Julia Roberts goes on a year-long journey Italy, India and Bali in Ryan Murphy's slick adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert's best-selling memoir "Eat Pray Love.' PHOTO: Columbia Pictures
It’s Friday the 13th but there’s not a horror movie monster in sight (Not unless you count steroid kingpins Sylvester Stallone and Dolph Lundgren as monsters). No, instead, South Florida moviegoers will have to endure the battle of the sexes this weekend at the movies as the testosterone-charged “The Expendables” takes on the estrogen-laced “Eat Pray Love” for box office supremacy. Also vying for South Florida audiences’ top dollar during this very crowded August weekend will be the quirky teen love story “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” and the old-fashioned independent drama “Get Low” starring veterans Robert Duvall and Bill Murray. As I stated last week, this weekend unofficially marks the end of the four-month-long summer movie season as after this weekend, there isn't any high-profile release to look forward to until the official end of the season on Labor Day.
The following is your weekend preview of the major films opening in South Florida theaters this weekend and what you MUST SEE, SEE, WATCH AT A MATINEE, WAIT FOR THE DVD, SKIP IT or flat-out AVOID AT ALL COST!
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SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD
SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD
Directed by: Edgar Wright
Starring: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Jason Schwartzman
Rated: PG-13 (for stylized violence, sexual content, language and drug references)
WHAT’S IT ABOUT? Scott Pilgrim has never had a problem getting a girlfriend. It's getting rid of them that proves difficult. From the girl who kicked his heart's ass--and now is back in town--to the teenage distraction he's trying to shake when Ramona rollerblades into his world, love hasn't been easy. He soon discovers, however, his new crush has the most unusual baggage of all: a nefarious league of exes controls her love life and will do whatever it takes to eliminate him as a suitor. As Scott gets closer to Ramona, he must face an increasingly vicious rogues' gallery from her past--from infamous skateboarders to vegan rock stars and fearsomely identical twins. And if he hopes to win his true love, he must vanquish them all before it really is game over.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ LIKE? “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” has been the source of intense comic book fanboy salivation ever since an insane video game-like teaser mashing hipster romance with “Mortal Kombat” and “Street Fighter” made its debut in April. And it’s not because of star Michael Cera (who plays the same awkward hipster in all his movies) but writer/director Edgar Wright – who after writing and directing the acclaimed cult comedy classics “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz,” has already become a sort of cult figure among movie fans. Based on the popular series of graphic novels, “Pilgrim” is loaded with an unbelievably talented cast of young actors including Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Chris Evans (the upcoming “Captain America”), Brandon Routh (“Superman Returns”), Jason Schwartzman (“Rushmore”) and newly-minted Oscar nominee Anna Kendrick (“Up in the Air”). “Scott Pilgrim” made its world premiere at the 2010 San Diego Comic Con last month where it was enthusiastically received by comic fans. Whether it has the potential to break outside the realms of its comic book fanbase remains to be seen.
WHAT’S MY TAKE ON IT? “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” is a hyper-stylized and inventive comic book adaptation that seamlessly blends video game and comic book aesthetics with pop cultural references, comedy and a killer soundtrack to tell a charming love story. With a can’t-miss ensemble cast of some of the Hollywood’s brightest young talents and fantastic direction by Edgar Wright, this is one of the year’s best and visually dazzling movies. READ MY FULL REVIEW.
WHAT ARE THE CRITICS SAYING? “SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD” has been receiving generally positive reviews. The following is a sample of the grades it has been receiving from critics around the nation.
Rotten Tomatoes: 78%; Top Critics: 74%; Average Rating: 7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes General Consensus: “Its script may not be as dazzling as its eye-popping visuals, but ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’ is fast, funny, and inventive.”
Metacritic: 69/100 (Generally Favorable Reviews)
Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times): Not Reviewed
Rene Rodriguez (Miami Herald): 2 and half stars out of 4
Roger Moore (Orlando Sentinal): 3 and half stars out of 4
SHOULD YOU SEE IT? “Scott Pilgrim” is fast, stylish and a lot of fun. It’s far better than both of this weekend’s other high profile releases, “The Expendables” and “Eat Pray Love.” It’s one of my favorite movies of 2010. This is a MUST SEE.
“SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD” is now playing all across South Florida. Click on the NCM Widget below for showtimes.
