Law Abiding Citizen Tagged Articles at Cinematical
Cinematical Seven: Best Mayhem of 2009
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At this time last year, I was proudly tasked with chronicling 2008's finest moments in "big-screen mayhem, violence, destruction and other such shenanigans." I've still opted to sort these sequences out by specific manner of cinematic excess, and I've swapped out a category for "Most Tasteless Slaughter" (think effectively restrained moments of off-screen violence) for "Most Ridiculous Action" (think the exact opposite of that).
As usual, your comments/suggestions are welcome, and as usual, we didn't intentionally leave any titles off. Besides, if we went ahead and listed every single action or horror flick from 2009, what fun would that be?
Weekend Box Office: 'Paranormal Activity' Wins Weekend Horrorfest
Filed under: New Releases », Box Office »
Is the Saw bubble finally deflating for good? The sixth installment of the mainstay franchise played second fiddle to the still-surging Paranormal Activity this weekend, grossing only $14.8 million dollars -- less than half the bow of the previous four installments, and lower even than the original 2004 film. The competition from the plucky indie horror film likely has something to do with Saw VI's disappointing returns, waning interest is probably involved as well. Paranormal Activity, for its part, claimed the top spot for the first time in its impressive five-week run, hanging on to its momentum in its first weekend of legitimate wide release. The Paranormal/Saw horror combo left the weekend's other newcomers floundering. Summit's Astro Boy didn't have the marketing muscle it needed, while Amelia was hurt by bad reviews and a lack of studio enthusiasm. But the weekend's real disappointment is Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant, an obvious attempt by Universal to kick-start a new kiddie fantasy franchise, and a far, far bigger (albeit cheaper) fizzle than The Golden Compass. The Weitz brothers should no longer be permitted to work in this genre.
Where the Wild Things Are took a honking 55% hit in its second weekend, a victim of being an art film in mainstream guise. Law Abiding Citizen fared a little better -- it's now Overture's highest-grossing film.
The full top 11 after the jump.
Celebs Who Deserve 'Movie Star Probation'
Filed under: Celebrities and Controversy », Fandom »
Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind, or at least that's what the good folks over at Gawker seem to think when it comes to Gerard Butler. In the wake of a number two movie at the box office and some not-so-great reviews of his hosting gig last weekend for SNL, Gawker has issued the Scottish actor the following decree: Gerard Butler, You Are Officially on Movie Star Probation. According to them, it's time we all intervened to save him from himself. But if he doesn't shape up, Gawker has decided the only option is that the actor will be "banned from all movies, tabloids, red carpet affairs, awards ceremonies, and celebrity relationships. If he can stay out of the press for three years, he may be rewarded with the starring role on a CBS procedural." Tough, but fair.
Sure, it's all in good fun, but I'll admit they have a point. I haven't seen Law Abiding Citizen, but even I've been questioning some of the choices on Butler's resume since his break-out turn as the tighty-whitey wearing Spartan in Snyder's 300 (and yes, I'm talking about P.S. I Love You and The Ugly Truth). So even though his celebrity quotient is rising, the quality of his movies isn't and that's a dangerous combination. Butler has a natural charm (and even a damn fine singing voice) which should make him the perfect specimen for leading man status, but you wouldn't know it from his career choices. He isn't the first (or the last) to fall victim to overexposure and bad decisions, but audiences are a fickle sort who can turn on you at the drop of a dime. So let's just hope we can scare him straight.
After the jump: a few more examples of celebrities who have fallen prey to bad career choices and the PR monster known as 'over-hyping'...
Weekend Box Office: 'Wild Things' a Hit with Grown-ups
Filed under: New Releases », Box Office »
All the hand-wringing over whether or not Where the Wild Things Are is "for children," or "kid-tested, mother-approved," or whatever, turned out to be mostly academic: the kids didn't go. And the movie cleaned up anyway. According to figures cited by this David Germain piece in the AP, parents with kids made up only 27% of the $32.5 million Wild Things earned this weekend. The prevalence of adults (who I gather grew up on the book, unlike the current generation of tykes) probably bodes well, or at least better, for the box office staying power of the divisive, challenging film. Gerard Butler's Law Abiding Citizen opened to $21.3 million in second place -- the highest ever opening gross for young distributor Overture. That may have been at the expense of Screen Gems' The Stepfather, the unscreened, bloodless PG-13 horror remake that debuted in fifth place with $12.3 million. That's still not bad given the total lack of expensive name-brand talent involved.
Paranormal Activity continued its slow roll-out charge, adding 600 screens (760 total) and adding $20 million to its gross. (That's around $26,000 per screen.) How much the idiotic "we-won't-open-in-your-city-unless-you-go-online-and-DEMAND-it" shtick had to do with this is debatable. (Would the movie have made even more had Paramount just held the film back and then put it into wide release this weekend?) But the "breakout hit" label is difficult to resist at this point. Good job everybody.
