Two new releases involve their heroes overcoming hardship. Neither have been reviewed very well. So, you might want to skip this week.
1. King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (Warners, 3,702 Theaters, 126 Minutes, Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, some suggestive content and brief strong language, Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer at press time: 26% Fresh [117 Reviews]): The legend of King Arthur is such a malleable story that it can be adapted into many different genres. It fits in action, romance, musicals and comedy. There is very little that can’t be done with the concept.
This one is helmed by Guy Ritchie, a director who has experience breathing life into legendary British characters with his work with Sherlock Holmes. He presents a grim and gritty take on the legend, where Arthur is a street rat before coming into his true destiny as king.
But grim and gritty does not mean that it needs to be drab and dull. The muted color scheme makes everything watch out, and gives the promise of a film you’d have to slog through instead of a rousing adventure that you would enjoy.
2. Snatched (Fox, 3,501 Theaters, 90 Minutes, Rated R for crude sexual content, brief nudity, and language throughout, Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer at press time: 37% Fresh [103 Reviews]): Amy Schumer is an unmitigated genius and one of the funniest people on the planet. Inside Amy Schumer is one of the best shows on TV, especially when it delves into social and political commentary.
She made a big splash in films with Trainwreck, which she also wrote and played up to her strengths. But if she wants to have a movie career, she is going to have to put herself in the hands of other people and do films she has no control over the content.
On paper, this seemed like a good project. It’s written by Kate Dippold, who wrote The Heat, and directed by Jonathan Levine, who wrote and directed the excellent Warm Bodies. So it is surprising that even the trailer make the film seem like a hackneyed premise stretch to its breaking point. A film so unfunny that not even the legendary Goldie Hawn could save it.
Thing might get better next week as the new releases promise something for everyone, assuming you like vicious aliens, sick teens and family road trips.
