Distubia. (2007, 104 minutes, PG-13, thriller, trailer) From the first add I saw for this, I couldn't help but see it as a version of Rear Window for the modern high school set. Now that could be taken as a good or a bad thing. On one hand it could actually be a good take on the concept, or else it could wind up being a totl train wreck, I am not yet in a position to assess its worth. I actually think it looks halfway especially with David Morse, he has had some solid outings lately. Shia Lebeouf stars as a troubled teen sentenced to house arrest, he turns to watching his neighbors, discovering that one may be a serial killer. Sounds like fun. It was directed by DJ Caruso, who also helmed the underrated The Salton Sea.
Pathfinder. (2007, 88 minutes, R, action, trailer) When was the last time we had a good Viking movie? I can't recall, and there is no proof that this will be good, but one can hope. It is the story of a Viking visit to North America that resulted in the abandoning of baby, which is found and raised by the Native Americans. Years later, the Vikings return, and the now grown warrior wages a one man war on those that had left him behind. It stars Karl Urban (Doom) as the singular killing crew. It was helmed by Marcus Nispel, who also sat in the chair for thw 2003 remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Perfect Stranger. (2007, 109 minutes, R, thriller, trailer) Let me start by saying that I am sick and tired of the trailer. It just feels like I have been seeing it over and over for months on end. Anyway, it is the story of a reporter, played bny Halle Berry, who goes undercover to track down the killer of a friend. The suspected killer is played by Bruce Willis. Who will come out on top? It looks like a generic thriller, but still may offer up some fun. It was directed by James Foley, who was also behind Glengarry Glen Ross and The Corruptor, so this really could go either way.
Redline. (2007, 105 minutes, PG-13, action, trailer) Hmmm, haven't we all seen this before? It looks like a knock off of the Fast and the Furious franchise. It is another story about fast cars and the people who race them. I have not seen much on this one, but I cannot believe that it will offer up anything special. It stars Nathan Phillips and Eddie Griffin. It was directed by stunt coordinator Andy Cheng, who also helmed the straight to video Cuba Gooding Jr. movie End Game.
Slow Burn. (2006, 108 minutes, R, thriller, trailer) This could be interesting, although it does look like something we have all seen before. The story, based on the trailer, seems to employ a Rashomon-like device with contradictory tales of the same event. Ray Liotta stars as a DA looking to become mayor, when one of his deputies is involved in a seeming self defense shooting. All is OK until a stranger shows up with a distinctly different take on events. Jolene Blalock and LL Cool J co-star. It was directed by Wayne Beach, who was the writer behind the Wesley Snipes actioner, Art of War.
Also opening this week, but not near me:
- Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters
- Everything's Gone Green
- The Glamorous Life of Sachiko Hanai
- Lonely Hearts
- Private Fears in Public Places
- Year of the Dog
Box Office Predictions
Last week saw Blades of Glory and Meet the Robinsons repeat as the top two films. This week sees a large crop of new releases entering the fray, making any predictions that I make a rather futile challenge. Grindhouse won't be much of a threat, after it failed to produce (despite being highly entertaining), and with the Weinstein's considering re-releasing them as separate films. Now, even though this week brings a number of wide releases, I have a feeling that a couple of them will fail to deliver. There are a couple that I think will challenge for the top spot, but I do not believe they will unseat Will Ferrell at the top. But again, I have been known to be wrong, from time to time.
Here is how I think the top ten field will play out:
| Rank | Title | Box Office |
| 1 | Blades of Glory | $18 million |
| 2 | Perfect Stranger | $15 million |
| 3 | Disturbia | $14 million |
| 4 | Meet the Robinsons | $11 million |
| 5 | Pathfinder | $9 million |
| 6 | Are We Done Yet? | $8 million |
| 7 | Redline | $6 million |
| 8 | The Reaping | $4.5 million |
| 9 | Slow Burn | $3 million |
| 10 | Wild Hogs | $3 million |
What are you seeing this weekend?
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