FRIDAY PREVIEW: AUG 26th 2011

I'm calling it. The summer's biggest blockbusters have officially passed. We'll have to wait until winter to get the holiday rush of high-budget, low-quality storytelling. Five new flicks open this weekend, but first, here are last weekend's chart toppers:

First Place: The Help ($20.5 Million)
Second Place: Rise of the Planet of the Apes ($16.3 Million)
Third Place: Spy Kids: All the Time in the World in 4D ($12 Million)
Fourth Place: Conan the Barbarian ($10 Million)
Fifth Place: Fright Night ($8.3 Million)


All three of the top new releases did horribly, coming in 3rd, 4th, and 5th respectively. The Help did great on it's second weekend, beating out it's major opponent from last week, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, who now has over $133 Million in box office sales. This week brings three wide releases, as well as another two limited to the table. How will their fair against the two reigning hits? Hit the jump to check out my preview for the weekend of August 26th...

Colombiana

Directed by: Olivier Megaton
Written by: Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen
Length: 1 hr 47 mins
Rated: PG-13
Cast: Zoe Saldana, Michael Vartan, Callum Blue, Cliff Curtis, Jordi Mollà, Lennie James
Trailer


Synopsis:
A young woman, after witnessing her parents' murder as a child in Bogota, grows up to be a stone-cold assassin. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

The first movie of the week also happens to be the only one not rated 'R'. Guess it's not the best week for kids. But I digress. Colombiana looks like that mindless action flick that's happened a million times, since I'm just seeing the trailers for Wanted, Man on Fire, The Bourne Identity, and any other Tony Scott films you can think of mixed together. Now, don't get me wrong, I like mindless action. Especially when it involves a hot, gun-wielding chick kicking ass (Sucker Punch?). Plus, two veteran writers who have penned some greats such as Leon: The Professional, The Fifth Element, La Femme Nikita, and... The Karate Kid should keep this movie above water. However, from the director of Transporter 3, I don't think I'll be holding my breath for very long.


Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

Directed by: Troy Nixey
Written by: Guillermo del Toro, Matthew Robbins (Screenplay), Nigel McKeand
Length: 1 hr 39 mins
Rated: R
Cast: Bailee Madison, Katie Holmes, Guy Pearce
Trailer


Synopsis:
A young girl sent to live with her father and his new girlfriend discovers creatures in her new home who want to claim her as one of their own. (IMDb)


My Opinion:

I'm surprisingly interested in this flick, a remake of the 74-minute, 1973 original. NOT directed by Guillermo del Toro, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark looks like a solid thriller, and I say that mainly because of what I expect to be stellar acting by the main actress, Bailee Madison. I've been a fan of both Katie Holmes (Batman Begins) and especially Guy Pearce (Memento), so a fully rounded cast doesn't hurt. I won't be seeking this one out, but I have great expectations for it's opening weekend.


Our Idiot Brother

Directed by: Jesse Peretz
Written by: David Schisgall, Evgenia Peretz
Length: 1 hr 30 mins
Rated: R
Cast: Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, Adam Scott, Rashida Jones
Trailer

Synopsis:
A comedy centered on an idealist who barges into the lives of his three sisters. (IMDb)


My Opinion:

Meh. A simple plot filled with simple laughs isn't a bad thing. Paul Rudd seems to be carrying the entire film, meaning the rest of the already talented supporting cast (Deschanel, Scott, Jones) won't be given a chance to show what they're really made of. I'm not in the mood for another 'Apatow Comedy' (for lack of a better term, even though he is in no way attached to this one), so I can't be too positive. I think Hollywood comedy in general needs a face lift, and director Peretz isn't supplying it just yet.


Higher Ground

Directed by: Vera Farmiga
Written by: Carolyn S. Briggs, Tim Metcalfe (Screenplay)
Length: 1 hr 49 mins
Rated: R
Cast: Vera Farmiga, John Hawkes, Joshua Leonard
Trailer



Synopsis:
A chronicle of one woman's lifelong struggle with her faith. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

As I probably shouldn't throw a religious bias into my preview of a movie, I'm going to pass on Higher Ground.




Circumstance

Directed by: Maryam Keshavarz
Written by: Maryam Kesharvaz
Length: 1 hr 47 mins
Rated: R
Cast: Sarah Kazemy, Nikohl Boosheri, Reza Sixo Safai
Trailer



Synopsis:
A wealthy Iranian family struggles to contain a teenager's growing sexual rebellion and her brother's dangerous obsession. (IMDb)


My Opinion:

I just finished watching the trailer, and damn. This is a movie I'd see. Circumstance looks like an awesome cultural film that would probably be under-appreciated by people unfamiliar with the customs of a particular religion/culture/lifestyle. Finally, a rebellious movie set in a country where rebellion isn't so easy. The cinematography and music was the first to hook me in the trailer, and I'm sure the story and acting would reel me in in the theater. If it wasn't on a limited release, I might actually find somewhere to watch Circumstance.


Conclusion:


Red Lights:
Our Idiot Brother


Yellow Lights:
Colombiana
Higher Ground


Green Lights:
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
Circumstance