Movie Buzz 8-5

5 Aug

Cowboy’s & Aliens dominated the box office last weekend despite bad reviews by film critics, how will it do this weekend? Also, opening last weekend in wide release was The Smurfs and Crazy, Stupid, Love we will see how film critic reviews measure up against consumer reviews on these films. Then let you know if it’s worth the money.

Note: We only review films in wide release.  

Cowboy’s & Aliens-PG-13 What’s the Buzz?  Majority of film critics said this film was uninspiring.  Many were disapointed by it’s formulaic second half.  According to film critic Ian Buckwalter of  NPR states;  “Favreau’s film doesn’t take any risks, reducing the stakes to the point where the movie descends quickly from its fun exposition to a collection of meaningless explosions and predictable action sequences.” [1]  What do consumers have to say?  The majority of reviews on rottentomatoes.com said this film definately had some issues but overall was not bad. [2] So is it worth the money? Yes! If Planet of the Apes is sold out.

  • Box office rank: #1
  • Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 50 Mixed, rottentomatoes: 44% (rotten)
  • Consumers Say: Metacritic- 6.1 Positive, rottentomatoes: 60%

The Smurfs-PG – What’s the Buzz? According to film critics this film annoying and unnecessary. Many said eventhough it was kinda sweet it’s clearly a long running commercial aimed at kids. What were some of the comments? Keith Staskiewicz of the The Entertainment Weekly stated “The Smurfs may be blue, but their movie is decidedly green, recycling discarded bits from other celluloid Happy Meals like “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” “Garfield,” and “Hop” into something half animated, half live action, and all careful studio calculation.” [3] Consumers on metacritic.com said it used tired gimmicks instead of developing a good narrative.  So is it worth the money? No!

  • Box office rank: #2
  • Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 30 Negative, rottentomatoes: 20% (rotten)
  • Consumers Say: Metacritic- 4.5 Negative, rottentomatoes: 63%

Crazy, Stupid, Love-PG –13: What’s the Buzz? According to film critics this film was smart and fun to watch. Many said Ryan Gosling steals the show. What were some of the comments? Elizabeth Weitzman of the New York Daily News stated “I laughed all the way through, thanks to both consistently clever dialogue and deft delivery from Carell and Gosling, who clearly relished a chance to flex his comic muscles.“[4] Consumers on rottentomatoes.com said it was surprisingly good.  So is it worth the money? Yes!

  • Box office rank: #5
  • Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 68 Positive, rottentomatoes: 75% (certified fresh)
  • Consumers Say: Metacritic- 6.9 Positive, rottentomatoes: 86%

 

What’s opening in theaters this weekend? Click on title to view trailer

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22 Responses to “Movie Buzz 8-5”

  1. Littlebells August 5, 2011 at 11:10 AM #

    I saw CSL this last week. I really enjoyed it. It was more drama than comedy, and some of the story lines I felt were not needed yet I realized it was about love at all stages. I didn’t see how everything was going to come together at the end, but maybe I am dense.

    I would recommend this film. I thought everyone gave a great performance although I would love to have seen more of Emma Stone. Love her!

    • Open Book August 5, 2011 at 12:24 PM #

      Thanks for the review LB! Did Mr. LB go with u? If so How did he like it? Would u say it’s a chick flick?

  2. comic relief August 5, 2011 at 11:11 AM #

    I think I’ve been waiting all summer for the Planet of the Apes. I don’t know about anyone else, but thanks to improvements in movie making technology, I’m really excited about the posibility of seeing what appears to be actual apes. The ’70’s version was cool but I’m happy to see them let the actors retire the rubber ape masks.

    • Open Book August 5, 2011 at 12:27 PM #

      CR! I’m with u……..The 70’s version sucked. Oh! And I have managed to erase the Mark Wahlberg version from my memeory bank as well. Come to think of it. What were they thinking?

      • Open Book August 5, 2011 at 12:29 PM #

        Wait the 70’s version was cool I’m thinking of the 2000 version that sucked. Sorry!! I’m on cold medication. LOL!!

  3. Open Book August 5, 2011 at 12:22 PM #

    It looks like I’m going to a matinee this weekend. LOL!! I’m really looking forward to Planet of the Apes so that’s a done deal. However, CSL looks good and with LB giving it a thumbs up I will have to see that after Planet Apes.

    • Littlebells August 5, 2011 at 3:02 PM #

      CR and OB!

