By Chris Kavan - 02/24/12 at 11:41 AM CT
Even thought the box office was still up last week, none of the new movies made an impression with audiences. Hopefully the films opening Feb. 24, 2012 will be able to make a better impression. While the Oscars might take center stage this weekend, hopefully there are still plenty of people interested in this year's movies too.
1) The real Navy SEALS in Act of Valor are out to show us peons what they do to defend our country. I'm still not sure if this is a straight-up action movie, or a patriotic "rah-rah" America film. It might be some kind recruitment scheme to attract more interest in the armed forces. Whatever your take, I have a feeling that it's going to attract a decent audience, especially amongst conservative-minded states. Whether that will be a large audience remains to be seen.
2) Tyler Perry branches out by taking on a non-Madea role with Good Deeds. A wealthy man who seemingly has a perfect life finds things are not as straight-forward as they seem when he meets a single mother who works as a cleaner in his building. Rich vs poor is not an amazing, new idea - however, Perry has a huge following - mostly based on Madea. I have a feeling this will still play well, but how well will go a long way in determining if Perry has a chance at different roles in his future.
3) Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd reunite (last seen in The Object of My Affection) for Wanderlust in which a pair of unemployed Manhattanites explore alternate lifestyles and ultimately wind up in a free love commune. The premise sounds truly bizarre, but Rudd is one of my favorite dead-pan comedians and Aniston still turns heads long after her days on Friends. Still, it's not receiving very much hype and will probably open in the low teens (if even that). Yet for my money, this is the kind of comedy romance film I would watch, much sooner than anything like The Vow - it won't approach those numbers - but I bet it will be much more entertaining.
4) Finally, Amanda Seyfried plays a woman on a mission - after escaping from a serial killer two years ago, he's back, and he's gone after her sister. Now she has to face her abductor once again. Seyfriend has a mixed track record thus far in her film career. I don't know if this generic thriller is going to help her cause any. With very little promotion going on, expect it to be lucky to break into the top five, if even that.
So what say you? Anything decent this weekend, or are you content to watch Billy Crystal and the glitz and glamor of the Academy Awards. See you back after the awards show gets over with the results.
