Categories
Back Seat Box Office Shows

Back Seat Box Office #93

William

  1. Magic Mike
  2. Brave
  3. Ted
  4. Madea’s Witness Protection
  5. People Like Us

Jonathan

  1. Brave
  2. Magic Mike
  3. Ted
  4. Madea’s Witness Protection
  5. Madagascar 3

Tony

  1. Ted
  2. Brave
  3. Magic Mike
  4. Madea’s Witness Protection
  5. Madagascar
Categories
Back Seat Box Office BSBO Results Shows

Back Seat Box Office #92 Results and Voice Mail

Thanks to Art and Tad for the voice mail.

Congrats to Jeff for the best score of the week – 24

Categories
Back Seat Quickies Shows

Back Seat Quickies #52: Brave

In the seat:

  • Sam
  • Scott
recorded 06/25/12
Categories
News

Weekend Box Office: June 22-24

#1 Brave from Buena Vista opened at #1 with a gross of $66.3 million in 4,164 theaters.  Budget was $185 million.

#2 Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted from Paramount fell to #2 with a gross of $19.7 million (-42.1%) in 3,920 theaters (-343).  Total gross to date is $157.1 million.  Budget was $145 million.

#3 Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter from Fox opened at #3 with a weekend gross of $16.3 million in 3,108 theaters.  Budget was $69 million.

#4 Prometheus from Sony fell from #2 to #4 with a weekend gross of $9.9 million (-52.2%) in 2,862 theaters (-580).  Total gross to date is $108.5 million.  Budget was $130 million.

#5 Snow White and the Huntsman from Universal held at #5 with a gross of $8.1 million (-39%)  in 2,919 theaters (-782) .  Total gross to date is $137.1 million.  Budget was $170 million.

#6 Rock of Ages from Warner Brothers fell from #3 to #6 with a gross of $7.7 million (-47%) in 3,470 theaters.  Total gross to date is $28.4 million.  Budget was $75 million.

#7 That’s My Boy from Sony fell from #4 to #7 with a weekend gross of $7.6 million (-43.3%) in 3,030 theaters.  Total gross to date is $27.9 million.  Budget was $70 million.

#8 Marvel’s The Avengers from Buena Vista fell from #7 to #8 with a weekend gross of $7.2 million (-19.4%) in 2,230 theaters (-352).  Total gross to date is $598.4 million. Budget was $220 million.

#9 MIB 3 from Sony fell from #6 to #9 with a weekend gross of $5.7 million (-43%) in 2,462 theaters (-673).  Total gross to date is $163.5 million.  Budget was $225 million.

#10 Seeking a Friend for the End of the World from Focus Features opened at #10 with a weekend gross of $3.8 million in 1,625 theaters.  Budget was $10 million.

#11 Moonrise Kingdom from Focus Features fell from #9 to #11 with a weekend gross of $3.4 million (+51.7%) in 395 theaters (+217). Total gross to date is $11.6 million. Budget was $16 million.

#12 The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel from Fox Searchlight fell from #8 to #12 with a weekend gross of $1.6 million (-28.7%) in 741 theaters (-443). Total gross to date is $38.4 million. Budget is unknown.

The combined gross of the top 12 movies this weekend was $157.4 million.

Sources:
Box Office Mojo

Categories
Announcement

Theatrical Review: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States and considered one of the greatest presidents of all time, has led a secret double life. As young boy, Lincoln witnesses the murder of his mother at the hands of a vampire, though at the time that was unknown to him. Young Abe has pledged his vengeance and one day he gets the chance when he’s approached by Henry Sturgess who explains all thing vampire to him. As time passes, Abe uses his newfound skills to dispatch vampires who threaten the land, while building himself up as a statesman and marrying Mary Todd. All the while, a plot is brewing as Adam, the leader of the vampires in America, Is aligning himself with the South to win the Civil War and take the United States of America for his kind.

That is the utterly absurd premise to Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter the latest movie from director Timur Bekmambetov who’s previously directed Wanted, Night Watch and Day Watch. It’s adapted from the popular novel by Seth Grahame-Smith who’s also written the screenplay for this film. Yes, I said “utterly absurd” above, but don’t take that as derogative in the slightest; Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is really a lot of fun and certainly a very different kind of vampire movie than what we’re used to seeing in recent times.

I’ve not read the novel, though I’ve heard a lot about it. From what I understand, the approach taken in the novel is more satirical than anything else and that’s not the case with the movie. This movie takes it’s story and it’s characters very seriously, but thanks to Bekmambetov’s over-the-top style of action and filmmaking, that sort of takes the place of the satire and makes this more of something like a classic “tall tale” along the lines of Paul Bunyan and Johnny Appleseed. Even though it is serious, it’s not without it’s moments of humor. That and it’s extreme action sequences certainly brought a smile to my face throughout the film.

