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Big Openings: July 25,
2008
By Myles
Hughes
Step Brothers has no
chance against The Dark Knight's opening....
So now that
approximately $160 million worth of people have seen The Dark Knight,
the new question must be posed: is there anything new out this week to
satisfy tastes outside of superhero and crime drama genres, or should
moviegoers just ignore the new releases in favor of seeing Batman a
second or third time? This week, we have exercises in juvenile man-child
humor and ‘90s sci-fi nostalgia. Which will you be checking out?
STEP BROTHERS
Starring: Will
Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Mary Steenburgen, Richard Jenkins, and Adam
Scott
Synopsis: Two lazy,
immature stay-at-home sons must come to terms with each other when their
single parents get married and move in together.
Critics: Despite a
concept that could be ripe for comedic success, critics say that the
latest from the Talladega Nights team falls flat. The film
features decent chemistry between the two leads and a few genuinely
funny moments. But there is an excess of sophomoric humor, plot-less
meandering, and general mean-spiritedness that left a bad taste in
several viewers’ mouths.
Oscar Potential:
Such a prospect may well be funnier than the film itself.
Verdict: If you’re
part of the film’s core demographic that goes for this sort of thing,
then you shouldn’t let the reviews faze you and just go and have fun.
But for those of you who care how you spend your money, this one may not
be one of the stronger comedies available.
THE X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE
Starring: David
Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Billy Connolly, Amanda Peet, and Xzibit
Synopsis: After
their unit has been shut down, special agents Mulder and Scully are
called back into action following a recent disturbance.
Critics: Though
everyone involved in the production and most critics are being mum about
the predictably complex and multi-layered plot, the latter will divulge
that this attempted rebirth of the popular TV show is little more that a
convoluted mess. Duchovny and Anderson return to the rolls that made
them stars with as much grace and chemistry as one could hope for, but
the story is messy, and the film’s attempts to please non-fans as well
as fans with a stand-alone story end up pleasing no one.
Oscar Potential:
Don’t count on it.
Verdict: As a
die-hard fan of the show, you may enjoy it. But the end result looks to
be a pale shadow of the former glory of paranormal investigation.
Also worth checking
out if you haven’t already:
THE DARK KNIGHT
– Expect to hear about this one come Oscar season. Seriously though, if
you haven’t seen this one yet, shame on you.
MAMMA MIA! –
I’ve heard from a few usually trustworthy sources that while it’s little
more than fluff, it is a fun time. May be worth a look.
WANTED – A
sizzling action experience that almost succeeds in washing the bad taste
of Matrix sequels from our mouths.
Coming soon:
PINEAPPLE EXPRESS
– The latest stoner comedy comes from the patented Judd Apatow factory,
and may offer some great laughs for those in need this summer.
VICKY CHRISTINA
BARCELONA – Woody Allen’s latest looks to be a return to form for
the veteran writer/director. Javier Bardem’s first post-Oscar film
should be worth a look.
HAMLET 2 –
Perhaps it is little more than an abomination of tasteful culture as we
know it. But Steve Coogan is a funny guy, and you can’t pretend that the
“Rock Me Sexy Jesus” song from the trailer isn’t kind of catchy.
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