1. Kung Fu Panda (4,114 Theaters, 88 Minutes, Rated PG): Dreamworks has been the Rolling Stones to the Pixar’s Beatles. Even though they have been making computer animated kiddie flicks for well over seven years now, they still appear to be second class to the CGI golden child.
Not in terms of grosses, of course. Shrek 2 ranks highly on the top ten highest grossing movies of all time. So, in putting butts in the seats, they might be as good as Pixar if not better.
It’s in quality where Dreamworks lacks behind. The conventional wisdom is that whatever movie Pixar puts out will be great, but Dreamworks doesn’t get the same treatment.
This movie might change all that. The advance reviews for this movie have been overwhelmingly positive. Maybe the perceptions about Dreamworks are about the change.
The story revolves around a panda who inadvertently is chosen champion of the Valley of Peace. Good luck to him.
2. You Don’t Mess with the Zohan (3, 462 Theaters, 113 Minutes, Rated PG-13): I am completely bi-polar about Adam Sandler movies. Films where he acts like a moron, like Happy Gilmore or Billy Madison, I really can’t stand. Films where he acts relatively normal, like in Wedding Singer or 50 First Dates, I really enjoy.
So, in what category does this fall? Well, since Sandler plays Mossad agent who fakes his own death so he can persue his dream of being a hairdresser in New York City, I think it might fall into the “goofy Sandler” category.
However, this film is co-written by Judd Apatow. I am a big fan of Judd Apatow and he hasn’t disappointed me yet. And while the premise is a bit goofy, Sandler appears to be playing it serious. So maybe that will help.
And this might be a fun fact for no one else but myself, but keep and eye out for Dave Matthews. The rock star plays “James” in this movie. It is a reuniting with Sandler, having played a salesman in I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry.
