Opening This Week (18 – 24 Apr, 2011)

For the third week in a row, an animated movie topped the box office. Rio opened this past weekend with $40 million dollars, the best opening weekend so far this year, the second and third best were also animated films (Rango and Hop). Rio’s total was more than double the second place finisher, Scream 4, which finished below projections with $19.3 million. Hop remained in the top three this week, bringing in another $11 million. There probably won’t be much competition for Rio this week, with only a couple of modest releases this weekend.

Water for Elephants

Rated: PG-13

Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, Christoph Waltz, Paul Schneider

Director: Francis Lawrence

Synopsis from IMDB: A veterinary student abandons his studies after his parents are killed and joins a traveling circus as their vet.

Trailer:

Chris’ Take: I like the tone of the trailer for this film, and I am interested in seeing Christoph Waltz’s talents put to use again. However, I am still a little skeptical about the film as whole. Mainly the fact that Robert Pattinson hasn’t really proven himself as an actor who can truly anchor a film. Francis Lawrence is making a directorial shift here as well. His past two feature films were I am Legend and Constantine, so he is really going to need to focus on character development and story rather than special effects.

African Cats

Rated: G

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson

Director: Alastair Fothergill, Keith Scholey

Synopsis from IMDB: A nature documentary centered on two cat families and how they teach their cubs the ways of the wild.

Trailer:

Chris’ Take: I think this is the exact same documentary I saw at the Boston Museum of Science in the fourth grade. The African Cats seem to be a very popular subject of nature documentaries and Disney is bringing it out this Earth Day with Samuel L. Jackson narrating. While I’m sure it will be interesting, you can also probably see the same thing on Animal Planet at least three times a week.

Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family

Rated: PG-13

Starring: Tyler Perry, Bow Wow, Isaiah Mustafa, Loretta Devine

Director: Tyler Perry

Synopsis from IMDB: Madea jumps into action when her niece, Shirley, receives distressing news about her health. All Shirley wants is to gather her three adult children around her and share the news as a family. But Tammy, Kimberly and Byron are too distracted by their own problems: Tammy can’t manage her unruly children or her broken marriage; Kimberly is gripped with anger and takes it out on her husband; and Byron, after spending two years in jail, is under pressure to deal drugs again. It’s up to Madea, with the help of the equally rambunctious Aunt Bam, to gather the clan together and make things right the only way she knows how: with a lot of tough love, laughter … and the revelation of a long-buried family secret.

Trailer:

Chris’ Take: I’m going to be honest, I have no interest in seeing this. I am not saying that it might not be good for those that are, but I just can’t find much to say about this film. It seems like Tyler Perry never leaves the studio, whether it is doing TV or making another Madea movie, it seems like he decides which days he wants to put on make up and which days he would rather just hang out behind the camera (which apparently is rolling about 24-7).

POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold

Rated: PG-13

Starring: Morgan Spurlock, Ralph Nader

Director: Morgan Spurlock

Synopsis from IMDB: A documentary about branding, advertising and product placement that is financed and made possible by brands, advertising and product placement.

Trailer:

Chris’ Take: This documentary looks like it was a lot of fun to make, searingly poking fun at advertising. I am intrigued by the premise and will probably get around to seeing this, but not in theaters.

Limited Releases

Incendies

Rated: R

Starring: Maxime Gaudette, Remy Girard

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Synopsis from IMDB: A mother’s last wishes send twins Jeanne and Simon on a journey to Middle East in search of their tangled roots. Adapted from Wajdi Mouawad’s acclaimed play, Incendies tells the powerful and moving tale of two young adults’ voyage to the core of deep-rooted hatred, never-ending wars and enduring love.

Trailer:

Chris’ Take: This film looks like a gripping dramatic mystery into a barren land. It was released last year internationally, but is now receiving a wider release in the States. It is currently at 96% on RottenTomatoes, so it is probably worth a look.

The Bang Bang Club

Rated: Unrated

Starring: Malin Akerman, Taylor Kitsch, Ryan Phillippe

Director: Steven Silver

Synopsis from IMDB: A drama based on the true-life experiences of four combat photographers capturing the final days of apartheid in South Africa.