Down at number 21, the omnibus New York, I Love You goes on the probably-should-have-kept-it-in-the-arthouses category. Its predecessor-of-sorts, Paris Je T'aime, expanded to around 200 screens rather than starting there, and did considerably better than New York will, foreign language handicap and all.
The full top 10 after the jump.
Insert Caption: Saw VI
Filed under: Horror », Thrillers », Fandom », Contests », Insert Caption »
Welcome back to another installment in our ongoing award-winning (imaginary, that is) Insert Caption contest -- where you provide the funny caption and we provide the deadly maniacal trap for you to escape from after claiming victory. Wait, different contest. Let me try again: You provide the funny caption and we provide the totally awesome movie-related prize package! That's better. Last week we asked you to churn out a caption for a photo from Law Abiding Citizen. Congrats go out to our two winners for obeying our laws and taking home some sweet swag. That third winner? Oh, well, let's just say they crossed state lines and, um, won't be playing anymore. Ahem. Kidding. Or am I?
1. "It was the biggest regret of his life to choose a candy bracelet as his last meal. Well, second biggest..." -- Chris O.
2. "TONIGHT, WE DINE... um, in the cafeteria... with the other inmates..." -- Ben M.
See full image and all captions
This week we're welcoming back our good friend (and world-renowned serial killer) Jigsaw, who, as luck would have it, decided to grace us with his presence for a sixth time with the film Saw VI. (Cue people screaming while trying to escape from some crazy, convoluted death trap.) The three lucky folks behind our favorite captions this week will (assuming they survive) walk away with one Saw VI t-shirt, one Saw VI poster, one Saw VI syringe pen and one Saw VI lollipop. Sound off below!
Read the official rules for this contest
1. "It was the biggest regret of his life to choose a candy bracelet as his last meal. Well, second biggest..." -- Chris O.
2. "TONIGHT, WE DINE... um, in the cafeteria... with the other inmates..." -- Ben M.
See full image and all captions
This week we're welcoming back our good friend (and world-renowned serial killer) Jigsaw, who, as luck would have it, decided to grace us with his presence for a sixth time with the film Saw VI. (Cue people screaming while trying to escape from some crazy, convoluted death trap.) The three lucky folks behind our favorite captions this week will (assuming they survive) walk away with one Saw VI t-shirt, one Saw VI poster, one Saw VI syringe pen and one Saw VI lollipop. Sound off below!
Read the official rules for this contest
Review: Law Abiding Citizen
Filed under: Thrillers », New Releases », Theatrical Reviews », New in Theaters »
As a kid I remember reading in either CRACKED or MAD magazine a parody about movie heroes and villains. The story pointed out how, very often, heroes are much ruder and less well behaved than villains. For example, James Bond will burst into an enemy hideout; the villain will remark, "ah... Mr. Bond. Welcome to my humble abode." And Bond will say, "I'm going to take you down, you snake!" That's a crude example, but you get the drift. The new Law Abiding Citizen is like that, all the way through. The hero is a slick, well-dressed sort who is more concerned with his personal advancement than with the well-being of others. The villain is a highly intelligent, highly trained killer who is trying to rid the world of something broken and corrupt. The villain longs for his dead wife and daughter, while the hero neglects his wife and daughter. Whenever they meet, the villain speaks cordially to the hero, and the hero snaps back with a nasty attitude.
I suspect that, at some point, some clever screenwriter -- perhaps credited writer Kurt Wimmer -- intended all this stuff on purpose, like a subversive, twisted version of the usual Hollywood thriller dynamic. But director F. Gary Gray either did not pick this up or has chosen to ignore it, and presents Law Abiding Citizen as a straight-ahead thriller. Likewise, Jamie Foxx, cast as the good guy lawyer, seems to expect his natural charisma to make up for his character's moral center, and his performance comes across as rigid and unsympathetic. As the bad guy, Gerard Butler fares only slightly better, but only because his character is smarter, with more playful dialogue.
Cinematical Seven: The Smartest Unlawful Citizens
Filed under: New Releases », Cinematical Seven », Lists »
This Friday is all about wild things at the multiplex. Some are furry and lovable, and explore the emotions of childhood. Others are law abiding citizens, blowing up Philadelphia and showing off their follow-me-lines for no plotworthy reason. I decided to honor the latter with my Cinematical Seven, because Law Abiding Citizen marks Gerard Butler's big producing debut, and any film that requires he abandon trousers is worthy of celebration.
Law Abiding Citizen centers on Clyde Shelton, who loses his family in a grisly slaying and decides to exact his own justice in true Charles Bronson style. But whereas Bronson just needed to speak softly and carry a big gun, Shelton decides to exact his revenge from behind bars. So, in honor of his crazy-eyed and pantless plotting, I've decided to list seven inmates who could have inspired Clyde Shelton's reign of terror. These lawful and unlawful citizens all manage to hatch impressive plans while locked up in the slammer. Some of them are just sick of prison food and trying to get out, while others have more sinister goals in mind. Regardless of their guilt or innocence, we often find ourselves rooting for them to dodge their stripes, and thwart the system.
