Capitalizing on the family market for the extended Christmas weekend, the special effects-filled comedy “Night at the Museum” easily took the top spot on the box office chart, with more than $42 million over four days. Last week’s winner, “The Pursuit of Happyness,” held strong with $23.1 million, followed by “Rocky Balboa” with $17 million.
“Dreamgirls” also had an impressive weekend, taking in $9 million with only one day in wide release. That should mean the movie will be much higher on the chart next weekend. “We Are Marshall” was the only real disappointment of the weekend, taking in $8.6 million in what was a very crowded field.
As expected, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” was the clear winner for the worldwide box office for 2006 – a feat it could duplicate when the third film in the franchise hits theaters next summer.
1. “Night at the Museum”
(Weekend domestic gross - $42.2 million)
(Worldwide gross - $42.2 million)
(Budget - N/A)
2. “The Pursuit of Happyness”
(Weekend domestic gross - $23.1 million)
(Worldwide gross - $61.3 million)
(Budget - $55 million)
3. “Rocky Balboa”
(Weekend domestic gross - $17.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $26.7 million)
(Budget - $24 million)
4. “The Good Shepherd”
(Weekend domestic gross - $14.2 million)
(Worldwide gross - $14.2 million)
(Budget - N/A)
5. “Charlotte’s Web”
(Weekend domestic gross - $9.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $30.9 million)
(Budget - $85 million)
6. “Eragon”
(Weekend domestic gross - $9.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $72.4 million)
(Budget - $100 million)
7. “Dreamgirls”
(Weekend domestic gross - $9.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $9.0 million)
(Budget - N/A)
8. “We Are Marshall”
(Weekend domestic gross - $8.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $8.6 million)
(Budget - N/A)
9. “The Holiday”
(Weekend domestic gross - $7.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $85.1 million)
(Budget - $85 million)
10. “The Nativity Story”
(Weekend domestic gross - $6.7 million)
(Worldwide gross - $39.4 million)
(Budget - $35 million)
2006 Year-To-Date
1. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”
(Worldwide gross - $1.065 billion)
(Budget - $225 million)
2. “The Da Vinci Code”
(Worldwide gross - $756.7 million)
(Budget - $125 million)
3. “Ice Age: The Meltdown”
(Worldwide gross - $647.3 million)
(Budget - $80 million)
4. “Cars”
(Worldwide gross - $461.8 million)
(Budget - $120 million)
5. “X-Men: The Last Stand”
(Worldwide gross - $458.8 million)
(Budget - $210 million)
6. “Casino Royale”
(Worldwide gross - $424.7 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
7. “Mission: Impossible III”
(Worldwide gross - $396.2 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
8. “Superman Returns”
(Worldwide gross - $391.1 million)
(Budget - $260 million)
9. “Over the Hedge”
(Worldwide gross - $331.3 million)
(Budget - N/A)
10. “The Devil Wears Prada”
(Worldwide gross - $317.3 million)
(Budget - $35 million)
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
DVD Releases - Dec. 26
“The Black Dahlia” (R) - Boasting a good cast (Josh Hartnett, Aaron Eckhart, Scarlett Johansson and Hilary Swank) and a good director (Brian DePalma), this adaptation of an James Ellroy novel failed to click with audiences or critics when in theaters. It follows two detectives on the case of a gruesome murder involving an aspiring actress. Not what you’d call ideal family holiday entertainment.
Extras: Multiple featurettes on the movie and DePalma.
Official Web site
“The Descent” (R/Unrated) - A group of six girlfriends gather for a bonding trip to go caving, only to find they may not be alone down in the dark. A big hit over in Britain before getting released here, horror movie fans should have plenty to keep them satisfied here.
Extras: Audio commentary with cast and crew, deleted scenes, a featurette, along with storyboard and screen comparisons.
Official Web site
“Jackass: Number Two” (R/Unrated) - Does this really need an explanation? Johnny Knoxville and Co. subject themselves to all forms of humiliation and physical peril for their own amusement, as well as yours. Like the first film, their pain equaled money at the box office. But with Knoxville now getting more acting roles, his manager must be cringing at every passing second of this movie.
Extras: Commentary from the Jackass gang, lots of deleted scenes, outtakes and a music video.
Official Web site
“The Last Kiss” (R) - Zach Braff (“Garden State”) stars as Michael, an architect with a girlfriend (Jacinda Barrett) who just found out she’s pregnant. This throws him into a bit of a panic mode, as he’s forced to take stock of his life, with friends and family offering him all sorts of varied advice. Rachel Bilson, Casey Affleck and Blythe Danner co-star.
Extras: Multiple commentaries featuring cast and crew, deleted scenes, a gag reel and a music video.
Official Web site
Extras: Multiple featurettes on the movie and DePalma.
Official Web site
“The Descent” (R/Unrated) - A group of six girlfriends gather for a bonding trip to go caving, only to find they may not be alone down in the dark. A big hit over in Britain before getting released here, horror movie fans should have plenty to keep them satisfied here.
Extras: Audio commentary with cast and crew, deleted scenes, a featurette, along with storyboard and screen comparisons.
Official Web site
“Jackass: Number Two” (R/Unrated) - Does this really need an explanation? Johnny Knoxville and Co. subject themselves to all forms of humiliation and physical peril for their own amusement, as well as yours. Like the first film, their pain equaled money at the box office. But with Knoxville now getting more acting roles, his manager must be cringing at every passing second of this movie.
Extras: Commentary from the Jackass gang, lots of deleted scenes, outtakes and a music video.
Official Web site
“The Last Kiss” (R) - Zach Braff (“Garden State”) stars as Michael, an architect with a girlfriend (Jacinda Barrett) who just found out she’s pregnant. This throws him into a bit of a panic mode, as he’s forced to take stock of his life, with friends and family offering him all sorts of varied advice. Rachel Bilson, Casey Affleck and Blythe Danner co-star.
Extras: Multiple commentaries featuring cast and crew, deleted scenes, a gag reel and a music video.
Official Web site
Thursday, December 21, 2006
A Gander at the Globes
With last week’s announcement of the Golden Globe nominees, the traditional awards season for the movie industry kicks into full gear. The awards show, presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), has frequently served as a bellwether for the Academy Awards. Oscar nominations will be announced in February, just a couple of weeks after the Golden Globes telecast on NBC Jan. 15.
