Harrison Ford is one of my acting heroes, there wasn’t a day that passed in my youth that I didn’t want to be either Han Solo or Indiana Jones when playing with my friends at home or in school and it fills with with dread watching one of his new movies and seeing this once iconic actor let down by a terrible script and direction.

Extraordinary Measures carries on that trend giving Ford some crappy lines and opportunities to overact in a Tv movie type film loosely based on a true story that’s beefed up with so many additional plot points that it just doesn’t work as a fluent structured film or an overly enjoyable one at that.

Brendan Frasier plays John Crowley, a successful business man who gives up everything to pursue a cure for a disease called Pompe that has developed in two of his children. Crowley seeks out Dr. Robert Stonehill (Ford) an eccentric and rebellious scientist whose theories of a cure are the most advanced from the research Crowley has done into cures for the condition. Crowley convinces Stonehill to help by promising a large amount of money in funding that he attempts to raise in charity work which in turn leads to the pair gaining a loan from a bank where they create a small pharmaceutical company to develop a drug to cure Pompe that in turn leads to their pharmaceutical company being bought by a huge biotechnological firm for millions of pounds and becoming part of the business.

It all seems to happen very quickly illogically and with little explanation of how it goes from just an idea to the pair becoming millionaires and having vital roles at a multi-million pound company. It’s clear that this part of the film is about how the procedure of medical research and development can both enable and obstruct progress which is where Dr.Stonehill’s role is most prominent and Cowley’s anguish reaches its peak as the Bio-tech company stiffles progress making the two question if they did the right thing. But of course like the Tag line for Extraordinary Measures states “Don’t hope for a miracle, Make one” it’s a pretty predictable ending.

The film does have a touching sentimental side with the Crowley family struggling to deal with the deteriorating condition of their children and the race to find a cure but at times it is almost nauseating especially when Brendan Frasier hits the over the top emotional acting button alongside wife Aileen (Keri Russel) who handles these scenes a little better. The family drama is a much needed variety in plot from the business minded focus that dictates a majority of the film but for me using showing deteriorating kids in wheelchairs isn’t enough to if not supported by meaningful dialogue or acting to hit home the emotional impact of the situation.

On the plus side there is the enjoyable to watch Jared Harris who plays Dr. Kent Webber who is perceived as the biotech executive villain and the representation of the way of doing business that both Crowley and Stonehill must battle with, even though he seems like a mean and heartless bureaucrat who dictates that experiments and clinical trials are conducted by the book he is a satisfying character who had most depth and presence in the film.

The fact the film is based on a true story that is incredible and inspiring but I couldn’t believe more than 25% of it was fact and I doubt the film would have made it’s way into theatres if it wasn’t for the cast and Ford Executive producing. I still enjoyed seeing Ford on screen again even though it wasn’t anything magical or award winning but he does have something about him that will get people into cinemas, it is a tear jerker, it is an interesting story but for me it’s nothing more than an average film and struggled to get that high.

Extraordinary Measures is out this Friday 26th.

Happy New Year to one and all.  It’s the beginning of a new month, new year and a new decade.  With the close of 2009, we’ve seen best of lists, worst of lists, and everything in between.  Now that we’re starting fresh with 2010, it’s time to look forward. 

In this post, I’ll be highlighting a handful of films that will be released in January.  Not every single film slated to be released will be mentioned, but I’ll try to hit upon the major titles.

So without further ado….let’s talk January! (I am located in the US so all dates are US release dates unless noted)

January 8th
This date brings 3 wide releases as well as several limited releases. First on the list:

Daybreakers (UK release Jan. 6th)
The newest entry into the vampire genre.  This one stars Ethan Hawke, Sam Neill and Willem Dafoe.  In the not so distant future a virus has turned most of the world’s population into vampires facing a shortage of human blood.  The vamps look for a way to survive while a researcher tries to find a way to save the human race. 

This film had me at “vampire” and Willem Dafoe. That’s a combo that for me, is definitely worth the time.

