In the US – where it opens (with a PG-13 rating) through Lionsgate on January 30, only a week before the launch of rom-com rival He’s Just Not That Into You – the film will test the level of Zellweger’s mainstream appeal after her recent run of more specialised projects.

In the international marketplace – where Lionsgate’s Mandate handled sales to independent distributors – box office prospects may be slightly better, thanks to the overwhelmingly international popularity of both Bridget Jones movies.

…

What follows has the comforting predictability that many rom-coms share. The problem here, though, is that screenwriters Kenneth Rance (with his first produced feature) and C Jay Cox (who wrote the somewhat similar 2002 rom-com Sweet Home Alabama) don’t sell the story very convincingly. Lucy is won over by the locals far too easily and falls into Ted’s arms after only a couple of scenes of not very witty bickering.

Elmer, best known for 2001’s Monas Verden and 2005’s ‘Danish Bridget Jones’ comedy Nynne, seems initially to be aiming for a wry, Scandinavian comic tone (which would have been appropriate given the Nordic roots and accents of many Minnesotans). But that effort is stymied by the script’s preference for broad visual and verbal gags about city slickers, Midwestern rubes – most of the locals come across like they’re auditioning for Fargo – and the effects of the Minnesota cold.

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There’s very little attempt at dramatic realism but the film’s preference for community over corporate values and the plot thread about threatened job losses might provide a small extra selling point in the current financial climate.

Returning to headlining comedy, after a couple of animation voice roles and dramas such as Appaloosa, Miss Potter and Cinderella Man, Zellweger is warm and watchable, but she doesn’t throw herself into the role quite as enthusiastically as she did in her Bridget Jones guise.

Connick Jr acts and looks as cool and charming as ever, though a more adventurous casting decision might have given the film more spark.

The supporting roles are mostly one-dimensional, but Siobhan Fallon Hogan (from Baby Mama and Dogville) has some fun as Lucy’s personal assistant and matchmaker Blanche Gunderson.

Check out all the details at the New in Town official website

“Why do you live in that town,” Connick asked me. “The people in that town… are amazing, but let’s just be real: It’s not human to live in a town like that, you know what I’m saying,” Connick said.

“That’s just crazy cold.”

Connick was kidding around, but he can be forgiven for suffering some climate shock since he hails from the comparatively balmy climes of Louisiana.

New in Town, which was shot under the working title Chilled in Miami, stars the Oscar-winning Zellweger as a Miami executive forced to relocate to the Minnesota town of New Ulm to restructure a food-manufacturing plant. Connick plays a union rep who falls for Zellweger.

For her part, Zellweger was more gracious about the occasional discomfort of shooting in Winnipeg.

“There were so many things about that city that were just so charming,” she said.

“It was highly entertaining and very educational.”

“That was a whole new experience and marvellous exercise in developing new survival skills and ‘learning’ a whole new language for the biological things that happen,” she said.

“Nosticals being one,” Connick interjected, referring to the ice deposits that can develop beneath the nose on supercold days.

“Who knew pantyhose could be so very important? Three, four pairs at a time,” Zellweger said.

“The pantyhose laid out on the bed by wardrobe every morning, they were essential,” she asserted. “I would not be here today if not for the pantyhose, I promise you.”

Siobhan Fallon Hogan, a one-time Saturday Night Live cast member, plays the role of Zellweger’s assistant.

“I’m from Syracuse (N.Y.) so I didn’t think it would be much of a challenge,” said Hogan. “So when they gave me the package on how to prepare for Winnipeg I chucked it.”

“I went out all the time, I went to The Forks all the time. I met lots of people. It’s a great city.”

“The tenacity of the people it’s just so impressive,” said Zellweger. “To me, I look outside and say there’s no (visible) roads, I guess there’s no driving today. But that’s not the case, everybody just gets up and gets on with it. That’s just normal, that’s just commonplace.”

“But again, for the record, it’s not normal,” Connick said.

Furious: And rounding out a lame month for movies is this. At least Nathan Fillion is getting work but I consider a crying shame that he seems to get stuck with the most average of projects. This film sounds terribly cliché and predictable. I’m sure everyone will learn a valuable life lesson. That lesson being… if your movie got greenlit but then the studio realised it wouldn’t be very good be prepared for a January release!

Gustafson: Looks like Zellweger is looking for Oscar gold. Too bad she’ll come up empty with this one. Put a C-level actress in this role and you have your Movie-of-the-week (Or MOW for those on the INSIDE!), but this will come and go, and few will notice.

Kristopowitz: This sounds like a Hallmark TV movie. That’s not meant to be a slight against it, but the story sounds kind of mundane for a big theatrical release. Why isn’t this airing on CBS during sweeps?

Tym: After bitching above about all the non-new wide releases finally coming my way, I don’t feel so bad. January truly is the dumping ground for many sub-par efforts, and this looks no different. Reaching the end of this list of January releases, I no longer feel guilty for lamenting the wait for so many other quality flicks that can be finally be seen by nationwide audiences.

Chamberlain: Oh, Nathan, it’s times like these I miss Firefly even more.

Thomas: Well, that’s a boring-sounding plot. However, the presence of Nathan Fillion means I’ll be checking it out. Zellweger I can take or leave these days, as she hasn’t done a thing for me since Cold Mountain, and Connick only works in small doses. I have little hopes for this.

Brimfield: When, when, when will Nathan Fillion get more material of the calibre of Firefly or even Slither? Poor guy, wasting away in dross like this.

Source: http://www.411mania.com/movies/columns/93897

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“It was fun, but I’m happy to have finished that one.”

Chilled in Miami, in which she plays a Miami businesswoman transferred to rural Minnesota, will not be released until next year.

• Full Article: www.thestar.com/entertainment/…

Thankfully, there seems to be some salvation for the picture, in the form of Captain Mal Reynolds – Nathan Fillion. Fillion has been doing more mainstream projects lately (like Desperate Housewives), which seem to be paying off for the actor more than his unfortunate genre stints (Firefly, Drive, etc). Now he’s joined the romantic comedy, according to Moviehole.

There’s no word on what role Fillion is playing, but here’s hoping it’s a major part. I’d much rather see Zellweger paired up with Fillion than Connick Jr.

• Source: www.cinemablend.com/new/….

The most underrated actor of his generation, Fillion (“Serenity”) returns to the world of rom-com (He had a role on the now defunct Alicia Silverstone starring series “Miss Match” a few years ago) with a part in a sweet and fluffy pleasantry about a Miami businesswoman who’s transferred to the sticks of Minnesota.

The project reunites Fillion with Gold Circle, who he worked with on both “Slither” and “White Noise 2”. They seem to love Captain Tightpants over there – and reps to them!

Old friend “Marbles” sent in the following :

“Clint, there’s a rumor floating about that Nathan Fillion – who I know you’re a big fan of – has joined the cast of the new Renee Zellweger comedy, Chilled in Miami. I confirmed it with the production this evening – he has indeed got a role in the film. Thought you’d be interested”.

“Chilled in Miami” also stars Siobhan Fallon Hogan, J.K. Simmons, Frances Conroy and Rashida Jones.

• Source: www.moviehole.net/news/20080204….

Fillion Goes to Miami: The good people over at Moviehole report that Nathan Fillion will reunite with Gold Circle, who he worked with on both Slither and White Noise 2, to return to comedy.

• Source: www.canmag.com/nw/10325-nathan-fillion-chilled-miami 

• Source:  http://popsugar.com/1004578