10/14/10
Tops at the Box: David Fincher's "Facebook movie," The Social Network, took the No. 1 spot at the box office again last weekend, bringing in another $16 million, upping its 10-day total to $46 million in the U.S. I've seen the flick twice, and both times was painfully aware that the majority of the people in the theater with me were not liking the movie. As it's a film for people who like well written and well played dialogue, I don't expect the movie to do too well come home video release time. It'll sell $80 or so million in the U.S., a decent number of tickets overseas and rent well for a few weeks, but, mostly, Network will likely go down as an awards season film. Look for Fincher and writer Aaron Sorkin, especially, to take home some statues.
More From the Box: Awful-looking romantic comedy Life as We Know It took the No. 2 spot last weekend, bringing in just under $15 million over its first three days, while the very cheesy Secretariat took the No. 3 spot, bringing in about $13 million over its opening weekend. Animated flick Legend of the Guardians (gags) took the No. 4 spot with another $7 million and Wes Craven's first 3D film, My Soul to Take (which is somehow getting strong reviews), rounded out the Top 5 with just under $7 million over its first three days. Wow, The Social Network aside, what a lousy crop of movies. Don't worry, the big studios are just emptying out their queues before they start in with the fall/winter blockbusters and awards season flicks. Hope is on the horizon (we hope). ScreenTime favorite Let Me In upped its two week total to just under $10 million. Maybe not as good as the original, but a damn film good regardless.
Opening This Weekend: Before the storm of great movies hit, things are calm. Super calm. Crappy calm. The two films that will see wide release this weekend are nothing to get too excited about. First is Jackass 3D, the third and hopefully final Jackass film. These movies are entertaining, sure, but hardly worthy of the big screen treatment. Regardless, look for Jackass 3D to take the No. 1 spot this coming weekend and do pretty well for a few more weeks. Also out is Red, a very American-looking action/comedy hybrid starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Brian Cox, Ernest Borgnine and a number of other actors who seem far to good for the quality implied by the film's trailer. Thus far reviews are glowing; but, then again, the first few almost always are. Who knows, maybe this will be one of those surprise films that mixes action, comedy, art and technicality in brilliant ways (i.e. Pulp Fiction, Snatch, Kick-Ass, etc.). We doubt it. Clint Eastwood's new Matt Damon drama, Hereafter, will begin to test in big markets, as will Tony Goldwyn's Oscar-bait drama Conviction, starring Hilary Swank as a small town gal who becomes a lawyer for the sole purpose of getting her (maybe) wrongly convicted brother, played by the excellent Sam Rockwell, out of prison. We're kind of thinking this movie might end up being a big fat flop, both with critics and audiences. Other movies set to open in small markets: Vision; The Trouble with Terkel; I Want Your Money; Down Terrace; Carmo, Hit the Road; and Carlos. Carmo, Hit the Road looks like a promising import.
ScreenRant: After following the viral buzz around Casey Affleck's "Joaquin Phoenix Goes Crazy and Quits Acting for a Rap Career" mockumentary, titled I'm Still Here, for more than a year, I was a bit frustrated when the movie didn't open at least somewhat wide. In fact, the film only opened in a few theaters around the country before all but disappearing after four weeks and less than a half million in ticket sales. Sad, when you consider how much Phoenix and Affleck put into the unique project, which they call a reaction to America's obsession with reality television. I was happy to find that the movie is already available for rent via iTunes and Amazon. Yep, that's right, while it's still in theaters in big cities, us folks in the often forgotten places can check it out at home for about seven bucks. So that's just what I did, knowing that I'll very likely go see it a second time when the Cinema Center picks it up in a few weeks. And, damn, I kind of loved the Borat-influenced film, especially watching it as a performance piece instead of, like many critics, going in thinking it was a legit documentary. There are a couple of scenes that don't work, but, in general, I think the film should further advance Phoenix's reputation as a devoted character actor and artist. Don't be surprised if, after this Gonzo move, he starts getting juicy roles with some of the best directors out there - as well as some comedy roles.
New To Home Video: Oceans, Predators, Please Give and Agora are the major releases for the Tuesday, October 19 release day, though we at ScreenTime think you'd be better of picking up the first edition Blu-ray releases for Apocalypse, Now, Psycho, Seven Samurai and some of the Harry Potter flicks. Also out: the complete "Pee-Wee's Playhouse" TV collection; season one of "The Bionic Woman;" season one of "Accidentally on Purpose;" season one of "The Real L Word;" and the complete "Eden of the East" series.
Written by G. William Locke