8/26 - 8/28 With Terry Gilliam's The Brothers Grimm getting pretty terrible reviews, it's a great weekend to re-watch one of the best movies of the year, The 40 Year-Old Virgin. I can't possibly plug it enough. It's a must see flick, and one that deserves to be seen in a theater with a big, appreciative audience. Get out and watch it and if you've seen it go again. Alright, so you're going to ignore me and you're determined to see something new. Well then, here's my weekly look at what's opening in theaters this Friday.
Misc. Limited Releases (Opening on fewer than 500 screens.)
Dirty Deeds is "an America Pie-like teen comedy". Unfortunately, they're not expecting American Pie-like turnout, since the thing is only opening in 65 theaters. That's probably realistic. It's begging to be ignored. Also opening in limited release is The Baxter from the guys who brought you the Comedy Central show "Stella". "Stella" is a lot like an unfunny "Kids in the Hall" sketch that never ends. In other words it stinks so bad that I'd recommend staying far away from The Baxter. All 47 of the theaters it's showing in will have "Stella" stink on them.
Undiscovered (Opens Wednesday in 1,304 theaters.)
This could be the best movie of the year, but I wouldn't know since I've seen absolutely nothing about it, except the film's name looming on the release calendar. Ironic considering the title. But then they only thing it's really got to brag about is the presence of Ashlee Simpson… and since people generally (and wisely) hate her, perhaps they've chosen the best possible course by being quiet about it. If you were to look up the plot on IMDB, you'd find that this is actually another one of those films that Hollywood loves best… a movie about itself. It's also a comedy, or so it claims. If I were you, I'd let it remain undiscovered (sorry I couldn't resist).
The Cave (Opens in 2,195 theaters.)
Call me crazy, but there's something about fighting monsters in underground caverns that I find appealing. I guess I have a thing for spelunking. However, as more than a few people have pointed out, they've completely spoiled the film in the trailers. Why bother seeing it when you already know the big secret? Still, there's unmined (more puns, joy) movie territory in cave climbing. Maybe it's time for a remake of "Journey to the Center of the Earth"… and this time don't kill off the duck. As for The Cave, I suspect that Morris Chestnut's string of terrible movies will remain unbroken. Not much danger of him playing Red Rover with success.
The Brothers Grimm (Opens in 3,087 theaters.)
The reviews are terrible, the trailers are uninspiring, and the premise is a total waste of time. The Brothers Grimm is basically Dragonheart, but re-enacted with fairytale creatures. Matt Damon and Heath Ledger play two brothers who make their way across the countryside fooling people into believing in monsters, and then tricking them into paying for their services in ridding them of those same non-existent monsters. Of course, they eventually encounter something legitimately supernatural, and plot progression ensues. I'm not expecting much greatness from The Brothers Grimm, but it's Gilliam so if you're any kind of movie buff you've got to at least give it a shot. He's such a frustrating filmmaker, he fails nearly as often as he hits, but when he hits the man hits big. This is no 12 Monkeys, but real Gilliam fans will probably still find a few pleasures in his latest disaster. Gilliam fans are pretty forgiving… some of them even like Baron Munchausen.
Still in theaters and worth your time: The 40 Year-Old Virgin, Red Eye, Wedding Crashers, Sky High
