It's a holiday weekend in America, but not the sort of holiday that usually gets people out to the movies. Labor day is a time for sitting outside and cooking meat, not sitting in some dark theater watching Jason Statham kick people in the face. Audience attendance on Labor Day weekend is historically low, which means number one is up for grabs. Invincible was on top last weekend with a meager $17 million, and with such a weak box office expected this Friday through Sunday, there's a chance that the great Vince Papale movie will do it again.
But seriously, who cares how much money Hollywood execs have to swim through in their money bin? Let’s look at which new releases are worth watching this weekend:
Expanding
The Illusionist goes a little wider this weekend, into 960 theaters. I'm not sure it'll do it much good, it's gotten a rather lukewarm reception. Also expanding is the somewhat formulaic relationship dramedy Trust the Man. It's out and into 260 theaters. Watch Hollywood stars cheat on each other. It's just like real life.
Limited Releases(Opening in fewer than 500 theaters.)
It's a big weekend for limited releases, with Mike Judge's Idiocracy opening without a marketing campaign, press screenings, or even a decent movie poster in a meager 130 theaters. You'd think a movie from the guy responsible for Office Space would get more respect, but Fox is intentionally killing it. Seek it out, and while you're at it keep an eye open for This Film Is Not Yet Rated. It's a documentary on the secretive ratings process of the MPAA. The movie's getting rave reviews, and it sounds like the sort of thing that film lovers shouldn't miss. It's only in 2 theaters so unless it expands it won't be easy to catch. Also opening up is the latest, well reviewed version of Lassie, in 169 theaters. It's Lassie. You know what to expect.
Crossover (Opens in 1,023 theaters.)
Crossover is the story of two friends with a talent for basketball struggling to get an education in spite of the sneaky conniving of the evil Wayne Brady. It's well acted, but basically it's big, clumsy mess. Right now the movie has a 0% rating on RottenTomatoes, which means not one critic has given it a positive review. Even Little Man got at least a few good reviews.
The Wicker Man (Opens in 2,784 theaters.)
The Wicker Man is a remake of the 1976 Christopher Lee movie of the same name. It's the story of a cop who goes to a remote island populated by creepy cultists to help search for a missing girl. Wicker Man wasn't going to be screened for the press, but at the last minute Warner Bros. scheduled screenings at 10pm on the day before its release, probably to avoid the stigma of releasing a movie without getting it reviewed while at the same time limiting the number of critics who'd be able to see it. Judging from the reviews in so far, hiding it from the press might not have been a bad idea.
Crank (Opens in 2,515 theaters.)
Jason Statham stars as a hitman injected with a drug that'll kill him if he stops moving. The poison coursing through his veins will stop his heart, unless he keeps his adrenaline flowing. It's a great excuse for Statham to go completely mad in the streets of Los Angeles. It was screened only for select members of the press, but so far it's getting amazing, rave reviews from everyone who has gotten a look at it. Statham's a star with great action hero potential, but he's never really found the right role to show it. This may be it. Crank's high-octane antics may be worth a look.
STILL IN THEATERS AND WORTH YOUR TIME: Snakes on a Plane, Talladega Nights, Invincible, Little Miss Sunshine
