FRIDAY PREVIEW: MAR 23rd, 2012

As always, let's check out which movies made the most mulah last weekend...

First Place: 21 Jump Street ($36.3 Million)

Second Place: The Lorax ($22.8 Million)

Third Place: John Carter ($13.6 Million)

Fourth Place: Project X ($4 Million)

Fifth Place: Act of Valor ($3.7 Million)

As expected, 21 Jump Street took the gold, knocking everything else down a position for the week. Silent House was dropped from the list, and amazingly, Act of Valor hangs on for dear life. John Carter is doing much worse than expected, not really living up to it's 'first blockbuster of 2012' name that Disney branded it with.

This week gives way to five new flicks, only one of which will actually have a wide release (probably because nothing else stands a chance this weekend). Continue reading to see the new releases for the weekend of March 23rd, 2012....

The Hunger Games

Directed by: Gary Ross
Written by: Gary Ross, Billy Ray (Screenplay), Suzanne Collins (Screenplay and Novel)
Length: 2 hrs 22 mins
Rating: PG-13
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Toby Jones, Donald Southerland, Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz
Trailer

Synopsis:
Set in a future where the Capitol selects a boy and girl from the twelve districts to fight to the death on live television, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister's place for the latest match. (IMDb)

My Opinion:
I read the book about two years ago, only to be disappointed. It's lack of detail and rip-off premise only made me angry for thinking that I could enjoy a book written for pre-teens. Being 22, I am disappointed in myself for giving in to the hype. However, the film is a different medium. It has the potential to fill in the gaps, where the book failed. Considering this, I think that the movie will actually be pretty awesome. Visualizing what Suzanne Collins decided to not include in her novel, director Gary Ross (Seabiscuit, Pleasantville) can pick up where she left off, making a visually stunning, action-packed, romantic film, especially with Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, and Josh Hutcherson (the most underrated young actor around) in the lead roles. The film will blow the book out of the water, so don't worry.



The Raid (Limited Release)

Directed by: Gareth Evans
Written by: Gareth Evans
Length: 1 hr 41 mins
Rating: R
Cast: Iko Uwais, Ananda George, Ray Sahetapy
Trailer (Red Band)

Synopsis:
A SWAT team becomes trapped in a tenement run by a ruthless mobster and his army of killers and thugs. (IMDb)

My Opinion:
I remember seeing the trailer for The Raid a few months ago, disappointed that I probably wouldn't have the chance to see it for a few years, until it was either on Netflix Instant, or DVD. However, with the ridiculous hype that it is getting from film festivals (Sundance included), The Raid is on the fast track for a wide release. Full of fantastic action, actual, well-developed characters, and more, I expect nothing less than perfection from novice director, Gareth Evans. This movie for men, with music by Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, is an absolute must see.



The Deep Blue Sea



















Directed by: Terence Davies
Written by: Terence Davies (Screenplay), Terence Rattigan (Play)
Length: 1 hr 38 mins
Rating: R
Cast: Rachel Weisz, Tom Hiddleston, Ann Mitchell,
Trailer

Synopsis:
The wife of a British Judge is caught in a self-destructive love affair with a Royal Air Force pilot. (IMDb)

My Opinion:
Probably could be good, but I'm always a little on guard when a stage performance comes to film. I generally think that it was written for the stage for a reason, and was never intended to be a film, which unfortunately, it has been adapted into being. I'm sure both Rachel Weisz and Tom Hiddleston give fantastic performances, but I just don't see myself taking the time to check out The Deep Blue Sea.



Brake

Directed by: Gabe Torres
Written by: Timothy Mannion
Length: 1 hr 32 mins
Rating: 
Cast: Stephen Dorff, Chyler Leigh, JR Bourne, Tom Berenger
Trailer

Synopsis:
A Secret Service Agent is held captive in the trunk of a car and endures high-speed mental and physical torture as terrorists attempt to extract needed information for their sinister plot. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

Wait, didn't Buried just come out last year? This is not a cookie-cutter genre, you cannot just use the "good looking, american actor stuck in a box, who has a limited amount of time until he dies" trick on me again! I really doubt the terrorists would go through the amount of trouble involved in driving this guy around, constructing a box like this, and then blowing it up if he doesn't give them the information they want. Buried was good, because it required a good actor (Ryan Reynolds can be good when he tries), and didn't allow anyone else to get involved. You got in Reynolds head, because you were experiencing everything exactly as he was. Brake will not treat you with the same respect as a viewer, and will not be any good.



October Baby

Directed by: Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin
Written by: Cecil Stokes, Jon Erwin, Andrew Erwin, and Theresa Preston
Length: 1 hr 47 mins
Rating: PG-13
Cast: Rachel Hendrix, Jason Burkey, John Schneider
Trailer

Synopsis:
A college freshman's world is rocked when she learns she is the adopted survivor of an attempted abortion. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

Meh, the story looks solid, acting looks on par, and the music was nice, but I'm just not interested in the material. I'm sure the movie will be powerful for some, but not for this guy.






Conclusion:

Red Lights:
Brake

Yellow Lights:

The Deep Blue Sea
October Baby

Green Lights:

The Hunger Games

The Raid