It’s kind of sad when none of four new releases can top Shrek‘s diminishing returns. This is weekend three, people!
By the way, Get Him to the Greek ain’t half bad, but could use a third act polish. Music’s actually really, really good (or I’m just a sucker Britpop, even when the band’s fictional).
6/11
Wide
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
This time they’re Iraq War veterans accused of a crime they didn’t commit.
WILL IT SUCK?
Yes, Joe Carnahan is directing, but the analog isn’t Narc, it’s Smokin’ Aces, which is not nearly as good an action film as Narc is a crime drama. Also, Skip Woods, of Wolverine, Hitman, and Swordfish fame is one of the co-screenwriters. Casting-wise, I think it’s kind of neat that Sharlto Copley is playing Murdock, but that’s about it.
Early buzz is not good.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Next week Toy Story 3 destroys everything in sight, so it’s kind of a Pyrrhic victory to win this weekend, but this will probably split fairly evenly with Karate Kid, which might rake in a little more w/ kids. $117mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Kid (Will Smith’s kid) moves to China for some reason with his way over-cast mom (Taraji P. Henson) and learns a martial art not in the title from Jackie Chan.
WILL IT SUCK?
From the director of The Pink Panther 2 and Agent Cody Banks. By the way, is there any reason to call this The Karate Kid, other than to vaguely capitalize on the memories of Gen X’ers like myself who, smart-asses that we are, will likely reject the idea out of hand because it’s called The Karate Kid? Why not just call it The Kung Fu Kid, get the implicit “inspired by” cred and capitalize on the real assets, which are Smith, Chan and an action/coming-0f-age/family-friendly plot?
Early buzz is surprisingly split. I was expecting an avalanche of hate.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
The 2 1/2 hour run time will cut down on screenings (seriously, that’s a consideration) but this will have more families turn out, which will up the box office. $135mil.
Limited
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Doc about Joan Rivers.
WILL IT SUCK?
From writer/directors Ricki Stern and Anne Sundberg, whose The Devil Came on Horseback and The Trials of Darryl Hunt are two of the most heartbreaking docs I’ve ever seen. This is supposed to heartbreaking, too, though in a slightly different way, I suspect. Won the Documentary Film Editing Award at Sundance. Early buzz is fantastic.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Celebrity bio-docs are an uphill battle, especially with bigger Sundance splash Winter’s Bone opening opposite. $1mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
In the Ozarks, a young woman (Jennifer Lawrence) has to track down her criminal father before the bail bond costs her her home.
WILL IT SUCK?
Won two awards at Sundance, including the Grand Jury Award, plus another couple of wins at Berlin. Lawrence is supposed to be outstanding. Also starring the inimitable John Hawkes. Early buzz is phenomenal.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Some heavy hitters coming up next week, but this should hold its own. $3mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Coco After Chanel
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is split. The Age’s Jake Wilson calls it “a feature-length perfume commercial.” But hey, Mads Mikkelsen as Stravinsky!
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Will be Infamous to Coco Before Chanel‘s Capote. $750,000.
GANGSTER’S PARADISE: JERUSALEMA
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
South African crime epic.
WILL IT SUCK?
Cleaned up at several African film festivals. Early buzz is outstanding.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Will get buried under the weight of higher profile indies. $500,000
Next Week: Can Pixar pull off a trilogy?
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