Something for everyone in new film releases
An apocalyptic title (“Bellflower”), a tense thriller (“Drive”), a spiritual drama (“Higher Ground”), a contemporary comedy (“I Don’t Know How She Does It”), a remastered Disney favorite (“The Lion King 3-D”) and a Sam Peckinpah remake (“Straw Dogs”) are among the releases arriving for this third weekend in September.
The films scheduled for this weekend include:
“Bellflower,” with Evan Glodell, Tyler Dawson and Jessie Wiseman in a fascinatingly offbeat R-rated picture about two friends preparing for the apocalypse by building weapons like flamethrowers and vehicles inspired by the Australian revenge favorite “Mad Max.”
Their worldview changes when a pretty lady arrives in their lives. Glodell made his directing debut with the title.
“Drive,” with Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan and Albert Brooks in an inspired R-rated thriller about a Hollywood stunt driver who, in his off time, serves as the wheelman for high-end robberies. He changes his usual routine after meeting a young woman who has a child and needs help escaping from a dead-end existence. Danish filmmaker Nicholas Winding Refn (“Bronson”) directed the creatively rendered $13 million production, which is based on the book by James Sallis.
“Gun Hill Road,” with Esai Morales and Judi Reyes in an R-rated family drama about a Bronx man who’s released from prison and learns that his son is exploring life as a transsexual as his sexual identity evolves.
“Higher Ground,” with Vera Farmiga and John Hawkes in an absorbing R-rated drama about a deeply spiritual woman who lives in a male-dominated religious community and faces obstacles and protests after she starts preaching and sharing her spiritual insights.
The talented Farmiga, best known for films such as “The Departed,” “Up in the Air” and “Source Code,” made her directing debut.
“I Don’t Know How She Does It,” with Sarah Jessica Parker, Pierce Brosnan, Christina Hendricks and Greg Kinnear in a PG-13 dramedy about a Boston-based working mom juggling marriage, two children and a stressful job. Douglas McGrath (“Emma”) directed.
“The Lion King 3-D,” with the voices of Matthew Broderick and James Earl Jones in a rerelease of the Walt Disney animated favorite. The G-rated hit, which cost $45 million and has grossed $788.2 million worldwide since its 1994 release, has been remastered to be shown in the pop-off-the-screen format.
“Mysteries of Lisbon,” with Adriano Luz and Maria Joao Bastos in director Raul Ruiz’s film about an illegitimate child created by two members of the aristocracy who are forbidden to marry. The unrated import is based on the novel by Portugese writer Camilo Castelo Branco.
“Straw Dogs,” with James Marsden, Kate Bosworth and James Woods in an R-rated remake of Sam Peckinpah’s intensely unsettling drama (1971) about a meek Los Angeles screenwriter forced to go to violent extremes when his wife and home are attacked by thugs in the Deep South. Rod Lurie (“The Contender”) directed.
At the Buck$ Office
“Contagion” was contagious at the box office last weekend.
The PG-13 picture, starring Laurence Fishburne, Matt Damon, Marion Cotillard and Gwyneth Paltrow in a thriller about an out-of-control virus, opened with more than $23 million.
“Contagion” was followed by “The Help,” which grossed $8.6 million for the No. 2 position. Since its release five weeks ago, “The Help,” starring Viola Davis, has grossed a hugely impressive $137 million.
“Warrior” didn’t put up much of a fight at the box office. The PG-13 picture about two brothers (Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton) meeting in a mixed martial arts bout opened with $5.6 million.
According to Box Office Mojo, the top-10 films last weekend were:
1. “Contagion” ($23.1 million)
2. “The Help” ($8.6 million)
3. “Warrior” ($5.6 million)
4. “The Debt” ($4.9 million)
5. “Colombiana” ($4 million)
6. “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” ($3.8 million)
7. “Shark Night 3-D” ($3.5 million)
8. “Apollo 18” ($2.9 million)
9. “Our Idiot Brother” ($2.7 million)
10. “Spy Kids: All the Time in the World 4D” ($2.5 million)
Gaul on the Radio
My “At the Movies” radio segment airs live at 11:35 a.m. every Friday as part of “The Dom Giordano Show” (WPHT-AM/1210 and www.thebigtalker1210.com).
The broadcast includes discussions of newly released movies and DVDs as well as motion picture news and cinema trends.
A different version of my “At the Movies” segment can be heard on Burlington County College radio station WBZC-FM/88.9, 95.1 and 100.7 on Fridays at 8:45 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. and on Saturdays at 10:45 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. The show can also be heard online at www.z889.org.
Gaul on the Web
My film reviews, features and columns can be found under entertainment/movies on our website, www.phillyBurbs.com.
Lou Gaul: 609-871-8055; email, lgaul@phillyBurbs.com