So what can be deduced from the HFPA’s list of nominees? As usual, there are some bold and informed nominations and some definite head-scratchers. There are three examples of nominees running against themselves in various categories (Leonardo DiCaprio for Best Actor, Drama, in “Blood Diamond” and “The Departed”; Clint Eastwood for Best Director in “Flags of Our Fathers” and “Letters from Iwo Jima”; and Helen Mirren for Best Actress, Miniseries or Movie in “Elizabeth I” and “Prime Suspect: The Final Act”). Obviously, the foreign press is quite smitten with Mirren, as she picked up a third acting nomination for her critically-acclaimed work in “The Queen.”
Showing a strange disregard for spreading out the nominations, no fewer than five actors received multiple acting nominations for their work in 2006. Of course, the Golden Globes makes it a point to include motion pictures and television with their own separate nominations, bringing the two industries together for its awards show. It wasn’t a big surprise that Eastwood garnered directing nominations for his strong body of work on “Flags of our Fathers” and “Letters from Iwo Jima” this year. However, the HFPA obviously didn’t quite think enough of the films to nominate either one of them for the Best Picture, Drama category – a surprising outcome. Meanwhile, the much less hyped “Bobby,” which has been met with decidedly mixed reactions from critics and audiences, grabbed a nomination in that top category.
One nomination that could potentially make for a very interesting situation is the Best Actor, Musical or Comedy nomination of Sacha Baron Cohen for “Borat.” He’s remained in character during the entire promotional process of the movie. So will he do the same come awards night? If so, it could make for some entertaining and, as Borat would say, “very nice” television.
Here’s a rundown of the Golden Globe nominees:
FILM
Picture, Drama: ”Babel,” “Bobby,” “The Departed,” “Little Children,” “The Queen”
Actress, Drama: Penelope Cruz, “Volver”; Judi Dench, “Notes on a Scandal”; Maggie Gyllenhaal, “Sherrybaby”; Helen Mirren, “The Queen”; Kate Winslet, “Little Children”
Actor, Drama: Leonardo DiCaprio, “Blood Diamond”; Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Departed”; Peter O’Toole, “Venus”; Will Smith, “The Pursuit of Happyness”; Forest Whitaker, “The Last King of Scotland”
Picture, Musical or Comedy: “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Dreamgirls,” “Little Miss Sunshine,” “Thank You for Smoking”
Actress, Musical or Comedy: Annette Bening, “Running With Scissors”; Toni Collette, “Little Miss Sunshine”; Beyonce Knowles, “Dreamgirls”; Meryl Streep, “The Devil Wears Prada”; Renee Zellweger, “Miss Potter”
Actor, Musical or Comedy: Sacha Baron Cohen, “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan”; Johnny Depp, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”; Aaron Eckhart, “Thank You for Smoking”; Chiwetel Ejiofor, “Kinky Boots”; Will Ferrell, “Stranger than Fiction”
Supporting Actress: Adriana Barraza, “Babel”; Cate Blanchett, “Notes on a Scandal”; Emily Blunt, “The Devil Wears Prada”; Jennifer Hudson, “Dreamgirls”; Rinko Kikuchi, “Babel”
Supporting Actor: Ben Affleck, “Hollywoodland”; Eddie Murphy, “Dreamgirls”; Jack Nicholson, “The Departed”; Brad Pitt, “Babel”; Mark Wahlberg, “The Departed”
Director: Clint Eastwood, “Flags of Our Fathers”; Clint Eastwood, “Letters from Iwo Jima”; Steven Frears, “The Queen”; Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, “Babel”; Martin Scorsese, “The Departed”
Screenplay: Guillermo Arriaga, “Babel”; Todd Field and Tom Perrotta, “Little Children”; Patrick Marber, “Notes on a Scandal”; William Monahan, “The Departed”; Peter Morgan, “The Queen”
Foreign Language: “Apocalypto,” USA; “Letters from Iwo Jima,” USA/Japan; “The Lives of Others,” Germany; “Pan’s Labyrinth,” Mexico; “Volver,” Spain
Animated Film: “Cars,” “Happy Feet,” “Monster House”
Original Score: Alexandre Desplat, “The Painted Veil”; Clint Mansell, “The Fountain”; Gustavo Santaolalla, “Babel”; Carlo Siliotto, “Nomad”; Hans Zimmer, “The Da Vinci Code”
Original Song: “A Father’s Way” from “The Pursuit of Happyness”; “Listen” from “Dreamgirls”; “Never Gonna Break My Faith” from “Bobby”; “The Song of the Heart” from “Happy Feet”; “Try Not to Remember” from “Home of the Brave”
TELEVISION
Series, Drama: “24,” Fox; “Big Love,” HBO; “Grey’s Anatomy,” ABC; “Heroes,” NBC; “Lost,” ABC
Actress, Drama: Patricia Arquette, “Medium”; Edie Falco, “The Sopranos”; Evangeline Lilly, “Lost”; Ellen Pompeo, “Grey’s Anatomy”; Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer”
Actor, Drama: Patrick Dempsey, “Grey’s Anatomy”; Michael C. Hall, “Dexter”; Hugh Laurie, “House”; Bill Paxton, “Big Love”; Kiefer Sutherland, “24”
Series, Musical or Comedy: ”Desperate Housewives,” ABC; “Entourage,” HBO; “The Office,” NBC; “Ugly Betty,” ABC; “Weeds,” Showtime
Actress, Musical or Comedy: Marcia Cross, “Desperate Housewives”; America Ferrera, “Ugly Betty”; Felicity Huffman, “Desperate Housewives”; Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “The New Adventures of Old Christine”; Mary-Louise Parker, “Weeds”
Actor, Musical or Comedy: Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”; Zach Braff, “Scrubs”; Steve Carrell, “The Office”; Jason Lee, “My Name is Earl”; Tony Shalhoub, “Monk”
Miniseries or movie: “Bleak House,” PBS; “Broken Trail,” AMC; “Elizabeth I,” HBO; “Mrs. Harris,” HBO; “Prime Suspect: The Final Act,” PBS
Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Gillian Anderson, “Bleak House”; Annette Bening, “Mrs. Harris”; Helen Mirren, “Elizabeth I”; Helen Mirren, “Prime Suspect: The Final Act”; Sophie Okonedo, “Tsunami, The Aftermath”
Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Andre Braugher, “Thief”; Robert Duvall, “Broken Trail”; Michael Ealy, “Sleeper Cell: American Terror”; Chiwetel Ejiofor, “Tsunami, The Aftermath”; Ben Kingsley, “Mrs. Harris”; Bill Nighy, “Gideon’s Daughter”; Matthew Perry, “The Ron Clark Story”
Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Emily Blunt, “Gideon’s Daughter”; Toni Collette, “Tsunami, The Aftermath”; Katherine Heigl, “Grey’s Anatomy”; Sarah Paulson, “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”; Elizabeth Perkins, “Weeds”
Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Thomas Haden Church, “Broken Trail”; Jeremy Irons, “Elizabeth I”; Justin Kirk, “Weeds”; Masi Oka, “Heroes”; Jeremy Piven, “Entourage”
So what can be deduced from the HFPA’s list of nominees? As usual, there are some bold and informed nominations and some definite head-scratchers. There are three examples of nominees running against themselves in various categories (Leonardo DiCaprio for Best Actor, Drama, in “Blood Diamond” and “The Departed”; Clint Eastwood for Best Director in “Flags of Our Fathers” and “Letters from Iwo Jima”; and Helen Mirren for Best Actress, Miniseries or Movie in “Elizabeth I” and “Prime Suspect: The Final Act”). Obviously, the foreign press is quite smitten with Mirren, as she picked up a third acting nomination for her critically-acclaimed work in “The Queen.”
