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SUNDAY AM: So the long holiday weekend for Martin Luther King looks to be record breaking at the box office with the overall domestic grosses up 29% over last year's. And one reason for that was the unexpected success of the mindless comedy Paul Blart: Mall Cop starring TV funnyman Kevin James and produced by Adam Sandler's Happy Madison production company for Columbia/Sony Pictures. It's rare in today's over-analyzed Hollywood that seasoned movie analysts get the numbers wrong. But no one anticipated the overperformance of this stupid laffer -- not even the studio, according to my insiders. Mall Cop's $33.8 million three-day opening from 3,144 theaters -- going up a big 35% from Friday to Saturday which almost never happens except for toons -- shattered Sony's pre-release expectations as did its estimated $40-plus haul during the four-day holiday, which is looking to be at least $15M more than what the studio projected. Consider also that the PG pic cost a modest $26M to produce, which gives Sony considerable upside. Insiders say one reason for the success is that Kevin James promoted the heck out of the film across the country because it was the first time the Sony-produced King Of Queens TV star previously known as a reliable sidekick to Will Smith and Adam Sandler was top-lining a film. 
Opening weekend audience demos were split evenly between male and female, and 56%/44% were under/over age 25. All I can conclude is that no one in Hollywood ever went broke underestimating the taste of North American moviegoers. And if the public wants better-quality films, then perhaps they shouldn't keep buying tickets for moronic movies.
Clint Eastwood's Oscar-buzzed Gran Torino for Warner Bros continues to surprise, coming in No. 2 from 2,972 runs with only a 25% decline from going wide last weekend. It continues doing very well in so-called blue collar areas like the Rust Belt and other parts of the Midwest as well as in the South.
Fox Searchlight's biopic Notorious based on B.I.G.'s bigger-than-life narratives did huge business in just 1,638 venues on Friday and was actually No. 1 after the matinees before flattening out for the rest of the weekend and probably holding onto #3 for the 40-day MLK holiday (though it's No. 4 for the 3-day weekend). 
Marketing for the pic was major in urban areas, with ads covering two NYC subway stations and giant banners draped across no less than Madison Square Garden, while ticketbuyers on Fandango.com received free limited-edition Notorious T-shirt and iPhone skin. The pic ended with the best per-screen average -- $13,126 -- of all this weekend's 30-plus movies.
>3-D is here to stay and it continues to thrive in the marketplace. Lionsgate's My Bloody Valentine 3D did much better than the usual R-rated horror film (whose box office numbers have been waning of late because of the trend towards less gory PG-13 product in this genre) because it had the widest 3-D release yet. Even exhibitors when they first saw it were impressed with how creepy stuff like eyeballs seemed to come right out at the audience. (Ugh.) Audiences thronged the 1,033 locations with 3-D and even the 1,501 conventional plays. But I'm not sure that Lionsgate's very aggressive Sunday estimate for Valentine of $5.9M will pan out vs Fox Searchlight's $5.5M when the 3-day actuals are totalled. It's because of that some are putting Valentine #3 and Notorious #4. We'll see.
Paramount made Hotel For Dogs for the equivalent of a few dog biscuits, sent it into 3,271 dates, and targeted it to families and kids under 12. But it's one of the films that the new DreamWorks left behind so now it's a Nickelodeon Movie at the studio. Because the pup pic played so young, its grosses were nowhere near the humongous recent openings of other canine starrers like Beverly Hills Chihuahua or Marley And Me.
1. Paul Blart: Mall Cop (Sony) $9.8M Friday, $13.2M Saturday, $33.8M wkd, est $40+M four-day MLK
2. Gran Torino (Warner Bros) $6.3M Fri, $10M Sat, $24M wkd, est $27M four-day MLK, cume $77M
3. Notorious (Fox Searchlight) $8.3M Fri, $7.5M Sat, $21.5M wkd (?), est $24M (?) four-day MLK
4. My Boody Valentine 3-D (Lionsgate) $8.2M Fri, $7.6M Sat, $21.9M wkd (?), $24M (?) four-day MLK
5. Hotel For Dogs (Paramount) $4.3M Fri, $7.3M Sat, $17.7M wkd, $23M four-day MLK
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What happened to good taste in America? Really…
Happy to see that Notorious did better than expected. Didn’t expect to like the film, but enjoyed it alot, worth the $10. Biggie baby !!!
