The Scorecard Review

You are browsing the archives of 2008 November.

Australia

Directed by: Baz Luhrmann
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Brandon Walters, David Wenham
Running Time: 2 hrs 45 mins
Rating: PG-13

Plot: This is Luhrmann’s epic romance action adventure ode to Australia. Set just before and during World War II comes the story of an English aristocrat (Kidman) joining forces with a rough local (Jackman) for a cattle drive and much more.

Who’s It For? Look at the running time again. Is it for you? It’s not completely action packed, but there aren’t many dull moments in this crowd pleaser.

Expectations: I was completely and utterly on the fence with this film. Love Luhrmann, but Jackman and Kidman only occasionally put a smile on my face. Plus, the previews make this look just like another take on Far and Away.

SCORECARD (0-10)

Actors:
Nicole Kidman as Lady Sarah ... Continue Reading

Four Christmases

Directed by: Seth Gordon
Cast: Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Duvall, Mary Steenburgen
Running Time: 1 hr 22 mins
Rating: PG-13

Plot: An evasive couple attempts to forgo sharing Christmas with their slew of family members, but are caught in the act (on national television). Faced with the unthinkable reality of having to withstand four Christmas gatherings, fun-loving Brad [Vince Vaughn] and Kate [Reese Witherspoon] are reminded how powerful the “holiday spirit” is.

Who’s It For? Those who haven’t grown tired of watching Vince Vaughn candidly play himself for the umpteenth time, and those who have sincerely believed Ms. Witherspoon can’t “bring the funny.”

Expectations: Relatively speaking, Seth Gordon is “merely (a) freshman,” when it comes to film making. This the sixth time he’s taken a seat in the director’s chair, and the first time ... Continue Reading

Transporter 3

Directed by: Olivier Megaton
Cast: Jason Statham, Natalya Rudakova, Robert Knepper
Running Time: 1 hr 40 mins
Rating: PG-13

Plot: Personal driver Frank Martin (Statham) is hired to transport a Ukrainian minister’s daughter (Rudakova) who has been kidnapped by an evil American (Knepper) that is attempting to bribe the European country with toxic waste. However, an explosive device attached to Martin restricts him from being any more than 75 feet away from his car.

Who’s It For? People who don’t own DVD players and a type of membership to some form of movie rental business. Seriously, if you’re really revved up for Transporter action, just rent the previous two.

Expectations: I’m always down for some butt kicking, especially when Jason Statham’s involved. Fully aware of the reality-defying thrills in the trilogy’s previous two films, I ... Continue Reading

Milk

Directed by: Gus Van Sant
Cast: Sean Penn, James Franco, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna
Running Time: 2 hrs 8 mins
Rating: R

Plot: Sean Penn is gay-rights activist Harvey Milk. Set in the 1970s, Milk became the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in America. This film tells the story of his rise to power and his tragic end.

Who’s It For? This is a story that isn’t told that much. We still live in an insanely divided country … just look at the horrendous decision to reverse gay marriage rights in California, of all places. There is an insanely talented cast and a very important story to be told here.

Expectations: Thanks to my wife the history major, I knew just a hint of this story. But I think ... Continue Reading

We start the Top 7. You finish the Top 10.

Australia, the other English speaking country. The one that doesn’t have Shakespeare, Hollywood or Peter Jackson. It’s so easy to forget about, until you remember it’s the land of Russell Crowe, Naomi Watts, Geoffrey Rush and Mel Gibson. Not to mention Baz Luhrmann, Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman who want to give you a big fat jolt of memory with the release of Australia. Expect something big, flashy and hella sexy.

Until then, here’s a list of my favorite movies from the land down under. I have a few rules, a movie has to be directed, acted in, and financed primarily in and by Australians. That means no Moulin Rouge, though it was shot in Australia ... Continue Reading

And along comes Burn-E … the one being who’s life is not charmed my Wall-E.

I sat down with Angus MacLane at the Westin Hotel in downtown Portland. He’s the directing animator on Wall-E and directed the original short Burn-E which is included on the Wall-E DVD.

He’s also worked on Geri’s Game, A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., and Finding Nemo. So yes, he is Pixar.

For those that don’t understand animation film making, what does a director animator do?
The director directs everybody, the supervising animators help organize the animation department, and interface with the producer, director and they make artistic calls. The directing animator is more downward facing and helps on the ground the animators to get their work done and facilitate the consistency. They make sure the characters ... Continue Reading

Twilight
Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke, Peter Facinelli
Running Time: 2 hrs
Rating: PG-13

I READ THIS BOOK … if you are looking for a review that didn’t click here for Thomas Pardee’s review.

