1. Sully (Warner Brothers, 3,525 Theaters, 95 Minutes, Rated PG-13 for some peril and brief strong language, Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer at press time: 81% Fresh [107 Reviews]: All I knew about Chesley Sullenberger is that he was the brave and heroic pilot of US Airways Flight 1549, a man who made a safe water landing on the Hudson River after losing both engines. I had know knowledge of him other than a hero.
Apparently, Captain Sullenberger was put a strenuous trial in the media and by investigators. This film will document these struggles.
The was one of my “films to look forward to this fall.” With Hanks, Eastwood and a riveting true-life story involved, it would have to be the best bet for the weekend.
2. The Wild Life (Lionsgate/Summitt, 2,493 Theaters, 90 Minutes, Rated PG for mild action/peril and some rude humor, Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer at press time: 19% Fresh [27 Reviews]: This film tells the story of Robinson Crusoe (what the film is called in its native Belgium) from the viewpoint of the animals on the island he is stranded on. Apparently, two cats act as the antagonists as well.
If that plot description seems a bit blah to you, well, I can’t really rev up any more enthusiasm for this film. It looks like a cheap money grab to snatch money from gullible parents, I hate when studios try to make a profit off of kids, even before I had kids. So I’m going to be staying far away from this film. And you should too. Don’t worry about the film making money. It has already covered its budget in its European release.
3. When the Bough Breaks (Sony/Screen Gems, 107 Minutes, Rated PG-13 for violence, sexuality/partial nudity, thematic elements, some disturbing images, and language, Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer at press time: N/A [0 Reviews]: Stop me when you get to the part you’ve heard before.
A professional couple desperately want a baby but can’t have one themselves. They decided to go with a surrogate. They find a woman who is perfect in almost every way. Well, except one. That thing about her becoming romantically obsessed with the man while she is great with child, turning her into a psycho loony? That’s a pretty big flaw.
Yeah, seems like it is pretty familiar ground. But that’s not why you should be worrying. You should worry about the fact that it has not been release to reviewers. That’s a big red flag.
4. The Disappointments Room (Relativity, 1,554 Theaters, 92 Minutes, Rated R for violent content, bloody images, some sexuality and language, Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer at press time: N/A [0 Reviews]: Wow, two films not released to critics this week. That’s the sign of a horrible week at the movies.
A blond Kate Beckinsale plays a slightly disturbed woman who moves to a rural Southern home. While there, she finds a secret room in the house that does not appear in any blueprint. Of course, she unlocks the door to the room, only to unleash an unholy evil into the house. Either that or she has a psychotic break. Your choice.
This should have been called the “Disappointments Film.” Beckinsale has had plenty of wasted opportunities to become a successful leading lady, D.J. Caruso seemed to be at one time on the track of becoming a successful action/suspense director, and Wentworth Miller, who wrote this film, was transitioning his way from actor to screenwriter quite well with Stoker. Having a film that was not submitted to critics could derail all their careers.
