Halloween weekend is upon us, and Hollywood is content with just one major release; however, there are a ridiculous amount of movies coming out in limited so it balances out. If you live somewhere that gets limited releases, I mean. Otherwise you’re just screwed.
Opening This Weekend in…Wide Release
Synopsis: The final installment in the Saw franchise hits the third dimension to tie up all its loose ends and kill a whole bunch of people in creative ways.
Thoughts: I’m so excited for Saw 3D that it’s almost sad. I love this series, convoluted chronology and all. I can’t wait to see how they tie up all the loose ends, and I’m especially excited to see Cary Elwes return as Dr. Gordon; his story is still a mystery and I’ve been dying to know what happened to him for years. The third dimension was an obvious move for money reasons (plus horror movies not directed by Wes Craven benefit from 3D), and I expect them to use it to its full gimmicky 3D. Say what you will about some of the installments, but you got to respect a horror series that tries to have some sort of threaded plot, even if they lose sight (and sense) of it as time goes on. Bonus points for that awesome over the top poster of brilliance. I’m there opening day.
Opening This Weekend in…Limited Release
Synopsis: Aliens come to Earth and six years later, half of Mexico is quarantined off to contain them. An American journalist ventures into the area in order to rescue the daughter of his boss. It’s not District 9…SERIOUSLY.
Thoughts: Monsters has been available on a bevy of On-Demand places for awhile, but it’s making its theater debut this weekend and I for one am dying to check it out on the big screen. The trailer did a good job of building excitement without showing anything, and I dig the low budget nature of the film (which wasn’t on purpose haha). If this is around your area, I definitely recommend it; Sci-Fi has done a damn good job of becoming a viable genre again.
Synopsis: The final installment in the Swedish adaptation of the Stig Larson novels. Lisbeth tries to take down the government along with her P.I. buddy…or something. Okay, I admit I have no idea what this movie is.
Thoughts: I haven’t read the books or seen the movies, so it’s up to you dear reader if this is going to be good or not. Noomi Rapace has been brought up as being considered for every movie in production in the U.S., so I assume she’s good. At the very least, she’s sexy because I want to make love to that poster. Worth the papercuts I think.
Synopsis: With the death of his daughter and his marriage in shambles, a businessman goes on a business trip to New Orleans where he meets a runaway he adopts as sort of a second daughter. You know, one of those “two strangers help each other” movies.
Thoughts: Although the plot is kind of generic, the trailer was actually pretty effective (check it out ) and looks like it contains some damn good performances by James Gandolfini and, yes, Kristen Stewart. Maybe she has more range than I thought (and no, Panic Room does not count!). Looks like more of a Watch Instantly-type of viewing though.
Synopsis: A documentary where artist Vik Muniz collaborates with the locals at the world’s largest landfill in Rio De Janiero, Brazil to, I assume, make art. Artists still do that, right?
Thoughts: Not my cup of tea, but it’s always nice to see an offbeat documentary get some sort of release. I also now know the location of the world’s largest landfill for bar trivia, so that’s always a plus.
Synopsis: A middle aged assassin (Bill Nighy) takes on an apprentice (RUPERT GRINT DOES OTHER MOVIES?!?), falls for a target (Emily Blunt), and tries to not get killed to death by the client he failed (Rupert Everett…RUPERT EVERETT STILL DOES MOVIES?!?)
Thoughts: Define “generic premise” and you’ll see Wild Target. The cast, however, is pretty damn impressive (Nighy won me over the second he showed up in Love Actually) and this could work. I probably will never find out though. And seriously…Rupert Everett still has a career?!? Weird.
Synopsis: Chinese funded and made, it’s based on the 1876 Tangshan Earthquake that claimed 270,000 lives.
Thoughts: I saw a teaser many moons ago that looked damn impressive, and if this is somewhere close by, you best believe I’ll check this out. I’m pretty sure it’ll be super depressing though, but sometimes it’s nice to be the one crying instead of making people cry.
