Using the Clues to Deduce the Real Contenders
October 12, 2007
An even dozen films on this week's list, including the A Canadian film Weirdsville, which doesn't open in the United States until next week, or it may of opened there last week, there seems to be some confusion on the matter. However, the best bet this week is Lars and the Real Girl, which could expand wide over the coming weeks.
Berkley - Reviews
Bhool Bhulaiyaa - No Reviews
Canvas - Reviews
Control - Reviews
Fat Girls - Reviews
Khadak - Reviews
King Corn - Reviews
Lars and the Real Girl - Reviews
Naked Boys Singing - Reviews
Sleuth - Reviews
Terror's Advocate - Reviews
Weirdsville - Reviews
Nick Roth stars as Ben, a conservative college student who goes to Berkley to avoid the draft. But once there he gets swept away by the counter-culture. Written and directed by Bobby Roth, and no, the last names are not a coincidence as this film is a family affair. So far the reviews are not strong, what few reviews there are, and it will likely fade from theaters. Berkley plays for one week at the Laemmles Sunset 5 in Los Angeles starting tonight.
The latest Indian film opening in theaters. Like most it has no reviews, but it least it has a official site. Bhool Bhulaiyaa opens tonight in 55 theaters and is a real wild card in terms of box office potential.
This film is based on writer / director Joseph Greco's life growing up with a schizophrenic mother. The film does an admirable job dealing with a difficult subject, but it does skirt come close to melodrama in a TV-movie of the week kind of way. That said it is still worth checking out, even if you have to wait till the home market to see it. Canvas opens tonight in two theaters, one in New York City and the other in Chicago.
A biopic about the late musician, Ian Curtis, is based on the novel by his widow, Deborah Curtis, who is played by Samantha Morton. This marks the feature film debut for director Anton Corbijn and the movie is an obvious labor of love for the man, (he reportedly put up half of the film's 4.5 million pound product budget). This dedication to the film seems to have paid off as the reviews are amazing. That said, it is a crowded marketplace and no limited release has an easy path to box office success. Control opened on Wednesday at the Film Forum in New York City.
Ash Christian stars as Rodney, a gay boy trying to survive high school, and his best friend, Sabrina, an overweight girl just trying to do the same. The film has had a tough road to theaters being pushed back several times, but it is finally here and earned strong reviews. That said, this coming of age flick is a a niche market film and the competition is tough this week and it will likely struggle at the box office. Fat Girls opens tonight at the Palm D'Or in Palm Springs.
A beautiful film set in Mongolia that moves slowly, too slowly for even most art house fans. It tells the story of a young nomad, Bagi, who sets out to become a shaman after his family's herd is killed by a plague. Khadak opens tonight at the Cinema Village in New York City.
A documentary about farming, fast food and the growing obesity epidemic. This film follows two friends who decide to grow an acre of corn and follow it through the food industry and see where it ends up. If you enjoyed Super Size Me, this is a documentary that you will likely also enjoy. King Corn opens tonight at the Cinema Village in New York City.
A potential Oscar winning film as Ryan Gosling puts in an amazing performance as Lars, a man who meets a girl over the internet but when he brings her home to meet his family, it turns out she's a realistic looking sex doll. Of all of the limited releases coming out this week, this one has the best chance at earning some measure of mainstream success, however, the subject matter is certainly not mainstream and that will hurt its chances. Lars and the Real Girl opens tonight in seven theaters split between New York City and the Los Angeles area.
First of all, despite the name of the movie, there are no naked boys in this movie. They are all men. And they are all naked. All of the time. A gay interest film based on the musical and should please fans, but it's a niche market and its box office chances are not as strong as its reviews. Naked Boys Singing opens tonight at the Quad Cinema in New York City.
A remake of a Michael Caine movie starring Jude Law in the role played by Michael Caine the first time around. This is not the first time this happened, but surprisingly, Sleuth is earning weaker reviews than Alfie did Even worse, it is opening in limited release and these films need much higher reviews than wide releases do to survive. Considering the film's pedigree, the end result it incredibly disappointing. Sleuth opens tonight in nine theaters, mostly in the Los Angeles area.
A documentary about controversial lawyer, Jacques Vergès. Although, to describe the man as controversial is like calling World War II a little scuffle as his clients included terrorists, Nazi war criminals, and others. One of the best-reviewed films of the week, it nonetheless will likely have a tough time at the box office. Terror's Advocate opens tonight in three theaters, including the IFC Center in New York City.
A Canadian black comedy follows the adventures of two stoners who get into trouble with their drug dealer, a satanic cult, and of course the dead girlfriend. The film has a frenetic energy that is contagious, but we are talking about a Canadian film and therefore its chances at the box office are slim to none. Weirdsville opens tonight in major Canadian cities and expands into the United States next week.
Filed under: Lars and the Real Girl, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Control, Sleuth, King Corn, L'avocat de la terreur, Canvas, Naked Boys Singing, Fat Girls, Weirdsville, Berkeley, Khadak