It may not have opened as strongly as Gibson's last film, The Passion of the Christ, but it did climb all the way to the top of the box office dog pile. Mel's Mayan actioner, Apocalypto, was the strongest film of the weekend. Perhaps Mel's career isn't in a complete state of disrepair, but enough about that, it's a topic that has already been beaten to death. Unfortunately, I have not yet had the opportunity to see the film, but it does look like a lot of fun. I also hear it is full of action, blood, and gore, sounds like it is right up my alley. I do like to see a director take an approach that is a little outside the mainstream and successfully bring it to a mass audience, not that Mel is the only one to do this, but it does give hope for the future.
Three other new releases entered the ranks this week. Among those top ten rookies is The Holiday, a romantic holiday film from the director of What Women Want, placed third. I am intrigued by the use of Jack Black as one of the romantic leads, but I cannot say that the film particularly excites me, it looks like something I have seen before.
Move on down to fifth and you will find the latest film starring Leonardo Dicaprio, who seems to have a new film every December. This is at least the second film in the past couple of months that someone has said is the best film of the year, and is called Blood Diamond. It takes you inside the brutal and bloody way that diamonds change hands, which is a source of huge conflict. I hear the real revelation is Djimon Hounsou in a supporting role. Hopefully he will get some recognition as I have seen him in a few things, and he has incredible screen presence.
The last new entry is the kids' holiday movie, Unaccompanied Minors. I cannot say that this looks particularly enticing, but it does feature Lewis Black as a security guard and that has to count for something. It also brings Tyler James Williams to the big screen, he is a guy to watch as he is excellent as the young Chris Rock on Everybody Hates Chris.
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