Glad to be wrong, way wrong, about Zombieland. Probably should have covered Toy Story 1 & 2 in 3-D but, dammit, they were re-releases and I was busy. Pretty on target with Lying. Way overestimated Whip It.
10/9
Wide
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Three couples think they can tag along on the fourth’s couples retreat and just enjoy the resort, but the therapy is mandatory – and hilarious!
WILL IT SUCK?
Written by Jon Favreau (Swingers, good), Vince Vaughn (story credit on The Breakup, okay), and Dana Fox (What Happens in Vegas and The Wedding Date, oh, dear). Directed by Ralphie from A Christmas Story, though, so it’s got that going for it. Starring Vaughn, Favreau, Jason Bateman, Kristen Bell, Ken Jeong, Jean Reno, John Michael Higgins, and Faizon Love, but apparently, the one to watch (based on past work) is this guy.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Well, everyone else seems to think it will do well. No other film dares open against it. $121mil.
WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
No, but a Best Supporting nod for Vaughn in Swingers would have been totally appropriate.
Limited
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Chris Rock doc that takes a look at black hair and how people don’t, you know, like it. Especially if they’re black.
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is fantastic. Won the Special Jury Prize for docs at Sundance. Second funniest trailer I’ve seen this year (first comes later in the preview).
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Chris Rock alone gives it more star power than most indies this week. $13mil.
WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Sundance win makes it a little more plausible the Academy will take Hair seriously.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Coming-of-age story with a young woman (Carey Mulligan) going out with an older man (Peter Sarsgaard) in 1960′s London.
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is great. Won the Audience Award at Sundance. And check out the rest of the cast: Alfred Molina, Emma Thompson, Rosamund Pike, Olivia Williams, and Dominic Cooper. All this and a screenplay from Nick Hornby.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
There are going to be a lot of slices of British history this week. This one’s probably more of a crowd-pleaser, tho. $2mil.
WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Give enough of a push by Sony Pictures Classics, you could see Mulligan up for Actress, and a Screenplay nod for Hornby.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Wacky British school for girls vs. mean education minister (Colin Firth).
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is not so good, even with Rupert Everett in drag (he plays the headmistress).
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Did great in Britain, but I don’t think it will translate. $1mil.
WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
No.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
True life story of a British prisoner who developed an alter ego named Charles Bronson while in solitary. See the trailer, though, since a synopsis won’t do this justice.
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is mixed. Seriously, though, check out the trailer and I think you’ll have a good idea if the style is drawing you in or not.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Very crowded, and surprisingly British, weekend. $1mil.
WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Seems like the guy playing Bronson would have a shot, but nobody will know about this film.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
The true story of the guy who took over Leeds United in 1974. It’s a soccer thing.
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is outstanding and why not? You’ve got Peter Morgan writing dialogue for Michael Sheen for the third time (The Queen, Frost/Nixon). You’ve also got Timothy Spall and Colm Meany up in here.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Seriously, does anyone else want to release a British period flick this week, cos I think we could use, like, nine more? $4mil.
WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Sheen could have a shot. We’ll see how hard Sony Pictures Classics pushes seeing as they have An Education (another British period flick) coming out this same week!
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Truck driver (Michelle Monaghan) suddenly has to raise her 11 year old son on the road.
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is mixed. Nice supporting cast with Joey Lauren Adams, Benjamin Bratt, and Nathan Fillion, who is like indie film helper (see Waitress).
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
On a less crowded weekend, better. $6mil.
WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
I hear Monaghan does a bang-up job.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Dirt bike sports flick.
WILL IT SUCK?
From the director of Harry and the Hendersons. Early buzz is not so hot, but iff they made a movie about bigfoot in a dirt bike race, I would so be there.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
This sort of family friendly fare seems an odd fit for a platform release, although that worked for Kit Kittredge. This is not Kit Kittredge. (Although it does have some dude from High School Musical). $7mil.
WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
No.
Next Week: Is it possible for a kid’s film to be “hip”? We’re about to find out.
Did you know? You can get this preview e-mailed to you:
I always thought of “crikey” as an Aussie thing, not British. “Blimey.” May have been a better choice.
Both are acceptable, and both are very English. (Although “blimey” is usually preceded by “cor”.
I think my earliest exposure to UK programming was “Dangermouse” on Nickelodeon…and if I remember correctly, “Crikey Penfold!” was a oft-used catchphrase.