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.)
Friday, November 17, 2006
Movie Review: "Stranger Than Fiction"
Starring Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah and Emma Thompson
Directed by Marc Forster
Never mind the commercials you’ve been seeing on TV, advertising “Stranger Than Fiction” as another wacky Will Ferrell comedy, with the actor running about while the tune of “Don’t Bring Me Down” by Electric Light Orchestra plays in the background. Laughs are in fairly short supply during the movie’s nearly two-hour running time.
That in itself isn’t too big of a deal, as the movie would appear to be taking aim much more as a drama with humorous and romantic situations included. But what is a little harder to overlook is the sometimes overly clever screenplay and inconsistent pacing of the proceedings. It’s a two-hour movie that plays a lot longer.
“Stranger Than Fiction” plays out as Ferrell’s antithesis to Ricky Bobby, his overly emotional and intellectually challenged NASCAR driver from this summer’s hit film, “Talladega Nights.” In “Fiction,” he portrays Harold Crick, an emotionally bottled up IRS worker who lives a life of solitude, yet doesn’t really seem to dislike the path that his life has taken. There is a significant amount of order in his life, from the precise time he arrives at the bus stop every workday to the number of brush strokes he uses when cleaning his teeth. Clearly, this is a guy that may have a problem dealing with change.
That change comes about when Harold begins to hear a voice – a British woman’s voice, to be precise, complete with “a better vocabulary,” as Harold helpfully points out. But the voice doesn’t talk to Harold. Rather, it talks about him, narrating his mundane life while only Harold can hear the comments. Unbeknownst to Harold, reclusive author Kay Eiffel (Emma Thompson) is who Harold is hearing, as he is the central character in her latest book. She has no idea that her character is roaming out in society and thus has no qualms with killing off the poor sap. After all, knocking off the main character is a regular occurence in her books.
This proves to be a bit of a problem for Harold, however, who enlists the aid of Jules Hilbert (Dustin Hoffman) to determine why his life seems to be spiraling out of control. Hoffman, as the straight talking, yet slightly eccentric college professor, helps keep the rather unbelievable storyline on a more grounded level. His interactions with Ferrell are among the more well written and comical moments in the film.
To his credit, Ferrell steps away from his normal wild comedic roles to play a real introvert. It’s much the same kind of strategy that Jim Carrey employed when tackling “The Truman Show,” to which the film bears more than a passing resemblance in tone and attitude. He shows an ability to do drama, yet still maintain a comic presence. However, the character is maybe a bit too muted and his transformation in the film’s latter half takes some real leaps of faith.
While the script by Zach Helm does show some wit, emotion and invention, it’s limited and draws obvious comparisons to wittier, smarter and better material by noted screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (“Adaptation,” “Being John Malkovich” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”)
Ultimately, “Fiction” struggles to maintain its whimsical tone, while still moving towards its seemingly inevitable conclusion. There’s quite a bit to like about the movie, from its eye catching production design to its earnest performances from Ferrell, Hoffman and Maggie Gyllenhaal as the romantic object of Harold’s eye. It’s just that a movie built on a creative, yet underdeveloped conceit should be more of a fizzy and fun concoction. Instead, this “Fiction” is a just a little flat.
Grade: C+
(Rated PG-13 for some disturbing images, sexuality, brief language and nudity.)
Directed by Marc Forster
Never mind the commercials you’ve been seeing on TV, advertising “Stranger Than Fiction” as another wacky Will Ferrell comedy, with the actor running about while the tune of “Don’t Bring Me Down” by Electric Light Orchestra plays in the background. Laughs are in fairly short supply during the movie’s nearly two-hour running time.
That in itself isn’t too big of a deal, as the movie would appear to be taking aim much more as a drama with humorous and romantic situations included. But what is a little harder to overlook is the sometimes overly clever screenplay and inconsistent pacing of the proceedings. It’s a two-hour movie that plays a lot longer.
“Stranger Than Fiction” plays out as Ferrell’s antithesis to Ricky Bobby, his overly emotional and intellectually challenged NASCAR driver from this summer’s hit film, “Talladega Nights.” In “Fiction,” he portrays Harold Crick, an emotionally bottled up IRS worker who lives a life of solitude, yet doesn’t really seem to dislike the path that his life has taken. There is a significant amount of order in his life, from the precise time he arrives at the bus stop every workday to the number of brush strokes he uses when cleaning his teeth. Clearly, this is a guy that may have a problem dealing with change.
That change comes about when Harold begins to hear a voice – a British woman’s voice, to be precise, complete with “a better vocabulary,” as Harold helpfully points out. But the voice doesn’t talk to Harold. Rather, it talks about him, narrating his mundane life while only Harold can hear the comments. Unbeknownst to Harold, reclusive author Kay Eiffel (Emma Thompson) is who Harold is hearing, as he is the central character in her latest book. She has no idea that her character is roaming out in society and thus has no qualms with killing off the poor sap. After all, knocking off the main character is a regular occurence in her books.
This proves to be a bit of a problem for Harold, however, who enlists the aid of Jules Hilbert (Dustin Hoffman) to determine why his life seems to be spiraling out of control. Hoffman, as the straight talking, yet slightly eccentric college professor, helps keep the rather unbelievable storyline on a more grounded level. His interactions with Ferrell are among the more well written and comical moments in the film.
To his credit, Ferrell steps away from his normal wild comedic roles to play a real introvert. It’s much the same kind of strategy that Jim Carrey employed when tackling “The Truman Show,” to which the film bears more than a passing resemblance in tone and attitude. He shows an ability to do drama, yet still maintain a comic presence. However, the character is maybe a bit too muted and his transformation in the film’s latter half takes some real leaps of faith.
While the script by Zach Helm does show some wit, emotion and invention, it’s limited and draws obvious comparisons to wittier, smarter and better material by noted screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (“Adaptation,” “Being John Malkovich” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”)
Ultimately, “Fiction” struggles to maintain its whimsical tone, while still moving towards its seemingly inevitable conclusion. There’s quite a bit to like about the movie, from its eye catching production design to its earnest performances from Ferrell, Hoffman and Maggie Gyllenhaal as the romantic object of Harold’s eye. It’s just that a movie built on a creative, yet underdeveloped conceit should be more of a fizzy and fun concoction. Instead, this “Fiction” is a just a little flat.
Grade: C+
(Rated PG-13 for some disturbing images, sexuality, brief language and nudity.)
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Movie Review: "Borat"
Starring Sacha Baron Cohen, Ken Davitian, Pamela Anderson
Directed by Larry Charles
With most people only having been exposed to the comedic skills of Sacha Baron Cohen in this summer’s hit film, “Talladega Nights,” where he played the bizarre French rival driver to Will Ferrell’s Ricky Bobby, it’s safe to say that the 34-year-old British comedian is a bit of an unknown commodity. But with the release of “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan,” that status will undoubtedly and quickly change.
There is no way to watch the film impassively and with a straight face. It’s simply and unequivocally the most outrageous comedy to hit theaters in years. Your enjoyment of the movie will likely be directly tied to the level at which you can withstand being offended, as Baron Cohen paints a likable foreign character who also happens to be sexist, anti-Semitic and horny, not necessarily in that order.
As Borat Sagdiyev, a TV reporter from Kazakhstan, Baron Cohen is fearless in his portrayal as a man looking to learn culture from Americans that he can take back to his ignorant and impoverished people back home. Shot in a faux-documentary style and directed by Larry Charles (”Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Seinfeld”), the cast, such as it is, only really consists of Baron Cohen, Ken Davitian as Borat’s cranky producer, Azamat, and Pamela Anderson, portraying herself. The remainder of the people in the movie are unknowingly becoming a part of a Hollywood film, while likely believing they are part of a Kazakh documentary. It’s clearly a ruse that goes well beyond hidden camera TV shows such as “Candid Camera” and “Punk’d.”
In some of the scenes, Borat’s ignorance of American customs allows for some seat-squirming situations, such as his behavior at a formal dinner party or singing his country’s national anthem at a rodeo in Virginia. In others, he’s simply able to operate as an observer while the ignorant and inappropriate comments come from others. Case in point: one man suggests Borat shave off his mustache so that he doesn’t get mistaken for a terrorist. That kind of an approach is certainly a bold one, as it exposes some of the prejudices and cultural differences in America. It’s not quite what you’d expect from most comedies, to be sure.
That said, a caveat must be included here, as this is definitely not a movie for children. For one, most of the humor will go over their heads. But more importantly, some of the content is so outrageous (some may say offensive) that it’s best to not expose younger audiences to the movie. One sequence involving a hotel room fight is admittedly funny, but its shock value may be so strong that it will turn off some (a couple of audience members walked out during the scene at a screening I attended).
There’s little doubt of Baron Cohen’s comic prowess and the fearlessness he has in attacking a role. But it’s also hard to deny that there could be a bit of a polarizing affect of the film on audiences. Still, you will laugh (and possibly quite often) during “Borat.” Whether you feel OK for doing so after the fact may be another story.
Grade: B+
(Rated R for pervasive strong crude and sexual content including
graphic nudity, and language.)
Directed by Larry Charles
With most people only having been exposed to the comedic skills of Sacha Baron Cohen in this summer’s hit film, “Talladega Nights,” where he played the bizarre French rival driver to Will Ferrell’s Ricky Bobby, it’s safe to say that the 34-year-old British comedian is a bit of an unknown commodity. But with the release of “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan,” that status will undoubtedly and quickly change.
There is no way to watch the film impassively and with a straight face. It’s simply and unequivocally the most outrageous comedy to hit theaters in years. Your enjoyment of the movie will likely be directly tied to the level at which you can withstand being offended, as Baron Cohen paints a likable foreign character who also happens to be sexist, anti-Semitic and horny, not necessarily in that order.
As Borat Sagdiyev, a TV reporter from Kazakhstan, Baron Cohen is fearless in his portrayal as a man looking to learn culture from Americans that he can take back to his ignorant and impoverished people back home. Shot in a faux-documentary style and directed by Larry Charles (”Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Seinfeld”), the cast, such as it is, only really consists of Baron Cohen, Ken Davitian as Borat’s cranky producer, Azamat, and Pamela Anderson, portraying herself. The remainder of the people in the movie are unknowingly becoming a part of a Hollywood film, while likely believing they are part of a Kazakh documentary. It’s clearly a ruse that goes well beyond hidden camera TV shows such as “Candid Camera” and “Punk’d.”
