Brave, indeed.

Here with your Box Office results for the last weekend. I didn't catch any of them this weekend, as it was finally a chance to catch BodyWorld 3 at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Here's a review on that: Shocking? For a second. Cool? sure, if you're into seeing dead bodies, organs and bones. It was worth seeing, but after about 45 minutes and about halfway through you realize you are seeing the same thing over and over again. Seeing the difference between healthy organs and cancer stricken organs is eye-opening, but nothing you didn't see in your freshman health class text books. Bottom line: if you are interested at all, see it. Otherwise, don't lose any sleep over it.

Back on subject:

Estimated ticket sales for Sept. 14-16
1. “The Brave One,” $14 million

2. “3:10 to Yuma,” $9.2 million

3. “Mr. Woodcock,” $9.1 million

4. “Dragon Wars,” $5.4 million

5. “Superbad,” $5.2 million

6. “Halloween,” $5 million

7. “The Bourne Ultimatum,” $4.2 million

8. “Balls of Fury,” $3.3 million

9. “Rush Hour 3,” $3.3 million

10. “Mr. Bean’s Holiday,” $2.7 million

Did anyone actually make it to the theater this weekend? I'd like to hear if anyone saw The Brave One. Thoughts?

As for the top ten up there, very happy to see 3:10 to Yuma in the #2 position. Still think they should have released it late October, but who am I? Frequent commenter Robo will be happy to see that Mr Bean continues to post top 10 results.

Frankly I'm more impressed that Balls of Fury made the list. Can't hold back the Christopher Walken fans! They've always got the fever!

Sorry. Had to.

Elijah

Go west young man. Catch the 3:10 to Yuma.

If you read last weeks blog you'll know that the weekend offering was a little thin with a couple of decently reviewed movies in the crop, but no stand out, have to see it movies. It is the beginning of September after all. The exact middle of the period between blockbuster popcorn movies and Oscar fare that will start to pop in October.

I'm here to tell you that there is at least one movie that opened this weekend that you should see. 3:10 to Yuma surprised me. It shouldn't have. You've got Christian Bale and Russell Crowe, two gifted actors, who know how to turn in a performance. Not to mention Peter Fonda as a grizzled bounty hunter. Why on earth was this movie being released in the dredges of September to be lost and forgotten? The reviews were positive. The story was there (it's a remake of a 1957 film of the same name). Why, I ask?

Before I answer that question, lets talk. When I thought about going to the theater this weekend I wasn't expecting much. After I saw the positive word of mouth coming back for a few of the openings I still wasn't buzzing, but I wasn't surprised to see Clive Owen getting good reviews for Shoot 'Em Up, or 3:10 to Yuma with that cast. The thing is, I wasn't in the mood to watch a cartoonish shooter/chase movie. But after Unforgiven brought a dark, gritty realism to westerns in 1992, I haven't had a problem getting off the couch to see something along those same lines. Open Range was the latest in the genre and it didn't disappoint in the least. That movie had one of the best gun fights I've seen in a long time. So in the end I was in the mood to see a western shooter/chase movie.

Let me set the record on this movie. It's more than a shooter, more than a chase. Oh, that's stuff is in this movie in spades, but what the trailers and t.v. spots want you to focus on is the fact that this might be a psychological thriller. I've promised myself that I would stay spoiler free on this site, but I've got to say, these two main characters sparring with one another might be right up there with Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lector. This movie is all emotion and tension, not just from the plot and situations.

If you've seen Christian Bale in anything, then you know that he commits to a role. Truly commits. Look at the transformation from his emaciated role in The Machinist to the ripped Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins. He allegedly lost 63 pounds to film one and then in eight months put it all back on and more in muscle for Batman. This man does nothing small, and his role as Dan Evans in this movie is the same big dive again, albeit emotionally for this go around. His hobled, Civil War Veteran persona is revealed almost immediately on the screen. As a father myself, I can feel some empathy for a man who only wants to do right by his wife and family, see pride in his children's eyes and do his best to survive the world. This movie sucked me into that battle within the first few minutes.

Enter Russell Crowe as Ben Wade. The type of man that westerns were written about and history tends to glorify. Despite the black hat that usually adorns the head of said man. In an indirect way this man could bring about all that Dan Evans needs to get back on track. And that as they say, is the rub. If I can fit in anymore cliched statements, believe me, I'll try.

Russell Crowe is cold. He doesn't play, he sends his minions to do a job and then he finishes the job. He's too cocky and that proves the downfall that spurs the story. You get the sense that even if he was surrounded by 20 lawmen, he'd still be in control of the situation. It's this feeling and the desperate struggle between the two main characters that makes this movie what it is. A true edge of your seat, who's going to win this battle of wits, movie. I wish I could say more but that would be giving too much away. This is a story you should not have spoiled.