      I want to see PA as well!! It looks fantastic and within the realm of “possibility”. I think that is why I am interested. Yeah, the 70s one was great (hey there Mr. Heston 😉 ) and I vaguely remember the other….Mr. LB did like CSL but there was a part in there, and I’m fairly certain you will know exactly what I’m talking about, that he felt was completely inappropriate for youth. I had to agree with him and wish that part of the ending was on the editing room floor. Oh well. Enjoy your movie and hope you feel better!

      • comic relief August 8, 2011 at 10:37 AM #

        LB,

        What do you mean possibility? I’m sorry but that stuff freaks me out. The people whom you meet who speak of monkey’s like their disadvantaged people scare me to death also. The way James Franco’s character reassures Ceasar he isn’t a pet in the trailer makes me ill.

        Somehow these people always ignore how badly apes maul humans, when they eventually get a chance. I don’t know whether you read this but Michael Jackson had to give away “Bubbles” (incredibly stupid name; it should have been ripper) once he/she became sexually curious. He claimed to have been hurt by “Bubbles” a few times. I used to be an Animal Planet freak so I’ve heard a lot of things about them to merit my fear. When chimpanzees attack us they almost always rip off our thumbs first, because they know how much hands give us an intellectual advantage over other animals. I think being an animal lover is great but let’s not be crazy.

        I’ve provided some examples of the worst ape personification you’ll see in the modern news media.

        • comic relief August 8, 2011 at 10:38 AM #

          Some evolutionary biologist or fan of evolution always thinks there’s something golden in our visible similarity to primates.

          http://co-bw.com/STW/STW_L18.htm

          • comic relief August 8, 2011 at 10:39 AM #

            Yeah!!!! Now they walk like we do!!!

            • comic relief August 8, 2011 at 10:40 AM #

              Maybe I’m being too sensitive but I don’t think so. It’s not that I’m afraid of monkeys, I’m afraid of human’s who are way too accommodating to chimps.

              Here many of these scientists are doing what they do: study. But notice how they attribute “culture” to apes. They demonstrate how apes study. They discuss their emotions, how they cooperate and interpret, and how they fall short of human collaboration.

              Halfway through, one of the scientists ponders whether chimps are humans.

              http://video.pbs.org/video/1200128615/

              • comic relief August 8, 2011 at 10:44 AM #

                IMHO, this may seem to be genuine concern for the animal. I’m not sure this isn’t perverse, I tend to keep animals strictly in the animal category.

  4. Littlebells August 5, 2011 at 3:05 PM #

    Have you seen previews for The Devil’s Double!!!! I really don’t want to see it because of the story but I REALLY want to see it because of Dominic Cooper. I know he is playing two characters and I have only read fantastic reviews about his performance.

    • Open Book August 6, 2011 at 10:38 AM #

      Hmm! The marketing promises Power, Greed, Lust and Murder in the trailer….. But u said u are interested in Dominic Coopers great performance. I would say the Marketing department have completely flubbed up the promotion of this film.

      • Littlebells August 7, 2011 at 11:35 AM #

        I think because of who is portraying, Uday or however you spell it, that’s what’s turned me off, but it looks like Cooper will deliver a great performance. How do you feel marketing has been flubbed?

        • Open Book August 7, 2011 at 2:23 PM #

          Sorry! I should have explained myself better. However, what I meant was u said what intrigues u the most about seeing this film is Cooper’s performance. Yet, the marketing department chose to run a campaign highlighting Power, Greed, Lust and Murder. Hmm! Looks like they don’t know the value of the director or actors contribution here. Instead they chose to promise and advertise violence? Did u know one of the biggest sponsors of films is the firearm and cigarette industry in the US? This is one of the reason films are so violent and people smoke like chimney’s in movies. This is a whole other topic.

          • Littlebells August 7, 2011 at 10:57 PM #

            Holy cow I did not know that. I am fascinated!!!!!

            • Open Book August 8, 2011 at 10:16 AM #

              Well I’m not accusing all films that have violence in them of having firearm sponsors. Like I said this is a another topic entirely.

  5. Littlebells August 5, 2011 at 10:40 PM #

    I thought this was great! How Andy Serkis becomes Ceasar in PA:
    http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-talk/andy-serkis-biggest-movie-star-haven-t-seen-213836042.html

    • Open Book August 6, 2011 at 10:30 AM #

      Hi LB!

      This was a really great find. Enjoyed watching the split screen of Serkis in character along side the animated character.

      • Littlebells August 7, 2011 at 11:36 AM #

        Yes!!! His facial expressions were amazing and and genuine.

    • comic relief August 6, 2011 at 4:03 PM #

      Lb,

      Thanks,..saw the trailer…absolutely can’t wait.

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