Weekend Update: February 26, 2010

There’s a new Kevin Smith movie out this weekend called Cop Out, a buddy picture starring Bruce Willis and Tracey Morgan. Smith didn’t write it; in fact it’s the first time he’s directed a film written by someone else, and critics have not been kind. Seems Willis doesn’t make any effort, Morgan tries too hard, and there’s nothing in the story worth filming. All this negativity has Smith in a testy mood; he is so miffed at Owen Gleiberman, over at Entertainment Weekly, that he actually made comments on the critic’s web page, fighting back:

My film scores a C-. This from the guy who gave "Twilight" a B grade. So I'll let that speak for itself. 

That’s some of the milder stuff, see the whole exchange here. Looks like this film will not be a critical hit but there is a lot of interest in it among action fans and Kevin Smith acolytes, so it should keep the box office busy. Also opening is The Crazies, a remake of an early George Romero picture where toxins in a small town water supply turn good Midwestern folk into zombies. It’s more scary than gory, has a lot of cool government conspiracy stuff, and early critical reviews have been kind. Maybe that’s why Kevin Smith is testy.

If you live in New York, LA or Montreal and you’re in the mood for something more highbrow, check out A Prophet. It’s a French crime drama that has won a lot of awards and will probably walk away with the Best Foreign Film Oscar. If you feel like staying in (or if the snow is keeping you home), look for The Informant, new this week on DVD. Matt Damon plays a whistle blower who may not be as noble as he appears. It’s not a great film but it’s entertaining and Damon's performance is first rate.

Next week: Alice in Wonderland. Booting those blue people right off their 3-D screens.