The Lion King( in 3-D) was the number one film at the box office last weekend earning ($377,938,344 Million Worldwide), and Drive came in third, starring Ryan Gosling it earned ($14,700,930Million Worldwide). There were more in wide release to open. We will review last weekend films as well as those coming out this weekend so you can decide if they are worth your money?
Note: We only review films in wide release.
The Lion King (In 3-D)—G What’s the Buzz? This is a re-release of the 1994 film but now visually enhanced. Elizabeth Weitzman of NY Daily News, “Given that it was made in 1994, an entire generation of kids has now grown up watching “The Lion King” from the couch. Which, as the new, 3D re-release makes immediately clear, is a real shame.”[1] Consumers reviews on rottentomatoes really enjoyed the 3-D version saying it was a wonderful experience.
So is it worth the money? Yes!
- Box office rank: #1
- Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 83
- rottentomatoes: 89% (certified FRESH!)
- Consumers Say: Metacritic- 7.8
- rottentomatoes: 89%
Drive—R What’s the Buzz? Film critics and consumers agreed and had great things to say about this film. Ann Hornaday of The Washington Post stated, “Star of the moment Ryan Gosling delivers a slow, white-hot burn of a performance in “Drive,” a nervy, understated ode to one of Hollywood’s most cherished archetypes, the sad-eyed man of few words.”[2], Consumers, agree with critics saying Drive was like something they’ve never seen, it was gentle, grizzly and powerful .
So is it worth the money? Big Yes!
- Box office rank: #3
- Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 79
- rottentomatoes: 92% (certified FRESH!)
- Consumers Say: Metacritic- 7.0
- rottentomatoes: 81%
Straw Dog’s–R What’s the Buzz? Critics and consumers agree on this film as well. Michael Philips of Chicago Tribune stated, “bird-brained remake of “Straw Dogs” doesn’t work on its own terms, and it can’t hold a candle to the unruly, unstable merits of Sam Peckinpah‘s 1971 original.”[3] Consumers said it was slow to get started and very predictable.
So is it worth the money?Maybe (if you have some time to kill).
- Box office rank: #5
- Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 46
- rottentomatoes: 37% (rotten)
- Consumers Say: Metacritic- 6.4
- rottentomatoes: 43%
I Don’t Know How She Does it–PG-13 What’s the Buzz? Critics and consumers agree. Amy Nicholson of Boxoffice Magazine said, “Though the flick is formulaic and at times confounding (the ultra-femme Parker’s big revelation is that “trying to be a man is a waste of a woman”), I don’t doubt that the pressures will ring true for its target audience, which will leave thoroughly sated by a film that caters to their hatred of perfectionist mommy bloggers who equate McDonalds with shipping your kid to a coal mine.”[4] Consumers said it was awful and everyone involved should be ashamed.
So is it worth the money? NO!
- Box office rank: #6
- Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 38
- rottentomatoes: 17% (rotten)
- Consumers Say: Metacritic- 4.6
- rottentomatoes: 45%
What’s opening in theaters this weekend? Please click on title to see trailer.
Abduction (latest review results—6% rottentomatoes)
Money Ball(latest review results—94% rottentomatoes)
Killer Elite(latest review results—26% rottentomatoes)
Dolphin Tale (latest review results—85% rottentomatoes)
comicreleaf
comicrelief2
Comic Relief
parisienne
littlebells
Lurker
ozzie20
Open Book
LIH
linkedinhollywood.com 
Let’s start with Abduction. I was expecting to see a Bourne type movie I guess. That was all the buzz in the theater. Instead we got bad writing, horrible dialogue. I saw the trailer once and that is the plot, to me it went no deeper than that. Nathan(Lautner) finds himself on a missing kids website which leads to CIA and guns. Really? I did not feel any chemistry between Lautner and Collins. She was almost boring and I don’t think he could act his was out of a paper bag. Same expressions blah blah blah. Did he take lessons from his costar from Twilight Ms. Kristen Stewart??? One wonders.
The action was not to bad. John Singleton is not bad with that. But he is not good with the romance stuff and it showed. And from what was being said around us Taylor did most of his own stunts. Something about him being really into martial arts?? This is probably a sub par review, but there was really nothing that redeeming about it. I did not see any of the Twilight movies so I cannot compare the acting from one to the other. If he is being dubbed as the next action star, he has alot of work to do both acting and action.
Need to catch a flight will write about Moneyball soon. Have a great weekend
Thank u Francesa!
I’m sure our readers will benefit from this excellent review. Have a safe trip!
P.S. Can’t wait to read your review on Moneyball.
Francesa, it never occurred to me how much hype surrounds some actors. I heard that “Abduction” was a well-reviewed black list script property; but I can see (now) how essential it is to hire people who can fortify and fulfill a potentially rich script and really make them fly.
In interviews I used to hear this principle actor say odd things like he wanted to be the next big feature film action star. I would always wonder why because these actors are rarely well-regarded (other than on box office terms). Running around dodging fake bullets and explosions doesn’t seem to be the best way to dramatically hone your craft.
Responses to Abduction may clarify how studios sale individuals regardless of what they may lack in experience, talent, critical contribution to the creative process. Sorry to hear how Lautner fell so flat, but now I’m beginning to wonder whether his ambition far under estimated the work necessary to capitalize on a script requiring visibility on this level.
Your review was far more revealing than I expected. Thanks for saving me the money of buying a ticket. I wouldn’t have anyway, but thanks just the same.
CR- I wonder how much the script changed for “Abduction” to accommodate it’s sponsors product placement? Not to say this excuses the poor acting. However, this may explain why the film was so contrived and unreal.
Francesa- Was the product placement in “Abduction” excessive?
I want to apologize with my late review of Moneyball. I am back at home for a short period of time and have had family drama. Ugh!!!!
I have never read the book Moneyball by Michael Lewis, so I went into this movie without preconceived notions. I liked Brad Pitt in the role of the general manager of the A’s. He seemed to embody the assured business man but also questions himself. Some of the camera angles against the right lighting he almost looked like Robert Redford in The Natural. Jonah Hill did a great job as Pitt’s counterpart. I know he is known for comedy, but he delivers nicely next to Pitt and they play off each other very well. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays the manager of the team and makes an appearance, but that goes relatively unexplored. Which was kind of weird because I am sure in real life there were major fireworks with the respects to old school vs new school scouting techniques. There is not much “baseball” playing in the movie since it is told from a front office stand point. The movie in general did move kind of slow, but the dialogue is very decisive and different camera angles were used. Normal when talking with other people and more choppy and close ups when he was by himself. I think to see how at times he questions himself.
Again I am a huge huge sports fan. But I really enjoyed the movie. I did purchase the book this weekend and am very interested in how the to compare and if HW took there normal liberties.
great review! Thank you Francesa. i am very intetested in seeing this movie. since you saw the movie and just purchased the book, I have a question for you regarding our spinoff site. would you email me at ptss@rocketmail.com when you have a chance? 🙂
Francesa,
Impressive! Your review was very objective for a sports fan!! I would like to see this film because I love baseball but it’s to bad there’s not much baseball playing in it. It sounds like they could have benefited by showing some playing given it moved kinda slow. Yet, there are so many baseball playing films this might be refreshing to see a different perspective.
As for product placement in Abduction, there was quite a bit, but isn’t just about every movie any more. Of course Apple and a lot of Apple products at that and BMW are the two i distinctly remember.
LOL! No your right about PP being in every film. However, I was wondering if this film (given it’s teen demographic) script was re-written to specificly plug in products? I read an article how this is happening more and more regardless if it supports the overall plot. Goodness Apple is everywhere aren’t they? Thanks again!