Movies This Weekend! 10/10/08

Hi All!  Back again from a pretty busy (but short) hiatus.  I actually probably could have pumped out some posts, but I was trying to focus on some things for my real job(s), and Hockey!!  Speaking of which, I will have to start writing about that (::writes note to self::).  I should also mention that I don’t like it when people hang up on me while I’m trying to talk to them!!!! (Just kidding, you know I still love ya :-P)  In any case, we’ve got four films coming up this week… any blockbusters though?  Let’s take a look:

Body of Lies - Directed by Ridley Scott, Rated R

Based on the book of the same name by Washington Post columnist David Ignatius.  Roger Ferris, a CIA operative, discovers a terrorist plot operating out of Jordan.  Devising a plan to infiltrate the terrorist network, Ferris must first win the backing of CIA veteran Ed Hoffman, and the trust of the head of the Jordanian intelligence.  Despite the fact that they are considered his allies, Ferris questions how much he can really trust these men.

City of Ember - Directed by Gil Kenan, Rated PG

The people of the City of Ember have fluorished in an amazing world of glittering lights for years.  Located underground, it was built as a refuge for humanity, powered by a generator designed to power the city for 200 years.  Despite growing concern over the life of the generator and the future of their city, the students of the City of Ember find themselves confronting the next milestone in their lives.  It is Assignment Day, where the students will choose, by lottery, how they will serve society for the rest of their lives.

Lina, a student, hopes for nothing more than to become a messenger, draws a job in the pipeworks.  Her classmate, Doon Harrow, wants to work in the generator, but draws the job of messenger instead.  While both are unhappy with their draws, they end up swapping assignments, making both of them happier.  When Lina discovers a mysterious box in a closet, her grandmother is overjoyed, letting Lina know that the information is important, but that she can’t remember why.  Feeling that the information could be what saves their city, Lina and Doon follow the cryptic messages inside, manuvering around corrupt politicians and other obstacles to see if their hunch is right.

The Express - Directed by Gary Fleder, Rated PG

A film about the true story of Ernie Davis, the first black football player to win the coveted Heisman Trophy.  This inspirational story shows the obstacles Davis faced both on the field and off as he led the Syracuse Orangemen with help from coach Ben Schwartzwalder.

Quarantine - Directed by John Erick Dowdle, Rated R

Angela Vidal and her cameraman are both assigned to spend a night shift with an LA Fire Station.  A routine 911 call leads them to a small apartment building, with police already on the scene in response to blood curdling screams coming from inside one of the units.  What they don’t know is that a few of the residents have been infected with a rare strain of rabies.  After a few of the residents are viciously attacked, they try to escape with the news crew, only to find that the building has been quarantined, and they are cut off, with no information being passed to those inside the building.

Joe’s Weekend Outlook

Looks like a pretty strong weekend… I want to see City of Ember and Quarantine definitely, but I’m afraid I’m going to be occupied with the Ice Breaker Tournament in Boston.  In any case, the slate looks to be pretty crowded, but I’m pretty sure with these films, you can pretty much assume that Beverly Hills Chihuahua is not going to be able to hold on for another week.

I’m guessing with the weather cooling down, the box office will cool down a bit.  There’s a lot of playoff baseball (Go RED SOX), Football, and other things going on throughout the country, but then again, I thought that would affect things last week too.  I’m going with City of Ember for the number 1 spot… because it’s probably best for kids. Let’s see if I’m right this time!!

What do you plan on seeing this weekend?

Don’t wait. Guarantee your seat before you go and avoid a sold out show. Skip the box office lines and buy movie tickets at Fandango.com.

