Spring Break
Impressive list of holiday films appeal to all
Evin Fritschle
Issue date: 1/14/08 Section: Life & Style
Students are now prepping for their return to classes, but during the break many students and non-students flocked to movie theaters to catch the holiday blockbusters.
Several films received critical acclaim, including "Charlie Wilson's War," starring Tom Hanks; "No Country for Old Men," the latest film from the directorial duo of Ethan and Joel Coen; and "Juno," a Golden Globe-nominated comedy about a pregnant teen (played by Ellen Page) and her plans for her unborn child.
As a somewhat amateur film critic myself, I have to say that each of these films are rightfully liked by critics. Each film features a strong cast. Josh Brolin and Tommy Lee Jones put on strong performances in "Country"; Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Phillip Seymour Hoffman are all stellar in "Charlie Wilson's War"; and the cast of "Juno" is deeper than my credit card debt.
Out of all of them, "Juno" will probably be the film that will be favored among the college crowd. The fan base that director Jason Reitman established for himself with the 2005 comedy "Thank You for Smoking" seems, once again, to be the ideal target audience. The movie is funny, and those who find themselves taking a liking to the works of Judd Apatow (director of "Knocked Up" and "The 40 Year Old Virgin") might like this film, too.
However, based on working at a movie theater myself, the crowds coming to see "Juno" have ranged from pre-teen to post-retirement. It seems to appeal to all ages, but maybe it's just that some of the older viewers are more warped in what they find funny than their traditional peers; I'm not really certain.
There were, and are, plenty of popcorn films for those still taxed from all the holiday stress playing in theaters. "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" has performed solidly at the box office since its December 21 release, grossing over $170 million in three weeks.
Will Smith's latest sci-fi thriller "I Am Legend," which had its wide release in theaters a week before the most recent "National Treasure" installment, has brought in over $228 million at the box office.
Several films received critical acclaim, including "Charlie Wilson's War," starring Tom Hanks; "No Country for Old Men," the latest film from the directorial duo of Ethan and Joel Coen; and "Juno," a Golden Globe-nominated comedy about a pregnant teen (played by Ellen Page) and her plans for her unborn child.
As a somewhat amateur film critic myself, I have to say that each of these films are rightfully liked by critics. Each film features a strong cast. Josh Brolin and Tommy Lee Jones put on strong performances in "Country"; Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Phillip Seymour Hoffman are all stellar in "Charlie Wilson's War"; and the cast of "Juno" is deeper than my credit card debt.
Out of all of them, "Juno" will probably be the film that will be favored among the college crowd. The fan base that director Jason Reitman established for himself with the 2005 comedy "Thank You for Smoking" seems, once again, to be the ideal target audience. The movie is funny, and those who find themselves taking a liking to the works of Judd Apatow (director of "Knocked Up" and "The 40 Year Old Virgin") might like this film, too.
However, based on working at a movie theater myself, the crowds coming to see "Juno" have ranged from pre-teen to post-retirement. It seems to appeal to all ages, but maybe it's just that some of the older viewers are more warped in what they find funny than their traditional peers; I'm not really certain.
There were, and are, plenty of popcorn films for those still taxed from all the holiday stress playing in theaters. "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" has performed solidly at the box office since its December 21 release, grossing over $170 million in three weeks.
Will Smith's latest sci-fi thriller "I Am Legend," which had its wide release in theaters a week before the most recent "National Treasure" installment, has brought in over $228 million at the box office.
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