"2012" and "The Ugly Truth"

IN THEATERS

Out today is what is rumored to be the biggest end of the world film to date, “2012.” Now let’s preface this whole thing by saying this movie makes me nervous. Very nervous. And to further prove that, read Guide editor Jeff Vrabel’s column in this weekend’s section.

So let’s get down to it. I don’t enjoy visuals of our world being turned to rubble. I don’t enjoy seeing tidal waves wash over mountains or witnessing Los Angeles breaking in half and crumbling into a bottomless abyss. But at the same time, I can’t look away. Kind of like a car wreck, I guess. It chills me to the core, but I totally want to see it. Yeah, it can’t be explained. The whole idea that there is a Mayan calendar and it ends on December 21, 2012, and that’s the day these cataclysmic events are set to go down makes me nuts. Yeah it’s just a movie, but if you research the theory, there is evidence that claims something big is set to happen that day. And I hate that.

So I’ve needed a lot of reassuring that the whole idea is foolish. And I’ve even recently come across an article that is calling the whole thing just that. Apparently the end of the Mayan calendar is not meant to suggest the end of the world, but more of a roll-over date on a calendar that stopped being used after the Mayan civilization fell into a decline around 900 A.D. So hopefully that makes all those skittish people feel better. I think it helps me some. Some. That TV spot of a tidal wave crashing over the White House is still so completely not cool.

So that’s basically the movie. The world preparing for the end when the fateful day arrives. John Cusack and Amanda Peet among others star as a core group of people that are followed throughout their struggle to somehow survive the event of all events. While early reviews claim it’s not heavy on plot or story, it’s said to use CGI effects brilliantly and better than they’ve ever been used before. And I think we all know that we’re all gonna be seeing it for the visual effects and little else. The two and a half hour running length is ambitious, but then again so is the movie. It was said to cost around $260 million so hopefully the entire world will show up to watch what is apparently set to go down in three years. OK, so maybe I’m not even humored in even writing that last sentence.

Everyone loves a good disaster movie and this one looks to be competing with all the ones that have come before it. My prediction is that it clears the No. 1 spot at the box office this weekend. And if it doesn’t, then it’s going to be a huge upset with no possible way of ever making its budget back. I somehow doubt that will be the case, though. It’s the holiday season now, and we all know that people see lots of movies this time of year. I’m gonna guess it makes around $40 million to $50 million it’s first weekend out. Yeah I’ll be there, if maybe squirming just a little. OK, a lot.

ON DVD

Out this week on video is the battle of the sexes comedy, “The Ugly Truth.” Abby (Katherine Heigl) is a popular morning show TV producer. With a recently hired co-worker, Mike Chadway (Gerard Butler) and his controversial TV show, “The Ugly Truth,” things get nasty as the two struggle to get along. Chadway’s arrogant and chauvinistic show basically runs down universal theories that men are only after one thing in relationships, thus explaining why he’s so disliked.

When the show ends up being more of a hit than a disaster, it’s Mike who suggests that Abby use his theories to test out on her budding relationship with a next-door neighbor, Colin. Due to Abby’s dislike of Chadway, she agrees only if he quits his job if it doesn’t work. Game on.

While no Academy Award winner, it ended up being a decent Battle of the Sexes type movie, if you’re into that kind of thing. Heigl is slowly starting to fit into this dirty, romantic comedy role she’s been carving for herself in the past few years. Whether or not that’s the goal is the true question. I’m guessing not, but who knows.

It’s got some good laughs in it, though, and is pretty entertaining watching the two bicker all the while testing apparent theories on the opposite sex regarding what we all want when it comes to love and relationships. Not a bad choice for a fun date night kind of movie.

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