Movie Buzz: 4/20

For the 4^th week in a row, The Hunger Games still dominates the weekend box offices, now grossing $534,961,282M worldwide.  The Three Stooges came in second, taking in $17,010,125M this weekend and The Cabin in the Woods came in at third with it making $14,743,614 M.  Let’s see how they did and if they are worth the money![1]

Note: We only review films in wide release.  

The Cabin in the Woods—R What’s the Buzz?

The Cabin in the Woods is about a group of friends who go for a break at a remote cabin in the woods. Soon things start to go horribly wrong and they discover that things are very different from what they seem. Written by Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel) and Drew Goddard (Cloverfield, Lost) it was never going to be a run of the mill horror film. This film takes every horror film cliché and twists it around. Both audience and critics love it. The Rolling Stone says “By turning splatter formula on its empty head, Cabin shows you can unleash a fire-breathing horror film without leaving your brain or your heart on the killing floor.”[2]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eXfc12BqFkc

So is it worth the money? Yes!

Box office rank: 3

• Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 72 (Positive)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 92% (Fresh)
• Consumers Say: Metacritic- 8.0 (Positive)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 84%

The Three Stooges—PG –What’s the Buzz?

The Three Stodges is an updated movie of the beloved original shows and directed by the Farrelly brothers. The plot centres around  Moe (Chris Diamantopoulos), Larry (Sean Hayes) and Curly (Will Sasso) raising money to save the orphanage they grew up in, while getting caught up in a murder mystery and accidentally starring in a reality TV show in the process. The reception has garnered mixed reviews from critics and consumers. Perhaps the best summery was Roger Ebert’s review, who says “The three leads did an admirable job of impersonation. I think this might be pretty much the movie Stooges fans were looking for. I have no idea what their children will think about it. I guess what I’m wondering is, was it really necessary?”[3]

So is it worth the money? Maybe!

• Box office rank: 2
• Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 55 (Positive)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 44% (Rotten)
• Consumers Say: Metacritic- 7.1 (Positive)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 69%

Lockout—PG13 –What’s the Buzz?

Lockout is centred around an ex-government agent (Guy Pearce) who has been falsely convicted. His only chance at freedom is by accepting a dangerous mission to save the president’s daughter (Maggie Grace) from rioting inmates at maximum security prison in outer space. This movie also received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. The main criticism seems to be that it is predictable however its intended audience should be satisfied. Despite this being the first major movie for the directors and writers (James Mather and Stephen St. Leger) the L.A. Times says “for all of its rough edges and dead-ends, there are still flashes of that indefinable quality — promise? talent? — that makes you hope they get other chances to try for more top-to-bottom polish and panache.”[4]

So is it worth the money? Maybe.

• Box office rank: 9
• Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 49 (Mixed)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 34% (Rotten)
• Consumers Say: Metacritic- 5.7 (Positive)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 69%

What’s opening in theatres this weekend?

Chimpanzee (latest review results—73% Rotten Tomatoes)

The Lucky one (latest review results—Critics 25% Consumers 84% Rotten Tomatoes)

Think Like A Man (latest review results—Critics 56% Consumers 84% Rotten Tomatoes)

Tags: blockbuster films, box office, Lock Out, The Three Stooges