After two weeks at the top, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen has relinquished its crown, begrudgingly, to Sacha Baron Cohen's latest creation, Bruno. The shock-omedy snuck in through the back door to steal it away, as opposed to taking a more high-profile approach. While it was a foregone conclusion that the pseudo-sequel to 2006's Borat would rise to the top, it was likely assumed that it would be in a more aggressive fashion, but a win is a win and I am sure the fictional Bruno will take it any way he can get it. I think the bigger question now is how it will hold up. Is it funny? Sure. It also does a fine job of picking at society, but at the same time, I feel that as brave as Baron Cohen is for doing it, I have seen enough. How will the public react? The next couple of weeks will be very telling.
Holding steady in second place, and playing as a strong counter-programming film, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs slipped just 33% from its debut frame. It's too bad they could not make a classic. While this franchise plays well with the young crowd, it does not offer much to cinematic history and will likely be forgotten a couple of years down the road, if that long. A funny side note: I was talking to a friend who did not realize this was the third movie in the franchise.
Michael Bay's robotic monster mash skipped over the animated dinos on its way to third place. Perhaps this is where everyone realizes that it's not a very good movie and it begins its slide to the bottom. Yes, wishful thinking — it likely has a way to go before it dies off completely only to be reinvigorated upon its eventual Blu-ray release.
Public Enemies placed fourth, and while it is doing all right, I would like to see it do better. This film is fantastic with a strong script, great performances, and solid direction. This is where the mainstream meets the arthouse.
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