This weekend should prove which force is strongest at the box office. Toss aside People Like Us, which will appeal to the same target audience as the weekend’s wider release Magic Mike. Mike will test the mettle of women moviegoers; Madea’s Witness Protection will test the perseverance of Tyler Perry’s fans; and Ted will test the fortitudes of any who want to sit down for its clearly raunchy humor.
Consensus
Below is a list of what we have come to a general consensus on. The number in parens represents the percentage of our contributors who agree with the statement.
Magic Mike: If it’s your thing, go check it out. If not, maybe Steven Sodebergh’s name being attached will convince you.
People Like Us: It could be charming or it could be dreadful. The jury is out.
Ted: If you like the humor of The Family Guy, you’ll probably like this. If not, then stay away.
Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Witness Protection: Only Tyler Perry’s fans need apply.
Beasts of the Southern Wild: A strong Oscar contender releasing early in the year. Might as well catch it now instead of waiting until the year-end glut.
Take This Waltz: Sarah Polley is a director many of us are watching. Give her a shot if for no other reason than to say you did.
WIDE RELEASES
| Magic Mike | |||
|---|---|---|---|
See the original
|
 |
 |
 |
Will I See? |
Will I See? |
Will I See? |
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Recommendation? |
Recommendation? |
Recommendation? |
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Oscar Chances |
Oscar Chances |
Oscar Chances |
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ThoughtsWith Steven Soderbergh involved, one would hope it isn’t exploitative. Other critics’ reviews may determine whether I go and make up my own mind. |
ThoughtsNot sure about this one, but Steven Soderbergh directed it so it can’t be all that bad. |
ThoughtsLooks like the kind of forgettable summer comedy that the Oscars will forget. |
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| People Like Us | |||
|---|---|---|---|
See the original
|
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Will I See? |
Will I See? |
Will I See? |
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Recommendation? |
Recommendation? |
Recommendation? |
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Oscar Chances |
Oscar Chances |
Oscar Chances |
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ThoughtsThe trailer makes this look like a movie about incest even though I’m certain it’s not. Still, I can’t really see this as something that would interest me. |
ThoughtsLooks like a charmer, but you never know. |
ThoughtsLooks like the kind of forgettable summer drama that the Oscars will forget. |
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| Ted | |||
|---|---|---|---|
See the original
|
|
|
|
Will I See? |
Will I See? |
Will I See? |
|
Recommendation? |
Recommendation? |
Recommendation? |
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Oscar Chances |
Oscar Chances |
Oscar Chances |
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ThoughtsIt looks like a lot of lame, but inventive fun. Great for a few laughs, but not likely to be very deep. |
ThoughtsA foul-mouthed Teddy Bear comes to life. That’s it? |
ThoughtsLooks like the kind of forgettable summer comedy that the Oscars will forget. |
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| Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Witness Protection | |||
|---|---|---|---|
See the original
|
|
|
|
Will I See? |
Will I See? |
Will I See? |
|
Recommendation? |
Recommendation? |
Recommendation? |
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Oscar Chances |
Oscar Chances |
Oscar Chances |
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ThoughtsThe trailer doesn’t look too bad, but I don’t plan to break my Tyler Perry trend without going back to the Madea beginning, which isn’t likely to happen anytime soon. |
ThoughtsUm, no, just no. |
ThoughtsLooks like the kind of forgettable summer comedy that the Oscars will forget. |
|
LIMITED RELEASES
| Beasts of the Southern Wild | |||
|---|---|---|---|
See the original
|
|
|
|
Will I See? |
Will I See? |
Will I See? |
|
Recommendation? |
Recommendation? |
Recommendation? |
|
Oscar Chances |
Oscar Chances |
Oscar Chances |
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ThoughtsThe film looks cute, but not enough for me to see it in first run if at all. |
ThoughtsThis film is alrady getting Oscar buzz for its 7-year-old star, Louisiana native Quvenzhané Wallis. |
ThoughtsReal good buzz from Sundance could make this a dark-horse Oscar contender. |
|
| Take This Waltz | |||
|---|---|---|---|
See the original
|
|
|
|
Will I See? |
Will I See? |
Will I See? |
|
Recommendation? |
Recommendation? |
Recommendation? |
|
Oscar Chances |
Oscar Chances |
Oscar Chances |
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ThoughtsSarah Polley is one of the most interesting young voices working in cinema, so you have to give her a shot. |
ThoughtsEarly reviews for this romancer are tepid, but with Sarah Polley directing and Michelle Williams starring, it might be worthwhile. |
ThoughtsSarah Polley’s first directorial feature picked up a couple of nods, and this one could too. |
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