Wow, 2009 got out of the blocks with a bang in January and has not shown any signs of slowing down. January had a record take that topped $1 billion and admissions have not been this high this early in the year in some time. The overall admissions total is already more than 400,000 more than last year at this point. While so many other businesses and industries are faltering in the wake of economic uncertainty, the entertainment business is thriving. Everyone needs to be entertained, no?
This weekend was topped by an astonishingly potent remake. Friday the 13th (2009) set its sights on the top of the charts and arrived there in grand fashion. This remake, which combines elements of the first few films of the series, has shown itself to be an effectively gritty and hard-nosed slasher film. I really enjoyed the film, what it brought to the series, and how it did have a respect for the source. It also has the distinction of making more in its opening weekend than any of the films that came before it in the series (excepting Freddy vs. Jason, which had the added support of the A Nightmare on Elm Street series fans). If you like horror, this is the one to see. No, it is not perfect, but what movie is?
Two other new releases reached the top ten this week. First up is the number four film, Confessions of a Shopaholic, a light and fluffy film starring Isla Fisher as the titular shopaholic who gets in over her head and ends up working for a finance magazine. I have not yet seen the film, but I certainly do plan on catching it.
Look a little further down the list and you will find The International, a thriller that I am sure had hoped for a better start than seventh place. The Tom Tykwer directed film pits a rogue Interpol agent against a bank that is up to no good. I know, it doesn't sound that exciting, but surprisingly enough, it is. I enjoyed it much more than I was expecting, especially the big action piece in the Guggenheim.
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