Movie Buzz 7/6

Ted came in the #1 spot pulling in $54.4m. Magic Mike came in 2^nd place grossing $39.1m. Brave dropped down to third taking in $34m. in 4^th place is Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Witness Protection making $25.3 and finally Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted moved to the #5 spot with $11.8m. [1] Let’s see how they did and if they’re worth the money!

Note: We only review films in wide release.

Ted – R What’s the buzz?

Written and directed by Seth MacFarlane (creator of Family Guy, American Dad and The Cleveland Show), Ted tells the story of a man who as a boy his childhood wish that his teddy bear become real is granted. Now that he is a grownup he must choose between his lifelong friend and his girlfriend. It stars Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and Seth MacFarlane as the voice of Ted. Roger Ebert says it’s “The funniest movie character so far this year is a stuffed teddy bear. And the best comedy screenplay so far is Ted” [2]

So is it worth the money? Yes! (If you like Seth’s animated shows)

• Box office rank: 1
• Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 62 (Positive)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 69% (Fresh)
• Consumers Say: Metacritic- 7.6 (Positive)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 94% (Fresh)

Magic Mike – R What’s the buzz?

Magic Mike is based on the real life of Channing Tatum (who also stars in the movie) and is directed by Steven Soderbergh. It’s about a male stripper who takes a younger dancer under his wing and teaches about the world of stripping. The Telegraph says of Soderbergh “He’s made a classy film on a tacky subject, without dressing it up in any way that betrays the setting, or apologises for what it’s about. It’s not a major Soderbergh project, on paper, but it transcends every possible expectation, and his wrangling of the cast is so impressive that just about everyone comes out smelling of roses. Well, roses and baby oil.” [3]

So is it worth the money? Yes (if it’s your type of thing!)

• Box office rank: 2
• Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 7.3 (Positive)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 78% (Fresh)
• Consumers Say: Metacritic- 6.3 (Positive)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 84% (Fresh)

People Like Us – PG-13 What’s the buzz?

Starring Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Michelle Pfeiffer and Olivia Wilde, People Like Us is about a young man who returns home after the death of his father to sort out his father’s estate. He discovers that he has a long lost sister which forces them to get to know one another and changes their view of the world. The Rolling Stone says “Kurtzman directs with such energy and passion you keep hoping the film won’t sink into melodramatic quicksand. It does. What keeps it from getting sucked under is the live-wire acting. Pine is driven and touchingly vulnerable. And Banks, heartbreakingly good, nails every nuance in a raw wound of a role. Thanks to their teamwork, we believe we are watching people like us.” [4]

So is it worth the money? Maybe

• Box office rank: 11
• Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 49 (Mixed)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 55% (Fresh)
• Consumers Say: Metacritic- 6.8 (Positive)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 70%  (Fresh)

Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Witness Protection – PG-13 What’s the buzz?

A Wall Street banker is forced to move his family and himself to his aunt’s house for safety, after he discovers that is company has been operating a mob-backed Ponzi scheme, and he has been set up to be the fall guy. It stars Tyler Perry, Eugene Levy and Denise Richards. The Boston Globe says “People who want to watch it are going to do so, regardless of what anyone says about it. And that’s not even factoring in Charlie Sheen — that most discerning of ladies’ men — showing up in the credits blooper reel to give Madea a squeeze or two.” [5]

So is it worth the money? Maybe

• Box office rank: 4
• Film Critics Say: Metacritic- 42 (Mixed)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 23% (Rotten)
• Consumers Say: Metacritic- 5.3 (Positive)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 84%  (Fresh)

What’s opening in theatres this weekend?

The Amazing Spider-Man (72% rotten tomatoes)

Katy Perry: Part of Me (76% rotten tomatoes)

Savages (63% rotten tomatoes)

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[1] http://boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2012&wknd=26&p=.htm

[2] http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120627/REVIEWS/120629973

[3] http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/9379492/Magic-Mike-review.html

[4] http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/people-like-us-20120628

[5] http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2012/06/30/tyler_perry_strikes_again_with_a_madea_misadventure/

Tags: Katy Perry, Mark Wahlberg, Ted, The Amazing Spiderman