Grand Readership,
How could one possibly preview six films and only be able to reccomend... maybe one of them?? The answer, my friends, is encompassed in the blasé weekend that is APRIL 24th. I can't blame the studios, frankly. There have been enough good pictures released in the past month or so to garner a decent box office and this weekend is clearly the dumping ground before the much hyped (at least by me) unofficial blockbuster kickoff next weekend. Heck, I'm not even sure if I can will myself to see one of these pictures... maybe TYSON if it strikes me. Don't stop visiting the site though if I cave and review 17 AGAIN this weekend (despite it being 7 days old). Regardless - have a look below and good luck finding anything worth seeing!
Enjoy!
OBSESSED (DIR. STEVE SHILL)While it isn't clear how BEYONCE failed to receive first billing on this picture, what is clear is how transparent OBSESSED'S device is. This is female empowerment at its best (worst?) - and this latest picture by TV director STEVE SHILL (boy that'd be a tough last name to live with in show-business) is almost a declaration that the genre no longer takes itself seriously. I'm saddened to see BEYONCE choose a script so scummy it can barely survive a trailer, considering she's done excellent character work in PINK PANTHER and AUSTIN POWERS (yes, I'm intentionally neglecting DREAMGIRLS) but hopefully this is but a mere smudge on an otherwise beautiful complexion. See only as a joke... for this is nothing more.
FIGHTING (DIR. DITO MONTIEL)FIGHTING actually seems better than it should be - and it's feature star (ouch, TERRANCE HOWARD) is CHANNING TATUM - who has shown enough to executives to land a role in the upcoming PUBLIC ENEMIES alongside DEPP and BALE. FIGHTING is helmed by DITO MONTIE, who hasn't done much, but seems at least proficient in generating interest. That TERRANCE HOWARD gets second billing on this picture won't help his existing anger problem, but what studio would want to promote an actor who was intentionally left out of the sequel to the smash-hit IRON MAN? As new releases go, this will contend with OBSESSED for top spot, but will be hard pressed to have legs unless I'm missing something pretty big (but heck, I've been wrong before ... a la HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT which has made a tidy $50M+).
THE SOLOIST (DIR. JOE WRIGHT)Let's face it, there is no chance THE SOLOIST can impress me. It's director was responsible for the near-insufferable ATONEMENT - which predictably and correctly bombed at the OSCARS. JAMIE FOX, while talented, is past the breaking point for me and needs to stop taking himself so seriously (and stop picking roles he thinks he'll win OSCARS for...). I'm surprised ROBERT DOWNEY JR picked this, but frankly - saying RDJ surprised in any capacity borders on foolish. I'm sure some will be hooked by the ultra-dramatic trailer - and that it's a true story, but sitting through this without losing your lunch may be the ultimate tale of truth. This picture won't have much of a chance, and clearly the studios don't feel it's OSCAR worthy by dumping it off in April, so what's the point? Avoid.
TYSON (DIR. JAMES TOBACK)Having only followed MIKE TYSON'S career loosely at best, and this film about the same, I can say with confidence the following: How can't there be enough material to justify a documentary on TYSON? TYSON is enthralling at least, and it's been called landmark career work for director JAMES TOBACK, who's had a heck of a career as it would go. The buzz is good, the trailer is better and it's subject has been a consistent source of controversy for nearly two decades. If your scene is documentary, be sure to check this out - TYSON won't be going away anytime soon, even if most of its success is in print as opposed to the box office.
MUTANT CHRONICLES (DIR. SIMON HUNTER)In some ways, I'm saddened that MUTANT CHRONICLES didn't garner enough support to merit a decent budget (decent being the operative word in a market where a $100M budget is considered decent) - but it does leave one to wonder if the script is that strong. The director, SIMON HUNTER, is more or less a newcomer, although the writer, PHILIP EISNER, is responsible for the cult hit EVENT HORIZON. While I'm not expecting MUTANT CHRONICLES to re-invent... well, anything - I do expect at least a thoughtful and earnest attempt. The picture features stars such as JOHN MALCOVICH and RON PERLMAN (HELLBOY, to mention his most base) and the premise, humans in an apocalyptic fight for survival, has enough potential to provide some depth. Sadly, CHRONICLES won't be able to rake box office success, but that's not to say we should discount this at first pass. For those who are curious... otherwise, catch in the home release.
THE INFORMERS (DIR. GREGOR JORDAN)That THE INFORMERS is based on a BRET EASTON ELLIS (AMERICAN PSYCHO) novel should be telling enough of the content. The execution however, is left to be determined. The buzz surrounding INFORMERS couldn't be worse, but there is enough star power in BILLY BOB THORTON, ROURKE, RYDER and BASSINGER to merit some worth (one would hope). Still, the promotions have been scarce at best and if the trailer is indicative of what we're to expect, prepare to be keeping track of more story lines than necessary. INFORMERS has little chance of box office success, and seeing it disappear before it even solidifies wouldn't be surprising. If you're close to the source material from ELLIS, there's not much reason NOT to check it out - but otherwise, wait patiently for this to get an overly promoted in-home release.