Leap Year (UK release Feb. 26th)
Starring Amy Adams, Matthew Goode, Adam Scott and John Lithgow.  Anna (Adams) thinks her boyfriend (Scott) is going to propose but he doesn’t.  She then takes matters into her own hands and travels to Ireland determined to follow a tradition where a woman can propose to a man on Leap Day.  She meets up with a local (Goode) and hilarity and chaos ensue.

This film looks to be as formulaic as it can get.  From the looks of the trailer it  follows all of the typical romantic comedy shticks there are.  You know how the story will progress and you know how it’s going to end.  But, it looks cute and possibly good for a laugh, and I like Amy Adams so perhaps it’ll be worth it. 

Youth in Revolt (UK release Feb. 5th)
Oh Michael Cera.  How you make me laugh.  Joined by Portia Doubleday, Jean Smart, Zack Galifianakis (yes, I had to double check the spelling as I typed that out), Steve Buscemi (I know that one by heart), Justin Long, Fred Willard and, well, the list goes on.  Awkward teenager deals with dysfunctional parents and wants to hook up with the girl of his dreams so he creates an alter ego to help him through it all.

Ok, so I know there’s more to it than just that.  But really, with that cast, that’s all I need to know.  I like Michael Cera and he plays awkward very well.  With Cera and Galifianakis I’m hoping for some serious laughs.  This one looks to be a bit darker with the alter ego, but I’m really looking forward to this one.

Limited Releases: Bitch Slap, Crazy on the Outside, In Search of Memory, Pyaar Impossible, Waiting for Armageddon, Wonderful World

January 15th
The 15th is a bit of a snoozer.  We have two wide releases and just a few limited.  I’m only going to mention one here and that is:

The Book of Eli
Starring Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, and Mila Kunis.  Set in a post- apocalyptic future, Denzel Washington is Eli, a lone man on a mission to protect a book that holds the secrets to saving humanity.

Denzel + Oldman = unmeasurable awesomeness.  The first trailer sold me.  I love me some post apocalyptic chaos and with both of those actors, it can’t go wrong.  Well, at least I really hope it doesn’t.

Limited Releases: 44 Inch Chest, Fish Tank, The Last Station

January 22nd
The 22nd bring us three more wide releases. 

Extraordinary Measures (UK release Feb. 26th)
This one stars Brenden Fraser and Harrison Ford.  Fraser is a father whose children suffer from a rare genetic disorder.  Ford is the doctor who might hold the key to their survival.

I got excited when I saw Harrison Ford was returning to the screen, but then felt a little let down when I saw Brenden Fraser attached to it.  However, after seeing the trailer, I may go see this one.  It looks heartfelt and like a bit of a tear jerker, but it also looks like it has a good story. 

Legion (UK release Mar. 5th)
Starring Paul Bettany, Dennis Quaid and Tyrese Gibson, among others.  Bettany plays the Archangel Michael.  When God decides He doesn’t like the way things are going down here on Earth, He sends His legion of angels to clean things up.  Only the strangers trapped in a middle-of-nowhere diner with Michael can end the reign of destruction about to be brought down.

My first thought was oh, interesting concept.  Paul Bettany has surprised me in the past so I won’t pass judgment just yet.  The trailer looks interesting and really this film could either be good, or a complete waste of time.

Tooth Fairy (UK release May 28th)
Dwayne Johnson continues his assault on family movies with his latest Disney entry.  Johnson plays a minor league hockey player whose sentence for a bad deed is to act as a Tooth Fairy for one week.

I admire that this former wrestler feels free to make these family oriented films.  I have no problem with that at all.  I’ve seen his movies.  I even liked The Game Plan…the first 85 times it aired.  But I really think he should be suited up with guns and knives and explosives.  We need another big ballsy action star and it could totally be him!  But alas, now is not the time.  Perhaps his next film??

Limited Releases: Creation, Drool, The Girl on the Train, The Paranoids, To Save a Life

January 29th

Edge of Darkness
Mel Gibson stars in this thriller about a police detective who investigates the death of his daughter and finds more than he bargained for.  The cast also includes Ray Winstone.

When I saw the trailer for this I had a bit of deja vu from Ransom.  It’s been a while since Mel has done anything so I’m hoping this is a good return to form for him.  He has the intensity to pull off this type of role so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.  Personally I miss the Martin Riggs Mel Gibson of old, but I’ll hold out hope for this one.

