Aug 22 2008
Movies Opening August 22
Out of the wide releases this week, the critics aren’t loving any of the movies. Death Race doesn’t promise to be more than mindless, violent action, yet the critics did not have any fun watching it. It was too empty for them. Speaking of empty, House Bunny is the first movie for Anna Faris to lead, and even though critics like her, the story is about as blank as her character. The Rocker appears to just be a bad rip-off of School of Rock, Rainn Wilson’s character isn’t much of a stretch from Dwight on The Office, and he’s naked far too much in it. Finally, The Longshots is a stereotypical sports movie where a girl wants to play football, isn’t allowed on the team, but beats all odds by the end. The most shocking part about the movie, though, is it directed by Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst.
Nationwide Releases
Death Race
Directed: Paul W.S. Anderson
Starring: Jason Statham, Joan Allen, Tyrese Gibson, Ian McShane
Trailer
Synopsis: In order to go even more extreme with reality television, there is a racing competition inside a jail with the prisoners.
My Take: Perfect movie for when you need to turn off your brain, but still probably very horrible.
RT Score: 40%
RT Consensus: Mindless, violent, and lightning-paced, Death Race is little more than an empty action romp.
