Color me surprised. There is no way I would have pegged the new Nicolas Cage thriller to be the top film of the weekend. This is especially surprising considering the terrible title and the fact that the trailers were, well, lame. Still, I put my money in the jar and went to see Knowing, and I must admit to being very happy to find my preconceptions to be wrong. The film is quite spectacular, intelligent, thrilling, and not at all what I expected. I am happy to see it open as well as it did.
Coming in second place, a little weaker than I was expecting/hoping, is I Love You, Man. It is the first ever bromance feature film, I believe. It actually makes that term a little easier to use (I never particularly cared for it). Paul Rudd and Jason Segel are the perfect comedic tandem to embark on such a journey of platonic man-love. There is so much to like in this film, from the slapstick, to the vulgar language, to the touching moments of heartfelt sincerity, plus television's Incredible Hulk! What are you waiting for? Go see the funny.
Finishing in third place, with what has to be considered a disappointing take of less than $15 million is the star vehicle Duplicity. The Julia Roberts/Clive Owen romantic thriller did not open very strongly. Still, I suspect it will do all right in the long run and will have a good run on the rental market. I have not seen it, although by all accounts it appears to be a solid, fun film in the vein of the Ocean's series.
Race to Witch Mountain slipped to fourth place. It is not an unexpected fall, and one that seems to be in line with a typical second week drop. It still looks like it will do well in the long run, but it will be slow going. If only the film had just a little more substance.
Fifth place is the fast-dropping Watchmen. With all of the hype and buzz that surrounded his feature you would have expected a faster rise. I do not think anyone counted on the divisive nature of the tale's content creating a gap between those who love and those who hate. I loved it, but can see both sides of the coin. In the long run, the film will do well and turn a profit.
The Last House on the Left is going to fall fast. Horror films have a limited audience, and I suspect one as disconcerting as this has just about reached its limit. It is a fantastic film, but it does ask much of its audience.
Article comments
1 - Kevin Gustafson
If any male utters the word "bromance" or "Bro-Mo" in place of buddy movie, I will chuck old movie stubs at them. Seriously, I was standing in line at Target and a couple of girls were talking about I Love You, Man and used the word to describe it. The hairs on the back of my head stood on end.
But, I'll probably be nicer if I'm hanging out in a group of people. I'll just change the subject real quick.
2 - El Bicho
"It is the first ever bromance feature film, I believe."
Nope.