When five films go head-to-head at the end of the summer, the only winner is Sly.
8/27
Wide
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Cops and robbers. Mostly robbers.
WILL IT SUCK?
Aside from the coincidence of T.I. playing a guy who just got out of jail, there’s really nothing interesting going on here. Early buzz is mixed.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
The release date tells me Screen Gems never had high hopes for this one. $16mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Documentary film crew records a priest’s last (and first real) exorcism.
WILL IT SUCK?
Daniel Stamm directed the woefully underseen A Necessary Death (you can see me heap praise here). Given the premise of that film, the documentary aspect of this one should suit him well. Early buzz is great.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
A hit horror film without stars is lightning in a bottle, especially in the summer. $20mil.
Limited
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Behind Enemy Lines – 117 A.D.
WILL IT SUCK?
Neil Marshall lost a lot of the good will of Dog Soldiers and The Descent with Doomsday, but mixed early buzz says this is a step back towards not sucking.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Masrhall has built himself up a decent following over the years. $6mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Vincent Cassel plays legendary French gangster Jacques Mesrine (I have no idea who that is).
WILL IT SUCK?
You had me at Vincent Cassel. Early buzz is good.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
It will have to compete with its sequel the following week. But neither looks like they’ll get good exposure. $1mil.
Next Week: The Tauntaun sleeping bag started out as a joke, too.
Did you know? You can get this preview e-mailed to you:
A french gangster? So…what, he taunts his victims with sarcasm and cold indifference until they hand over the protection money?