03/10/11
ScreenRant: This week, let’s talk TV. And food. Why? Because I just saw a new TV show that I really, really liked called “America’s Next Great Restaurant.” As far as cooking/food-based shows go, I usually just don’t like ‘em. Too much fluff and, at best, they just make me want to eat, eat, eat. Most of them feature a host who is either constantly screaming and shouting or too precious for my taste. “ANGR” is, for my TV Eye, the most promising new Reality Game Show in a good while. The concept is easy: wannabe restaurateurs pitch their concept to some industry studs, the final prize being that they get to open three restaurants around the country (Chicago, New York and LA). With Americans supposedly eating out (and watching TV) more than ever right now, I get the feeling this show could do quite well. Or, who knows, maybe it’s just a great first episode. Falling right before this spring’s “Celebrity Apprentice” (which looks pretty crazy), the show will certainly get its chance to find viewers. Lots of good ideas, lots of personalities and, of course, fooooood. (Ps. We’re rooting for Stephanie’s healthy fast food concept and/or the grilled gourmet cheese dude.)
Tops at the Box: Yes! Rango took the No. 1 spot this past weekend! Finally, a good movie at the top of the box. This animated Western, which features Johnny Depp in the lead vocal role and is directed by Gore Verbinski (those dumb Pirates flicks and, more importantly, masterful comedies The Weather Man and The Mexican) brought in $38 million over its first three days. If you’ve not yet seen the film, a poster for the film, a commercial for the film or the trailer, then you’re missing out on one of the best production designs for an animated film in a long, long time. Since Wall-E, probably - at least as far as major productions go. We ScreenTimers have not yet seen the movie, but we will soon. Looks fantastic.
More From the Box: The Adjustment Bureau, starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, is a romantic fantasy thriller based on a Philip K. Dick story. Looks marginally promising. Coming in at No. 2 last weekend during its first three days, Bureau scored just over $20 million - kind of a disappointment when you consider the studio estimates and star power involved. Last weekend’s No. 3 film, Beastly (looks terrible), took the No. 3 spot, bringing in just over $10 million over its first three days. Have you seen the poster for this movie yet? Is that Britney Spears? Yikes!! Hall Pass, the No. 1 film two weekend ago, came in at No. 4 last weekend, bringing in about $9 million, upping its 10-day total to $27 million, just $9 million below its production budget. Rounding out the Top 5 was the cheesy Gnomeo and Juliet, which brought in about $7 million.
Out this Weekend: A huge number of movies open this weekend, only three of which will open wide. First is the heavily promoted Battle: Los Angeles, another in a long line of end-of-the-world alien movies. Me? I like the genre, even if it’s way overdone, and Battle looks pretty fun. Something called Mars Needs Moms, an animated film that will play on Fort Wayne’s new IMAX theater at Jefferson Point, opens, as does director Catherine Hardwick’s Red Riding Hood. Hardwick’s film looks to appeal to fans of the Twilight series while Mars Needs Moms will fight to take some of that precious animated dollar from Rango. A huge number of smaller films will start to screen across the country, none in more than nine theaters. Here’s a list: Monogamy; Jane Eyre; Clash; Certified Copy; Black Death; 3 Backyards; Elektra Luxx; Making the Boys; and Kill the Irishman. Look for Jane Eyre to do pretty well and, most likely, be playing everywhere within a month.
DVD and Blu-ray: New to home video this coming Tuesday, March 15: The Fighter; Hereafter; The Switch; Waste Land; The Wildest Dream; No One Knows About Persian Cats. New to Blu-ray: Anchorman; the Criterion Collection edition of Au revoir les enfants; and the excellent Yi Yi.
Written by G. William Locke