In some of the scenes, Borat’s ignorance of American customs allows for some seat-squirming situations, such as his behavior at a formal dinner party or singing his country’s national anthem at a rodeo in Virginia. In others, he’s simply able to operate as an observer while the ignorant and inappropriate comments come from others. Case in point: one man suggests Borat shave off his mustache so that he doesn’t get mistaken for a terrorist. That kind of an approach is certainly a bold one, as it exposes some of the prejudices and cultural differences in America. It’s not quite what you’d expect from most comedies, to be sure.
That said, a caveat must be included here, as this is definitely not a movie for children. For one, most of the humor will go over their heads. But more importantly, some of the content is so outrageous (some may say offensive) that it’s best to not expose younger audiences to the movie. One sequence involving a hotel room fight is admittedly funny, but its shock value may be so strong that it will turn off some (a couple of audience members walked out during the scene at a screening I attended).
There’s little doubt of Baron Cohen’s comic prowess and the fearlessness he has in attacking a role. But it’s also hard to deny that there could be a bit of a polarizing affect of the film on audiences. Still, you will laugh (and possibly quite often) during “Borat.” Whether you feel OK for doing so after the fact may be another story.
Grade: B+
(Rated R for pervasive strong crude and sexual content including
graphic nudity, and language.)
Movie Review: "A Prairie Home Companion"
Starring Woody Harrelson, Tommy Lee Jones, Garrison Keillor, Kevin Kline, Lindsay Lohan, Virginia Madsen, John C. Reilly, Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin
Directed by Robert Altman
Perhaps better than any other director in modern motion pictures, Robert Altman has the ability to assemble an all-star cast simply for the chance to work with him. Take a look back at the casts of some of his more recent triumphs, such as “The Player” and “Short Cuts” and you’ll see a who’s who of acting talent on display. That attraction had to be one of, if not the main draw for the great cast assembled for “A Prairie Home Companion,” a somewhat fictionalized big screen presentation of the popular radio variety show started in the 1970s by Garrison Keillor.
Watching the cast have fun singing and gabbing backstage is the central point of enjoyment for the film, which has the slightest of story lines. Keillor portrays himself in the film, or at least some close approximation, acting as the emcee, performer and frequent product pitchman during the variety show. Presumably set in present day Minnesota, where the show plays before a live audience and is broadcast on a local radio station, the movie operates almost entirely within the confines of the theater – almost as if it’s a world all its own. The movie depicts the final night of the show, as a recent company acquisition means that the Axeman (Tommy Lee Jones) cometh, set to turn the theater into a parking lot.
Altman has always displayed a gift at having scenes filled with characters that speak true to life, meaning they stop and start sentences, cut each other off and overlap in conversations. It’s a trait that can take some getting accustomed to, but is one that is likely embraced by the actors, whether it’s an Altman film veteran (Lily Tomlin) or just a truly great and versatile actress (Meryl Streep). Those two women play a musical sister act who lament the end of an era with the show, while another performing duo, Dusty (Woody Harrleson) and Lefty (John C. Reilly), seem to take the pending demise in stride. For his part, Keillor chooses to treat the final show just like any other, with nary a mention to the audience or acknowledgment of anything being out of the ordinary. (That even holds true upon his learning of the backstage death of one of the performers.)
The focus of the film primarily remains on stage with the various musical performances, which are quite well done and give the actors a chance to show off some singing and musical instrument playing ability. Yet, it’s the backstage conversations that allude to some of the background of the characters that hold a bit more interest. However, the movie doesn’t seem very interested in delving much into their backgrounds, beyond cursory tidbits here and there, leaving the audience wanting more.
Operating less as characters and more like plot devices, the roles portrayed by Kevin Kline and Virginia Madsen don’t comfortably fit into the story. Not that that’s a criticism of the actors, who are both very good. It’s just that they tend to take the focus away from the show and its performers.
Ultimately, there’s not a lot of a driving force to the story, which causes it to go a bit slack in places. But the cast helps plow through the slower spots, including a winning performance from Lindsay Lohan as the suicide-preoccupied daughter of Streep’s character.Slight though it may be, “A Prairie Home Companion” still paints a pretty picture of the kind of shows that it would be nice to know that radio still offers. But in this day and age of satellite radio and computer programmed playlists, it’s clear we shouldn’t be holding our breaths for them.
Grade: B
(Rated PG-13 for risqué humor.)
Directed by Robert Altman
Perhaps better than any other director in modern motion pictures, Robert Altman has the ability to assemble an all-star cast simply for the chance to work with him. Take a look back at the casts of some of his more recent triumphs, such as “The Player” and “Short Cuts” and you’ll see a who’s who of acting talent on display. That attraction had to be one of, if not the main draw for the great cast assembled for “A Prairie Home Companion,” a somewhat fictionalized big screen presentation of the popular radio variety show started in the 1970s by Garrison Keillor.
Watching the cast have fun singing and gabbing backstage is the central point of enjoyment for the film, which has the slightest of story lines. Keillor portrays himself in the film, or at least some close approximation, acting as the emcee, performer and frequent product pitchman during the variety show. Presumably set in present day Minnesota, where the show plays before a live audience and is broadcast on a local radio station, the movie operates almost entirely within the confines of the theater – almost as if it’s a world all its own. The movie depicts the final night of the show, as a recent company acquisition means that the Axeman (Tommy Lee Jones) cometh, set to turn the theater into a parking lot.
Altman has always displayed a gift at having scenes filled with characters that speak true to life, meaning they stop and start sentences, cut each other off and overlap in conversations. It’s a trait that can take some getting accustomed to, but is one that is likely embraced by the actors, whether it’s an Altman film veteran (Lily Tomlin) or just a truly great and versatile actress (Meryl Streep). Those two women play a musical sister act who lament the end of an era with the show, while another performing duo, Dusty (Woody Harrleson) and Lefty (John C. Reilly), seem to take the pending demise in stride. For his part, Keillor chooses to treat the final show just like any other, with nary a mention to the audience or acknowledgment of anything being out of the ordinary. (That even holds true upon his learning of the backstage death of one of the performers.)
The focus of the film primarily remains on stage with the various musical performances, which are quite well done and give the actors a chance to show off some singing and musical instrument playing ability. Yet, it’s the backstage conversations that allude to some of the background of the characters that hold a bit more interest. However, the movie doesn’t seem very interested in delving much into their backgrounds, beyond cursory tidbits here and there, leaving the audience wanting more.
Operating less as characters and more like plot devices, the roles portrayed by Kevin Kline and Virginia Madsen don’t comfortably fit into the story. Not that that’s a criticism of the actors, who are both very good. It’s just that they tend to take the focus away from the show and its performers.
Ultimately, there’s not a lot of a driving force to the story, which causes it to go a bit slack in places. But the cast helps plow through the slower spots, including a winning performance from Lindsay Lohan as the suicide-preoccupied daughter of Streep’s character.Slight though it may be, “A Prairie Home Companion” still paints a pretty picture of the kind of shows that it would be nice to know that radio still offers. But in this day and age of satellite radio and computer programmed playlists, it’s clear we shouldn’t be holding our breaths for them.
Grade: B
(Rated PG-13 for risqué humor.)
Sunday, October 29, 2006
The Joy of Technology
Please excuse the recent lack of updates to the site. You can place the blame in the lap of Apple, as I'm currently waiting on a new logic board to be shipped to the repair facility where my eMac is currently collecting dust. They're not even positive it's the board that's the problem, but it's just assumed, as it's been a common problem for eMacs that were produced around the time I bought mine. It's a power failure issue that Apple is paying to repair, at no charge. But unfortunately, the logic boards have been on back order, leaving me helpless in the hands of whenever Apple sees fit to ship them.
Don't get me wrong, I'm still an advocate of Apple products in general. But I am starting to have a new hatred for those Apple/PC ads that are running. And not just because they're kind of annoying.
So bear with me until I can get updates going again at a more consistent rate, hopefully later in November. Until then, a holiday movie preview is upcoming very quickly.
Thanks for the patience,
MC
Don't get me wrong, I'm still an advocate of Apple products in general. But I am starting to have a new hatred for those Apple/PC ads that are running. And not just because they're kind of annoying.
So bear with me until I can get updates going again at a more consistent rate, hopefully later in November. Until then, a holiday movie preview is upcoming very quickly.
Thanks for the patience,
MC
Holiday Movie Preview 2006
As the holiday season begins its annual approach, Hollywood likewise
gears up its year end offerings. Lots of family-oriented films usually
mix in with those that have award aspirations. This season’s crop of
movies looks to have an intriguing variety, yet no real obvious big box
office standout in November’s group. But as any movie fans know, the month of December isn’t just for holiday seasonal shopping and overstuffing the stomach at the multitude of family meals. It’s also when Hollywood brings out some of its biggest movies of the year, many of which the studios hope will be taking home an armful of golden statuettes, come Academy Awards time early next year.
So let’s take a look at some of the releases that will be keeping people busy in between those diet busting meals and the seemingly endless dashing about shopping malls.
NOVEMBER
“Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan”
Starring Sacha Baron Cohen, Ken Davitian, Pamela Anderson
Directed by Larry Charles
Previously a character from his popular HBO comedy series “Da Ali G Show,” Cohen plays Borat, a foreigner who comes to America to better understand its culture in this far from timid mockumentary. For the record, the country of Kazakhstan has already publicly denounced the film, which doesn’t really paint their country in the greatest light. But anyone who has seen Cohen, who played Ricky Bobby’s main nemesis in this summer’s “Talladega Nights,” knows how comically inventive he can be. (Nov. 3)
“The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause”
Starring Tim Allen, Martin Short, Elizabeth Mitchell, Ann-Margaret, Alan Arkin
Directed by Michael Lembeck
Allen, continuing on his seemingly endless tour of starring in family-oriented films, is back for his third go-around in the “Santa Clause” franchise. This time, he’s dealing with trying to raise a family even as he faces a threat from Jack Frost (Short) looking to take over Christmas. Seems a bit early for a Christmas movie, but the first two in the series both exceeded box office expectations, so who knows? (Nov. 3)
“Flushed Away”
Starring the voices of Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Ian McKellen, Jean Reno
Directed by David Bowers and Sam Fell
From the same animation company that created “Wallace & Gromit” comes this story of a pet mouse who gets flushed down the toilet of his penthouse apartment, landing in the sewers of London. Presumably, many life lessons will be learned along the way. This movie actually mixes clay-puppet animation with CG, so it should at least look good.
