FRIDAY PREVIEW: JUL 15th

None of the new movies from last weekend stood a chance from the biggest movie of the year to date, Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Take a look at last weeks cash grabbers:

First Place: Transformers: Dark of the Moon ($47.1 Million)

Second Place: Horrible Bosses ($28.3 Million)

Third Place: Zookeeper ($20.1 Million)

Fourth Place: Cars 2 ($15.2 Million)

Fifth Place: Bad Teacher ($8.9 Million)

Zookeeper did surprisingly well, considering it's terrible rating on RottenTomatoes.com (14%), but I was more surprised with Horrible Bosses' mediocre haul, considering the solid cast and 73% rating on RottenTomatoes. With this weekend comes five new films, only two of which have a wide release, and only one who stands a chance against the strong competition of Transformers 3. Hit the jump to check out the latest releases for the weekend of July 15th...


Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II

Directed by: David Yates
Written by: Steve Kloves (Screenplay), J.K. Rowling (Novel)
Length: 2 hrs 10 mins
Rated: PG-13
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Alan Rickman, Ralph Fiennes, John Hurt, Michael Gambon, Helena Bonham Carter, Jason Isaacs, Tom Felton, and every other person from every other Harry Potter movie. Seriously, the cast is enormous.
Trailer 

Synopsis: 

The final chapter begins as Harry, Ron, and Hermione continue their quest of finding and destroying the Dark Lord's three remaining Horcruxes, the magical items responsible for his immortality. But as the mystical Deathly Hallows are uncovered, and Voldemort finds out about their mission, the biggest battle begins and life as they know it will never be the same again. (Jordan via IMDb)

My Opinion:

Ah, I've been waiting a while to preview Harry Potter VIII. Finally, the epic British teen series comes to a close, in what looks like a fantastic fashion. Having nearly all of the characters from the original seven movies, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II, in my opinion, looks seriously good. This is the movie from the franchise that will be remembered; the conclusion, wrapping up ten years of one of the most memorable and epic film sagas of all time. Having four different directors helm the eight film series, the latter, David Yates (who has done the final four Harry Potter films) has shown that he knows the series and has what it takes to wrap it up. I wasn't a big fan of Part I (I thought it could have been shortened quite a bit), but I understand that the fans of the book want no details left out in the finale and the movie studio want nothing less than two movies worth of revenue. The screenplay writer, Steve Kloves, has written every single adaptation of the book series, save Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, giving me more faith in the movie. Daniel Radcliffe has become a much better actor than he was in the first few films, yet I still find him the be the weakest actor in the bunch. The supporting cast does give him a lot of help though, especially my personal favorite: Alan Rickman as Professor Snape. I know that this will be an action packed, emotional roller coaster for fans of the series, and I don't have a hair on my head that doesn't doubt the waterworks will flow from the most loyal Potter-heads. I know to my core there won't be a bigger release this entire year; no other movie will come close to making as much money as The Deathly Hallows: Part II. I've been a fan of both the books and movie adaptations, and I guarantee that this film will be the Return of the King of the spellbinding Harry Potter saga.

(As I write this, Harry Potter VIII has a 96% on RottenTomatoes.com)


Winnie the Pooh

Directed by: Stephen J. Anderson, Don Hall
Written by: Stephen J. Anderson (Story), A.A. Milne, Ernest Shepard (Characters)
Length: 1 hr 9 mins
Rated: G
Cast: Jim Cummings, Craig Ferguson, John Cleese
Trailer

Synopsis: 

During an ordinary day in Hundred Acre Wood, Winnie the Pooh sets out to find some honey. Misinterpreting a note from Christopher Robin, Pooh convinces Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Owl, Kanga, Roo, and Eeyore that their young friend has been captured by a creature named "Backson" and they set out to save him. (Anonymous via IMDb)

My Opinion:

The latest Winnie the Pooh film is going back to the roots, and I think it looks fantastic. After watching the trailer (juxtaposed with a fantastic song by Keane), I feel like Disney wants to draw in classic fans of the storybooks, especially parents and their kids. Winnie the Pooh feels like a solid, clean, movie starring the classic characters wrapped nicely in an hour long package. Although I'm not necessarily a fan of the 'franchise', I have nothing against Pooh and only wish him luck in his perpetual quest for honey.


Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Directed by: Wayne Wang
Written by: Angela Workman, Ronald Bass, Michael Ray (Screenplay), Lisa See (Novel)
Length: 1 hr 40 mins
Rated: PG-13
Cast: Bingbing Li, Gianna Jun, Vivian Wu
Trailer

Synopsis:

A story set in 19th century China and centered on the lifelong friendship between two girls who develop their own secret code as a way to contend with the rigid cultural norms imposed on women. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

If you're wondering what this film is about, watch the trailer. If you're still wondering what this movie is about, then you're in the same boat as me. First of all, the trailer was constructed terribly, giving me less of an idea about the plot than I thought I had before. From what I can gather, two girls, one of whom is writing a book, discover that their ancestry is liked by some eternal friendship from two hundred years earlier. I think it's an interesting idea for a film, but directed by Wayne Wang (Maid in Manhattan), I won't be holding my breath. Although Snow Flower and the Secret Fan isn't for me, I could see how it might succeed, so I won't throw it off of my watch list completely.


Salvation Boulevard

Directed by: George Ratliff
Written by: Douglas Stone, George Ratliff (Screenplay), Larry Beinhart (Novel)
Length: 1 hr 35 mins
Rated: ? (Probably R)
Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Connelly, Marisa Tomei, Ed Harris
Trailer

Synopsis:

Set in the world of mega-churches in which a former Deadhead-turned-born again-Christian finds himself on the run from fundamentalist members of his mega-church who will do anything to protect their larger-than-life pastor. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

There are plenty of actors and actresses in this one that would normally have me waving money at the pimply-faced ticket vendor at the movie theater on any given friday. Pierce Brosnan, Jim Gaffigan and Jennifer Connelly lead the cast in a adaptation that probably never should have been adapted. Judging from the trailer, Salvation Boulevard looks like a mis-directed, awkward, religious-jabbing mess. An indie film coming from an amateur writer/director, I pray this one is better than it looks.


Lucky

Directed by: Gil Cates Jr.
Written by: Kent Sublette, Gil Cates Jr.
Length: 1 hr 43 mins
Rated: R
Cast: Colin Hanks, Jeffrey Tambor, Ari Graynor
Trailer

Synopsis:

A wannabe serial killer wins the lottery and pursues his lifelong crush. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

Are writers really this desparate? There are a few good criminal-protagonist stories that exist, Breaking Bad and Dexter to name a few. But I'm thinking this whole serial killer character genre is getting a little over-saturated. I've always been a fan of both Colin Hanks (Band of Brothers) and Air Graynor (Fringe), but I think this story is a little farfetched for my tastes. Judging by the trailer, I also feel like Lucky doesn't know if it wants to be funny, witty, or mindless. Rather than spending $10 on a movie ticket to Lucky, I think I'll by my own lotto ticket instead. I'll probably have a better chance at buying something worthwhile anyways.




Conclusion:


Red Lights:
Lucky- A below-par plot in an over-saturated genre can't be redeemed by it's more than decent cast.

Salvation Boulevard- Just total crap. Another great cast wasted on a rookie director and a plot with no chance at entertaining the masses.


Yellow Lights:
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan- Could go either way. An intriguing story that has the chance at visually dazzling with it's period authenticity, I just don't know how much faith I have in director Wayne Wang.


Green Lights:
Winnie the Pooh- A classic revisiting of the origins of the Pooh series, Winnie the Pooh looks like the film that parents have been waiting to take their kids to; friendly, moral, and full of the nostalgia they remember from their past.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II- The final film in the 8-part series, veteran director David Yates will show that he has what it takes to conclude the most epic finale in the most lucrative film franchise of all time. With an enormous cast, budget, and fan following, Harry Potter VIII will do nothing short of break records.


Watch responsibly.