Bob Richards' movie reviews, August 6
For the third week in a row, The Dark Knight Rises topped the box office, adding 36.4 million dollars to its 355 million dollar take so far. Total Recall did 26 million for second place, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days was third with 14.9 million for third place. And, Ted brought in another 5.5 million and crossed the 200 million dollar mark.
Here's the complete breakdown:
1. "The Dark Knight Rises," $36.4 million.
2. "Total Recall," $26 million.
3. "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days," $14.7 million.
4. "Ice Age: Continental Drift," $8.4 million.
5. "The Watch," $6.35 million.
6. "Ted," $5.5 million.
7. "Step Up Revolution," $5.7 million.
8. "The Amazing Spider-Man," $4.3 million.
9. "Brave," $2.9 million.
10. "Magic Mike," $1.4 million
(Take This Waltz – Sony – Rated R)
In Take This Waltz, Michelle Williams is riveting, giving a nuanced, complex, breathtaking performance. She’s child-like and vulnerable. She makes the audience fall in love with her. She’s a girl in a starter marriage about to emerge into womanhood with a man she’s just met that isn’t her husband. Luke Kirby admirably plays the other man. We all know what they are doing is wrong, but are fascinated to see what happens.
Seth Rogen plays her husband of five years… Their relationship is safe and playful. Their playfulness is delightful. Rogen and Sarah Silverman are both terrific, turning in nuanced, heartfelt performances that are the best they have dedicated to film.
This unconventional, romantic, sexy film features one of the sexiest scenes in a movie in years…while there is ample nudity and graphic sex, I’m not talking about any of those scenes…it occurs with both characters fully clothed in a bar over martinis. That scene alone – with Williams’ responses - is worth the price of admission all by itself. The direction and cinematography are first rate. Writer/director Sarah Polley’s characters are rich, her story is great, and her knack at making a wholly watchable film is incredible. There is a point where the movie should have ended, but it continues for another 15 minutes toward an ending that I liked a little less, than I might have, But this is a dance that I didn’t want to end. 4 ½ Stars Out of 5
(Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days – 20th Century Fox – Rated PG)
In the third Wimpy Kid movie, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days, puberty is kicking in but that’s just a minor distraction. It skips around a lot from story to story but provides harmless, entertaining fun with some good laughs.
Steve Zahn again demonstrates terrific comedic skill and shows why he needs to be in better movies. It’s still wimpy, but not a dog. 3 ½ stars Out of 5
(Total Recall – Sony – Rated PG-13)
Total Recall is a different take on the same story. This time, there is no Arnold but we do get Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel in the same movie…and that’s more than enough eye candy in a movie with lots of it.
There is lots of action, pretty much all revolving around chases…so many, in fact, that’s pretty much what this is - a chase movie…but with a mind bending element…there are some cool concepts. It’s not a total remake – there’s plenty different. The Arnold version is good, not great – this isn’t as good. But there are better special effects…The sum total: It’s a pretty good popcorn movie. 3 Stars Out of 5
For Bob's past reviews and more, go to my web site, bobrichardsmoviereviews.com.
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