(Nov. 3)
“Stranger Than Fiction”
Starring Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah and Emma Thompson
Directed by Marc Forster
An appealing cast heads up an intriguing premise for a movie: A nerdy IRS worker (Ferrell) finds his life being narrated by a British novelist (Thompson), a person only he can hear. To make matters worse, he seems linked to her latest novel – one in which she plans to eliminate his character. So he sets out to find her and change his fate. The film mixes in some drama with its humor, which should give audiences a chance to see Ferrell in a different light. (Nov. 10)
“A Good Year”
Starring Russell Crowe, Albert Finney, Freddie Highmore
Directed by Ridley Scott
After collaborating to great success with the Oscar-winning “Gladiator,” star Crowe and director Scott go in a completely different direction with this film, which is billed as a cross-cultural fish-out-of-water comedy. Crowe plays an aggressive London banker who inherits a vineyard from his uncle (Finney) in France. He then has to decide what kind of life he wants to pursue. The movie could prove to be a bit of an image makeover for Crowe, who’s taken a bit of a beating in the press and the public in recent years. (Nov. 10)
“Casino Royale”
Starring Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Judi Dench, Caterina Murino, Jeffrey Wright
Directed by Martin Campbell
After a highly publicized search for the new James Bond, Craig was hired to take over for Pierce Brosnan in the hugely successful film franchise. The public reaction has been a bit mixed, but the proof will be in the finished product, which judging by the trailer, could be worth the wait. In another bit of a risk, the franchise is rewinding back to the beginning, adapting novelist Ian Fleming’s first 007 book.
(Nov. 17)
“Happy Feet”
Starring the voices of Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Brittany Murphy, Hugo Weaving
Directed by George Miller
An animated talking animal movie? What an original idea! OK, even though this might be the 353rd such movie to come out in the past few years, it does feature CG penguins and the real animals were certainly a hit in the 2005 Oscar-winning documentary “March of the Penguins.” So some of that lovable penguins vibe could prove to be successful for this flick, which certainly has an impressive cast of voices and the director of the “Babe” movies on board. (Nov. 17)
“For Your Consideration”
Starring Catherine O’Hara, Harry Shearer, Parker Posey, Eugene Levy, Ricky Gervais, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Fred Willard
Directed by Christopher Guest
Doing away with the mockumentary approach that was largely perfected in movies such as “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Best in Show” and “Waiting for Guffman,” director Guest presents a film within a film that centers around a cast and crew that gets swept up in some ill-conceived Academy Award buzz. Lots of familiar faces are sure to crop up in this one, as Guest loves to present acting ensembles in his scripts, with this one co-written by him and Levy. (Limited release Nov. 17, wider Nov. 24)
“Déjá Vu”
Starring Denzel Washington, Val Kilmer, Paula Patton, Bruce Greenwood, Adam Goldberg and Jim Caviezel
Directed by Tony Scott
Reuniting Washington and Scott (“Crimson Tide”) with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, comes this film about an ATF agent investigating a ferry bombing in New Orleans and the unusual method he and his team employ that might be able to change the past. Sound cryptic enough for you? Well, it stars Washington and Kilmer, which is definitely a good start.
(Nov. 22)
"The Fountain”
Starring Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz, Ellen Burstyn
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
To say that this movie has had a rocky journey to the big screen would be an understatement, as it was set for production in 2002, only to have its star (Brad Pitt) bail out. Years later, the film has been reworked and relaunched. But telling a story that spans 1,000 years, it’s certainly no less ambitious. It marks Aronofsky’s first film since 2000’s great “Requiem for a Dream” and co-stars his fiancée, Weisz (coming off her Oscar win for “The Constant Gardener”). (Nov. 22)
“Deck the Halls”
Starring Danny DeVito, Matthew Broderick, Kristin Davis, Kristin
Chenoweth, Alia Shawkat, Sabrina Aldridge, Kelly Aldridge
Directed by John Whitesell
Broderick plays the chairman of his town’s winter festival, who has to deal with an overzealous neighbor (DeVito), who is determined to decorate his home with so many Christmas lights that they can be seen from space. Conflict and the accompanying hilarity (or so the filmmakers hope) ensues. The cast is promising, although the premise is a bit tired sounding. (Nov. 22)
DECEMBER
“Apocalypto”
Starring Rudy Youngblood and lots of Mayans
Directed by Mel Gibson
Well, it’s certainly been an interesting year for Gibson, hasn’t it? His DUI arrest and anti-Semitic comments, followed by lots of apologies and a rehab stint have put Disney, the studio behind “Apocalypto,” in a bit of an uncomfortable position. Add in the fact that the movie is based in the 15th century and features a cast of Mayans speaking in their dialect and you’ve got a tough sell. Of course, lots of people thought “Passion of the Christ” would also be in the same category. Forget the Yucatec Maya dialect – the real problem might be the size of the Gibson backlash. (Dec. 8)
“The Good German”
Starring George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Tobey Maguire
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Longtime friends Clooney and Soderbergh collaborate again in this post-WWII Berlin story that was filmed in black and white (just like Clooney’s “Good Night, and Good Luck). A journalist (Clooney) is assigned to cover the Potsdam conference between Churchill, Stalin and Truman, while also looking to find a former love of his (Blanchett) and deal with a murder mystery at the same time. Talk about a busy guy. Good cast with a good director and story could equate to success come awards season. (Limited release Dec. 8, wider Dec. 25)
“The Holiday”
Starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, Edward Burns
Directed by Nancy Meyers
Much like her 2003 release, “Something’s Gotta Give,” writer-director Meyers has assembled a very appealing cast to head up her latest foray into the wild and wacky world of romantic relationships. Diaz and Winslet play unhappy women who meet on an Internet house-swap site and decide to switch locales for the holidays. You can probably guess that unhappiness does not remain a part of their lives thereafter. (Dec. 8)
“The Pursuit of Happyness”
Starring Will Smith, Thandie Newton, Jaden Smith
Directed by Gabriele Muccino
Despite its intention mispelling in the title (it’s really happiness, kids), Will Smith ventures more into dramatic territory than normal, playing a father desperately trying to keep things together, while dealing with his estranged wife (Newton) and facing eviction. Playing father to the 8-year-old Jaden Smith probably wasn’t too much of a stretch for the former Fresh Prince, as the boy is his actual son. (Dec. 15)
“Blood Diamond”
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly
Directed by Edward Zwick
Based in the 1990s down in the civil-war-plagued Sierra Leone, Hounsou plays a tribal fisherman who comes across a very valuable diamond and has to deal with great danger to himself and his family from diamond cartels looking for it. He finds allies in a South African mercenary (DiCaprio) and an American journalist (Connelly). A very attractive cast for a director not afraid of large scale productions (”Glory,” “The Last Samurai) gives audiences a different option from most of the movies coming out this month. (Dec. 15)
“Dreamgirls”
Starring Beyoncé Knowles, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose and Eddie Murphy
Directed by Bill Condon
An adaptation of a 1981 Tony Award-winning stage musical, “Dreamgirls” focuses on a music manager (Foxx) who finds a talented trio (Knowles, Hudson and Rose). Much like the Supremes and Diana Ross, conflicts ensue when Knowles’ character is elevated to the lead of the group. Good word-of-mouth has been circulating about this film, especially around Murphy’s performance as an extravagent singer on a downhill slide in his career. (Limited release Dec. 15, wider Dec. 25)
“Charlotte’s Web”
Starring Dakota Fanning and the voices of Julia Roberts, Oprah Winfrey, Steve Buscemi, Robert Redford
Directed by Gary Winick
E.B. White’s beloved book about an intrepid hog named Wilbur and fabulous web weaver Charlotte gets the big screen treatment. Featuring Fanning as a human amidst a cast of animals and CG (think of the “Babe” films), this has a chance to be a huge hit for families looking for good, clean enter good, clean entertainment. Some laughs and a few tears just might be shed before the closing credits roll – that is if the filmmakers have done their job correctly. (Dec. 20)
“Rocky Balboa”
Starring Sylvester Stallone, Burt Young, Milo Ventimiglia, Antonio Tarver
Directed by Sylvester Stallone
Never mind he’s old enough to be a great-grandfather (60-year-old Stallone), the Italian Stallion is back for what one could only expect is the final (and he really means it this time) boxing flick in the movie franchise that began 30 years ago. It’s actually been more than 15 years since “Rocky V” and a down in the dumps Rocky decides to take on the reigning champ Mason “The Line” Dixon in an exhibition bout. Admittedly, the trailer is a bit intriguing, but can people really suspend disbelief in a franchise that hit its peak in the 1970s? (Dec. 22)
“Night at the Museum”
Starring Ben Stiller, Carla Gugino, Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, Bill Cobbs and Robin Williams
Directed by Shawn Levy
Another CG-filled family flick, “Museum” stars Stiller as a security guard who discovers that the exhibits at his new job are coming to life after hours. I’m guessing that wasn’t mentioned during his new hire orientation. The trailer makes the film look a bit chaotic, but as a family-oriented picture starring the talented Stiller, hopefully that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. (Dec. 22)
"The Good Shepherd”
Starring Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, Robert De Niro, Alec Baldwin, Billy Crudup, William Hurt
Directed by Robert De Niro
A spy tale starring Damon and Jolie while being directed by De Niro certainly sounds like an appealing project. It’s been a long time since De Niro was in the director’s chair (”A Bronx Tale” in 1993 was the first and only other time), but early Oscar buzz has been building. Not that that’s any guarantee of any awards, but it can’t hurt. (Dec. 22)
“We Are Marshall”
Starring Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox, David Strathairn, Ian McShane
Directed by McG
Having helmed both of the “Charlie’s Angels” movies, director McG looks to a more substantial film for a change of pace. It tells the true story of coaches (McConaughey and Fox) who decide to rebuild the Marshall College football team in the aftermath of a 1970 plane crash that killed 75 players and most of the coaches on board. It’s the tried and true formula of redemption and a fact-based story – and with football as its central focus, to boot. Could be a late season winner. (Dec. 22)
“Children of Men”
Starring Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Directed by Alfonso Cuaron
In this futuristic tale, adapted from a novel by P.D. James, the human race is facing extinction unless a jaded man (Owen) can deliver the last pregnant woman on Earth to safety. Wow, no pressure or anything. OK, so this isn’t what you can call a happy Christmas-time picture, but it sounds intriguing and has a good cast heading it up. (Limited release Dec. 25, wider Dec. 29)
gears up its year end offerings. Lots of family-oriented films usually
mix in with those that have award aspirations. This season’s crop of
movies looks to have an intriguing variety, yet no real obvious big box
office standout in November’s group. But as any movie fans know, the month of December isn’t just for holiday seasonal shopping and overstuffing the stomach at the multitude of family meals. It’s also when Hollywood brings out some of its biggest movies of the year, many of which the studios hope will be taking home an armful of golden statuettes, come Academy Awards time early next year.
