AS studios dump their struggling titles and indies try to shoe-horn small films into the post-Christmas void, the start of a new year is generally regarded as a cinematic low point.
But on the bright side: At least you won’t have to spend so many three-hour stretches in a seat. Plus, the first few months of 2006 features an interesting hodgepodge of cinematic offerings. From romantic to animated to edgy, there’s a little something for everyone.
Glory Road (Jan. 13)
Josh Lucas (“Sweet Home Alabama”) stars as the basketball coach of the first all-black starting lineup to go to the NCAA national championship. Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, so expect copious melodrama to replace gratuitous explosions.
Tristan & Isolde (Jan. 13)
The medieval love story bills itself as the precursor to Romeo and Juliet. James Franco and Sophia Myles star as the equally pretty doomed lovers. Unfortunately, directed by the “Waterworld” guy.
Hoodwinked (Jan. 13)
An irreverent, animated re-telling of “Little Red Riding Hood,” featuring the voices of Glenn Close, Anne Hathaway, Jim Belushi, Anthony Anderson and the already cartoonish Andy Dick.
Underworld: Evolution (Jan. 20)
Who knew there was so much demand for a sequel to the tepid 2003 vampire flick “Underworld”? Kate Beckinsale and Scott Speedman return to defeat Bill Nighy, the evil vampire overlord.
Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World (Jan. 20)
Albert Brooks writes, directs and stars in his first film since 1999’s “The Muse.” This time he plays a comedian charged with finding out what Muslims find funny – which kinda begs the question of why he goes to Hindu-dominated India.
Nanny McPhee (Jan. 27)
Emma Thompson dresses down in governess garb and facial prosthetics to play Nanny McPhee, a character adapted from a 1960s children’s book series. Colin Firth co-stars as a kind of Mr. Darcy-with-too-many-kids.
Tristam Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story (Jan. 27)
Last year, Michael Winterbottom delivered the first mainstream porno; now he’s back with a comedy with British actor Steve Coogan in a very loose adaptation of the 18th-century Laurence Sterne novel.
Manderlay (Feb. 3)
The second installation in Danish director Lars von Trier’s trilogy; the first was 2003’s bleak “Dogville” and the third, “Wasington” (yes, that’s spelled right) is slated to come out in 2007. Like its predecessor, set on a nearly-blank stage.
The Pink Panther (Feb. 10)
This remake of the classic comedy, starring Steve Martin in the Peter Sellers role, has been delayed for so long you have to wonder how bad it really is. On the bright side, love interest Beyonce Knowles spices things up.
Neil Young: Heart of Gold (Feb. 10)
Director Jonathan Demme (“The Silence of the Lambs,” “Stop Making Sense”) shot this live Nashville concert film in August, at the start of Young’s “Prairie Wind” tour. Guest appearance by Emmylou Harris.
The Break Up (Feb. 17)
The real-life breakup between star Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt may eclipse the actual plot of this film, in which Aniston and Vince Vaughn play a pair of exes who still live together. Familiar territory for anyone who’s dated in New York.
Freedomland (Feb. 17)
Samuel L. Jackson and Julianne Moore star in this adaptation of Richard Price’s true-crime bestseller about a purported hijacking and its racial-tension aftermath. Interestingly, it’s Moore’s second movie in which she misplaces a child.
The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things (March 10)
Italian actress Asia Argento directs an adaptation of the memoir by J.T. Leroy, who chronicled his past as an adolescent truck-stop prostitute. Plentiful cameos by Leroy fans, including Winona Ryder, Marilyn Manson and Peter Fonda.
Brick (March 24)
Joseph Gordon-Leavitt continues his departure from kiddie actor-land, following up his gay hustler role in “Mysterious Skin” with this gritty high-school noir. Co-stars Lucas Haas and Emilie de Ravin of “Lost.”
R.V. (March 24)
Barry Sonnenfeld directs a Robin Williams road-trip comedy, which promisingly includes appearances by Will Arnett (“Arrested Development”), Cheryl Hines (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) and pixie-voiced Broadway actress Kristin Chenoweth.
Inside Man (March 24)
Spike Lee’s new movie features Denzel Washington as a cop who has to negotiate a hostage situation. Perhaps Lee will pull a Woody Allen and make his best film in years…
Ice Age 2 (March 31)
The animated prehistoric comedy returns, this time giving a larger role to the best part of the first one – the hyperactive, frustrated rodent who went through Wile E. Coyote-like antics to bury a nut.
Basic Instinct 2 (March 31)
A sequel 14 years in the making! Sharon Stone reprises her role as leg-crossing expert Catherine Tramell, who’s even wiser in the ways of seducing poor unsuspecting men (though Michael Douglas was unavailable.).
sara.stewart@nypost.com
