July finally delivered for the movie business. Why? One word: Inception.
Inception blew away minds and the competition with a box office gross of $227mm and counting. I expect this movie to continue to bring in the repeat business and people go back again and again to try and make sense of the movie.
But Inception wasn't the only hit of the month. 'Despicable Me' pulled in Kung Fu Panda money, continuing the hot streak of animated movies. 'The Last Airbender' pulled in over $100mm despite the horrible reviews. And 'Salt' showed why nobody does action better than Angelina Jolie.
Throw in decent showings from 'Predators' and 'Dinner For Schmucks' and really only 'The Sorecerer's Apprentice' and ' Cats and Dogs 2' failed were busts.
So that leaves us only one more month for summer movies. Let's take a look at what August has in store:
The Other Guys: Qualifies for #8Starring: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Eva Mendes.
Directed by: Adam McKay
My prediction for comedy hit of the summer. This is the type of movie people want to see Will Ferrell in. And sometimes you can just tell from a trailer that the movie will be good. That’s what I thought last year when I saw the trailer for “The Hangover”. And you know what…the trailers for “The Other Guys” looks hilarious and the action looks fast and furious. Mark Wahlberg is on a mini-comedy tear (see “Date Night”). Samuel L. Jackson and The Rock are perfect as the super-cops. And Eva Mendes is her sexy self. Throw in the fact that McKay and Ferrell are most successful when they are together (see “Anchorman” and “Talladega Nights”) and prepare for the comedy-action movie that “Cop Out” was supposed to be.
Pros: A perfect cast. Good timing since “Cop Out” disappointed.
Cons: All the funny parts are already in the trailer?
Step Up 3D:
Starring: A bunch of people who can dance better than I can.
Directed by: Some Asian guy.
This movie has gimmick written all over it. Dancing. In 3D. The third part of the franchise. In 3D. And you know what. I think it’ll work. Dancing is all the rage nowadays (See America’s Best Dance Crew and Dancing with the Stars), plus the first two movies were bonafide hits (the first one made $65mm, the second made $58mm). Based on the early trailer, the movie looks like it’ll have some fancy 3D tricks (outfits that light up, dancing in water to get the splash effect, and people getting thrown in your face). Consider me there (on DVD of course, since nobody will actually watch this with me). Final gross will be $70mm, becoming the top grossing film in this franchise.
Pros: The third dimension. Slick dance moves.
Cons: Does dancing actually need to be shown in 3D? How much more dance drama can they milk out of this franchise?
Eat, Pray, Love: Qualifies for #9Starring: Julia Roberts, James Franco, Billy Crudup, and Javier Bardem.
Directed by Ryan Murphy (of Nip/Tuck and Glee fame)
Based on the popular book (which my girlfriend recommends), this could be the movie that reminds everyone why Julia Roberts is America’s Sweetheart. The problem is Julia’s been away for so long (it’s been awhile since Erin Brockovich and Notting Hill came out) and she isn’t as bankable as she once was. Reviews will be important, since fans of the book and the older demographics care about reviews before deciding whether it is worth it to pay for the movie. But in the end, I think Julia can’t be faulted for taking time off to have a family – and that doesn’t mean she lost the ability to open up a movie. And Ryan Murphy is on some kind of hot streak. I think the movie does very well thanks to strong legs carrying it into the fall season. Final gross of $130mm.
Pros: Julia being Julia.
Cons: Duplicity didn’t exactly light the box office world on fire.
Expendables:
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Mickey Rourke, Randy Couture, Steve Austin, with cameos from Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Directed by: Sylvester Stallone
The comparisons have been made a million times, but you know what…there is no other way to put it. This movie is for the guys. All the man’s man out there. This is our Sex and the City. Look at that cast. All it’s missing is Jean Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal (and rumor is that Sly contacted both, but they couldn’t make it work). I think the cameos by Bruce and Arnold will bring in the crowds, but the scene will ultimately disappoint (it’ll just be talking and joking. Not like they fight, shoot, or blow anything up together). To be honest, I’m most excited to see Dolph Lundgren. And I’m glad Mickey Rourke decided to be in the movie despite all the other movies he was offered – especially when he did it to pay back Stallone for remembering him when the times were tough. That’s respect and appreciation. Love it. Oh, yea…the movie. It’ll probably be a decent action flick, but worth it for the once in a lifetime cast. Final gross will be $70mm.