It’s not without it’s problems though. As the movie makes the jump from the younger Abe using his new skills to the older presidential version, there seems to be a slight shift in it’s pacing. Certain places of the film seem disjointed and some portions of the narrative seem to (at least to me) be out of place. It all still makes sense in the end, but the back third of the film just doesn’t seem to have the same vitality that’s displayed in the first two thirds.

But still, the movie looks fantastic and it uses it’s 3D very effectively with loads of moments that are in your face. Some will dislike Bekmambetov’s use of CGI and slow motion techniques, but personally, I thought it was all good and just further played into the whole “tall tale” aspect of this whole thing.

Benjamin Walker plays Abraham Lincoln and for the most part, this kid is unknown to me. If this movie is any indication though, Walker is a talent to be watched.. Physically, he reminds me of what you might get if you crossed Liam Neeson with Randy Quaid and that’s not meant in any sort of insulting way at all. His figure is very different from the sort of action hero you’d be used to seeing in this type of thing and watching him in the action scenes was really a lot of fun. But he’s got the acting chops as well and casts a genuine air of earnestness throughout the film. Walker does indeed carry this film.

Walker’s got a lot of great support with Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie and Jimmi Simpson playing his allies in war against the vampires. Cooper, who plays Henry Sturgess, in particular is a lot of fun and he’s attacking this part with great gusto. Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays Mary Todd and she and Walker, at least to me, have genuine chemistry, though it’s not in the same sense that you’d see in a contemporary relationship.

Rufus Sewell, Martin Csokas and Erin Wasson play the villains of this piece. Sewell plays Adam, the leader of the vampires, and he just brings the proper weight to the part. Martin Csokas plays Jack Barts, the vampire who starts young Abe on his quest, and he’s very much a vicious character who you’re genuinely glad to see get what’s coming to him after one of the film’s most absurd action scenes; a chase running across the backs of stampeding horses (really, you’ve got to see it). Erin Wasson plays Vadoma, Adam’s right-hand woman, and even though she doesn’t have a huge amount of lines, still makes up for it with presence; you notice her when she’s in a scene.

From what I’ve gathered from other reviews that I’ve read, there are huge portions of Grahame-Smith’s novel that aren’t in this film, with many of those same reviewers being heavily disappointed because they aren’t there. Considering that Grahame-Smith wrote the screenplay for the film, I’d like to think that he was OK with taking his novel and making it something quite a bit different for a summer action film, but that still may not stand to well with the purists. As I said above, I’ve not read the book myself, but after seeing the movie, I have to say I’m certainly interested in reading it, even though it’s not going to be the same thing that I saw on the big screen. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is absurd fun that just won me over in thanks to it’s over-the-top action and effects, it’s playfulness with history and a very earnest performance from Benjamin Walker in the title role. It may not sit well with some, but I had a terrific ride with this one, even with it’s above-mentioned problems.

Categories
Back Seat Box Office Shows

Back Seat Box Office #92

Picks:

Jonathan, Tony

  1. Brave
  2. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
  3. Madagascar 3
  4. Prometheus
  5. Rock of Ages

There are no other movies in wide release this week.

Categories
News

Weekend Box Office: June 15-17

#1 Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted from Paramount held the #1 spot with a gross of $34.1 million (-43.5%) in 4,263 theaters (+5).  Total gross to date is $119 million.  Budget was $145 million.

#2 Prometheus from Sony also held at #2 with a weekend gross of $20.7 million (-59.4%) in 3,442 theaters (+46).  Total gross to date is $89.4 million.  Budget was $130 million.

#3 Rock of Ages from Warner Brothers debuted at #3 with a gross of $14.4 million in 3,470 theaters.  Budget was $75 million.

#4 That’s My Boy from Sony debuted at #4 with a weekend gross of $13.5 million in 3,030 theaters.  Budget was $70 million.

#5 Snow White and the Huntsman from Universal fell from #3 to #5 with a gross of $13.3 million (-42.5%)  in 3,701 theaters (-76) .  Total gross to date is $122.1 million.  Budget was $170 million.

#6 MIB 3 from Sony fell from #4 to #6 with a weekend gross of $10 million (-27.7%) in 3,135 theaters (-657).  Total gross to date is $152.7 million.  Budget was $225 million.

#7 Marvel’s The Avengers from Buena Vista fell from #5 to #7 with a weekend gross of $8.9 million (-20.8%) in 2,582 theaters (-547).  Total gross to date is $586.8 million. Budget was $220 million.

#8 The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel from Fox Searchlight fell from #6 to #8 with a weekend gross of $2.3 million (-30.1%) in 1,184 theaters (-114). Total gross to date is $35.2 million. Budget is unknown.

