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Entries in Ghost Town (4)

Sunday

21Sep2008

Box Office: 'Lakeview Terrace' busts Coen bros.

Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 3:16PM | By

By Franck Tabouring
Weekend of September 19 – 21, 2008

“Lakeview Terrace” topped the North American box office this weekend with $15.6 million in ticket sales, according to Studio estimates Sunday.

Neil LaBute’s thriller won an easy fight against its competition in what was a relatively quite weekend at the movies. Starring Samuel L. Jackson, the film follows a ruthless cop who launches into a turbulent feud with his new neighbors (Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington).

Meanwhile, last week’s box office champion “Burn After Reading” dropped to No. 2, earning $11.2 million and reaching a domestic total of $36.4 million after two weeks in release. Helmed by Joel and Ethan Coen, the comedy stars Brad Pitt and Frances McDormand as two gym teachers who try to sell classified CIA documents.

Opening in third place with $8.3 million was Howard Deutch’s latest comedy “My Best Friend’s Girl,” in which Dane Cook takes women on horrible dates to make them appreciate their ex-boyfriends. Jason Biggs and Kate Hudson co-star.

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Who is Ricky Gervais?

Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 1:16PM | By

Franck Tabouring

He's the man who created "The Office," and this weekend he's running around town talking to ghosts. Of course I'm talking about Ricky Gervais, who I hope will take on a lot more big-screen lead roles in the near future.

Entertainment Weekly posted an interesting piece on the talented comedian, talking a bit about his life, his career and of course, David Koepp's new comedy "Ghost Town," in which he plays a rude dentist who hates talking to people, dead or alive.

And apparently, Gervais likes the film a lot: ''It's good, it's moving, and I figured if I didn't do this one then I'll never do one. To me, it's perfect. I don't care what it does at the box office."

You're right Ricky. It sure is good and moving. You can find out a lot more about him in this article.

'Ghost Town' web reviews

Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 8:49AM | By

Franck Tabouring

Ricky Gervais playing a self-centered dentist who can see dead people? It may sound like a crazy idea, but David Koepp's latest comedy "Ghost Town" is a refreshing little film that sure knows how to make audiences laugh (Read my review here). But what about the online critics? Do they agree with me on this one? Let's find out what some of them have to say:

• Cinematical's Eric D. Snider: "Personally I think he's hilarious, and if the film is little more than his attempt to break out of the "cult following" category and find some mainstream American success, more power to him."

• Josh Tyler at Cinema Blend: "The result is a tenderhearted, charming comedy which should at last wake the world up to the immense, raw talent of one Ricky Gervais."

• Brad Brevet at RopeOfSilicon: "The film never sinks too far into the sap, it keeps its comedy edge by only dwindling into the cliché near the end for its moment of personal redemption, but it offers up enough twists and surprises along the way to make any unoriginal moments forgivable."

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Review: "Ghost Town"

Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 3:22PM | By

Franck Tabouring

Seen on: September 19, 2008

The players: Director: David Koepp, Writers: David Koepp, John Kamps, Cast: Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear, Alan Ruck, Téa Leoni, Jeff Hiller

Facts of interest: Koepp also directed "Secret Window" and wrote "Panic Room" and "Spider-Man."

The plot: When a self-centered dentist suddenly dies but returns to life seven minutes later, he starts to see a bunch of dead people who all hit him up for a favor.

Our quick thoughts: Ricky Gervais, the man behind the original “The Office,” is not necessarily the kind of actor you regularly see on the big screen. And that’s a shame, because in David Koepp’s thoroughly adorable comedy “Ghost Town,” he delivers a hilarious performance that lightens up the entire movie and generates plenty of big laughs. The funny Brit definitely fits in, and I can only hope we’ll start to see him in lead roles more often.

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