Hangover doing far better than expected to take the silver next to Up. Land of the Lost doing far worse.
By the way, Up is the first necessary viewing of ’09. Preferably in 3D.
6/12
Wide
WHAT’S THE POINT, ER, PITCH?
Hollywood tries to piss me off by taking a perfectly good film
WILL IT SUCK?
If you’ve never seen the original, maybe not. Otherwise, even Brian Helgeland’s screenwriting chops (L.A. Confidential, Mystic River) can’t improve on awesomeness. Tony Scott will give everything a nice sheen, but no depth. Denzel Washington and John Travolta can make this a servicable thriller, but nothing as unforgettable as the idiosyncratic Walter Matthau and calculating Robert Shaw.
Ironically, I’m guessing they’ll drop the whole “Mr. Blue,” “Mr. Green” bit since today’s audience will credit that to Reservoir Dogs which, in fact, took it from the original Pelham.
Very early buzz is not good.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Not enough people have seen the original to be outraged. $89mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Eddie Murphy’s daughter helps him solve business problems.
WILL IT SUCK?
From the director of Over the Hedge, which didn’t suck, and the writers behind Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure…and Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
June is comedy-rich, but family-oriented Murphy is pretty hard to beat. $66mil.
Limited
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Sam Rockwell loses his shit on the lunar surface.
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is good. Rockwell is joined by Kevin Spacey getting his HAL on as the voice of the ship’s computer.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Buzz is really good coming off of Tribeca, Sundance and SXSW. Should help raise awareness. $6mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
In case you were thinking of ever eating anything you didn’t grow yourself ever again…
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is good. No surprise authors Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation) and Michael Pollan (The Omnivore’s Dilemma) are up in here, too.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Muckraking docs that don’t have the name “Michael Moore” in them usually have trouble. $1mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Family drama about estranged brothers in Buenos Aires.
WILL IT SUCK?
Don’t call it an autobiography. Although certain aspects were inspired by true life, writer/director Francis Ford Coppola insists this is not his life story. Oh, did I not mention this was written and directed by Godfather-Man? Early buzz is not so good, though.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
You can only play the comeback card so many times. $1mil.
(Moved from March)
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Documentary profiling Richard Berkowitz, one of the first men to advocate safe sex in the gay community during the early years of the AIDS crisis.
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is mixed. The IMDb rating ain’t so hot but it won the Grand Jury Award at L.A. Outfest.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Going up against a higher-profile doc. $500,000.
Next Week: Nazi zombies. You read that right.
By the way, Up is the first necessary viewing of ‘09. Preferably in 3D.
i dunno, i thought the 3D was pretty low-key. they didn’t seem to use the affect all that much. for a film where half the scenes involved flying, there really wasn’t that much stuff coming out of the screen. i loved the film, but didn’t think the 3D added all that much.
coraline and monsters vs. aliens used the effect a lot more. i think M v.A would have been a measurably worse film without 3D.
I kind of liked the understated use of 3D in up, but I see your point. Also, quick update, Hangover actually beat Up when the finally tally came in.