Movie Crazy

We have become Movie Crazy, What will be the best movie out this weekend, Disney's "Bolt"or "Twilight"? How much money will they generate in the opening weekend, will they have longevity at the box office? What movie will be number one,and can they knockout "Quantum of Solace"? Movies dominate our conversations, morning news casts, full sections of the news paper etc...So here is my two cents on the subject. I am often asked what movies I like or think will do well. Here are my picks and thoughts on some of the up coming movies for the holiday season.
"Quantum of Solace" if you haven't seen this one go see it,especially if you consider yourself a Bond fan...from mild to wild. This is a different Bond film. It literally picks up where "Casino Royal" ended. It is based on a short story by Ian Flemming. This is a revenge film so the save the world aspect is just a small element. I love Daniel Craig as Bond. He is so real, with cuts and bruises. If you love Judy Dench as M, you see her a lot in this film. I'd give this Bond an 'A-', but I am definitely a Bond fan.
"Bolt"is Disney's latest digital animated offering. It has been heavily advertised as in 3-D. When i saw it saw it in regular 2-D, in a film not digital format and it was fine...I couldn't tell how 3-D would make this film better. Anyway...it is a sweet film about a TV star Dog--Bolt. If you have seen any of the pre-views or commercials for this movie you understand that the Dog thinks that he is a real action hero dog, and that the dog gets lost in the real world. Bolts adventure to get home is highlighted by his encounters with various groups of pigeons, a cat and a hamster. The side kick animals are great. They each add so much to this very formulaic buddy cross country movie. I knew that the hamster was going to be good from the pre-views, but the pigeons were a delightful surprise. (I have loved pigeons since the "Animaniacs" cartoon series which featured a section called "The Good Fellows" a pigeon world that would do musicals and movies.) Back to "Bolt" --- It is good family movie, the kids should love it. I'd give it a 'B+'.
"Twilight" I wrote my thoughts on "Twilight" last week... see Friday Nov. 14. I only gave this film a 'B' which some of you have thought was harsh, but I still feel that if it weren't for the books fan base that this movie wouldn't have received so much attention.
Opening Wednesday Nov. 26 are "Australia","Four Christmases" & "Transporter 3". I have only seen "Four Christmases" but they all should be big movies.
"Australia" is the movie I am dying to see. I missed the screening because of our MTC commitment, but Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman and Baz Lhurman are a win,win,win combination in my book. I fell in love with Hugh as a actor after seeing him live in "The Boy From Oz" on Broadway. He is the real thing as an actor...he gets to the heart of the character and is willing to lay it all out there. This film should be pleasing to the eye as well since Jackman has been named People Magazines "Sexiest Man Alive". He is a Megan favorite and she can't figure out why it took People so long to figure that Hugh is hot.
Baz Lhurman is a great director. I loved his "Mulan Rouge" and expect this film about his homeland to as good as or better. He has a wonderful eye and usually takes a unique look at his subject. Nicole...what can I say she is not only beautiful but this Oscar winning actress is always on her game. I don't think that I have ever seen her do bad acting job. The film she was in may not have been great but she was great in it. The pre-views have looked really good.
"Four Christmases" this is not the movie from the pre-views but it is as good as the pre-views. I hate movies that show all the good bits in the pre-views. This one has held some of the best comedy bits back and definitely didn't reveal the heart of this film. Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaugh shine in this Christmas comedy and their supporting cast is also great. If you want a light movie with good laugh and feel good ending then this is the movie for your thanksgiving weekend. Because this is the only one of the three I have seen I'll give it a 'B+'.
"Transporter 3" I'm not into these type of films but if you can make three of them then there might be something of worth there. Jason Stathan reprises his role as a revenge-driven chauffeur in the sequel that is bound to be action packed.
All in all my guess about the November Holiday movies is that they will all be in the top 10 knocking out films like "HSM 3" and "Madagascar" from the top spots.
The Christmas season is hard on the film industry so I hope that these movies give us a good escape from these crazy economic times.

MCC