Opening This Weekend: People Tyler Perry Likes (i.e. Magic Mike)

This weekend Luke Kirby will not be opening Magic Mike

Well, we've been waiting for Magic Mike and his posse for ages, and they are finally here!  Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, and Alex Pettyfer, playing strippers?  Four cheers for Hollywood!  And, a fifth, I suppose, if you're like most of my girlfriends who swear by Matthew McConaug-Hey-A!  Mark Wallberg won't be taking off his clothes (to my knowledge) like he did in Boogie Nights to show off a prosthetic, but he will have a nude costar in Ted.  Mila Kunis also costars.  The trailer I watched used The Heavy's cover of Kool Moe Dee's "How Ya Like Me Now," also utilized by Horrible Bosses last year.  Wahlberg has taken a great interest in comedy lately and this is The Family Guy Seth MacFarlane's first time writing, producing, or directing a feature-lenght film.  It's probably worth a look.  Stepping out on his own from under JJ Abrams' umbrella is Alex Kurtzman.  He gives Chris Pine the leading man treatment in People Like Us, three years post-Star Trek (guess that's why he left his boutique agency).  

[Photo via My New Plaid Pants]

For those who are immune to Tatum's charm and/or hot male stripping, you can check out Tyler Perry's latest (though, I imagine he'll be hosting a private Magic screening in his home).  Perry, whose living-in-his-car-ass has been kissed by Oprah and his life has never been the same since, is one of the few people who can actually turn a legitimate profit at the box-office.  I just wished I could enjoy his crappy movies.  I honestly do.  But, I don't have the chip in my brain to allow it.  His movies either have his name or the moniker of his famous alter-ego in each title (or both, I don't know; there's a surprising discrepancy between IMDb and Box Office Mojo).  This time, it's his drag persona's turn. She's hiding out in Madea's Witness Protection Program.  Perhaps that's where she should stay.  The last time you (surely not me) or someone else saw her, she had a Big Happy Family.  Her Madea franchise is her most profitable, so it's not surprisingly that the years between these cheaply made films with a built-in audience is getting shorter and shorter.  Also not surprising is Perry's appeal doesn't extend beyond North American (or U.S.) borders, so the rest of the world doesn't seem to be buying into her bullshit.  And the last one only made 2/3rds of the previous installment when Madea Goes to Jail.  


Americans and the rest of the Western civilized world are allowed to live as whomever they choose.  If you're not breaking the law (or have the money for the best lawyer in town), you can make whatever decision you want to.  People can criticize you, but the more money you have, the more protected you are from their slings and arrows.  There is just something about a grown man doing drag who just doesn't simply acknowledge the obvious.  And it only takes three words (two of which make a contraction).  Not that I need to know about his personal life, it's just so awkward and (not?) out there.  While it's hard to compare it to an actor doing black-face, it runs through a similar vein.  I can't describe it any other way.  But, it's his life, so I should just shut up, right?  Still, by not coming out, he "protects" his base of audience (which isn't exactly experiencing a growth spurt as of late), and continues to perpetuate his multimillion dollar empire from his fat Atlanta throne.  Am I jealous?  Perhaps.  Do I admire him?  In some ways.  His rags-to-riches story is awe-inspiring, to say the least.  Do I respect him?  Like, he or anyone even gives a shit.  Ack!  I need to stopping hating on Perry.  Sorry to be so alienating.  I hope this is the last time I am.  But, be forewarned, he'll be smelling up Morgan Freeman's legacy as Alex Cross later this year.  Ugh.  But, hey, he didn't write, produce, or direct, so perhaps it might be good.  We'll see.  


There are A LOT of mainstream choices this weekend (which is rare), though, if you'll note, every lead in all four films are MALE.  It will be interesting to see how things will flesh out, so to speak.  Already having opened on Wednesday is the much anticipated Beasts of the Southern Wild, which has wowed audiences at Sundance, Cannes, and LA film festivals.  From Toronto last year, is Sarah Polley's Take This Waltz with Michelle Williams and Luke Kirby.  Unforgivable just played at LAFF; I had a ticket and couldn't go.  What a mistake!  There is also The Last Ride starring all growed-up Elliott from E.T. as a drunk and disillusioned Hank Williams.  Egads, everybody stop getting old!  And Jonathan Demme directs a documentary about another music legend in Neil Young Journeys.