Very worried with America!!! Paul Blart a film that you lose brain cells watching? Due to playoff games the male crowd that all rushed out to see it and bad word of mouth is why Paul Blart will suffer big drops the next few days! Notrious will drop heavily by the end of the weekend very frontloaded with the “urban crowd.” My Bloody Valentine is peforming exactly how it should and has good word of mouth which is why this might be able to edge out on top, and Hotel for Dogs will have a large increase from Sat. to Mon. with families.
We’re in recession/depression Tim. People want light and easy entertainment when their lives are full of stress, angst and drama. Take a look at history and see when the fluffiest and most empty comedy were at their most popular.
I don’t plan to see Mall Cop, but I am going out with some friends to see My Bloody Valentine tonight because from what I’ve seen in previews and interviews, it looks like a good old-school style horror and I’m digging the nostalgia right now.
If that’s bad taste, I guess you can call me guilty.
I have to say the theater I went to last night was packed and sold out for every evening showing of “Notorious”. Mind you, the theater is in White Plains New York and is a catered towards the more upscale movie goer with many Awards Seasons releases (nearly all of which I have seen).
I was surprised to see kids of all different backgrounds rushing to see this film. I was in High School when Big died, so I figured the over 25 crowd would be the only people interested. Guess I was wrong.
But I didn’t even see Notorious. Now I just might. I wound up getting dragged to see “My Bloody Valentine 3D”. What a sorry excuse for a “Slasher” film. The 3D was still as cheesy as it was in the 80’s. Everyone died via pick axe (even a little person). The “Twist” was apparent 20 minutes in. And finally, the movie was really really boring. I hope people don’t let the ridiculously positive Rotten Tomatoes reviews fool you. It’s a cheap looking mess with stupid dated 3D “thrills”. Thankfully Jason Voorhess is coming next month to hopefully provide the silly and fun B-Movie thrills that everyone needs after a heavy season of more serious fare.
The Bush era is over. Take your bloody, notorious mall cops back to the ranch…I’m off to see Revolutionary Road.
Mall Cop? What a joke!
Mall Cop? Really? I don’t care how depressed I am I would watch that.
I saw MBV yesterday and enjoyed it. I am not a bug fan of the current slasher movies so the throwback to old style was nice. It might not fly with teens these days but the older crowd (like me) will enjoy it.
Hey TODD, the last time I checked Biggie’s last album sold 10 million copies, that goes WAY beyond the “urban crowd” when you sell like that. Why is it that if a movie features the life of a hip-hop artist has to be labeled “urban”, when the FACTS are that more Caucasians and other non-ethnic people buy hip-hop albums than Black people do. It’s 2009 man, we’re about to swear in a Black President on Tuesday, people for the most part don’t care about these labels anymore, it’s time WE stop perpetuating them !
“I hope people don’t let the ridiculously positive Rotten Tomatoes reviews fool you.”
You mean from the pushover horror and geek press who hand out good reviews like Halloween candy if it means continued junket access and the possibility of pull quotes?
Yeah, those guys are trustworthy.
# Box Office: ‘Mall Cop’ Big No. 1
# SANITY PREVAILS!
Not exactly.
Is drudge going to link to this so we can hear about how movies like Paul Blart push Hollywood’s liberal agenda?
“Paul Blart: Mall Cop” is rated PG. Its a kids movie that is appealing to the middle school crowd.
