What's the point in remaking a movie like
Annie? Because it will probably make a ton of money this holiday season, that's why, especially with the might of Will Smith and Jay-Z backing it, along with the lovable Quvenzhane Wallis (
Beasts of the Southern Wild) as the titular spirited orphan. With so much attention focused on the Oscar-contending dramas, a film like Annie will be a welcome diversion for families looking for a night out, even if it looks rather uninspiring to the rest of us.
Directed by Will Gluck (
Easy A) and co-starring Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Rose Byrne, and Bobby Cannvale, this contemporary remake of the Broadway musical follows its spunky heroine as she deals with a mean foster mom and warms the heart of hard-nosed mayoral candidate Will Stacks. The sun-will-come-out soundtrack and flashy dance numbers may be the hottest thing about this film which is clearly aiming at the kiddies.
Annie opens on December 19th.
