New movies opening in February of 2008  represent a strange mix of dramas, action, comedies, thrillers, horror  -- and, of course, a couple of love stories in honor of Valentine’s Day. Here’s the schedule, but remember all release dates are subject to change:

FEBRUARY 1

The Eye. An eye transplant results in supernatural sight for Jessica Alba in this remake of Hong Kong’s Jian Gu, also starring Parker Posey and Alessandro Nivola.  

Strange Wilderness. If your animal adventure show needs a boost in ratings, why not try finding footage of Bigfoot? That’s what characters played here by Steve Zahn and Allen Covert try to do. Wacky shenanigans are sure to follow.

Over Her Dead Body. There’s nothing like a ghost hovering over a romantic couple to put a damper on their relationship. Eva Longoria Parker, Paul Rudd and Blake Bell portray members of the unusual triangle in this romantic comedy. 

Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both World’s Concert Tour. So you weren’t able to get tickets to this hot concert?  No worries! Now you can see it on the big screen.

FEBRUARY 8

In Bruges. Two hit men, played by Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, must hide out in Bruges, Belgium -- and it’s definitely NOT their favorite place.

Fool’s Gold. Will searching for a lost treasure help reunite an estranged married couple? Perhaps. But, even if that doesn’t work out, it should be fun watching the sparks fly between Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey in this action-oriented rom-com. 

Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins. Martin Lawrence plays a successful talk-show host who goes back to his family in the Deep South, hoping to reunite with them (hmm -- there’s a lot of reuniting going on this month)  My bet? As in most Lawrence films, what his character wants to do won’t be easy to accomplish in this one either.

The Hottie & the Nottie. Which woman does Joel David Moore really love? His character soon becomes very confused about that. His options are Paris Hilton or Christine Lakin. In the immortal words of Monty Pythonites -- nudge, nudge, say no more.   

 FEBRUARY 14 (Happy Valentine’s Day!)

Definitely, Maybe. “It’s kinda like a mystery love story,” Abigail Breslin says to Ryan Reynolds after his character promises to tell her about his girlfriends, one of which might be the child’s mother. Rachel Weisz, Elizabeth Banks and Isla Fisher appear as the romantic suspects.

The Spiderwick Chronicles. Freddie Highmore stars again in a fantasy about strange creatures who inhabit a hidden world. Will it be as enjoyable as Arthur and the Invisibles?

Jumper. Teleportation helps Hayden Christensen search for the man responsible for his mom’s death in this eagerly-awaited sci-fi thriller.

Step Up 2 the Streets. Two students from very different backgrounds fall in love and dance up a storm!  The cast includes Briana Evigan, Telisha Shaw, Jesus Maldonado and Will Kemp.

FEBRUARY 22

Be Kind Rewind. My pick of the month is this comedy starring Jack Black and Mos Def as video store workers who become involved in remaking all the lost films that have been erased accidentally as the result of Black’s magnetizing brain. I’m laughing already! 

Charlie Bartlett. A young man plays therapist to his fellow students here, even to the point of providing them with prescriptions when needed. Anton Yelchin and Robert Downey Jr. co-star.   

Vantage Point. This action movie focuses on what happened during an assassination attempt as seen from five points of view (Rashomon meets In the Line of Fire?). Key members of the cast include Dennis Quaid, Forest Whitaker, Matthew Fox, Sigourney Weaver, and William Hurt.    

Witless Protection. Larry the Cable Guy rescues a woman  who’s been kidnapped -- or has she? No Oscars predicted for this comedy, but fans of the leading man are probably looking forward to it.   

FEBRUARY 29 (Hooray for Leap Year!)

The Other Boleyn Girl. Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson portray two sisters who both catch the eye of Henry VIII (played by Eric Bana). SPOILER ALERT:  Unfortunately, one of the lovely siblings loses her head.

Semi-Pro. Do we need another sports comedy?  Yes, if it’s about basketball and stars Will Ferrell. 

Penelope. In this modern fairytale, Penelope (played by Christina Ricci) must find her true prince. The problem? She was born with a snout for a nose. Let’s hope James MacAvoy overlooks that minor detail. Also in the cast is the endlessly talented Reese Witherspoon -- minus a snout.