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Weekend Wrap Up: Chihuahuas Take it Home

Well, we went past another weekend… quite uneventful where I was, but nevertheless it seems like it was a solid weekend nationwide. I was pretty surprised that Beverly Hills Chihuahua managed to take the top spot… I really thought that Michael Cera would be able to draw people out to come see Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, but I’m afraid I was mistaken. Eagle Eye also managed to stay strong.  Not a good weekend, prediction-wise for me.  Here’s how the box office ended up:

1		Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008)	$29.3M	$29.3M
2		Eagle Eye (2008)	$17.7M	$54.6M
3		Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist (2008)	$11.3M	$11.3M
4		Nights in Rodanthe (2008)	$7.37M	$25.1M
5		Appaloosa (2008)	$5.05M	$5.61M
6		Lakeview Terrace (2008)	$4.56M	$32.2M
7		Burn After Reading (2008)	$4.12M	$51.7M
8		Fireproof (2008)	$3.99M	$12.4M
9		An American Carol (2008)	$3.66M	$3.66M
10		Religulous (2008)	$3.41M	$3.43M

Full of surprises. Just goes to show you that each person’s opinion is different. I’m thinking that a lot of parents found a movie that they’d be ok with their kids seeing, so they decided to bring them out after a few less than stellar films for kids came out. I guess there really hasn’t been much for kids, and it might be something that Hollywood might want to take into consideration. Kids movies should probably be staggered… because a movie every week is probably too much for a parent, but one every other week might be just the escape they’re looking for.

Did you check out anything this weekend?

More later on… Stay Tuned!

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Cirque Du Soleil: Kooza

I’m gonna move away from traditional movie theatres this evening to review a show I saw last week!  Cirque du Soleil’s traveling show Kooza was at the Bayside Expo Center in Boston (It still is actually).  Having never really been to a circus before, I didn’t know what to expect.  Glad to say that I was very surprised and pleased with the performance.

If you’ve never been to Cirque du Soleil before, you really don’t know what to expect.  When I was told it was at the Expo Center, I thought they would set it up inside, like Spookyworld or something along those lines.  It was nice to see when we arrived that there was a huge tent set up.  Unfortunately, I didn’t think to take a picture because I was thinking about the dinner I didn’t have because of how long it took to get there.  I do have a couple pictures, but nothing that’s really good… I might add them in later.

Anyway, the show was amazing.  It started off with some small comedy bits being performed randomly while people were still filing into their seats.  The alarmed stage… cracked me up each time it went off.  When the lights came down and the show started, I was captivated right away.  With the music and characters they really managed to create a new fantasy world and bring you into it.  I remember feeling a bit of shock when they went to intermission because I forgot I was at a show.  For someone who isn’t too fond of clowns.. this was a good thing!

There were so many things performed.  Juggling, a pickpocket, contortionists, gymnasts, trapeeze, and so many others.  They tied all of this into a story of a young clown brought into the fantasy world that they tried to bring the audience into.  Each act was very well performed, and the things they did were incredible.  The training and stuff that goes into this must be so intense.  They made use of their limited space very well.

Basically what I’m saying is… if you haven’t seen a Cirque du Soleil show yet, I highly recommend you go out and see it.  The tickets may be expensive, but it’s a show that will leave you wanting more.  A different experience altogether from a movie.

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Movies this Weekend! 10/03/08

Ahhhh!  I have sooo much catching up of movies to do, and this upcoming weekend certainly does not help.  Again, we’ve got a full slate of movies being released, and they look quite enticing. 7 films, to be exact!  Hopefully I’ll be able to find some time to make it to the theatre, but I know that this weekend is going to be quite busy, especially with the beginning of BU hockey.  Oh.. I’m going to be starting up my BU hockey blog again soon, you can check it out here: Let’s Go Terriers!

In any case, onto the movies:

An American Carol - Directed by David Zucker, Rated PG-13

In a satire that takes aim at the left, Kevin Farley plays Michael Malone, a documentary director who wants to abolish the fourth of July.  However, he is visited bythree spirits, who get him to begin to change his anti-American ways.

Appaloosa - Directed by Ed Harris, Rated R

Ed Harris’ western opens wide this weekend.  Based on Robert P. Parker’s novel, this film follows a pair of lawmen who unite over their town’s crisis, even as they are divided by their love of the same woman.

Beverly Hills Chihuahua - Directed by Raja Gosnell, Rated PG

Chloe is a pampered Beverly Hills Chihuahua who finds herself accidentally lost in the streets of Mexico without anyone she knows in sight.  Alone for the first time in her life, she must rely on some unexpected friends to help her out and give her the strength to make the journey back home.

