Summer is officially over and number one is up for grabs. Audience attendance, as it was last weekend, it likely to be so low that just about anyone can have it. Little Miss Sunshine expands this weekend and has the best buzz, if not the biggest marketing campaign. Invincible is probably the most high profile film, while Beerfest has the most um… boobs and beer. Whichever film wins number one, if Snakes performance last week is any judge, it probably won't mean much.
Who cares how much money Hollywood execs have to swim through in their money bin. Let’s look at which new releases are worth watching this weekend:
Expanding
In most major cities Little Miss Sunshine has long ago run its course, but this weekend marks the first time the much anticipated Sundance film will get a truly wide release. It's pushing out into 1,430 theaters, so if like CB's own Rafe Telsch you live in Roanoke and you've been watching with jealousy as the rest of us coo over the latest from Steve Carrell, now's you're chance to get out and see it.
Limited Releases(Opening in fewer than 500 theaters.)
The Quiet hits in a 7 theater initial release on Friday. It's stars Elisha Cuthbert and When A Stranger Calls Camilla Belle in a complicated relationship movie advertised vaguely sexy, lesbian undertones. It's getting trashed by critics, so if you're set on seeing a new Indie, you may be better off settling for Surviving Eden. It's not getting better reviews, but the poster does have a naked man and a pig. Advantage Eden.
Beerfest (Opens in 2,964 theaters.)
Warner Brothers tried serving beer at their Beerfest press screenings, but even getting critics drunk wasn't enough to get the newest movie from Broken Lizard good press. Bad reviews though, are nothing new for Broken Lizard, and if you're a fan of their other crap there's a chance you might enjoy this one. It stars the usual BL suspects in the story of a group of Americans competing for God and country in the ultimate drinking challenge: Beerfest. Don't see it sober.
How To Eat Fried Worms (Opens in 1,870 theaters.)
The book on which How to Eat Fried Worms is based is critically acclaimed, but the movie is a critical crash and burn. Like the book, it's about kids eating worms. Fried worms, sautéed worms, worms with ketchup, worms with mustard, worms in a stew, worms Florentine… you get the picture. It might be a solid time killer for kids, but sadly most of them are already back in school and too busy hiding detention slips in their newly purchased three-ring binders to bother begging mom and dad to take them to a celebration of the eating of helpless earthworms. Worm eating is murder.
Idlewild (Opens in 973 theaters.)
Yet another critical loser, and yet another bad musical. Idlewild mixes specially made music from Outkast with the story of jazz-era mobsters in a film by Bryan Barber. Word is that while the movie has moments, the moments don't all fit together. If you're keen on Outkast (as I am) you might want to give it a kick anyway just for their performances, but unless you're a nut for musical the consensus seems to be that it's better off avoided.
Invincible (Opens in 2,917 theaters.)
Based on the true life story of part-time bartender turned professional football player Vince Papale, Invincible is the only movie this weekend that's worthy of praising. Wahlberg's character is a brilliant examination in determination and heart, and the film is a fantastic sports movie focused on individual achievement. At the age of 30, Papale shows up for an open tryout with the Philadelphia Eagles. He never played college ball, and instead he's spent his years since High School tending bar and teaching. Somehow, he makes the team. Vince is on par with the likes of Rocky or Rudy when it comes to this genre, and that's the sort of sports experience movie fans shouldn't miss.
STILL IN THEATERS AND WORTH YOUR TIME: Snakes on a Plane, Talladega Nights
