As weekends go, this one should be a strong one for Pixar. Every year we expect them to do well and they will, but despite the soft business of the original film, it was a powerhouse on video and merchandising, so I expect it to open quite high this week.
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.
Bad Teacher: We’re not all sold on the film (67%) but we do think the Academy won’t like it (100%). Cars 2: It’s Pixar, so it gets points for trying even if people weren’t enamored with the first (67%). We do agree that it will contend at the Oscars (100%). A Better Life: We are mostly undecided (67%), but believe it could be a minor Oscar contender (67%) General Orders No. 9: We can’t quite figure it out, which makes us apprehensive (67%) so the Academy isn’t going to go for it (100%).
Although I wasn’t as big a fan of the original as I have been of other Pixar flicks, it was still a solid and surprisingly enjoyable effort. My trepidation about the sequel is that it lacks that homespun appeal and simplicity that the original had.
Thoughts
I still have a headache from the first one.
Thoughts
Pixar can never be disregarded, but Cars is their weakest film and this doesn’t look too appealing to me. That said, second-rate Pixar is probably still one of the Best Movies of the Year.
Cars 2: Must See, Minor Oscar Contender
I must admit that I wasn’t as big a fan of the original “Cars” as I have been of Pixar’s other efforts, although I did enjoy it. It certainly was, and still remains, their weakest effort (story-wise anyway — the animation and vocal performances were as top-notch as you’d expect from Pixar). That said, I have seen every single one of Pixar’s films in theaters and will definitely continue my streak with “Cars 2.” And although it looks as if Pixar’s critical streak will end with this film, I completely expect their box-office streak to continue. I’d be amazed if this didn’t end up being the highest grossing film of the summer.
Bad Teacher: Won’t See, Non-Contender
It doesn’t look like much of a movie. Furthermore, I don’t care for Cameron Diaz.
A Better Life: Watch on DVD, Major Oscar Contender
I’ve heard that Summit intends on following a similar marketing pattern with this film to the one they used with “The Hurt Locker.” It’s gotten stellar reviews so far, so I guess we’ll have to wait and see if they can capitalize. I at least think that Demian Bichir is going to receive a Best Actor nomination, even if the film doesn’t get the other accolades the studio is hoping for.
General Orders No. 9: Won’t See, Non-Contender
I can’t think of anything more boring than a nature documentary set in the state of Georgia.
As weekends go, this one should be a strong one for Pixar. Every year we expect them to do well and they will, but despite the soft business of the original film, it was a powerhouse on video and merchandising, so I expect it to open quite high this week.
Leave a Reply