Plot: Based on the best-seller by Stephanie Meyer comes the story of Bella (Stewart), an awkward teen who moves to Forks, Washington to be with her dad. She’s immediately drawn to the mysterious Edward Cullen (Pattinson) who turns out to be much more than she ever thought possible.

Who’s It For? There is a huge following from the books. It’s probably the most anticipated adaptation since Harry Potter. And that’s exactly who this is for, and teenage girls won’t mind staring at Edward for a couple of hours either.

Expectations: I read the first book and ... Continue Reading

Bolt

Directed by: Byron Howard, Chris Williams
Cast (voices): John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman, Mark Walton
Running Time: 1 hr 30 min
Rating: PG

Plot: This animated movie has Bolt (Travolta) the dog as the star of the biggest television show, but he doesn’t understand that none of it is real. When he believes his television owner, Penny (Cyrus), has been kidnapped, he escapes from his handlers and ends up alone, and without his special effects powers, on the streets of New York.

Who’s It For? Kids who don’t scare easily. It’s mildly enjoyable for adults, but, honestly, it might give young children nightmares.

Expectations: From the previews, I thought I was going to really like this movie. I have a weakness for smart animation with subverted veins of adult humor.

SCORECARD (0-10)

Actors:
John Travolta as Bolt: Travolta ... Continue Reading

Twilight

Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson
Running Time: 2 hrs.
Rating: PG-13

I DIDN’T READ THIS BOOK … if you want to read a review from someone who did — click here for Jeff Bayer’s review.

Plot: Bella Swan (Stewart) is forced to trade her teenage life in the desert of Phoenix for the cold, rainy woods of Washington when she moves back in with her lonely father. Here she finds a new set of friends and an inconvenient attraction to the mysterious Edward Cullen (Pattinson), whose intensity both scares and fascinates her. Slowly, Bella and Edward’s paths entangle, their relationship heats up, and the terrifying truth comes out—Edward is a vampire, and he would like nothing more than to suck Bella’s blood. But, he’s also a good guy, and though ... Continue Reading

Let’s get one thing clear … If you haven’t seen Twilight and you want to go in fresh … STOP! Key plot points, the ending, spoilers and differences between the book and film will be discussed.

It’s HE (Jeff Bayer) and SHE (Morrow McLaughlin). Both read the first book (though McLaughlin read all four … in three days).

She said:
In lieu of crucial dialogue, the movie instead chose to fumble its way through uninspired montages, bland visuals, and then what I could only describe as random flotsam–scenes that seem to go nowhere and serve no purpose. Mix that in with Bella’s inconsistent narration, which felt like it had been stapled on–probably because no one on board actually knows how to tell an engaging story–and what you have is a painfully average teenage-angst ... Continue Reading

We start the Top 7. You finish the Top 10.

I’m going to stick my neck out and say this list will be something you can really sink your teeth into. It will be your cross to bear if you don’t read it. OK, those are all the awful vampire puns I could muster. More importantly, Twilight fandom is upon us, so before we are all blinded by dreamboat Edward Cullen, let’s sift through the millions (seems like it) of other vampire films that Hollywood has made.

This list focuses on the last 25 years of blood sucking. So if you are looking to reminisce over the brilliance of Nosferatu from 1922, it probably feels like I stabbed you in the heart (with a wooden stake). And I want to offer Jim ... Continue Reading

Quickcard Review

Religulous

Directed by: Larry Charles
Starring: Bill Maher
Running Time: 1 hr 41 mins
Rated: R

Mug. That’s the key to Religulous … which, by the way took me WAY too long to finally pronounce correctly. It was like staring at Scarlett Johansson … I knew I was supposed to get “it,” but I wasn’t seeing what everyone else was.

Back to mug, which can pretty much equal Maher for the duration of this film. He’s front and center leading the way to create an understanding of why and how people believe what they do. Maher says he simply doesn’t know the answers. That’s his religion, the unknowing. And he attempts to investigate why others believe what they do with an open mind, but it’s Maher. He mugs.

