A near $60mil open for Monsters vs. Aliens is nice, but it’s not enough to make me drink the 3-D koolaid. David Poland has some cold water for that shiznit.
4/3
Wide
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Reboot.
WILL IT SUCK?
Do you want to watch cars go boom? I think this will deliver. Other than that, weep for the potential that director Justin Lin showed in Better Luck Tomorrow and then didn’t deliver on, including the last Fast/Furious flick which, by the way, has the same writer as this one.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Between Adventureland this week and Hannah Montana and Observe and Report next week, you are actually shredding a little bit of the demo, but bringing back all four original leads should make for a decent opening. $108mil.
(Moved from March)
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Superbad Amusement Park
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is good. From the director of Superbad. He writes this time, too. Last time he did both, it was The Daytrippers, which people seemed to like. Cast is good, with Jesse “Indie-er Michael Cera” Eisenberg, Bill Hader and Ryan Reynolds.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
I dare say it will fare better against Furious than against the flick in its former opening slot, Monsters vs. Aliens. Still, Furious has a similar demo. $41mil.
Limited
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Funny you should mention that. It’s about a pitcher imported from the Dominican Republic to play in the Minors.
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is good. From the writer/directors of the fantastic Half Nelson, so that ‘s all I needed to hear. Also, nominated for some love at Sundance and the Indie Spirit Awards.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Doesn’t have the star power of Half Nelson. $750,000.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Indie romcom with Paul Dano and Zooey Deschanel
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is pretty good. Nice to see Dano get a lead.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Zooey’s other indie romcom is getting more buzz. $1mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Let’s put on a show to save our theater! In Paris! In 1936! Guess who the bad guys will be!
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is good. From the writer/director of The Chorus, a Best Foreign/Best Song nominee back in ’05.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Doesn’t have the Oscar push of The Chorus. $2mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
50′s-style alien invasion flick.
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is mixed, but appears to be a genial enough retro-spoof. Erick McCormack as the lead sounds like inspired casting, not to mention Dan Lauria (the dad on Wonder Years) as a police chief. Director R.W. Goodwin also seems well-suited, having directed some kick-ass X-Files back in the day.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Extremely crowded weekend, and ironic tribute is tough to market. $500,000.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Nerdy guy tries to find a date for the prom.
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is good. Check out the trailer to see William H. Macy with the best. hair. ever. Also starring Cheryl Hines, Jon Polito and Alia “Where Have You Been Since Arrested Development?” Shawkat.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Did I mention it’s a crowded weekend? $2mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
British Prison Break
WILL IT SUCK?
You had me at Brian Cox and Damian Lewis, but it’s also getting mad buzz and nabbed a Best Actor award for Cox at the Scottish BAFTAs
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Maybe if it weren’t up against every other movie in the world this week. $1mil.
Next Week: Seth Rogen goes all Travis Bickle on our asses.
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