PREVIEW: Prom Kings, Visitors and Old People

By Connect Mason Reporter Matthew Todd

This week, two mainstream flicks look to draw from the youngish crowd, while the real talent lurks in the limited release of light-hearted fare.

But before we get into that...

Last Weekend’s Recap

Venturing a guess for what films will top and what films will flop is like trying to presage the Clinton/Obama race. Last weekend, "21" unexpectedly took the top spot while "Nim’s Island" came in second with an underwhelming $13.2 million. On the other hand, the $60 million sports comedy "Leatherheads" starring George Clooney and Renee Zellweger misfired at a modest $12.6 million complete with mostly mixed-to-bad reviews. Meanwhile, "The Ruins" flopped with only $8.0 million. No surprise there.

Prom Night (Screen Gems/Newmarket, PG-13)

This weekend the horror thriller starring Brittany Snow will try to engage young audiences with a low blood-factor. The plot: a group of kids have a killer secret that comes back to haunt them on their prom night.

Okay, as crazy as this sounds, I was somewhat drawn in by the previews. "Prom Night," if low on blood, looks as if it does enough to try and make its audience scream. Although, I have only slighted faith in the plot, which seems to be more of the same pretty-rich-kids-in-peril story overused and overcooked in so many other horror thrillers. I’m going to see what the critics say. If it’s good, then it’s a done deal.

Street Kings (Fox Searchlight, R)

Hip-hop hit-makers "The Game" and "Common" will try to bring their fans into this drama-thriller much like Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre did for "Training Day." The film is directed by the writer of "Day," David Ayer. The plot? A veteran LAPD vice detective sets out to find the killers of his former partner.

I hate to say I didn’t get much from the 85-second preview except for car chases, gunfights, scantily-clad women, a dull Keanu Reeves and cop-thug skirmishes. Snoooore! Unfortunately, despite Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker, sexy Chris Evans and rappers thugging in film vehicles, this movie looks like a two-hour cliché. Perhaps the Cinemascore and the critics will be able to tell me more, but until then... not interested.

Chaos Theory (Warner Bros., PG-13)

Ryan Reynolds stars as a well-ordered individual whose life turns upside down in a series of funny mishaps when his wife decides add 10-minutes to his day, but accidentally sets it 10-minutes back. This leads to a string of events that turn his life into chaos.

This light-hearted, screwball fare looks like one of those hysterical and over-the-top comedies where just a few minutes can make a difference. I’d pay money to watch this gamely farcical comedy in all its seeming wildness and hilarity.

Smart People (Miramax, R)

Professor Lawrence Whetherhold (Dennis Quaid) is a brilliant college professor with a nice house and perfect daughter (Oscar-nominee Ellen Page, "Juno"). But when he suffers seizures and can’t drive for six months, his life is turned “sideways” thanks to his aloof adopted brother (Oscar-nominee Thomas Haden Church, "Sideways"). Lawrence learns to be good with women (in particular with his doctor played by Sarah Jessica Parker), love his family and loosen up.

The concept and the cast show great potential, not to mention the film is a product produced by the brilliant minds behind "Sideways." Page is as appealing as usual (although playing herself for the most part) and Quaid seems superbly humble. Another hopefully-charming comedy. I approve.

The Visitor (Overture Films, PG-13)

62-year-old Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins) is a passionless teacher and writer. He sleepwalks through life, following a daily routine that gives people the impression he’s busy. When he’s asked to attend a conference in Manhattan, he’s surprised to find a couple has taken up residence in his New York City apartment. He allows them to stay, only to find that they are becoming an exciting part of his life. Walter learns to play the drums thanks to Tarek (Haaz Sleiman), one of the residents. But the excitement shifts to devastation when Tarek is arrested as an undocumented citizen and held for deportation.

The film boasts a beautifully-crafted and heartbreaking preview. It’s almost surefire (especially since it’s produced by the celebrated people behind "The Station Agent" and, again, "Sideways"). This, no doubt, looks like one of the best, and most devastating, films of the year. I'm surprised it didn't get a release date closer to Oscar season.

Young@Heart (Fox Searchlight, PG)

"Young@Heart" is a warm documentary about senior citizens going on tour to sing covers of songs by James Brown, The Clash, Coldplay and so on, to the delight of their audiences.

To see senior citizens attempting to do this is very laughable... but cute, amiable, and convivial. Taking a break from the ridiculous mainstream fare, I’d definitely delight myself in this warm docucomedy.

Box Office Predictions

Since there’s very little in the way of true mainstream, with only "Prom Night" and "Street Kings" being the only two nationwide releases, it makes this part a whole lot easier. "Smart People," "Chaos Theory," "The Visitor" and "Young@Heart" are all slated for limited release (according to their websites), narrowing the contest to "Night" and "Kings."

With "Training Day's" success and the film’s star-power, I'm pretty certain "Street Kings" will dethrone "21" with a possible $19-23 million opening. Its challenge is to draw the young audiences away from "Prom Night," also targeting youngsters with its friendlier PG-13 rating. "Prom Night" could come in a close second with $15-17 million... unless it’s as bad as "Hostel 2," "The Ruins" and "Shutter," all three of which couldn’t squeak past $10 million on their opening weekends.

My Pick: The Visitor