The Better Man Tagged Articles at Cinematical

• Big-screen newcomer Jessica Lowndes, who has had guest spots on shows like Masters of Horror and Kyle XY, has landed the starring role in a new, upcoming horror flick called Autopsy. The movie will have her searching for her injured boyfriend in a "bizarre and dangerous hospital." I'm sure that the outlook can't be good considering that the movie is titled after the practice of opening up and examining dead people. The film already has a cast that includes side players like Michael Bowen and Jenette Goldstein, as well as a whole mess of up-and-comings.
• Nicole Ari Parker has done a bit of a metamorphosis with her career. After starting things out with indie features like The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love, The Adventures of Sebastian Cole and 200 Cigarettes, she's switched to a different flavah, namely flicks like Brown Sugar and King's Ransom. Continuing the trend, she's signed on to Martin Lawrence's The Better Man, a film Erik Davis posted about a few days ago. There's no word yet on who she will play.
• In January, I shared word that David Arquette's horror film, The Tripper, was going to slide into wide release this summer. Now it seems that the film has been dropped by After Dark and Arquette has told fans at the Wizard World convention in L.A. that he will release the film himself. Well, that doesn't bode well for the flick. How good can it be if an indie horror company doesn't want to release it? I wonder if he'll use a cow covered in blood-colored corn syrup to market the thing...

Look, I like Martin Lawrence. I like him as a stand-up comedian and I like him as an actor -- but I absolutely hate the roles he takes on. He sort of reminds me of Eddie Murphy in that both men have made some great little flicks (Bad Boys for Lawrence and Beverly Hills Cop for Murphy), but then somehow found themselves climbing out of a deep hole filled with crap. In fact, the two even starred in one such "winner" -- remember Life? Ugh.

I've always wanted to see Lawrence grow up a bit, take on a role that's not so silly and ridiculous, while adding a nice touch of heart in at the end. Well, his next project may just make all my Martin Lawrence wishes come true. Universal Pictures has attached Lawrence to star in The Better Man, with Malcolm Lee (Roll Bounce) set to direct. Pic revolves around a popular syndicated talkshow host who, after attending his parents 50th anniversary alongside his famous wife, begins to ponder whether he's getting the most out of life. It appears Lee agrees with me, as he goes on to say: "There's emotion and pathos here that give Martin a chance to display more layers than usual." Yes! Give us that! Get out of the fat suit for God's sake and take on a real role. The Better Man will be produced by Scott Stuber and Mary Parent, and will go into production this March.

What do you think of Martin Lawrence? Has he shown us all his cards, or do you feel he still has a few surprises left up his sleeves?