#9 Moonrise Kingdom from Focus Features rose from #10 to #9 with a weekend gross of $2.2 million (+43.5%) in 178 theaters (+82). Total gross to date is $6.8 million. Budget was $16 million.

#10 Battleship from Universal fell from #8 to #10 with a weekend gross of $1.2 million (-45.2%) in 942 theaters (-1,012).  Total gross to date is $62.2 million.  Budget was $209 million.

#11 What to Expect When You’re Expecting from Lionsgate fell from #7 to #11 with a weekend gross of $1.2 million (-56.8%) in 1,216 theaters (-871). Total gross to date is $38.6 million. Budget was $40 million.

#12 The Dictator from Paramount fell from #9 to #12 with a weekend gross of $1.1 million (-50.5%) in 1,119 theaters (-532).  Total gross to date is $57.7 million.  Budget was $65 million.

The combined gross of the top 12 movies this weekend was $123 million.

Sources:
Box Office Mojo

Categories
Back Seat Box Office BSBO Results Shows

Back Seat Box Office #91 Results and Voice Mail

Thanks to Tad and Art for their VM this week.

Congrats to William and Jonathan for the high-scores of the week.

Categories
Back Seat Quickies Shows

Back Seat Quickies #51: The Amazing Screw-on Head, also Limitless

In the seat:

  • Scott
  • Jeff
Recorded: 06/17/12
Categories
Back Seat Producers Season 07 Shows

BSP Episode 232: Fahrenheit 451

Release date:  11/24/1966

Universal Pictures

 

Directed by

  • Francois Truffaut

Produced by

  • Lewis M. Allen

Screenplay by

  • Jean-Louis Ricard
  • Francois Truffaut

Story by (novel)

  • Ray Bradbury

Cast

Oskar Werner

  • Guy Montag

Julie Christie

  • Clarisse/Linda Montag

Cyril Cusack

  • The Captain

 

Darrell hadn’t seen the movie in a long time and thought it wasn’t bad; it had problems but it was a decent interpretation of the novel Fahrenheit 451.  Jill thought it had some good elements and was surprised at how prophetic the film was, especially in its use of language.  The hosts also commented on how a lot of what was written in 1953, especially the anti-socialism aspect, has come true today.

Darrell brought up the feud between Truffaut and Werner and how that affected the portrayal of Montag.  Tony liked the movie (both now and years ago).  He also likened Montag’s character to the concept of The Seven Year Itch in the way he reacts to his wife vs. Clarisse.  He thought some of the performances were robotic, on purpose, but it didn’t necessarily work.  The hosts all agreed that Julie Christie’s performance as Linda and Clarisse were very good.

Jill thought that the soundtrack acted almost as another character in the film and that the music drew you in.  The opening montage with only the spoken word introductions was also a brilliant move.  They also loved the scene in which Montag picks up a newspaper and the viewer sees that the newspaper is drawn as a cartoon and has no words at all.

The theme of narcissism, how the characters were almost programmed to be that way was an interesting contrast to The Captain’s earlier speech of how the only way to make everyone happy in society was to make everybody equal.

Jill liked the scene in which the older woman burned herself with her books, both as the woman’s stance as an individual and how the books seemed to come alive as they burned.  The group of people at the end of the film, who all memorized and subsequently “became” their book, brought up the very difficult question of, “Which book would you pick, which book would you BE?”  Tony would be The Stone and the Flute by Hans Bemmann.  Jill toyed with the thought of picking/being The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.  Darrell brought up an interesting point regarding the people who have chosen to memorize and become a book to preserve that particular work.  There are certainly many more books than there are people to memorize them (as far as the film goes) so there will still be many more books lost than kept alive.

The hosts discussed censorship today and what they remembered when they were younger.  None of them were alive when there really did burn books but they all remember the PRMC and music censorship.  Today there is internet censorship, but what exactly gets censored is interesting, which brought up the age-old question of who decides what should and should not be censored and how.

Movie trivia bits n’ pieces:

Among the books burned by the firemen is the film journal Cahiers du Cinema, which was written by director Francois Truffaut.  Also among the books burned are The Martian Chronicles and Fahrenheit 451, both written by Ray Bradbury.

According to producer Lewis M. Allen, it was his idea to have Julie Christie play both main female roles, as Truffaut thought that the characters should not be good vs. evil but should instead be two sides of the same coin.  Allen said that Terence Stamp, who was originally slated to play Montag, then withdrew from the movie because Stamp felt that with two parts, Christie would overshadow him.

 

Your Producers for this episode were:

  • Tony
  • Darrell
  • Jill

This episode was recorded: 6/13/2012