And most everyone who sees Religulous ... Continue Reading

WEEKEND TOP 5 STUDIO ESTIMATES, NOVEMBER 14-16, 2008

Rank. Movie Title (Distributor)
Weekend Gross | Theaters | Total Gross | Week #

1. Quantum of Solace (Sony / Columbia)
$70.4 million | 3,451 | $70.4 million | 1

2. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (Paramount (DreamWorks))
$36.1 million | 4,065 | $118.0 million | 2

3. Role Models (Universal)
$11.7 million | 2,798 | $38.1 million | 2

4. High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Buena Vista)
$5.9 million | 3,202 | $84.4 million | 4

5. Changeling (Universal)
$4.2 million | 1,896 | $27.6 million | 4

Source: www.boxofficemojo.com

Just as you would expect, Bond broke records. I predicted last week that it would pass Casino Royale’s opening weekend. But even I am a little surprised by $70 million.

Next week will be very interesting with Bolt and Twilight coming into play. It could be ... Continue Reading

Is there any actor better than Ed Norton right now?.. OK, the answer is probably yes. But please remember this is the man from Fight Club, American History X and The Painted Veil (which more people should have seen)… Well, maybe “Leaves of Grass” will bring him back. I mean, there’s two of him. What could go wrong?

HollywoodChicago.com — TSR’s news partner — just published a first-look production still for the comedic thriller “Leaves of Grass” in which Edward Norton stars as twin brothers. The film, which recently wrapped production in Shreveport, La., is due out in 2010. It also stars Richard Dreyfuss, Keri Russell and Susan Sarandon.

See the first-look “Leaves of Grass” production still at The Scorecard Review partner HollywoodChicago.com.

Quantum of Solace

Directed by: Marc Forster
Cast: Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Judi Dench, Mathieu Amalric, Jeffrey Wright
Running Time: 1 hr 40 mins
Rating: PG-13

Plot: James Bond (Daniel Craig) picks up right where he left off … kicking arse. Still seeking revenge for the death of his true love Vesper (who betrayed him), Bond encounters Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), an environmentalist who has sinister motives.

Who’s It For? Action fans will flock. No romance this time … and if all you care about is gadgets and villains … take a deep breath, you aren’t getting your fill here.

Expectations: I am one of the few who thought Casino Royale was just average. I have unusually high expectations for Bond films. But Casino was just simply too long on a romance I never believed in and ... Continue Reading

Dear Zachary

Directed/Written/Produced/Edited by: Kurt Kuenne
Running Time: 95 mins
Rating: Documentary, unrated
Opens: In Portland on November 15 at the Hollywood Theatre

“Law is mind without reason.” ~ Aristotle

I am desensitized. How can you tell? Here’s the test:

What is your first reaction when you see extremely realistic gore in the movies?

1. “Gross! I can see his spleen!”
2. “Wow! Great special effects!”
3. “Ha-ha! That guy was eaten by his own poodle! The irony!”
4. All of the above

When you’re desensitized, by virtue of the very word, things don’t bother you as much. Yes, things upset me, but I tend to get over that quickly. If I’m not able to repress or forget something fast enough, I bury myself in escapism, like books and movies and video games. Soon enough, due to my 21st Century attention span ... Continue Reading

JCVD

Directed by: Mabrouk El Mechri
Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, François Damiens, Zinedine Soualem, Karim Belkhadra
RunningTime: 1 hr 36 mins
Rating: R
Opens: In Chicago on Nov. 14 at Piper’s Alley

Plot: A self-conscious Jean-Claude Van Damme stars in a film about a self-conscious big screen star (himself) whose life has unraveled. As if losing custody of his child, and compiling a long list of tax problems weren’t enough, when our hero ventures into a bank for a loan, he’s offered another scary addition to his list of problems.

Who’s It For? Only life-long Van Damme fans will get the laundry-list of inside jokes only diehards would find amusing. Though we’re all aware of the action-star’s existence, his twenty-plus year career has been largely ignored. He’s never had a critical hit, nor any mainstream cred outside ... Continue Reading

Let the Right One In … Låt Den Rätte Komma In

Directed by: Tomas Alfredson
Cast: Kare Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar, Patrik Rydmark
Running Time: 1 hr 45 min
Rating: R

Plot: Oskar (Kare Hedebrant), a 12 year old boy, is unhappily resigned to a lonely life of friendlessness and a wicked trio of school bullies. When a mysterious girl named Eli (Lina Leandersson) moves into the apartment next door, the two outcasts form a deep connection. The dark and beautiful Eli is actually a 200 year old vampire, struggling for discretion and survival on a day-to-day basis.