C’mon guys, stop dumping on Mall Cop. No, it’s not Casablanca. So what? I just got back from a matinee here in suburban Virginia. The place was packed — LOTS of families with their kids, and everyone was laughing their heads off. It was a cute, completely predictable comedy. Everyone knew how it was going to end before the trailers even started, but it was a lot of fun — and a nice way to forget about the freezing temperatures and lousy economy here on the East Coast for 90 minutes. Now go back to alphabetizing your Criterion DVD collection and leave us alone
I’m soooo not a kid and so not a fan of rap music. I saw Notorious and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s an education for those of us who are removed from that demographic but open to learning something about a very important time in rap music. It’s very well made and the cast, especially Derek Luke, is terrific.
Laurel and Hardy were very popular during the great depression era. Actually, a lot of good films were made in the 1930’s.
I actually liked MBV. It was cheesy at times, true, but it was fun and I liked the 3D. The acting by Ackles and Smith made it interesting to watch, I thought. Usually these movies go only for the gore, but I enjoyed the plot of this one. i did think King was a little over the top though. Still, a good fun movie.
I’ve been watching The King of Queens reruns lately and the trailer for Mall Cop has been in heavy rotation. I was hoping this movie would do well despite the fact the trailer isn’t remotely funny.
My Bloody Valentine is probably one of the more entertaining “slasher” films in years, and my wife and I gladly bathed in its cheesy awesomeness. The acting was good, the dialogue was good, the story was entertaining… I guess you can call it a “brain-dead” film but if being “brain-alive” is watching a creepy man-baby Brad Pitt for 7 hours, or anything of the sort, I want to be brain-dead….
I think the reason My Bloody Valentine is doing so well with word of mouth is because of Jensen Ackles, the main lead in the film. The man can really act, which is rare in Hollywood these days. As for the Slasher part of it, I can only hope it’s pretty decent.
I really enjoyed My Bloody Valentine. The new 3-D was really cool. Much better than the 3-D of yesteryear. Jensen Ackles was wonderfully cast as the lead He stole the movie. It was nice to see Emergency’s Kevin Tighe in something new.
NYMoviegoer, I agree, MY BLOODY VALENTINE is a piece of crap. I can’t believe that media types are reporting good word of mouth. From who, Lionsgate? Don’t believe the hype.
On the other hand, also caught THE WRESTLER and bravo Mickey Rourke. His best performance by far and a nice comeback. And this from someone who once got burned by him. Good to see a film from Darren A. without all the over-the-top visuals that always seem to come up empty for me. None of that here, just a heartfelt character piece without compromise. And Marisa T., who plays a stripper…you look mahvelous!
Where is “Defiance”. Ouch. As for the other so call bad entries you choose at whatever choices you have and right now with all the so call “good” film in limited release well you go see what is readily available. Next week will be interesting. Many of the expected OSCAR nominated film will get national release so we will see just how well these films are received. I am thinking audiences will still settle for the current crop of baddies than the so call “outstanding” films of the heavy laden mouth foaming hyper critics and film bloggers.
My Bloody Valentine is so awesome!!!! It’s an entertaining Slasher! I’m glad that’s doing ok!
Mall Cop is the Ace Ventura of 2009. Turn your brain off and relax entertainment. Good for Kevin James, but looks like he’s packing the weight on again. I’d say the sequel is already in the works.
Well, this is why the Studios make crap…because crap makes money,it’s all about money. Lots and lots of crap…and the public eats it up…yummy!
Contrary to NYMoviegoer’s opinion — the 3D effects in My Bloody Valentine are MORE than worth the price of admission. Admittedly you get pretty much what you’d expect from a slasher film but that’s called an homage…. I’ve never been a huge fan of 3D — I just never saw that big a difference — but this is amazing – I was expecting to be able to see “into” the film — I wasn’t expecting the film to come right out into my lap!!!! And I defy anyone not to flinch or duck at least once during this movie!
You see, I didn’t flinch at all. The movie is a bore. But that could be because I am in my late 20’s and have probably seen every “Slasher” film. I didn’t have high hopes because the original “My Bloody Valentine” was nothing special. And the remake did nothing to improve on it.
