This week's movie releases.

Knockedup

1. Knocked Up (2,871 theaters): This has slowly become one of my most anticipated movies of the summer. I guess you can call me a Judd Apatow fan. I loved The Ben Stiller Show when it ran on Fox. I thought it was the best sketch show of the 1990's and Apatow was a big part of it. I liked what I saw of Freaks and Geeks. I have yet to see any episodes of Undeclared.

But it was 40 Year Old Virgin that won me over. I expected to hate it, since the entire "joke" of the movie was about a comic and toy collecting adult, which is what I am. But Apatow and Steve Carrell did not make fun of the character and made him real and likeable.  

I also am a fan of Seth Rogen from that movie. It was the first time I saw him in anything (I saw Freaks and Geeks after 40YOV) and thought he had great comedic timing.

And Katherine Heigl, while not in my "top 5", is most likely in my "top 10".

And movie has a 92% fresh rating as of this writing on Rotten Tomatoes. Certainly the highest rated movie of the summer, if not the whole year.

But I still feel a sense of dread about this.

See, I'm weird about movies. Often times, I will have high hopes about a movie, and end up being disappointed (I.E. Collateral), On the other hand, there are times when I go into a movie with low expectations and I am pleasantly surprised (I.E. Fantastic Four).

So, since I am so hyped up about this movie, I'm afraid that, no matter how good it is, I will end up disappointed.

 

Mr. Brooks

2. Mr. Brooks (2,453 Theaters): This is an odd movie for me, on many levels. First, it features Kevin Costner as a serial killer. Now, I have an active enough memory to remember when that idea would not be a scary prospect. He was good in Bull Durham, Field of Dreams and The Untouchables. However, Waterworld and the Postman make any movie with his name in the title a gamble.

Second, Demi Moore continues her return from hiatus in this movie--as a police detective. This shouldn't be as bad a casting idea as my gut feels that it is. Her on-screen personality would lend itself to the gritty, hardened career police officer. But I can't help but think that the stripper from Striptease is chasing a serial killing Ray Kinsella.

Third, Dane Cook is starring and the very un-comedic wannabe apprentice to Costner's character. I kinda like Dane Cook in comedic roles, but can I put that image aside as he kills people in this movie?

But, all said, I find myself strangely wanting to see this movie. The concept is interesting--a family man who secretly a serial killer is found out by a man who blackmails Mr. Brooks into teaching him to kill. And part of me wants to see how the, in my eyes, weird casting works. Will it be successful or a train wreck?

 

Gracie

 3. Gracie (1,164 Theaters): This appears to be this year's Rocky-like film. This is a story, apparently inspired by the film's Elisabeth Shue's life, focuses on a girl who struggles to play competetive soccer with boys.  

Yes, let me see if I can predict the plot. Girl loves sport. Girl tries to play sport. Girl is discouraged on and off the field from playing sport. Girl get abuse from most teammates. Girl is inspired my another teamate and/or coach and/or family. Girl plays in pivotal game. Girl scores winning goal. Everybody cheers. The end.

Funny thing is, it will probably be something like that, But the formula works. Invinicible followed the same plot and I loved that movie.  

This movie stars both Shues, Elisabeth and brother (who apparently was under a rock since Melrose Place ended) Andrew. Besides starring in this movie, Andrew wrote it, Elisabeth produced it, and it is directed by Elisabeth's husband David Guggenheim. So it's a family film in more ways that one.

But how do I think it will do in this week's top 5? Let's take a look:

 

1. Knocked Up
2. Pirates of the Carribean: At Worlds End
3. Shrek the Third
4. Waitress
5. Spider-Man 3

No, that is not a misprint. I am going out on a limb here and saying that Pirates will drop enough in it's second week that Knocked Up will have just enough juice to take over number one. I could be wrong. But you don't live if you don't take chances.

Bill