Underestimated He’s Just Not That Into You and waaay overestimated Pink Panther 2. Oh, and here’s what I thought of Push.
2/13
Wide
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
How to Lose a Credit Rating in 10 Days
WILL IT SUCK?
They’ve assembled some degree of talent behind the camera. Director P. J. Hogan obviously knows his way around a romantic comedy (My Best Friend’s Wedding, Muriel’s Wedding). And the gaggle of writers have penned such fare as Ally McBeal and the excellent-but-overlooked Calendar Girls. And Isla Fisher is a funny, funny woman. That having been said, the trailer does not inspire confidence.
Early buzz not so great.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Has the name recognition of the novels, just like He’s Just Not That Into You from the week before, but without its cast. Plus, do people really want to see a movie about shopping in a down economy? (I could see that going either way, actually.) $56mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Clive Owen and Naomi Watts vs. Big Evil Bank
WILL IT SUCK?
I recently rewatched director Tom Tykwer’s Run Lola Run and it holds up. Of course, he also wrote that. He only directed this. So at least I can say the action will probably be cool. (Don’t know much about the writer.) Also, I’m sure Armin Mueller-Stahl will kick ass.
Early buzz is mixed.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Crowded marketplace, but not crowded with thrillers. $55mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Remember that scene in The Little Mermaid where they sing that song about being under the sea? Well, this is just like that except it’s not animated, they’re not singing and Jim Carrey is narrating.
WILL IT SUCK?
Deep Sea, the 3D IMAX underwater flick that precedes this, was supposed to be da bom, and this has the same director. Other than that, it’s a bunch of fish on a big fuckin’ screen in 3D, what more do you want?
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
This is the first time, as far as I can tell, that an IMAX nature doc is getting a wide release in non-IMAX theaters (anyone feel free to correct me if I’m wrong). So it’s kind of unprecedented. I can tell you that Deep Sea did damn well on its run…but that lasted two years. $10mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Somehow they waited until now to do this horror remake.
WILL IT SUCK?
Well, did you like the Texas Chainsaw remake? Same director. Writers from Freddy vs. Jason, but I don’t think this will be as funny. But hey, Dick from Veronica Mars is up in here!
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Unlike last month, horror is scarce in February. Oh, and I think people have heard of the title before. $61mil.
Limited
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Joaquin Phoenix tries to choose between Gwyneth Paltrow and Vinessa Shaw before giving it all up to become a rapper. That last part’s only happening in real life.
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is mixed with audiences being more in love than critics, which echoes co-writer/director James Gray’s last effort, We Own the Night.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
The fact that it’s Phoenix’s last performance might draw some onlookers. $4mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Crime drama revolving around the notoriously vicious Naples underworld.
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is fantastic. Won all sorts of international kudos last year, including the Grand Prize at Cannes (and, no, I don’t know how that differs from the Palm D’Or). In spite of this, somehow failed to make the Oscar shortlist for Best Foreign Film.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Could have used the publicity of an Oscar nod. $2mil.
Next Week: Rudy Huxtable, noooooooo!
I like to watch Veronica Mars episodes as well Lost. I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Great post
Thank you!