Sure, there is some Oscar bait hitting the screens this time of year, but there are also a ton of sequels, remakes, adaptations and other bits of recycled material hoping to cash in for the holidays. We take a look at which ones have a chance.
The film
The buzz: The original French film, “Anthony Zimmer,” was critically acclaimed but flopped at the box office. Then again, it didn’t star Angelina Jolie. Or Johnny Depp. Or Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp.
The film: “TRON: Legacy” (Dec. 17)
The buzz: “There are no guarantees about ‘TRON’; it’s a sequel based on a cult film,” says film critic Dave White of Movies.com. “They’re anticipating a huge audience who never heard of the original — and Daft Punk fans.”
The film
The buzz: “‘Yogi Bear’ is essentially in the ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks’ spot,” observes Brandon Gray, publisher of BoxOfficeMojo.com. “It would be surprising if they could repeat that success; I don’t think ‘Yogi Bear’ is as popular a property as the Chipmunks.”
The film
The buzz: “Jack Black has a mixed track record. ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ seems to want to be the new ‘Night at the Museum,’ but it’ll probably be closer to ‘Bedtime Stories,’ which was the last movie that tried to be the next ‘Night at the Museum,’” says Gray.
The film
The buzz: This seems a little out of left field. “The sequel wasn’t as highly regarded as the first. That, combined with the amount of time that has passed, might mean that this is where the franchise hits the wall,” says Gray.
The film
The buzz: It doesn’t necessarily matter. Coen brothers fans are deterred by nothing, and Matt Damon and Josh Brolin will bring the rest. Wait, “TRON”?star Jeff Bridges is in this one, too? Merry Christmas to all.
