The Other Guys topples Inception to no one’s surprise while Toy Story 3 quietly becomes the 11th highest grossing movie of all time.
8/13
Wide
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Woman (Julia Roberts) goes on a journey of self-discovery after getting a divorce.
WILL IT SUCK?
Writer/director Ryan Murphy’s last adaptation was the less-than-stellar Running With Scissors. Nice supporting cast, tho: Richard Jenkins, Javier Bardem, Billy Crudup, Viola Davis, and James Franco.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Not much competition. This is close to Roberts’ very lucrative wheelhouse. $95mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Boy (Michael Cera) meet girl (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Boy, of course, must defeat girl’s seven evil ex-boyfriends.
WILL IT SUCK?
Besides getting a thumbs up from J.J. Abrams at comic-con and Boxcutters‘ Josh Kinal declaring it “a film so good even those who’re dead inside enjoy it,” you’ve got Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz writer/director Edgar Wright on the job. Also starring Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick, Brandon Routh, Jason Schwartzman, and Bill Hader.
Early buzz is good.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
This is a fairly niche audience, so it’s kind of hard to tell. $39mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Let’s get together a bunch of action icons (Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Steve Austin) together and, um, that’s pretty much it.
WILL IT SUCK?
Written and directed by Sly, which on a good day means Rocky Balboa, but on a bad day means Rocky’s II – IV, Rambo (2008), and Staying Alive. Early buzz indicates that it’s a bad day.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
I think nostalgia will get the better of people. $71mil.
Limited
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Kid goes to live with his criminal extended family. Godfather-type shit ensues.
WILL IT SUCK?
Won the Grand Jury Prize (World Cinema – Dramatic) at Cannes. Early buzz is sick.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
At least by reputation, probably the best indie bet of the week. $5mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Some Hiyayo Miyazaki-style shit with dragons from his son, Goro.
WILL IT SUCK?
Adapted from the Ursula Le Guin novel, if that does anything for you. Early buzz is not quite up to the elder Miyazaki’s standard.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Given his old man’s rep, I would not underestimate Goro’s box office potential. $4mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Dominican Republic Confidential
WILL IT SUCK?
Well Junot Diaz loves it, so what’s your problem? Early buzz is mixed.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Like many foreign thrillers before it, not so well. $1mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Cameras arrive when a poor Indian farmer announces he will kill himself to make his family money.
WILL IT SUCK?
Audiences are more in love than critics, but early buzz is generally good. Based on a true story.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Hard for foreign comedies, too. $500,000.
Next Week: I rather liked Nanny McPhee, but I don’t remember asking for a sequel. Um, thanks?
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