Head below the jump for the seven!
Insert Caption: Law Abiding Citizen
Filed under: Fandom », Contests », Insert Caption »
Welcome back to another edition of Insert Caption -- the game that's definitely law abiding ... except for that one time back in '87, but we won't go there. Last week we asked you to slam dunk some captions for a photo from the LeBron James basketball doc More Than a Game. Congrats go out to our three players of the game -- next time don't hog the ball so much.
1. "We're looking at making a sequel to Kazaam. Interested?" -- Drew T.
2. "Lebron James reacts to the news that he lost out on the part of B.A. Baracus in the new A-team movie." -- Tim P.
3. "Lebron, I'm really proud of you, and imma let you finish, but Space Jam was the best basketball-star movie of all time!" -- Zach B.
See full image and all captions
This week we're meeting Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx in a dark alley as both men get ready to square off in Law Abiding Citizen, a film that's definitely garnering some nice, juicy buzz online as it inches toward its October 16 release date. And in honor of the film, we're giving away a pretty sweet prize package to the two people who cough up the best caption for the photo below. And if you happen to be one of the two chosen winners this week, you'll slip away with three Law Abiding Citizen posters, one Law Abiding Citizen T-shirt, one DVD prize pack containing Collateral, 300 and The Italian Job and one pair of Bang and Olufsen earbuds. Sound off below citizens!
Read the official rules for this contest
1. "We're looking at making a sequel to Kazaam. Interested?" -- Drew T.2. "Lebron James reacts to the news that he lost out on the part of B.A. Baracus in the new A-team movie." -- Tim P.
3. "Lebron, I'm really proud of you, and imma let you finish, but Space Jam was the best basketball-star movie of all time!" -- Zach B.
See full image and all captions
This week we're meeting Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx in a dark alley as both men get ready to square off in Law Abiding Citizen, a film that's definitely garnering some nice, juicy buzz online as it inches toward its October 16 release date. And in honor of the film, we're giving away a pretty sweet prize package to the two people who cough up the best caption for the photo below. And if you happen to be one of the two chosen winners this week, you'll slip away with three Law Abiding Citizen posters, one Law Abiding Citizen T-shirt, one DVD prize pack containing Collateral, 300 and The Italian Job and one pair of Bang and Olufsen earbuds. Sound off below citizens!
Read the official rules for this contest
Twitter: Bringing You Ever Closer to the Fame Flame
Filed under: Fandom », Tech Stuff »
If you're on Twitter, you already know that it's a drug. It's like a big get-together where you can talk to hundreds of people without committing yourself too seriously and before you know it ... poof ... you've just spent three hours talking about your summer reading. I've made a concerted effort to not let it overtake my life and I've generally succeeded. But one aspect of Twitter that I find so pathetically alluring is the celebrity follow. Now, my time on Cinematical has already introduced me to a lot of Big Names, and while it's always fun and exciting to meet someone you like onscreen, it's often just work. Often, it's awkward work. I say that not to brag or play down the experience, but to stress that chasing celebrities just isn't my thing. Except on Twitter.
Twitter is like this shadowy, secret party where Hollywood's creme de la creme are eating, drinking, laughing, and filming, and they're coyly letting you watch. They casually drop names and TwitPics, and there's something about it that's so alluring once paired with a timestamp. The most recent example (and the one @scotteweinberg dared me to write about) was this Tweet from @F_Gary_Gray, director of the upcoming Law Abiding Citizen:
Continued below the jump
Exclusive: 'Law Abiding Citizen' Poster Premiere
Filed under: Action », Fandom », Movie Marketing », Posters »
Click image below for full poster
Cinematical has just received this exclusive poster for Law Abiding Citizen, the latest action film from Set It Off and The Italian Job director F. Gary Gray. Starring Jamie Foxx as a jaded public defender who cuts a deal with the murderer of Gerard Butler's wife and child in exchange for a testimony that will fry bigger underworld fish. Not satisfied with the swift indifference of the justice system, Butler then decides to go on a city wide rampage against both the criminals and the complacent bureaucrats that ruined his life.
Only Butler's plan for due justice is more complicated than any of the clueless courtroom regulars can imagine, and it isn't until the titular Law Abiding Citizen intentionally allows himself to be arrested that the full extent of his wrath comes to scale.
If the trailer is any indication, F. Gary Gray's return to action films (after the regretful diversion that was Be Cool) looks to set the bar for revenge films in Hollywood. Not only is the cast great (which includes Leslie Bibb and Josh Stewart in addition to Foxx and Butler), but the sheer breadth of its explosiontastic search for justice - which looks like Die Hard: With a Vengeance swallowed Ransom, Death Sentence, and Se7en - is enough to draw a new line in the vigilante sand.
Law Abiding Citizen hits theaters October 16th from Overture Films.
Gallery: 'Law Abiding Citizen' Poster
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