The Grey pits Liam Neeson vs. wolves vs. PETA! Meanwhile, Man on a Ledge hangs Sam Worthington out to dry. In limited release, we review Brazilian Oscar submission Lula, Son of Brazil.
Weekend Movie Guide 01/27: Wicked Wolves & A Brazilian Biopic
The Terminator 5: Arnold Schwarzenegger Goes From Governor To Comic Book To Robot Killing Machine
Move over animated comic series, Arnold Schwarzenegger is baaaack "attached to star in a rights package that CAA is shopping today that will revive The Terminator, one of Hollywood's most iconic scifi franchises," reports Deadline. Arnie's package will be humping to studios today with Universal, Sony, Lionsgate, and CBS Films reportedly "looking hard" at what's on the table. Fast Five's Justin Lin is likely to direct and producer Robert Cort is attached. No screenwriter has yet been inked to the deal.
Weekend Movie Guide: Not Again!
Well, a special edition of Avatar 3D is back in theaters this weekend to suck out more of your hard-earned money. Frankly, I find the film quickly diminishing with the passage of time. I'd rather spend my money on either Centurion or Mesrine: Killer Instinct. Both feature dynamic, charismatic actors in their primes (e.g. not Sam Worthington). Doesn't it seem like Takers is basically the same movie as Armored? And I think it's more than just the presence of Matt Dillon in both. The Last Exorcism violates the cardinal rule of all horror films: it's rated PG-13. Join with me and promise never to pay money to see a PG-13 horror film again!
DVD Tuesday: New Zach! And Odette!
Boy, Zach Galifianakis is suddenly everywhere, huh? Let's hope that over-exposure doesn't ruin my favorite current comedic actor. One question, though: how bad is Operation: Endgame? Considering its superb cast, this is a movie that should have gotten a nice theatrical debut instead of being dumped to DVD by Anchor Bay? And it's got Odette Yustman, folks! Odette Yustman!! The re-make of Clash of the Titans violates my number one rule of doing a re-make: only redo movies that were bad! The original Clash was no great shakes, but at least it had vintage Harryhausen effects and a supremely hammy Olivier. Everyone should know who Stephen Fry is. If you don't, find out today. Hard to believe that it was Grieco and not Depp who was the early breakout star of Jump Street. Lesbian Vampires rule! But no more than nuns!!
Box Office Review: Jennifer Lopez Fails!
Considering the former magnitude of her fame, it was expected that Jennifer Lopez's The Back-up Plan would at least eke out a box office victory this weekend. Nope! The little animated movie that could -- How To Train Your Dragon -- topped the charts for a second consecutive weekend ($15M | $178M), easily beating J-Lo's rancid "romantic comedy" ($12.2M). Date Night continues to chug along nicely despite not being nearly as funny as either The Office or 30 Rock ($10.6M | $63.4M). The Losers lived up to its title ($9.6M) but still managed to best the fantastic Kick-Ass ($9.5M | $34.8M). Note to parents: stop being such prudish losers (click it! click it! click it!) and bring your underage kids to see this superb and violent R-rated film!
DVD Tuesday: Will Avatar suck in 2-D?
3-D televisions are still a technology of the near-future so everyone who buys Avatar will be watching it in good old-fashioned 2-D. Absent the gloriously immersive world created by James Cameron, will audiences be distracted by the obvious plotting and tinny dialogue? Jeff Bridges should have won an Oscar long before getting one for Crazy Heart (The Fisher King anyone?). While his turn as Bad Blake didn't blow me away, it was a solidly professional turn in an otherwise mild movie. A year ago, smart money pegged Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones as a surefire Oscar contender. Nope! We need more movies like 44-Inch Chest. Is Ray Winstone ever not awesome? Don't worry -- Solar Anus Cinema isn't what you think. It's, you know, arty.
Box Office Review: Record Breaker!
To no one's surprise, the unnecessary re-make of Clash of the Titans easily claimed the box office crown this weekend thanks to America's pathetic embrace of bad 3-D. The crappy reboot hauled in $61.4M ($64M) to easily top the equally mediocre Tyler Perry's Why Do I Keep Making Bad Movies ($30.1M). The fantastic How To Train Your Dragon claimed $29.2M worth of treasure to top Miley Cyrus' pointless shit-fest The Last Song ($16.2M | $25.5M). The solidly entertaining Alice in Wonderland ($8.2M | $309.7M) rounded out the top 5.
