Last week brought us, arguably, the most highly anticipated film since Cloverfield. That film was 10,000 BC and it pretty much delivered in its opening weekend. However, it turned out to be a rather poor film and will likely have a steep drop in week two.
This week brings a highly anticipated family entry, as well as a potential cult film. It will be interesting to see how well they fare on the open market. More importantly than their respective potential for box office success, I eagerly look forward to the more important entertainment value.
Doomsday. (2008, 105 minutes, R, science fiction, trailer) I am looking forward to seeing this cinematic mash-up. The film does not look original at all, but the vibe I am getting from the trailer makes it look like a lot of fun, plus the director has built up considerable good will over his past couple of films. The director is Neil Marshall and his last film was the excellent The Descent; prior to that he delivered the underappreciated Dog Soldiers. His latest film looks like a high energy combination of Mad Max and 28 Weeks Later. A virus outbreak leads to the building of a wall to separate the infected. Some years later the virus returns and the answer is inside the wall. Stars include Rhona Mitra, Bob Hoskins, Alexander Siddig, and Malcolm McDowell.
Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who. (2008, 88 minutes, G, animated, trailer) Adapting Dr. Seuss to the big screen in a feature length movie is a questionable proposition. It requires padding and stretching of the source material. Sometimes this material does not work all that well. In recent years we have had a pair of such adaptations reach the screen. One was The Grinch, which worked quite well, while the other, Cat in the Hat, was simply awful. Will this animated feature work? I hope so. Jim Carrey and Steve Carell seems like a great pair for the material; add in Carol Burnett, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Will Arnett, Amy Poehler, Dan Fogler, Isla Fisher, and Jaime Pressly and you have the making of a fine voice cast. Time will tell.
Article comments
1 - Brad Schader
The original Funny Games is one of those movies that will stay with you for a long time after you see it. I cannot say it is a good movie in that it does not entertain, but it does get to you, make you think, and haunt you for days afterwards. It is a movie more about the discussion after seeing it than for the time spent watching it. Go see it for certain and I am eager for your take on it.