Copyright 2010 Bob Richards
Movie Reviews for 8-30-10
The final weekend of the summer movie season saw a movie made for less than 2 million become the new box office king as The Last Exorcism raked in 21.3 million dollars. Takers brought in a better than expected 21 million for a close second, and The Expendables was third with 9.5 million. The re-release of Avatar didn't fare so well, it took in 4 million but brought its total to 753 million. And Toy Story 3 took in just over 1 million, but it became the first animated film ever to top 1 billion dollars worldwide, and the second to conquer that rare milestone this year for Disney after Alice in Wonderland. (Get Low - Sony Pictures Classics - Rated PG-13)
There is a mystery at the heart of Get Low. It is a comedy or a tragedy? It's probably a bit of both as comedic moments abound in the midst of an increasing uneasiness as the film progresses. The cast is wonderful, with Bill Murray and Sissy Spacek providing standout performances. But it is Robert Duvall's spectacular performance that is the heart of Get Low. He is, quite honestly, the best he has ever been. And that is saying a lot. This film delivers a lot. Go see it. I'm very high on Get Low. 4 ½ Stars Out of 5
(The Last Exorcism - Lionsgate - Rated PG-13)
The Last Exorcism is done in the same documentary style reminiscent of The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity. Disarmingly real, it toys with the audience, adding bits of humor, and ratcheting up the tension until…it all unravels in the last ten minutes…The ending catches us off guard as it totally switches gears and provides a somewhat disappointing conclusion. But the film, is intriguing and involving thanks to the standout performances of Patrick Fabian and Ashley Bell. This won't be the last exorcism but it is a good one…3 ½ Stars Out of 5
(Takers - Sony - Rated PG-13)
With acting powerhouses like Hayden Christiansen, and Paul Walker, and other members of the Wooden Actors Association, adding hip hop artists with no experience acting like Chris Brown and T.I. doesn't matter. Combined, the stars of Takers have the emotional range of a box of hair. Add to that a laughable fight scene with Hayden Christiansen where he tries to look macho, but looks like he would wilt with a paper cut, and terrible camera work so jumpy it is frequently impossible to tell what the heck is going on. But it doesn't matter. The story is so ridiculous nobody would care anyway. Clifford Tip "T.I." Harris is so bad he single-handedly makes this movie crash and burn. But he has plenty of help. One of the characters says in a monotone, "We're takers. That's what we do: We take." Now, help me to understand. Is that takers of naps? Obviously, it's not takers of acting lessons. Maybe it's just takers of the gullible audience's money. 1 ½ Stars Out of 5
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