boo, hiss

Snakes on a Plane didn’t do nearly what I was expecting in terms of box office this weekend – finishing second with $13,850,000 under Talledega Nights. I saw it Saturday and was thoroughly entertained, having no expectations whatsoever. Given all the hype surrounding the movie, I guess a lot of it was up in the air- it could have done phenominal in what’s been a pretty lackluster summer, or it could do just about what it’s done. At a $33M budget it’s still going to have to work to break even and I don’t think the campy PR reach is going to reach very far overseas, so I expect a lot is riding on how it shows next weekend. I’d like to see it just over even to be honest because SLJ was out pimping hard for the movie and he really seems to enjoy these kinds of roles and that’s why we love him. I’m all for keeping his stock high because the dude is a patron saint of cool.

Also saw Little Miss Sunshine which was really earnestly funny and bittersweet and great. Paul Dano and Abigail Breslin (Dwayne and Olive, respectively) were outstanding in league with the rest of the great cast. I love Alan Arkin. And Steve Carell. Some great deadpan 1000-yard stares. Just all around awesomeness. Jeremy mentioned to me that Paul Dano’s been cast as the voice of Alexander in Spike Jonze’s Where the Wild Things Are which I have no thoughts on, because I really can’t begin to fathom how Spike Jonze is planning on making the movie. All you can do in this situation is wait. But I think that Paul Dano kid has something going for him, I’ll hafta keep and eye open for him.

But if I’m recommending one or the other, given that the world might end tomorrow- check out Little Miss Sunshine. It will do your soul more good than seeing snakes bite random chicks boobies. Unless you’re into death by snake-bit boobies.