This media-frenzied film stars Tina Fey and Paul Rudd. But you already knew that.

March 22  The Sapphires. In the 1960s, four young Aboriginal girls form a musical group.

March 22  G. I Joe: Retaliation. This one features Officer John McClane – I mean, Bruce Willis.

March 29  Family Weekend. A 16-year-old girl imprisons her parents. Whew! I’m glad my daughter is only 10.

April 5      Jurassic Park 3D. If you fantasize about getting your head bitten off by a T-rex, here’s your chance.

April 12    Scary Movie 5. Lindsay Lohan, Charlie Sheen and Mike Tyson are all casted to play themselves.

April 19    Oblivion. Tom Cruise plays an alien hunter who questions his mission, himself, and maybe certain plot twists.

April 26    Pain and Gain. A trio of bodybuilders in Florida get caught up in an extortion ring and a kidnapping scheme that goes terribly wrong. (imdb.com) How could extortion and kidnapping go wrong? I’ll bet the blame goes to that third body builder. The one how isn’t played by Wahlberg or Johnson. He sounds like a goofball.

May 3       Iron Man 3. And the summer blockbuster season begins with superhero-titled movie with a number added to it.

Information from imdb.com

Jean Marshall