FilmCrave Movie Blog 02/2013

New in Theaters March 01: Jack the Giant Slayer, 21 and Over, Last Exorcism II, Phantom

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/28/13 at 06:33 PM CT

Oscar season is over - a lackluster February comes to a close - so now we are left with the question of whether March is going to start with a lion's roar or, like February, be as quiet as a lamb. Given the diverse nature of releases this week, we might have a winner, but I'm thinking that the real fireworks won't begin until next weekend.
JACK THE GIANT SLAYER Usually a big-budget CGI film …

New on DVD and Blu-ray Week of February 26 -- March 4

Harley Lond - wrote on 02/25/13 at 08:24 PM CT

THIS WEEK'S PICKS:

"The Master":
Shut out at the Academy Awards, Paul Thomas Anderson's follow-up to "There Will Be Blood" is another critical look at American culture, this time zeroing in on the cult of religion and heroes that filled the existential void left by the death and destruction (of people, ideologies and beliefs) wrought by World War II. It's a striking portrait of drifters and …

Weekend Box Office: Snitch Can't Top Identity Thief as February Fizzles Out

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/24/13 at 10:31 PM CT

While many people were likely watching Oscar gold tonight - over the weekend not many people were watching new movies. February has been a slow month, and this weekend proved no exception with the total box office off 22% from the weekend last year. When a three-week-old comedy tops the box office, you know things are a bit stagnant.

1) IDENTITY THIEF

Although not many (including myself) …

Spending Money on Some Mondo, Cause I Got Mondo on My Mind

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/22/13 at 09:37 PM CT

It has been quite a spell since I seriously considered buying a movie poster. One of my most prized possession is the Star Wars Episode 1 teaser poster I got through Star Wars Insider. The movie may have been a disappointment to fans, but seeing Jake Lloyd with the shadow of Darth Vader behind him was an excellent way to promote a return to Star Wars. Yet other than that poster, I really haven't …

New in Theaters February 22: Dark Skies, Snitch

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/21/13 at 12:34 PM CT

Last week we had a veritable avalanche of new movies - many of them opening to solid numbers - it still wasn't enough to top the record-breaking pace that was seen in 2012. Still, with some wins finally in the books for action (thank you Die Hard!) - maybe a second movie in that genre can spawn another hit? Considering the success of Mama (one of the highest-grossing horror films in years) …

New on DVD and Blu-ray Week of February 19 -- February 25

Harley Lond - wrote on 02/18/13 at 09:24 PM CT

THIS WEEK'S PICKS:
"Argo": You all know the story by now: Based on true events, "Argo" chronicles the covert operation to rescue six Americans that unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis. On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reached its boiling point, militants stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans …

Weekend Box Office: Die Hard, Safe Have Both Have Good Days

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/18/13 at 02:03 AM CT

Considering the rough welcome for action stars, it looks like Bruce Willis was able to pull off a President's Day Weekend knockout - even if critics (myself included) weren't enamored with the results. And it turns out opening a Nicholas Spark's movie adaptation on Valentine's Day is a good idea - as romance helped it to a pretty good opening as well.

1) A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD

It turns out …

New in Theaters February 15: A Good Day to Die Hard, Beautiful Creatures, Safe Haven

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/14/13 at 08:22 AM CT

Although Identity Thief managed to create a pretty good spark at the box office last weekend, it wasn't enough to top the same weekend last year. In fact, other than a few slim wins week-to-week - for the most part 2013 has paled in comparison to 2012. Action movies in particular - despite starring some fan favorites - have utterly failed in every department. However, this week sees the return …

The Award Season Train Keeps Rolling - How the Oscars Are Shaping Up

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/12/13 at 09:13 PM CT

We're coming down the home stretch now. After the Golden Globes, we've seen SAGs, DGAs, PGAs and, most recently, the BAFTAs (the British equivalent of the Academy Awards). So what have we learned over the past month? There are clear winners and losers and, I will admit, my early predictions (at least some of them) have been thrown clear out the window. But here's what I know for sure:

Argo …

New on DVD and Blu-ray Week of February 12 -- February 18

Harley Lond - wrote on 02/11/13 at 05:44 PM CT

THIS WEEK'S PICKS:

"Skyfall":
Daniel Craig is back as James Bond -- 007 -- in this 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time. Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. Someone is going after MI6 and its agents in an effort to discredit M (Judi Dench), and the service's leader is left with only one ally she can trust: Bond. 007 takes to the …

Weekend Box Office: Identity Thief Steals the Show

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/11/13 at 12:05 AM CT

Despite a massive snow storm cutting down on potential audiences, at least one film managed to break out to become a bright spot for the 2013 movie season. Still, even with a clear winner, compared to the same weekend last year, the box office was down a significant 48% and it will take more than one big hit to right the Hollywood ship.

1) IDENTITY THIEF

Although it may not have caught the …

New in Theaters February 08: Side Effects, Identity Thief, Top Gun 3D

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/07/13 at 04:44 PM CT

Even though Warm Bodies tried, the Super Bowl pretty much dominated one of the slowest weekends of the year. In fact, there still hasn't been a true standout film this year - although Mama has managed to do good for the horror genre. Will the three big names this week be able to finally deliver a knock-out weekend? Call me skeptical, but I'm thinking with a wacky comedy, a 3D re-release and a …

The Super Bowl Trailers: What Was Hot, What Was Not

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/05/13 at 08:48 PM CT

Like many of the 108.4 million viewers who tuned in to watch the Ravens and 49ers in Superbowl XLVII, I was probably just as interested in the game as I was in the commercials. But there weren't just your average funny, heart-warming, disgusting commercials to contend with, no, some big Hollywood debuts also dropped. At $4 million a shot, which movies made an impact on me and which left me cold? …

New on DVD and Blu-ray Week of February 5 -- February 11

Harley Lond - wrote on 02/04/13 at 09:18 PM CT

THIS WEEK'S PICKS:
There's no doubt that Robert Zemeckis is a craftsman-like director and a Hollywood innovator (with his use of special effects). He's experimented with all filmic genres, from action and sci-fi action ("Romancing the Stone" and "Back to the Future") though live-action/animation ("Who Framed Roger Rabbit") to outrageous black comedy ("Death Becomes Her"). And he's consistently …

Weekend Box Office: Warm Bodies Tops Not So Super Weekend

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/03/13 at 11:20 PM CT

While a power outage made its mark on the Super Bowl - it turns out when 100 million plus people tune into the biggest game of the year, the box office tends to suffer. In fact, Super Bowl Weekend is considered one of the slowest movie weekends. This year is no exception, but compared to last year it was a 27% drop. With those kind of numbers, there are still a few bright spots to a rather tepid …



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