Weekend Movie Guide: This Is No Clash of Titans!
If ever a movie didn't cry out for a re-make it was Clash of the Titans. The original wasn't necessarily good, but it was beloved by a distinct sliver of the populace. They will now hate this re-make, while those new to it will think the movie is just stupid. Which it is. A last-minute 3-D conversion only adds to its mediocrity. At least, it's not the worst movie of the weekend. That is surely The Last Song. Miley Cyrus is, of course, grotesque in everything. My question is this -- what's a solid actor like Greg Kinnear doing in this shit?
Box Office Review: Geez! Avatar Again?
Avatar continued its long slog towards ultimately topping Titanic by easily winning this weekend's box-office race ($48.5M | $429M). Sherlock Holmes was a very distant second but has proven to be a solid hit for Guy Ritchie ($16.6M | $165.1M). Unfortunately, the same can be said for Dumb Fucking Chipmunk Movie which is still bringing in unfit parents and their bratty kids ($16.3M | $178.1M). Daybreakers was the best performer of the films released this weekend ($15M) while It's Complicated managed to top ($11M | $76.3M) another newbie, the crappy Leap Year ($9.1M).
Box Office Review: Look Out, Titanic!
The mighty Avatar trounced all comers for the third weekend in a row, taking in a huge $68.3M ($352.1M) to easily win the weekend. Sherlock Holmes had a good second week and brought in $38.3M ($140.6M) to squeak by Dumb Fucking Chipmunk Movie ($36.6M | $157.3M). It's Complicated had a strong hold and made another $18.7M ($59.1M) while The Blind Side keeps pancaking the competition ($12.6M | $209M).
Box Office Review: Record-breaker!
James Cameron's Avatar broke 3-D records this weekend as it surged to a strong $73M opening to top the box office. Disney's The Princess and the Frog was a distant second with $12.M ($44.7M) just ahead of the still-strong The Blind Side ($10M | $164.7M). Did You Hear About the Morgans? disappointed in its debut ($7M) as the audience just doesn't appear to be there for Sarah Jessica Parker if she's not playing a vapid, money-grubbing whore. Teenage girls and lonely middle-aged women continue to flock to New Moon ($4.3M | $274.5M) while Afrikaaner ex-patriats are not flocking to Invictus ($4.1M | $15.8M).
Weekend Movie Guide: Will Avatar Be Titanic?
After months of speculation, audiences will finally be able to see Avatar today. Will it live up to all of the hype? How could it? I expect the usual Cameron film -- rigorously applied and dazzling visuals with a script aimed at those with an 8th grade reading level. I don't care if buzz hasn't been great -- I can't wait to see Nine. Folks, Daniel Day-Lewis is the best actor on the planet! You've got to see this one! Let's hope that a wrong is righted this year and Jeff Bridges is awarded an Oscar for his fantastic work in Crazy Heart. Long, long overdue. Emily Blunt is fast becoming the English Anne Hathaway: a young actress with serious chops who can anchor a film. Young Victoria looks sumptuous. The less said about Did You Hear About the Morgans? the better. Hugh Grant was once a wonderful comedic actor. Once.
DVD Tuesday: Terminate This Franchise!
Okay, maybe "terminate" is a little harsh -- the last movie wasn't that bad -- but wouldn't an infusion of fresh concepts and mythologies juice up that half-tired feeling one gets from most of Hollywood's blockbusters these days? And couldn't they have stuck with the original ending for Salvation? Not only was it a great mind-fuck, but it would have struck the final nail in this franchise's coffin. Hence...REPLACED! The first Night at the Museum sucked balls of course, so I expected the sequel to suck a relatively equal nut apportionment.
Weekend Movie Guide: Please Terminate Museum!
I was never a huge fan of the Terminator movies, so I wasn't too upset about the mythology-raping that goes on in Terminator Salvation. For me it was just good, loud fun with cool robots and Moon Bloodgood's amazing cleavage. During a family visit over Christmas I was snookered into seeing the first Night at the Museum. That will not be the case with the dreary-looking Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. Yes, the flicks are stupid, but I am a fan of whatever the Wayans' brothers touch so I'll queue up for Dance Flick. In shame.

