The Lion King( in 3-D) was the number one film at the box office again last weekend earning ($21.9 Million Worldwide), and Moneyballcame in second, starring Brad Pitt it earned ($19.5 Million 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.
Moneyball—PG-13 What’s the Buzz? Film critics and consumers say this film is a home run. I know not a very inventive description on my part. Sorry! Lisa Kennedy of Denver Post, “One of the finest achievements of “Moneyball” is that it reconnects fans to the human- scale hopes and sorrows of men trying to stay in a game they’ve loved since boyhood.”(1) A consumer review on LIH by Francesa, “I am a huge huge sports fan. But I really enjoyed the movie.” Consumers on rottentomatoes say it’s a good underdog story worth seeing.
So is it worth the money? Big Yes!
- Box office rank: #2 (19.5 million)
- Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 87 (positive)
- rottentomatoes: 94% (certified FRESH!)
- Consumers Say: Metacritic- 8.1 (positive)
- rottentomatoes: 92%
Dolphin Tale—PG What’s the Buzz? Film critics and consumers also agreed on this film and had great things to say. Claudia Puig of USA Today stated, “This is not only kid-friendly fare, but a lovely family movie. The story of healing and courage is told with a refreshing lack of cynicism,……..” Consumers on Metacritic agree with critics saying Dolphin Tale is a nice feel good family film.[2]
So is it worth the money?Yes!
- Box office rank: #3 (19.2 million)
- Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 64
- rottentomatoes: 82% (certified FRESH!)
- Consumers Say: Metacritic-4.8
- rottentomatoes: 82%
Abduction-PG13 What’s the Buzz? Critics and consumers agree on this film. Glenn Whipp of Los Angeles Times, “First-time screenwriter Shawn Christensen tries to tap into the issues teenagers hold near and dear — self-discovery, alienation, hormones — and layer them into an espionage thriller. Unfortunately, Lautner’s blindingly white teeth make more of an impression.” Consumers really dislike this film on rottentomatoes saying it’s an incredibly boring action film.[3]
So is it worth the money?Big No!
- Box office rank: #4 (10.9 million)
- Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 25 (bad)
- rottentomatoes: 4% (rotten)
- Consumers Say: Metacritic- 3.0(bad)
- rottentomatoes: 55%
Killer Elite–R What’s the Buzz? Critics and consumers reviews are mixed for this film. Peter Debruge of Variety said, “director Gary McKendry brings a similar mix of nervous energy and polished technique to his feature debut, selling the thriller’s sillier moments — ” Consumers say it’s an average action film and the characters were undeveloped.[4]
So is it worth the money? Maybe!
- Box office rank: #5 (9.4 million)
- Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 44 (mixed)
- rottentomatoes: 25% (rotten)
- Consumers Say: Metacritic- 5.0 (mixed)
- rottentomatoes: 58%
What’s opening in theaters this weekend? Please click on title to see trailer.
50/50(latest review results—90% rottentomatoes)
Courageous(latest review results—- rottentomatoes)
Dream House(latest review results—- rottentomatoes)
What’s Your Number (latest review results—28% rottentomatoes)
comicreleaf
comicrelief2
Comic Relief
parisienne
littlebells
Lurker
ozzie20
Open Book
LIH
linkedinhollywood.com 
I’m posting a great review on “Abduction” & “Moneyball” that was written last week from one of our regular commenters here on LIH.
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Francesa
September 23, 2011 at 4:53 PM
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
Here is Part-2 Review for Moneyball.
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Francesa
September 25, 2011 at 11:00 PM
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.
I haven’t seen it, but after Captain America too bad Chris Evans isn’t doing as well with “What’s Your Number”. Though she rarely gets any credit, I think as a comedienne Anna Farris is really funny. It would be great if her track record with comedies was more even. It would be great if we talked on the site about the kind of taste required for choosing good comedies.
Speaking of Evans, seems he’s doing a little better with critics with a drama called “Puncture” that is distributed by Millennium Entertainment.
That is a great idea CR. I agree with your opinion on Anna Farris. I’m taking a guess that is must be somewhat difficult to pinpoint taste for comedies as everyone’s sense of humor differs…you have me thinking though! 🙂
LB,
I agree. But I think you can sense that I barely have the vocabulary to talk about the problem.
Weeks or months ago, (I can’t remember) we were talking about Lucille Ball and the challenges women face in comedy. Regretfully, at that time we were only able to name Kristin Wiig and Emma Stone as current trail blazers; when obviously veterans like Ms. Farris (as well as Jennifer Aniston, Maya Rudolf, Amy Poehler, Sarah Silverman, Christina Applegate, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Mo’Nique, and many others….. etc.) should have been on the list also.
We sketched out a possibly useful taxonomy for comedies with vulgar, base, or low ball comedies being at the bottom of the list and others falling elsewhere. I don’t know where slap stick or physical comedy fit on our general list but it seems to me that an inability to talk about, recall participants, or describe characteristics of the subject must makes it difficult to praise individuals who have been frequent participants.
…hence Anna Farris falls through the cracks. I know this discussion isn’t over I just hope we get back to it soon.
Well since I mentioned it…