Wild Things obviously wasn’t too dark for audiences, topping the box office with $32.5 million. But the real story continues to be Paranormal Activity, making 2/3 of its total gross so far in last weekend’s nationwide expansion, making almost as much as Law Abiding Citizen which was a little more pricey and had a couple of slightly more recognizable faces. Although the far more satisfying figure is the fact.
10/23
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
So that dude who does what Jigsaw used to do continues to do what Jigsaw used to do.
WILL IT SUCK?
So, by now, the Saw franchise is it’s own little apprenticeship. The current director, Kevin Greutert, a former editor of the series, is taking over for Darren Lynn Bousman who also used to be on the crew. The co-writers have been doing pen duty since Saw IV, so if you’ve been enjoying them since then, you’re all set.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
I criticized Saw V for avoiding the Halloween weekend last year, but now I see the wisdom of that move (see how screwed Zack and Miri was by that timing). This installment, too, avoids that weekend, and has very little in the way of credible competition. However, the series has seen diminishing returns ever since Saw II. $47mil.
WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
You know, sometimes it’s okay that horror usually gets the shaft at the Oscars.
CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRE’S ASSISTANT
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Kid joins the cirus. Oh, and becomes a vampire.
WILL IT SUCK?
I’m going to give director/co-writer Paul Weitz the same In Good Company/About a Boy benefit of the doubt I gave his brother Chris when he directed Golden Compass – and hope for a very different outcome. Doesn’t hurt that Brian Helgeland is the other co-writer.
Early buzz is not good.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Twilight it ain’t, but it is based on a popular teen novel series. $53mil.
WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
How awesome would it be if Ken Watanabe lost for The Last Samurai but won for playing Mr. Tall?
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
American version of Amelie. Nah. Bio-pic of the one Amelia you can think of who’d have a bio-pic.
WILL IT SUCK?
As if Hilary Swank in the lead weren’t enough, you’ve also got Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor, and Christopher Eccleston up in here. Mira Nair directs, and if you haven’t seen The Namesake yet, dude, seriously, wtf? The writing gives me pause. Yes Ron Bass wrote Rain Man and Joy Luck Club, but he also had a hand in What Dreams May Come, Swing Vote, and Stepmom. On the other hand, co-writer Anna Hamilton Phelan wrote Gorillas in the Mist, Mask, and Girl, Interrupted, so it might all balance out.
Early buzz is mixed.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Seems like the first true salvo of the awards season, and not another gold chaser in sight. On the other hand, don’t know how interested people are in dear Amelia. $42mil.
WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
That’s the plan. Look for Picture, Screenplay, Director, maybe Supporting Actor, and, if nothing else, another credible threat Actress nod for Swank.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Kind of like A.I., but cheerier and based on an old Japanese comic series.
WILL IT SUCK?
Nifty voice cast: Freddie Highmore, Nicolas Cage, Kristen Bell, Charlize Theron, Samuel L. Jackson, Bill Nighy, Donald Sutherland, Nathan Lane, and Eugene Levy. Director did Flushed Away, which was decent enough. Writer did Space Jam which, frankly, I liked, but he also did Pure Luck and some other films we probably shouldn’t think about too much if we want to have high hopes.
Early buzz is actually pretty good.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Cirque du Freak and second frame of Wild Things is a bit of a challenge, but this benefits from being CG and having a soft follow-up weekend. $78mil.
WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Bolt, it probably ain’t.
Limited
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Origin story for the guy in part one (and no, his name isn’t Ong Bak).
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz sez more kicky-punchy than plotty-talky. Not sure that will keep me away. Original was an underseen martial arts gem.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Remember how I said the original was underseen? $2mil.
WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
You know, the Hong Kong film awards have a Best Fight Choreography category. Just saying.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Lars von Trier does horror.
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is good if mixed (shocker – a Lars von Trier film is courting controversy). Actually got an anti-award from Cannes for misogyny. Given his track record, I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, but it doesn’t matter because I’m too much of a wuss for torture porn.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
The torture porn crowd and the arthouse crowd have little crossover. $7mil.
WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
I get the feeling the Academy is over Lars.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Trials and tribulations of a West Village mother (Uma Thurman) trying to land a new job and prep her daughter’s sixth birthday party.
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is mixed. Director (Katherine Dieckmann) has an interesting background. Directed the “Stand” video. No idea if that has any bearing on this film, but that’s kind of neat, huh?
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Uma comedies have a hard enough time in wide release. $3mil.
WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Don’t think this is the one for her (but damn if she shouldn’t have gotten some love for Kill Bill).
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Romantic comedy set in the world of contemporary art.
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is good. Adam Goldberg stars and Vinnie Jones is up in here outside his genre wheelhouse, which should be interesting.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Quirky comedy comes in a much more brand-recognized form with Gentlemen Broncos the following week. $1mil.
WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Not especially.
Next Week: That guy who made Napoleon Dynamite is back. And he brought that guy from Flight of the Conchords with him.
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