This week's selections hit a few different targets, but will any be on the mark? We do not get any Oscar hopefuls this time around. The focus seems squarely on pure entertainment. There is a sequel to a hit horror film, an overblown action romp, and a comedy that targets the fans of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. I'd be lying to say I was not interested in them, but I do well in keeping my expectations in check.
The Grudge 2. (2006, 95 minutes, PG-13, horror, trailer) Two years ago, director Takashi Shimizu translated his J-horror hit, Ju-on, for the American shore as The Grudge. As far as horror films go, it was a big hit, netting more than $110 million. Will this one be as big? Time will tell. I liked the first one. It was a fun roller coaster of jump scares. This sequel brings Shimizu back to his franchise, this time with Amber Tamblyn starring. To be completely honest, I do not expect much, all I hope for is a jumpy flick that entertains.
Man of the Year. (2006, 115 minutes, PG-13, comedy, trailer) The trailer asks what if a comedian ran for president? The film looks to answer the question. It has been said that people put more trust in the "fake" news of shows like The Daily Show than in real news. This movie puts Robin Williams in a role not dissimilar to Jon Stewart. I am looking forward to this one. It really does look pretty funny. Actually, I just hope it is better than RV. Hopefully, that won't be hard to do.
The Marine. (2006, 93 minutes, PG-13, action, trailer) The second entry (following See No Evil) from newcomer WWE Films stars current WWE Champion John Cena. Will it be good? I tend to doubt it, but it does look like it could be a fun, if generic, action romp. Lending a little credibility to the project is Robert Patrick as the villain. The story follows Patrick and his thugs who take Cena's girlfriend hostage. Cena gets all Schwarzenegger (in Commando) and sets off on a one man mission to get her back. Could be fun, but my expectations are low.
Article comments
1 - Iloz Zoc
Chris,
Grudge 2 does have some good jumps, but I was disappointed. While a little bit more exposition is added to explain the evil force, the ending left everything in the air and primed for Grudge 3. Not what I really wanted to see. Things get confused toward the end also.
2 - Chris Beaumont
I was let down.... I did not like the 3 pronged story. Too many angles, too little focus... review is forthcoming...
3 - Joel Basterdi
I predict "One Night with the King will top the box office, and by the way, "One Night with the King has gotten great advertising through churches, and espeically TBN network and by News corp, because its done by Foxfaith.
4 - Chris Beaumont
"8X Entertainment's "One Night with the King" earned a respectable $1.5 million yesterday from its 908 locations as it landed in the ninth slot. Not too bad for a movie that had very little marketing behind it."
It is 9th. No way it will be the top film. Plus, TBM doesn't have that wide a reach. Now if Fox promoted it on Fox, it may have done a bit better.
5 - gaby
the Marine was very good. Maybe because John Cena played such a good(and hot)Marine. It was very thrilling and a lot of action. Not to mention explosions. It was very good.
6 - Phillip Winn
Chris, One Night did surprise you, you must admit. But yes, claims of #1 were dramatically over-reaching. I attend a conservative church and only found out about the movie via the net, the same way I find out about pretty much every movie.
Then again, my church resists being part of the marketing arm of... well, anybody.
7 - Phillip Winn
Still, other than One Night and Open Season doing better than you expected, pretty good predictions, man!