Green Lantern‘s light was powerful enough to take the #1 box office spot this past weekend, bringing in $52.1 million. While this was apparently below studio expectations, especially after the extensive marketing campaign, it is right about where I thought it would end up, especially since Green Lantern is not one of the better known superheroes. Super 8 ($21.5 million) beat out Mr. Popper’s Penguins ($18.4 millioin) to take the #2 spot. Here’s what we got opening this week:
Rated: G
Starring: Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, Emily Mortimer, Michael Caine
Director: John Lasseter, Brad Lewis
Synopsis from IMDB: Star race car Lightning McQueen and his pal Mater head overseas to compete in the World Grand Prix race. But the road to the championship becomes rocky as Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage.
Trailer:
Chris’ Take: I was never really interested in seeing the first Cars, and this one looks even less interesting to me. Pixar films are usually great quality, and the first Cars did receive a mid-70% on RT. This one is at 80% on RT right now, and I’m sure it will be enjoyable, but it looks a lot like Fast and the Furious 3: Tokyo Drift meets Cars, which doesn’t really appeal to me.
Rated: R
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Justin Timberlake, John Michael Higgins
Director: Jake Kasdan
Synopsis from IMDB: A comedy centered around a foul-mouthed, junior high teacher who, after being dumped by her sugar daddy, begins to woo a colleague — a move that pits her against a well-loved teacher.
Trailer:
Chris’ Take: While I normally take exception to Cameron Diaz, I am willing to give her a chance because this preview is pretty funny. Justin Timberlake has proven his comedic chops as well, so they might be a humorous duo to watch together. The early reviews have been mixed (50% on RT), but I am still willing to give it a shot because some of my favorite comedies (Step Brothers in particular) are right around that percentage.
Limited Releases
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Demian Bichir, Jose Julian, Dolores Heredia
Director: Chris Weitz
Synopsis from IMDB: A gardener in East L.A. struggles to keep his son away from gangs and immigration agents while trying to give his son the opportunities he never had.
Trailer:
Chris’ Take: Looks like it has the potential to be a little bit more than the run-of-the-mill “father wants a better life for his son” story. The performances appear subtle and heart moving, and the 86% on RT, seems to echo those sentiments. While it might not be a theater viewing, it could be a good Netflix choice.
Rated: R
Starring: Conan O’Brien, Andy Richter
Director: Rodman Flender
Synopsis from RT: After a much-publicized departure from hosting NBC’s Tonight Show – and the severing of a 22-year relationship with the network – O’Brien hit the road with a 32-city music-and-comedy show to exercise his performing chops and exorcise a few demons. The “Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour” was O’Brien’s answer to a contractual stipulation that banned his appearance on television, radio and the Internet for six months following his last show. Filmmaker Rodman Flender’s resulting documentary, Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop, is an intimate portrait of an artist trained in improvisation, captured at the most improvisational time of his career. It offers a window into the private writers room and rehearsal halls as O’Brien’s “half-assed show” (his words) is almost instantly assembled and mounted to an adoring fan base.
Trailer:
Chris’ Take: Conan O’Brien has a very dedicated fanbase, and this seems like the film for them; a rare look behind the curtain. I think the trailer looks intriguing, equal parts comedy and drama. The reviews are fairly good, 75% on RT, but it might be hard finding it in theaters, so check it out on Netflix.
Brian Pac Sostak
Chris Petersen
Sarah Higgins
stjerome03
Chris and Pac Take on Hollywood 
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