Pros: The cast – who cares if it happened 15 years too late.
Cons: Michael Dudikoff was too busy. And where the “F” is Chuck Norris?
Scott Pilgram vs. the World: Qualifies for #4
Starring: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, and Brandon Routh.
Directed by: Edgar Wright
When I first heard about this movie, I thought it had a chance to be really cool. I’m a big fan of Cera’s and think he’s on a whole nother level of comedic genius. But then Youth in Revolt came out and I’m not convinced he can play the lead role and carry a movie by himself – and his act is getting kind of repetitive. So this movie will go a long ways in determining what to make of Cera going forward. After seeing the trailer, the movie can only go one of two ways. It’ll either be crazy awesome or the old 1960’s batman TV show sound effects will render the movie cheesy beyond repair. I’m hoping it’s the former and looking forward to seeing Cera kick some ass and get the girl. But I think the final gross will disappoint with only $40mm.
Pros: Edgar Wright of “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz” fame.
Cons: Where is Simon Pegg?
The Lottery Ticket:Starring: Bow Wow, Brandon T. Jackson, Mike Epps, Ice Cube, Terry Crews, and Bill Bellamy.
Here’s hoping that this movie is more “Barbershop” than “Next Day Air”. I’m not sold on Bow Wow and Brandon T. Jackson in the main roles, since both could border on becoming annoying characters. But the supporting cast looks like it could bring the funny. Final gross will be $30mm before a successful DVD run (for the cannabis crowd out there).
Pros: Epps, Bellamy, and Cube in hilarious supporting roles.
Cons: Not from Tyler Perry.
Nanny McPhee Returns: Qualifies for #3, #11Starring: Emma Thompson, Ralph Fiennes, Ewan McGregor, and Maggie Gyllenhaal
This movie is like Mary Poppins for our generation. Considering the first one made a solid $47mm with decent reviews, I can see this sequel doing the same. Throw in a relatively modest budget and I expect this family friendly film to make a solid $45mm. btw, I have no idea what this movie is about. Hence, the short paragraph.
Pros: Built in fan base. And there is magic.
Cons: I’m not sure people were screaming for a sequel.
Takers: Qualifies for #4Starring: Zoe Saldana, Idris Elba, Paul Walker, Hayden Christensen, Matt Dillon, Chris Brown, and T.I.
I think I saw this movie recently. Yep, action movie. Involving guns. Hot black chick from Avatar. British guy with the accent from “The Wire”. I thought it was called “The Losers”. Wait, where is the guy who played Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four? Why is Anakin Skywalker here? Oh, it’s a different movie. Never mind.
Pros: Some eye candy for both genders.
Cons: The movie was pushed back – never a good sign. Also, the Losers didn’t light up the box office.
Piranha 3D: Qualifies for #3, #5
Starring: Elizabeth Shue and Ving Rhames.
Now this is the future of 3D. Used as a gimmick for horror movies. Because what else would make you jump in your seat than some blood and a blunt object being throw at your face. “My Bloody Valentine” used the extra dimension pretty well, and I expect Piranha to do the same. Throw in a silly spring break storyline and you got a potential cash cow (I smell sequel). It’ll close out the summer on a high note. Final gross will be $80mm.
Pros: 3D. Half Naked People. Spring Break…and Piranha’s.
Cons: Remember Snakes on a Plane?
So there goes the final month of the summer. Look for the summer movie recap coming after Labor Day weekend. Until then, see you in line for Inception...for the fourth time this summer.