When in Rome (UK release Apr. 23)
Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamal star in this romantic comedy about Beth (Bell), a New Yorker who is unlucky in love.  After travelling to Rome for her sister’s wedding, she swipes some coins from a “love” fountain and finds herself inundated with men proclaiming their love for her.  How can she know for sure which man is the one for her?  All of this and more will be answered on January 29th.

Another romantic comedy.  I guess since we are approaching Valentine’s Day, tis the season.  Kirsten Bell really surprised me in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and as well as the bit part she had on a show called Party Down.  She seems to have comedic chops so we’ll see how she does headlining this one.  As for Josh Duhamal, I’ve only really seen him in the Transformers films so I don’t know much about him.  He looks like he can play the part and it looks like he gets to excercise his comedy muscle as well.

Limited Releases: North Face, Off and Running, Saint John of Las Vegas

That’s the story for January.  Which films do you plan on watching?  Let us know in the comments section.  A rundown for films coming out in February will be posted closer to the beginning of the month.  Until then, happy viewing!

To accompany the theatrical trailer for Extraordinary Measures which was released last week, here’s the new International version of the trailer. We’ve also got some new images which I’ve embedded below and you can click to enlarge. Extraordinary Measures is directed by Tom Vaughn and stars Harrison Ford, Brendan Fraser and Keri Russell. It’s set for release 26th February 2010.

Extraordinary Measures is inspired by a Wall Street Journal article recounting one man’s remarkable efforts to save his children from a life threatening disease. Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser star as the brilliant but unconventional scientist and the passionate father who form an unlikely alliance in pursuit of a medical miracle. Keri Russell portrays Aileen Crowley. Harrison Ford is executive producer and in fact brought the story to producers Michael Shamberg and Stacy Sher after reading Pulitzer prize-winning writer Geeta Anand’s Wall St Journal article on the Crowley’s.

Yesterday I posted the new posters from Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser’s new movie, Extraordinary Measures. Today, Yahoo (HD here) have released the new theatrical trailer for the movie. It’s directed by Tom Vaughan and also stars Keri Russell, Courtney B. Vance, Jared Harris and Meredith Droeger. It’s set for release 26th February 2010.

Synopsis: From his working class roots, John Crowley has finally begun to taste success in corporate America. Supported by his beautiful wife Aileen and their three children, John is on the fast track. But just as his career is taking off, Crowley walks away from it all when his two youngest children, Megan and Patrick, are diagnosed with a fatal disease. With Aileen by his side, harnessing all of his skill and determination, Crowley teams up with a brilliant, but unappreciated and unconventional scientist, Dr. Robert Stonehill. Together they form a bio-tech company focused on developing a life-saving drug. One driven to prove himself and his theories, the other by a chance to save his children, this unlikely alliance eventually develops into mutual respect as they battle the medical and business establishments in a fight against the system ¿ and time.But, at the last minute, when it appears that a solution has been found, the relationship between the two men faces a final test – the outcome of which will affect the fate of John’s children.

Anyone else think that this is the most bizarre casting since we saw….. I can’t even think of anything this strange! Harrison Ford has teamed up with comedy kids actor, Brendan Fraser in a movie called ‘Extraordinary Measures’. Not only do I think the casting is weird but are those posters the most Photoshopped movie posters you’ve ever seen or is it just me?! They both certainly look determined! Click the images below to enlarge or visit Cinematical to view in super high res.

The movie is directed by Tom Vaughan and Cinematical, who debuted these new posters, give us the storyline:

Fraser stars as Crowley, a man working his way up in corporate America. He’s got a loving family (Keri Russell plays his wife), and everything seems to be working out splendidly. But then his two children are diagnosed with a fatal disease. He quits his job, and devotes his time and efforts into saving his children by teaming up with “a brilliant, but unappreciated and unconventional scientist” (Ford). Together they start a bio-tech company to develop a life-saving drug and “this unlikely alliance eventually develops into mutual respect as they battle the medical and business establishments in a fight against the system ““ and time.”

Extraordinary Measures is out 26th February in the UK. More info as we get it.