So let’s take a look at some of the releases that will be keeping people busy in between those diet busting meals and the seemingly endless dashing about shopping malls.
NOVEMBER
“Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan”
Starring Sacha Baron Cohen, Ken Davitian, Pamela Anderson
Directed by Larry Charles
Previously a character from his popular HBO comedy series “Da Ali G Show,” Cohen plays Borat, a foreigner who comes to America to better understand its culture in this far from timid mockumentary. For the record, the country of Kazakhstan has already publicly denounced the film, which doesn’t really paint their country in the greatest light. But anyone who has seen Cohen, who played Ricky Bobby’s main nemesis in this summer’s “Talladega Nights,” knows how comically inventive he can be. (Nov. 3)
“The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause”
Starring Tim Allen, Martin Short, Elizabeth Mitchell, Ann-Margaret, Alan Arkin
Directed by Michael Lembeck
Allen, continuing on his seemingly endless tour of starring in family-oriented films, is back for his third go-around in the “Santa Clause” franchise. This time, he’s dealing with trying to raise a family even as he faces a threat from Jack Frost (Short) looking to take over Christmas. Seems a bit early for a Christmas movie, but the first two in the series both exceeded box office expectations, so who knows? (Nov. 3)
“Flushed Away”
Starring the voices of Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Ian McKellen, Jean Reno
Directed by David Bowers and Sam Fell
From the same animation company that created “Wallace & Gromit” comes this story of a pet mouse who gets flushed down the toilet of his penthouse apartment, landing in the sewers of London. Presumably, many life lessons will be learned along the way. This movie actually mixes clay-puppet animation with CG, so it should at least look good.
(Nov. 3)
“Stranger Than Fiction”
Starring Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah and Emma Thompson
Directed by Marc Forster
An appealing cast heads up an intriguing premise for a movie: A nerdy IRS worker (Ferrell) finds his life being narrated by a British novelist (Thompson), a person only he can hear. To make matters worse, he seems linked to her latest novel – one in which she plans to eliminate his character. So he sets out to find her and change his fate. The film mixes in some drama with its humor, which should give audiences a chance to see Ferrell in a different light. (Nov. 10)
“A Good Year”
Starring Russell Crowe, Albert Finney, Freddie Highmore
Directed by Ridley Scott
After collaborating to great success with the Oscar-winning “Gladiator,” star Crowe and director Scott go in a completely different direction with this film, which is billed as a cross-cultural fish-out-of-water comedy. Crowe plays an aggressive London banker who inherits a vineyard from his uncle (Finney) in France. He then has to decide what kind of life he wants to pursue. The movie could prove to be a bit of an image makeover for Crowe, who’s taken a bit of a beating in the press and the public in recent years. (Nov. 10)
“Casino Royale”
Starring Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Judi Dench, Caterina Murino, Jeffrey Wright
Directed by Martin Campbell
After a highly publicized search for the new James Bond, Craig was hired to take over for Pierce Brosnan in the hugely successful film franchise. The public reaction has been a bit mixed, but the proof will be in the finished product, which judging by the trailer, could be worth the wait. In another bit of a risk, the franchise is rewinding back to the beginning, adapting novelist Ian Fleming’s first 007 book.
(Nov. 17)
“Happy Feet”
Starring the voices of Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Brittany Murphy, Hugo Weaving
Directed by George Miller
An animated talking animal movie? What an original idea! OK, even though this might be the 353rd such movie to come out in the past few years, it does feature CG penguins and the real animals were certainly a hit in the 2005 Oscar-winning documentary “March of the Penguins.” So some of that lovable penguins vibe could prove to be successful for this flick, which certainly has an impressive cast of voices and the director of the “Babe” movies on board. (Nov. 17)
“For Your Consideration”
Starring Catherine O’Hara, Harry Shearer, Parker Posey, Eugene Levy, Ricky Gervais, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Fred Willard
Directed by Christopher Guest
Doing away with the mockumentary approach that was largely perfected in movies such as “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Best in Show” and “Waiting for Guffman,” director Guest presents a film within a film that centers around a cast and crew that gets swept up in some ill-conceived Academy Award buzz. Lots of familiar faces are sure to crop up in this one, as Guest loves to present acting ensembles in his scripts, with this one co-written by him and Levy. (Limited release Nov. 17, wider Nov. 24)
“Déjá Vu”
Starring Denzel Washington, Val Kilmer, Paula Patton, Bruce Greenwood, Adam Goldberg and Jim Caviezel
Directed by Tony Scott
Reuniting Washington and Scott (“Crimson Tide”) with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, comes this film about an ATF agent investigating a ferry bombing in New Orleans and the unusual method he and his team employ that might be able to change the past. Sound cryptic enough for you? Well, it stars Washington and Kilmer, which is definitely a good start.
(Nov. 22)
"The Fountain”
Starring Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz, Ellen Burstyn
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
To say that this movie has had a rocky journey to the big screen would be an understatement, as it was set for production in 2002, only to have its star (Brad Pitt) bail out. Years later, the film has been reworked and relaunched. But telling a story that spans 1,000 years, it’s certainly no less ambitious. It marks Aronofsky’s first film since 2000’s great “Requiem for a Dream” and co-stars his fiancée, Weisz (coming off her Oscar win for “The Constant Gardener”). (Nov. 22)
“Deck the Halls”
Starring Danny DeVito, Matthew Broderick, Kristin Davis, Kristin
Chenoweth, Alia Shawkat, Sabrina Aldridge, Kelly Aldridge
Directed by John Whitesell
Broderick plays the chairman of his town’s winter festival, who has to deal with an overzealous neighbor (DeVito), who is determined to decorate his home with so many Christmas lights that they can be seen from space. Conflict and the accompanying hilarity (or so the filmmakers hope) ensues. The cast is promising, although the premise is a bit tired sounding. (Nov. 22)
DECEMBER
“Apocalypto”
Starring Rudy Youngblood and lots of Mayans
Directed by Mel Gibson
Well, it’s certainly been an interesting year for Gibson, hasn’t it? His DUI arrest and anti-Semitic comments, followed by lots of apologies and a rehab stint have put Disney, the studio behind “Apocalypto,” in a bit of an uncomfortable position. Add in the fact that the movie is based in the 15th century and features a cast of Mayans speaking in their dialect and you’ve got a tough sell. Of course, lots of people thought “Passion of the Christ” would also be in the same category. Forget the Yucatec Maya dialect – the real problem might be the size of the Gibson backlash. (Dec. 8)
“The Good German”
Starring George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Tobey Maguire
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Longtime friends Clooney and Soderbergh collaborate again in this post-WWII Berlin story that was filmed in black and white (just like Clooney’s “Good Night, and Good Luck). A journalist (Clooney) is assigned to cover the Potsdam conference between Churchill, Stalin and Truman, while also looking to find a former love of his (Blanchett) and deal with a murder mystery at the same time. Talk about a busy guy. Good cast with a good director and story could equate to success come awards season. (Limited release Dec. 8, wider Dec. 25)
“The Holiday”
Starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, Edward Burns
Directed by Nancy Meyers
Much like her 2003 release, “Something’s Gotta Give,” writer-director Meyers has assembled a very appealing cast to head up her latest foray into the wild and wacky world of romantic relationships. Diaz and Winslet play unhappy women who meet on an Internet house-swap site and decide to switch locales for the holidays. You can probably guess that unhappiness does not remain a part of their lives thereafter. (Dec. 8)
“The Pursuit of Happyness”
Starring Will Smith, Thandie Newton, Jaden Smith
Directed by Gabriele Muccino
Despite its intention mispelling in the title (it’s really happiness, kids), Will Smith ventures more into dramatic territory than normal, playing a father desperately trying to keep things together, while dealing with his estranged wife (Newton) and facing eviction. Playing father to the 8-year-old Jaden Smith probably wasn’t too much of a stretch for the former Fresh Prince, as the boy is his actual son. (Dec. 15)
“Blood Diamond”
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly
Directed by Edward Zwick
Based in the 1990s down in the civil-war-plagued Sierra Leone, Hounsou plays a tribal fisherman who comes across a very valuable diamond and has to deal with great danger to himself and his family from diamond cartels looking for it. He finds allies in a South African mercenary (DiCaprio) and an American journalist (Connelly). A very attractive cast for a director not afraid of large scale productions (”Glory,” “The Last Samurai) gives audiences a different option from most of the movies coming out this month. (Dec. 15)
“Dreamgirls”
Starring Beyoncé Knowles, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose and Eddie Murphy
Directed by Bill Condon
An adaptation of a 1981 Tony Award-winning stage musical, “Dreamgirls” focuses on a music manager (Foxx) who finds a talented trio (Knowles, Hudson and Rose). Much like the Supremes and Diana Ross, conflicts ensue when Knowles’ character is elevated to the lead of the group. Good word-of-mouth has been circulating about this film, especially around Murphy’s performance as an extravagent singer on a downhill slide in his career. (Limited release Dec. 15, wider Dec. 25)
“Charlotte’s Web”
Starring Dakota Fanning and the voices of Julia Roberts, Oprah Winfrey, Steve Buscemi, Robert Redford
Directed by Gary Winick
E.B. White’s beloved book about an intrepid hog named Wilbur and fabulous web weaver Charlotte gets the big screen treatment. Featuring Fanning as a human amidst a cast of animals and CG (think of the “Babe” films), this has a chance to be a huge hit for families looking for good, clean enter good, clean entertainment. Some laughs and a few tears just might be shed before the closing credits roll – that is if the filmmakers have done their job correctly. (Dec. 20)
