Buzz Multiplex: Trains, Flights of Fancy, and Food Fights
by Vera H-C ChanJun 12, 2009
A gripping remake, a sweet re-imagining, and a queasy look at America's food chain make for a healthy draw in the Buzz Multiplex this week...but are any an antidote to "The Hangover"? Not likely. While a Travolta-Washington pairing is impressive, the bachelor-party-gone-bad should continue to dominate the box office given the whopping Web interest. Among the premieres, here's how they stack against one another this week.
1. The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (R). This remake of the 1974 thriller is the first job that John Travolta and Denzel Washington have done together, and that may be enough of a pull for this heavyweight match. With terrorism having a whole new meaning in present-day NYC, Time magazine's comparison of the city then and now is engrossing. Given the death of his son earlier this year, Travolta hasn't done any publicity for the film: He's pulling in more online queries than his co-star.
2. Food Inc (PG, limited release). Featuring the respective authors of "Fast Food Nation" and "The Omnivore's Dilemma," the documentary gives a close-up to America's corporate food chain. Although a limited release, the unappetizing look has been getting solid reviews (although NYT pines for more issue-thrashing) and decent Web interest among people in their 20s through 60s.
3. Imagine That (PG). A sweet enough premise: Financial exec facing downward spiral and family estrangement gets advice from daughter's imaginary friends. Sounds like something Wall Street execs could've benefited from, but the real question is: Does Eddie Murphy restore his funnyman image here? Los Angeles Times says he's the "most entertaining thing" about the comedy, but DVD Talk sees this as another sign of his "obsolescence as a big screen superstar." Ouch. Mild searches at best, mostly from the under-13 set. Looks like Murphy's destined for the DVD bin.