Peter Fonda plays a bounty hunter hired to make sure the railroad's money is safely delivered. As the movie unfolds I found myself in the position of hating this character. But I think you're supposed to. He's thrown in to show the line of decency and righteousness is often very blurred. At least that was my take.

How good was Ben Foster who plays a supporting role as Charlie Prince? Well, I'll tell you this: he stole every scene he was in. Absolutely chewed it up. Most people will recognize him from his turn in Six Feet Under, or his slightly smaller role in X-Men 3. To me, this was his breakout role and I hope he garners leading roles from here on out. He takes this role and makes it was it is meant to be.

So why was this movie released in the middle of the dump zone? I've read an article since, which basically said that the producers wanted to get the movie out before the glut of oscar movies hit to build on and move it through the fall and winter. In general that is sound thinking. I'm worried that this may have been too early. Very few people are going to the theater currently. It's just that time of year. If nobody is going to the theater, how do you build word of mouth to support the movie for the next 4-5 months? Sure, a few of the right people in Hollywood might catch this movie, but everyone knows you need the media push for Oscar nominations. I hope that this movie doesn't get buried in the heap. I think it deserves a shot. If nothing else, Ben Foster deserves a nomination for supporting actor.

That's it for now. See this movie and if you find something about it you like, tell a friend. It deserves attention.

E

Watching - if you've been reading these posts you already know.

On deck - need to watch The Departed again.

Long Weekend, Short Post.

We didn't make it out to the theater, despite the long weekend. Somehow, between the neighborhood block party, circus, zoo, lack of interest at the Box Office, and various other weekend duties we just didn't make the trip. So no review this week.

In place of the weekly review, I do have a piece that I'm working on. It's going to be rather lengthy and may actually be split up into a few posts. I'm going to preview the upcoming T.V. season and all the major premiers. Sort of a "get your Tivo warmed up" article. I hope to have it finished by Sunday.

Also, on the right side, I've added an email alert for updates, sign up there and you'll get an email when I add to the site. Don't forget to vote in the weekly polls!

Until that post is up, here is the last weekends top ten box office and a preview of this weekends releases in case something perks your interests:

Estimated ticket sales for Aug. 31-Sept. 3

1. "Halloween," $31 million
2. "Superbad," $15.6 million
3. "Balls of Fury," $13.8 million
4. "The Bourne Ultimatum," $13.2 million
5. "Rush Hour 3," $10.4 million
6. "Mr. Bean's Holiday," $8.1 million
7. "The Nanny Diaries," $6.4 million
8. "Death Sentence," $5.2 million
9. "War," $5.1 million
10. "Stardust," $3.9 million

Here are a few movies opening this weekend that somebody may find some interest in:

3:10 to Yuma - (R) - Starring Russel Crowe and Christian Bale. Bringing back the classic western here. In 1800's Arizona, a rancher struggles to support his ranch and family during a long drought. Desperately needing money to build a well, he takes an assignment to transport a notorious felon, in the hands of authorities, to Yuma for imprisonment.

Shoot 'Em up - (R) - Starring Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti and Monica Bellucci. Somehow Clive Owen went from talky dramas to action thrillers. Mr. Smith, a mysterious loner, teams up with an unlikely ally to protect a newborn baby from a determined criminal who hunts them throughout the bowels of the city.

The Brothers Solomon - (R) - Starring Will Arnett, Will Forte, Kristen Wiig and Chi McBride. Two good-hearted but romantically-challenged brothers find out their dying father's last wish is for a grandchild, the brothers set out to find someone to have a baby with. But after spending their formative years being home-schooled by their father in a remote arctic location, their social skills prove to be somewhat lacking and their attempts at fatherhood go awry.

Limited Release:

In the Shadow of the Moon - (PG) - Documentary. Between 1968 and 1972, nine American spacecraft voyaged to the Moon, and 12 men walked upon its surface. They remain the only human beings to have stood on another world. In the Shadow of the Moon brings together for the first, and possibly the last, time surviving crew members from every single Apollo mission that flew to the Moon, and allows them to tell their story in their words.

So there you go. Thank you to RottenTomatoes.com for the synopsis. There may be something above that peaks your interest, I'm thinking 3:10 to Yuma may be a good choice. Good Luck!

Watching: U.S. Open tennis

On Deck: more Undeclared and Buffy season 6

Reading: His Dark Materials trilogy