Ben Stiller vs. Christian Bale
$48 million for Angels & Demons. $6 million less and Star Trek wins two weekends in a row. Anybody wanna take a guess as to Da Vinci
5/22
Wide
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
John Connor (Christian Bale) fights terminators in the future, and people who step in front of his light.
WILL IT SUCK?
McG is not quite the handicap you might think. Admittedly, I actually liked the Charlie’s Angels pictures (in a shameful, “don’t look at me!” kind of way). And Fastlane had some tight storytelling to go along with the slick visuals. But what interests me more is the ultragrimy look he’s going for here, which is not his usual m.o.
He seems to have gained the confidence of ComiCon-goers, and what’s more, tantrum or no, Bale brings it with every performance.
All of this falls apart when you consider the screenwriters, who penned the better-than-expected Terminator 3, but also penned such fare as Catwoman and The Net.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Night at the Museum sequel is an issue. And it’s the kid-friendlier of the two. It would almost be better if Salvation ended up with an R to better distinguish itself. $165mil.
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Title is pretty self-explanatory.
WILL IT SUCK?
I’m still waiting for Night at the Mutter Museum. That would be fucked up.
Same writing/directing team at work here as the first, which was fun-but-forgettable. They’ve really bulked up the cast, adding Amy Adams, Jonah Hill, Bill Hader (whom I’m looking forward to as General Custer), Hank Azaria, Eugene Levy, Christopher Guest, Ed Helms, Craig Robinson and Clint Howard.
I’ll probably catch it when it comes to cable is what I’m saying.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Maybe not the best weekend to open, what with Up right around the corner, but I think the proof is in the original’s box office pudding. $225mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Another in the long line of Genre Movies, ‘xcept this one’s from the guys who started that trend in the first place.
WILL IT SUCK?
The Wayans Bros. versions of the _____ Movie movies are marginally better than the latter ones, but that’s essentially acknowledging that White Chicks is barely more watchable than Disaster Movie. That having been said, I will admit to giggling more at this trailer than most Wayans fare. Maybe it’s the introduction of the second generation of Wayans comedy (they’ve been around that long), Damien Wayans at the helm, nephew of Keenan, Marlon et al.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Pretty much in its own niche, so fairly insulated from the blockbusters. $44mil.
Limited
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Adaptation of the Noel Coward play in which guy brings his American bride home to meet his British family. Period piece culture clash ensues.
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is good. You’ve got Colin Firth spewing witty Noel Coward bon mots, so why not? From the director of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and co-starring Jessica Biel and Kristen Scott Thomas, who got a Best Supporting Actress nod from the British Independent Film Awards for this one.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
This has art-house-friendly written all over it. $10mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
The title refers to a especially thorough form of prostitution.
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is mad good for this, Steven Soderbergh’s latest foray into lo-fi digital reality. Adult film star Sasha Grey’s lead perf is getting raves.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Soderbergh’s forays into lo-fi digital reality tend not to do so well. $1mil.
Next Week: The redemption of Sam Raimi.
May 25th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
[...] Terminator opens to what anyone but me thinks is a low number, while Night kicks so much ass that it charts as Ben Stiller’s biggest [...]