Blindness - Directed by Fernando Meirelles, Rated R

When a plague of blindness suddenly devastates a city, a small group affected by the plague bind together to overcome the terrible conditions of their quarantine.  Starring Julianne Moore, who previously starred in City of God, an apocalyptic thriller also about the fragility of mankind.

Flash of Genius - Directed by Marc Abraham, Rated PG-13

Robert Kearns is a man whose 1960s invention became standard in every car on the road.  However, when the car manufacturers (or anyone else for that matter) refuse to acknowledge his contribution, Bob embarks on a quest for recognition.

How to Lose Friends and Alienate People - Directed by Robert B. Welde, Rated R

Adapted by Toby Young’s biting memoir about his struggles as a Vanity Fair employee.  Simon Pegg stars as Young’s alter ego, who sets on a quest to have sex with a certain young lady.  Jeff Bridges plays his Graydon Carter-esque magazine editor.

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist - Directed by Pter Sollet, Rated PG-13

A comedy about two people who are thrust together for one sleepless night of adventure in a world of mix tapes, late-night living, and loud, live music.  Nick is a regular in New York’s rock scene, nursing a broken heart, while Norah is questioning all her assumptions about the world.  The two have nothing in common except their taste in music, which leads them to their all night quest to find a legendary band’s secret show.  It ends up becoming the first date in a romance which could change both their lives.

Joe’s Weekend Outlook

Phew!!!! I finally got through all that.  Now I just need to get through and find images for all the posters, if I can. I have to say that my top choice for this weekend is How to Lose Friends and Alienate People simply because I’m obsessed with Megan Fox.   Man, she’s a fox.  Number 2 for me would be Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, because I’ve been liking the work Michael Cera has been doing, especially in Juno.  After that, I’d have to say it’s An American Carol… not too sure about stuff after that, though I have a feeling I’ll end up seeing Beverly Hills Chihuahua before any of my top picks!

Still got a lot of catching up to do in terms of movies I’d like to see.. I might try to catch a flick on Wednesday to clear up the backlog a little bit.  As for business this weekend, I see it picking up.  We’ve got a lot of quality, but the sheer quanitity still makes me think that the top movie will make less than $30 Million.  Now don’t quote me on that, I’m no expert, it’s just how I see it!

What about you… what do you want to see this weekend?

Don’t wait. Guarantee your seat before you go and avoid a sold out show. Skip the box office lines and buy movie tickets at Fandango.com.

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Quantum of Solace Countdown: Dr. No

To start off Intermission at Work’s Quantum of Solace countdown, we’ll start with the film that started it all.  Dr. No, back in 1962, featuring Sean Connery as James Bond.  Let’s take a look at those keys to a James Bond movie::

The Bond: Sean Connery

Babes: Ursula Andress, Eunice Gayson

Car: None that I could find

The Toys: Waither PPK, Gieger Counter, Self Destructor Bag, Rolex Submariner

Anything else: The first movie, it introduced the trademark theme entrance, and brought about a hugely successful genre of secret agent movies.

The Villian: Dr. No, obviously.

What’s it all about: Bond is sent to Jamaica to investigate the death of a British agent.  This leads him to find Dr. No and his plan to disrupt American rockets.  Bond then dispatches of Dr. No and his nefarious plot.

Ok, so the synopsis isn’t the greatest one, but Dr. No will forever be known as the first James Bond movie.  I remember seeing this one myself for the first time with my dad so many years ago.  I actually need to see it again, because reading all the stuff about it, I find that I don’t remember a lot of it.  Definitely gotta get myself all caught up in Bond Mode for when this movie comes out!!!

If you haven’t seen Dr. No, you can check out the link below (to Amazon) and get it!!!

I know I’ll be checking it out. What did you think of Dr. No?

Remember,Quantum of Solace opens on November 14th!!! Don’t wait. Guarantee your seat before you go and avoid a sold out show. Skip the box office lines and buy movie tickets at Fandango.com.

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