March is traditionally not a month for big releases. The biggest opening weekend ever in the month of March was Ice Age: The Meltdown in 2006, earning over $68 million dollars in the final weekend of the month. That might as well have been an April release, though. Hell, even Wild Hogs made it as the #3 biggest March release all time when it roped in $39 million last weekend. What does that say about the month of March? Not a whole lot.

So it makes me curious that, for some reason, the heads of Hollywood decided that 2007 would be blessed with a bigger and better slew of March releases. We have already seen a few, including the afore mentioned Wild Hogs, the upcoming Adam Sandler dramedy Reign Over Me, the Mark Whalberg actioner Shooter, torture porn opus The Hills Have Eyes 2, and even the epic Will Ferrell figure skating comedy Blades of Glory. All in all, March looks to be a decent month with these films alone, but none of these films stand a chance against what will be March’s crowning achievement, the ultraviolent, highly stylized epic from Director Zach Snyder, 300. So which of these other March releases was chosen to match wits with 300 Spartans and their bloody saga? None of them. 300 gets the free pass this weekend, with 0 competition and all the hype in the world. Prepare for total box office annihilation.

Pick of the Week

300
Running Time: 117 min. Rated R for graphic battle sequences throughout, some sexuality and nudity.
Despite a lack of competition with no other wide releases, 300 would have been my pick no matter what else was coming out. George Lucas could have released the next Indiana Jones installment, Michael Bay could have brought Transformers and Steven Spielberg could have brought anything and 300 would take the “Pick of the Week”, hands down. Director Zack Snyder has revolutionized the sword-and-sandals epic by taking Frank Miller’s visionary graphic novel and transposing it into the most violent and intensely entertaining cinematic experience of 2007!
Read my entire review
Grade: | Trailer

Also out this week

The Ultimate Gift [800 Theaters]
Running Time: 114 min. Rated PG for thematic elements, some violence and language.
Newly founded production outlet Fox Faith brings the morality to this weekend with an adaptation of Jim Stovall’s book of the same title. Drew Fuller (Close Call) plays a privileged man who is forced to rethink his life after the death of his grandfather. Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine) also stars as a little girl stricken with cancer. A timely release, which may cash in on Breslin’s Oscar buzz, will also catch the more Puritan movie-goers who are not interested in the savage intensity of 300 — but only in select cities.

Watch the Trailer

Opening in Columbus

Miss Potter [Opening at the Drexel East]
Running Time: 92 min. Rated PG brief mild language.
Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor reunite for the first time on-screen since the over-the-top romcom Down with Love. Miss Potter is being billed as an enchanting look at the life and times of Beatrix Potter (Zellweger), the acclaimed British author of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit”. McGregor plays her editor and love interest as she works on the first of many stories that would ultimately make her one of the world’s most famous children’s author. This one has gotten some critical acclaim, which may be enough to make it worth a look on a lazy Saturday afternoon. Click here for showtimes.

Watch the Trailer

The Lives of Others [Opening at the Drexel Gateway]
Running Time: 137 min. Rated R for some sexuality/nudity.
Florian Henckel con Donnersmarck’s Oscar winning film is finally showing here in the Capital City. The Lives of Others, which snuck in and stole the Best Foreign Film Oscar from Pan’s Labyrinth, focuses on the horrifying, sometimes unintentionally funny system of observation in the former East Germany. The Buzz on this one is that it is a fascinating, well told drama that plays on the politically charged topic of a government watching its people a bit too closely. To the film’s credit, I am yet to read a negative review and well, it did win an Oscar. It may be worth a look. Click here for showtimes.

Watch the Trailer

So there you have it — one huge Spartan epic and a few smaller local releases to keep you busy. What this second weekend of March lacks in choices, it certainly makes up with quality flicks for a variety of audiences. My recommendation is that you shouldn’t miss 300 and you should use caution with the other releases. As always, which movies you see is up to you, but don’t say I didn’t warn you…

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