FRIDAY PREVIEW: MARCH 16th, 2012

 

Aaaah, here we go again! Last weeks top dogs:

First Place: The Lorax ($39.1 Million)

Second Place: John Carter ($30.6 Million)

Third Place: Project X ($11.6 Million)

Fourth Place: Silent House ($7 Million)

Fifth Place: Act of Valor ($7 Million)

Money! The first 'blockbuster' of 2012 in fact sort of flopped. John Carter did worse than expected, despite earning over $100 Million globally. Not quite what was expected however. The Lorax remains in first place, despite going down $40 Million in earnings. Project X, Silent House, and Act of Valor round out the list, with a combined total of about $25 Million.

Five new flicks this weekend, mostly comedies, and mostly under-advertised. Continue reading to see this weekends latest releases!

21 Jump Street

Directed by: Phil Lord, Chris Miller

Written by: Michael Bacall (Story & Screenplay),  Jonah Hill (Story), Patrick Hasburgh, Stephen Cannell

Length: 1 hr 49 mins

Rating: R
Cast: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube, Chris Parnell, Nick Offerman

Trailer

Synopsis:

A pair of underachieving cops are sent back to a local high school to blend in and bring down a synthetic drug ring. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

Did we need a 21 Jump Street reboot? Probably not. Did we get one? Depends how you look at it. Dumb, high school grade jokes all over the place, 21 Jump Street takes the classic late 80's TV series, turns it into a comedy, and ruins Johnny Depp's image in the process. From the two directors of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs comes their first live-action film, which so far, is getting good reviews. I'm still on the fence however.

Casa de mi Padre

Directed by: Matt Piedmont

Written by: Andrew Steele

Length: 1 hr 24 mins

Rating: R
Cast: Will Ferrell, Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna, Nick Offerman

Trailer

Synopsis: 

Scheming on a way to save their father's ranch, the Alvarez brothers find themselves in a war with Mexico's most feared drug lord.(IMDb)

My Opinion:

Director Matt Piedmont and writer Andrew Steele both came from the same place that Will Ferrel seemed to dream up his latest film-child, Casa de mi Padre, on Funny or Die. Although it seems like everyone is over the Will Ferrell trend, I feel like this one he actually cares about, due to the Mexican theme and Spanish heavy dialogue. Will I see this? No. Does that mean it's going to suck? No.

Jeff, Who Lives at Home

Directed by: Jay & Mark Duplass

Written by: Jay & Mark Duplass

Length: 1 hr 23 mins

Rating: R
Cast: Jason Segel, Ed Helms, Judy Greer, Susan Sarandon

Trailer

Synopsis:

Dispatched from his basement room on an errand for his mother, slacker Jeff might discover his destiny (finally) when he spends the day with his brother as he tracks his possibly adulterous wife. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

What the hell is with these mid-life crisis movies coming out every damn week? I think we get it Hollywood, everyone breaks down and thinks there is such a thing as destiny. None the less, I am a big fan of both Jason Segel and Ed Helms, and have only heard good things about the Duplass brothers last film, Cyrus. The acting seems genuine, and the story, although overdone, looks as if it could keep my attention.

Detachment

Directed by: Tony Kaye

Written by: Carl Lund

Length: 1 hr 37 mins

Rating: Unrated
Cast: Adrien Brody, Christina Hendricks, Bryan Cranston, James Caan, Lucy Liu, Marcia Gay Harden, William Peterson, Tim Blake Nelson

Trailer

Synopsis:

A substitute teacher who drifts from classroom to classroom finds a connection to the students and teachers during his latest assignment. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

Academy Award Winner Adrien Brody hasn't really amounted to much after The Pianist, besides Wrecked, The Jacket, The Village and King Kong (wait, he has done stuff), but it looks like he might be getting a little attention once again, ten years later, with Detachment. From the fantastic director of American History X comes this story about the least appreciated heroes of our time, Teachers. Just check this one out, and realize how much you appreciate education.

Seeking Justice

Directed by: Roger Donaldson

Written by: Todd Hickey, Robert Tannen

Length: 1 hr 45 mins

Rating: R
Cast: Nicolas Cage, January Jones, Guy Pearce, Jennifer Carpenter

Trailer

Synopsis:

After his wife is assaulted, a husband enlists the services of a vigilante group to help him settle the score. Then he discovers they want a 'favor' from him in return.(IMDb)

My Opinion:

I mean, it's starring Nicolas cage in an Adjustment Bureau wannabe plot. As much as I love Guy Pearce and January Jones, the plot is no where near original, and the action looks pretty 'cardboard-cutout', giving me slim to no entertainment for an almost two hour long film. I hate to say it Pearce, but I have to pass.

Conclusion

Red Lights:

Seeking Justice

Yellow Lights:

21 Jump Street

Casa de mi Padre

 

Green Lights:

Jeff, Who Lives at Home

Detachment