A travel guide (Vardalos) rediscovers her romantic side, with a very unlikely match, as she whisks a group of tourists around Greece.

Everybody needs love and affection, and the likeable, relatable Nia Vardalos also deserves a career reboot — it’s totally not her fault that a million copycats lusted after her My Big Fat Greek Wedding success, quickly squeezing the life (and viability) out of indie film. Also needing a certain amount of resuscitation is director Donald Petrie, who rode high earlier this decade but quickly retired to Blandsville. A note Fox Searchlight: Nice counterprogramming here.

Rated PG-13 for sexual content.

Director: Donald Petrie
Stars: Nia Vardalos, Richard Dreyfuss, Rachel Dratch
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Release Date: 5 June 2009 (USA)
Genre: Comedy

NOTORIOUS is the story of CHRISTOPHER WALLACE who, through raw talent and sheer determination, transforms himself from a Brooklyn street hustler to become the greatest rapper of all time, THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. This story charts his meteoric rise to fame and his refusal to succumb to expectation and redefines our notion of “The American Dream.”

Apologies to George Tillman Jr., but unless John Singleton, Albert and Allen Hughes, or another filmmaker of their caliber had signed on to develop and direct this biography, what sort of service are you paying to Biggie’s legacy? Derek Luke as Puffy, Angela Bassett as Ms. Wallace, and Anthony Mackie as arch-nemesis Tupac are nice flourishes, I just wish the production hired more behind-the-camera talent, and at least considered a December release for an awards-qualifying run (they must already know the kind of film they have on their hands). Still, with all the posthumous praise, movies, Greatest Hits CDs and dorm room posters his West Coast rival rapper Tupac received, it’s about time Biggie got his big screen due. That strong supporting cast helps take the weight (put not intended) off newcomer Woolard, but judging by the first teaser trailer he looks like he owns this role.

Rated R for pervasive language, some strong sexuality including dialogue, nudity, and for drug content.

Director: George Tillman Jr.
Stars: Jamal Woolard, Anthony Mackie, Derek Luke, Angela Bassett
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Release Date: 16 January 2009 (USA)