Who’s It For? Horror fans. Wait, allow me to clarify–discriminating horror fans with taste and sophistication. Låt Den Rätte Komma In is a Swedish film, so go in expecting subtitles. If you like those brainless, sexist, and ... Continue Reading

Sometimes rumors do become true. Will Smith will produce a new version of “The Karate Kid” with his 10-year-old kid, Jaden Smith, in the starring role. The confirmed news surfaced this week in contrast to denied reports from a year ago that Will Smith was planning to wax on a remake of the 1984 classic “The Karate Kid”.

Read the full news article at The Scorecard Review partner HollywoodChicago.com.

Slumdog Millionaire

Directed by: Danny Boyle
Cast: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Madhur Mittal
Running Time: 1 hr, 50 mins
Rating: PG-13

Plot: The success story of a poor Indian boy (Patel) is coincidentally told through the questions he must answer while on India’s own “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire”.

Who’s It For? This is for anyone who likes a little “twist” on their Dickensian rags to riches stories. Slumdog shares the same arc as many tales before it, but is unlike nearly every movie of its kind. It is worth the adventurous view.

Expectations: Other than Darren Aronofsky’s < ;b>The Wrester, Slumdog Millionaire was apparently the other critical winner at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.

SCORECARD (0-10)

Actors:
Dev Patel as Jamal Malik: Patel is actually British, but plays the innocent Mumbai born and raised Jamal with great conviction ... Continue Reading

The mastermind behind films like Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, the underrated Sunshine, and the newest, Slumdog Millionaire, Danny Boyle introduces himself with a big genuine smile and a firm handshake. When he starts talking, (immediately, about his take on British toilet humor), he has the intrigue and charm reminiscent of a nice chap at the pub who loves to tell stories. In a cozy room at Chicago’s wonderful Hotel Sax, Boyle discussed with great enthusiasm his latest and possibly best achievement, Slumdog Millionaire.

The film is a unique take on the concept of the underdog that, with amazing visuals and storytelling, catapults us headfirst into the life on the streets of Mumbai, India. Slumdog focuses on a young man named Jamal, whose life story is incidentally told through the questions he ... Continue Reading

We start the Top ‘007′. You finish the Top 10.

Who would James Bond be without his cool gadgets? Sure, he would still be a great spy with a license to kill but would there be 22 movies about the man? Bond fans remember the old films when Q would introduce some new gadgets with each new installment. Q may be missing in the latest films but Bond still has some slick tools. Even some of Bond’s adversaries dabble in gadgetry but this list will be strictly MI6.

With Quantum of Solace opening on Friday, it’s a great time to look back at some of past films and the gadgets Bond uses to dispose of henchmen, save himself and ultimately save the world.

7. Diamonds Are Forever (1971) - Electromagnetic RPM Controller Ring

Recap ... Continue Reading

We start the Top 7. You finish the Top 10.

World domination is a tough business. The hours are long, the sacrifices are heavy, and the workload is endless. Sometimes, your hard work doesn’t even pay off. Even worse than all of this is when some horn dog super agent is killing your henchmen (and most likely) bedding your girlfriend/wife/mistress behind your back.

Amped up for the release of new James Bond film Quantum of Solace, I’ve compiled a list of Top 7 Bond Villains.

Carly Simon said it best: “Nobody does it better.” But who does “it” worst?

7. Curd Jurgens as Karl Stromberg in The Spy Who Loved Me — Villainous Stromberg was a lover of the sea, with a scheme that would have forced us all to oblige: with captured submarines ... Continue Reading

WEEKEND TOP 5 STUDIO ESTIMATES, NOVEMBER 7-9, 2008

Rank. Movie Title (Distributor)
Weekend Gross | Theaters | Total Gross | Week #

1. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (Paramount (DreamWorks))
$63.5 million | 4,056 | $63.5 million | 1

2. Role Models (Universal)
$19.3 million | 2,792 | $19.3 million | 1

3. High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Buena Vista)
$9.3 million | 3,464 | $75.7 million | 3

4. Changeling (Universal)
$7.3 million | 1,855 | $20.6 million | 3

5. Zack and Miri Make a Porno (Weinstein Company)
$6.5 million | 2,735 | $20.9 million | 2

Source: boxofficemojo.com

The first Madagascar made $47 million in its opening weekend, so this can only mean one thing … expect more Madagascar.

