Marty goes head-to-head with Kermit...

Hugo Cabret, Scorsese's 3D interpretation of the children's novel of the same name, has a new release date. Originally, the film was due for release by Sony in December 2011; but as Sony could not confirm an earlier date, the film has moved to Paramount with a new release on November 23, 2011.

Release on the day before Thanksgiving will give Hugo Cabret a full five-day holiday weekend to make its box office numbers, which is great. However, in the family-film genre, Cabret will be going head-to-head with The Muppets, which is due to be released on the same day. Not to say that there's not room for both films, and I am a huge fan of Scorsese, and am interested in seeing what he does with his first family film and his first 3D as well. But, to go up against The Muppets?

On one hand, Hugo Cabret has a winning combination: Chloe Moretz (a revelation as Hit-Girl in Kick-Ass), Christopher Lee (the only actor to bridge the Star Wars, LOTR and Tim Burton universes), and of course, Scorsese himself. But The Muppets was written by Jason Segel – from Freaks & Geeks, and How I Met Your Mother, and I Love You, Man; and most importantly, the writer of the hilarious Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Plus, the cast includes Amy Adams and Zach Galifianakis, exponentially increasing the likeability and hilarity quotients of the film.

I can instantly see how Jason Segal's comedic sensibility can translate to family fare: although many of his films to date have been adult-themed, he still brings a warmth and sweetness to those roles. Martin Scorsese is a Hollywood god, he can do anything; but how will the force behind Goodfellas, and Casino, and Shutter Island do with a children's movie? Of course, Hugo Cabret will be huge, but when choosing between these two movies, for the holiday weekend... I think that families are going to go with the Frog for feel-good holiday programming.

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