“Rocky Balboa”
Starring Sylvester Stallone, Burt Young, Milo Ventimiglia, Antonio Tarver
Directed by Sylvester Stallone
Never mind he’s old enough to be a great-grandfather (60-year-old Stallone), the Italian Stallion is back for what one could only expect is the final (and he really means it this time) boxing flick in the movie franchise that began 30 years ago. It’s actually been more than 15 years since “Rocky V” and a down in the dumps Rocky decides to take on the reigning champ Mason “The Line” Dixon in an exhibition bout. Admittedly, the trailer is a bit intriguing, but can people really suspend disbelief in a franchise that hit its peak in the 1970s? (Dec. 22)
“Night at the Museum”
Starring Ben Stiller, Carla Gugino, Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, Bill Cobbs and Robin Williams
Directed by Shawn Levy
Another CG-filled family flick, “Museum” stars Stiller as a security guard who discovers that the exhibits at his new job are coming to life after hours. I’m guessing that wasn’t mentioned during his new hire orientation. The trailer makes the film look a bit chaotic, but as a family-oriented picture starring the talented Stiller, hopefully that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. (Dec. 22)
"The Good Shepherd”
Starring Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, Robert De Niro, Alec Baldwin, Billy Crudup, William Hurt
Directed by Robert De Niro
A spy tale starring Damon and Jolie while being directed by De Niro certainly sounds like an appealing project. It’s been a long time since De Niro was in the director’s chair (”A Bronx Tale” in 1993 was the first and only other time), but early Oscar buzz has been building. Not that that’s any guarantee of any awards, but it can’t hurt. (Dec. 22)
“We Are Marshall”
Starring Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox, David Strathairn, Ian McShane
Directed by McG
Having helmed both of the “Charlie’s Angels” movies, director McG looks to a more substantial film for a change of pace. It tells the true story of coaches (McConaughey and Fox) who decide to rebuild the Marshall College football team in the aftermath of a 1970 plane crash that killed 75 players and most of the coaches on board. It’s the tried and true formula of redemption and a fact-based story – and with football as its central focus, to boot. Could be a late season winner. (Dec. 22)
“Children of Men”
Starring Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Directed by Alfonso Cuaron
In this futuristic tale, adapted from a novel by P.D. James, the human race is facing extinction unless a jaded man (Owen) can deliver the last pregnant woman on Earth to safety. Wow, no pressure or anything. OK, so this isn’t what you can call a happy Christmas-time picture, but it sounds intriguing and has a good cast heading it up. (Limited release Dec. 25, wider Dec. 29)
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Box Office Report: Oct. 6-8
Thanks to the big star power heading up his latest movie, “The Departed,” director Martin Scorsese had the biggest opening movie of his long and storied career over the weekend. The crime drama starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson and Mark Wahlberg, raked in almost $27 million, well over Scorsese’s previous weekend box office high of $10 million with “Cape Fear.” The largely positive reviews from critics and strong promotion from Warner Bros. certainly didn’t hurt.
The modestly-budgeted horror pic, “Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning,” also did good, but not great business in its opening weekend. “Employee of the Month” certainly indicates that Jessica Simpson isn’t really a movie star in the making. Then again, comedian Dane Cook was probably a larger draw for the film than her, as Simpson’s presence has been largely downplayed in the commercials.
1. “The Departed”
(Weekend domestic gross - $26.9 million)
(Worldwide gross - $37.1 million)
(Budget - $90 million)
2. “Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning”
(Weekend domestic gross - $18.5 million)
(Worldwide gross - $18.5 million)
(Budget - $16 million)
3. “Open Season”
(Weekend domestic gross - $15.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $50.0 million)
(Budget - $85 million)
4. “Employee of the Month”
(Weekend domestic gross - $11.4 million)
(Worldwide gross - $11.4 million)
(Budget - $12 million)
5. “The Guardian”
(Weekend domestic gross - $9.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $34.1 million)
(Budget - N/A)
6. “Jackass: Number Two”
(Weekend domestic gross - $6.5 million)
(Worldwide gross - $64.0 million)
(Budget - $11.5 million)
7. “School for Scoundrels”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.4 million)
(Worldwide gross - $14.4 million)
(Budget - $35 million)
8. “Jet Li’s Fearless”
(Weekend domestic gross - $2.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $63.3 million)
(Budget - N/A)
9. “Gridiron Gang”
(Weekend domestic gross - $2.2 million)
(Worldwide gross - $36.8 million)
(Budget - $30 million)
10. “The Illusionist”
(Weekend domestic gross - $1.9 million)
(Worldwide gross - $36.0 million)
(Budget - $16.5 million)
2006 Year-To-Date
1. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”
(Worldwide gross - $1.056 billion)
(Budget - $225 million)
2. “The Da Vinci Code”
(Worldwide gross - $754.4 million)
(Budget - $125 million)
3. “Ice Age: The Meltdown”
(Worldwide gross - $646.5 million)
(Budget - $80 million)
4. “X-Men: The Last Stand”
(Worldwide gross - $458.0 million)
(Budget - $210 million)
5. “Cars”
(Worldwide gross - $452.1 million)
(Budget - $120 million)
6. “Mission: Impossible III”
(Worldwide gross - $395.7 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
7. “Superman Returns”
(Worldwide gross - $389.4 million)
(Budget - $260 million)
8. “Over the Hedge”
(Worldwide gross - $317.1 million)
(Budget - N/A)
9. “Click”
(Worldwide gross - $210.4 million)
(Budget - $82.5 million)
10. “The Break-Up”
(Worldwide gross - $201.6 million)
(Budget - $52 million)
The modestly-budgeted horror pic, “Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning,” also did good, but not great business in its opening weekend. “Employee of the Month” certainly indicates that Jessica Simpson isn’t really a movie star in the making. Then again, comedian Dane Cook was probably a larger draw for the film than her, as Simpson’s presence has been largely downplayed in the commercials.
1. “The Departed”
(Weekend domestic gross - $26.9 million)
(Worldwide gross - $37.1 million)
(Budget - $90 million)
2. “Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning”
(Weekend domestic gross - $18.5 million)
(Worldwide gross - $18.5 million)
(Budget - $16 million)
3. “Open Season”
(Weekend domestic gross - $15.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $50.0 million)
(Budget - $85 million)
4. “Employee of the Month”
(Weekend domestic gross - $11.4 million)
(Worldwide gross - $11.4 million)
(Budget - $12 million)
5. “The Guardian”
(Weekend domestic gross - $9.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $34.1 million)
(Budget - N/A)
6. “Jackass: Number Two”
(Weekend domestic gross - $6.5 million)
(Worldwide gross - $64.0 million)
(Budget - $11.5 million)
7. “School for Scoundrels”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.4 million)
(Worldwide gross - $14.4 million)
(Budget - $35 million)
8. “Jet Li’s Fearless”
(Weekend domestic gross - $2.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $63.3 million)
(Budget - N/A)
9. “Gridiron Gang”
(Weekend domestic gross - $2.2 million)
(Worldwide gross - $36.8 million)
(Budget - $30 million)
10. “The Illusionist”
(Weekend domestic gross - $1.9 million)
(Worldwide gross - $36.0 million)
(Budget - $16.5 million)
2006 Year-To-Date
1. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”
(Worldwide gross - $1.056 billion)
(Budget - $225 million)
2. “The Da Vinci Code”
(Worldwide gross - $754.4 million)
(Budget - $125 million)
3. “Ice Age: The Meltdown”
(Worldwide gross - $646.5 million)
(Budget - $80 million)
4. “X-Men: The Last Stand”
(Worldwide gross - $458.0 million)
(Budget - $210 million)
5. “Cars”
(Worldwide gross - $452.1 million)
(Budget - $120 million)
6. “Mission: Impossible III”
(Worldwide gross - $395.7 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
7. “Superman Returns”
(Worldwide gross - $389.4 million)
(Budget - $260 million)
8. “Over the Hedge”
(Worldwide gross - $317.1 million)
(Budget - N/A)
9. “Click”
(Worldwide gross - $210.4 million)
(Budget - $82.5 million)
10. “The Break-Up”
(Worldwide gross - $201.6 million)
(Budget - $52 million)
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Movie Review: "Thank You for Smoking"
Starring Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, Sam Elliott, Katie Holmes, David Koechner, Rob Lowe, William H. Macy, J.K. Simmons and Robert Duvall
Directed by Jason Reitman
Official Web site
Bolstered by a standout cast and a sharp script he based on the bestselling novel by Christopher Buckley, Jason Reitman’s directorial debut, “Thank You for Smoking,” is both a witty and entertaining satire of the power of spin control in today’s society.
With the tobacco industry as its primary backdrop, the film wastes no time showing off the speaking prowess of Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart), a spokesperson and lobbyist for the tobacco industry, who works for the Academy of Tobacco Studies. Never mind that the academy is largely funded by the big tobacco companies, it’s a way to pay the mortgage, Naylor reasons.
At the film’s beginning, Naylor appears on a talk show and in his few minutes of camera time, manages to bring an initially hostile audience into his corner, by promising a $50 million anti-teen smoking education campaign. Granted, his boss only approved a $5 million campaign, but the goodwill Naylor generates from the appearance more than makes up for the additional money. That’s not to mention that it impresses an industry bigwig (Robert Duvall) so much that he allows him to ride on his private plane – an honor even Naylor’s cranky boss (J.K. Simmons) hasn’t gotten to experience.
With a seemingly effortless charm, Naylor would seem to be a perfect spokesman for an industry that he openly admits kills 1,200 people a day. Whether its dealing with an angry and bitter former Marlboro Man stricken with cancer (Sam Elliott), an ambitious journalist (Katie Holmes), or an anti-smoking senator (William H. Macy), Naylor exudes confidence. In some instances, he’s able to convince people to do things they seem morally opposed to doing. Case in point is a great scene between Eckhart and Elliott involving a giant pile of cash. In another case, he’s able to become sympathetic when somebody tries to kill him, with smoking actually a contributing factor to his survival.
