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Ben Stiller's box-office breaks some hearts

Christopher Lloyd
by Christopher Lloyd

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I love going over the totals from the weekend's box office on Monday. Unlike most film buffs who disdain the commercial side of the art form, I revel in what's up and what's down, who's making a killing and whose career is officially in the tank because their movie didn't "open" -- aka, make enough dough. File Ben Stiller's newest, "The Heartbreak Kid," into the latter category. It only took in about $14 million, when industry insiders were expecting 20 mil or better. The fact that he was reuniting with the Farrelly brothers from their boffo "There's Something About Mary" success only added to the glum reception. I can add a personal note to that. My fiancée, her mother and I headed off to the Carmel Regal theater Saturday night to catch the flick. I was worried because we only showed up five minutes before the movie started, and figured it would be sold out. Not only was it not, but there were only a few dozen people scattered throughout the theater. I was flummoxed. Ben Stiller is a pretty big star, and the movie has been promoted out the yang. It wasn't a great comedy -- I give it 2.5 stars out of four -- but it's better than a lot of lame stuff out there. Curious as to why some decent films flop and the barely comprehensible "Transformers" makes $300 million. But as a great seer once observed about Hollywood, "Nobody know anything."

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Shelby Roby-Terry

You didn't think "Transformers" was a cinematic revelation? Just yankin' your chain!!

Shelby Roby-Terry on Oct 18, '07 at 05:39 PM
Zombieguy

Just to compare... how many stars for Something about Mary?

Zombieguy on Oct 18, '07 at 06:04 PM
Dustin
Zombieguy wrote:
Just to compare... how many stars for Something about Mary?

On a five star scale you have to give it a 5. It's the only movie I saw in the theater 3 times. Speaking on the revelation that Transformers was; The only revelation I had was that all the money in the world can't save bad film making.

Dustin on Oct 18, '07 at 11:13 PM
Christopher Lloyd

Mary gets four stars, no question. One of the truly great comedies of the last 25 years.

Christopher Lloyd on Oct 19, '07 at 03:31 PM
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