ALSO PLAYING IN WIDE RELEASE
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EAT PRAY LOVE
EAT PRAY LOVE
Directed by: Ryan Murphy
Starring: Julia Roberts, Javier Bardem, James Franco, Billy Crudup
Rated: PG-13 (for brief strong language, some sexual references and male rear nudity)
WHAT’S IT ABOUT? Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) had everything a modern woman is supposed to dream of having - a husband, a house, a successful career - yet like so many others, she found herself lost, confused, and searching for what she really wanted in life. Newly divorced and at a crossroads, Gilbert steps out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life, embarking on a journey around the world that becomes a quest for self-discovery. In her travels, she discovers the true pleasure of nourishment by eating in Italy; the power of prayer in India, and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of true love in Bali. Based upon the bestselling memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert, "Eat Pray Love" proves that there really is more than one way to let yourself go and see the world.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ LIKE? It’s been a decade since Julia Roberts’ last summer movie (“America’s Sweethearts””) so “Eat Pray Love” (written and directed by “Glee” creator Ryan Murphy) will be a test of how much of a box office titan she still is. Obviously, fans of the insanely popular memoir which is still on the best seller charts (as well as Oprah’s Book Club) will be the primary audience here but based on the previews, it looks like Roberts will have no problem drawing faction of moviegoers, especially the oft-neglected over-35 female demo. Surrounding Roberts is a strong cast of Oscar winners and nominees including Javier Bardem, Richard Jenkins, Viola Davis, James Franco and Billy Crudup. When you have a cast this good, coupled with a strong trailer, it usually means that there’s something really special beneath the surface.
WHAT’S MY TAKE ON IT? "Eat Pray Love" is a well-intentioned and sumptously-shot drama that features a strong performance from Julia Roberts as Elizabeth Gilbert as well as fantastic supporting turns from character actors Richard Jenkins and Javier Bardem. But despite the strong performances, gorgeous cinematography and many solid moments, some of them, even brilliant, the film is short-changed by a dull and bland script that preaches rather than shows, a butt-numbingly long running time. Simply said, it's just not a good time at the movies. MY FULL REVIEW - UP ON SATURDAY.
WHAT ARE THE CRITICS SAYING? “EAT PRAY LOVE” has been receiving mixed or average reviews. The following is a sample of the grades it has been receiving from critics around the nation.
Rotten Tomatoes: 36%; Top Critics: 36%; Average Rating: 5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes General Consensus: “The scenery is nice to look at, and Julia Roberts is as luminous as ever, but without the spiritual and emotional weight of the book that inspired it, ‘Eat Pray Love’ is too shallow to resonate.”
Metacritic: 49/100 (Mixed or Average Reviews)
Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times): 2 stars out of 4
Connie Ogle (Miami Herald): 3 stars out of 4
Roger Moore (Orlando Sentinal): 2 and half stars out of 4
SHOULD YOU SEE IT? If you’re a fan of Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir or of Julia Roberts, you may enjoy the movie. Most men however, are bound to find themselves bored out of their mind during this extremely long and dull trip across the world. This is one movie that'd work much better with the "pause" and "fast-forward" buttons. WAIT FOR THE DVD.
“EAT PRAY LOVE” is now playing all across South Florida. Click on the NCM Widget below for showtimes.
THE EXPENDABLES
THE EXPENDABLES
Directed by: Sylvester Stallone
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke
Rated: R (for strong action and bloody violence throughout, and for some language)
WHAT’S IT ABOUT? Expendable: capable of being sacrificed in order to accomplish a military objective.
“The Expendables” is a hard-hitting action/thriller about a group of mercenaries hired to infiltrate a South American country and overthrow its ruthless dictator. Once the mission begins, the men realize things aren’t quite as they appear, finding themselves caught in a dangerous web of deceit and betrayal. With their mission thwarted and an innocent life in danger, the men struggle with an even tougher challenge – one that threatens to destroy this band of brothers.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ LIKE? The great action heroes of the 80s and 90s make a nostalgic trip back to the silver screen in Sylvester Stallone’s “The Expendables,” an action-packed throwback to the movies of the bygone era when action heroes, not superheroes dominated the box office. With a cast that includes Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Mickey Rourke, former UFC champ Randy Couture, former NFL star Terry Crews, Eric Roberts and former WWE wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin, “The Expendables” definitely ranks high among the most macho movies of all time. As if those guys weren’t enough, both Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger make cameos in a pivotal scene with Stallone (where they probably discuss the embarrassment that is “Planet Hollywood”). Just about the only major action guys missing are Jean Claude Van Damme, Wesley Snipes and Steven Seagal, all who were approached for roles. Van Damme was offered a major role but turned it down claiming his character had no substance (I swear I’m not kidding!) while Seagal denied a cameo because of bad blood with a producer on the project. Snipes on the other hand, would have played the Terry Crews role but had to decline because of his tax problems which didn’t allow him to leave the U.S. Still, with a cast like this, you know you’re going to be in for one kick-ass ride!
WHAT’S MY TAKE ON IT? “The Expendables” is not a great movie. Hell, it’s not even a good one. But it’s a damn good time. If you go in expecting a character-driven thinking man’s action movie, you’re going to walk out bitterly disappointed. But if a mindless balls-to-the-wall throwback to violent action movies of the 80s and 90s is your type of movie, then you’re going to love every cheesy and explosive moment of it. READ MY FULL REVIEW.
