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September 2, 2010

Heather Bremer: Looking back on a summer of hits and misses

By Heather Bremer The Herald Bulletin

ANDERSON, Ind. — The kids are back in school. We’re all desperate for the quickly coming cooler days. And Labor Day has arrived to extend our weekend.

If you’re looking for indications that summer is over at the box office, these are pretty good signs that the blockbusters have been put to bed for the season.

But before we drift in the lull between summer flicks and Oscar bait, let’s look back at the hits, the misses and what’s coming up that might be worth our time.



Hits

  • “Toy Story 3” — The third installment of the beloved Pixar franchise soared beyond the $1 billion mark this week, becoming the first animated movie to reach the milestone. “Toy Story 3” has raked in more than the previous two films combined, and it did it with a tender story that left grown women (and men) sobbing through its conclusion. Pixar certainly has the Midas touch.
  • “Inception” — If there’s anyone who knows what it’s like to be Pixar lately, it’s Christopher Nolan. The “Dark Knight” director’s mind-morphing film sits at $271 million domestically and had everyone talking — and giving away the ending. Shame on all of you. Now, Mr. Nolan, you’ve had your fun. Back to Batman. Please.
  • “Karate Kid” — This was the movie so many, including the original Kid himself, didn’t want to see made. How could you recapture the magic of the ’80s classic? Apparently, take a $40 million budget, add the adorable Jaden Smith and a reserved Jackie Chan and sell it to kids who (gasp) never saw its namesake. “Karate Kid” quadrupled its budget, earning $175 million, and making it one of the surprise hits of the summer.
  • Other hits: “Iron Man 2,” “Twilight: Eclipse” and “Shrek Ever After”



Misses

  • “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” — This video-game adaptation had a mammoth $200 million budget. But it had to claw and scratch its way to the $90 million mark. For some reason, audiences didn’t buy Jake Gyllenhaal as the hero type.
  • “Robin Hood” — This film quickly earned the nickname “Gladiator with a Bow.” But any similarities between this bomb and the Oscar-winning “Gladiator” end at Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott. Critically panned, “Robin Hood” earned just $105 million on a $200 million budget.
  • “A-Team” — Another attempt to capture ’80s nostalgia. But a bad one. Poor effects and questionable casting (an MMA guy? Really?) doomed what should have been a sure-fire hit. Pity the fools and their $77 million flop.
  • Other misses: “Knight & Day,” “Marmaduke” and “Jonah Hex”



Honorable Mention

Here we’ll hand out plaudits not for what the film earned at the box office but what it brought to the box office:

  • “Salt” — A strong female role in an action film. Brought to you by the baddest girl on the block, Angelina Jolie.
  • “Expendables” — Bruce, Arnold and Sly, the action icons of the ’80s, on screen — together. Even if it was for just a few minutes.
  • “Predators” — Finally, a “Predators” sequel worth watching. Sorry, Danny Glover ...
  • “The Losers” — The movie “A-Team” should have been. And another strong female role, one that comes with a rocket launcher.
  • “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” — You may not get it. But indescribable joy awaits if you do. +999 experience points.



Coming Up

Keep these movies on your radar this fall. They’ll keep you happy until the next “Harry Potter” arrives in November:

  • Friday: “Machete,” “Going the Distance”
  • Sept. 17: “Devil,” “Easy A”
  • Sept. 24: “Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole”



Contact Heather Bremer at 640-4867 or heather.bremer@heraldbulletin.com.

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