Some of the best B movies were not intentionally cheesy. They were cheesy because of budget limitations. And many of them despite their budget limitations worked because the plots were interesting. This film’s plot was uninteresting and the film tried too hard to keep you guessing that it made it obvious who the killer was 30 minutes in.
So the talk about a cheesy good throwback of a time is bull. People openly booed when the movie ended. And that was the best part. Jensen Ackels needs a better agent who will put him in more mainstream fare.
Finally I loved “The Wrestler” too. But I also loved Aronofsky’s “Requiem For A Dream”. A movie whose final sequence is more disturbing than any of the 3D shenanigans I witnessed last night. And no I wasn’t expecting the movie to fall in my lap. The 3D was lame though and it’s the same as it was when I saw Freddy’s Dead years ago. It hasn’t changed. The only thing that has is the ticket price and the look of the glasses.
Also I noticed “Slumdog Millionaire” was completely sold out for the evening last night. I guess those sham awards that Nikki hates actually benefited the film?
Hey black America,
It’s Martin Luther King Day followed by the Obama inauguration, let’s celebrate by going to see the life of an obese, woman beating, drug using, foul-mouthed rapper who sold crack to school kids.
And if that’s not enough for you. Now that Tyler Perry’s finished lifting up his dress to piss on writers, he’s rolling out his tired transvestite act a week later.
This is change we can believe in?
Well, at least it ain’t a jellyfish.
its official with mall cop at no. 1: the film critic is dead.
MBV3D was awesome! The “in your face” 3D effects were brilliant and the acting by Jensen Ackles was superb! He totally stole the movie and made a believable character. Going in, I wasn’t expecting much because I grew up with the 80’s horror’s and 3D special effect.. but this was completely different then the old 80’s effect. It was like you were really in the movie. It was right there, in your face, sitting in your lap! I was blown away. And it was FUN. Not enough movies are fun anymore. The whole experience was what makes this movie. This is definitely one I will go back and see again before it leaves the theater.
Oh please! Nobody is going to see My Bloody Valentine for Jensen Ackles unless they want to fuck him. He’s a pretty face. That’s it. Nobody going to see a slasher movie for the acting. Least of all his. If the guy looked like Dustin Hoffman, he wouldn’t have a career.
MALL COP: Our auditoriums were filled with families, young, old and inbetween for Mall Cop. People want to laugh and be distracted from current economic news. They are not film critics. They are people faced with difficult times. Now is not the time to overthink motivations. It is time to appreciate theaters for what they are: places to enjoy, laugh, cry and just be human in extremely difficult times.
GRAN TORINO: clearly Clint Eastwood fans are an older generation. They appreciate him and reflect on their own lives and situations. Many have not been to theater in a long time. They are coming back and appreciate Clint and a wonderful story of reflection. Would not hurt any of us to reflect on our lives and what we are doing today.
HOTEL FOR DOGS: Wonderful opportunity for parents to take their kids to see a movie that they are not embarassed or anxious about what words may turn up in the movie. They will return when they feel the family will be safely entertained.
What recession?
Saw My Bloody Valentine 3D and actually enjoyed it! It is what it is – it’s not “high cinema” sure – it’s a slasher pic and doesn’t pretend to be anything else. I loved the “jumps” as I would jump and then laugh. I got what I went to see.
Maybe I’m dense NYMoviegoer and others, but I did not guess the ending and neither did the two people I went with. We all thought it was the other guy (trying not to spoil)
It was on the same level as Nightmare on Elm Street or Friday the 13th to me – the originals. I agree that Ackles was the best there and some of the other acting was a bit spotty – also not unexpected in a slasher pic and kinda part of the fun of them so I didn’t mind.
It did have more of a plot than some do and Ackles did his character justice so all in all, I feel that I got what I paid for. The 3D was awesome and *way* better than the old days – the glasses are comfortable and fit fine over my glasses.
