Director: Christian Alvart
Run Time: 1 Hour 49 Minutes
Rating: R
The Bouw-Man.
I see a lot of films on a first-run basis at the theater. Never did I once see a trailer for “Case 39” in all my trips. That’s not a good sign. Renée Zellweger has never been one of my favorite actresses, but she has some appeal on a mass scale. Bradley Cooper is also continuing to gain popularity, so it doesn’t say much in terms of quality that they have kept this movie pretty much under wraps with little to no marketing or advertising. Remember last year’s “All About Steve?” Ironically, that film also starred the aforementioned Bradley Cooper. “All About Steve” was the one “black eye” on Sandra Bullock’s 2009 year. It was so awful that they kept delaying the release date. It finally came out in September, when Bullock’s name recognition was starting to hit an all-time high. Ultimately it didn’t help much, because the film itself was garbage.
Similarly, “Case 39” has been on the shelf for a long time. It was shot back in 2006, and was originally set for a 2008 summer release date. Well, what does it say now that the film is coming out in October of 2010? I’m assuming it would’ve gone straight to DVD, if not for Zellweger and Cooper. The trailer isn’t bad, but it’s nothing special either. There’s have been a lot of horror films made about “special” or “gifted” children, so this is likely to add nothing new. The only real question contrived from the preview, is whether the child’s abuse is justified or not based on the situation. That’s definitely not enough to warrant paying the price of a ticket, so I guess I’ll have to live without knowing the answer. I’m guessing I’m not alone in that regard.
Prediction.
There’s already another horror film centered on children this exact same weekend, so you have to question the timing of releasing the film now. I mean, you waited this long, so why not wait a little longer? Maybe the powers that be think it’s a stinker no matter what, so what’s the difference at this point. I think a $5 million opening weekend would make the producers ecstatic, but I can’t see “Case 39” hitting even that goal. $2.5 million is an appropriate opening weekend total for a film of this magnitude.
Opening Weekend Gross: $2.5 Million
Noodles.
There are 38 horror movies that sucked this year...This is 39. As much as the trailer for 'Let Me In' pulled at my curiosity and made me want to see it. This film feels like a hamfisted phony, playing at being suspenseful and scary. The fast cuts and stylish edits are there to fool you into thinking that the film will have chilling action sequences. I feel like its a dud waiting to happen.
I also have a pet peeve with trailers that leave it unclear what the menace of the film is. Is the little girl evil? Do demons follow her around? Is it ghosts like in 'Poltergeist'? Wizards? What the hell is so scary? Just say, "the Demons are following her", and I'm satisfied as to what kind of horror film I'm watching. This has all the trappings of a twist ending where we find out the little girl is dosing everyone around her with peyote, and then setting them up to get killed. If that's the case with this film I'm going to be so pissed.
Prediction.
I can't remember the last Renee Zellweger flick that tore down any records at the box office. Granted, horror films have a draw despite the star in the lead role, but with another more intriguing film coming out this weekend I think this one is going to tank.
Opening Weekend: Gross: $7 Million
SHOWTIMES & TICKETS |
No comments:
Post a Comment