Inception still rules the roost.
6/30
Wide
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Paul Rudd has to bring an idiot (Steve Carell) to dinner to impress his boss and outdo his co-workers who are bringing their own idiots.
WILL IT SUCK?
Director Jay Roach knows comedy (and, even more so, drama). Writers did The Ex, which is less promising. Remake of the French comedy The Dinner Game. Great cast: including Carell and Rudd you’ve got Zach Galifianakis, Jemaine Clement, Bruce Greenwood, Ron Livingston, Larry Wilmore, Kristen Schaal, and Nick Kroll. Early buzz is great.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
The Other Guys is going to be a problem the following week. This week is free and clear. $99mil.
CATS & DOGS: THE REVENGE OF KITTY GALORE
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Kind of like X2: X-Men United, except with more crying and “Why did they make a sequel?” bursts of anger.
WILL IT SUCK?
From the writers of Brother Bear, Chicken Little, and Open Season so, meh. Early buzz is not so good.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Step Up 3D is a credible threat next week, for 3D screens and some of the audience. Charlie St. Cloud won’t help much, either. $46mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Guy (Zac Efron) is torn between a new love and the ghost/memory of his dead little brother, with whom he plays catch every day.
WILL IT SUCK?
Director Burr Steers ain’t foolin’. He helmed an auspicious debut with Igby Goes Down before directing Efron to better-than-expected reviews in 17 Again. Screenplay comes from frequent Baz Luhrmann collaborator Craig Pearce and the less consistent Lewis Colick (everything from Domestic Disturbance to October Sky – at least the latter is more on topic, genre-wise).
Early buzz is not so good.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
As Efron strays from his wheelhouse, so falls his box office. $32mil.
Limited
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Unpopular man (Robert Duvall) holds his own funeral with the help of Bill Murray and Lucas Black.
WILL IT SUCK?
Saw this at SXSW and it was quite good. Murray especially (and predictably) is delectable in his low-key role as the town mortician. Also starring Sissy Spacek.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
This is not a very showy film (to its credit), so it’s going to be hard to get attention. $4mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Guy (Paul Dano) moves in with an eccentric older guy (Kevin Kline) who occasionally works as an escort for widows.
WILL IT SUCK?
From the writer/directors of American Splendor (R.I.P. Harvey) and, admittedly, The Nanny Diaries, but this is getting Splendor buzz. Also starring John C. Reilly and Katie Holmes (yeah, she’s still acting).
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
The buzz for Kline’s performance might give this an edge over Get Low. $5mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Guy comes home from Iraq and is perfectly fine. No, wait, the other thing. Completely fucked up. That’s the one.
WILL IT SUCK?
Glad to see America Ferrara hasn’t forgotten her indie roots. Also starring Wilmer Valderrama, Ethan Suplee, and Melissa Leo. Early buzz is mixed.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Lesser star power and the curse of Iraq movies will hurt. $1mil.
HUGH HEFNER: PLAYBOY, ACTIVIST AND REBEL
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Doc about a guy who did stuff like publish the last essay written by MLK in between getting untold quantities of poon.
WILL IT SUCK?
Directed by a woman, in case you were wondering. Early buzz is mixed.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Just too many voices in the indiesphere at this point. $1mil.
Next Week: Will Ferrell. No, not Anchorman 2. Stop asking.
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