FRIDAY PREVIEW: MARCH 9th, 2012

  

You've stick with us for another week? I'm impressed! Well, Friday Previews will keep getting churned out as long as you're here, faithful compadre! Last week...

First Place: The Lorax ($70.2 Million)

Second Place: Project X ($21.1 Million)

Third Place: Act of Valor ($13.6 Million)

Fourth Place: Safe House ($7.4 Million)

Fifth Place: Good Deeds ($7 Million)

The Lorax had a stunning opening, having the best opening weekend of any film in 2012 with over $70 Million in revenue. Granted, most of this was from kids under 17 who bought a ticket to see Dr. Seusses latest, but instead snuck in to the junky Project X, which came in at second. Act of Valor dropped from first place, dropping $11 Million dollars in earnings as well. Safe House and Good Deeds also made some mulah, but their time is up.

This week brings a chance at an actually good film, as the last three weeks have delivered almost all negatively reviewed flicks. With five new options in theaters, is there something for you? Continue reading to find out...

John Carter

Directed by: Andrew Stanton

Written by: Andrew Stanton, Mark Andrews, Michael Chabon (Screenplay), Edgar Rice Burroughs (Story, "A Princess of Mars")

Length: 2 hrs 12 mins

Rating: PG-13

Cast: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Willem Dafoe, Mark Strong, Thomas Haden Church, Bryan Cranston, Dominic West, Ciarán Hinds

Trailer

Synopsis:

Transplanted to Mars, a Civil War vet discovers a lush planet inhabited by 12-foot tall barbarians. Finding himself a prisoner of these creatures, he escapes, only to encounter a princess who is in desperate need of a savior. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

Yes, you are reading that correct. This is directed by Andrew Stanton, of Pixar, director of A Bugs Life, Finding Nemo, and Wall-E. Stanton is making his live-action debut with one of the most overlooked and forgotten Sci-Fi stories of all time. Star Wars, Avatar, Watchmen and more drew many of their parts from these Martian stories, written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, which are now being adapted into film. If this film is cliche, it is only because every science fiction story drew it's foundation from this series. I'm pretty excited to see Bryan Cranston and Mark Strong (who seems to be in everything...) in action, and I really doubt John Carter with not amaze.

Silent House

Directed by: Chris Kentis, Laura Lau

Written by: Gustavo Hernández (Original Film), Laura Lau

Length:1 hr 25 mins

Rating: R

Cast: Elizabeth Olsen, Adam Trese, Eric Sheffer Stevens,

Trailer

Synopsis:

Trapped inside her family's lakeside retreat, a young woman finds she is unable to contact the outside world as events become increasingly ominous in and around the house. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

Remember when scary movies were some of the most highly regarded film of the time? Me neither, I wasn't alive to appreciate any Hitchcock in its original form. Fast forward to now, and the genre has been oversaturated and dumbed down so anyone can get a new thrill every Friday. I have a feeling that Silent House is trying to break that trend. Filmed like it is all one continuous shot, you become engrossed in the movie, following Elizabeth Olsen's character through the scariest ordeal in her life. I think its a great way to truly feel the emotions of the character you're supposed to relate to, and don't doubt that I'll be scared shitless when I check this one out.

Friends with Kids

Directed by: Jennifer Westfeldt

Written by: Jennifer Westfeldt

Length: 1 hr 47 mins
Rating: R

Cast: Jennifer Westfeldt, Adam Scott, Kristen Wiig, Jon Hamm, Maya Rudolph, Megan Fox, Edward Burns

Trailer

Synopsis:

Two best friends decide to have a child together while keeping their relationship platonic, so they can avoid the toll kids can take on romantic relationships. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

Meh, Rom-Com. I really like the cast, but the plot... that's another story. I think I'm going to shy away, despite Adam Scott and Jon Hamm holding what I'm sure is a significant amount of the screen time.

A Thousand Words

 

Directed by: Brian Robbins

Written by: Steve Koren

Length: 1 hr 31 mins
Rating: PG-13

Cast: Eddie Murphy, Cliff Curtis, Kerri Washington

Trailer

Synopsis: 

After stretching the truth on a deal with a spiritual guru, literary agent Jack McCall finds a Bodhi tree on his property. Its appearance holds a valuable lesson on the consequences of every word we speak. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

Not this one either. As much as I loved Eddie Murphy's return to film with Tower Heist, there doesn't seem to be much substance coming from this one, not to mention humor. Racist studded jokes and simple physical humor were very 2000's, and I think it's time to move on.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Directed by: Lasse Hallström

Written by: Simon Beaufoy (Screenplay), Paul Torday (Novel)

Length: 1 hr 52 mins

Rating: PG-13

Cast: Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt, Amr Waked, Kristin Scott Thomas

Trailer

Synopsis:

A fisheries expert is approached by a consultant to help realize a sheik's vision of bringing the sport of fly-fishing to the desert and embarks on an upstream journey of faith and fish to prove the impossible possible. (IMDb)

My Opinion:

Kind of a cool cast and a Swedish director? Yes please. Another mid-life crisis film hits the theaters, but for once I'm interested. This film, adapted from the novel of the same name, looks full of emotion, unexpected comedy, and heart. I don't know what else to say.

Conclusion

Red Lights:

A Thousand Words

Yellow Lights:

Friends with Kids

Green Lights:

John Carter

Silent House

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen