O.C.
U.S.
Money & Co.
Opinion L.A.
Let's be real: There aren't many people in town who view "Valentine's Day" and the upcoming "New Year's Eve" as much more than a studio throwing together a bunch of celebrities in an easy ploy to make big bucks at the box office.
The films, both directed by Hollywood stalwart Garry Marshall, are set up in a similar fashion. Neither revolves around a particular character; instead, the films feature various vignettes of numerous players, all of whose story lines are vaguely connected to a popular holiday. Big-name celebrities agree to take part in the movies for a reduced fee in return for a shorter shooting schedule -- and, of course, the chance to rub elbows with some of the industry's A-listers.
2010's "Valentine's Day," with a lineup of stars that included Julia Roberts and Ashton Kutcher, received a lowly 18% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes but ultimately grossed about $110 million at the box office. "New Year's Eve," which opens Friday, seems poised to follow a similar trajectory. But the argument that the film is nothing more than a money grab bothers Marshall.
Hilary Swank, who stars in the new film, echoed that sentiment.
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