I might even see it again…
MBV was really good. Jensen Ackles brought layers to a character that could have easily been cardboard. To the poster who commented that nobody would go to see Ackles acting…you’re wrong. He is the reason I went, and no, I don’t want to fuck him…I’m old enough to be his mother. I have seen him in the stage version of A Few Good Men with Lou Diamond Phillips where he received rave reviews. He brings layers to the character of Dean Winchester on Supernatural, a series that a network like the CW doesn’t deserve. He’s a good actor, an actor having to overcome the stereotype of a “just a pretty face.”
MBV is just a good, fun movie, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
All I can conclude is that no one in Hollywood ever went broke underestimating the taste of North American moviegoers. And if the public wants better-quality films, then perhaps they shouldn’t keep buying tickets for moronic movies. MORE
OR….Maybe in these trying times for many Americans they just want to laugh instead of seeing another Holocaust movie?
When will people in hollywood who like to judge us regular folk realize that it’s not about going to see an art house flick for most people. It’s about escapism. And, with the price of a ticket nowadays you want to get your money’s worth.
Besides, it’s not like the other “Good” movies aren’t making money.
You liberals just don’t get it, do you? Like Paul Blart, George Bush is someone you love to make fun of. But, when the chips are down, who keeps you safe? Have we been attacked in the last 7 years? No. Why? Because we had George Bush in office to keep us safe. When we are attacked under Obama, don’t come crying to me. God bless the United States and God bless George W. Bush for his lifelong service to this country and for keeping all of us, even you liberals who hate him, safe and sound. Oh, and MALL COP is a great movie!
From the sheer amount of good reviews Bloody Valentine is getting in these comments, I’d say Lionsgate is out in full force, paying people to post positive comments for their movies (they’ve done it before). Pitiful. The movie’s a stinker. Can’t you just be happy with the $20 million opening? Leave us alone.
If there were some actually funny & new comedy series on TV, Mall Cop would not be doing so great in flyover land That or new episodes of The King Of Queens (for Kevin James fans which I am not) would keep the general public home
Only thing on that list that looks remotely good is Gran Torino and that’s not a comedy
Not going to see mall cop or whatever, but you know what… We need to remember that there is room in this world for all sorts of movies. Sometimes people need to be entertained by movies that are not just art pieces for a select audience. Sometimes you just wanna have fun at the flicks with the kids.
Ebert gave 3 stars!
And whether you agree with him or not, it’s another well crafted review by a man who knows how to write!
Unlike anything by Ben Lyons.
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090114/REVIEWS/901149986
I think this is a movie where you put your brain into neutral & just watch.
It requires no deep thinking to enjoy.
It has no pretensions to greatness & doesn’t hide that & isn’t embarrassed by that.
And at 87 minutes, it appears they didn’t try to stretch it out much, which is usually fatal!
There’s nothing wrong with dumb fun!
A lot like the Three Stooges.
Wow Cathy, kinda harsh there aren’t you? Have you ever freaking watched an episode of Supernatural? Jensen is one of the best young actors in Hollywood today. Most people will go see the film because of him, and come out surprised. He is 10 times better than most Television actors today. He can act circles around half the Grey’s Anatomy cast anyday.
There is no need to be rude towards something you know NOTHING ABOUT!
Nothing new interested me this weekend, so I caught Revolutionary Road at the independent theatre. I wonder which, that or Mall Cop, will still be remembered 5 years from now…
Hey Theaterowner… Ever met an inoffensive, PG rated movie you DIDNT like so long as it made money? Probably not.
Look, go watch JAWS again. And ARTHUR. And TOOTSIE. And THE STING and BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID and RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK for proof that movies can be wildly entertaining and successful and intended for mass consumption without being colossally stupid.
As a theater owner, don’t you MISS movies like that?
Caught “Gran Torino” this weekend and gotta say, what an overrated disappointment. It was a 2 hour-long, bigot’s wet dream and if Clint gets the Best Actor Oscar for this parody of his Dirty Harry character, then any faith I have in the Academy will be gone forever.
Times are tough. People need to laugh, or else they’ll cry. Mall Cop is not a good movie. It’s a totally ridiculous movie to take one’s minds off their troubles…
But I do understand why… It’s not a question of good taste… It’s a question of survival using escapism to take a break from bad news of reality.
