Opening Movies is now Closed

Based on many recent developments, including the my growing interest in classic movies, this article, the economic downturn (yes you can blame the banks for this blog shutting down, I know I am), and the fact that most movies that open each week can be described by me as "craptastic", the Opening Movies blog is closing.

I want to thank all the visitors to the blog, and especially those who contributed via comments and suggestions. I had a great time blogging, but I feel that this blog has run it's course.

If you're still interested in the type of information I provided, please peruse these sites:

IMDB Now Playing
Rotten Tomatoes Opening

And don't forget to have fun at the movies!

Weekly Roundup - Opening 2/13

There are five movies opening up tonight, and there are a few that look watchable. Two Lovers is apparently talented actor Joaquin Phoenix's last movie, The International is entertaining for what it is, Confessions of a Shopaholic is uninventive, Friday the 13th is yet another necessary remake, and Under the Sea 3D is another solid IMAX film.

Weekend Suggestion:

As a last hurrah to Whah-Keen, I'm going to recommend Two Lovers. He's not the only one who is generating buzz about this film, as Venessa Shaw is also top-notch in it.

Under the Sea 3D

Movie Info

Directed by: Howard Hall (Deep Sea, Island of the Sharks)
Written by: N/A
Starring: Narrated by Jim Carey
Genre: IMAX/Educational
MPAA Rating: G
Runtime: 40 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 95% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 75/100
IMDB Rating: N/A
My Response: Really, what IMAX film doesn't not suck? I sure don't know. This one is nothing extra spectacular, so see if you want, but you won't miss any water-cooler talk if you miss it.

Trailer



Official Website

Friday the 13th

Movie Info

Directed by: Marcus Nispel (The Texas Chainsaw Masacre (remake), Pathfinder)
Written by: Screenplay: Damian Shannon (Freddy vs Jason) & Mark Swift (Freddy vs Jason)
Starring: Some 20 hot somethings who play hot teenagers who end up dying hotly
Genre: Horror
MPAA Rating: R for strong bloody violence, some graphic sexual content, language and drug material
Runtime: 97 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 25% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 35/100
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
My Response: At least it's rated R. A slasher pick that is only PG-13 is no slasher at all. I'm not a huge fan of remakes that are not necessary, so I just recommend renting the original and cozying up with someone hot if you want to watch a scary movie this Friday the 13th.

Trailer



Official Website

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Movie Info

Directed by: P. J. Hogan (Peter Pan)
Written by: Book: Sophie Kinsella; Screenplay: Tracey Jackson (The Guru), Tim Firth (Kinky Boots), & Kayla Alpert (film writing debut)
Starring: Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers, The Lookout), High Dancy (King Arthur, Black Hawk Down), Krysten Ritter (What Happens in Vegas, 27 Dresses)
Genre: Romantic Comedy
MPAA Rating: PG - for some mild language and thematic elements
Runtime: N/A minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 17% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 39/100
IMDB Rating: N/A
My Response: This one looked good from far, as Isla Fisher is becoming a star in her own right, but it ended up far from good (I bet you didn't see that "far from good line comin'). Skip it.

Trailer



Official Website

The International

Movie Info

Directed by: Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run)
Written by: Eric Singer (writing debut)
Starring: Clive Owen (Children of Men, Inside Man), Naomi Watts (The Ring, Mulholland Dr.),
Genre: Action/Suspense/Thriller
MPAA Rating: R - for some sequences of violence and language
Runtime: 118 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 55% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 52/100
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
My Response: I saw The International at a screening a few days ago, and it was a lot better than I thought it would be. Clive delivers (as always) a solid action/thriller performance. It's not revolutionary, but it's entertaining. The irony of a movie opening about a bank becoming too powerful during the current bank collapse is an added bonus.

Trailer



Official Website

Two Lovers

Movie Info

Directed by: James Gray (We Own The Night)
Written by: Screenplay: James Gray (We Own The Night) & Ric Menello (feature film debut)
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix (Walk the Line, Signs), Gwyneth Paltrow (Shakespeare in Love, Se7en), Vinessa Shaw (3:10 to Yuma, Eyes Wide Shut)
Genre: Drama/Romance
MPAA Rating: R - for language, some sexuality and brief drug use
Runtime: 110 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 83% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 71/100
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
My Response: If you believe the latest news, and Joaquin Phoenix really gives up acting to become...ahem...a rapper, then this is his last film. I really don't think he will leave movies for good, but it he does, at least he goes out with a good one. The cast is great, and there are rumors that up-and-comer Vinessa Shaw outshines Gwyneth Paltrow in this one. See it.

Trailer



Official Website