Box Office Preview – November 19, 2010
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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Director: David Yates Writers: Steve Kloves (screenplay), J.K. Rowling (novel) Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence, frightening images and brief sensuality. Synopsis: Voldemort has seized control of the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts, leaving Harry Potter a fugitive. Harry’s only hope is to track down and destroy the remaining Horcruxes – magical items that house a part of Voldermort’s soul. |
Lars’ take: Everyone knows what these movies are already and they’re fantastic. They’ve done a good job staying true to the story and an excellent job picking young actors to portray these young characters. What I’m really looking forward to is the veritable “who’s who” of British actors sharing the screen together in what I’m sure will be a great ride.
Joel’s take: Maybe it’s because this has been a lackluster year for movies, but this feels like one of the only true big event movies of 2010. People are excited for this film and rightfully so. The overarching storyline in these films has continued to pick up steam and there is a lot of tension built up at the beginning of this film. I think it’s going to be really exciting and dramatic. My only concern is their decision to split this final story into two films, which could leave this movie with a lackluster ending that leaves you feeling disappointed until Part 2 is released.
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The Next Three Days
Director: Paul Haggis Writers: Paul Haggis (screenplay); Fred Cavayé and Guillaume Lemans (screenplay Pour elle) Stars: Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for violence, drug material, language, some sexuality and thematic elements. Synopsis: Believing his wife is falsely accused of a crime she has spent three years in prison for, a desperate husband decides to break his spouse out of jail. |
Lars’ take: I’m so conflicted about this story. While it’s a remake, it’s cool to see what seems like an original family drama with Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks. I think it will be fun to watch. But unfortunately, looking at it, it just seems like it could be really, really boring because of the work you’d have to do to make the story seem realistic. I have high hopes nonetheless.
Joel’s take: What is this movie? Is it going to be a serious drama about a wrongly accused woman and her loving husband or is it an action movie where Russell Crowe beats people up and stages a prison break? Crowe is certainly capable of pulling off either end of the spectrum, but for the film to work, it’s going to have to be one or the other. The trailer seems to be somewhat ambivalent, hopefully that’s just a marketing decision to give it a wider appeal and the film itself is more focused.
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Made in Dagenham (limited)
Director: Nigel Cole Writer: William Ivory Stars: Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins, Andrea Riseborough MPAA Rating: Rated R for language and brief sexuality. Synopsis: This drama centers around the 1968 strike at the Ford Dagenham car plant, in which women protested against sexual discrimination. |
Lars’ take: I really liked Calendar Girls and I really have a lot of high hopes for this film. Although, I could see it very easily getting to a point where I just stop caring about the story and the characters. I’m really unsure about this one, which kind of makes me want to see it even more.
Joel’s take: These types of movies at times have the tendency to get really dry and overly dramatic, but with Calendar Girls, Nigel Cole showed he is capable of mixing humor in with drama, which is essential. If he can strike a similar tone here, I think this film will be successful.
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This week’s recommendations …
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HoboTrashcan’s Confidence Rating System
Since we force Joel and Lars to make a recommendation each week (using the classic “If a gun was pointed to your head and you had to pick one” scenario), we are also having them rate their confidence in their pick using HoboTrashcan’s patented Confidence Rating System. The system is on a scale of one to five, which breaks down as follows:
- Eddie Murphy – Like every film Eddie Murphy has done in the last decade, avoid this movie at all costs.
- Nicholas Cage – The movie is most likely awful, but like Cage, there is a chance it may still surprise you.
- Samuel L Jackson – With this rating, you don’t know what you are going to get. It could be another Pulp Fiction or it could be Jumper.
- Bruce Willis – Like Bruce Willis, chances are the film is good, but there’s always a possibility it’s another Surrogates.
- Morgan Freeman – The highest possible rating. The film, like Morgan Freeman himself, is a lock to be entertaining.