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Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/30/11 at 09:15 AM CT
Once again I have to say the slew of new releases this week isn't quite up my alley in terms of what I usually watch. But everything is made up by the excellent Coen Brothers box set, which as far as I'm concerned puts every other new release to shame.
1) Before we get to that, Tyler Perry once again brings his brand of comedy out with
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Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/29/11 at 01:17 AM CT
It was another winning week for The Help as, in a repeat from last week, all new films failed to find much of an audience.
With the week's best holdover rate, falling just 28.4%, The Help took in another $14.3 million in its third time out and now has a $96.6 million total, rocketing past Julie & Julia's total gross. It should have no problem breaking $100 in the next few days.
Being the be...
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Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/26/11 at 09:46 AM CT
After last week's less-than-stellar premieres, can the box office recover with three new offerings?
1) I was hoping that Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, especially with Guillermo del Toro writing and producing, would be a cut above most horror films, but, alas, it seems it is not. I had it on my must-watch list, but I think I'm going to downgrade it to rental-ready instead. It still looks good, b...
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Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/25/11 at 11:17 AM CT
Forget that 2008 abomination with Keanu Reeves and some hungry black cloud – this is the only version that is worth watching.
Just think about all the movies you’ve seen this year or even just heard about. Now, work that mind of years and think 60 years in the future – how many films released this year will matter in that time?
Despite being released in 1951, The Day the Earth Stood Still...
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Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/23/11 at 11:48 AM CT
Hopefully you're in the mood for something off the beaten path this week, because you won't find any big-game films making their debut this time around. That's not so say you won't find something good - it's just maybe you haven't heard about them yet.
1) With a witty and sharp story, plus Paul Giamatti, I have to give the edge this week to
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Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/21/11 at 08:36 PM CT
Despite having a lot of competition over the weekend, audiences were more supportive of holdovers as the summer movie season gave its last gasp.
The Help climbed from its second-place to debut to take the top spot at the box office with an estimated $20.4 million. Not surprisingly, it had to least drop of any film in the top 10, off just over 21% from last week. The $71.8 million total looks g...
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Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/20/11 at 09:30 AM CT
The first time I watched Super Troopers I thought it was a dumb movie. Though it took some convincing, I was compelled by a group of friends to give it another shot. Maybe it was the group dynamic; maybe it was the alcohol, but somewhere along the 4th-6th viewing, I decided this was one of the greatest comedies ever.
This film is the brainchild of the Broken Lizard comedy troupe: Jay Chandrase...
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Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/19/11 at 11:13 AM CT
It's all about remakes, reboots and sequels - which means it's probably going to be a pretty sad week for new movies... unless audiences are craving a little blood.
1) The grittier, bloodier version of Conan the Barbarian, starring the massive Jason Mamoa, looks to be the best draw for those craving action. However I have a pretty strong feeling that's all you're going to get out of this one a...
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Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/16/11 at 10:38 AM CT
This week, movies come in all sorts of interesting genres. Whether or not those genres interest you is entirely another matter, but at least we get some variety.
1) While I have a bad feeling this looks a little too much like the absolutely average Legion (not to mention sharing the same director and lead actor),
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Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/14/11 at 10:52 PM CT
Despite having to go up against four new releases, Rise of the Planet of the Apes held on to the top spot for the second week in a row.
The prequel film dropped 50%, but still managed to bring in $27.5 million. With a $104.8 million total, it is now leading fellow prequel film X-Men: First Class, which only had $98 million during the same time. An even better indication is that it managed to h...
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Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/13/11 at 10:18 AM CT
Here’s another fine example of a film that I waited entirely too long before watching. Alfred Hitchcock isn’t called the Master of Suspense for nothing. While North by Northwest may be more adventure than suspense, it has all the hallmarks of a classic Hitchcock films and remains one of my favorites by the director.
Cary Grant is our lead. With a twinkle in his eye, a hop in his step and just ...
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Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/12/11 at 10:24 AM CT
I kid! I kid because I love! Anyway - summer is on the downward spiral now - all your blockbusters have had their chance, and now we're left with the final gasp before the school year rears its head once more.
1) I'm only giving the edge to 30 Minutes or Less because the first time Ruben Fleischer and Jesse Eisenberg joined forces, it was for the dead-on entertaining Zombieland. A post-Social ...
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Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/09/11 at 11:49 AM CT
Hopefully your funny bone is in need of some tickling this week, because it's all about the laughs this time around.
1) Leading the pack has to be the dynamic duo of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in Paul
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Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/08/11 at 09:57 AM CT
Audiences were in the mood to reboot a 10-year dormant franchise over the weekend as Rise of the Planet of the Apes came in well ahead of estimates.
Thanks to a slick marketing campaign and a talented cast, Apes dominated the weekend box office. With James Franco, Freida Pinto, Brian Cox, John Lithgow, Tom Felton and mo-cap master Andy Serkis all lending their talents, Apes opened with an esti...
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Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/05/11 at 09:17 AM CT
Enough of the monkey business people! Hey, I'm not here to monkey around! Stop aping me like that - what, do think I'm working for bananas? (horrible puns stop here). The box office will probably be conquered by some simian overlords this weekend, well a group of them and James Franco too.
1) Rise of the Planet of the Apes is set as a prequel to the events of the 1968 classic. How much continu...
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Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/02/11 at 09:37 AM CT
Gather the family 'round this week as the two best films being released look like they will be great for all ages.
1) While there have been plenty of animated films this year, Rio
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Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/01/11 at 01:00 AM CT
In a somewhat surprising outcome, it could be anyone's guess as to whether Cowboys & Aliens can outdraw The Smurfs for the top spot come final Monday's final tally. As it stands, both films sit at an estimated $36.2 million for the opening weekend. It looks good for one film, not so hot for the other.
As far as I'm concerned, it's a crap shoot all around. At an estimated $163 million budget, ...
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