WHAT ARE THE CRITICS SAYING? “THE EXPENDABLES” has been receiving mixed to average reviews. The following is a sample of the grades it has been receiving from critics around the nation.
Rotten Tomatoes: 44%; Top Critics: 35%; Average Rating: 5.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes General Consensus: “It makes good on the old-school action it promises, but given all the talent on display, ‘The Expendables’ should hit harder.”
Metacritic: 45/100 (Mixed or Average Reviews)
Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times): Not Reviewed
Rene Rodriguez (Miami Herald): 1 and half stars out of 4
Roger Moore (Orlando Sentinal): 2 stars out of 4
SHOULD YOU SEE IT? It depends. Like “Eat Pray Love,” this is a fan-driven movie. If you enjoy big, loud and dumb testosterone-charged action movies with gratuitous violence and cheesy dialogues, then this is your type of movie. If you prefer your movies with a little more substance, then you’re better off looking elsewhere. SEE IT AT A MATINEE.
“THE EXPENDABLES” is now playing all across South Florida. Click on the NCM Widget below for showtimes.
NOW PLAYING IN LIMITED RELEASE
GET LOW
GET LOW
Directed by: Aaron Schneider
Starring: Robert Duvall, Bill Murray, Sissy Spacek, Lucas Black
Rated: PG-13 (for some thematic material and brief violent content)
WHAT’S IT ABOUT? Based on a true story of a hermit who lived for forty years in the Tennessee woods. Felix Bush (Duvall) decides it is time to plan his funeral. But his funeral will not be any old macabre occasion. Organized by a local undertaker played by Bill Murray and his sidekick played by Lucas Black, the funeral will be more party than memorial and an event to which anyone and everyone will be invited and at which Bush will reveal a long kept secret.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ LIKE? Believe it or not, “Get Low” actually made its debut at last September’s Toronto International Film Festival where it received nearly unanimous praise for its solid storytelling and superb performances from Robert Duvall and Bill Murray. Maybe since studio Sony Classics were so busy promoting the hell out of “An Education,” and competition in the acting race revolving around Jeff Bridges’ critically acclaimed performance, they figured it’d best suited to move the little drama to this year. As expected, reviews for the picture have been solid (but not golden) across the board. The Oscar-winning Robert Duvall is one of the finest actors of the 20th century and if Sean Penn, Tom Hanks, Dustin Hoffman and Daniel Day-Lewis can boast to having two Academy Awards, why can’t the legendary Duvall?
WHAT ARE THE CRITICS SAYING? “GET LOW” has been receiving generally positive reviews. The following is a sample of the grades it has been receiving from critics around the nation.
Rotten Tomatoes: 85%; Top Critics: 96%; Average Rating: 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes General Consensus: “Subtle to a fault, this perfectly cast ensemble drama is lifted by typically sharp performances from Robert Duvall and Bill Murray.”
Metacritic: 76/100 (Generally Favorable Reviews)
Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times): 3 stars out of 4
A.O. Scott (New York Times): 3 and half stars out of 4
Owen Gleiberman (Entertainment Weekly): 2 and half stars out of 4
SHOULD YOU SEE IT? “Get Low” is a slow-burn film that may not be for everyone, especially popcorn crunching, blockbuster-seeking audiences. But for those who enjoy a solid drama with two of America’s finest acting talents, you can’t get any better than this. SEE IT.
“GET LOW” is now playing at the following locations in South Florida. In Miami-Dade county: AMC Aventura 24, Regal South Beach 18; In Broward county: Sunrise Eleven; In Palm-Beach county: Regal Shadowood.
Click on the NCM Widget below for showtimes.
NEXT WEEK: The first badge of the annual summer crap will be unleashed in cinemas this weekend. Leading the crop of sure-to-be-stinkers will be the vampire spoof comedy (or tragedy) “VAMPIRES SUCK” which will open two days earlier on August 18. Also opening are the comedy “THE LOTTERY TICKET” starring Bow Wow and Ice Cube; the family fantasy sequel “NANNY McPHEE RETURNS" starring Emma Thompson; the B-grade shock fest “PIRANHA 3D” and Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman in the awful-looking romance “THE SWITCH.” Expect reviews of perhaps two of those titles sometime next week.
ABOUT THIS COLUMN: Every Friday, I run down the new movies opening in theaters offering my recommendations for your weekend at the movies. I make my recommendations based on the movies’ plot (What’s It About), industry buzz (What’s the Buzz Like?), the opinion of the critical mass (What are the Critics Saying?), and obviously, my take on it (What’s My Take on It?). With these cards in hand, I’ll offer my verdict (Should You See It?) - Either see them or skip them.
TO READ PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THE "WEEKEND MOVIE PREVIEW" COLUMN, CLICK ON THE SIDEBAR LINKS ON THE RIGHT
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