This week’s Box Office Battle is late, due to the awesome interview I had with voice actor Michael Benyaer. Nevertheless, there’s a battle afoot, and only one movie can come out on top (at least, monetarily).
You Again is in 5th place this week, coming in at 11% rotten and grossing $8,300,000. Critics thought that the plot material was not only derivative, but forced, clunky, and slovenly:
“A formula comedy made with a defective recipe “You Again” is a complete flop.”– ColeSmithy.com
“sloppy, forced, and unpleasant to watch.”–Killer Movies Online
“Grown women are reduced to acting like bitchy teens in this painfully unfunny comedy about high school rivalries that just won’t quit.”–Misschickflick.com
Legend of the Guardians , despite this pretty glowing review from Spill (below) came in at 2nd place, rating at 51% rotten and grossing $16,335,000. Overall, critics felt the story didn’t live up to its fullest potential. I think it probably also has something to do with fantasy fatigue:
“Sweeping owl fantasy adventure is impressive but intense.”–Common Sense Media
“The film’s look can’t overcome all its shortcomings, but it helps them go down easier than its title.”–Detroit News
“The visuals are absolutely stunning and there’s something inherently awesome about owls fighting in Snyder’s slow-motion. The issue lies within the story and character names.”–BDK News
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps came in 1st place, grossing $19,000,000, but isn’t number one on most critics’ list. It rated at 55% rotten. While there are quite a few fresh reviews at Rotten Tomatoes, the general consensus is that the movie had too many narratives and should’ve been a tighter story to compete with the awesomeness that is the first Wall Street:
“Good thing for Stone that Michael Douglas slips so easily into his hair gel and Armani suit as Gordon Gekko and manages to make this warmed-over soap opera bearably entertaining.”–TheDivaReview.com
“In the ‘80s, lighting a cigar with a $100 bill was sexy. In 2010, it’s damn near porn.”–Richmond.com
“A story that should have been told with more fire.”–Compuserve
Waiting for Superman 93% fresh, but is not in contention for the top five because of its limited release. The limited release also means that it won’t take in as much money as immediate as one of the other blockbusters aforementioned; it made $141,000 on its opening weekend. Most of the critics who have seen it are praising it for its message–an urgent call to change our failing school system–and quite a few are even saying the film could be life-changing (not to say that there aren’t a few dissenters):
“This movie isn’t just a necessity (listen up, do-nothing politicians) — it might change your future.”–Rolling Stone
“Guggenheim does not seem aware that extensive educational research has failed to identify what makes a “great teacher” or how to train one, nor that there are strikingly different and conflicting strategies for teaching literacy.”–Salon.com
“Controversy is already swirling around this powerful and important documentary exposing the shocking state of America’s educational system and vividly demonstrating how it is failing the nation and devastating the lives of individual families.”–Film Journal International
Overall, the top five movies of the week are:
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps – $19,000,000
Legend of the Guardians –$16,335,000
The Town –$16,030,000 (overall gross: $49,117,000)
Easy A –$10,700,000 (overall gross: $32,814,000)
You Again– 12% rotten, $8,300,000
All rating stats from Rotten Tomatoes, all monetary stats from Box Office Mojo
