Iron Man 2 did not challenge Dark Knight‘s opening, as some tracking had predicted, but it came in second for best May opening after Spidey 3, which is no bad shakes, and beat its predecessor by over $30 million so, no tears. The movie itself is not as consistent as Iron Man, but is still very, very good. Then again, Robert Downey Jr. could do taxes for two hours and make it entertaining.
5/14
Wide
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe go all Gladiator on this shit.
WILL IT SUCK?
This is Ridley Scott we’re talking here, son. He rarely sucks. He does disappoint occasionally. Tell ya what. It’ll look great. Brian Helgeland as often as not is on targtet w/ his screenplays (Mystic River, LA Confidential). Although I have my doubts that there’s anything new to say about Robin Hood. And at least one early preview attendee was unimpressed. The rest of the early buzz is positive.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Sandwiched between Iron Man 2 and Shrek Forever After is not a good place for even Russell Crowe to be. $82mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Amanda Seyfried tries to help Vanessa Redgrave find her long lost love.
WILL IT SUCK?
Director Gary Winick hasn’t exactly gotten back to his Tadpole roots yet, and this probably won’t help. Still, he’s working with a solid cast (Gael Garcia Bernal and Franco Nero are also up in here), and one of the writers did a bunch of Eerie, Pennsylvania eps and the other was one of the 50 or so writers on Flushed Away, so that’s something, right?
Early buzz is not so good.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Good blockbuster counterprogramming, but Just Wright had the same idea. $60mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Physcial therapist (Queen Latifah) falls for the basketball player (Common) she’s treating.
WILL IT SUCK?
From director Sanaa Hamri, whose Something New and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 are supposed to be halfway decent. From writer Michael Elliot, whose Brown Sugar is probably better than his Like Mike, but you can see his basketball pedigree.
Early buzz is mixed-to-meh.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
While targeting a slightly different demo than Juliet, still a lot of crossover. $38mil.
Next Week: Now why did SNL stop making movies again?
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