New Movies and Box Office Predictions: Featuring Inside Man

I can't say that this weekend looks all that promising. We get a new horror movie for the teen crowd, a comedy for the rednecks, and a heist thriller. The thriller looks to be the best of the bunch, boasting star power on the screen and off. Let's take a little closer look at what this week has to offer.

Inside Man. (2006, 129 minutes, R, trailer) Spike Lee returns to the big screen with this heist film. I have to be honest, when I first saw the trailer, I did not think that it would have Spike Lee as the director. It's not that I don't think he can do it, it just didn't look like what I would associate with Spike. It does look like a thrilling picture, and hopefully one that will keep me guessing. It has a good cast featuring Clive Owen, Denzel Washington, Jodie Foster, and Willem Dafoe.

Larry the Cable Guy, Health Inspector. (2006, 89 minutes, PG-13, trailer) This looks bad, albeit with moments of hilarity. This is a vehicle to presumably to gage Larry's potential on the big screen. I predict that this will be moderately funny, but won't go very far with the one note Cable Guy. See at your own risk.

Stay Alive. (2006, 85 minutes, PG-13, trailer) Here we go again, another PG-13 horror movie. Although, I have to admit, the trailer looks equal parts interesting and bland. I feel as if I've seen it already. Some guys get ahold of a new video game. They all start playing, and then, 1 by 1 they start dying in the same fashion that their characters died in the game. It is populated with newcomers, save for Adam Goldberg. It was directed by William Brent Bell, directing for the first time since 1997's Sparkle and Charm.

The Best of Youth Parts I and II. (2003, Part I 182 minutes, Part II 176 minutes, R, trailer) This is getting an engagement at arthouse, and they are even offering a discount if you see both parts. This was originally conceived as a mini-series for Italian television. The film follows 2 brothers over a period of 37 years. Watch them grow up, take jobs, have families, and relationships. Watch Italy grow with their lives as the framework.

Arna's Children. (2004, 83 minutes, NR, trailer) This making a brief one show stop at the local arthouse. It is a film from Israel that was shot over the course of ten years and tracks the development of a group of Palestinian children who turn to violence as a response to the Israeli occupation.

Also opening this week, but not near me:

• American Gun
• The Child
• The Godfather of Green Bay
• Lonesome Jim
• Stoned

Box Office Predictions. How do you think this weekend will play out?

1. Inside Man. I think this has the star power to lift it to the top.
2. V for Vendetta. I think this will have the legs to have a good outing this weekend.
3. Stay Alive. This will do OK, although I think I am optimistic as to the finish.
4. Failure to Launch. Still proving to be a draw in week 3.
5. The Shaggy Dog. Going against predictions, the Tim Allen vehicle is still strong.
6. Larry the Cable Guy, Health Inspector. Mediocre take for what I am guessing will be a mediocre movie.
7. Eight Below. I'm really happy to see this doing so well.
8. She's the Man. This will begin a quick descent.
9. 16 Blocks. Hanging on for one more week.
10. The Hills Have Eyes. The last hurrah for the maneaters of the hills.

What are you seeing?

Categories: News, Movies, Previews, Weekly