Is It Too Much to Have High Hopes for 'Unknown' and 'I Am Number Four'?
Searching for a hit
Let's face it, so far this year has been an absolute bust. Granted we're only six weeks in, but by my count Cedar Rapids is the only film I'd recommend to anyone and a lot of you can't even see it yet because it hasn't come to your town.
By this time last year I at least would have told people looking for a little bit of fun at the theater to check out Youth in Revolt, The Book of Eli and even From Paris With Love if you were interested in checking your brain in at the door. Following that, audiences were treated to The Ghost Writer, Shutter Island and Sony Classics finally released A Prophet all in February. Does anything this year equal those options?
Tonight I see Liam Neeson in his latest paycheck feature, Unknown and tomorrow I will be seeing the DreamWorks question mark, I Am Number Four. I know the headline says I have "high hopes" for both of these, but I should probably just change that to "hopes".
Unknown obviously conjures up memories of Neeson's surprise 2009 breakout, Taken. Both are occupying early year release dates and both are rocking what looks like the harder edge of a PG-13 rating. Unlike Taken, though, Unknown has a solid supporting cast in January Jones ("Mad Men"), Diane Kruger (Inglourious Basterds) and everyone's favorite Adolf Hitler, Bruno Ganz (Downfall). I've heard the story has more twists than Return of the King has endings, but as long as the action is fast and furious I have a feeling this is just the movie I need right now.
Then there's I Am Number Four, a film that looks like X-Men met Twilight met "The O.C." Luckily enough I like two out of those three comparisons. I'm also hearing things such as "Alex Pettyfer is going to be a major star" and Bill tells me Teresa Palmer was someone everyone was talking about at the junket.
The curious thing about I Am Number Four is director D.J. Caruso. People seem to like this guy, but I'm not sure what they like him for. Disturbia seems to be the one everyone falls back on, but I didn't like it. Two for the Money was terrible. I've never seen Taking Lives, but I haven't heard anything good about it either, that is, outside of the obvious excitement people seem to get out of the Jolie-Hawke sex scene. Even 2008's Eagle Eye wasn't any good.
Yet, somehow I am interested in seeing this movie, if not for just a bit of absurdist fun.
As for the rest of the month I've already heard Drive Angry is an all out nutcase of a film, which actually has me interested in seeing it even though the press screening is being held at 9:30 PM the night before it releases (never a good sign). And I can tell you Sony Classics's Of Gods and Men, releasing at the end of the month, is another good flick, but as far as anything resembling a blockbuster goes it looks like this weekend may be our last chance for February, because I hold out little hope for Hall Pass.
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I can't hold out hope for I Am Number Four, only because Caruso's "Eagle Eye" was one of the worst films I've ever seen.
I personally didnt hate Eagle Eye as much as most people seem to, and I still get a kick out of Disturbi, but I truly couldnt care less about I Am Number Four. I'm even a huge Timothy Olyphant fan, but I just cant see anything good coming out of that movie.
Unknown looks like it might be simply "okay"…I doubt itll be as good, or do as good as Taken, despite a similar vibe and a great supporting cast.
I think its fair to say Ive completely written off the month of February, and am much more optimistic about March, with Battle:Los Angeles and Sucker Punch, just to name a few.
Jane Eyre, Rango… That's gonna be a great month.
"Then there's I Am Number Four, a film that looks like X-Men met Twilight met "The O.C." Luckily enough I like two out of those three comparisons."
The book is nothing like Twilight, and I'm not sure what makes you think so. The movie will not be like Twilight either.
Is there any word on how good Battle LA is suppose to be?
Everything Ive heard so far has been positive. Ive got a friend who saw a partially completed and he loved it, but wouldnt tell me too much about it, just that its great.
Peter Sciretta over at slashfilm put a video up a few weeks ago about the set visits he and another film blogger(dont recall who, at the moment) did, and they had nothing but good things to say about everything they saw.
I also didn't think Eagle Eye was that great. LaBoeuf and Monaghan were the only reasons to recommend it.
I watched the trailer for I Am Number Four this afternoon, because I only saw it once, attached to Dawn Treader, and didn't even know what it was until he says the title line about halfway through. Honestly it looks like a sci-fi Twilight to me…maybe I've become so jaded by that dreadful franchise that anything with attractive, 20-ish actors automatically looks awful, but that's the impression I got and I won't be seeing it. Unknown looks like Taken with more of a plot, which could be good or bad depending. I might see it just for something to do this weekend (which was the only reason I saw Taken, was bored one night and decided to go see it), unless it gets bad reviews.
Regarding there being no blockbuster hits yet this year…it is still winter after all. Last winter/spring was uncommonly strong, probably the strongest in my memory. Granted in terms of quality it was probably only marginally better, if at all, but obviously in terms of dollars, between Avatar and Alice, not to mention Shutter Island, How to Train Your Dragon, Clash of the Titans, it was huge. There are some interesting-looking films lined up for March, but the only blockbuster I see at face value is Battle LA (which I'm not interested in…it just looks like another alien invasion movie, albeit with a bigger budget and recognizable actors). There's been an animated hit each of the last two March's, but this year there are two big animated films…Rango and Mars Needs Moms. Will one catch on and do $200 million like Monsters and Dragon, or will they take money away from each other? The Adjustment Bureau and Sucker Punch look interesting, but neither will likely make huge dollars without rave reviews.
Honestly this time period reminds me of the same period in 2008, when there was barely anything good out there for a few months, so it's not like it's abnormal to have a dry January/February.
