No one bothered to release any films last weekend, so this is the first movie weekend of 2009. And whoops, they didn’t bother to release much today, either. Maybe Hollywood is taking the year off???
The widest (and worst) release is “Bride Wars,” which looked apocalyptically bad but turned out to be merely dreadfully bad. It’s the kind of film that makes you wonder what Anne Hathaway was thinking, and what Kate Hudson– well, OK, this is typical for Kate Hudson.
The Tyler Perry-ish drama “Not Easily Broken” could be worse. (I hope they quote me in the ads!) My review is at Cinematical.
“The Unborn,” a PG-13-rated thriller, was screened in some cities but not others. One of the others is Portland. Review to come, maybez.
A really good movie that’s in limited release that you should either see now or wait patiently for until it arrives in your city is “Last Chance Harvey,” starring the wonderful Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman. It’s like a romantic comedy, only not stupid and I don’t hate it. So, not like a romantic comedy at all, then.
Finally, be aware that films such as “Gran Torino,” “The Reader,” “Revolutionary Road,” and “The Wrestler,” which have been in limited release since around Christmas, are starting to expand around the country and may now finally be playing in whatever sleepy burg you inhabit. I know “Gran Torino” is pretty much everywhere as of today, and the others will soon follow. It’s like Christmas in whatever month this is!
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Do you think you will ever get a review up for “My Winnepeg!” or “Christmas on Mars” — both independent films that look a little bizarre but interesting. I haven’t seen many reviews and I would like to hear your opinion of them.
I’m trying to see The Wrestler, Revolutionary Road and Gran Torino this weekend. Requires a bit of travel here in southern New England, but it’s always worth it if I follow my favorite reviewers. Thanks for your reviews, you never steer me wrong!
Re, Megan:
“Christmas on Mars” went straight to DVD with only a few one-night-only screenings to promote it, so I highly doubt Eric will be reviewing it anytime soon.
For those who haven’t seen it and are interested: Subjectively it is a neat film and it’s fun to watch one of my favorite bands do tons of weird stuff. Objectively it is a bad bad movie that is extremely boring, has awful acting, and makes no sense. The soundtrack is terrific though.
So, if you’re a big Flaming Lips fan (as I am) you’ll probably love it. If not, stay far away, because you’ll likely hate it.
Snider
I just spent 12.78 at amazon after going through your link. Merry Christmas belatedly!