‘Where the Wild Things Are’ Gets Mixed Reviews

Where the mild things are

Image from wikimedia.

After only one movie was widely released last weekend and sparse offerings this weekend, it appears winter movie season will kick into high gear next weekend. “Where the Wild Things Are” reviews indicate this is the film to see this weekend rather than the two thrillers coming out.

However, if you’re not totally stoked about the idea of seeing “Where the Wild Things Are,” you might want to just save your money for next weekend, possibly next month. Critics didn’t love “Where the Wild Things Are.” Reviews were mixed, with most falling just to one side of mediocre. However, people who were big fans of the children’s book series that this film is based on will likely do whatever it takes to see it, even if it means getting an installment loan.

Pros and cons

Steve Rea from the Philadelpia Inquirer says: “With Sendak’s blessing, and with the aid of writer Dave Eggers, who teamed on the screenplay, Jonze has transformed the iconic picture book into a satisfyingly moody, melancholy, madcap live-action romp.” Critics from the New York Daily News and the Associated Press agree that it’s a beautiful film.

However, J. Hoberman from the Village Voice says  “Wild Things isn’t overlong, but it is underwhelming.” And Sara Vilkomerson from the New York Observer wrote “Something doesn’t quite jell, and no matter how gorgeous each set piece is, it doesn’t always entirely add up to a complete and satisfying narrative. I couldn’t help but think, from time to time, how on earth were these guys allowed to make this movie?”

Ouch. Other choices this weekend are “Law Abiding Citizen,” a thriller that got terrible reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, and “The Stepfather,” a horror flick that wasn’t even released to critics. Never a good sign.

Show me the money

It’s tough to say how this weekend’s releases will fare at the box office based on the reviews. Last weekend, the top moneymaker was “Couples Retreat,” with $34.3 million, even though it got the worst reviews by far. The No. 2 slot went to “Zombieland,” which made almost $15 million and got the best reviews by far. Of course, it was the second week running for “Zombieland.”

Rounding out the top five current box office earners for last weekend, in order, were “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs,” “Paranormal Activity” and the “Toy Story” 3-D double feature.

Box office blitz

Next weekend four new films and a 3-D version of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” all hit theaters in wide release. First up, alphabetically, is “Amelia,” a historical drama starring Hillary Swank. Animated film “Astro Boy” documents the life of a “a young robot with incredible powers,” says IMDB. Do robots age?

For those of you who just can’t get enough of pretty teenage vampires, “Cirque du Freak: The Vampires Assistant” starring John C. Reilly and a bunch of teenage up-and-comers should be right up your alley. And, for those of you who are somehow still fascinated by the exploits of Jigsaw the torturer, “Saw VI” comes out. Didn’t a “Saw” movie come out last weekend? Or was it the weekend before? Or both?

Happenings and holidays

It appears that after Hollywood releases those gems it is taking a weekend off from releasing films so everyone can watch the Michael Jackson movie, “This is It.” The movie featuring footage from rehearsals that took place just days before Jackson’s death comes out on a Wednesday, Oct. 28. No movies are set for release Oct. 30.

The weekend after that, Christmas movie season officially starts not a moment too late, when an animated version of  “A Christmas Carol” hits theaters Nov. 6. Does this mean all of the department stores will start playing Christmas music that day? It’s going to be a long winter.

Watch for box office earnings to be oddly skewed on Christmas Day, when only one Christmas-themed film comes out on Dec. 25 for the first time this century. I predict that “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel” will be one of the worst animated films ever to break box office records.