New Wide Releases

Fame comes out. It's getting generally panned. In Ebert's review, he comments that the original was R-rated and dealt with real issues, and this one is PG and is essentially an after school special (and not the Antonio Campos kind). 

Surrogates is a new Bruce Willis sci-fi action film. The complaints regarding the trailer were that it made a glossy film version of a gritty graphic novel. But it's directed by Jonathan "Paycheck" Mostow. And by that I don't mean he directed Paycheck (John Woo did, obvi), but that he works for them (Terminator 3, U-571). It's a 50 on metacritic, which isn't good, but its better than expected. All the good reviews are praising the film for it's "fun robot stuf" and "cheesy sci-fi fun." I don't think that's what the filmmakers were going for, but I haven't seen it either so maybe I should shut up.

Pandorum also comes out. It stars Ben Foster (presumably yelling) and Dennis Quaid (presumably getting paid. I hope he bought another ranch with his G.I. Joe money. I want him and Mostow to work together). Pandorum was not screened for critics, but the two reviews that have gone up have both been positive - and with no tongue-in-cheek nonsense either. Jeff Sneider, however, panned it on his Facebook wall.

I'm already bored about making predictions as to how films will do this upcoming weekend, but I'll try it out all the same:

Fame: $21 million
Surrogates: $14 million
Pandorum: $8 million

But again, who cares?

Weekend Movies

Opening this weekend are:

"Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" which looks fairly Okay. It's got a 67 on Metacritic, so maybe it is good. Its presented in many locations in 3D. Here's Ebert's latest rant against 3D (you have to scroll down to read about "The Hole"). I agree completely. 3D makes the screen dark and you can never get into the story because you're always actively aware that what you're seeing is augmented by glasses on your face. Voice cast is pretty strong with Bill Hader, Anna Farris, Bruce Campbell and Andy Samberg. Mr. T also does a voice but I didn't want to be 'That Guy' and mention it. Yet, here we are.

"Love Happens" is one of those movies that I want to be good, but probably is not. It stars the very likeable pairing of Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart. From Variety's review, it sounds like a good movie's buried underneath a love story, which is barely there. I may be quoting them exactly. Sorry, Variety.

"Jennifer's Body" is written by Diablo Cody and stars the always boring Megan Fox (though I've heard she's okay or good in this) and the always enjoyable Amanda Seyfried. It premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, which must seem like a bad decision now as it was largely shrugged off or just outright hated.

Finally, "The Informant!" comes out tomorrow. It's opening WIDE - 2,500 screens. That seems like an absurd number to me, but I'm glad because it means I don't have to search for it. I'm just worried if it fails so wide, the studio will say, "See? THAT'S why don't make art films." Soderbergh directed it, The Playlist loved it, I'm satisfied.

I won't bother with films currently in release, but here are my obligatory predictions for the new films at the weekend box office (Friday-Sunday):
1. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs: $30 million
2. Jennifer's Body: $20 million
3. The Informant!: $9 million
4. Love Happens: $6 million