Well The Help continues to dominate at the box office ($14.2 Million), followed closely behind with The Debt, starring Helen Mirren ($9.9 Million). The Debt opened last week, along with Apollo 18 and Shark Night. How did they do and are they worth the money?
Note: We only review films in wide release.
The Debt—RWhat’s the Buzz? John DeFore of The Washington Postsays, “The Debt roots itself in reality more plausibly than most contemporary spy films without sacrificing the genre’s tense thrills.”[1] Consumers felt the story line was strong and the actors greatly acted out and developed their characters.
So is it worth the money? Yes!
Box office rank: #2
Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 65
rottentomatoes: 77% (certified FRESH!)
Consumers Say: Metacritic- 6.3
rottentomatoes: 75%
Apollo 18—PG-13 What’s the Buzz? Film critics and consumers greatly differed in their opinion of this flick. David Edelstein of New York Magazine called it, “80 minutes of dead air”[2], and Eric D. Snider of Film.com said, “The source of the creepy events, when it’s finally revealed, is profoundly dull, like a forgettable episode of the X-files or Fringe.”[3] Consumers, although disappointed by the non existing plot and its very slow beginning, did think that it was a great movie.
So is it worth the money? Sort of
Box office rank: #3
Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 21
rottentomatoes: 18% (certified FRESH!)
Consumers Say: Metacritic- 5.3
rottentomatoes: 75%
Shark Night–– What’s the Buzz? No one seemed to enjoy this flick. Adam Markovitz from Entertainment Weekly said, “A ho hum series of kills and lulls so predictable that it doesn’t even look like much fun for the sharks.”[4] Consumers readily agreed stating that it’s just another movie that just didn’t need to be made. Many were greatly disappointed and felt the acting was terrible.
So is it worth the money? NO!
Box office rank: #4
Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 24
rottentomatoes: 17% (rotten)
Consumers Say: Metacritic- 4.2
rottentomatoes: 45%
What’s opening in theaters this weekend?
Contagion (latest review results—82% rottentomatoes)
Warrior (latest review results—90% rottentomatoes)
Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star (no review results)
comicreleaf
comicrelief2
Comic Relief
parisienne
littlebells
Lurker
ozzie20
Open Book
LIH
linkedinhollywood.com 
LB,
Despite good reviews in some quarters, I think this is probably one of the most violent movies against women I have seen in a long time. We frequently cheer movies for their realism, yet this demonstrates the kind of violence a female secret agent might endure and believe me it’s gruesome.
I never saw Jessica Chastain before, I’m impressed if this was one of her first movies.Yeah Mirren does her usual best; and Tom Wilkinson, Marton Csokas, and Sam Worthington don’t disappoint, but I wondered at what cost. Essentially we get a spy thriller that realistically serves up the gore and possibly teaches us what the bond films (even with Daniel Craig) may never show us: how violent intelligence work may really be like for women.
Be ready for a difficult and life-like adventure that really doesn’t have a simple Hollywood conclusion. I love reality but this film is a challenge despite its message regarding telling the truth and integrity. Unless you want to traumatize them, taking teens probably should not be encouraged.
LB,
Despite your previous positive appraisal of the help, regardless of wide spread appreciation of the film; I really did not want to see it. I get tired (meaning: angry, pissed off, and depressed by) seeing how humiliating life was like for African American’s in the southern 1950’s. I thought for the sake of historical storytelling, I’m going to have to sit through another teeth pulling session at the African American community’s expense. Hooray (with super sarcasm), un-halleluiah!!!!!!!
Guess what it was nothing like this, (as you suggested).
Even if uneven, the film was filled full of wonderful performances. Some that were predictable like powerhouses Viola Davis and Allison Janney; and some were not like Emma Stone, Octavia Spenser and Bryce Dallas Howard. This was only my second time seeing Jessica Chastain as she’s incredible. You may be seeing her a lot in the future.
I thought these kinds of films could come from African-American directors and authors but I’m glad I was wrong. I can’t tell you how many scenes I still can’t get out of my head, but I will definitely tell many to see this film. But I’m sure, so will many others.
In terms of the reviews, great job LB.
What I meant to say was the story was warm, sympathetic, and detailed. I understand the book had a few more chapters to it than this one. But I thought the screen writing was well done.
But the sensitive use of milestone Cicely Tyson goes a long way with me.