Sex and the Strangers
The big winner here is Paramount, who began the month with Iron Man and closes it now with the second biggest Memorial Day weekend open in history (behind Pirates 3, if you’re keeping count). Probably a good thing, since all they’ve got left this summer is The Love Guru.
5/30
Wide
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Carrie gets ready to marry Mr. Big. And some other stuff happens to those other chicks, too, probably.
WILL IT SUCK?
Looks like they’ve chosen wisely for their writer/director. Michael Patrick King has written all the season finales and premieres for the show since Season Two, and directed a boatload of eps, too. Oh, and looks like Jennifer Hudson’s made a smart choice for her Dreamgirls follow-up.
Early buzz is mixed, probably due to the Prince Caspian-esque two-and-a-half-hour run time.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Pay attention romcoms, this is how you do summer counterprogramming. $88mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman vs. things that go bump in the woods outside their cottage.
WILL IT SUCK?
Remake of French horror film Ils, also based on a true story. Do French horror remakes work out better than J-Horror remakes (or American horror remakes, for that matter)?
Early buzz is actually pretty good.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
In spite of Prom Night, I’m not predicting big things for horror this summer. $19mil.
Limited
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
A martial arts parody that would be right at home on Funny Or Die, which is exactly where you’ll find the red band trailer.
WILL IT SUCK?
Some of you may have seen Danny R. McBride’s weird-ass in-character guest spot on Conan. Well, this is that same character. Early buzz is really, really good. By the way, this is the first theatrical release from Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s new production company.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
An indie comedy with bigger star power (The Promotion) opens the very next week. $2mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Julianne Moore plays real-life socialite Barbara Baekeland, who was murdered by her son after they had an affair.
WILL IT SUCK?
With Swoon director Tom Kalin at the helm and legendary indie producer Christine Vachon on board, expect a non-exploitative treatment of the story. Don’t expect much more, though, given the early tepid buzz.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Controversy might be good for an open, but bad buzz will kill it after that. $1mil.
Next Week: What’s funnier, Adam Sandler or a panda? Wait! Before you answer, they’re both doing kung fu.