Featured Posts

Oct 30, 2009

TGITDNMAR (10/30/09)

It's that time again for TGITDNMAR, which (obviously) stands for Thank God It's The Day New Movies Are Released.

(This) Is it just me, or has this been a pretty rotten year overall at the movies? The Academy's move to 10 Best Picture nominees is looking worse and worse by the day. Any number of projections for the films most likely to be included are filled with movies yet to be released, and though they may be the case every year, I feel like there are typically at least a handful of surefire nominees released at this point. Meanwhile, of the films that have come out, could you even make a list of five nominees? The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, and Up are about all that come to mind. Precious, The Lovely Bones, Nine...no pressure, you guys.

This Is It
The media hype machine has been all over this one, with the producers of the film seemingly intent on convincing us of its commercial success more than its artistic merit prior to its arrival. I'm surprised they didn't market it as "the top grossing concert film of the year" before today; of course, it's sure to reach that distinction, but only due to a lack of competition.

Meanwhile, I have to wonder (I'm sure the answer is out there somewhere): was this film planned prior to Jackson's death, or was it culled from standard making-of footage on the quick in order to capitalize on Jacko's demise? It may indeed by that the former is the case, but it sure feels like the latter.
Fletch's Chance of Viewing (in the theater): 0%

Gentleman Broncos
Whereas Jack Black felt (and was, to a point) all wrong for Napoleon Dynamite director Jared Hess's ND follow-up, Flight of the Conchords star Jemaine Clement feels just right. It's no coincidence; Clement's last starring vehicle, Eagle vs. Shark, sure looked like the successor to Napoleon. Back in the US and with the help of a more rounded cast, including Sam Rockwell, Jennifer Coolidge and Mike White, Hess seems to be back on track. I'm more than willing to find out.
Fletch's Chance of Viewing: 89%

The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day
The little sequel that could. Long a cult hit with an army of rabid fans, Boondock Saints finally gets it sequel, a decade after the original came and left theaters. Surely stars Sean Patrick Flannery and Norman Reedus were game; their careers haven't really gone anywhere since the first, starring mostly in B movies and nabbing bit parts in TV shows and higher profile films. Chances are, you're either dying to see this or could not care less; I'm somewhere in the middle, having neither great love or distaste for the original. Though even if you are dying to see it, you probably won't get the chance - this one doesn't seem to be getting all that wide a release either. I smell a cult hit all over again!
Fletch's Chance of Viewing: 12%


3 people have chosen wisely: on "TGITDNMAR (10/30/09)"

Paul Arrand Rodgers said...

Boondock Saints never hit theatres. Check up on it, Fletch. Hilarious story.

Nick said...

"This Is It" was made from behind-the-scenes footage of the concert he was prepping when he died. They decided to use it all for a final 'hoorah' movie when he died. In other words, it's the latter. They weren't planning a movie for the footage, but decided to take advantage of the situation once he died. I'm pretty sure they just came out and said this when the movie was announced (like... 2-3 days after his death).

Fletch said...

Paul - I checked at Wiki and must be missing something. It says that Boondock was in 5 theaters for one week. Aside from that, I'm not seeing anything funny about it.

Nick - yea, figures (about This Is It). Yay for cash grabs and capitalism!