Movie Buzz 10-7

Lion King was replaced this week with Dolphin Tale, thus leading the box office with $13.9 million (83% rottentomatoes).  Brad Pitt’s Moneyball continues to stay in the number 2 spot bringing in $12 million (95% rottentomatoes).  This week, we had 4 films open.  Let’s see how they did and if they are worth the money!

Note: We only review films in wide release.  

50/50—R What’s the Buzz? Inspired by a real story of friendship, survival, love, and humor, critics and fans are loving this film! Ann Hornaday of The Washington Post says, “50/50 the hackneyed convention of illness-driven melodrama and reinvigorates it with honesty, clear-eyed compassion and unsentimental wit. Consumers felt at times it seemed slow, but the majority of the film had them laughing and crying.[1]

Click here to view trailer

So is it worth the money? Yes, yes, yeeeeeeeeeessss!

• Box office rank: #2
• Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 72
• rottentomatoes: 93% (FRESH off the vine!)
• Consumers Say: Metacritic- 8 
• rottentomatoes: 94%

Courageous—PG-13 What’s the Buzz? Film critics and consumers vastly differed on their opinion of this film.  Paul Brunick of The New York Times thought it was “overplotted and understructed”.  However consumers felt the message was greatly uplifting and powerful, and feel very parent should see this film.[2]

Click here to view trailer

So is it worth the money? Yes!

• Box office rank: #4
• Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 42
• rottentomatoes: 31% (rotten)
• Consumers Say: Metacritic- 8.9
• rottentomatoes: 93% 

Dream House—PG-13 – What’s the Buzz? Neither film critic or consumer seemed to enjoy this movie. Peter Howell of the Toronto Star said, “it isn’t much of a horror or suspense movie—shocks and chills are scarce—but it does provide one dandy of a mystery.”  Consumers thought it was ok but predictable.[3]

Click here to view trailer

So is it worth the money? * cricket * …* cricket*  That would be a NO!

• Box office rank: #6
• Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 35
• rottentomatoes: 7% (rotten)
• Consumers Say: Metacritic- 6
• rottentomatoes: 43%  

What’s Your Number—R – What’s the Buzz? Only coming in at #8, both critics and consumers did not enjoy this film.  Even Anna Faris (House Bunny) and Chris Evans (Captain America) couldn’t save this movie.  Critics agreed that Faris has tremendous talent that just wasn’t put to good use.  Lisa Shwarzbaum, of Entertainment Weekly, claims, “…the movie not only makes cheap sex jokes but looks skanky, too. Lighting, camerawork, and editing are all a slapdash mess, one that further hinders the actors trying their best to get through this failed hookup of a comedy.”  Consumers say it is funny, simple, and forgettable.[4]

Click here to view trailer

So is it worth the money? Unfortunately, no.

• Box office rank: #8
• Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 35
• rottentomatoes: 23% (rotten)
• Consumers Say: Metacritic- 6.6
• rottentomatoes: 59%  

What’s opening in theaters this weekend?

Reel Steel (latest review results—65% rottentomatoes) Click here to view trailer

The Ides of March (latest review results—77% rottentomatoes) Click here to view trailer

Dirty Girl (latest review results: 14% rottentomatoes) Click here to view trailer

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Tags: 50/50, box office, George Clooney, Movie Buzz, Movie Reviews