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Slouching Towards Top 10: Must-See Blockbusters?
SpoutBlog —
On last week’s episode of FilmCouch, I admitted that I can’t really defend myself against the criticisms that I tend to be friendlier to smaller films than blockbusters; as I pointed out, as of the recording of that episode, the highest grossing film that had a real chance of making my Top 10 of 2008 list had so far been out-grossed by 39 other films. Today, I took another look at Box Office Mojo’s 2008 box office chart, and noticed two things. 1) the film in question, Burn After Reading, has dropped to #41 for the year, likely due to the assent of Twilight into the Top 20; and of the 40 ...
Grimdark Paradise: Punisher: War Zone
The House Next Door —
By John Lichman [Punisher: War Zone is now playing in theaters.] There's definitely an argument to be made that 2008 was the point when most of the world recognized that a decent cast and a somewhat coherent story could a "comic book movie" make (to say nothing of box office returns). As Iron Man is one of the year's highest grossing films, along with Hancock and the Hellboy sequel, then clearly we're at a turning point. So it's fitting that we close the year out with the third attempt to put The Punisher out not only as a film, but as a potential ...
Star Trek , Canon, and the Myth of Mass Appeal
Jamais Vu —
... But, of course, that's the rub. $231 Million really isn't that much money relative to other blockbusters and blockbuster franchises, especially as the highest-grossing entry. Let me put that in perspective--take this past year's box office champs. TMP's total would do no better than #4 on the list, behind The Dark Knight, Iron Man, and Indiana Jones--each of which made considerably more. TMP would finish barely ahead of Hancock! ...
More Watchmen silliness, box-office trivia.
FilmChat —
The New York Times has a funny item up today on the legal battle between Fox and Warner over the rights to the upcoming (or is it?) superhero movie Watchmen. In it, the Times quotes a few excerpts from the legal documents that, taken out of context, seem to reduce this lawsuit to a juvenile bragging contest: In one exchange, lawyers for Warner Brothers filed paperwork opposing Fox’s attempt to block evidence that Warner says would show that Fox is an “underperforming” studio or that Warner is “better.” This follows earlier assertions by a Fox executive, in a deposition, that his ...
Cinematical Seven: Sensational R-Rated Blockbusters
Cinematical —
Many people think that a movie needs to avoid an R-rating in order to become a blockbuster. Most recent top earners have followed that dictum, with only four R-rated movies among last year's top 25 at the box office. Zack Snyder's 300 was a defiant exception in 2007, earning more than $456 million worldwide, and clearing the way for Snyder's R-rated dream project, Watchmen. Its content advisory warns / promises: "Strong graphic violence, sexuality, nudity and language." Can such an R-rated superhero movie become a blockbuster today, especially in the wake of PG-13 smashes like The Dark ...
Slumdog Beats Button Again
Film Experience Blog —
Useless trivia alert At some showing in some multiplex in some mall somewhere round about right now Slumdog Millionaire will beat Benjamin Button's box office tally, which makes it the top grossing Best Picture nominee from 2008 (as well as the winner). This will put Slumdog at #19 for biggest box office of 2008, just behind Hathaway and Carrel's Get Smart antics and Jolie and McAvoy's Wanted moves, and #2 for most successful drama behind Gran Torino. The other eighteen films, as per usual, are ...
Tuesday Top Ten: The Best of 1984
Film Experience Blog —
For no reason whatsoever I have declared today 1984 day! It's a 25th Anniversary Jamboree or some such. (Don't ask questions. Just go with it) Herewith a tripled top ten: What the public liked, what Oscar liked, what I liked from the year that was. All movie title links go to their Netflix page in case you're interested in giving them a looksie. First a little historical entertainment context: Vanessa Williams ...
