New Releases: ‘The Lorax,’ ‘Project X’

It’s March! Which means spring is right around the corner. So why not celebrate the start of a new month with a few new movie releases? This weekend sees the opening of the colorful “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax” and high-school party patrol flick “Project X.” Will either film muster up enough strength to take on last week’s surprise No. 1 movie, the Navy Seal-starring “Act of Valor”?

For a guide to this week’s slate of films, let’s take a look at Moviefone’s Weekend Movie Preview.

NATIONWIDE RELEASES

“Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax”

What’s the story: Zac Efron stars as Ted, a boy who becomes fascinated with Audrey (Taylor Swift), the girl next door who’s obsessed with Truffula trees. However, Ted soon learns about the evil Once-ler (Ed Helms), a man who chops down the beautiful Truffulas in order to make a garment known as the Thneed. In order to win the girl of his dreams, Ted goes in search of the last one tree.

Box office prediction: The only family film competition for “The Lorax” is “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.” Since “Journey” only made it to eighth place in last weekend’ box office, expect a healthy number for the latest Dr. Seuss adaptation. Also, Taylor Swift! $ 43 million

[Showtimes & Tickets]

“Project X”

What’s the story: A group of teenagers look to throw a house party when one of the friend’s parents are out of town. However, things quickly spiral out of control as thousands of people descend on the “get-together.” If you’ve seen the trailer, there are riot police, girls in bikinis and house fires involved.

Box office prediction: Hard to say. If droves of high-school teens come out, it will be for house party inspiration. Then again, after two Bud Lights and a Mike’s Hard Lemonade, it may be hard to peel them off the couch, opting instead for a “Family Guy” marathon, or something. $ 14 million

[Showtimes & Tickets]

LIMITED RELEASES

For fans of Adult Swim (and poop jokes), there’s “Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie,” which features cameos from Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis. Robert De Niro does his best “crazy dude” impression in “Being Flynn,” based on the popular novel “Another Bullshit Night in Suck City.” History aficionados will be interested in “Black Butterflies,” which tells the story of the late South African poet Ingrid Jonker, whereas comedy fans will be more drawn to “The Salt of Life,” a movie about a retiree who looks to resurrect his love life. Lastly, there’s “Boy,” a coming-of-age dramedy set in New Zealand.