We’ve finally hit late January, but the worst may not be over for the film-going public. If fact, it’s just quite the opposite. Maybe the studios just assume that people don’t want to leave their homes in the bone-numbing cold, but people seem to be able to withstand blizzards and mudslides to pack the house for “Avatar.” Of the new releases, “Legion” is tracking the strongest, but after the Golden Globes wins on Sunday, James Cameron should easily remain king of the box-office. In fact, this is one of the worst new release weekends on record. It’s pitiful out there, be careful (unless you happen to be in a limited release city, see below).
In Wide Release: Harrison Ford follows up his frighteningly robotic performance at the Golden Globes with director Tom Vaughn’s (the underrated “Starter for 10”) “Extraordinary Measures.” Brendan Fraser and Keri Russell co-star as a successful couple who put their careers aside when two of their children are diagnosed with a potentially fatal illness; teaming up with Ford’s scientist character to find the cure. The first project from CBS Films looks and sounds like a TV disease-of-the-week movie with the exception of the two megawatt leads. Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a rating of 26%, while over at Metacritic we get a score of 46. Our review, soon, but no doubt, it’s boring and failure on every level.
The weekend of Paul Bettany kicks off with “Legion,” the first feature from director Scott Stewart. Bettany plays the Archangel Michael, bent on saving humanity from the apocalypse with the help of a sharp blade and a shiny machine gun. Similar to “Extraordinary Measures,” “Legion” also looks like a movie, albeit an original for the SYFY Channel or something. The studio isn’t screening this one until the last minute, but maybe we’ll have a review up later, if we can stomach it that is. The cast for this one also includes Dennis Quaid, Lucas Black, and Tyrese Gibson. [ed. critic screenings were last minute. As in this morning! what does that need to tell you?]
Rounding up the wide releases is the latest in Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s successful bid for kiddie stardom, “The Tooth Fairy.” The studio’s description pretty much says it all: “Dwayne Johnson returns to family comedy with this film that has the brawny ex-wrestler forced to be a tooth fairy. Kids and parents alike will surely giggle at the thought of The Rock in a tutu.” If you really need to know more, RT tracks it at 14%, while Metacritic is much more forgiving with a score of 40.
In Limited Release: Paul Bettany returns with even more religious fun, as he takes on Darwin in “Creation.” The story follows Darwin on the verge of writing “The Origin of Species” and how his ideas affect his relationship with his deeply-faithful wife Emma (played by real-life spouse Jennifer Connelly). We reviewed the film yesterday, finding that despite strong performances, it was incredibly, depressingly dull. The subject matter is fascinating though, and we’d love to see the material taken on by more capable hands. Looks like everyone got a good nap in during this one, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting a 47% rating and a 46 score from Metacritic.
Other notable limited releases this week: “The Girl on the Train,” a French drama based on the true story of a young Parisian woman who lies about being the victim of an anti-semitic attack on a suburban train. Emilie Dequenne and Catherine Deneuve star in the Andre Techine helmed picture, based on a play by Jean-Marie Besset. RT gives it a 76% rating, with a 67 score from Metacritic.
Also hitting a few screens, the concert film “Leonard Cohen Live at the Isle of Wight.” Showcasing a legendary performance from a true legend in from of 600,000 frenzied fans, the 1970 concert was recently released on DVD and CD and is essential viewing, especially if you’re a Leonard Cohen fan (which you should be). If you can, see it on the big screen with a serious soundsystem, you won’t regret it. We haven’t had time to review it, but Manohla Dargis wrote a great review in the NYTimes worth reading.
Oh! and we almost forgot, “Crazy Heart” goes into wide release this weekend. It’s a good shaggy dog story and definitely worth seeing and it has great music. Go see it before you see anything above in wide release. Jeff Bridges will definitely will the Oscar this year for his performance in the film, he’s great (even if it will be more of a lifetime achievement award).