At the Movies
A monster tale (“Frankenweenie”), an action sequel (“Taken 2”) and a creepy chiller (“V/H/S”) are among the titles arriving during this first weekend of October.
For complete descriptions, critical evaluations of previewed films, and explanations of the Motion Picture Association of America ratings in terms of violence, language and sexual content, please refer to the Movie Capsules in Friday’s ToDo section.
The openings (with all dates subject to change) include:
“Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel,” with the high priestess of fashion (1903-1998) the subject of a documentary. The PG-13 picture looks at the life of the designer, who was known as a controversial visionary with the ability to spot the strengths of photographers, publishers and personalities. Those she worked with and advised include Andy Warhol, Lauren Bacall and Jacqueline Kennedy. Lisa Immordino, Bent-Jorgen Perlmutt and Frederic Tcheng co-directed.
“Frankenweenie,” with the voices of Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder and Christopher Lee in Tim Burton’s long-planned stop-motion-animation version of his black-and-white short about a beloved canine, Sparky, who dies and is resurrected by his owner. Burton also directed the PG-rated picture.
“Butter,” with Jennifer Garner, Ty Burrell, Alicia Silverstone and Hugh Jackman in an R-rated comedy about the extreme reaction of a wife after her husband faces trouble in remaining Iowa’s champion butter carver. British filmmaker Jim Field Smith (“She’s Out of My League”) directed. It will play exclusively at the AMC Neshaminy 24, 3900 Rockhill Drive, Bensalem, Pa. Call 215-396-8050.
“Little Red Wagon,” with Chandler Canterbury in an uplifting factual tale about an 8-year-old boy who uses his beat-up red wagon to get food and supplies to people trapped by 2004’s Hurricane Charley in Tampa, Fla. David Anspaugh (“Hoosiers”) directed. The PG-rated drama is playing exclusively at the Regal Oaks, 180 Mill Road, Upper Providence, Pa. 19456. Call 610-666-6564.
“The Oranges,” with Hugh Laurie, Leighton Meester, Catherine Keener, Allison Janney and Oliver Platt. In the biting R-rated comedy-drama-romance, an older man throws a community into turmoil after he becomes involved with the much younger daughter of his friend and neighbor. Julian Farino (BBC’s “Byron”) directed.
“The Other Dream Team,” with Marius A. Markevicius directing an unrated documentary on the 1992 Lithuanian Olympic basketball team. The players won the bronze at the Barcelona Olympics and then used their newfound fame to help their countrymen break away from the shackles of communism.
“Taken 2,” with Liam Neeson returning as a deadly former government operative who in this PG-13 sequel must use his lethal skills to rescue his wife. The follow-up became inevitable when the modestly budgeted original enjoyed a global gross of $226.8 million, plus millions in sales of DVDs and Blu-ray Discs, and turned Neeson into an action hero.
“V/H/S,” with David Bruckner, Glenn McQuaid, Joe Swanberg, Ti West and Adam Wingard directing segments of this underground R-rated anthology picture featuring five segments about the horrors generated by stacks of VHS tapes filled with some frightening images. This is a found-footage movie, a la “The Blair Witch Project,” and those bothered by choppy camera movements have been warned.
At the buck$ office
Some computer-generated vampires sank their fangs into the box office last weekend.
“Hotel Transylvania,” a PG-rated comedy featuring the voice of Adam Sandler as Dracula, premiered with a very impressive $43 million. According to Box Office Mojo, “Hotel” set an opening record for a September release.
The slick time-travel thriller “Looper” enjoyed a modest opening of $21.2 million. Word-of-mouth could generate some future interest in the title, starring Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The R-rated sci-fi tale deserved to do better.
According to Box Office Mojo, the top 10 films last weekend were:
1. “Hotel Transylvania” ($43 million)
2. “Looper” ($21.2 million)
3. “End of Watch” ($8 million)
4. “Trouble With the Curve” ($7.5 million)
5. “House at the End of the Street” ($7.1 million)
6. “Pitch Perfect” ($5.2 million)
7. “Finding Nemo 3-D” ($4 million)
8. “Resident Evil: Retribution” ($3 million)
9. “The Master” ($2.745 million)
10. “Won’t Back Down” ($2.7 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. and 12:45 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