April Belongs to DreamWorks
With four movies opening wide last weekend, you’d figure at least one would be able to dethrone Disturbia. Not so much. Between Blades of Glory and that, DreamWorks dominates four of April’s freakish five weekends (April 1st was a Sunday). Will any of these flicks end the streak?
Oh, and had an old man moment during Hot Fuzz when one of the characters said, “Forget it, Nick, it’s Sandford,” and I was the only one who laughed.
4/27
Wide
(Delayed from January)
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Teen Ghost
WILL IT SUCK?
David S. Goyer, hot off co-writing Batman Begins, has decided to direct…this, which he didn’t write. That honor actually goes to the writing team who put together the original, a Danish film itself based on a Danish book. And we know how well adaptations of foreign horror usually go. Justin “I Can’t Believe That’s Not the Kid Who Played Connor on Angel” Chatwin stars.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
The tweens who don’t go to Next will go to this, then they’ll all go to Spider-Man next week. $24mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Nic Cage can see the future - and it involves lots of dodging.
WILL IT SUCK?
Let’s face facts, Lee Tamahori has directed some crap (and this is coming from a guy who liked Die Another Day). The writers are responsible for such atrocities as The Punisher and Navy Seals, and basing your story on a Philip K. Dick novel is no guarantee (see Paycheck). On the other hand, the writers have also brought us Hollywoodland, Big Trouble in Little China and the better-than-it-usually-gets-credit-for Total Recall, so there’s an outside chance it won’t suck, but don’t count on it.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
I get the sense that Revolution is just running out the clock, tossing out the films it’s contractually obligated to release before it shutters for good. If you compare the ad campaign for this to the one for Ghost Rider, it’s clear they’re not pulling out all the stops. $34mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Like Battle Royale, but with convicted killers instead of high school kids.
WILL IT SUCK?
The WWE movie machine just keeps on churning. I personally can’t wait to watch Stone Cold Steve Austin take on Vinnie Jones. And from the writers of Clockstoppers! Early buzz is mixed but even the good reviews call it a B-movie at best.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Might do better than you think. $30mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Breakdancing prodigy, um, breaks and wakes up twenty years later to be socially awkward for our amusement.
WILL IT SUCK?
Here’s your first hint, it’s called Kickin’ It Old Skool. Also, the last time Jaime Kennedy made this movie it was called Malibu’s Most Wanted. I will cop to giggling a couple of times during the trailer, however. Oh, and Smallville saving grace Michael Rosenbaum has got to get a new agent (Cursed, Sorority Boys).
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Well, at least this was probably less expensive than Son of the Mask. $18mil.
Limited
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Thirteen Really Cold Ghosts
WILL IT SUCK?
This has a slightly better pedigree than it probably needs. Shadow of the Vampire writer Steven Katz is up in here with Criminal director (and longtime Soderbergh protege) Gregory Jacobs. And Emily “Devil Wears Prada” Blunt takes the lead. Still looks kind of boring.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Why would you release this would-be When a Stranger Calls in indie-land? It’s not exactly Wolf Creek. $5mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Scandal in an Australian town involving a fishing trip and a dead body.
WILL IT SUCK?
Lots of international kudos, but critics here are going 50/50. I have to admit, I found helmer Ray Lawrence’s last film, Lantana, to be well-acted but kind of dull. With Gabriel Byrne and Laura Linney on board here, I expect the first part to hold true, at least.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Needs more buzz, but Byrne and Linney make for good art house catnip. $4mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Alan Rickman, after indirectly causing the death of a woman, goes to visit her autistic mom (Sigourney Weaver) and rediscovers himself because, really, it’s all about him.
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is good, unless you’re Slant’s Ed Gonzalez. Autism is rarely handled well on film, but at least you’ve got Rickman up in here.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Not even on the radar. $500,000.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Coming of age tale about clam diggers on Long Island.
WILL IT SUCK?
No one really seems psyched about it, but early buzz is good. Written by State alum Ken Marino with Paul Rudd in the ensemble.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Gonna get lost in the wash. $500,000.
Next week: Let the highest-grossing month on record begin.