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Blades vs. Robinsons
The weekend's big box-office battle is between Blades of Glory, the Will Ferrell-Jon Heder-New Homophobia comedy that the hairy-backed hoo-hoo crowd is reportedly hot to see, vs. Meet The Robinsons, the Disney 3-D animated deal that toddlers and their families cramming into starting this afternoon. No one cares who the winner will be, or how much money will be made....nobody wants to know anything because it's a weekend of mourning. If I could wave my hand and make the Ferrell flick into a failure, I would, but it's expected to do around $35 million.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on March 30, 2007 at 05:27 PM
comment #1
jeffmcm ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/nav-commenters.gif)
says ...
Okay - this officially marks you as being an elitist snob (have you even seen this movie? I'm assuming not) and not cool or hip - a hip person would have already moved on to talk about how good The Host is or what's in store on The Sopranos instead of posturing about gorilla men and riding around on his fauxcycle.
Posted by jeffmcm at March 30, 2007 05:55 PM
comment #2
ZacharyTF says ...
I want to see Blades of Glory just to see Jenna Fischer in lingerie on the big screen! :)
Posted by ZacharyTF at March 30, 2007 05:56 PM
comment #3
jackkerouac says ...
After reading this column now for a couple of years and being subjected to idiotic comments like the ones above, I have to say that you have got some serious issues to work out, dude.
Get laid, have a few drinks and then get off your high horse. They're only movies and besides, sometimes nothing goes down better after a hard week of work or school like a bit of fun and yes- mindless- entertainment.
Posted by jackkerouac at March 30, 2007 06:02 PM
comment #4
Walter Sobchak says ...
For "Meet the Robinsons in 3-D" you forgot to mention the all-important stoner crowd. Speaking of which, I'll see ya'll at next friday's "Baraka" screening at the Egyptian. Party on.
"You had me at '3-D'"
Posted by Walter Sobchak at March 30, 2007 06:08 PM
comment #5
T.Holly says ...
Except that it's not so funny or all that entertaining. Just middling to good. Don't pay Jeff.
Posted by T.Holly at March 30, 2007 06:09 PM
comment #6
dobbsy says ...
Earth to Wells: Today, writing about "Blades of Glory," you opined, "If I could wave my hand and make the Ferrell flick into a failure, I would.."
Why?
Why?
Why?
Seriously.
Why?
Posted by dobbsy at March 30, 2007 06:19 PM
comment #7
T.Holly says ...
you mean when you could free the hostages instead?
Posted by T.Holly at March 30, 2007 06:58 PM
comment #8
PanTheFaun says ...
I like Ferrell. I like him a lot. I also have a hairy back. I consider myself to be a bit of a movie snob. Yet I like "Talladega Nights" quite a bit. It's very funny. I think Jeff Wells is an elitist douchecock. All that said, "Blades of Glory" is a pretty shitty movie.
Posted by PanTheFaun at March 30, 2007 07:32 PM
comment #9
atticusrex says ...
Jeff: Why is this a weekend of mourning? Have some people died in the Hollywood Hills fire? By the by that pic you posted of the plume is really a very good spot on photo.
Still I ask you... why is this weekend a time of mourning? I understand from a B.O. viewpoint not much opened except for The Lookout. Sad thing is The Lookout won't score much moola. But at times like these... family movies and silly comedies or grand fantasies are what the audience needs... I expect Grindhouse will do wonders next weekend though partly due to it's subject matter and running time won't post the #'s 300 did. But 300 like Grindhouse provide a true escape from the everyday... something movies were meant to do. Of course though we need more important films or films from the heart as well... but you need the Blaze of Glory, Talledaga Nights, Pixar ect to make $$$ so that we get the movies we really want to see that changes or at least add to the language of film. We cheer if a Scorsese movie breaks the $100 million mark... We sing praises if a small indy film with something on it's mind makes say over $25 million... but you need the mass audience pleaser to pay for those type of films... because very, very few important and or Art films make $$$ at the box office... and after all Movies is a Business first... then art....
Posted by atticusrex at March 30, 2007 10:36 PM
comment #10
Dublin101 says ...
I like Ferrell but I'm going to skip this one. What I've seen of Blades suggest that it's strictly second division stuff that’s not worth the effort of going to out to a cinema. The only film on my personal radar is Danny Boyle’s Sunshine which opens where I am next week) but otherwise it’s a lean time for new releases. Roll on summer.
Posted by Dublin101 at March 31, 2007 06:28 AM
comment #11
dobbsy says ...
dublin: You're right, blades isn't very good. skip it.
but i still want to know, jeff, why do you want to "wave your hand" and turn someone's film into a failure? you said it, now do the right thing and back it up with an explanation.
i may think grindhouse is a witless, soulless, boring piece of cynical studio-style hype, but if people dig it, great. we can debate what makes for art and entertainment. and to tell the truth, the more people who go to movies, the better it is for all people who make movies.
but do you wish to wave your hand and make films fail? i'm curious and really want to understand your reasoning. is it ego? messiah complex? are you going to save people from being entertained by films jeff wells deems unworthy?
we got the kvetch, but we're waiting for the critique and the rationale for your dream of superpowers that enable you to destroy careers and investments and control people's minds and hearts.
Posted by dobbsy at March 31, 2007 08:14 AM
comment #12
count.olaf says ...
I assume the weekend of mourning is passover/palm sunday? And why didn't he stick to his original post?
Jeff usually champions sticking with what you write no matter how bad or wrong it turns out in the future. Be a man! You called people who go to this film some sort of awful name/characterization...now you have the "mourning" line in there.
Own up!
Posted by count.olaf at March 31, 2007 09:38 AM
comment #13
T.Holly says ...
it's got to be the sweet jesus chocolate bunny, damn that thing is gorgeous -- what a talented sculpter -- i'd go see it.
Posted by T.Holly at March 31, 2007 10:10 AM
comment #14
Mike Schaefer says ...
Dublin101: I assume you're actually *in* Dublin? Let us know what you thought of "Sunshine", it's been pushed back to September here in the states.
Posted by Mike Schaefer at March 31, 2007 10:57 AM
comment #15
Dublin101 says ...
Dublin101: I assume you're actually *in* Dublin? Let us know what you thought of "Sunshine", it's been pushed back to September here in the states.
Yep, hence the name. The advance reviews for Sunshine in the British press have been uniformly positive so I'm really looking forward to it. It has Danny Boyle, Cillian Murphy and sci-fi. What's not to like?
Posted by Dublin101 at March 31, 2007 12:33 PM
comment #16
alfred says ...
Jeff-
saw Meet the Robinsons last night.
a real shame.
what could have been a real charming and original (to me at least) idea of an orphan who finds a family, turned out to be the same schlock (boy no one understands who is a nerd but it's ok since he has weird hair).
what is really a shame is that the original writer got fired b/c he didn't want the worst character in the movie-the loser-ish villian.
John Lasseter may help disney in the future, but he is gonna have a real rough start.
Posted by alfred at March 31, 2007 01:59 PM
comment #17
alfred says ...
btw-
if the 3d was supposed to be "3d,"it sure sucks.
nothing pops out at you.
if you take the glasses off, it's just a bit blurry.
Posted by alfred at March 31, 2007 02:01 PM
Posted by grener at April 16, 2007 02:29 AM
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