Box Office Results

October 16th- 18th


1/ Where The Wild Things Are $32,470,000

2/ Law Abiding Citizen $21,250,000

3/ Paranormal Activity $20,163,000

4/ Couples Retreat $17,949,000

5/ The Stepfather $12,300,000

The Damned United (Review)

The Damned United

Directed by: Tom Hopper
Starring: Michael Sheen, Timothy Spall, Colm Meany, Jim Broadbent


What’s It About

This is a fictionalized take on a real event that focuses on Brian Clough’s short lived time as United Leed’s manager and his relationship with his assistant Peter Taylor during the early seventies. Your probably trying to figure out who these people are and what or who the United Leeds are. Well, Brian Clough and Peter Taylor are considered in Europe as the best Manager and Manager Assistant Dou to ever to grace the field with a European Soccer League and the United Leeds were Europe’s best soccer team around that time.

Thoughts

If The Damned United was based on fictional characters and situations, it would still be a highly recommended film. I want to say this from the start because some people might be turned off at the thought of not knowing ANYTHING about these people. Trust me, it does not matter. Oh, and it’s not a sports film a la Remember the Titans or Hoosier. It’s more along the lines of Rocky in that it concentrates on the study of characters, not the sport itself. TDU asks, “What happens when you go from managing the worst soccer team in the entire league one day, to managing the absolute best team the next? What can it do to your ego? How would that change your treatment towards those around you? How much of your success can be credited to you?”

Michael Sheen (Frost/Nixon) steps into the shoes of Brian Clough, and sharing the screen as his assistant and best friend, Peter Taylor, is Timothy Spall (Enchanted, The Last Samurai, Harry Potter films). Describing their performance together as magnificent is really an understatement. There is an organic chemistry between the two that makes their onscreen bromance real (and not in a Brokeback Mountain kind of way). Also joining them are Colm Meany as Coughs rival, Don Revie, who is such a jerk to Clough without him even saying a word to him. When Revie shows up with his team to play against Cloughs team and you see all the work Clough put into making sure Revie and his boys had a good welcome, just to have Revie completely ignore him upon entering the gates of the stadium, your blood will boil. Stephen Graham (Public Enemies) also shows up in a minor role as the Leeds captain, Billy Bremmer, a character I wish would have had more time to develop since he helps create some of the mess you see.

Along with the great cinematography,which takes advantage of the murky gray scapes of England, one other aspect in TDU that was neat is how it jumps back and forth in its timeline. When Clough talks about how much he hates Don Revie, former manager of the United Leeds, it’s not enough for us to just know that. The screen goes black, a year clock counts down to the year the rivalry started, and then you are thrown into that storyline. It does this A LOT, but it never gets old and in fact, it makes for better storytelling! You won’t be left wondering who was who and why that and this did or did not occur.

Boy, I really enjoyed The Damned United. Peter Morgan, whose works include The Queen, The Last King of Scotland and last year’s Frost/Nixon, has once again turned in a script that is sure to garner some recognition come awards season. It’s a smart drama film with great funny moments and even if you don’t know who the people this movie is based on are, it won’t matter. It’s just a great film, period.

Memorable Moment

During one game, Brian Clough spends the whole time in his office which is lit only by the sunlight that comes in through his window. As he paces back and forth, nervous about what the outcome might be, the light is blocked and a loud noise follows. When he turns his head towards the window, he sees the shadows of fans standing to their feet celebrating.

FYI

This is Michael Sheen's seventh film in which he is portraying a real life character.

Score

9 out of 10

The Damned United Trailer

From famed writer Peter Morgan comes this great film about Europes best soccer league manager, Brian Clough. Starring Michael Sheen, who I just recently had the privilage of meeting at a screening, stars as Clough. I will have a full review ASAP! Almost forgot, in theatres this Friday, October 9th! Don't miss it.

An Education (Review)

An Education
(Scheduled to be released October 16, 2009.)

Directed By: Lone Sherfig
Starring: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Dominic Cooper, Emma Thompson


What’s It About

Jenny (Mulligan) is a young girl who has a lot going for her academically until she meets an older man named David (Sarsgaard). They begin a romance that allows Jenny to see the world in a whole new light. She ditches her chance at Oxford to travel, eat at fine restaurants, and dance the night away, all thanks to the clever ways of David. Having the opportunities that neither her parents nor teachers ever had, she begins to question,” What’s an education worth if you’re not living?”

Thoughts

There is no reason why anyone should skip An Education. Like the old saying goes, “They don’t make them like this anymore!” Director Lone Scherfig (Italian for Beginners) has crafted a smart film based in the 60’s that will seduce its audience just as the main character becomes entangled in the lifestyle that many of us could only dream of having. Since we are seeing the world through Jenny’s point of view, we are only allowed to know as much as she knows and to feel only what she feels. This is done through tight story telling that really doesn’t allow for any leaks.

Carey Mulligan is wonderful in this film. She plays Jenny with an innocent ignorance that can easily translate over to any young free spirited girl, who is too eager to grow up when in love. It wouldn’t be farfetched to say that Carey could very well be the Audrey Hepburn of our generation. Just looking at the pics should give you an indication of her strong resemblance to the late great actress. This was a great performance from someone who we will be seeing a lot more of.

