When so many movies are released each weekend and trailers often seem better than the movie itself, what should one do? In this precarious situation, we consult the The CineMagic 8-Ball (TM) to help us see through the nebulous marketing haze. Doing so just might save us all a disheartening trip to the cinema and spare us unnecessarily springing for $7 popcorn. See what the 8-Ball says about this week’s releases…
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CHERNOBYL DIARIES
A group of six young tourists who, looking to go off the beaten path, hire an “extreme tour” guide. After a brief exploration of the abandoned city, however, the group soon finds themselves stranded, only to discover that they are not alone. Looks like a great setting and an interesting new spin on the found footage style of filmmaking but it could very easily go South. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.
The CineMagic 8-Ball says: “Signs point to Meh”
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MEN IN BLACK 3
Agents J and K are back… in time. When K’s life and the fate of the planet are put at stake, Agent J will have to travel back in time to put things right. J discovers that there are secrets to the universe that K never told him — secrets that will reveal themselves as he teams up with the young Agent K to save his partner, the agency, and the future of humankind. Well it’s hard to get any worse that MIB 2, and while the trailers look promising, this still looks a little flat.
The CineMagic 8-Ball says: “Outlook not good”
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MOONRISE KINGDOM
Two twelve-year-olds fall in love, make a secret pact, and run away together into the wilderness. As various authorities try to hunt them down, a violent storm is brewing off-shore — and the peaceful island community is turned upside down in more ways than anyone can handle. Even with the heavy weight acting talent he brings to each film, Wes Anderson’s style of filmmaking is definitely an acquired taste. After the critical and commercial success of The Fantastic Mr. Fox, he looks like he just might have another quirky adorable hit on his hands.
The CineMagic 8-Ball says: “Signs point to WIN”
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Also hitting theaters is a duo of heartwarming films, The Intouchables and Cowgirls N’ Angels both playing in limited release. What will you be seeing? Or if you’ve seen any of these already, please let us know what you thought below.
One Comment
Andrew Crump
Getting the obvious out of the way– Diaries is terrible. My review will be up later today, so I’ll avoid expounding on that subject here.
But it sucks.
I actually wish I’d seen Men in Black 3 this week instead of Diaries; it’s actually getting some decent early word of mouth, which surprises me immensely. Could be I picked the wrong movie this week.
Of course, I would have loved to have seen Moonrise— especially with the massive praise getting tossed its way by some of the online publications– but none of the invites I got worked out in my favor. Too bad. I may end up seeing it next week. It looks spectacular, and besides, it’s hard to justify ignoring Anderson at this point.