FRIDAY PREVIEW: FEB 17th, 2012

First things first, here are the cash handling flicks from last weekend:

First Place: The Vow ($41.2 Million)
Second Place: Safe House ($40.2 Million)
Third Place: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island ($27.3 Million)
Fourth Place: Star Wars - Episode I: The Phantom Menace ($22.5 Million)
Fifth Place: Chronicle ($12.1 Million)

The Vow did fantastic, as anyone would have expected. Safe House also dominated, not leaving much left for the rest. Four of the Five DR-previewed new releases for last week took the top four spots this week, crushing Chronicle, The Woman in Black, and anything else hoping to have a chance. This week brings two Oscar-nominated pictures, with Undefeated and Bullhead. Hit the jump to see them, the rest, and everything else for the weekend of February 17th, 2012...


This Means War

Directed by: McG
Written by: Timothy Dowling, Simon Kinberg (Screenplay), Marcus Gautesen (Story)
Length: 1 hr 38 mins
Rated: PG-13
Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy, Chelsea Handler,
Trailer

Synopsis:
Two top CIA operatives wage an epic battle against one another after they discover they are dating the same woman. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

Two budding actors alongside a rock solid, Academy Award Winning actress. Action. Comedy. Romance. Although This Means War has plenty of room for error, I don't expect it to outweigh the fun I'll have while watching. I'm a huge Chris Pine and Tom Hardy fan, and with the two alongside the bombshell Reese Witherspoon, I only expect the best. Director McG (Terminator: Salvation, We Are Marshall) is a little out of his jurisdiction with this Action-y Romantic Comedy, but none the less, this is a flick I'd see.


Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

Directed by: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor
Written by: Scott M. Gimple, Seth Hoffman, David S. Goyer
Length: 1 hr 35 mins
Rated: PG-13
Cast: Nicholas Cage, Idris Elba, Ciarán Hinds
Trailer


Synopsis:
As Johnny Blaze hides out in Eastern Europe, he is called upon to stop the devil, who is trying to take human form. (IMDb) 

My Opinion:

The Original Ghost Rider shouldn't have happened. And no one was begging for a sequel. However, the possible profits must have outweighed the cost, so the studio went ahead. After watching some behind the scenes stuff on this sequel, the cinematography done by directors Neveldine and Taylor is pretty impressive, giving some reason to check it out. Also, partially written by David S. Goyer (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight), Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance may have a shot. But judging from what I've seen, it won't have my $10.


Undefeated

Directed by: Daniel Lindsay, T.J. Martin
Length: 1 hr 53 mins
Rated: NR
Cast: Bill Courtney, O.C. Brown, Montrail Brown
Trailer



Synopsis:
A documentary on an underdog football team who look to reverse their fortunes with coach Bill Courtney. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

The first of four movies this week that you'll be lucky to find in theaters, Undefeated looks absolutely fantastic, following an inner-city high school football team through its emotional trials and tribulations. Up for Best Documentary at the Oscars, Undefeated stands a solid chance.



Thin Ice

Directed by: Jill Sprecher
Written by: Jill Sprecher, Karen Sprecher
Length: 1 hr 33 mins
Rated: R
Cast: Gregg Kinnear, Billy Crudup, Alan Arkin,
Trailer



Synopsis:
An insurance agent looking for a way out of frigid Wisconsin is blackmailed by an unstable locksmith in the theft of a rare violin that belongs to a retired farmer. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

First of all, who would want to leave frigid Wisconsin? Insulting summary aside, I think Thin Ice looks like a joke, and not the one that makes you the class clown. This joke makes you the class ass. Thin Ice looks like a somehow bad remake of The Ice Harvest from back in 2005. Directed by University of Wisconsin graduate, Jill Sprecher, I'm sure she means no harm to Wisconsin and it's glory through this film. With The Ice Harvest, there were one too many of these 'frigid', complex murder/mystery films out there. Now there are two.


On the Ice

Directed by: Andrew Okpeaha MacLean
Written by: Andrew Okpeaha MacLean
Length: 1 hr 36 mins
Rated: R
Cast: Josiah Patkotak, Frank Qutoq Irelan, John Miller, Adamina Kerr
Trailer



Synopsis:
In Barrow, Alaska, teenagers Qalli and Aivaaq find their bond tested when a seal-hunting trip goes wrong, resulting in the death of their friend. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

Speak of the devil. I don't have much to say about this one, other than it looks like a frigid, complex murder/mystery. After watching 1/48th of this film through the trailer, I was pretty happy with the acting and emotions that were brewing between characters, which intrigued me. I'd think about renting On the Ice, but not much more.



Bullhead

Directed by: Michael R. Roskam
Written by: Michael R. Roskam
Length: 2 hrs 4 mins
Rated: R
Cast: Matthias Schoenaerts, Jeroen Perceval, Jeanne Dandoy
Trailer



Synopsis:
A young cattle farmer is approached by a veterinarian to make a deal with a notorious beef trader. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

Director Michael R. Roskam presents his first feature length film, Bullhead, in the wonderful language of Belgian. I definitely am a fan of the indie look presented through the trailer, but that implies no guarantees. Powerful acting and gorgeous cinematography abound, I expect pretty good things from Bullhead, but like most film released this week, good luck finding it in a local theater.



Conclusion:


Red Lights:
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
Thin Ice


Yellow Lights:
On the Ice
Bullhead


Green Lights:
This Means War
Undefeated