Okay, I was with my 13-year-old son to see another movie, saw the trailer for Mall Cop…and haven’t laughed so hard since Superbad!! Don’t knock it till you’ve seen it…we’re going tomorrow! Kevin James is sweet, likable doofus…for families, as several have pointed out. Listen people, just be happy everything is up!!
Who listens to critics anyway what they say is there opinion and go Paul blart. I am sick of these people saying what good and what’s not. If you don’t like a movie don’t see it then.
Pretentious movies can blow, too: Okay, so Nikki hates Mall Cop, but did you happen to actually watch your screener for Revolutionary Road? Worst pile of crap ever — but I guess it can’t be derided because it is “serious.”
As Sam Goldwyn said, “If you want to send a message, call Western Union.” What do you think Hollywood is for, it’s to entertain. Sometimes you can do that with serious film like Milk, sometimes you can do that with Mall Cop…Half the county has been locked in their houses in 15 degree weather. THEY WANT TO GET THE KIDS OUT OF THE HOUSE! Why the shocker that it was a big movie weekend.
Hey Anymore – nobody paid me. I liked the movie. It’s a slasher pic nothing more. A fun gorefest. I’m an old-school horror fan and I liked it on that level. I’m just comparing apples to apples. Horror to horror. Is it oscar material? No. It’s gore material.
How do you get paid to give positive reviews to bad movies? You gotta work at the right magazines/newspapers/tv infotainment shows. Or you know, be a selector for a hollywood award…
MBV is the worst piece of crap I have seen in a long time! The actor Jensen added layers to his character??? He is one of the best today??? Are you kidding me, the acting was so terrible it ruined the film, and I was expecting bad its a slasher flick. You will never see one of these “actors” in a good movie, you know like Paul Blart!
Wow! Theres a lot of hate here,,,
Let’s get real. If you want to see a drama, don’t go watch Mall Cop. If you want to see a family film, don’t go watch MBV. Take each movie for what it is and what it’s designed to be.
I personally liked Mall Cop. It had a lot of funny moments, and it’s a great movie to get your mind off of life. Not the best movie in the world, but it made me laugh and I would enjoy it a second time.
I also saw Defiance. The directing and screenplay were lacking, but it was a good story and Daniel Craig did a decent job. Overall, it could have been a lot better.
Chris
May I call a truce in the Paul Blart/My Bloody Valentine war long enough to say how lovely it is to see Emma Thompson again on the big screen? Last Chance Harvey is strictly for the over 50 crowd and everything is fairly predictable, but — Wow! — Emma still has it at 49. Definitely worth a matinee price!
For the first time I agree that maybe Nikki was a little harsh in her critisism of “Mall Cop”. I haven’t seen the flick yet myself, but my interest was long ago piqued because Kevin James is truly a GREAT entertainer, and GREAT with the physical comedy! He is so funny and I would welome seeing more of him over Adam Sandler or some of the other “same olds” in comedy films any day! Plus, just the sight of Kevin in that mall-cop uniform makes me laugh!
Also it’s true, people have been bogged down by bad weather, bad economy, and generally all bad news all the time. A movie that both old and young can enjoy, that’s not rife with cheap shots and sexual innuendo, and can make people laugh – is just what people need right now. Nothing wrong with good clean humour now and then!
Went back to the theatres this evening and saw Gran Turino. About a dozen teens were in front of me in line and purchased tickets to Paul Blart then snuck in to Notorious.
Can’t say I’d be entirely surprised if the fact that Mall Cop is PG is allowing it to be exploited by teens hoping to sneak into the R-rated films.
“Gran Torino for Warner Bros continues to surprise”
Who’s surprised that classic Eastwood is doing well at the box office?
I haven’t seen “Mall Cop” and don’t plan on it, but I don’t see why it’s necessary to adopt such a condescending attitude. I don’t see how this movie is any more brainless than the teen-vampire or Miley Cyrus-type flicks geared to tween girls that have been flooding cinemas lately. Obviously with the dire economic situation and all of the uncertainty in the world people are interested in escapist films; Kevin James has a flair for physical comedy and was very successful on tv so to me this box office result isn’t that surprising.