Eckhart largely hits the right notes as Naylor, crafting a character that could easily have become reprehensible into one that actually is a bit difficult to dislike. Achieving that is due to the mostly lighter tone the movie carries, portraying his character as someone who’s very good at his job (he must have been a great debater in high school), but is also trying to be a good father to his observant and intelligent son (Cameron Bright). The scenes with Eckhart and Bright help humanize Naylor a bit more, yet certainly don’t paint him as a saint.
Reitman resists the urge to bludgeon the viewer with anti-smoking rants or heavy-handed theatrics meant to illicit an emotional response. If anything, the movie sets so many targets in its sights that the satire is somewhat diluted and unfocused. With such a big cast at its disposal, it makes you wish to see the characters a bit more fleshed out. For example, two of Naylor’s friends (his only friends, he admits), an alcohol industry spokesperson (Maria Bello) and a firearms industry proponent (David Koechner) are interesting, but given little to do. The regular meetings of the MOD (Merchants of Death) Squad could be an interesting story line all its own.
It might not be as pointed a satire as some of its targets deserve, but “Thank You for Smoking” is certainly well-timed. In a mid-term election year (which includes a tobacco tax on Missouri ballots), the film, through its use of humor, might open up some fresh dialogue about smoking. That would certainly be a breath of fresh air.
Grade: B+
(Rated R for language and some sexual content.)
Monday, October 02, 2006
Box Office Report: Sept. 29-Oct. 1
Last weekend, it was “Jackass” ruling the box office. Now, it’s “Punk’d” creator Ashton Kutcher’s turn at the top, as the young actor actually pulled the top two spots for the weekend. Technically, he was just a voice in the computer-animated talking animal pic (there’s a novel idea for a movie), “Open Season.” But it still counts, as does his co-starring turn in “The Guardian,” with Kevin Costner.
The only other major debut of the weekend, “School for Scoundrels,” didn’t perform very well, taking in $8.6 million for the fourth spot.
1. “Open Season”
(Weekend domestic gross - $23.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $24.2 million)
(Budget - $85 million)
2. “The Guardian”
(Weekend domestic gross - $18.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $18.0 million)
(Budget - N/A)
3. “Jackass: Number Two”
(Weekend domestic gross - $14.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $52.0 million)
(Budget - $11.5 million)
4. “School for Scoundrels”
(Weekend domestic gross - $8.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $8.6 million)
(Budget - $35 million)
5. “Jet Li’s Fearless”
(Weekend domestic gross - $5.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $47.6 million)
(Budget - N/A)
6. “Gridiron Gang”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $33.3 million)
(Budget - $30 million)
7. “The Illusionist”
(Weekend domestic gross - $2.7 million)
(Worldwide gross - $32.3 million)
(Budget - $16.5 million)
8. “Flyboys”
(Weekend domestic gross - $2.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $9.9 million)
(Budget - $60 million)
9. “The Black Dahlia”
(Weekend domestic gross - $2.1 million)
(Worldwide gross - $23.1 million)
(Budget - $50 million)
10. “Little Miss Sunshine”
(Weekend domestic gross - $2.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $59.4 million)
(Budget - $8 million)
2006 Year-To-Date
1. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”
(Worldwide gross - $1.046 billion)
(Budget - $225 million)
2. “The Da Vinci Code”
(Worldwide gross - $754.3 million)
(Budget - $125 million)
3. “Ice Age: The Meltdown”
(Worldwide gross - $645.9 million)
(Budget - $80 million)
4. “X-Men: The Last Stand”
(Worldwide gross - $454.0 million)
(Budget - $210 million)
5. “Cars”
(Worldwide gross - $443.8 million)
(Budget - $120 million)
6. “Mission: Impossible III”
(Worldwide gross - $395.7 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
7. “Superman Returns”
(Worldwide gross - $388.9 million)
(Budget - $260 million)
8. “Over the Hedge”
(Worldwide gross - $315.0 million)
(Budget - N/A)
9. “The Break-Up”
(Worldwide gross - $200.0 million)
(Budget - $52 million)
10. “Click”
(Worldwide gross - $196.9 million)
(Budget - $82.5 million)
The only other major debut of the weekend, “School for Scoundrels,” didn’t perform very well, taking in $8.6 million for the fourth spot.
1. “Open Season”
(Weekend domestic gross - $23.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $24.2 million)
(Budget - $85 million)
2. “The Guardian”
(Weekend domestic gross - $18.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $18.0 million)
(Budget - N/A)
3. “Jackass: Number Two”
(Weekend domestic gross - $14.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $52.0 million)
(Budget - $11.5 million)
4. “School for Scoundrels”
(Weekend domestic gross - $8.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $8.6 million)
(Budget - $35 million)
5. “Jet Li’s Fearless”
(Weekend domestic gross - $5.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $47.6 million)
(Budget - N/A)
6. “Gridiron Gang”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $33.3 million)
(Budget - $30 million)
7. “The Illusionist”
(Weekend domestic gross - $2.7 million)
(Worldwide gross - $32.3 million)
(Budget - $16.5 million)
8. “Flyboys”
(Weekend domestic gross - $2.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $9.9 million)
(Budget - $60 million)
9. “The Black Dahlia”
(Weekend domestic gross - $2.1 million)
(Worldwide gross - $23.1 million)
(Budget - $50 million)
10. “Little Miss Sunshine”
(Weekend domestic gross - $2.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $59.4 million)
(Budget - $8 million)
2006 Year-To-Date
1. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”
(Worldwide gross - $1.046 billion)
(Budget - $225 million)
2. “The Da Vinci Code”
(Worldwide gross - $754.3 million)
(Budget - $125 million)
3. “Ice Age: The Meltdown”
(Worldwide gross - $645.9 million)
(Budget - $80 million)
4. “X-Men: The Last Stand”
(Worldwide gross - $454.0 million)
(Budget - $210 million)
5. “Cars”
(Worldwide gross - $443.8 million)
(Budget - $120 million)
6. “Mission: Impossible III”
(Worldwide gross - $395.7 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
7. “Superman Returns”
(Worldwide gross - $388.9 million)
(Budget - $260 million)
8. “Over the Hedge”
(Worldwide gross - $315.0 million)
(Budget - N/A)
9. “The Break-Up”
(Worldwide gross - $200.0 million)
(Budget - $52 million)
10. “Click”
(Worldwide gross - $196.9 million)
(Budget - $82.5 million)
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Movie Review: "School for Scoundrels"
Starring Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Heder, Jacinda Barrett, Luis Guzman, David Cross, Horatio Sanz, Sarah Silverman and Michael Clarke Duncan
Directed by Todd Phillips
Official Web site
One of the trickier sub-genres to successfully pull off in movies is a black comedy, as it frequently is inhabited by some unlikable characters, or at least puts likable characters into unfortunate situations. Excellent examples of the genre include “A Fish Called Wanda,” “Ruthless People” and of course, “Dr. Strangelove.” There could certainly be some debate as to whether “School for Scoundrels” can actually qualify as a black comedy, as its PG-13 rating almost seems the movie is pulling punches, while also trying to uncomfortably mesh romance into the mix.
But however the film is officially classified, it’s certainly less successful than it should be, taking into account its solid cast.
The film stars Jon Heder (“Napoleon Dynamite”) as Roger, a guy suffering from serious self-confidence issues. First, he’s a parking meter cop, who’s the target of ridicule from his co-workers and has been rejected by several children in the Big Brothers program. Add in his problem with talking to his sweet and available Australian neighbor Amanda (Jacinda Barrett) along with his frequent panic attacks, and you’ve got a ripe candidate for a life overhaul.
Enter Dr. P (Billy Bob Thornton), a mysterious adult education teacher who has a radical confidence-boosting class that tears down its students before building them back up. Dr. P’s class is both secretive and expensive ($5,000), which makes one wonder why people that have this kind of money readily available wouldn’t just seek out counseling.
But that quibble aside, some of the early scenes with Dr. P interacting with his class show promise, allowing Thornton to show off his darkly funny comic timing that he’s honed in movies such as “Bad Santa” and “The Bad News Bears.” However, that does point out that maybe it’s time for the versatile Thornton to start seeking out roles of a different ilk, lest he start being typecast. A trailer for his next film (“Mr. Woodcock”) that ran before “School for Scoundrels” looks quite a bit like more of the same.
The film starts going a bit off the rails once a competition for the affections of Amanda begins between Roger and Dr. P, who seems to make it a habit of destroying the life of one of his students in each class. Evidently, it’s his form of entertainment. Unfortunately, that entertainment doesn’t really cross over to the audience, as the two engage in a contest of one-upmanship that produces few laughs.
Part of the problem is that Heder’s comic range seems rather limited, making his rather sudden transformation into a more ruthless foil to Thornton’s Dr. P a bit of a stretch. Thornton’s comic skills are rather muted in the second half of the film, while skilled comics such as Sarah Silverman and David Cross are largely wasted – a bit of a surprise, seeing as how the film is co-written and directed by Todd Phillips (“Old School”). An uncredited appearance by Ben Stiller as a former student in the film’s third act is a welcome sight, but by then, even he can’t quite lift the comedy much beyond mediocrity.
“School for Scoundrels” seems to want to be a movie that contains both a mean streak and a heart, but ultimately is lacking a little in both departments.
Grade: C
(Rated PG-13 for language, crude and sexual content, and some violence.)
What’s Next
Billy Bob Thornton - Starring with Seann William Scott and Susan Sarandon in “Mr. Woodcock,” as a former high school gym class teacher who made life hell for his students. Now, he’s set to marry the mother (Sarandon) of one of his former students (Scott). Set for release in January 2007.