Showing a strange disregard for spreading out the nominations, no fewer than five actors received multiple acting nominations for their work in 2006. Of course, the Golden Globes makes it a point to include motion pictures and television with their own separate nominations, bringing the two industries together for its awards show. It wasn’t a big surprise that Eastwood garnered directing nominations for his strong body of work on “Flags of our Fathers” and “Letters from Iwo Jima” this year. However, the HFPA obviously didn’t quite think enough of the films to nominate either one of them for the Best Picture, Drama category – a surprising outcome. Meanwhile, the much less hyped “Bobby,” which has been met with decidedly mixed reactions from critics and audiences, grabbed a nomination in that top category.
One nomination that could potentially make for a very interesting situation is the Best Actor, Musical or Comedy nomination of Sacha Baron Cohen for “Borat.” He’s remained in character during the entire promotional process of the movie. So will he do the same come awards night? If so, it could make for some entertaining and, as Borat would say, “very nice” television.
Here’s a rundown of the Golden Globe nominees:
FILM
Picture, Drama: ”Babel,” “Bobby,” “The Departed,” “Little Children,” “The Queen”
Actress, Drama: Penelope Cruz, “Volver”; Judi Dench, “Notes on a Scandal”; Maggie Gyllenhaal, “Sherrybaby”; Helen Mirren, “The Queen”; Kate Winslet, “Little Children”
Actor, Drama: Leonardo DiCaprio, “Blood Diamond”; Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Departed”; Peter O’Toole, “Venus”; Will Smith, “The Pursuit of Happyness”; Forest Whitaker, “The Last King of Scotland”
Picture, Musical or Comedy: “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Dreamgirls,” “Little Miss Sunshine,” “Thank You for Smoking”
Actress, Musical or Comedy: Annette Bening, “Running With Scissors”; Toni Collette, “Little Miss Sunshine”; Beyonce Knowles, “Dreamgirls”; Meryl Streep, “The Devil Wears Prada”; Renee Zellweger, “Miss Potter”
Actor, Musical or Comedy: Sacha Baron Cohen, “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan”; Johnny Depp, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”; Aaron Eckhart, “Thank You for Smoking”; Chiwetel Ejiofor, “Kinky Boots”; Will Ferrell, “Stranger than Fiction”
Supporting Actress: Adriana Barraza, “Babel”; Cate Blanchett, “Notes on a Scandal”; Emily Blunt, “The Devil Wears Prada”; Jennifer Hudson, “Dreamgirls”; Rinko Kikuchi, “Babel”
Supporting Actor: Ben Affleck, “Hollywoodland”; Eddie Murphy, “Dreamgirls”; Jack Nicholson, “The Departed”; Brad Pitt, “Babel”; Mark Wahlberg, “The Departed”
Director: Clint Eastwood, “Flags of Our Fathers”; Clint Eastwood, “Letters from Iwo Jima”; Steven Frears, “The Queen”; Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, “Babel”; Martin Scorsese, “The Departed”
Screenplay: Guillermo Arriaga, “Babel”; Todd Field and Tom Perrotta, “Little Children”; Patrick Marber, “Notes on a Scandal”; William Monahan, “The Departed”; Peter Morgan, “The Queen”
Foreign Language: “Apocalypto,” USA; “Letters from Iwo Jima,” USA/Japan; “The Lives of Others,” Germany; “Pan’s Labyrinth,” Mexico; “Volver,” Spain
Animated Film: “Cars,” “Happy Feet,” “Monster House”
Original Score: Alexandre Desplat, “The Painted Veil”; Clint Mansell, “The Fountain”; Gustavo Santaolalla, “Babel”; Carlo Siliotto, “Nomad”; Hans Zimmer, “The Da Vinci Code”
Original Song: “A Father’s Way” from “The Pursuit of Happyness”; “Listen” from “Dreamgirls”; “Never Gonna Break My Faith” from “Bobby”; “The Song of the Heart” from “Happy Feet”; “Try Not to Remember” from “Home of the Brave”
TELEVISION
Series, Drama: “24,” Fox; “Big Love,” HBO; “Grey’s Anatomy,” ABC; “Heroes,” NBC; “Lost,” ABC
Actress, Drama: Patricia Arquette, “Medium”; Edie Falco, “The Sopranos”; Evangeline Lilly, “Lost”; Ellen Pompeo, “Grey’s Anatomy”; Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer”
Actor, Drama: Patrick Dempsey, “Grey’s Anatomy”; Michael C. Hall, “Dexter”; Hugh Laurie, “House”; Bill Paxton, “Big Love”; Kiefer Sutherland, “24”
Series, Musical or Comedy: ”Desperate Housewives,” ABC; “Entourage,” HBO; “The Office,” NBC; “Ugly Betty,” ABC; “Weeds,” Showtime
Actress, Musical or Comedy: Marcia Cross, “Desperate Housewives”; America Ferrera, “Ugly Betty”; Felicity Huffman, “Desperate Housewives”; Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “The New Adventures of Old Christine”; Mary-Louise Parker, “Weeds”
Actor, Musical or Comedy: Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”; Zach Braff, “Scrubs”; Steve Carrell, “The Office”; Jason Lee, “My Name is Earl”; Tony Shalhoub, “Monk”