That’s the docket for this weekend. Are you going to check out the final Saw, venture out to see some limited goodness, or just hang out and watch The Walking Dead on AMC?
Go see Monsters. It’s fantastic, and every bit deserving of your money and your viewership. I am confident that you won’t be disappointed.
I’m hoping to catch Saw Terrible Movie in a mostly empty theater with some friends so we can shout at the screen. If I can pull that off it’ll gain some value.
Andrew recently posted..Critical Risks
Yeah… I loved Monsters as well. Just know that you’re not gonna see a ton of them going in. If you’re okay with that, you will really enjoy the movie.
Kaiderman recently posted..FILMS YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED TO SEE 666
Agreed. Expectations are everything– if you walk into Monsters expecting indie Cloverfield you’re in for disappointment. But it’s a great movie that should be seen.
Andrew recently posted..Review- The Social Network- 2010- dir David Fincher
Yeah… I was even worried about the climax at the gas station but the ending completely made me love the film!
Kaiderman recently posted..FILMS YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED TO SEE 666
Looking forward to Monster and yes, the final installment of Larson’s trilogy. The first film is the best movie of the year to date, in my estimation!
I’ve been hearing good things about Monsters but it’s not coming near me yet. Buried does open up at the indie theater near me so I may venture out and see that if an opportunity presents itself.
As for Saw 3D, much like my approach to the entire series, I’ll be waiting for DVD. I don’t mind that it’s 3D, I just have a very low-key interest in it. I want to see how it plays out, but I don’t care enough to run out to the theater immediately.
Univarn recently posted..
The thing about movies like Monsters is that you can often catch them through services like XBox LIVE and Amazon before they actually hit theaters. That’s how I saw Monsters myself– I’m pretty sure the only way I’ll catch it in theaters is if I head to the ass-end of the world (meaning Boston) to catch it at the most inconveniently placed theater on the East coast.
So I downloaded it on rental through XBox LIVE and loved the hell out of it. Good deal overall, and if you have such a service at your disposal you might still be able to catch it.
Andrew recently posted..Critical Risks
Unfortunately I lack and Xbox, any desire to purchase one, let alone pay Xbox Live fees, though I do see how that would be useful.
As for Amazon, I’ve not heard of them offering these movies prior to theatrical release, only new DVDs. Got any examples or links on this?
Univarn recently posted..
Go to Amazon’s website, then click on the VIDEO ON DEMAND link under the DIGITAL DOWNLOADS menu– it’s on the sidebar off of their main page, left side of the screen. Scroll on down to new rentals– they’ve got a lot of new titles available for pre-theatrical rental, not just Monsters but also Night Catches Us.
Andrew recently posted..Review- The Social Network- 2010- dir David Fincher
Thanks for letting me know I’ll be sure to keep an eye out there for future releases. $9.99 is a bit steep, but if I’m in it a hard way to see a particular film it’d probably be worth it
Univarn recently posted..
I payed 12 to see it early and wasn’t disappointed… until they showed it free on HDNet a few weeks later!
Kaiderman recently posted..FILMS YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED TO SEE 666
I saw Monsters on Demand through my cable company before it hit theaters and it is still on their!
Kaiderman recently posted..FILMS YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED TO SEE 666
Think what you will about Saw but that poster is insanely cool. I hadn’t even seen that one!
Kaiderman recently posted..FILMS YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED TO SEE 666
The thing about the price on pre-theatrical stuff is that sure, it’s $10, but you get to watch it from the safety of your own home without having to hit up a theater and pay theater prices. You also get to only pay once, which is great if you’re watching with a party, and you also get to save the video rental for a couple of days depending on the service.
So basically, renting Monsters via XBox was more cost effective than going out to see it in theaters because multiple people saw it and I was able to watching it twice. For one payment. It’s a good deal overall.
Agreed on Kai’s comment re: Saw. The franchise has consistently had awesome posters, even if the movies are shitty.
Andrew recently posted..Groovers and Mobsters Present- Scary Movies