By Sarah Sluis
Woody and Buzz are back in Toy
Story 3, which will open in 4,028 theatres, including more than 2,000 3D screens 2,463
3D theatres and 180 IMAX locations. Strikingly adult, from its
tear-jerking sequences to a scary, fiery landfill scene, the movie will
strongly appeal to those who first saw Toy Story as kids, as well as
parents and other adults that turn out to see the film. Critic Kevin
Lally called the movie "bountifully inventive," and it's filled with
intricate gags and laugh-out-loud characters, like Barbie's sidekick Ken
(voiced by Michael Keaton) and a hedgehog toy that takes the pose of a snobby
British actor, asking everyone how they can "remain in character"
while they are playing with their owner. Lally praised "the Pixar
artists [who] never shy from genuine emotion and deeper resonance."
The animated movie is on track to earn over $100 million this weekend, and
could be the highest-grossing Pixar film ever if it beats Finding Nemo's
$339 million total--and Finding Nemo opened to just $70 million.
On the other end of the spectrum, "would-be summer blockbuster" Jonah
Hex (2,825 theatres) will be quietly making its debut, and some
feel it could open to just $10 million. As an PG-13 rated feature, Jonah
Hex won't benefit from grabbing audiences from sold-out screenings of
the G-rated Toy Story 3. This "half-baked" comic book
adaptation that combines "old-fashioned western, supernatural action film,
El Topo-like acid trip and steampunk-style science fiction," according to
critic Ethan Alter, is unlikely to attract large audiences. It'll probably
die out quickly, unlike its death-defying protagonists (played by Josh Brolin and John
Malkovich).
Fox Searchight may be known for cute and quirky, but Cyrus
(4 theatres) is more creepy and quirky. The tale of a man who
falls in love with a woman, only to discover that her son is unwilling to let
someone impinge on his close relationship with his mother, it balances its
intimations of Freudian complexes and incest with a comedic tone and emphasis
on awkward situations. The Duplass brothers (of the "mumblecore"
movement) are making their first mainstream effort with the movie, which has a marketing campaign with plenty of odd
animated GIFs behind it, courtesy of Searchlight.
The general consensus on Italian director Luca Guadagnino 's I
Am Love (7 theatres) is that it favors style over substance.
But oh, that style! The "oh-so-posh proceedings," as described
by David Noh, are "sumptuously designed and handsomely photographed by
Yorick Le Saux, with timelessly classic costumes." Tilda Swinton
plays a Russian-born wife in the primarily Italian-language film, and the
English speaker learned Italian for the role.
On Monday, we'll see how high Toy Story 3 was able to go at the box
office, if Jonah Hex attracted fans despite its dismal ratings, and if
Fox Searchlight played its cards right marketing Cyrus.
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