Jon Heder - A thirtysomething slacker (Heder) who lives with his mom realizes his sweet set-up is threatened when she hears wedding bells with her self-help guru beau. The 2007 release also stars Diane Keaton and Jeff Daniels.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Box Office Report: Sept. 22-24
Not really to any surprise that stupidity reigned this past weekend at the box office, as Johnny Knoxville and his fellow, well, jackasses, easily snagged the top spot on the charts, netting nearly $30 million. “Jet Li’s Fearless” was the only other film to make a dent on its opening weekend domestically, as “Flyboys” and the critically-panned “All the King’s Men” both bombed. Although Sean Penn has been receiving good notices for his performance in “All the King’s Men,” the movie is seeing its Oscar chances rapidly going down the drain.
1. “Jackass: Number Two”
(Weekend domestic gross - $29.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $29.0 million)
(Budget - $11.5 million)
2. “Jet Li’s Fearless”
(Weekend domestic gross - $10.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $40.9 million)
(Budget - N/A)
3. “Gridiron Gang”
(Weekend domestic gross - $9.5 million)
(Worldwide gross - $27.0 million)
(Budget - $30 million)
4. “Flyboys”
(Weekend domestic gross - $6.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $6.0 million)
(Budget - $60 million)
5. “Everybody’s Hero”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.7 million)
(Worldwide gross - $11.5 million)
(Budget - N/A)
6. “The Black Dahlia”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.4 million)
(Worldwide gross - $19.9 million)
(Budget - $50 million)
7. “All the King’s Men”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.7 million)
(Worldwide gross - $3.7 million)
(Budget - $55 million)
8. “The Illusionist”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $28.7 million)
(Budget - $16.5 million)
9. “The Covenant”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.2 million)
(Worldwide gross - $21.8 million)
(Budget - N/A)
10. “Little Miss Sunshine”
(Weekend domestic gross - $2.8 million)
(Worldwide gross - $56.7 million)
(Budget - $8 million)
2006 Year-To-Date
1. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”
(Worldwide gross - $1.045 billion)
(Budget - $225 million)
2. “The Da Vinci Code”
(Worldwide gross - $754.0 million)
(Budget - $125 million)
3. “Ice Age: The Meltdown”
(Worldwide gross - $645.9 million)
(Budget - $80 million)
4. “X-Men: The Last Stand”
(Worldwide gross - $454.0 million)
(Budget - $210 million)
5. “Cars”
(Worldwide gross - $443.5 million)
(Budget - $120 million)
6. “Mission: Impossible III”
(Worldwide gross - $395.7 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
7. “Superman Returns”
(Worldwide gross - $388.1 million)
(Budget - $260 million)
8. “Over the Hedge”
(Worldwide gross - $309.6 million)
(Budget - N/A)
9. “The Break-Up”
(Worldwide gross - $197.0 million)
(Budget - $52 million)
10. “Click”
(Worldwide gross - $184.6 million)
(Budget - $82.5 million)
1. “Jackass: Number Two”
(Weekend domestic gross - $29.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $29.0 million)
(Budget - $11.5 million)
2. “Jet Li’s Fearless”
(Weekend domestic gross - $10.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $40.9 million)
(Budget - N/A)
3. “Gridiron Gang”
(Weekend domestic gross - $9.5 million)
(Worldwide gross - $27.0 million)
(Budget - $30 million)
4. “Flyboys”
(Weekend domestic gross - $6.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $6.0 million)
(Budget - $60 million)
5. “Everybody’s Hero”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.7 million)
(Worldwide gross - $11.5 million)
(Budget - N/A)
6. “The Black Dahlia”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.4 million)
(Worldwide gross - $19.9 million)
(Budget - $50 million)
7. “All the King’s Men”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.7 million)
(Worldwide gross - $3.7 million)
(Budget - $55 million)
8. “The Illusionist”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $28.7 million)
(Budget - $16.5 million)
9. “The Covenant”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.2 million)
(Worldwide gross - $21.8 million)
(Budget - N/A)
10. “Little Miss Sunshine”
(Weekend domestic gross - $2.8 million)
(Worldwide gross - $56.7 million)
(Budget - $8 million)
2006 Year-To-Date
1. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”
(Worldwide gross - $1.045 billion)
(Budget - $225 million)
2. “The Da Vinci Code”
(Worldwide gross - $754.0 million)
(Budget - $125 million)
3. “Ice Age: The Meltdown”
(Worldwide gross - $645.9 million)
(Budget - $80 million)
4. “X-Men: The Last Stand”
(Worldwide gross - $454.0 million)
(Budget - $210 million)
5. “Cars”
(Worldwide gross - $443.5 million)
(Budget - $120 million)
6. “Mission: Impossible III”
(Worldwide gross - $395.7 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
7. “Superman Returns”
(Worldwide gross - $388.1 million)
(Budget - $260 million)
8. “Over the Hedge”
(Worldwide gross - $309.6 million)
(Budget - N/A)
9. “The Break-Up”
(Worldwide gross - $197.0 million)
(Budget - $52 million)
10. “Click”
(Worldwide gross - $184.6 million)
(Budget - $82.5 million)
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Movie Review: "The Illusionist"
Starring Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel, Rufus Sewell, Eddie Marsan
Directed by Neil Burger
Official Web site
Taking its cue from some of the early days of filmmaking, the look of “The Illusionist” is as much a character as the cast that inhabits its 19th century Vienna setting. It’s a period piece that centers around the magical, perhaps supernatural abilities of a man with the stage name of Eisenheim (Edward Norton). Arriving to town with little fanfare, he quickly captivates and amazes audiences with his superior slight of hand skills.
Among those he impresses is Chief Inspector Uhl (Paul Giamatti), who is frequently in the service of the Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell, crafting a perfectly dastardly villain). Soon after, the prince and his fiancee Sophie (Jessica Biel) attend a performance that leads to the young woman being incorporated into Eisenheim’s show. But there’s more here than meets the eye, as the two have a history from their childhood. Their brief friendship and blossoming romance as children is captured in beautifully photographed flashbacks that incorporate old-fashioned storytelling fade-outs.
Writer-director Neil Burger chose to shoot the movie in a muted color palate, with sepia tone in the flashbacks that helps the movie look like more than a bunch of actors playing dress up – a problem that has plagued more than a few period pieces over the years. Speaking English in German accents could have been a practical invitation to ham it up, but luckily the actors largely avoid the temptation. They recognize there’s some good storytelling on display here, and choose to service the script, rather than upstage it.
While the pacing is a bit lax in certain stretches, the presence of the always interesting Norton and Giamatti proves to be the film’s greatest asset. Norton brings a quiet intensity to his role as the enigmatic illusionist, playfully sparring with Giamatti in several of their scenes together, while showing some romantic passion for the woman who has unexpectedly reentered his life. To her credit, Biel easily has her best role to date, and doesn’t disappoint.
Having usually stood out in films, even when he’s been superior to the material handed him, Giamatti offers a wonderful performance as the conflicted inspector. At the urging of the prince, who sees Eisenheim as a potential threat for the heart of his fiancee, Uhl is determined to expose the illusionist as a fraud – a task that seemingly becomes more difficult as time passes. Eisenheim accuses Uhl of basically being a puppet of the prince, with the promise of a high position in his regime dangled as a proverbial carrot for his loyalty. It’s a charge that Uhl knows he can’t deny, but refuses to let it deter him from his job – even when it leads him down a path he’d rather not travel.
Some of the story’s twists and turns, particularly in the third act, maybe take a few liberties with logic. But by then, “The Illusionist” has already cast its compelling spell over the audience. One would imagine Eisenheim wouldn’t have it any other way.
Grade: A-
(Rated PG-13 for some sexuality and violence.)
What’s Next
Edward Norton - Set to co-star with Naomi Watts in “The Painted Veil,” based on the novel by W. Somerset Maugham. Release scheduled to be limited in December and going wider in January 2007.
Paul Giamatti - Cast as a villain in an upcoming action pic, “Shoot ‘Em Up,” coming in 2007. The film will also star Clive Owen and Monica Bellucci.
Jessica Biel - Her next film will be this December’s “Home of the Brave,” as one of several soldiers struggling to adjust back to civilian life after an extended tour of duty in Iraq. Samuel L. Jackson and Curtis Jackson, better known as 50 Cent, co-star.
Box Office Report: Sept. 15-17
Apologies for the delay, but vacation called and I answered, so here’s last weekend’s box office report this weekend. Obviously, the next one will be soon to follow in a couple of days. Overall, the newcomers made a mostly unspectacular debut, with the well timed release of “Gridiron Gang” snagging the top spot. Based on its somewhat disappointing first weekend, it would seem that “The Black Dahlia” will depend on word of mouth to recoup its budget costs.
Also look for an upcoming review on “The Illusionist,” which will feature the debut of “What’s Next,” a brief glance at what the movie’s major players have coming up for future projects. Not that the reviews need anything extra to them, but I’m in a giving mood, so just go with it.
1. “Gridiron Gang”
(Weekend domestic gross - $14.4 million)
(Worldwide gross - $14.4 million)
(Budget - $30 million)
2. “The Black Dahlia”
(Weekend domestic gross - $10.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $10.0 million)
(Budget - $50 million)
3. “Everybody’s Hero”
(Weekend domestic gross - $6.1 million)
(Worldwide gross - $6.1 million)
(Budget - N/A)
4. “The Covenant”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.8 million)
(Worldwide gross - $18.4 million)
(Budget - N/A)
5. “The Last Kiss”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $4.6 million)
(Budget - $20 million)
6. “Invincible”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.1 million)
(Worldwide gross - $52.1 million)
(Budget - N/A)
7. “The Illusionist”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $25.1 million)
(Budget - $16.5 million)
8. “Little Miss Sunshine”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $51.4 million)
(Budget - $8 million)
9. “Hollywoodland”
(Weekend domestic gross - $2.7 million)
(Worldwide gross - $11.4 million)
(Budget - N/A)
10. “Crank”
(Weekend domestic gross - $2.68 million)
(Worldwide gross - $28.7 million)
(Budget - $12 million)
2006 Year-To-Date
1. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”
(Worldwide gross - $1.032 billion)
(Budget - $225 million)
2. “The Da Vinci Code”
(Worldwide gross - $754.0 million)
(Budget - $125 million)
3. “Ice Age: The Meltdown”
(Worldwide gross - $645.9 million)
(Budget - $80 million)
4. “X-Men: The Last Stand”
(Worldwide gross - $451.3 million)
(Budget - $210 million)
5. “Cars”
(Worldwide gross - $435.9 million)
(Budget - $120 million)
6. “Mission: Impossible III”
(Worldwide gross - $395.6 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
7. “Superman Returns”
(Worldwide gross - $386.3 million)
(Budget - $260 million)
8. “Over the Hedge”
(Worldwide gross - $310.0 million)
(Budget - N/A)
9. “The Break-Up”
(Worldwide gross - $193.3 million)
(Budget - $52 million)
10. “Inside Man”
(Worldwide gross - $183.9 million)
(Budget - $45 million)
Also look for an upcoming review on “The Illusionist,” which will feature the debut of “What’s Next,” a brief glance at what the movie’s major players have coming up for future projects. Not that the reviews need anything extra to them, but I’m in a giving mood, so just go with it.
