FRIDAY PREVIEW: FEB 24th, 2012

 

Let's get things started with a look at last weekends top dogs...

First Place: Safe House ($23.6 Million)

Second Place: The Vow ($23.1 Million)

Third Place: Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance ($22.1 Million)

Fourth Place: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island ($19.8 Million)

Fifth Place: This Means War ($17.4 Million)

Weird, two weekends ago, the top film was The Vow, with 41.2 Mil, followed closely by Safe House, with 40.2 Mil. This week, the two have reversed roles, still making absolute bank (although cut in half), and keeping the top two spots. Well done, moviegoers. You didn't waste more money on Ghost Rider, or the critically poor This Means War. In all reality however, there weren't many options, with The Artist still being on a somewhat limited release.

This week, you'll have a little more to choose from, although one could argue that nothing is really coming out. Hit the jump to check out the four new releases for the weekend of February 24th, 2012...


Act of Valor

Directed by: Mike McCoy & Scott Waugh
Written by: Kurt Johnstad
Length: 1 hr 41 mins
Rated: R
Cast: Alex Veadov, Roselyn Sanchez, Nestor Serrano, Dimiter Marinov
Trailer

Synopsis:
An elite team of Navy SEALs embark on a covert mission to recover a kidnapped CIA agent. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

Action packed and awesome as it may look, Act of Valor is coming at us from two rookie directors, and a writer whose only noteworthy credit is 2006's 300. Starring 'active Navy SEALS', this film is a tribute to our service-members, showcasing how bad-ass they can be, and how leaving someone behind is never an option. However, just like it's advertised, these aren't actors, they are Navy SEALS, and I don't expect much (if any) character or heart coming from them. This pro-military flick features the tactics, weapons, and people we love to see, but I'm not expecting anything more than an explosion filled two hours. With what I'm sure is a below-par story, weak acting, and amateur directing, Act of Valor isn't necessarily something I'm gunning to see.


Wanderlust

Directed by: David Wain
Written by: David Wain, Ken Marino
Length:1 hr 38 mins
Rated: R
Cast: Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston, Malin Akerman, Ken Marino, Alan Alda, Justin Theroux
Trailer


Synopsis:
Rattled by sudden unemployment, a Manhattan couple surveys alternative living options, ultimately deciding to experiment with living on a rural commune where free love rules. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

What is it with Paul Rudd and his enduring mid-life-crisis movies? I like the guy, but isn't the genre getting a little over-saturated? Director David Wain (Wet Hot American Summer, The Ten, Role Models) has shown he has what it takes to make a knock-out film, and with such a talented cast to work with, I'm sure it'll be solid. Predictability and unoriginality aside, I enjoyed a few jokes from the trailer (a few of the best, I'm sure), so I have to give this one a yellow light.


Good Deeds

 
Directed by: Tyler Perry
Written by: Tyler Perry
Length: Tyler Perry
Rated: Tyler Perry
Cast: Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry


Synopsis:
Tyler Perry.


My Opinion:

Tyler Perry.








Gone

Directed by: Heitor Dhaila
Written by: Allison Burnett
Length: 1 hr 34 mins
Rated: PG-13
Cast:Amanda Seyfried, Jennifer Carpenter, Wes Bentley, Sebastian Stan, Daniel Sunjata, Joel David Moore
Trailer


Synopsis:
When her sister disappears, Jill is convinced the serial killer who kidnapped her two years ago has returned, and she sets out to once again face her abductor. (IMDb)


My Opinion: 
This is not the movie for me, or for anyone for that matter. From a director who has directed nothing, and a writer who has written nothing, I don't expect Gone to be making much of a buzz at all. I personally am over the Amanda Seyfried fad, and although she is surrounded by good acting in Jennifer Carpenter, Daniel Sunjata, and Sebastian Stan, I really don't see them digging her out of this one. After a terrible first week in theaters, I expect this movie to be Gone faster than it came.


Conclusion:

Red Lights:

Good Deeds

Gone 

Yellow Lights:

Act of Valor
Wanderlust

Green Lights:

(None)

Better luck next week.