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Fresh Teen Flicks
March, April and May’s must-sees for the high school set
COLLEGE ROAD TRIP
Comedy, March 7
High school senior Melanie Porter (Raven-Symoné) dreams of attending Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., but her overprotective dad (Martin Lawrence) is nervous about letting her go to school hundreds of miles from home. He agrees to drive with her to check out the campus, leading to a road trip from hell.
Who will like it? Fans of getting-into-college pics like Orange County and Accepted.
Why see it? It’s fun to watch Martin Lawrence get tasered and knocked around.
One to watch: Raven-Symoné is out to prove she’s more than a child actor-turned-Cheetah Girl. The 22-year-old wants to show she can carry a movie like A-listers such as Lindsay Lohan and Amanda Bynes.
NEVER BACK DOWN
Action, March 14
Jake (Sean Faris) is a nice kid from Ohio who moves to Orlando and unwittingly gets pulled into an underground teen fight club by a hot blonde named Baja (Amber Heard). It’s Baja’s boyfriend Ryan (Cam Gigandet) who wants to beat the snot out of Jake. So, Jake hooks up with a wise martial arts coach (Djimon Hounsou) in an effort to come out on top.
Who will like it? Boys with an overabundance of testosterone, and the girls that love ’em.
Why see it? The guys are half-naked, and they’re ripped.
One to watch: Amber Heard, who made a splash playing luscious Greta Matthews on the primetime soap Hidden Palms. Although the show was cancelled, Heard isn’t worried. She snagged a role in the next Seth Rogen/Judd Apatow comedy, Pineapple Express, due out in August.
DRILLBIT TAYLOR
Comedy, March 21
Three dorky guys are the targets of two high school bullies — until they hire Drillbit Taylor (Owen Wilson) to work as their bodyguard. To provide the level of protection they need, Drillbit masquerades as a teacher at their school. But will his crush on pretty English teacher Miss Grant stop him from doing his job?
Who will like it? Anyone who has ever been bullied and believes in getting even.
Why see it? ’Cause it’s co-written by Seth Rogen who penned Superbad and parts of The Ali G Show.
One to watch: Josh Peck, who plays Ronnie, one of the bullies. You remember Peck as the lovable loser Josh on TV’s Josh and Drake, but that was then and this is now. Peck’s grown up and shows he can play a guy with a mean streak.
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Above, from left: Raven-Symoné, Martin
Lawrence and Donny Osmond in College
Road Trip. This picture: Brittany Snow in Prom Night
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PROM NIGHT
Horror, April 11
Who doesn’t secretly want the prom queen to come to some terrible end — or at least have the bejesus scared out of her while watching her friends be picked off one by one? Years ago, Donna Keppler (Brittany Snow) had a stalker. But he went to jail and she thought everything was okay. Guess not. Come prom night — just as Donna’s about to be named queen — the maniac returns.
Who will like it? Those who think MTV’s The Hills would be so much better if Freddie or Jason became Lauren’s nosy new neighbour.
Why see it? Reduce your own prom-night anxiety. Compared to this bloodbath, how bad could your prom be?
One to watch: Dana Davis, who plays Donna’s scream-arific friend Lisa. The classically trained violinist joined the cast of the superhot superhero show Heroes last season as Monica Dawson (who can mimic any muscle movement), and as Season 2 drew to an end her plotline was just heating up.
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COLLEGE
Comedy, April 11
Kevin (Drake Bell) and his girlfriend are about to graduate from high school and attend Fairmont University together. Gosh, sweet. But then she dumps him. Kevin’s friends, Carter (Andrew Caldwell) and Morris (Kevin Covais), force him to attend freshman orientation anyway. As luck would have it, the rowdiest fraternity on campus recruits the boys, leading to hijinks and humiliation.
Who will like it? Those who believe the geeks should inherit the Earth.
Why see it? Superbad whet your appetite for jokes about sex and booze.
One to watch: Kevin Covais, who plays nerdy Morris. Wanna know why you recognize him? He was the contestant nicknamed Chicken Little on the fifth season of American Idol. Covais finished in 11th place, never able to shake the fact that he looked 11 years old…and like a cartoon bird. But early word is he’s the best actor among College’s three male leads.
SPEED RACER
Action, May 9
This live-action movie is based on the ’60s Japanese cartoon and focuses on fearless driver Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch), who enters The Crucible — a dangerous cross-country race — hoping to defeat his rival, Racer X, and put the corrupt Royalton Industries out of business.
Who will like it? Those who dug the action of Transformers and the wild look of the Matrix movies.
Why see it? It’s directed by the cutting-edge Wachowskis, who helmed the Matrix movies, and if you’ve seen Speed Racer’s trailer then you know you’re in for a fast-paced, candy-coated ride.
One to watch: Emile Hirsch made waves in indie flicks such as Lords of Dogtown and Alpha Dog, and last year wowed critics in Into the Wild. Now it’s time for the cutie-pie to pull a Shia LaBeouf and get noticed in a big-budget popcorn movie.