BecauseISaidSo Tagged Articles at Cinematical

Want to know a dirty little secret?

Contrary to what you've heard recently, critics hate writing bad reviews.

No, they're not fun to write; they're exhausting. No, they're not less work than a good review; they're more difficult. And when you love movies -- which you better, as a critic -- you don't sit down in the dark before a film and think, "Boy, I hope the next two hours of my life will be wasted." But every movie is not, in fact, good -- and these were the high marks among the low points in 2007, from one critic's highly subjective perspective.

1. The Heartbreak Kid

Racist, sexist, misogynist -- and, even worse, not funny. The Farrelly Brothers proved their "King Midas in reverse" touch by turning a classic piece of comedy gold into a lump of trash. The only possible bright side comes in the fact that the Farrelly's status as box-office kings has now been tarnished, hopefully hastening their slide to straight-to-video film making.

Happy midday Monday, all. I have to say, little disappointed in this weekend's box office results. 'Norbit' making $33 million? Seriously? Who has nothing better to do on a weekend than spend two-plus hours (what with getting to the cineplex, standing in line for popcorn and then finding a seat in the -- apparently crowded -- theater) on 'Norbit'? And it's not like the trailers or any clips that I've seen make it look like it's going to be good. And OK, I haven't seen it, so I can't swear that it's, um, not worth your two hours on a weekend, but based on the previews I've seen and the reviews I've read and the word of mouth I've heard (from the one person I know who's seen it, she works next to me, but for AOL TV), I'd be willing to bet the farm that this is not Murphy's finest hour and a half.

In short, 'Norbit' made a lot of moolah. Here's what Patricia predicted Friday:

1. Norbit
2. Hannibal Rising
3. The Messengers
4. Because I Said So
5. Epic Movie

And here's the actual weekend top five:

1. Norbit - $33.7 million (!)
2. Hannibal Rising - $13.35 million
3. Because I Said So - $9 million
4. The Messengers - $7.2 million
5. Night at the Museum - $5.75 million

Get the full box-office report here.

I know Patricia contemplated leaving 'Night at the Museum' in her top 5, but just couldn't believe it would hold onto that spot AGAIN. Whoops. But the box-office-prediction playas rocked it this week: There was a three-way tie for second place and a six-way tie for fourth place. Whoa. Very sweet, guys.

Happy February, movie fans. As the days get longer, the movies are supposed to get better ... or that's the theory, anyway. Of course, it's still early February -- and a Super Bowl weekend, at that -- so I wouldn't put too much faith in that maxim. On the other hand, after Epic Movie, there's pretty much nowhere to go but up, right?

Because I Said So: Why should you go see this movie? Because Universal said so, that's why. Oh, I'm kidding. You should -- or rather, many of you will -- see this movie because it's a romantic comedy, stars Diane Keaton and Mandy Moore as mother and daughter, and has the added bonus of co-starring Lauren Graham (who really needs to win an Emmy one of these days for her work on Gilmore Girls) and Piper Perabo wearing very little clothing. It's also getting a big marketing push from the studio, so with all the able-bodied men holed up in their Super Bowl bunkers this weekend, lots of the womenfolk are gonna leave them there to go revel in the chick flick. (Note: Yes, I know many women love football. I happen to be one of them. Just trying to think like a studio, is all.)
Watch trailer and a clip | Get showtimes & tix | Read reviews

The Messengers: Kristen Stewart stars in the American feature film debut by the Pang brothers, the Hong Kong directing duo (they're twins) best known for their frightfest The Eye. And Stewart, if you don't recognize the name, appeared in Panic Room as Jodie Foster's daughter. She's all grown up now (well, 16) and headlining a horror flick about a girl who discovers that both she and her 3-year-old brother can see things -- dead things, presumably -- that her parents can't. How will it do? The Hitcher opened to disappointing returns a couple weekends ago, and Stewart's not a big star; also, the Pang brothers aren't known by name here in the U.S. But with Night at the Museum and Stomp the Yard finally losing steam and Epic Movie getting horrendous word of mouth, it's a weak competitive field ... and people do like a good scare.
Watch exclusive clip | Get showtimes & tix | Read Kristen's AIM interview

Also of Note: Pan's Labyrinth expands to over 1,000 screens this weekend. Please go see it. Because ... well, because I said so, OK? And also because it's awesome.

I'm even less certain about the box office top five this week than I was last week, so I'm looking forward to everyone showing me up. Let's make the deadline Saturday at 3 p.m. Eastern, which means you have 24 hours. Hit it.

1. Because I Said So
2. The Messengers
3. Epic Movie
4. Smokin' Aces
5. Night at the Museum

POST: What's your weekend top five prediction?

POST: What do you think of these movies?

Even though Annie Hall is * 20 years old, Diane Keaton is still remembered for creating one of the best female characters in film history. The simple fact she managed to make a neurotic flake into a full-fledged icon deserves some respect. While only occasionally being offered dramatic film roles, notably in Marvin's Room, lately Keaton has been camped out in comedy, and there is no denying she has a flair for it so you can't blame her.

Universal Pictures has launched the website for the comedy Because I Said So, starring Keaton, Mandy Moore, and Lauren Graham from TV's Gilmore Girls. The site includes photos, the trailer, and for some reason wallpaper and AIM icons for download -- so you can be the first kid on your block with a Lauren Graham icon. Because I Said So looks like your typical mother-daughter feel-good comedy with some romance thrown in for good measure. Keaton plays the single mom of three adult daughters who is a little too involved in their love lives and not enough in her own. Luckily Keaton has enough charm to improve any movie, otherwise I could have never made it through The First Wives Club. So, while it may not be the most original plot, if you like your comedy warm and fuzzy, Because I Said So opens February 2nd.

* Correction: My math skills obviously aren't what they used to be, Annie Hall was released in 1977 so that makes it 30 years old.

[via JoBlo.com]