1. The Dark Knight (4,366 Theaters, 142 Minutes, Rated PG-13): The accidental death of Heath Ledger has cast a pall over this movie for me. It has put me in the same mind set I had just before I saw another comic book adaptation.
The Crow was supposed to be Brandon Lee’s breakout film. It was supposed to catapult him into superstardom. However, a horrible freak accident during filming took his life. His potential was never satisfied.
Lee’s death cast a shroud of melancholy over the film. Some people might consider Lee to be not inthe same class as Ledger. But I say they were both actors whose future was wide open and who left us far too soon.
Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker is supposed to be awesome to behold. It is supposed to be award caliber and a fresh take on one of the world’s most well known characters. Forgive me for saying this, but I almost hope that the performance is not that good. It will make the loss of Ledger’s talent that much harder to bear.
2. Mamma Mia! (2,976 Theaters, 108 Minutes, Rated PG-13): At one time, musicals ruled Hollywood. During the 50s and 60s, you couldn’t throw a rock without hitting a theater showing a musical. Singin’ In The Rain, The Sound of Music, Oklahoma, On the Town, one after another, a great musical after great musical.
But in the 70s and 80s, they fell out of favor. Only with the success of Chicago has the movie musical made a quasi comeback.
Of course, the Broadway musicals arent what they used to be. Mamma Mia! was one for the first “jukebox” musicals. You take a popular band with a lot of hit songs, in this case, ABBA, and then try to build a story around said songs.
This one is supposed to the be the best of the bunch. It details a young woman who wants to invite her father to her wedding. Only problem is, there are three potential candidates and Mom’s not telling who the real dad is. The girl decides to invite all three. Hilarity ensues.
3. Space Chimps (2,511 Theaters, 81 Minutes, Rated G): You get the impression that the powers that be behind this film, just kind of gave up on it. I mean, opening it the same day as The Dark Knight and Mamma Mia!? If this makes five bucks, it will be lucky.
This is the story of the grandson of the first monkey in space get a chance to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. Of course, he doesn’t really have the “Right Stuff”. Hilarity ensues as he tries to “get with the program”.
This would be the part where I post the trailer for the film. Unfortunately, no such trailer exists, at least not on iFilm. So, lucky you.
