The Dark Knight is now the second top domestic grosser of all time. And that’s the last you’re going to hear about that since it’s never ever ever going to top Titanic.
By the way, Tropic Thunder is pretty damn good. Cruise is over-hyped. Robert Downey Jr. is not.
8/22
Wide
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Re-make of Death Race 2000. Or ultra-violent Cannonball Run remake, depending upon how you look at it.
WILL IT SUCK?
You know, if it weren’t for Paul W. S. Anderson’s involvement, I might be a little bit psyched, but he’s basically one step above Uwe Boll. Also, I can see how Jason Statham was destined to be in this flick, but who did Joan Allen piss off?
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Probably about as well as any late August/early September Statham vehicle. $38mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Ejected Playboy bunny (Anna Faris) goes all Extreme Makeover on a dorky sorority.
WILL IT SUCK?
This is from the writers behind Legally Blonde and 10 Things I Hate About You, but it’s from the director of Strange Wilderness. Good to see Kat Dennis getting work, though.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
There’s another college movie coming out next week called College, but I think it’s for a hairier demographic. $28mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Ice Cube coaches his niece, the first girl to ever play in the Pop Warner football tournament (inspired by a true story).
WILL IT SUCK?
Fred Durst brings you this heartwarming comedy. Actually, Fred Durst has directed before. His The Education of Charlie Banks got some good reviews. The writers have brought you Akeelah and the Bee (whose Keke Palmer leads here as well) and a bunch of Prison Break eps. There is actually a little hope here.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
The only other family-friendly fare is the previous week’s Fly Me to the Moon, whose 3D houseflies are no match for the Cube. $38mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Sort of like School of Rock, but without the school. Replace Jack Black with Rainn Wilson as the aging rocker amongst kids.
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is kind of meh. From the director of The Full Monty and one of a dozen Simpsons writers and a Larry Sanders Show vet, so you’d expect more.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Rainn Wilson, like Andy Samberg before him about this same time last year, may not be ready to open a film yet. $24mil.
Limited
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Down and out actor-turned-teacher (Steve Coogan) tries to save the drama department by putting on his play Hamlet 2, which includes a musical number called “Rock Me, Sexy Jesus.”
WILL IT SUCK?
Did you read the pitch? It’s already awesome. Actually, though, the early buzz is mixed, with audiences not as in love as critics. Co-writer/director Andrew Fleming hasn’t really done anything interesting since Dick (1999), though co-writer Pam Brady has brought plenty of teh funny with her work on South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut and Team America: World Police.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
In pretty much any context, “Rock Me Sexy Jesus” is going to have limited appeal. $12mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Waiter pursues wealth during WWII Czechoslovakia.
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is good. From acclaimed Czech writer/director Jiri Menzel. Won a whole mess of Czech Lions (the main Czech film award).
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
When I say “acclaimed,” I don’t really mean “makes a whole bunch of money in the States.” $1mil.
Next Week: Battle of the action heroes: Vin Diesel vs. Don Cheadle-whaaa!?
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