Miniseries or movie: “Bleak House,” PBS; “Broken Trail,” AMC; “Elizabeth I,” HBO; “Mrs. Harris,” HBO; “Prime Suspect: The Final Act,” PBS
Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Gillian Anderson, “Bleak House”; Annette Bening, “Mrs. Harris”; Helen Mirren, “Elizabeth I”; Helen Mirren, “Prime Suspect: The Final Act”; Sophie Okonedo, “Tsunami, The Aftermath”
Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Andre Braugher, “Thief”; Robert Duvall, “Broken Trail”; Michael Ealy, “Sleeper Cell: American Terror”; Chiwetel Ejiofor, “Tsunami, The Aftermath”; Ben Kingsley, “Mrs. Harris”; Bill Nighy, “Gideon’s Daughter”; Matthew Perry, “The Ron Clark Story”
Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Emily Blunt, “Gideon’s Daughter”; Toni Collette, “Tsunami, The Aftermath”; Katherine Heigl, “Grey’s Anatomy”; Sarah Paulson, “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”; Elizabeth Perkins, “Weeds”
Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Thomas Haden Church, “Broken Trail”; Jeremy Irons, “Elizabeth I”; Justin Kirk, “Weeds”; Masi Oka, “Heroes”; Jeremy Piven, “Entourage”
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Box Office Report: Dec. 15-17
Showing he still has the box office clout to open a movie with good numbers, Will Smith helped “The Pursuit of Happyness” take the top spot for the weekend with over $26 million, knocking “Apocalypto” down to the sixth slot in the top 10. “Eragon,” the special effects extravaganza about dragon fighters made a fairly strong showing for second place with $23.3 million.
Less impressive was the debut of “Charlotte’s Web,” which was a distant third at $11.5 million. By comparison, another family-friendly movie, “Happy Feet,” has already grossed over $200 million in just five weeks of release.
On the worldwide box office chart, “Casino Royale” is the only real mover, having climbed to sixth place, with a top five finish very likely by year’s end.
1. “The Pursuit of Happyness”
(Weekend domestic gross - $26.5 million)
(Worldwide gross - $26.5 million)
(Budget - $55 million)
2. “Eragon”
(Weekend domestic gross - $23.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $23.3 million)
(Budget - $100 million)
3. “Charlotte’s Web”
(Weekend domestic gross - $11.5 million)
(Worldwide gross - $15.4 million)
(Budget - $85 million)
4. “Happy Feet”
(Weekend domestic gross - $8.4 million)
(Worldwide gross - $210.2 million)
(Budget - $100 million)
5. “The Holiday”
(Weekend domestic gross - $8.01 million)
(Worldwide gross - $54.4 million)
(Budget - $85 million)
6. “Apocalypto”
(Weekend domestic gross - $8.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $29.6 million)
(Budget - $40 million)
7. “Blood Diamond”
(Weekend domestic gross - $6.5 million)
(Worldwide gross - $19.4 million)
(Budget - $100 million)
8. “Casino Royale”
(Weekend domestic gross - $5.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $417.9 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
9. “The Nativity Story”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.7 million)
(Worldwide gross - $28.0 million)
(Budget - $35 million)
10. “Unaccompanied Minors”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.5 million)
(Worldwide gross - $10.8 million)
(Budget - $25 million)
2006 Year-To-Date
1. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”
(Worldwide gross - $1.065 billion)
(Budget - $225 million)
2. “The Da Vinci Code”
(Worldwide gross - $756.7 million)
(Budget - $125 million)
3. “Ice Age: The Meltdown”
(Worldwide gross - $647.2 million)
(Budget - $80 million)
4. “Cars”
(Worldwide gross - $461.8 million)
(Budget - $120 million)
5. “X-Men: The Last Stand”
(Worldwide gross - $458.8 million)
(Budget - $210 million)
6. “Casino Royale”
(Worldwide gross - $417.9 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
7. “Mission: Impossible III”
(Worldwide gross - $396.2 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
8. “Superman Returns”
(Worldwide gross - $391.1 million)
(Budget - $260 million)
9. “Over the Hedge”
(Worldwide gross - $331.3 million)
(Budget - N/A)
10. “The Devil Wears Prada”
(Worldwide gross - $311.7 million)
(Budget - $35 million)
Less impressive was the debut of “Charlotte’s Web,” which was a distant third at $11.5 million. By comparison, another family-friendly movie, “Happy Feet,” has already grossed over $200 million in just five weeks of release.
On the worldwide box office chart, “Casino Royale” is the only real mover, having climbed to sixth place, with a top five finish very likely by year’s end.
