This week sees a couple of critical heavyweights enter the fray. Anthony Hopkins has a new thriller out, while Richard Gere has a new comedy, both of which are vying for your cinematic dollar. Possibly more intriguing is a new horror film starring the unlikely visage of Luke Wilson, could be fun, or maybe, well, not so much. Each of the four new films will be competing with last week's winner, Disturbia, for the coveted box office crown. Who do you think has the goods to go all the way?
Fracture. (2007, 112 minutes, R, thriller, trailer) Academy award winner Anthony Hopkins is paired with up and coming, and Academy award nominated, Ryan Gosling in this legal thriller. I have to say that it looks pretty good. Hopkins is in full on creepy mode, and Gosling is really becoming a man to watch. Hopkins plays a man who is believed to have murdered his wife, while Gosling is the DA who becomes involved in a game of cat and mouse when the case turns south. It was directed by Gregory Hoblit, who also directed Hart's War and Primal Fear.
In the Land of Women. (2007, 100 minutes, PG-13, romantic comedy, trailer) Hmmm, not sure about this one. I have a feeling it will fail to have much impact on the box office, as the advertising seems to be on the light side. It stars Adam Brody as a recently dumped guy who seeks new surroundings, moving to take care of his sick grandmother. It is here that his life takes an unexpected turn as he becomes involved with the women across the street, namely Meg Ryan and Kristen Stewart. This is the directorial debut for actor turned director Jon Kasdan, son of Lawrence Kasdan (Dreamcatcher, The Big Chill).
Vacancy. (2007, 85 minutes, R, horror, trailer) Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale take a wrong turn, their car breaks down, and then end up at a rundown motel. The rooms come complete with video tapes of the brutal murders that have taken place in them. Now, the two have to find a way to escape with their lives. This looks like it could be little bit of fun. It is described in the ads as Psycho meets Saw, interesting combination. It was directed by Nimrod Antal, and written by Mark L. Smith, who also has his directorial debut, Seance, hitting theaters later this year.
Article comments
1 - Kaonashi
Wait- I thought that The Host opened two months ago. I've read reviews about it.
2 - Lisa McKay
It opened on March 9 in the US, but it was a limited release.
3 - Chris Beaumont
I should probably add a disclaimer that this focuses on films that open in my area. Occasionally it takes the more limited releases a little longer to reach my shores.
4 - Kaonashi
Ah, ok. I didn't know they did that to limited release films sometimes.
5 - Chris Beaumont
Limited run and arthouse type pictures will occasionally go on tour, so to speak. They travel to arthouse theaters and chains that will take them for limited engagements. I focus on films that open in my usual driving radius. Like Hot Fuzz, which is opening in a middling number of screens is in my area, but not in my usual traveling circle.