By Chris Kavan - 04/13/12 at 11:39 AM CT
Welcome to Friday April 13, 2012 - hopefully it won't bring bad luck for the three new films looking to bump off The Hunger Games from the top spot following three weekends at the top.
1) The Cabin in the Woods - This film has a much earlier release date but held up partly because the studio wanted it converted to 3D (which, luckily, didn't happen). But it's here now and I'm excited for a few reasons: One, because Joss Whedon helped write the script; two - because it takes the familiar horror tropes and stands it on its head and three, there just hasn't been a decent horror film in theaters in far too long of time. I have been diligent in avoiding any spoilers for this film - pretty much my knowledge extends to a bunch of achingly familiar teen stereotypes (The "Jock", the "nerd" the "stoner" etc.) find themselves in a creepy cabin - a classic horror set-up if there ever was one, but soon find themselves in a much different situation. From what I have seen, it reminds me bit of Cube, but with much more comedy thrown in. I have high hopes for this one and I don't want to be let down.
2) Lockout - Billed as "Taken"... IN SPAAAAAAACE!! Probably because Maggie Grace plays the damsel in distress once again, but this time her rescuer is not badass Liam Neeson, but different badass Guy Pearce. The setup seems like the most ludicrous idea for a movie ever: the president's daughter is touring a gigantic space prison when, wouldn't you know it, there's a riot and she's trapped with the most sadistic and violent people (not) on the planet. Enter our anti-hero, who, in order to clear his name of false charges, will rescue said daughter, putting life and limb on the line. I'm guessing if you want action - and lots of it - there is no need to look any further. Something tells me the film is going to be short on narrative and character development, however.
3) The Three Stooges - The Farrelly Brothers' quest to bring the Three Stooges back to the bigscreen finally comes to fruition. Back in the day when names like Sean Penn, Benecio Del Toro, Paul Giamatti and Johnny Depp were being thrown around, I was actually intrigued by the idea - maybe a serious look into the lives of the comedy trio - the highs and the lows, with some slapstick thrown in. But today we have Sean Hayes, Will Sasso and Chris Diamantopoulos and all pretense of getting anything "serious" are out the window. This is straight-up slapstick and shoehorning the Stooges into modern-day situations. The film is actually getting better reviews than I would have thought, but the marketing (in my eyes) has been bad. Not quite Bucky Larson bad, but nothing I've seen makes me want to watch this film in any way, shape or form. It could bring in the family crowd, and people who are nostalgic for the classic comedy trio, but I don't see it doing gangbusters at the box office.
This weekend's releases had the best chance of knocking The Hunger Games from its perch. I have a feeling that with action, horror and comedy all taking their shot - one will win out the weekend.