1. “The Pursuit of Happyness”
(Weekend domestic gross - $26.5 million)
(Worldwide gross - $26.5 million)
(Budget - $55 million)
2. “Eragon”
(Weekend domestic gross - $23.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $23.3 million)
(Budget - $100 million)
3. “Charlotte’s Web”
(Weekend domestic gross - $11.5 million)
(Worldwide gross - $15.4 million)
(Budget - $85 million)
4. “Happy Feet”
(Weekend domestic gross - $8.4 million)
(Worldwide gross - $210.2 million)
(Budget - $100 million)
5. “The Holiday”
(Weekend domestic gross - $8.01 million)
(Worldwide gross - $54.4 million)
(Budget - $85 million)
6. “Apocalypto”
(Weekend domestic gross - $8.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $29.6 million)
(Budget - $40 million)
7. “Blood Diamond”
(Weekend domestic gross - $6.5 million)
(Worldwide gross - $19.4 million)
(Budget - $100 million)
8. “Casino Royale”
(Weekend domestic gross - $5.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $417.9 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
9. “The Nativity Story”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.7 million)
(Worldwide gross - $28.0 million)
(Budget - $35 million)
10. “Unaccompanied Minors”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.5 million)
(Worldwide gross - $10.8 million)
(Budget - $25 million)
2006 Year-To-Date
1. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”
(Worldwide gross - $1.065 billion)
(Budget - $225 million)
2. “The Da Vinci Code”
(Worldwide gross - $756.7 million)
(Budget - $125 million)
3. “Ice Age: The Meltdown”
(Worldwide gross - $647.2 million)
(Budget - $80 million)
4. “Cars”
(Worldwide gross - $461.8 million)
(Budget - $120 million)
5. “X-Men: The Last Stand”
(Worldwide gross - $458.8 million)
(Budget - $210 million)
6. “Casino Royale”
(Worldwide gross - $417.9 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
7. “Mission: Impossible III”
(Worldwide gross - $396.2 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
8. “Superman Returns”
(Worldwide gross - $391.1 million)
(Budget - $260 million)
9. “Over the Hedge”
(Worldwide gross - $331.3 million)
(Budget - N/A)
10. “The Devil Wears Prada”
(Worldwide gross - $311.7 million)
(Budget - $35 million)
Sunday, December 17, 2006
DVD Releases - Dec. 19
“All the King’s Men” (PG-13) - At one time thought to be an Oscar contender, the long delayed release of this film of the Robert Penn Warren novel evidently signaled trouble as critics and audiences largely dismissed it when it hit theaters this past fall. Could a movie that has a cast of Sean Penn, Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Anthony Hopkins really be bad? Find out for yourself, if you desire.
Extras: Multiple featurettes, deleted scenes, a documentary on politician Huey Long and an alternate ending.
Official Web site
“ER: Season 6” - By this point in its run, the show was at the peak of popularity, even with the departure of George Clooney and the arrival of fresh blood such as Maura Tierney and Goran Visnjic.
Extras: Deleted scenes and a gag reel.
Official Web site
“Jet Li’s Fearless” (PG-13/Unrated) - What was being billed as Jet Li’s final martial arts epic, this action pic was a big hit overseas. Li plays a true life Chinese folk hero who becomes a legendary martial arts master and a symbolic figure of the strength China had in resisting Western culture at the arrival of the 20th century.
Extras: A featurette and a deleted scene (just one?!).
Official Web site
“Invincible” (PG) - The true story of Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg), a Philadelphia bartender who earns an unlikely spot on the Philadelphia Eagles football team, comes to the big screen. Featuring Greg Kinnear as then-head coach Dick Vermeil, the crowd-pleasing movie was a solid late summer hit for Disney.
Extras: A featurette on Papale, as well as commentary by Papale and a number of crew members.
Official Web site
“Lady in the Water” (PG-13) - Following the disappointment of “The Village,” M. Night Shyamalan’s follow-up was widely perceived as, well, another disappointment. The great Paul Giamatti stars as an apartment building superintendent who finds a young woman (Bryce Dallas Howard) in a swimming pool, only to discover that she’s more than she appears and that there are creatures who are coming for her.
Extras: A documentary on the making of the film, a featurette, deleted scenes, a gag reel and audition footage.
Official Web site
“Little Miss Sunshine” (R) - Both a critical and commercial success, the debut feature film from directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris follows the Hoovers, a dysfunctional family that heads on a road trip to California for a “Little Miss Sunshine” pageant. Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Steve Carrell and Alan Arkin head up the solid cast.
Extras: Commentary by Dayton and Faris with writer Michael Arndt, and four (!) alternate endings. (Was there some uncertainty on how to end the film?).
Official Web site
“My Super Ex- Girlfriend” (PG-13) - Luke Wilson, Uma Thurman, Anna Faris and Eddie Izzard star for director Ivan Reitman in a comedy about an average joe (Wilson) who falls in love with a superhero (Thurman), who has definite anger management issues. He quickly learns this when he breaks up with her and she decides to make his life a living hell.
Extras: Deleted scenes and a music video.
Official Web site
“A Scanner Darkly” (R) - Director Richard Linklater’s adaptation of Phillip Dick’s novel makes use of the same animation over live action format that he used to good effect in “Waking Life.” Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, Woody Harrelson and Robert Downey Jr. are among the good cast in a story that deals with a dangerous drug culture and an undercover agent’s attempts to find the source of a particularly potent substance.
Extras: Commentary by Linklater, Reeves and others, along with a couple of featurettes.
Official Web site
“The Simpsons: Season 9” - The animated classic is back for another season of hijinks, featuring some classic episodes such as “The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson” and “Trash of the Titans,” featuring Steve Martin and U2.
Extras: Commentary on select episodes from cast and crew, deleted scenes and a sketch gallery.
Official Web site
“When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts” - In my estimation, this thorough and emotionally involving four-part documentary is the finest piece of work Spike Lee has ever assembled, and ranks up there with the best documentaries of all time. An examination of Hurricane Katrina and its devastating aftermath, particularly in New Orleans, is the focus of this ambitious project. Lee himself wisely stays out of the picture, leaving the story to be told by those who were unfortunately a part of one of the most tragic natural disasters to ever strike the United States. If you missed this when it aired on HBO earlier this year, it’s very much worth a look on DVD.
Extras: Commentary by Lee, as well as an epilogue featuring new interviews and insights.
Official Web site
Extras: Multiple featurettes, deleted scenes, a documentary on politician Huey Long and an alternate ending.
Official Web site
“ER: Season 6” - By this point in its run, the show was at the peak of popularity, even with the departure of George Clooney and the arrival of fresh blood such as Maura Tierney and Goran Visnjic.
Extras: Deleted scenes and a gag reel.
Official Web site
“Jet Li’s Fearless” (PG-13/Unrated) - What was being billed as Jet Li’s final martial arts epic, this action pic was a big hit overseas. Li plays a true life Chinese folk hero who becomes a legendary martial arts master and a symbolic figure of the strength China had in resisting Western culture at the arrival of the 20th century.
Extras: A featurette and a deleted scene (just one?!).
Official Web site
“Invincible” (PG) - The true story of Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg), a Philadelphia bartender who earns an unlikely spot on the Philadelphia Eagles football team, comes to the big screen. Featuring Greg Kinnear as then-head coach Dick Vermeil, the crowd-pleasing movie was a solid late summer hit for Disney.
Extras: A featurette on Papale, as well as commentary by Papale and a number of crew members.