I keep holding out hope that Caruso will return to debut form as I loved The Salton Sea…..but everything he's done since has paled in comparison. I didn't hate Eagle Eye or Disturbia, but would never sit through either one again, I don't think.
I hope I Am Number Four can find success, but I think it's too dark and at the same time too corny. I don't think it will crack $20M. Unknown though, shows promise, a $40M promise
I think we're all traumatized by TWILIGHT that we can't help but be reminded of it in any movie that shows a mellow-looking girl taking interest in an outsider boy (like in IAN4). But I'm hoping that it's rockin'.
I don't see how you disliked DISTURBIA, Brad. I'm not saying it's the best movie ever, but it's certainly harmless and immensely entertaining (IMO).
Brad Bevret definitely gets major points in admitting he likes "The O.C." though. Gosh I really liked that show (1st season anyway). You rock, Brad. haha.
That movie that's being promoted on this website, Alien vs Ninja, looks a hell of a lot better than anything getting released until Drive Angry.
Unknown might be cool, but it won't be Taken, that's for sure. I Am Number Four…as you mentioned, I don't like DJ Caruso's work and that Alex guy looks like a total tool (oh and the movie reminds me of Jumper…that's not a good sign).
Drive Angry will have two bats*** performances by the greatest actor of our generation Nic Cage as well as Bill Fitchner, so even if the movie is awful, it'll be ironically entertaining at least.
I am actually "hoping" right along with Brad on I Am Number Four. I really hope people don't start comparing it to Twilight. The book that it is based off of is not teen paranormal romance, but an action/sci-fi/romance. I think it is aimed for a more broad younger audience, appealing to young boys AND girls, unlike Twilight, which seems to entrance the female population for the most part. I'll be taking my 13 year old nephew to see this. He really wants to, based off of what he's read in the book. And I really don't understand what people have against Pettyfer. It seems that some people I've spoken to are already doing to him what people did to Robert Pattinson after Twilight–panning him just for being a pretty boy. It's a a ridiculous trend.
The only movie that I have truly enjoyeed so far this year was The Green Hornet and even that movie wasn't that great. I am actually really looking forward to Number Four and Unknown delivering some good escaspist entertainment, but it seems like that is even hard to achieve with some movies this year. I'm not excited for either one, but I'm a big fan of Neeson and will see anything with him kicking ass and taking names. As for IAN4 I never read the book but I did enjoy Eagle Eye eventhough it's dumb as hell it was still a harmless piece of popcorn entertainment. Disturbia was good too and probably one of my favorite films back in 2007. Seeing the trailers for the movie I'm deffentially not expecting much more than a mindless popcorn action flick, but I would really rather save my cash for Battle: Los Angles next month as that movie looks pretty damn awesome and could deliver on all spades.
Ceder Rapids hits KC friday :)
Yeah, you're right Brad. 2011 hasn't been a good start for movies so far. Here's hoping March would be better.
Now the Unknown ads are touting it as "better than Taken." I really liked Taken as an taut, straightforward, entertaining pic. If Unknown is as least as good, I'm in.
I Am Number 4 was a good read. Of course, Twilight was light years better than the movie, so it can be screwed up. I fear it has the "Eragon treatment" where they don't put enough into it to consider ever doing movie versions of the upcoming books. We'll see.
Battle: LA could be good or just a ID4 wannabe. I guess Harry Potter will just have to save us all…
Reading the book 'I am Number Four' right now. Looking at the trailer, they've already bungled up the adaptation. Still kinda wanna see it, though.
I'd say I'm way more interested in Unknown at this point. And even that's more mild because I haven't caught the trailer yet. The Taken vibe is what's sustaining my interest at this point.
D.J Caruso is not someone who I think has ever delivered a great movie, although I admittedly find Eagle Eye a popcorn blast purely BECAUSE it's so monumentally stupid I could only enjoy it hugely or hate it. I chose the former. Disturbia was decent enough but I prefer it when it's called Rear Window really and I haven't seen most of his other films. Suffice to say, I Am Number 4 isn't on my list of films to see anytime soon.
Part of the problem is that there has only been two new wide releases per week until last weekend. And that's counting Country Strong at 1,424 theaters, and The Way Back with 678.
Never Say Never got a 68% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes. So there is your good movie of the year, so far. The 3D in it was inventive and added to the movie. Someone online joked that it was so good it almost convinced people Bieber has talent. I think this is why Jon Chu is being considered for the new G.I. Joe movie. I don't think he'll get it, but if a lot of movies are going to be filmed in 3D, then having a reputation for being good at it is not a bad thing.
I would add that the people who thought directing Never Say Never would hurt Jon Chu's career were wrong. Wheras the people who were congratulating Davis Guggenheim for pulling out at the very last moment, leaving producers to scramble to get another director, may come to see that doing so lessened the number of people who would consider working with him.
I'm really scatterbrained today. I was going to add that if Never Say Never is too juvenile, then "Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage" is a music documentary that has been very highly recommended to me. Even higher than "Anvil, the Story of Anvil".
You should totally watch Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage, btw, it's a great documentary even for casual fans (or people who are unfamiliar with the band). I saw it before I went to their concert last summer & really enjoyed it. Granted, the concert was a testament to how talented they are to this day.
The Green Hornet was a fun film, nothing great, but fun none the less. Im looking forward to both I Am Number Four and Unknown but I think I will end up seeing I Am Number Four in theaters sometime soon and wait for Unknown on dvd. I hope Hall Pass and Rango turn out good, but Im eagerly waiting for Battle: LA to come. I cant wait for that one.