Aside from Carey, the rest of the cast does a fantastic job. It is always a treat to see Alfred Molina onscreen. He plays Jenny’s weak minded, high tempered father in a role that will both have you laughing and feeling sorry for the old man. Peter Sarsgaard as David was hypnotizing. He charms his way through every scene he’s in and you’re just as charmed by him as Jenny is. Dominic Cooper and Rosamund Pike are great together as Danny and Helen, David and Jenny’s close friends and there is a performance by Emma Thompson that’s short but descent.

The cinematography for the most part is kept at arm’s length of the characters so you have this sense that you’re hanging out with them as everything is unfolding. That doesn’t mean that there are no beautiful scenes to be seen, there are, but part of what works for a film like this is feeling close to the characters and the camera work helps keep that illusion.

There is a lot I would like to say in respect to the storyline, but a big part of this journey is experiencing everything at the exact same time as our main character. An Education has won awards at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and has been receiving critical acclaim from critics. Do you really need another reason to go see this opening day?

Memorable Moment

Montage of a day in Paris with David and Jenny.

FYI

Carey Mulligan and Rosamund Pike both starred together in the film adaption of Pride and Prejudice. Emma Thompson, Olivia Williams, Sally Hawkins, and Dominic Cooper all played roles in films based on Jane Austen’s literary works.

Score

8 out of 10

This Is It Trailer

What would have been Michael Jackson's amazing comeback tour is now a documentary that is being released in theatres for a two week only engagement beginning October 28th. Watching the trailer alone gives you an indication that Michael was far from calling it quits. The man still had the moves after so many years. It's a shame that the curtains had to fall so early on the world's most gifted performer.

Patrick Swayze 1952- 2009

Patrick Swayze died at the age of 57 yesterday, September 14th, after a hard battle with pancreatic cancer that lasted twenty months. He is best known for his films Dirty Dancing and Ghost. Other films worth noting though include The Outsiders, Red Dawn,Point Break, and Donnie Darko. Besides his life as an actor, Swayze enjoyed raising Arabian horses,flying planes, but most importantly, spending his time with his wife of 35 years, Lisa Niemi. Considered the "Sexiest Man Alive" by People magazine, Swayze was loved by so many. Rest in Peace.

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (Review)

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

Directed By: Stephen Sommers
Starring: Channing Tatum, Marlon Wayans, Sienna Miller, Ray Park, Dennis Quaid


What’s It About

A military program called M.A.R.S has built a missile that will revolutionize the way wars are fought. Two soldiers, Duke (Tatum) and Ripcord (Wayans) are given the task of getting the missiles to a safe location, but when their convoy is attacked by an unknown terrorist organization, (Oh please, don’t act like you didn’t know this was coming!), their rescue comes from a group of super soldiers known as the G.I Joes. Hell bent on finishing their task and finding out who was behind the attack, Duke and Ripcord eventually join this elite group of men…err, and women.

Thoughts

Did these “Real American Heroes” ever have a chance of having a really good film made about them? Let’s think about this for a second. Here are some of the characters names: Snake Eyes, the Baroness, Storm Shadow, Heavy Duty, and Cobra Commander. The name of the agency is G.I Joe. This was a toy line first, then a cartoon which was more like a 30 minute commercial for the toy line. On top of all of this, once the movie was green lit, the studio decides to hire the man responsible for “The Mummy” franchise to direct this. Have I burst a couple of bubbles?

Watching G.I Joe is like watching the cut scenes for a video game. The cut scenes are just there to justify the action. With that, the storyline in Joe only serves to get you from one action sequence to the next. Now, if you grew up playing with the figures and watching the cartoons, then you should know what to expect. I say this because last time I checked; little boys don’t make up intricate storylines while playing with their Joes and the cartoon never inspired to dig deep. Neither does this film and the couple of times that it tries to, it fails.

Though it may sound as if this film is horrible, truth is, it isn't. When you look at Joe for what it is trying to be, you begin to have fun with it. It wants to be campy, silly, and cool, but most importantly, it wants to entertain, and during the 118 minute run time, you will be. Much like the Transformers films, as long as you go in knowing what to expect, you’ll be fine. Oh yeah, and don’t worry about there being a lack of actions scenes here. Joe is chock full of them! From the convoy attack in the U.S., to the chase in Paris, all the way to the Arctic for the final showdown, the Joes and the Cobras know how to tear it up! To top it off, performances are decent all the way around, and there is a great opening for a sequel.

For the casual guy… or gal, who just wants to watch a fun action flick that doesn’t require much thinking, or for anyone who grew up watching or playing with these Joes, this really isn’t such a bad movie, if anything it’s a fun trip. Just remember, it wasn’t meant to be serious or bigger than what it is. And knowing that is half the battle!

Memorable Moment

The chase scene in Paris. Marlon Wayans is funny in it.

FYI

Brendan Fraser makes a guest appearance as Sgt. Stone!

Score

5 out of 10

Fox Is Rebooting Fantastic Four!

It seems that rebooting is the new botox in Moneywood. Fox didn't say too much but did state that Michael Green has been hired to write the script and Akiva Goldsman to be the exec producer. No word on when it will be released. All I got to say is, THANK GOD! Jessica Alba as Sue Storm? Really?