This Weekend at the Movies: October 23, 2009
What a weird weekend for new films...
This should be a good weekend at the box-office, but the new films hitting theaters are a bit of a mixed bag. Amelia is a dud, Astro Boy ditto, The Vampire's Assistant is terrible, Saw VI speaks for itself and Antichrist hits a grand total of six theaters so good luck finding that one, but it will be On Demand on October 28.
| Amelia |
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| It's unfortunate this one turned out to be a cold turkey. The talent is there, but it appears the story wasn't. This film is rated PG for some sensuality, language, thematic elements and smoking. | |
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| Antichrist |
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| Writing my review for this one was not an easy task as evidenced by the fact I admit to not fully realizing my opinion on it as of yet. There's a lot to von Trier's latest and the fact so many early critics have grasped onto the more gruesome elements of the film has distracted the conversation from what it's really about. Even IFC has muddied the waters by marketing the stupid Fantastic Mr. Fox mashup, turning the film into more of a viral online joke than any kind of piece of art worth discussing. I'm not saying it's a great movie, but provocative it most certainly is and I just don't understand a studio looking for cheap online viral attention when it doesn't represent the work it's promoting. Sad if you ask me. This film is rated NR | |
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| Saw VI |
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| Yet another Saw installment goes unscreened for critics as they are forced to check it out at midnight screenings in an effort to be one of the first online with an opinion, check it out at an early matinee or follow my lead and ignore it outright. I gave up on the Saw franchise after the godawful third installment. Tell me they have improved all you want, I'm just not interested. However, one thing that may get more audiences into theaters is the fact the new 3 minute trailer for Avatar is playing in front of Saw VI. Then again, maybe you'll just watch the bootleg version below and go see a thriller I can get behind in Paranormal Activity…. It's up to you. This film is rated R for sequences of grisly bloody violence and torture, and language. | |
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| Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant |
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| Ugh, cinematic boredom is the best way to describe this 108-minute long commercial for a sequel that will never happen. Had it been 15 minutes long we would have something worth discussing, but instead it's a relentless tour of tedium. This film is rated PG-13 for sequences of intense supernatural violence and action, disturbing images, thematic elements and some language. | |
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| Astro Boy |
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| I'm always surprised when an animated movie turns out bad. Perhaps this is because before writing about movies was my job I was able to be more selective in the animated films I watched and a movie like Astro Boy wouldn't typically appeal to me and as it turns out I would have been right in avoiding it. This film is a mess from start to finish and I have a hard time believing kids will get much out of it either. This film is rated PG for some action and peril, and brief mild language. | |
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"Saw VI" was pretty horrible. Not the worst of the series, though. I don't know why I keep coming back to them.
Atleast the new Avatar trailer looks amazing! cant wait.
"Astro Boy" probably is pretty bad (a crime beyond belief to screw up basically the first anime with an actual plot ((wasn't the first anime) but I will force myself to sit through it solely for action scenes and CGI.
The whole circus thing has me sold on "THe Vampires Assistant," but that doesn't mean it can't be bad. The movies have been pretty bad this year.
I really can't imagine Saw VI not being pretty good, though the theatre version of 5 was bad (these new directors since 4 have caused issues for this series) so this one could be bad too without new editing. Personally I just want to know what is in Jigsaw's black box and how the trap situation is like some kind of haunted funhouse.
The other two I don't have an interest in "Anti-Christ" seems too out of control (there is a level where the line must be drawn) and "Amelia" (Amelia Airheart and Hilary Swank) sounds like a good idea with a typical, boring and poorly done plot and execution.