Official Web site
“Lady in the Water” (PG-13) - Following the disappointment of “The Village,” M. Night Shyamalan’s follow-up was widely perceived as, well, another disappointment. The great Paul Giamatti stars as an apartment building superintendent who finds a young woman (Bryce Dallas Howard) in a swimming pool, only to discover that she’s more than she appears and that there are creatures who are coming for her.
Extras: A documentary on the making of the film, a featurette, deleted scenes, a gag reel and audition footage.
Official Web site
“Little Miss Sunshine” (R) - Both a critical and commercial success, the debut feature film from directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris follows the Hoovers, a dysfunctional family that heads on a road trip to California for a “Little Miss Sunshine” pageant. Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Steve Carrell and Alan Arkin head up the solid cast.
Extras: Commentary by Dayton and Faris with writer Michael Arndt, and four (!) alternate endings. (Was there some uncertainty on how to end the film?).
Official Web site
“My Super Ex- Girlfriend” (PG-13) - Luke Wilson, Uma Thurman, Anna Faris and Eddie Izzard star for director Ivan Reitman in a comedy about an average joe (Wilson) who falls in love with a superhero (Thurman), who has definite anger management issues. He quickly learns this when he breaks up with her and she decides to make his life a living hell.
Extras: Deleted scenes and a music video.
Official Web site
“A Scanner Darkly” (R) - Director Richard Linklater’s adaptation of Phillip Dick’s novel makes use of the same animation over live action format that he used to good effect in “Waking Life.” Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, Woody Harrelson and Robert Downey Jr. are among the good cast in a story that deals with a dangerous drug culture and an undercover agent’s attempts to find the source of a particularly potent substance.
Extras: Commentary by Linklater, Reeves and others, along with a couple of featurettes.
Official Web site
“The Simpsons: Season 9” - The animated classic is back for another season of hijinks, featuring some classic episodes such as “The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson” and “Trash of the Titans,” featuring Steve Martin and U2.
Extras: Commentary on select episodes from cast and crew, deleted scenes and a sketch gallery.
Official Web site
“When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts” - In my estimation, this thorough and emotionally involving four-part documentary is the finest piece of work Spike Lee has ever assembled, and ranks up there with the best documentaries of all time. An examination of Hurricane Katrina and its devastating aftermath, particularly in New Orleans, is the focus of this ambitious project. Lee himself wisely stays out of the picture, leaving the story to be told by those who were unfortunately a part of one of the most tragic natural disasters to ever strike the United States. If you missed this when it aired on HBO earlier this year, it’s very much worth a look on DVD.
Extras: Commentary by Lee, as well as an epilogue featuring new interviews and insights.
Official Web site
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Box Office Report: Dec. 8-10
Managing to overcome little PR problems like drunk driving mixed with anti-Semitic comments and a resulting stint in alcohol rehab, Mel Gibson and Disney had to be breathing a sigh of relief when “Apocalypto” topped the box office chart over the weekend. Evidently, moviegoers are a forgiving lot when it comes to Gibson, as the film pulled in $15 million, exceeding expectations from Hollywood prognosticators.
Still, the movie’s debut was a far cry from the more than $80 million Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” took in its opening weekend. But it did manage to fend off what looked like some stiff competition, as “The Holiday” and “Blood Diamond” both debuted to disappointing results, taking in $12.8 million and 8.6 million, respectively.
1. “Apocalypto”
(Weekend domestic gross - $15.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $15.0 million)
(Budget - $40 million)
2. “Happy Feet”
(Weekend domestic gross - $12.9 million)
(Worldwide gross - $179.9 million)
(Budget - $100 million)
3. “The Holiday”
(Weekend domestic gross - $12.8 million)
(Worldwide gross - $23.9 million)
(Budget - $85 million)
4. “Casino Royale”
(Weekend domestic gross - $8.9 million)
(Worldwide gross - $11.4 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
5. “Blood Diamond”
(Weekend domestic gross - $8.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $8.6 million)
(Budget - $100 million)
6. “Deja Vu”
(Weekend domestic gross - $6.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $65.1 million)
(Budget - $75 million)
7. “Unaccompanied Minors”
(Weekend domestic gross - $5.8 million)
(Worldwide gross - $6.3 million)
(Budget - $25 million)
8. “The Nativity Story”
(Weekend domestic gross - $5.7 million)
(Worldwide gross - $17.9 million)
(Budget - $35 million)
9. “Deck the Halls”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $33.8 million)
(Budget - N/A)
10. “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $91.3 million)
(Budget - N/A)
2006 Year-To-Date
1. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”
(Worldwide gross - $1.065 billion)
(Budget - $225 million)
2. “The Da Vinci Code”
(Worldwide gross - $756.7 million)
(Budget - $125 million)
3. “Ice Age: The Meltdown”
(Worldwide gross - $647.2 million)
(Budget - $80 million)
4. “Cars”
(Worldwide gross - $461.8 million)
(Budget - $120 million)
5. “X-Men: The Last Stand”
(Worldwide gross - $458.8 million)
(Budget - $210 million)
6. “Mission: Impossible III”
(Worldwide gross - $396.2 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
7. “Superman Returns”
(Worldwide gross - $391.1 million)
(Budget - $260 million)
8. “Casino Royale”
(Worldwide gross - $376.2 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
9. “Over the Hedge”
(Worldwide gross - $331.2 million)
(Budget - N/A)
10. “The Devil Wears Prada”
(Worldwide gross - $311.7 million)
(Budget - $35 million)
Still, the movie’s debut was a far cry from the more than $80 million Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” took in its opening weekend. But it did manage to fend off what looked like some stiff competition, as “The Holiday” and “Blood Diamond” both debuted to disappointing results, taking in $12.8 million and 8.6 million, respectively.
