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A middle-aged virgin rules Hollywood charts |
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Though a bunch of new films shot into the Hollywood top 10 chart last week, not one could earn the summer numbers. But The 40-Year-Old-Virgin, a raunchy, low-budget comedy about Andy and his sexual and emotional predicament, could show good legs in the following weeks and become a strongly profitable venture, especially when it hits DVD shelves.
Steve Carell, who has played interesting secondary roles in such films as Bruce Almighty and Anchorman, plays the lead role in a film he co-wrote. If the film does well for the next couple of weeks, it might turn into a big summer hit, even hitting the league of Wedding Crashers.
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1. The 40-Year-Old Virgin Cast: Steve Carell and Catherine Keener. Director: Judd Apatow.  An appealing hero, Carell; many pleasant diversions. Script loses much of its edge as it goes on.Number of weeks: New. BO Verdict: Potential superhit.
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2. Red Eye Cast: Rachel McAdams and Cillian Murphy. Director: Wes Craven. Above average cat-and-mouse hostage drama; good leading pair.More of a vendetta film in the last quarter; loses its focus.Number of weeks: New. BO Verdict: Success.
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3. Four Brothers Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Andre Benjamin, Tyrese Gibson and Garret Hedlund. Director: John Singleton. A fast and furious revenge drama without pretensions; young cast.Too violent; dialogue lacks sparks.Number of weeks: 2. BO Verdict: Success.
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4. Wedding Crashers Cast: Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Christopher Walken, Rachel McAdams. Director: David Dobkin. Bawdy comedy; terrific chemistry between Wilson and Vaughn; Fast tempo in the fist half.Overextends the plot; runs out of humour and salty jokes in the second half.Number of weeks: 6. BO Verdict: Superhit.
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5. The Skeleton Key Cast: Kate Hudson, Gena Rowlands, Peter Saarsgard and William Hurt. Director: Ian Softley. Few shivers; a surprising ending if your mind is not really on the screen.Another haunted house film without big surprises; waste of great talent.Number of weeks: 2. BO Verdict: Success.
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6. March Of The Penguins Narration: Morgan Freeman. Director: Luc Jacquet. Amazing visuals; unbelievable insights into the lives of emperor penguins.A bit too sentimental.Number of weeks: 9. BO Verdict: Superhit.
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7. Valiant Starring: Evan McGregor, Ben Kingsley, John Cleese and Ricky Gervais. Director: Gary Chapman. Top-notch voice talents; solid computer animation; intriguing plot.Too many WW II jokes that may not even click with adults, let alone kids.Number of weeks: New. BO Verdict: Disappointing.
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8. The Dukes Of Hazzard Cast: Johnny Knoxville, Seann Scott Williams, Jessica Simpson, Burt Reynolds and Willie Nelson. Director: Jay Chandrasekhar. Action filled with comedy, Jessica Simpson's sex appeal.Predictable situations, lack of brilliant gags, repetitious car chases.Number of weeks: 3. BO Verdict: Hit.
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9. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory Cast: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, Ned Kelly, Helena Bonham Carter, Deep Roy and Christopher Lee. Director: Tim Burton. Riot of colours; strong drama; and the amazing Oompa-Loompas.Gets a bit repetitive; too dark and punishing to those unfamiliar with the novel.Number of weeks: 6. BO Verdict: Hit. |
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10. Sky High Cast: Kurt Russell, Kelly Preston and Michael Angarano. Director: Mike Mitchell. Clean, family-friendly movie; decent performances.Script could have been more imaginative.Number of weeks: 4. BO Verdict: Average.
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Text: Arthur J Pais
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