The Summer Blockbusters are officially here. But first, here's last weeks cash grabbers:
1st Place: Fast Five ($83.6 Million)
2nd Place: Rio ($14.4 Million)
3rd Place: Madea's Big Happy Family ($10.1 Million)
4th Place: Water for Elephants ($9.1 Million)
5th Place: Prom ($5 Million)
Although we didn't recommend checking out Fast Five, it still beat out the rest of the competition in the race for the bucks. Who will it be this weekend? Hit the jump to check out the start of the summer...
Thor
Directed by: Kenneth Branagh
Written by: Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz, Don Payne, and more
Length: 1 hr 54 mins
Rated: PG-13
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan
Skarsgård, Kat Dennings, Tom Hiddleson
Skarsgård, Kat Dennings, Tom Hiddleson
Synopsis:
The powerful but arrogant warrior Thor is cast out of the fantastic realm of Asgard and sent to live amongst humans on Earth, where he soon becomes one of their finest defenders. (IMDb)I always hate to start out with a negative preview. So I won't. But stay with me. This does look like a reasonable action movie with some sort of depth. And let me make this blatantly clear: I love superhero movies. However, the fact that Thor is a hammer wielding hunk from outer space (am I right, I'm not familiar with the comic series?) doesn't strike me right. I think this makes a better comic book than movie, as is plenty visible from the trailer. I feel like the movie will be leaning too much on comic relief (from Kat Dennings (The 40 Year Old Virgin)), and not enough on the coolness of Thor. And why is Natalie Portman selling out so much these days? I love her and everything (I actually do love her (maybe)), but she doesn't need to make a name for herself anymore. Now, that doesn't mean that I don't think this will be a good movie. Action is great, and superheroes are better. Take Cloverfield or Star Trek for example. Neither particularly well written films, but I loved both for their action. Thor can deliver (and probably will), but I'll wait to see how it fairs with the reviewers.
Hobo With A Shotgun
Directed by: Jason Eisener
Written by: John Davies, Jason Eisener, Rob Cotterill
Length: 1 hr 26 mins
Rated: Unrated
Cast: Rutger Hauer, Rob Wells (Trailer Park Boys anyone?), Pasha Ebrahimi
Trailer
Synopsis:
A homeless vigilante blows away crooked cops, pedophile Santas, and other scumbags with his trusty pump-action shotgun. (IMDb)Watch the trailer. Which is ironic, because this entire movie started as a trailer in the Grindhouse series, much like last years Machete. Stylized as a 70s/80s pulpy/culty film, Hobo with a Shotgun stars the classic Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner) as a hobo pissed off at the immoral world around him. With an appearance from Rob Wells (Trailer Park Boys), I'm sure somehow his 'Rickyisms' from the aforementioned Canadian show will find it's way into the script. I love these stylized movies that try and recreate the cinema of the past, especially stuff like Blade Runner itself. Guaranteed to have plenty of mindless action and gore, this is a movie that doesn't try to be cool, but ends up being awesome in the process (possibly unlike Thor). If you're familiar with Robert Rodriguez and the Grindhouse movies, this is a must see. If not, check out Planet Terror.
Last Night
Directed by: Massy Tadjedin
Written by: Massy Tadjedin
Length: 1 hr 30 mins
Rated: R
Cast: Sam Worthington, Keira Knightley, Eva Mendes, Scott Adsit
Synopsis:
The story follows a married couple, apart for a night while the husband takes a business trip with a colleague to whom he's attracted. While he's resisting temptation, his wife encounters her past love. (IMDb)This is the last time you'll ever hear me say this, but I'm actually recommending a romantic movie. However, you have to watch the trailer to understand where I'm coming from, because this is no ordinary 'happy' romantic flick; Last Night one is borderline tragedy. A trailer is like a book cover however, and I hold way too much stock in what I see for two and a half minutes. From what I can tell, this is a movie that will seriously dig into characters, motives, and emotions. I've always been a fan of Sam Worthington (Avatar) and Keira Knightley (I love her (I actually do (maybe))), and the two of them look like they'll be giving solid, albeit unexpected performances. Just be careful, this could be all lovey-dovey and chatty-cathy for an hour and a half. But I'm not the one worried about that.