Zack and Miri is slowly slipping away, already down to number five, the attempt at mainstream just didn’t seem to work for porn ... Continue Reading

From Adam Fendelman’s HollywoodChicago.com – a partner with TSR – comes exclusive pics from the Chicago International Film Festival.

Academy Award nominee Viggo Mortensen posed for a HollywoodChicago.com red-carpet portrait on Oct. 29, 2008 prior to receiving a career achievement award at the U.S. premiere of “Good” on the closing night of the 2008 Chicago International Film Festival.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PICS

Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa

Directed by: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
Cast: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, David Schwimmer, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer, Bernie Mac, Alec Baldwin
Running Time: 1 hr 20 min
Rating: PG

Plot: Alex the lion (Ben Stiller), Marty the zebra (Chris Rock), Gloria the hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith), and Melman the giraffe (David Schwimmer) are finally leaving Madagascar and returning to New York City. With the help of King Julien (Sacha Baron Cohen) and the penguin special forces (voices-Tom McGrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights), the original Madagascar gang hopes to fly a makeshift plane back to the Big Apple. The problem is, they’ve just crash landed in Africa…

Who’s It For? Anyone and everyone. The kids will love it, because it’s goofy and fun; the adults ... Continue Reading

Quickcard Review

Synecdoche, New York

Directed by: Charlie Kaufman
Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Samantha Morton, Catherine Keener, Michelle Williams
Time: 2 hrs 4 mins
Rating: R

CLICK HERE to read De Salvo’s complete Scorecard Review … he gives it a 7/10

Plot: It’s pronounced (sin-neck-doe-key) if you’re unsure. But unsure just might be the point. Caden (Hoffman) attempts to create the most ambitious play ever imagined at the exact time his life begins to unravel.

Who’s It For? Let me just take a line from the film to explain who it’s for … “Knowing that you don’t know is the first essential step to knowing, you know?” This is an impressionist film. It is what you make it. That will turn away most, but with Kaufman directing, you are guaranteed to see something original.

OVERALL

It’s a movie about ... Continue Reading

Soul Men

Directed by: Malcom D. Lee

Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Bernie Mac

Running Time: 1 hr 43 mins

Rating: R

Plot:

Two estranged and aging former soul singers, Louis and Floyd (Jackson and Mac), are forced to reunite after the death of their former band mate Marcus (real-life crooner John Legend) has his managers clawing for a “Real Deal” reunion tribute concert. It’s up to Floyd to convince Louis to pull himself out of the dumpy L.A. apartment he calls home and make his way to New York City, where the tribute is set to take place.

Trouble starts soon after the two hit the road, and as they make their way from state to state –making stops along the way way to brush up on their rusty stagecraft and reunite with a young woman who ... Continue Reading

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Directed by: Mark Herman
Cast: Asa Butterfield, Vera Farmiga, David Thewlis, Jack Scanlon
Running Time: 1 hr 35 mins
Rating: PG-13

Opens in Chicago on November 7. Opens in Portland on November 14.

Plot: Based on the John Boyne novel, and set during World War II, this is the story of Bruno (Butterfield), an 8-year-old and son of the commander in charge of a concentration camp. Bruno secretly explores the area and finds a friendship with a Jewish boy (Scanlon) who is inside the camp.

Who’s It For? I looked it up … and there are officially infinity different films about WWII. Just amazing. What’s more impressive is that this is another original way to tell the horrendous story. If you are looking for a way to introduce your ... Continue Reading

Synecdoche, New York

Directed by: Charlie Kaufman
Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Samantha Morton, Catherine Keener, Michelle Williams
Time: 2 hrs 4 mins
Rating: R

Plot: When suburban theater director Caden Cotard’s life begins to unravel in a very unconventional way, his ambitions to create an original work arise. This is the story of a man whose self-consciousness and self-awareness are constantly playing tug of war. As a result, he attempts to stage a large-scale production of the brutality honest living provides. The lens through which we see his deteriorating world is nuanced by none other than the eccentric Charlie Kaufman.

