Movie Buzz: 09/28

End of Watch took first spot at the box office this weekend taking in $13.1M. House at the End of the Street came in at #2 grossing $12.2m and Dredd 3D took the #3 earning $6.2M. Let’s see how they did and if they are worth the money!

Note: We only review films in wide release.

Dredd 3D—R What’s the buzz?

Set in the future and in a city where police officers have the power to be judge, jury and executioner (who are called judges); the film follows the most feared cop, Dredd on his quest to arrest a drug gang. It’s a mistake to think that Dredd is a remake of the 1995 film Judge Dredd, which starred Sylvester Stallone. Dredd is actually a reboot, based on the comic book 2000AD (which Judge Dredd is also based on). Most critics and audiences agree that it’s much better than the 1995 film, being more based on the comic book and featuring more grit and violence. However some still find it lacks something. One of the most common complaint is that the plot is similar to The Raid: Redemption (an Indonesian movie filmed at the same time as Dredd but was released in 2011). It will still appeal and entertain most action fans. The Washington Post sums up the film best saying “Dredd 3D is malicious, gory, masochistic and uncompromising. But it caters to its base like a presidential candidate on the campaign trail. Expect countless “Dredd” fans to vote at the box office with their ticket sales.” [1]

So is it worth the money? If you like violence mixed with dark humour, yes!

• Box office rank: 6
• Critics say: Metacritic- 59 (Positive)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 77% (Fresh)
• Consumers say: Metacritic- 8.6 (Positive)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 85%

House At The End Of The Street—PG-13 What’s the buzz?

A newly divorced mother (Sarah, played by Elisabeth Shue) and daughter (Elissa, played by Jennifer Lawrence) move into their dream home in the hopes of a fresh start. Soon strange things start to happen and they discover a horrific incident that happened to the family next door. Despite being warned off the lone survivor, Elissa starts a relationship with Ryan (played by Max Thieriot), who still lives in the house. However she soon finds the danger is still present. The reviews for House at the End of The Street have not been good at all! Despite taking the number 2 spot in the weekend box office figures, audiences agree with the critic’s negative reviews. The New York Times states “Once the action kicks in, House at the End of the Street turns into a choppily edited, poorly timed mess with little continuity, overloaded with aural shocks in a desperate attempt to compensate for its minimal suspense.” [2] The only redeeming feature is Jennifer!

So is it worth the money? NO!

• Box office rank: 2
• Critics say: Metacritic- 31 (Negative)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 11% (Very rotten!)
• Consumers say: Metacritic- 4.8 (Positive by only one point!)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 55%

End of Watch—R What’s the buzz?

Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña and Anna Kendrick, End of Watch is about two police officers who discover the secret workings of one of the most dangerous drug cartels which mark them for death. Critics and consumers love this film for its realism! Roger Ebert says “End of Watch is one of the best police movies in recent years, a virtuoso fusion of performances and often startling action.” And “After too many police movies about officers who essentially use their badges as licenses to run wild, it’s inspiring to realize that these men take their mission — to serve and protect — with such seriousness they’re willing to risk their lives.” [3]

So is it worth the money? Yes!

• Box office rank: 1
• Critics say: Metacritic- 70 (Positive)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 84% (Fresh)
• Consumers say: Metacritic- 8.4 (Positive)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 89%

What’s opening this week in theaters?

Hotel Transylvania  (45% critics, 92% consumers, Rotten Tomatoes)

Looper (92% Rotten Tomatoes)

Won’t Back Down (34% critics, 79% consumers, Rotten Tomatoes)

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[1] http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/dredd,1211066/critic-review.html#reviewNum1

[2] http://movies.nytimes.com/2012/09/22/movies/the-house-at-the-end-of-the-street-with-jennifer-lawrence.html?ref=movies

[3] http://www.rogerebert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120919/REVIEWS/120919985/1023

Tags: box office, Movie Buzz, Movie Reviews, Movie trailers