End of Summer Clearance Coming to a Theater Near You
Aug 28, 2008It’s “Clean Out Your Closet” week in Hollywood, as if a mad pack of reality show hosts descended on the studios, pulled out all the unnecessary film junk and clutter from their garages, and are putting it up for grabs at a Labor Day yard sale. Too bad the proceeds won’t go to charity…if there are any proceeds.
Fox’s Babylon A.D. is the biggest opener—it debuts in close to 3,200 theaters. Vin Diesel, Michelle Yeoh and Gerard Depardieu top line this post-apocalyptical film about a woman who secretly bears an invaluable organism, being escorted from Russia to America. French Director Mathieu Kassovitz (Gothika) is reported to have called his own film “pure violence and stupidity” on AMCtv.com. His beef seems to be with the studio. Since most critics have not been allowed to see the film until opening day, one can only wonder.
Also new this week is Disaster Movie, from Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, the same guys who brought you Date Movie and Meet the Spartans. Their films tend to make everyone’s bottom ten list each year, but since their biggest stars are people like Kim Kardashian and Carmen Electra who don’t require the big bucks, their films tend to be extremely profitable, hence they keep churning them out. This time around a group of 20-somethings are inflicted with a series of natural disasters and catastrophic events, all in one night. Look for shots to be taken at non-disaster movies such as The Dark Knight, Sex and the City, High School Musical and Enchanted, as well as pop icons such as Amy Winehouse.
College, a comedy about three high school seniors on a weekend trip to check out a prospective university, opens in nearly 2,123 theaters this weekend. Its biggest star is Drake Bell, of Nickelodeon’s Drake and Josh fame. Viewers can expect lots of alcohol and “eager” co-eds. But don’t expect a modern-day Animal House. You got a less-sophisticated female version of that last week in House Bunny.
On the more sober side this week, there’s Traitor, starring Don Cheadle as a devout Muslim and ex-US military operative, who becomes entangled in a terrorist web. Guy Pearce stars as the FBI agent who tries to track him down. A very sober movie that attempts to explore all sides of the global terrorism situation, the film, opening in about 2,054 theaters, is not exactly a holiday weekend fling, but something for the serious-minded filmgoer.
If nothing on display so far really floats your boat, despair not – a couple of extremely well received films that have previously been in limited release open wide this weekend. Bottle Shock, which has been described as even better than Sideways, tells the tale of the rise of the California wine industry, thanks to a humble little Chardonnay. Also in more theaters is Hamlet 2, about a flagging high school teacher who attempts to stage an original sequel in order to save his drama program.
So there are a few entertainment bargains to be picked up this weekend. As with any end of summer sale, you just have to know where to look.
