Conviction is another limited released that was bumped up to a wide release this week. Way down in the limited releases, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest came out so now all three of the Swedish films have been released. We can all watch them before the American versions come out in the next year or so.
Nationwide Releases
Saw 3D Conviction
Saw 3D Directed: Kevin Greutert Starring: Tobin Bell, Cary Elwes, Costas Mandylor, Betsy Russell, Sean Patrick Flanery, Gina Holden, Chad Donella, Laurence Anthony, Dean Armstrong, Naomi Snieckus, James Van Patten Trailer
Synopsis: More puzzles that kill people if they don’t figure them out.
My Take: I hope it lives up its threat of being the last film of the series.
RT Score: 11% RT Consensus: Sloppily filmed, poorly acted, and illogically plotted, Saw 3D leaves viewers trapped in the most lackluster installment of the series.
I read the book when I was kid, but I don’t remember much about it beyond the pictures. That is what stuck with me over the years. I saw it with only that memory, but guessed I would enjoy it since Spike Jonze is an oddball. I wasn’t disappointed.
Max is a kid that seems to be lonely. His older sister would rather hang out with her friends than play with him. When her friends start playing a bit to rough with Max and destroys his igloo, he retaliates against her bedroom. When his mom comes home and is too busy with either, work or a new boyfriend, he acts out. After demanding dinner and biting his mom, he runs off where he finds a boat that leads him to a magical land.
The most original movie coming out is an adaptation of a children’s book. The other two are a remake and then a Charles Bronson movie with a different name.
Nationwide Releases
Where the Wild Things Are Law Abiding Citizen Stepfather
Where the Wild Things Are Directed:Spike Jonze Starring:Catherine Keener, Max Records, Mark Ruffalo, Lauren Ambrose, James Gandolfini Trailer
Synopsis: Based on the children’s book, a boy wants to escape his real life where he’s misunderstood so his mind escapes to a magical place where he is king.
My Take: I know I loved the children’s book, but I don’t really remember anything about it. I do love Spike Jonze and it visually stunning, so I want to see it.
RT Score: 68% RT Consensus: Some may find its dark tone and slender narrative off-putting, but Spike Jonze’s heartfelt adaptation of the classic children’s book is as beautiful as it is uncompromising.
The wide releases are pretty sad and most likely movies that didn’t want to try too hard to compete against Harry Potter. At least one limited release look good, In the Loop.
Nationwide Releases
The Ugly Truth G-Force Orphan
The Ugly Truth Directed: Robert Luketic Starring: Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler, Cheryl Hines, John Michael Higgins, Nick Searcy Trailer
Synopsis: A guy must teach a woman how to play all these games to “catch” the man of her dreams, but of course they’ll end up together in the end.
My Take: I like the two leads, but the story looks very unappealing.
RT Score: 15% RT Consensus: Despite the best efforts of Butler and Heigl, The Ugly Truth suffers from a weak script that relies on romantic comedy formula, with little charm or comedic payoff.
Directed: Gore Verbinski Starring: Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, James Gandolfini, J.K. Simmons
Synopsis: A guy goes to Mexico to pick up a cursed gun to sell it while his girlfriend begs him to quit his criminal activities.
I actually like all the actors in the movie but I thought Julia Roberts was just whiny and screechy when she was fighting with Brad Pitt. That was annoying. James Gandolfini made the entire movie.
Saw 3D
Conviction
G-Force