1. “Gridiron Gang”
(Weekend domestic gross - $14.4 million)
(Worldwide gross - $14.4 million)
(Budget - $30 million)
2. “The Black Dahlia”
(Weekend domestic gross - $10.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $10.0 million)
(Budget - $50 million)
3. “Everybody’s Hero”
(Weekend domestic gross - $6.1 million)
(Worldwide gross - $6.1 million)
(Budget - N/A)
4. “The Covenant”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.8 million)
(Worldwide gross - $18.4 million)
(Budget - N/A)
5. “The Last Kiss”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $4.6 million)
(Budget - $20 million)
6. “Invincible”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.1 million)
(Worldwide gross - $52.1 million)
(Budget - N/A)
7. “The Illusionist”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $25.1 million)
(Budget - $16.5 million)
8. “Little Miss Sunshine”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $51.4 million)
(Budget - $8 million)
9. “Hollywoodland”
(Weekend domestic gross - $2.7 million)
(Worldwide gross - $11.4 million)
(Budget - N/A)
10. “Crank”
(Weekend domestic gross - $2.68 million)
(Worldwide gross - $28.7 million)
(Budget - $12 million)
2006 Year-To-Date
1. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”
(Worldwide gross - $1.032 billion)
(Budget - $225 million)
2. “The Da Vinci Code”
(Worldwide gross - $754.0 million)
(Budget - $125 million)
3. “Ice Age: The Meltdown”
(Worldwide gross - $645.9 million)
(Budget - $80 million)
4. “X-Men: The Last Stand”
(Worldwide gross - $451.3 million)
(Budget - $210 million)
5. “Cars”
(Worldwide gross - $435.9 million)
(Budget - $120 million)
6. “Mission: Impossible III”
(Worldwide gross - $395.6 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
7. “Superman Returns”
(Worldwide gross - $386.3 million)
(Budget - $260 million)
8. “Over the Hedge”
(Worldwide gross - $310.0 million)
(Budget - N/A)
9. “The Break-Up”
(Worldwide gross - $193.3 million)
(Budget - $52 million)
10. “Inside Man”
(Worldwide gross - $183.9 million)
(Budget - $45 million)
Monday, September 11, 2006
Box Office Report: Sept. 8-10
It was a rather uneventful weekend at the box office, as the teen horror flick, “The Covenant,” slipped into the top spot with a rather unimpressive $8.9 million. The fact that it was $3 million more than the next newcomer, “Hollywoodland,” is an unfortunate comment on the generally poor numbers for the weekend.
One movie whose numbers have been far from unimpressive is “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” which has officially broken through the $1 billion barrier at the worldwide box office. For the record, it now ranks third on the all-time list, trailing only “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and “Titanic.”
1. “The Covenant”
(Weekend domestic gross - $8.9 million)
(Worldwide gross - $8.9 million)
(Budget - N/A)
2. “Hollywoodland”
(Weekend domestic gross - $5.9 million)
(Worldwide gross - $5.9 million)
(Budget - N/A)
3. “Invincible”
(Weekend domestic gross - $5.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $45.5 million)
(Budget - N/A)
4. “The Protector”
(Weekend domestic gross - $5.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $12.5 million)
(Budget - N/A)
5. “Crank”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.9 million)
(Worldwide gross - $21.3 million)
(Budget - $12 million)
6. “The Illusionist”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.5 million)
(Worldwide gross - $18.1 million)
(Budget - $16.5 million)
7. “Little Miss Sunshine”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $41.6 million)
(Budget - $8 million)
8. “The Wicker Man”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.1 million)
(Worldwide gross - $19.3 million)
(Budget - $35 million)
9. “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $142.8 million)
(Budget - $72.5 million)
10. “Barnyard”
(Weekend domestic gross - $2.7 million)
(Worldwide gross - $67.2 million)
(Budget - $51 million)
2006 Year-To-Date
1. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”
(Worldwide gross - $1.0 billion)
(Budget - $225 million)
2. “The Da Vinci Code”
(Worldwide gross - $753.7 million)
(Budget - $125 million)
3. “Ice Age: The Meltdown”
(Worldwide gross - $645.8 million)
(Budget - $80 million)
4. “X-Men: The Last Stand”
(Worldwide gross - $441.7 million)
(Budget - $210 million)
5. “Cars”
(Worldwide gross - $415.5 million)
(Budget - $120 million)
6. “Mission: Impossible III”
(Worldwide gross - $395.6 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
7. “Superman Returns”
(Worldwide gross - $383.4 million)
(Budget - $260 million)
8. “Over the Hedge”
(Worldwide gross - $307.8 million)
(Budget - N/A)
9. “The Break-Up”
(Worldwide gross - $190.9 million)
(Budget - $52 million)
10. “Inside Man”
(Worldwide gross - $183.9 million)
(Budget - $45 million)
One movie whose numbers have been far from unimpressive is “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” which has officially broken through the $1 billion barrier at the worldwide box office. For the record, it now ranks third on the all-time list, trailing only “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and “Titanic.”
1. “The Covenant”
(Weekend domestic gross - $8.9 million)
(Worldwide gross - $8.9 million)
(Budget - N/A)
2. “Hollywoodland”
(Weekend domestic gross - $5.9 million)
(Worldwide gross - $5.9 million)
(Budget - N/A)
3. “Invincible”
(Weekend domestic gross - $5.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $45.5 million)
(Budget - N/A)
4. “The Protector”
(Weekend domestic gross - $5.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $12.5 million)
(Budget - N/A)
5. “Crank”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.9 million)
(Worldwide gross - $21.3 million)
(Budget - $12 million)
6. “The Illusionist”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.5 million)
(Worldwide gross - $18.1 million)
(Budget - $16.5 million)
7. “Little Miss Sunshine”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $41.6 million)
(Budget - $8 million)
8. “The Wicker Man”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.1 million)
(Worldwide gross - $19.3 million)
(Budget - $35 million)
9. “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $142.8 million)
(Budget - $72.5 million)
10. “Barnyard”
(Weekend domestic gross - $2.7 million)
(Worldwide gross - $67.2 million)
(Budget - $51 million)
2006 Year-To-Date
1. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”
(Worldwide gross - $1.0 billion)
(Budget - $225 million)
2. “The Da Vinci Code”
(Worldwide gross - $753.7 million)
(Budget - $125 million)
3. “Ice Age: The Meltdown”
(Worldwide gross - $645.8 million)
(Budget - $80 million)
4. “X-Men: The Last Stand”
(Worldwide gross - $441.7 million)
(Budget - $210 million)
5. “Cars”
(Worldwide gross - $415.5 million)
(Budget - $120 million)
6. “Mission: Impossible III”
(Worldwide gross - $395.6 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
7. “Superman Returns”
(Worldwide gross - $383.4 million)
(Budget - $260 million)
8. “Over the Hedge”
(Worldwide gross - $307.8 million)
(Budget - N/A)
9. “The Break-Up”
(Worldwide gross - $190.9 million)
(Budget - $52 million)
10. “Inside Man”
(Worldwide gross - $183.9 million)
(Budget - $45 million)
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Movie Review: "The Sentinel"
Starring Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, Eva Longoria, Kim Basinger, Martin Donovan, David Rasche
Directed by Clark Johnson
Official Web site
In his role as Secret Service agent Pete Garrison, Michael Douglas is in a familiar role, playing a tough talking authority figure who makes a mistake that gets him in trouble. Maybe it’s a role that’s too familiar. Still, it’s tough to deny that Douglas isn’t good as this kind of character, the flawed hero.
“The Sentinel,” directed by Clark Johnson, is a bit of an old-fashioned action flick that doesn’t rely on wildly over-the-top stunts, car chases and explosions to propel the story. Instead, it largely depends on its solid collection of actors to wade through some of the plot’s more implausible situations.
One of those situations involves the rather difficult to swallow premise of Garrison having a secret affair with none other than the First Lady, Sarah Ballentine (Kim Basinger). Having served in the Secret Service for more than a quarter of a century, including taking a bullet for President Reagan in 1981, Garrison has earned a lot of trust among his co-workers and his boss, President Ballentine (David Rasche). But the affair is evidently not a secret to everyone, as Garrison receives mysterious photographs of him with Sarah in her bedroom.
That soon becomes a smaller concern for him once he receives information from an informant about a planned assassination attempt that will be instigated by a mole in the Secret Service. Now how this informant receives this information isn’t really explained, but for the sake of advancing the story, you just have to accept it.
Around the same time, another Secret Service agent is murdered, leading to an investigation by David Breckinridge (Kiefer Sutherland, doing a good impersonation of Jack Bauer from “24”). Naturally, his initial investigation overlaps with the assassination plan, leading to a series of events signaling that Garrison is the number one suspect. Garrison goes on the run with the intent of clearing his name, while Breckinridge is left trying to track down a man who knows very well how the pursuing agency operates.
The building investigation and subsequent pursuit between the mentor and his protégé is quite a bit more interesting than the rather uninspired and predictable final act. The script from George Nolfi (based on a novel by Gerald Petievich) has a number of good moments, particularly when Douglas is on the run, but also contains some plot holes big enough to drive a presidential motorcade through. Viewers enjoyment of the film will likely vary on the ability to overlook such details.
Ultimately, “The Sentinel” is an example of a couple of good actors playing roles they know how to do all too well. And while that can’t necessarily be considered a bad thing, it certainly doesn’t show a lot of creativity.
Grade: C+
(Rated PG-13 for violence, profanity and sexual situations.)
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