FRIDAY PREVIEW: MAR 2nd, 2012

Consistency! Welcome to the fourth Double Reel Friday Preview of 2012! First things first, lets take a look at last weekends big flicks...

First Place: Act of Valor ($24.5 Million)

Second Place: Good Deeds ($15.6 Million)

Third Place: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island ($13.4 Million)

Fourth Place: Safe House ($10.9 Million)

Fifth Place: The Vow ($9.9 Million)

Act of Valor, despite it's poor reviews, took the top spot from Safe House, which dropped to fourth (and making $13 Million less). Journey 2 jumped to third place, despite making $6 Million less, and The Vow finds itself at the end of the stretch, in last place. Ghost Rider 2 is nowhere to be found, making a mere $9 Million on it's second weekend in theaters.


Four new flicks are entering theaters this week, some of which actually have a chance to receiving good reviews. Click 'Read More' below to see the new releases for the weekend of March 2nd, 2012...

The Lorax

Directed by: Chris Renaud, Kyle Balda
Written by: Ken Daurio & Cinco Paul (screenplay) Dr. Seuss (book)
Length: 1 hr 34 mins
Rating: PG
Cast: Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, Betty White
Trailer

Synopsis:
A 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world.(IMDb)

My Opinion:

Corporate is telling me I need to give something this month a green light, so I guess this is it. Despite starring Zac Efron and Taylor Swift, I think that The Lorax will be a pretty solid family flick, with fun for everyone. I don't think you could go wrong with Dr. Seusses latest adapted flick.




Project X

Directed by: Nima Nourizadeh
Written by: Matt Drake, Michael Bacall
Length: 1 hr 28 mins
Rating: R
Cast: Thomas Mann, Oliver Cooper, Johnathan Daniel, More people you've never heard of
Trailer

Synopsis:
3 high school seniors throw a birthday party to make a name for themselves. As the night progresses, things spiral out of control as word of the party spreads. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

I half-expected better from Michael Bacall, writer of Scott Pilgrim, but then again, what are you going to do. From rookie director Nima Nourizadeh comes Project X, a self proclaimed 'Superbad out of control' movie about the most ridiculous found footage flick ever dreamt up. Nourizadeh doesn't realize that popularity can't be earned through throwing a party; it is only given to the cool. With flamethrowers, strippers, little people, helicopters and more, this party is unimaginably unreal, and so grandiose that I would never be able to take it seriously. Hollywood knows how to capitalize on drunk-teen flicks, and went ahead with a less than apt script, director, and cast. Paying to see this movie will only teach you one thing: your standards for interesting films are far too low.



Being Flynn

Directed by: Paul Weitz
Written by: Paul Weitz (Screenplay), Nick Flynn (book)
Length: 1 hr 42 mins
Rating: R
Cast: Paul Dano, Robert De Niro, Julianne Moore, Olivia Thirlby
Trailer

Synopsis:
Working in a Boston homeless shelter, Nick Flynn re-encounters his father, a con man and self-proclaimed poet. Sensing trouble in his own life, Nick wrestles with the notion of reaching out yet again to his dad.(IMDb)

My Opinion:

Actors Paul Dano and Robert De Niro have never quite done it for me, and I'm not feeling the emotion coming from their latest. Although an honest attempt at adapting Nick Flynn's book "Being Flynn", I'd wait to read a few reviews since the trailer isn't quite cutting it for me.





Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie

Directed by: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim

Written by: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim
Length: 1 hr 33 mins
Rating: R
Cast: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, Bob Odenkirk, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Cuban, Will Ferrell, Will Forte, Zach Galifanakis, John C. Reilly
Trailer

Synopsis:
Two guys get a billion dollars to make a movie, only to watch their dream run off course. In order to make the money back, they then attempt to revitalize a failing shopping mall. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

 Love it or hate it, I'm green-lighting this one. A much larger scale version of the low budget Adult Swim show, "Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!" this film cannot be considered borderline weird. It is the definition of weird. With a star-studded cast and stupid storyline, these two men can pull off comedy like it's never been done before. Before you pay money to see this however, know what you're getting yourself into. Watch the trailer, and find some Dr. Steve Brule clips on YouTube. Otherwise, you might regret it.


Conclusion:

Red Lights:

Project X

Yellow Lights:

Being Flynn

Green Lights:
The Lorax
Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie

Watch responsibly.