Something Borrowed
Directed by: Luke Greenfield
Written by: Jennie Snyder (Screenplay), Emily Giffin (Novel)
Length: 1 hr 43 mins
Rated: PG-13
Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, John Krasinski
Synopsis:
Friendships are tested and secrets come to the surface when terminally single Rachel falls for Dex, her best friend Darcy's fiancé. (IMDb)Thank god for John Krasinski. I actually thought this chick-flick didn't look too bad; it has a somewhat original story that explores that oh-so-familiar friend zone. Although I already predicted the exact ending, I'm sure Krasinski (The Office) will make the near two hour movie possible to enjoy. Ginnifer Goodwin and Kate Hudson (I love her (I actually do (maybe))) will be the main sources of personal attachment, which makes this one a little tougher for the guys to bear. Watch the trailer, make your own decision if it'll be worth your time. Ladies: this one is already worth it.
Everything Must Go
Directed by: Dan Rush
Written by: Dan Rush (Screenplay), Raymond Carver (Short Story)
Length: 1 hr 40 mins
Rated: R
Cast: Will Ferrell, Rebecca Hall, Glenn Howerton, Christopher Jordan Wallace
Synopsis:
When an alcoholic relapses, causing him to lose his wife and his job, he holds a yard sale on his front lawn in an attempt to start over. A new neighbor might be the key to his return to form. (IMDb)Poor Will Ferrell. No one likes him anymore. I'm getting a Stranger Than Fiction vibe from him here, and I don't know what that means. I just can't make a judgement on this movie, I'm completely on the fence about it. Check out the trailer above to see a snippet of his latest and decide for yourself.
The Beaver
Directed by: Jodie Foster
Written by: Kyle Killen
Length: 1 hr 31 mins
Rated: PG-13
Cast: Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, Anton Yelchin, Jennifer Lawrence
Synopsis:
Conclusion:
Just about everything is worth your time this week. Thor is bound to have some fantastic action, and will be a must see if you're already getting geared up for the upcoming Avengers movie. Hobo with a Shotgun is sure to entertain as well, with dumb gore and action coming from a much needed Rutger Hauer rebound. Last Night will provoke emotion and question one's ethics in a time when relationships can get tough. Something Borrowed is sure to strike a cord with everybody who's been stuck in the friend zone (a weekly occurrence in my own experiences). The Beaver looks entertaining, as Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster are sure to deliver their usual good acting roles. The only film I'm questionable about would be Everything Must Go. Will Ferrell needs a comeback and this doesn't look like it'll do.
There you go, you're pretty much set to watch any new releases this week without regret.
Watch Responsibly.
A troubled husband and executive adopts a beaver hand-puppet as his sole means of communicating. (IMDb)Mel Gibson makes me feel not so bad for Will Ferrell. Directed by and starring Jodie Foster, The Beaver looks like a new spin on the classic dad's gone crazy theme. An... interesting performance is sure to come out of Mel Gibson, who I'm trying to not hold any biases against. It looks like he'll deliver in this one, along with Anton Yelchin (Star Trek) and Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone) (I love her (I actually do (maybe))) sharing some screen time as well. I'll recommend it, but read the synopsis and know what you're getting into before you spend $10 to watch Mel Gibson go crazy, something you can do for free at home. That was too easy.
Conclusion:
Just about everything is worth your time this week. Thor is bound to have some fantastic action, and will be a must see if you're already getting geared up for the upcoming Avengers movie. Hobo with a Shotgun is sure to entertain as well, with dumb gore and action coming from a much needed Rutger Hauer rebound. Last Night will provoke emotion and question one's ethics in a time when relationships can get tough. Something Borrowed is sure to strike a cord with everybody who's been stuck in the friend zone (a weekly occurrence in my own experiences). The Beaver looks entertaining, as Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster are sure to deliver their usual good acting roles. The only film I'm questionable about would be Everything Must Go. Will Ferrell needs a comeback and this doesn't look like it'll do.
There you go, you're pretty much set to watch any new releases this week without regret.
Watch Responsibly.
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