Another four release weekend, but the odds on favorite to take it all has to be the raunchy as ever latest offering from Jackass. Even in September, the film should do big business, especially with such weak competition. The first one opened with $22 million, don't be surprised if Jackass: Number Two tops it.
Forget about money though, let’s look at which new releases are worth watching this weekend:
Sneak Previews
School for Scoundrels gets a 1,500 theater sneak peek this weekend and it's also getting pretty good reviews from those who've seen it. It's the new film from Old School creator Todd Phillips, and that makes it worth checking out. If you can find it during its single engagement on Saturday, go for it.
Limited Releases(Opening in fewer than 500 theaters.)
September may be crap for wide releases, but for smaller scale indies, this is big money time. This weekend is no exception, packed again with all kinds of interesting arthouse films. Some of you may remember that the Salma Hayek cowgirl movie Bandidas was supposed to get a wide release months ago, but after being cancelled at the last minute it ends up being dumped in a handful of theaters this weekend for a quick trip in, out, and onto DVD. The "Project Greenlight" horror movie Feast gets a confusing release this Friday as well. Word is that it may only actually play for one solid day, so if you want to catch it don't wait around. Also worth noting is the stylish French animated movie Renaissance. I wasn't impressed with it when I saw it a few weeks ago, but animation fans may be curious about what it's heavily contrasted black and white style has to offer. Lastly, the limited release you'll really want to watch out for this week is Michelle Gondry's new movie The Science of Sleep. Gondry's the guy who directed Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and his new one is getting absolute raves. Look for it in 14 theaters courtesy of Warner Independent.
Flyboys (Opens in 2,033 theaters.)
James Dean clone James Franco stars in the first World War I movie made in decades… and botches it. It's the story of a squadron of American pilots flying for the French against the Germans in the first Great War. Bi-plane dogfights deserve a good buzz through theaters, but this isn't it. The historical accuracy of the film is questionable and the acting is unquestionably bad. The film's getting terrible reviews and deserves every one of them.
Jackass: Number Two (Opens in 3,059 theaters.)
If you liked the first one, you're going to like this one. Johnny Knoxvile, Stev-O, Chris Pontius, Bam Margera and the rest return to shove more things up their asses for your amusement in Jackass: Number Two. The gags, pranks, and physical abuse is raunchier than ever. It's a miracle that the film avoided an NC-17. I thin one was more than enough, but hardcore Jackass fans will almost certainly disagree. This is still the poo-flinging franchise flagship of America, and if you're eager to see grown men debase themselves for your amusement, Jackass is still the best way to get it.
All the King's Men (Opens in 2,228 theaters.)
Critics love Sean Penn's performance but hate nearly everything else about All the King's Men, a dense, confusing remake of a movie based on the life of charismatic and shady Louisiana governor Huey Long. For the purposes of this movie, Long has been renamed Willie Stark and is played by Penn with wicked enthusiasm. As if to balance out how good Penn is, nearly everyone else in the film is unforgivably bad.
Jet Li's Fearless (Opens in 1,357 theaters.)
It's being billed as Jet Li's last martial arts epic, but if you think that means this is his last action movie forget it. He's already signed up to do more. Whether or not this is Jet's last kung fu outing, he remains one of the most entertaining action stars working anywhere, and even on his worst days his films are a lot of fun. This one promises more than the usual amount of man on man ass-kicking, and that makes it worth karate chopping your way past the Jackass crowds to get to.
STILL IN THEATERS AND WORTH YOUR TIME: Invincible, Little Miss Sunshine, The Last Kiss, Hollywoodland, Talladega Nights
