The Weekend's Only Pun-Free Box Office Report

Amir reporting. You’ve heard it all: Noah stormed the theatres; audiences flooded to see it; “Oh, Noah! The film isn’t very good;” Aronofski’s drowning in his worst reviews since The Fountain was showered with… oh fuck it! This will be the only pun-free box office report you will read this Sunday. (But yes, since you’re asking, Noah did sail comfortably ahead of the competition!)

With even stronger numbers coming in from abroad, Aronofsky’s latest is going to be a massive international hit despite the (mostly made up) controversies that preceded its release. On the other hand, God’s Not Dead barely dropped at all from last week’s astonishing sales. Perhaps Freestyle Releasing, the film’s distributor, has intentionally pit it against Noah to offer an ideological alternative? Am I reading too much into it? Possibly.

BOX OFFICE
01 NOAH $44 *new*
02 DIVERGENT $26.5 (cum. $95.2) Review / Jai Courtney
03 MUPPETS MOST WANTED $11.3 (cum. $33.2)
04 MR PEABODY & SHERMAN $9.5 (cum. $94.9) this franchise's history
05 GOD'S NOT DEAD $9.0 (cum. $22.0)
06 THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL  $8.8 (cum. $24.4)
07 SABOTAGE $5.3 *new*
08 NEED FOR SPEED  $4.3 (cum. $37.7)
09 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE $4.3 (cum. $101.1)
10 NON-STOP $4 (cum. $85.1) Amir's Review 

Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel is another film that continues its powerful streak, and for good reason. Despite what you might hear elsewhere, this is Anderson’s best film, give or take Fantastic Mr. Fox and a real delight. Most of his films look like pastries; this one tastes as sweet, too. With a worldwide gross that is already in the ballpark of the total of his biggest hits ($69m for Budapest to Moonrise’s 68m and Tenenbaum’s 71m) it is clear that Anderson’s dioramic designs and eccentric humor are no longer for a niche audience. Irrespective of what one thinks of the film, it’s worth celebrating that an auteur with such a distinctive vision can do solid business without compromising his artistic sensibilities.

Cesar Chavez, a rare chance to see Michael Peña in the lead and the Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle Sabotage were the weekend’s other wide releases. Sight unseen, I’m willing to bet the latter is the biggest waste of Olivia Williams’ talent. On the limited side, two documentaries opened for the lucky readers living in major markets. Mistaken for Strangers follows the unfairly derided band The National and is as close as one can get to an interesting music documentary. Finding Vivian Maier is artless as a film but its subject, a mysteriously reclusive street photographer who spent decades working as a nanny, is so fascinating that it makes up for the shortcomings.

What have you watched this weekend?

Yes, No, Maybe So: Begin Again

Can a Song Save Your Life? The Weinstein Company doesn't think so, since they've changed the title of that music industry Mark Ruffalo/Keira Knightley film. It would like to be known as Begin Again before it actually faces the fickle public. Presumably due to the widespread industry belief (it's not just TWC) that the more generic the title, the more likely it is to appeal to multiple quadrants. Why anyone interested in a dramedy about the music industry would object to the earlier title who can say without degrees in P&A?

Yes No Maybe So breakdown after the jump

Click to read more ...

Hugh Jackman, Always a Good (Tuneful) Sport

In so many ways I wish Hugh Jackman could move on from Wolverine, the role that brought him enormous fame but which he has been performing for 14 of his 15 years in motion pictures. That's longer than virtually any TV star performs their signature role. And there are more years to come with at least one more solo film booked after X-Men Days of Future Past. Think of the movie musicals and wide variety of dramas or comedies he could have done in that time! 

But, that said, Hugh Jackman always finds ways to become even more loveable (a tall feat given how adorable he started out) just when you're like 'enough, already!'.

Here he is one the BBC Radio 1's ‘The Matt Edmonson Show,’ performing "Wolverine: The Musical" by mixing his two signature roles (Logan & Jean Valjean) with his best role: himself.

♥♥♥

Say What, Banks on Bike?

Amuse us by adding a caption or dialogue to this still of Elizabeth Banks from Walk of Shame. I'll announce the winner later. After the jump, see the winners of the last few "say whats" and what they won.

Click to read more ...

ICYMI

Busy week as usual. Seven highlights, in case you missed them...

Alfre Woodard - we talked to the great actress about her favorite roles from 12 Years a Slave to Passion Fish
Stage Door catfights - Anne Marie finally made it to the classics in her Katharine Hepburn retrospective. This one is deeply pleasureable
LA Confidential - this "Best Shot" edition didn't have the turnout of Eternal Sunshine but it sure was interesting to see this movie again after all these years. Such stellar performances 
Tom vs. Dickie - Jude and Matt were warring again in this Italian edition of "beauty vs. beast" in which both of them are both beauties and beasts. Have you voted yet?
Jai Courtney - the next big thing or the next shrug? 
Women's History Month - profiles of great actresses as real life women 
X-Men Days of Future Past - we yes no maybe so'ed the popular trailer 

DON'T FORGET "Best Shot"
The next three films have been chosen -- legendary bad movie Can't Stop the Music (1980) is our April Fools Day selection so watch it this weekend and join us on Tuesday with YOUR Best Shot.

Later in the season we'll be hitting films from all decades and genres and reputations as we do. (You can see the complete list of previous titles by season or by decade) but the best way to enjoy the series is not by waiting for your favorites to show up but by participating each time and blowing your mind, taste and eyeballs wide open. Sad Side Note: I'm dying to do Ken Russell's The Devils (1971) for this series but it's still very hard to find on DVD. Argh. I don't understand why Criterion doesn't come to the rescue - thank god I saw it at the Walter Reade when I had the chance a few years back.

COMING SOON
Our Annual April Foolish Predictions for the Oscar race won't be as early as usual since we're working on some behind the scenes coding. I'll be on a wee vacation as well from April 3rd through the 7th as well but the rest of the team may well pop in.