Trailer:

Chris’ Take: I hadn’t heard of this film until I started writing this article, but out of the films this week, this one seems to have the most potential. There is a great cast and a compelling topic, combined with a relatively fresh director who is making his jump from documentaries to feature films. So, I’ll probably track this one down on Netflix.

Chris’ Most Anticipated Films of 2011

2011 is here, and with that comes a slew of sequels, remakes, etc., but also the promise of some truly fantastic films. Unfortunately,  as I wrote this list, I realized that there are very few independent films on here for me to generate some buzz about. This list is comprised of films that I know of that are coming out this year and it is pretty scant so far. I have my reasons for each of them, most of them having to do with the directors, so if you all disagree with me, feel free to express your opinion in the comments.

10. Paul

Release Date: March 18, 2011

Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Seth Rogen, Jason Bateman

Director: Greg Mottola

Synopsis from IMDB: Two British comic-book geeks traveling across the U.S. encounter an alien outside Area 51.

Trailer:

Chris’ Take: It is good to see Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, one of the best comedic duos, back on screen together. Plus, you add Greg Mottola (Superbad) to the director’s chair and a dash of Jason Bateman playing a sardonic government agent and it looks like it will be comic gold.

9. The Rite

Release Date: 28 January, 2011

Starring: Anthony Hopkins

Director: Mikael Hafstrom

Synopsis from IMDB: An American priest travels to Italy to study at an exorcism school.

Trailer:

Chris’ Take: Yeah, I know, it looks like another exorcism movie.

But wait I thought....

But, with Anthony Hopkins playing a dual role as both teacher and possessed, I hope he can recover from his appearance in The Wolfman. I am really only looking forward to this to see what he can do as someone possessed by the Devil. My hope is that it will be an even more disturbing Hannibal Lecter-ish character, but that is aiming really high.

8. Sucker Punch

Release Date: 25 March, 2011

Starring: Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens

Director: Zack Snyder

Synopsis from IMDB: A young girl is institutionalized by her wicked stepfather. Retreating to an alternative reality as a coping strategy, she envisions a plan which will help her escape from the facility.

Trailer:

Chris’ Take: This was my first reaction to the trailer:

Whaaaat?

But then I let it settle a bit and came to the conclusion that Snyder is one of the most visually inventive directors out there and it looks like he will have a field day with this one. Since its source material is critically acclaimed, I am not that worried about the story either. I think this will be an exciting film to see in the theaters, but I will probably only need to see it once.

7. Water for Elephants

Release Date: 22 April, 2011

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Christoph Waltz, Reese Witherspoon

Director: Francis Lawrence

Synopsis from IMDB: A veterinary student abandons his studies after his parents are killed and joins a traveling circus as their vet.

Trailer:

Chris’ Take: I do not like Robert Pattinson, but I really like the other two starring actors. I also think this film will have visual flair and will be one of the more beautiful films of the year.

6. X-Men First Class

Release Date: 3 June, 2011

Starring: James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, January Jones, Kevin Bacon

Director: Matthew Vaughn

Synopsis from IMDB: Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto’s Brotherhood and Professor X’s X-MEN.

Trailer:

No Official Trailer Available

Chris’ Take: I was completely disappointed with the last two X-Men films, but there is hope yet again for the franchise with Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass, Layer Cake) taking control of the director’s chair and Bryan Singer, the man who made the first two films some of the best superhero adaptations, producing. I think this film will return to some of the grit that made them so likable in the first place.

Oh yeah, and Kevin Bacon.

5. The Green Hornet

Release Date: 14 January, 2011

Starring: Seth Rogen, Jay Chou

Director: Michel Gondry

Synopsis from IMDB: Following the death of his father, Britt Reid, heir to his father’s large company, teams up with his late dad’s assistant Kato to become a masked crime fighting team.

Trailer:

Chris’ Take: When I first heard about this, I didn’t give it a second thought. Seth Rogen transports his vulgarity spewing every man character, whose charm is rapidly wearing out, into another vehicle. But, a little comment from Michel Gondry after Comic-Con got me thinking I might want to see this. Apparently, at Comic-Con the die hard Green Hornet fans didn’t think it stuck to the source material close enough and Michel Gondry essentially said that it was because he wanted to make a good movie. I have a lot of faith in Gondry, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is one of my all-time favorite films, so I hope he can inject his skill into a flimsy idea.

4. Sherlock Holmes II

Release Date: 16 December, 2011

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Jared Harris

Director: Guy Ritchie

Synopsis from IMDB: Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson try to outwit their fiercest adversary, Dr. Moriarty.

Trailer:

No Official Trailer Available

Chris’ Take: The first installment was witty and the pace was perfect. I really enjoyed that it got past the cartoonish version of Holmes and spent some times showing some flaws. Guy Ritchie is a great director for this as well and while I am disappointed that Daniel Day-Lewis won’t be playing Moriarty, I am interested to see what Mad Men’s Jared Harris does with the role.

3. The Muppets

Release Date: 23 November, 2011

Starring: The Muppets, Jason Segel, Amy Adams

Director: James Bobin

Synopsis from IMDB: Kermit the Frog and his Muppet pals put on a show to save their theater.

Trailer:

No Official Trailer Available

Chris’ Take: I grew up with the Muppets and one of the few Christmas movies that I can struggle through is A Muppet’s Christmas Carol. I am glad to see someone like Segel taking this over, since he has a great respect and love for The Muppets, as witnessed in this clip from Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

James Bobin is a great pick to direct as well and he is teaming up with Bret McKenzie from Flight of the Conchords to make the music, which should be a good combination as well. There have been a lot of rumored cameos as well. Here are just some of the names that might be attached to the project: Emily Blunt, Jane Lynch, Jack Black, Ed Helms, John Krasinski, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Mickey Rooney, Billy Crystal, and Lady Gaga.

2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Release Date: 15 July, 2011

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes

Director: David Yates

Synopsis from IMDB: The end begins as Harry, Ron, and Hermione go back to Hogwarts to find and destroy Voldemorts final horcruxes, but when Voldemort finds out about their mission, the biggest battle begins and life as they know it will never be the same again.

Trailer:

Chris’ Take: I almost fell asleep during that last one, but I am sure this one will keep me awake as the series comes to an end. There really isn’t much to say about this that most of you don’t already know, except for why this isn’t #1.

1. The Tree of Life

Release Date: 27 May, 2011

Starring: Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain, Fiona Shaw

Director: Terrence Malick

Synopsis from IMDB: The story centers around a family with three boys in the 1950s. The eldest son witnesses the loss of innocence.

Trailer:

Chris’ Take: I don’t think I have ever seen a trailer as breathtaking and captivating as that was. Based on that alone this is my most anticipated film of the year. I just hope the emotions captured in the preview can be stretched out for the duration of the film.

Some of you might notice a distinct lack of some superhero films on here, which based on the rumors flying around the web, you might think I would put on here. While I do look forward to seeing some of them, namely Green Lantern and Captain America, I think that the Marvel films will be more of a bridge to the Avengers project and will lack focus and direction. I hope I am wrong since I am a sucker for superhero films, but I can’t say that I expect much from them.

Because this is all they expect from me.

What are some of your most anticipated films of the year? Share them in the comments.

*** Trailer Time***: Water for Elephants, The Tree of Life

Today’s Trailer Time does not feature special effects fueled motion pictures, but instead offers hope for some great and visually stunning films to be released early next year.

 The first is Terrence Malick‘s (New World, The Thin Red Line) The Tree of Life, starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn. The film is about a young boy in the 1950’s, whose journey of disillusionment and loss of innocence starts with his two parents giving conflicting views on life that have ripple effects into his adulthood. It looks like a very solemn, thoughtful and beautiful film. Here is the trailer:

Another film, which I am less excited, but still intrigued, about is Water for Elephants, based on a best-selling Sara Gruen novel of the same name. The film is directed by Francis Lawrence (I am Legend, Constantine), stars Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz, and revolves around the story of an older man telling the tale of his time with the travelling Benzini Brothers circus. Pattinson plays the younger version of the main character and looks like he is sticking to brooding stalker characters that would probably creep people out in real life. That would tend to take away from the credibility of this film, were it not for the rest of the talent attached to this film, namely Reese Witherspoon (who I never have a problem watching) and Christoph Waltz (who you may remember as Col. Hans Landa in Inglorious Basterds). Hopefully, Pattinson will break away from the stigma of the Twilight films and deliver a decent performance because this film looks like it could be pretty solid otherwise. It will also be interesting to see what director Francis Lawrence can do with something other than an action film.

Without further ado, here is the trailer: