‘Dark Knight Rises’ Trounces ‘Total Recall’ $36.4M To $26.0M; Batman #1 For Third Weekend; ‘Diary Of Wimpy Kid 3′ Soft
August 3-5 Weekend Actuals
1. Dark Knight Rises (Legendary/Warner Bros) Week 3 [4,242 Runs] PG13
Friday $10.2M, Saturday $14.3M, Sunday $11.2M, Weekend $35.7M (-43%), Cume $353.9M2. Total Recall (Sony) NEW [3,601 Runs] PG13
Friday $9.1M, Saturday $9.3M, Sunday $7.1M, Weekend $25.6M3. Diary Of A Wimpy Kid 3 (Fox) NEW [3,391 Runs] PG
Friday $5.8M, Saturday $5.1M, Sunday $3.7M, Weekend $14.6M4. Ice Age 4 3D (Fox) Week 4 [3,542 Runs] PG
Friday $2.5M, Saturday $3.4M, Sunday $2.7M, Weekend $8.6M (-36%), Cume $132.1M5. The Watch (Fox) Week 2 [3,168 Runs] R
Friday $1.9M, Saturday $2.5M, Sunday $2M, Weekend $6.5M (-49%), Cume $25.5M6. Step Up Revolution 3D (Summit/Lgate) Week 2 [2,606 Runs] PG13
Friday $1.9M, Saturday $2.2M, Sunday $1.8M, Weekend $5.9M (-50%), Cume $23.7M7. Ted (Universal) Week 6 [2,767 Runs] R
Friday $1.6M, Saturday $2.3M, Sunday $1.7M, Weekend $5.6M (-23%), Cume $203.6M8. The Amazing Spider-Man 3D (Col/Sony) Week 5 [2,425 Runs] PG13
Friday $1.2M, Saturday $1.7M, Sunday $1.4M, Weekend $4.4M (-34%), Cume $250.7M9. Brave 3D (Pixar-Disney) Week 7 [2,110 Runs] PG
Friday $806K, Saturday $1.2M, Sunday $996K, Weekend $3M (-31%), Cume $223.4M10. Magic Mike (Warner Bros) Week 6 [1,202 Runs] R
Friday $474K, Saturday $542K, Sunday $398K, Weekend $1.4M (-46%), Cume $110.9M
SUNDAY AM, 6TH UPDATE: Theatrical grosses are still not returning to normal. Instead of the Aurora shooting tragedy spooking box office, the red-hot London Olympics (“NBC Holds American Viewers Hostage: Day 10″) is distracting filmgoers. Total moviegoing this weekend looks like $120M which is down yet again (-25%) from last year. Sony Pictures’ reboot of 1990′s Arnold Schwarzenegger actioner Total Recall now starring Colin Farrell couldn’t give 
Warner Bros’ and Legendary Pictures’ third-weekend-veteran The Dark Knight Rises the tight race Hollywood expected. (Nice to hear from my opinionated gurus again…) Right now it looks like TDKR (4,242 theaters) bounced back for #1 its third straight $36.4M or a domestic total of $354.6M. This weekend IMAX did an estimated $5.7M in North American with a cume now standing at $48M.
Creeping in softly to begin with, Total Recall (3,601 theaters) “performed in line with tracking and expectations,” Sony said of its $26.0M opening. Actually, the studio had expected more: $28M-$30M. Problem is, as rival studios pointed out, this weekend’s take won’t be enough to make up the pic’s $150M cost unless it hits big overseas. There, the film opened #1 in India, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand and took in $6.2M from 12 markets. In North America, the CinemaScore was only a ‘C+’ which doesn’t bode well for word of mouth. Exit polling showed 58% of the opening weekend audience was male and 42% was female; 47% was under age 30 and 53% was 30 and over.
I don’t know why Hollywood keeps thinking Colin Farrell can carry a movie. He’s just not box office, and this pic proves that again. And Total Recall was a completely unnecessary remake that ignored the elements that made the original worth watching. The last version directed by Paul Verhoeven starred Ah-nold at the height of his film career. The marketing even made fun of his iconic status by promo-ing the hell of that scene putting him in a dress as he sneaked into Mars. This new version directed by Len Wiseman is still based on Philip K. Dick’s seminal short story “We Can Remember It For You Wholesale” but without Arnie or Mars or the campiness. There are five credited writers, including the scribes of the original film: screen story by Ronald Shusett & Dan O’Bannon and Jon Povill and Kurt Wimmer, with screenplay credited to Wimmer and Mark Bomback. The producers are Neal H. Moritz and Toby Jaffe. The campaign for Total Recall focused on men and therefore on sports programming, the American Idol finale, the MTV Movie Awards, and other male-centric TV like Anger Management, Louie, Wilfred, and Brand X. Digital centered around the WelcomeToRekall.com interactive website. Sneak peeks and special spots ran in WWE Raw, Breaking Bad, Falling Skies, and a UFC fight on Fox. The cast rolled out the film at Comic-Con, followed by a press day in Miami, an international tour in France and Brazil, and a junket and premiere in Los Angeles, as well as the daytime and late-night talk shows. The talent will continue to promote the film as it rolls out internationally with a tour to Russia, Spain, Germany, the UK, Ireland, and China.
On the other hand, Fox’s PG-rated Diary Of A Wimpy Kid 3 (3,392 theaters) was made on only a $22M negative just like the first two. When Fox 2000 first bought the books, there were 1 million in print; now there are 75 million in print in 40 different languages. Author Jeff Kinney has been involved in all 3 films. Fox 2000′s Elizabeth Gabler, always a huge advocate, worked closely with the production when its longtime executive Carla Hacken left for New Regency. This is the first time any installment of this successful Wimpy Kid franchise isn’t releasing in March. Bad decision. While the original and sequels scored $22.1M and $23.7M respectively, the new one called Dog Days opened for only $14.7M. The CinemaScore of ‘A-’ could mean stronger numbers from the excellent word of mouth. Fox and producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson combined Books 3 and 4 but used the title of the 4th book, Dog Days, “because we wanted to make a movie both set and released in the summer,” Jacobson told me. This installment pumps up Steve Zahn’s role, which the producers had been wanting to do. Pic was directed by David Bowers; screenplay credit goes to Maya Forbes & Wallace Wolodarsky.
Here’s the Top Ten based on weekend estimates:
1. Dark Knight Rises (Legendary/Warner Bros) Week 3 [4,242 Runs] PG13
Friday $10.2M, Saturday $14.4M, Weekend $36.4M, Cume $354.6M
2. Total Recall (Sony) NEW [3,601 Runs] PG13
Friday $9.1M, Saturday $9.4M, Weekend $26.0M
3. Diary Of A Wimpy Kid 3 (Fox) NEW [3,391 Runs] PG
Friday $5.8M, Saturday $5.1M, Weekend $14.7M
4. Ice Age 4 3D (Fox) Week 4 [3,542 Runs] PG
Friday $2.4M, Saturday $3.3M, Weekend $8.4M, Cume $131.5M
5. The Watch (Fox) Week 2 [3,168 Runs] R
Friday $1.9M, Saturday $2.5M, Weekend $6.3M (-50%), Cume $25.3M
6. Ted (Universal) Week 6 [2,767 Runs] R
Friday $1.6M, Saturday $2.3M, Weekend $5.4M, Cume $203.4M
7. Step Up Revolution 3D (Summit/Lgate) Week 2 [2,606 Runs] PG13
Friday $1.7M, Saturday $2.0M, Weekend $5.3M, Cume $23.1M
8. The Amazing Spider-Man 3D (Col/Sony) Week 5 [2,425 Runs] PG13
Friday $1.2M, Saturday $1.9M, Weekend $4.3M, Cume $250.8M
9. Brave 3D (Pixar-Disney) Week 7 [2,110 Runs] PG
Friday $811K, Saturday $1.1M, Weekend $2.8M, Cume $223.2M
10. Magic Mike (Warner Bros) Week 6 [1,202 Runs] R
Friday $470K, Saturday $740K, Weekend $1.3M, Cume $111.2M
I’m sure that when Sony was green lighting their $200,000,000.00 Total Recall remake they said, I hope that our opening weekend, we can be neck and neck with the third weekend of the 3rd Batman movie.
Somehow, I imagine that Warner Bros. aren’t too happy with that either.
Anybody else notice that for all the downer news on TDKR, it’s tracking above THE AVENGERS on the weekdays? That’s a pretty good bar to be rising above.
If it manages decent holds in the coming weekends, it’s numbers (while ultimately below TDK and the “Heath bump” — and the uncertainty of the Aurora tragedy’s effect) won’t be anything for WB to be disappointed by.
Anybody else notice that for all the downer news on TDKR, it’s tracking above THE AVENGERS on the weekdays?
It’s because kids are out of school. They weren’t during the first month of The Avengers’ run.
TDKR will end up with a respectable haul, but Warner will undoubtedly still be disappointed. It was supposed to be the biggest film of the year and one that would demolish everything in its path. Did anyone honestly expect it to have any trouble fending off a remake of Total Recall?
“TDKR will end up with a respectable haul, but Warner will undoubtedly still be disappointed.”
Yes, I’m sure they’ll be terribly disappointed with their just respectable billion dollar plus haul.
It’s playing during summer vacation, of course it’s weekdays are going to be stronger than The Avengers.
Yes, I’m sure they’ll be terribly disappointed with their just respectable billion dollar plus haul.
The film cost more to produce and market yet won’t be as profitable as 2008′s TDK. It also won’t be nearly as successful as early estimates forecast. This film was supposed to give The Avengers a serious run for its money. Instead, pundits are left to cheer as it “trounces” Total Recall by $10 million.
If you don’t think Warner will be disappointed, you underestimate studio execs.
There are many factors that contribute to low box office…mediocre movies, The Olympics, a stagnant economy, and apathy.
The main problem is that ninety percent of the blockbuster movies can’t compare to the immersive experiences of Halo, Mass Effect, and Call of Duty. Yes, it’s an old argument, but still true.
yeah so many blockbuster games coming out right now, im sure the effect on TDKR is enormous.*sigh*
DKR had a heckuva 3rd Friday hold. It had a lower drop than any comparable blockbuster this century except for the first Spider-Man, including DK. In fact it’s been dropping less than DK since Tuesday. It does appear the shooting had a depressive effect on the gross for at least days 2 through 11. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the shooting pretty much left the collective short-term memory of the American public this week, with the Chick-Fil-A controversy and the Olympics eating up all the news coverage. Once people forgot about the shooting, they felt comfortable seeing DKR again. At least enough people to noticeably improve the numbers.
Poor word of mouth might mean a big Friday to Saturday drop for TR pushing DKR to the top one last week.
agree. also the projected numbers are weak. I dont understand why any studio thinks colin could carry a movie like this. he’s part of the slew of modern metrosexuals. men and women love christian bale because he has hair on his chest as all action stars should.
Many sci-fi fans always felt that the Philip K. Dick story called for an ordinary, average, boring, unexceptional guy to play the lead. Hence they felt Arnie was totally miscast. Farrell is at least closer to the type of guy who probably should be playing this role. The idea of the story is that an average guy needs the Recall dream to spice up his boring life. And of course, he then learns how to be a true action hero once the dream world gets confused with reality.
arnie was (and still is) kind of a blank slate. if you know what i mean. i remember when total recall came out. i don’t remember anyone hating on it or arnie the way they are with farrell. farrell was also the weak link in minority report. imho he’s like adrian grenier, he should transition to the little screen.
i realize at the moment with actors slim pickings is the operative word. but someone like tom hardy would’ve been a better choice. then at least the crazed star trek fans would’ve crawled out of the woodwork.
“Poor word of mouth”? Maybe from 30-Something year old Men who hold the original “Total Recall” high as if it were a masterpiece. To everyone else it will be a decent action film. A good way to waste time in an airconditioned auditorium for 2 hours.
I love the original for it’s many weird things, but the movie was recognized for it’s SFX. Not it’s story. And def not for the acting. It’s a “classic” IMO, but I hate how people get all bent out of shape about remakes. The original will still exist in your DVD collection. Stop crying.
The new film is harmless fun. And that’s what people need after the last month.
Agreed. I watched the original “TR” again last night for the first time since I was a kid. I thought it was awful. Yet it has a 7.5 on IMDB / 4 stars on Amazon / and enjoys cult status for many. I just don’t get it. The acting wasn’t good (Arnold). The special effects sucked, and it was 4 years after “Aliens,” which had great effects. I just don’t get where the love comes from. It’s like people over-inflate movies from their youth and/or give a pass to all things Arnold.
Anyway, I’m seeing the remake next Wed. The RT score is low, but it can’t be worse than the 1st.
The “poor word of mouth” is pretty universal across all demos, B.
And people are “bent out of shape” because this remake literally copies the original scene for scene and word for word in too many instances, but lacks the humor and fun of the original.
Expect a huge dropoff Friday-Saturday.
“(T)his remake literally copies the original scene for scene and word for word in too many instances.”
Have you seen the new one? Because they’re nothing alike. Even remotely. Some of the names are the same, and there’s the three-breasted hooker.
Yes, I have, and it was ridiculous.
If they were going to so closely follow the original, they may as well have gone for the full R rating, instead of coping out with a PG-13 rating.
It actually managed to be worse than the Total Recall TV series, and that is saying something.
Don’t get the hate though. I have seen far worse movies.
And the hate for Wiseman is out of control. Yeah “Live Free or Die Hard” was less “Die Hard” and more like “24: The Movie starring Bruce Willis”. But for a 3rd sequel to a dormant franchise, the action was well staged and easy to follow. I think nerds get angry that he’s with a beautiful woman like Beckinsale.
Humor and Fun? So we’re revising the past now to elevate Cheese?
Total Recall 2012 has good action. Better acting than the original. And it moves quickly without upsetting you at the end.
That’s all a lot of people expect. I don’t think there will be this huge Friday to Saturday drop you are predicting.
“Humor and Fun? So we’re revising the past now to elevate Cheese?”
Pretty much. If cheese happens in a new movie, nerds act like it’s the worst movie ever, but if it happens in a movie they grew up with then its “just part of its fun/charm/humor.”
“And the hate for Wiseman is out of control.”
The hate for Wiseman is understandable. Bay and Rats make awful films, but at least they have a style and voice (even if their approach is obnoxious and misogynistic). Wiseman is the very definition of a hack: he has an impersonal and flat visual approach (everything must be blue), he fundamentally misunderstands the basic of story structure and frequently elicits poor performances.
Damn straight. Len Wiseman is the hacky hack who’s ever hacked.
relax dude… dont get offended or start hating on 30 somethings… the original is well liked for the humor, visuals and yes the story… people liked the story
i know everything today is dark and depressing… including message board posts… fine… it’s gonna swing back one day at least in the case of movies… when this generation of 20 somethings are 30 somethings… the next ones coming up are gonna be like “hey old man… i know you guys are all depressed and all but we want to have fun”… so don’t get offended if someone who likes fun movies is not into a dark retelling of the same thing
i for one will go see it… i can enjoy both flicks i think…
but one of the best reviews out there is from ebert… 3 stars… and he even questions the point of the whole thing
Did you direct it? Sounds like it, because idiots know that Ebert gives everything good reviews in his advanced age.
The RT score in the 30′s lets me know that whoever was behind this is not a talented person.
Ebert lost his jaw, not his senses or credibility. Even when I disagree with his overall take on films, I can still agree with the points he makes.
How many other reviewers can you say that about?
NotQuiteRight, I love Ebert, but you’re out of touch. There is not a single top reviwer who gives more good reviews out these days than Roger Ebert. He gives almost every movie he reviews a good score. He has turned 100% from his taste in his hey-day.
Think for yourself. Don’t jump to conclusions based on a Rotten Tomatoes score. If there was ever a tyranny of the majority, it’s in the scores on IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, etc.
Oh shut up. Just saw the remake. It was all FX, the story was boring, the performances were boring, the direction was boring. The production design and visual fx were the only impressive thing about it. This will have poor word of mouth because you feel nothing when the end credits come up. You shrug.
I went into it not looking at it as a remake, judging it as it’s own thing, and just felt nothing. There is absolutely no soul. It feels like a ‘made-by-committee’ movie. Everything feels safe. And that sucks. Movies that cost this much shouldn’t leave us feeling ‘meh’, we should be blown the fuck away.
No amount of rendering, actors that look more like models and excessive lens flare can make up for a below average, limp dick script.
Exactamundo!
“It was all FX, the story was boring, the performances were boring, the direction was boring. The production design and visual fx were the only impressive thing about it.”
Sadly, that applies to pretty much every big film that’s come out in the past 10 years or so.
That was exactly how I felt about this movie.
In addition to everything you mention, I felt the action sequences were incredibly repetitive, so it didn’t even engage me on that level. I’ve never seen a movie with so many shots of people jumping from one thing onto another thing.
I am no fan of the original, but if I recall I was less bored in that one than I was in this one.
The TOTAL RECALL remake was just BLAND. Poor word of mouth is a guarantee. Not even comparing to the original, this movie had no soul. No matter how much Len Wiseman and his team of executives render those FX, dress the actors up to look like runway models or focus all that energy on excessive lens flare, a below average, limp dick script will sink your franchise.
How do you spend that much money on something and when the end credits roll up, my first response is a shrug?
lol, 30 something old men. So if 30 something is old, is a 20 something middled aged. Back to the minor leagues you insect.
I never said 30-Something is “Old”. Learn to read before hurling insults. Especially lame ones like “insect”. Get out and enjoy some Summer sun.
Furthermore I’m 32.
I made that comment because people (mainly 30-something year old Men online) who were around to see the original Total Recall are tearing apart the new one. While younger people are seeing it and aren’t walking away from it so angry like everyone else.
That is all.
Calm down.
30-year-old men would have been 12 when the original came out. It was an ‘R’ rated movie. Hmm…
Any bright 12-year-old figured out how to surmount the “R” rating decades ago. The kids simply go to the mall, plunk down their cash for any G, PG, or PG-13-rated movie they don’t want to see, take their seats and–when no one is looking (and usually no one
IS looking; the young ushers are otherwise engaged and couldn’t care less anyway)–the kids quietly race over into the room screening the R-rated film they wanted to see to begin with! No harm done. There’s virtually nothing in any R-rated flick the tykes haven’t already seen or heard at home–either on cable TV or from the other members of their mostly dysfunctional families.
The “insect” comment was hilarious. Yours? not so much.
Sincerely, not a 30-year-old male.
For me, I don’t dislike the remake because they are sullying the original. I dislike it because I saw the original. I want to see something new. I try to avoid wasting time, not seek it out.This remake will not have any fun weird things because it’s a studio exercise. SFX are great, but a story, whether you think it’s “good” or “bad”, is what I enjoy in a movie.
Just what the world needs, another Hollywood apologist. Remakes are awesome, Len Wiseman is a good director and if you disagree, it’s because he’s banging Kate Beckinsale. What are you, a publicist?
He makes watered-down corporate drivel. His best movie is Underworld, which gets the “at least it’s R-rated” comment and little else. And sure those movies made a LITTLE cash by Hollywood standards, but it’s not like they broke the bank. And his stunning wife is a mediocre actress and a bland patrician with an awful filmography.
“The nerds” aren’t the only ones capable of articulating a thought.
WHEN… will the top honchos admit most of them are overpaid & shouldn’t be in this business. Just because some PAST FILMS were a success doesn’t mean any remake will be. Viewers have been crying out for years for original concepts, but we get all these regurgitated selections. It’s a complete joke. BTW… aren’t there any writers out there that can come up with unique stuff? Guess not. Technique, style & big name celebrities will not = great. Good stories do. And to add insult, theaters want more $$ to boot.
I’m sure I’ll hear from those who disagree. That’s fine, little minds attract… well, it’s your $$, waste it as you wish.
I was at the premiere on Wednesday. It’s a Neil Moritz film… If you expected anything more than “Fast and Furious” in the future, then you probably should skip this and every movie he makes. After a slow start, it is a lot of fun. The country could use some fun…
I agree that only 30-something men who grew up obsessed with comic books and science fiction even really remember the original film. No, the Total Recall remake will probably have bad WOM because the buzz on the movie is….it’s bad. Imagine that.
“[O]nly 30-something men who grew up obsessed with comic books and science fiction even really remember the original film.”
Sorry to wreck your scientific study, but I’m way over 30 and am a female and I love the original movie. Saw it again about a week ago and there’s just so much to love about it. And Michael Ironside was at his evil best. Oh, and I’ve never liked comic books.
Comic books and science fiction? I was around when the first Total Recall came and it was most definitely a cool kids movie. Everything with Arnold in it was a cool kids movie back then.
Though I am not a fan, if it is a remake that is done well and tells a good story or makes me laugh, I am on board… TRUE GRIT being the only and most recent example I can think of at this moment, a good remake is few and far between…
I tend to not agree with early posters on here who also said spiderman and snow white were horrendous. Anyways looking forward to total recall tonight
I’ve come to the conclusion that Collin Farrell is not a movie star and a supporting actor at best.
Jessica Biel needs a new agent and is box office poison. Really. Look at her filmography and tell me if you see anything of merit.
And Kate Beckinsale needs to stop making movies directed by her husband.
And seriously, WHY would they want to remake a movie that is seen by many as a Schwarzenegger film? I mean, NO ONE can replace that icon. It’s absurd to think they can do Terminator, Conan, or Total Recall remakes WITHOUT Arnie.
Truth, I agree with some of your points. But,Colin is a gifted actor , and he has charisma ( look at In Bruges), but most of his film choices are horrible. Jessica Biel has looks , but very little acting talent and no charisma ( no agent can help her) . I agree, Kate Beckinsale needs to stop making movies directed by her husband, and needs to hire a new agent.
Colin is a gifted actor and he was amazing in In bruges — a much deserved golden globe award and his last stab last year with Fright Night was quite good.
Your assessments sound like you really saw the movie, kudos for judging the book by its cover.
jake, you are right. Colin was very good in Fright Night. I also admire his performances in Tigerland, Minority Report, The Way Back, and Crazy Heart.
Colin Farrell is a very enjoyable actor – he just picks super lousy projects most of the time. After Minority Report, I thought he was on his way, but then he did that Al Pacino movie (The Recruit? Or something forgettable) and that awful SWAT movie. Just saw Phone Booth the other day on cable – how many actors could hold the audience like that? Even if you thought the movie was silly, he has charisma for days.
Hey, everyone. Let’s not leave out Colin’s agent/agency for their part in bad choices. Many (should I say, most?) agents today must share the ‘blame’ as they share ‘success’ for their choices. The bottom line for them is only the bottom $$ line. If agents gave a crap, they’d a) be more selective for their clients and b) take on new clients, even just to see if they’ve discovered a diamond in the rough (no, I’m not an actor). BTW… Colin has talent & Jessica? Still waiting to see.
I love it when people hate actors because they’re gorgeous, beautiful, rich and their profession is something that they’ve dreamed of doing they’re whole life. So the bitter people write crap about them because they just have nothing else going for them. Really? I just had to read what this hater said twice, really? You’ll get a promotion to second assistant next year, don’t get bent out of shape.
Translation: “Beauty matters. Who cares that Biel sucks? Let me know when the new Jessica Alba movie comes out. Derp!”
Oh, and people who use the “hater” copout should be banned from the internet for life for having no intelligent way of defending their awful taste in the arts. People like you who prefer this shlock yet ignore a low grossing good movie because it doesn’t have explosions are the real “haters.”
Don’t you think that, probably, he was chosen for the film also because he had the physique for the role, which is important? You cannot expect that Philip Seymour Hoffman would be credible as the lead in an action movie or in, say, American Gigolo or Midnight Cowboy? When are people going to realize that actors cannot single-handledly carry a movie when the story and the script leave a lot to be desired? And, as far as acting ability is concerned, I would take Farrell over Schwarzenegger and other action-movie leads any day. Actually, I think he is wasted in action movies. Lastly, it is true that people generally assume that normal(ugly?)-looking actors are much better actors than good-looking ones. ‘If you are beautiful people throw stones at you, if you are ugly people throw stones at you. Whatever you do, people throw stones at you’, says an old French song.
Oh, Lou not again this silly statement of gorgeous people… Lou, we get it, beautiful people suffered a lot, boo hoo! I’m glad you like Colin Farrell, I think he’s a good actor but he’s not leading actor star. Sorry and we have proofs -Alexander, The Recruit, Miami Vice-. I think he’s more a character actor. Nothing bad.
Don’t you think that, probably, he was chosen for the film also because he had the physique for the role, which is important? -Sorry, but I disagree. Actually i’m expected more rough actor as Jon Hamm as the leading role.
Actually the biggest criticism is with Biel. Lou, gives us a real argument -Not the lame excuse of pretty people- for considerate Jessica Biel a real actress, or maybe Taylor Kitsch, Paul Walken or another himbo/bimbo you consider… Please, enlight us.
HS is right. Talent has nothing to do with good looks. For these reasons I love the European cinema -Beautiful and talented people-
Having good looks has nothing to do with whether or not you have talent. It may come as a surprise to some but good looks for those with it is ALSO a cross they must bare. Way too many good looking people are assumed to not be bright. Just as many not-so-good looking people are assumed to be. So, what does a ‘nerd’ look like? A ‘model’? HaHa. Gotcha. Not all models are good looking, not all nerds are not-so-good looking. So, next time you meet someone for the first time, remember, his/her real-life makeup has absolutely nothing to do with ‘looks’. Good looking people are very smart. Any ‘character’ actors out there agree with me; the good, bad, ugly?
To be fair, Colin Ferrell has had some excellent performances (In Bruges being his top film by far) but he can’t open a film on his own. He just can’t. What was the last film that he opened solely on his star power? The Recruit?
It is only recently that he started to go back to big budget movies.
Probably because of the $$money$$. Not because of the quality of the script.
Beasts of southern was soooo boring and dull, how anyone thought this is Oscar anything is beyond me
Everyone in our group loved Beasts. Maybe it just wasn’t your cup of tea.
I had three people walk out in my theater and I posted on Facebook and had similar reactions, I’m curious to know what is so great about it — I was completely bored out of my mind and the acting was nothing special and the storyline was irritating.
Beasts was god awful, and I love thoughtful films.
I left halfway through and snuck into Exotic Marigold Hotel even though I’ve seen it twice already.
Despite being somewhat predictable and clunky on some of the story threads, Exotic Marigold was wonderful, but it’s a narrative piece, whereas Beasts is impressionistic of how a certain world looks and feels to this specific child. My wife and her sister were similarly abandoned by their mom and raised wild in the Southern midwest by a single dad, so they totally related and found it powerful and authentic.
“Remains of the Day” is one of my favorite films, but a friend whose intelligence and taste I greatly respect thinks it’s total crap. When a film gets wildly disperate reactions from intelligent viewers, I don’t think either side is wrong: it just speaks loudly to some people and not at all to others.
“I left halfway through and snuck into Exotic Marigold Hotel even though I’ve seen it twice already.”
That’s the first time I have ever heard of someone sneaking into a John Madden film. Ever.
Has anybody noticed the lack of appealing limited-release fare this summer? Moonrise Kingdom has hitherto been the only moderately-successful art-house film. I liked To Rome with Love and I hope to enjoy Beasts of the Southern Wild (seeing it Monday), but we’ve definitely had way fewer options than last summer.
The lack of appealing art house fare is due to the fact that the American independent film scene has entirely imploded. There is no model for anyone to make any money on these films so no one is making them. So we had a mini-wave of mumblecore films that cost their makers literally no money to make, and every now and then a BEASTS comes along, but the pipeline has dried up. We are a long way away from the glory days of the commercially-successful Sundance darlings. I guess we did have SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED, but even that was considered a “success” and you see what kind of b.o. it did.
I consider “Marigold Hotel” to be an indie, and that movie has done very well (and was very good).
Go see The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel if you haven’t already. It’s a fantastic film, and easily better than anything else released this summer.
Well, not the Avengers, but it’s a close second.
I’ve already seen Best Exotic and really enjoyed it. Sure, we’ve had a few great limited-release films, but I was hoping for another Tree of Life this summer. Hopefully we will have another Martha Marcy May Marlene this fall.
i just returned from Total Recall. like the original, it’s aimed directly at teenage boys. i was a teenager when the original released and i had more fun with that version, but this version is just as well made. just a bit more serious.
one thing though… when i saw trailers for this movie, i thought that Wiseman and Farrell should make the Deus Ex movie. now that I’ve seen Total Recall… i realize that they basically made a movie that is half the original Total Recall and half Deus Ex Human Revolution. the visuals and the music were shockingly similar. so, now, i don’t know. i am certain that they would be a perfect fit to make a Deus Ex movie, but I’m not sure what the point would be anymore.