1. “Apocalypto”
(Weekend domestic gross - $15.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $15.0 million)
(Budget - $40 million)
2. “Happy Feet”
(Weekend domestic gross - $12.9 million)
(Worldwide gross - $179.9 million)
(Budget - $100 million)
3. “The Holiday”
(Weekend domestic gross - $12.8 million)
(Worldwide gross - $23.9 million)
(Budget - $85 million)
4. “Casino Royale”
(Weekend domestic gross - $8.9 million)
(Worldwide gross - $11.4 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
5. “Blood Diamond”
(Weekend domestic gross - $8.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $8.6 million)
(Budget - $100 million)
6. “Deja Vu”
(Weekend domestic gross - $6.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $65.1 million)
(Budget - $75 million)
7. “Unaccompanied Minors”
(Weekend domestic gross - $5.8 million)
(Worldwide gross - $6.3 million)
(Budget - $25 million)
8. “The Nativity Story”
(Weekend domestic gross - $5.7 million)
(Worldwide gross - $17.9 million)
(Budget - $35 million)
9. “Deck the Halls”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $33.8 million)
(Budget - N/A)
10. “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $91.3 million)
(Budget - N/A)
2006 Year-To-Date
1. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”
(Worldwide gross - $1.065 billion)
(Budget - $225 million)
2. “The Da Vinci Code”
(Worldwide gross - $756.7 million)
(Budget - $125 million)
3. “Ice Age: The Meltdown”
(Worldwide gross - $647.2 million)
(Budget - $80 million)
4. “Cars”
(Worldwide gross - $461.8 million)
(Budget - $120 million)
5. “X-Men: The Last Stand”
(Worldwide gross - $458.8 million)
(Budget - $210 million)
6. “Mission: Impossible III”
(Worldwide gross - $396.2 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
7. “Superman Returns”
(Worldwide gross - $391.1 million)
(Budget - $260 million)
8. “Casino Royale”
(Worldwide gross - $376.2 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
9. “Over the Hedge”
(Worldwide gross - $331.2 million)
(Budget - N/A)
10. “The Devil Wears Prada”
(Worldwide gross - $311.7 million)
(Budget - $35 million)
Sunday, December 10, 2006
DVD Releases - Dec. 12
“The Andy Griffith Show: The Complete Final Season” - If you’re a completist in purchasing the whole package of “Andy Griffith” seasons, then this will finish it off. Otherwise, most TV historians consider this the least of the show’s seasons, as Don Knotts only makes one appearance and the final episodes set up the spin-off, “Mayberry RFD.”
Extras: Nothing at all. Enjoy.
No official Web site.
“Barnyard” (PG) - From some of the same people that brought you “Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius” comes another family-oriented, CGI filmed movie. This one focuses on farm animals and the wild life they lead when the humans aren’t watching them. OK, it’s rated PG, so it’s not that wild. Features the voices of Kevin James, Danny Glover, Sam Elliott and Courteney Cox.
Extras: Deleted scenes and interactive games.
Official Web site
“Bugsy: Extended Cut” (R) - A great film finally gets a more deserving DVD release than the previously crappy version out on the market, as director Barry Levinson’s film gets a new extended cut of 15 more minutes. The film looks into the life of Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel (Warren Beatty) and his visionary, if not reckless desire to bring casinos into the Nevada desert. I wonder whatever happened to that casino idea. The movie also stars Annette Bening, Ben Kingsley, Harvey Keitel and Elliott Gould.
Extras: Aside from the extra footage, deleted scenes and a documentary on Siegel.
No official Web site.
“The Devil Wears Prada” (PG-13) - The ever-versatile Meryl Streep takes on a comedic role in this adaptation of the best-selling novel of the same name, playing a horribly demanding magazine editor, who puts her new assistant (Anne Hathaway) to the test. This was a solid box-office success during the summer.
Extras: Audio commentary from some of the crew, deleted scenes and multiple featurettes.
Official Web site
“Idlewild” (R) - Despite their popularity on the music charts, Outkast’s first (and possibly only) foray together in a movie failed to click with audiences when released earlier this year. As one would expect, there’s plenty of music featured in the film, directed by Bryan Barker, who also has helmed many of the duo’s music videos. Aside from Andre Benjamin and Antwan “Big Boi” Patton, the cast features Paula Patton, Terrence Howard and Ving Rhames.
Extras: A deleted scene and song, and a pair of music videos.
Official Web site
“St. Elsewhere: Season 1” - The 1980s critically-acclaimed medical drama makes its debut on DVD, having laid the foundation for latter day medical TV shows such as “E.R.” and “Chicago Hope,” among others. It also had a pretty eclectic cast, including Denzel Washington, Mark Harmon, Ed Begley Jr. and Howie Mandel.
Extras: Commentary on one episode from cast and crew and multiple featurettes.
No official Web site.
“Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” (PG-13/Unrated) - Another box office smash from star Will Ferrell and director Adam McKay (“Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy”), as they take on the world of NASCAR and the need for speed. With a very good cast on hand, including John C. Reilly, Amy Adams, Gary Cole and the ever versatile Sacha Baron Cohen (“Borat”), there are quite a few laughs to go around.
Extras: With a rated and unrated version on the market, there are a ton of DVD features, including commentary from cast and crew, deleted and extended scenes, interviews with the cast in character, a gag reel and much more.
Official Web site
“World Trade Center” (PG-13) - Although many cringed (myself included) when hearing that director Oliver Stone was going to be taking on a 9/11 film, the end result was largely considered a respectful tribute to the tragedy that took place on that day. “World Trade Center” focuses on the true-life rescue of John McLoughlin (Nicolas Cage) and William Jimeno (Michael Pena) from the rubble of the Twin Towers. Maria Bello and Maggie Gyllenhaal also star.
Extras: Commentary from Stone and others, deleted/extended scenes and multiple featurettes.
Official Web site
Extras: Nothing at all. Enjoy.
No official Web site.
“Barnyard” (PG) - From some of the same people that brought you “Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius” comes another family-oriented, CGI filmed movie. This one focuses on farm animals and the wild life they lead when the humans aren’t watching them. OK, it’s rated PG, so it’s not that wild. Features the voices of Kevin James, Danny Glover, Sam Elliott and Courteney Cox.
Extras: Deleted scenes and interactive games.
Official Web site
“Bugsy: Extended Cut” (R) - A great film finally gets a more deserving DVD release than the previously crappy version out on the market, as director Barry Levinson’s film gets a new extended cut of 15 more minutes. The film looks into the life of Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel (Warren Beatty) and his visionary, if not reckless desire to bring casinos into the Nevada desert. I wonder whatever happened to that casino idea. The movie also stars Annette Bening, Ben Kingsley, Harvey Keitel and Elliott Gould.
Extras: Aside from the extra footage, deleted scenes and a documentary on Siegel.
No official Web site.
“The Devil Wears Prada” (PG-13) - The ever-versatile Meryl Streep takes on a comedic role in this adaptation of the best-selling novel of the same name, playing a horribly demanding magazine editor, who puts her new assistant (Anne Hathaway) to the test. This was a solid box-office success during the summer.
Extras: Audio commentary from some of the crew, deleted scenes and multiple featurettes.
Official Web site
“Idlewild” (R) - Despite their popularity on the music charts, Outkast’s first (and possibly only) foray together in a movie failed to click with audiences when released earlier this year. As one would expect, there’s plenty of music featured in the film, directed by Bryan Barker, who also has helmed many of the duo’s music videos. Aside from Andre Benjamin and Antwan “Big Boi” Patton, the cast features Paula Patton, Terrence Howard and Ving Rhames.
Extras: A deleted scene and song, and a pair of music videos.
Official Web site
“St. Elsewhere: Season 1” - The 1980s critically-acclaimed medical drama makes its debut on DVD, having laid the foundation for latter day medical TV shows such as “E.R.” and “Chicago Hope,” among others. It also had a pretty eclectic cast, including Denzel Washington, Mark Harmon, Ed Begley Jr. and Howie Mandel.
Extras: Commentary on one episode from cast and crew and multiple featurettes.
No official Web site.
“Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” (PG-13/Unrated) - Another box office smash from star Will Ferrell and director Adam McKay (“Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy”), as they take on the world of NASCAR and the need for speed. With a very good cast on hand, including John C. Reilly, Amy Adams, Gary Cole and the ever versatile Sacha Baron Cohen (“Borat”), there are quite a few laughs to go around.
Extras: With a rated and unrated version on the market, there are a ton of DVD features, including commentary from cast and crew, deleted and extended scenes, interviews with the cast in character, a gag reel and much more.
Official Web site
“World Trade Center” (PG-13) - Although many cringed (myself included) when hearing that director Oliver Stone was going to be taking on a 9/11 film, the end result was largely considered a respectful tribute to the tragedy that took place on that day. “World Trade Center” focuses on the true-life rescue of John McLoughlin (Nicolas Cage) and William Jimeno (Michael Pena) from the rubble of the Twin Towers. Maria Bello and Maggie Gyllenhaal also star.
Extras: Commentary from Stone and others, deleted/extended scenes and multiple featurettes.
Official Web site
Thursday, December 07, 2006
The Mac Is Back
After having to endure a wait of eight weeks (yes, that's right – two months), Apple finally came through and shipped my dang logic board that had been on back order. So with my eMac back in working order (knock on wood), you should start seeing much more frequent updates again to the site, including the return of poster art to the reviews. That was something that was too time consuming to do on computers of my friends who were gracious enough to let me use them to do mundane tasks such as checking e-mail.
So I'll be getting back to talking movies, giving box office reports, DVD releases and more very soon. In fact, a new review is coming in just a sec ...
MC
So I'll be getting back to talking movies, giving box office reports, DVD releases and more very soon. In fact, a new review is coming in just a sec ...
MC
Movie Review: "The Fountain"
Starring Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz, Ellen Burstyn, Cliff Curtis, Sean Patrick Thomas
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Official Web site
Having nurtured “The Fountain” on an arduous and sometimes painful process to completion, director Darren Aronofsky’s creation is neither as good or as bad as it had the potential to be.
To be sure, there could be no absolute way for Aronofsky to craft a script that has three different narratives spanning 1,000 years without leaving some people behind. It’s obvious a few minutes into its running time that “The Fountain” has no interest or intent on telling a straightforward story. Freely jumping between centuries, the storylines involve a 16th century Spanish conquistador (Hugh Jackman), a modern day surgeon (Jackman) and a 26th century astronaut (Jackman again). The common quest for all of his characters is the desire for eternal life.
As Tomas, the conquistador, seeks the Fountain of Youth at the request of Queen Isabella (Rachel Weisz), Tommy Creo, the neurosurgeon, desperately researches ways to shrink tumors. Both quests have an urgency behind them, as the queen’s enemies are gathering strength against her, while Tommy’s wife, Isabel (Weisz), suffers from an aggressive brain tumor. The futuristic portion of the script is the least developed, and ultimately, least satisfactory segment of the film. It portrays a bald Tom (not a good look for Jackman, by the way) as a knowledge seeker floating through space with the apparently dying Tree of Life and the ghost of Isabel keeping him company.
The non-linear format of the movie is at times an effective device, yet can also be frustrating. It allows the viewer to draw parallels between the narratives, such as the power of love and the overwhelming desire to stave off death. But as the film swiftly jumps between the centuries, it keeps you at a distance from most of the action and characters on screen.
Only the strong and passionate love that Tommy and Isabel share in the present day story clearly resonates. Some of that credit definitely has to go to Jackman and Weisz, who craft a believable relationship that only one believes is coming to an end on a physical level.
Essentially seeking a cure to save the life of his beloved, Tommy finds himself conflicted over spending time with Isabel and following through on groundbreaking research experiments. He pushes himself to his emotional limits, trying to maintain a brave front for his wife. But his fear of losing her is barely contained below the surface. Jackman, who most audiences know as Wolverine from the “X-Men” films, gives a brave and audacious trio of performances that gives the film most of its emotional weight.
Aronofsky is also aided by outstanding work from cinematographer Matthew Libatique and the production design crew, as lighting and inventive camera work captures memorable images on what was a fairly modest budget, by today’s movie standards. Not that Aronofsky hasn’t had practice with making the most out of smaller budgets, with “Pi” and especially “Requiem for a Dream” examples of making the most out of limited resources.
Having been blown away by the power of “Requiem for a Dream,” when seeing it several years ago, I was eagerly looking forward to what Aronofsky next had in store. While “The Fountain” doesn’t quite live up to the expectations that many will have built up, it certainly can be called a daring piece of work. It has passion and desire coursing through it, but is simply not quite the sum of its parts.
Still, it’s a challenging film that demonstrates the desire of a filmmaker to continue following his own path. Whether the uneven invention on display in “The Fountain” can be considered a good thing likely best lies in the eyes of the beholder.
Grade: B
(Rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of violent action, some
sensuality and language.)
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