I just don’t see what’s so evil about a small, goofy PG-13 comedy that a family can go see together. Nobody’s going to confuse “Mall Cop” with “Jules and Jim,” but it’s sweet and inoffensive and there are damn few releases that tempt Mom, Dad and the kids to plunk down $50, all at once, which is a lot of money to most people these days. I’m happy for Kevin Smith, who promoted the hell out of the product last week and deserves the success. During the Great Depression, I don’t think a lot of film critics assailed The Three Stooges (”Gents Without Cents,” etc.) because they weren’t arty enough.
If you’re worried about the health of the culture, wouldn’t you rather Paul Blart won the weekend than “My Bloody Valentine”? If those were the only choices, that is.
Me, I saw “Last Chance Harvey” in a thinly populated multiplex house where the average attendee was 50+ and female. It was only slightly more consequential than “Mall Cop” (although Emma Thompson is just so damn fetching), but people were there for the same reasons — because real life is so dismal and terrifying right now. By the same token, and for the same reason, I doubt “Revolutionary Road” will bust many blocks.
Don’t hate. Be thankful that people still turn out for movies. We are supposed to be a recession proof business and if SAG would get their collective heads out of their asses, we could all start working on our shot at opening wide once more.
Nikki, at least going to Mall Cop won’t get you shot like has been happening to those who went to see Notorious (and even at one of the after parties). Presumably, Angela Bassett wasn’t among the victims otherwise the press would have made more of a noise about it. Why anyone would want to glorify such a creep as Notorious is beyond me. It’s all misogny and homophobia. Yeah, that’s something to “celebrate”. LMFAO!
I haven’t seen Paul Blart but I will guess has to why it is successful from the trailers:
(1) It is PG. Parents can take their kids to see it. That brings up the money it makes with groups of 3-5 (and if the Grandparents come: 4-7) instead of 1-2.
(2) It features the likeable unlikely hero. He isn’t a nihilistic anti-hero. He is a fairly regular guy with a wife and kid(s) with a blue-collar job who gets the chance to save the day. His regular, father, family man persona is shown perfectly when he puts on the Hello Kitty Band-aid that he (or his wife) probably bought for their daughter (It is possible many Dads have put on a children’s band-aid in a time of need).
(3) It is a light, happy comedy with a happy ending. People turn on the 7:00 news: Israelis and the Palestinians are killing each other AGAIN, the economy appears to be in the crapper, the conservative/Republicans are probably going insane from the inauguration coverage*, Khan Noonien Singh and Number 6 died, and everyday you hear about another person swindled by Madoff.
Is there anything else I missed. Anybody dying,
*Not a swipe at either conservatives of Obama supporters. Just an observation.
If some of the more intelligent producers and directors would get their heads out of their butts, they could make alternatives to Mall Cop, but they’re rather be self-indulgent, lose money and whine.
…I caught Revolutionary Road at the independent theatre. I wonder which, that or Mall Cop, will still be remembered 5 years from now…”
Whether you like the answer or not, Mall Cop will be the movie people will remember more. It will be played and repeated endlessly on pay and then basic cable tv. Road will enjoy it’s pay cable run and then fade from the memory of the mainstream public. I’m not saying that should make one happy or glad, but that’s how it will play.
I saw My Bloody Valentine 3-D today and I quite enjoyed it. The 3-D effects were quite good, I thought, much more realistic and with zero headache induced — a vast improvement over the films of yore.
It was a fun slasher flick, and I didn’t guess the twist. Plot-wise — it doesn’t bear much scrutiny — but the acting was good and, as I say, the effects were fun.
All in all, I had more fun at MBV than my husband and daughter did at Marley & Me where my daughter was just a basket case over the ending.
We’ll probably see Blart and enjoy it. Escapism – that’s where its at for us these days.