Bryan Cranston and Kevin Hart star in The Upside (above), which opened in theaters everywhere over the weekend. In the comedy, Cranston plays a disabled man who is wealthy, yet unhappy. Hart portrays a poor man on parole who desperately needs a job, yet displays a great sense of humor. The two wind up together and soon embrace the idea that they each have something to offer the other. Nicole Kidman also stars.
The idea of two unlikely, mismatched people being forced together has often served as a premise for comedy, so the delight for audiences always relies upon a fresh approach and the chemistry of the stars. Three upcoming comedies also offer different and surprising takes on material that might sound familiar. Here's what we know.
What Men Want
(Note: the red-band trailer above is not safe for work).
Taraji P. Henson stars as a talented executive whose rise to the top is stymied by the men around her. Then, after a wild night, she wakes up with the ability to read minds -- but only the inner thoughts of men. Will the unexpected gift be a blessing or a curse?
The raucous comedy also stars Aldis Hodge, Richard Roundtree, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Tracy Morgan. What Men Want will open in wide release on Friday, February 8.
Isn't It Romantic
Natalie (Rebel Wilson) has given up on believing in fairy tales about love, so when she wakes up after hitting her head, she is startled to discover that her life has become a romantic comedy -- just like in the movies! How will she respond to her new, very unexpected environment?
Priyanka Chopra, Adam Devine and Liam Hemsworth also star. Look for Isn't It Romantic in theaters everywhere on Wednesday, February 13.
Tyler Perry's A Madea Family Funeral
A family gathering in rural Georgia edges from comedy into drama when an expected death means that a funeral must be planned. Filmmaker Tyler Perry, who created the character of Madea in 1999 and has played her ever since in stage plays, on television and on the big screen, says that this will be her final appearance.
Still, we expect that Perry will freely mix both comic and dramatic elements throughout his film, similar to what's he's done in the past. Tyler Perry's A Madea Family Funeral will open in theaters everywhere on Friday, March 1.