Who’s It For? People with patience. People who allow directors to present inexplicable realities that merge with reality. If you liked Being John Malkovich, but you weren’t sure what it was about, this is probably the film for you. Kaufman has a talent to make you care about something you may not understand. Those who prefer a linear tale with a Hollywood ending should find any other two-hour excursion. ... Continue Reading

Role Models

Directed by: David Wain
Cast: Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bobb’e J. Thompson
Time: 1 hr 35 min
Rating: R

Plot: Two energy drink reps (Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott) get into trouble with the law, and they agree to spend time with troubled kids in order to avoid 30 days in jail. Danny Donahue (Rudd) is assigned to the D&D worshipping Augie (Christoper Mintz-Plasse) and Wheeler (Scott) is assigned to pint-sized terror Ronnie (Bobb’e J. Thompson).

Who’s It For? Anyone over 18 years old with the emotional maturity of a 15 year old, such as myself. There are adult themes throughout, including nudity and language—most notably the f-bomb, which is dropped with cheerful frequency.

Expectations: Low, low, and lower still. I went in expecting another lame, diluted attempt at Superbad, and then ... Continue Reading

We start the Top 7. You finish the Top 10.

With Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa and Bolt creeping up on us, we started thinking about the top 7 animal characters in film, either real or animated. I trusted Bayer with the top 7 animated films and he didn’t even mention Spirited Away or Ghost in the Shell, so I realized I’d have to take this list into my own two hands.

So, here is the official countdown to the King of all Animalian Stardom. I’ve tried to capture a nice blend of “classic” (a.k.a., unknown to anyone born after 1980) and modern, in an effort to please both the kiddies and the fogies. The rules: the character has to be a real animal (so, no Shrek, folks, sorry); the character has ... Continue Reading

There are certain actors who carry a movie without having to bear the weight. Paul Rudd invented this situation. He’s a character actor with leading-man looks who impressively walks the fine line between the two without loosing a shred of the charisma that would make President Obama proud.

Girls love that smile. Guys love that he thinks Coldplay is “gay.” Filmgoers eagerly line up to see movies he’s featured in (well, we’ll find out with Role Models). A trained stage actor, Rudd seems to effortlessly portray a whole gamete of characters who only resemble one another only because of those trademark baby-blues.

7. As Kevin in 200 Cigarettes

Recap: As a heartbroken twenty something whose affinity for cancer-sticks rivals only his instance that without love, life is neither meaningful, nor necessary.

Reason: As he ... Continue Reading

Rank. Movie Title (Distributor)
Weekend Gross | Theaters | Total Gross | Week #

1. High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Buena Vista)
$15.0 million | 3,626 | $61.8 million | 2

2. Zack and Miri Make a Porno (Weinstein Company)
$10.7 million | 2,735 | $10.7 million | 1

3. Saw V (Lionsgate)
$10.1 million | 3,084 | $45.8 million | 2

4. Changeling (Universal)
$9.4 million | 1,850 | $10.1 million | 2

5. The Haunting of Molly Hartley (Freestyle Releasing)
$6.0 million | 2,652 | $6.0 million | 1

Source: www.boxofficemojo.com

I like to think people chose parties and trick-or-treating with the kids over going to the theater. And I also like to think that the reason I underperformed on the Bayer Box Office Challenge was because I was too concerned on properly draping fake spider webs on the banister.

Here ... Continue Reading

If you haven’t heard … November will be the most important month in our lifetime. And from what I understand it has nothing to do with the latest Bond film.

Go vote.

Before we look forward, let’s take a look back at October.

There was just an insane amount of films released. Nobody even had time to focus on films like How to Lose Friends and Alienate People or Flash of Genius. And there was no film to dominate the box office except Beverly Hills Chihuahua, which I have decided I can’t fully rip on since I haven’t sat through it. It almost sounds worth it.

Here’s a quick list of the best of October.

5. City of Ember
4. Blindness
3. W.
2. Zack and Miri Make a Porno
1. Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist

Since ... Continue Reading

The Haunting of Molly Hartley

Directed by: Mickey Liddell
Cast: Haley Bennett, Jake Weber, Chace Crawford
Time: 1 hr 30 mins
Rating: PG-13

Plot: Seventeen-year old Molly (Bennett) slowly learns of the horrors that will happen to her on the day she turns eighteen.

Who’s It For?: In the world of Molly Hartley, parents are trying to kill their children, religion is a super-lame idea forced upon by pesky, ugly fanatics, and more importantly - no one understands you. This movie is basically gasoline to the fiery angst burning within WASP-y teenagers who just got their braces. And while Nick and Norah was their Say Anything, this is their Exorcist.

Expectations: When I heard someone talking about this movie, they said it was like 2006’s The Covenant. I became truly frightened - one time I had a ... Continue Reading