One of the things that tends to make or break a romantic comedy is the chemistry between the two leads which clearly is there. Baldwin and Streep mesh together perfectly along with the raunchy and clever dialogue that Meyers drenches you in. Granted, she’s not much of a director, but she can whip up one heck of an entertaining story. The acting all around the board is fine, clicking right away and just in different ways adding onto the hilarity or drama depending on what the scene is calling for.

Although the film is highly entertaining and simple as well, but does have its share of flaws. The main one that comes to mind is Steve Martin who acts better as a random statue throughout a majority of the film, even though he’s supposed to pose a ‘threat’ against Baldwin’s character. The thing that was the most irritating was the strange focusing and boring yet simple cinematography that was done by someone who practiced cinematography 101. I understand that romantic comedies are not taken too seriously when it comes to directing but in this case it plays in Nancy Meyers’ favor with the simple vision that is explained better on the big screen through the use of her fluid story. Although it hits a snag toward the end of the film with the dragged out resolution, it still holds up fairly well.

Meyers redeems herself with the atrocious film The Holiday and turns this latest creation into one of the raunchier, better put together and humorous pieces in her filmmaking library. The negative press that this feature has been getting is something I’m having a hard time grasping due to the comedy, chemistry and blast that this film is.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Do not forget though, Avatar did not end up reigning the box office without it’s share of competition. Like previously reported, Sherlock Holmes did give the flick a slight run for it’s money one day which means it more than likely made some cash, and it did. The movie, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, took in $65.3 Million for it’s opening weekend which shows the power of Downey Jr, the rest of the cast and what not. Following close behind is the hybrid animation and live action film Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel managed to make itself some profit estimating to be $50.2 Million. All I can say is I wonder how fast it will be until Holmes and the Chipmunks get greenlit for more sequels at this point.

Last but certainly not least is the Alec Baldwin and Meryl Streep romantic comedy of sorts called It’s Complicated which ended up taking in $22.1 Million. With a supposed price tag of $75 Million, this flick still has a ways to go to get even. On a fairly good note, it looks like the nationwide release of Jason Reitman’s feature Up in the Air gained itself a little more steam as it tallied up to bringing in $11.75 Million, already ridiculously close to making back it’s budget, hurray. At least it finally broke free from the tie stranglehold that it had on Christmas Day with The Blind Side, which to me is one of the surprise hits of the holiday season. Nine, however, is not looking too good since it only wrangled in $5.5 Million on it’s second weekend. You have to admit, it’s been one hell of a weekend for movies. Here’s the rest of the numbers for the weekend below from Box Office Mojo.:

Weekend Box Office (December 25-27)

1. Avatar  ($75 M)
2. Sherlock Holmes  ($65.3 M)
3. Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel  ($50.2 M)
4. It’s Complicated  ($22.1 M)
5. Up in the Air  ($11.75 M)
6. The Blind Side  ($11.73 M)
7. The Princess and the Frog  ($8.6 M)
8. Nine  ($5.5 M)
9. Did You Hear About the Morgans?  ($5 M)
10. Invictus  ($4.3 M)

It’s time to get ready for the New Year, and with that means were going into the dead months. However, it’s not looking as incredibly bleak as it normally would be in the month of January. With that said, the releases start up on Wednesday, December 30th with a limited one for The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond and the New York and Los Angeles release of The White Ribbon. In January, you’ll just have to wait and see until the 8th for the releases of several films which I will touch upon during the next box office report. Happy New Year to you all.

Let us not forget that these two were not the only films out in theaters on the holiday. The super kid-friendly CGI animated and live action hybrid film Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel got away with $12 Million little nuts in their pockets, not surprising since the first flick made a nice chunk of money it’s opening weekend as well. The Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin starring film It’s Complicated $7.5 Million, which is not too bad for the comedy of sorts. Up in the Air did a couple of million better than it did a couple of days ago, making about $4 Million on Friday and tying up with The Blind Side. The unfortunate part is that the Jason Reitman flick is not showing too much improvement with revenue in regards it finally opening up nationwide. Perhaps the studios played it out a little wrong with the every-other-week openings and might have let the Oscar-contention steam that was flowing from this movie from so long finally start to slip away.

Last but not least is the Rob Marshall directed feature Nine which is not only one of the lowest grosses out of all of the weekend openers, with $2.2 Million, but could more than likely skid under the radar with audiences and not gather that much revenue for it’s opening weekend. Here’s the rest of the Christmas Day estimates below, with a special thanks to Coming Soon for digging up the estimates.:

Christmas Day Box Office (December 25th)

1. Sherlock Holmes  ($25 M)
2. Avatar  ($24 M)
3. Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel  ($12 M)
4. It’s Complicated  ($7.5 M)
5. Up in the Air  ($4 M)
6. The Blind Side  ($4 M)
7. Nine  ($2.2 M)
8. The Princess and the Frog  ($2 M)
9. Did You Hear About the Morgans?  ($1.6 M)
10. Invictus  ($1.3 M)

Make sure to keep on reading up here on Killer Film for the final weekend tally along with other news, interviews and other sorts of cool features.

It’s Complicated opens in theaters everywhere Christmas day.:

Source: Awards Daily

In a press release given by the Oscars organization:

Beverly Hills, CA (November 3, 2009) — Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin will serve as co-hosts of the 82nd Academy Awards^®, Oscar telecast producers Bill Mechanic and Adam Shankman announced today.

“We think the team of Steve and Alec are the perfect pair of hosts for the Oscars,” said Shankman and Mechanic. “Steve will bring the experience of having hosted the show in the past and Alec will be a completely fresh personality for this event.”

“I am happy to co-host the Oscars with my enemy Alec Baldwin,” said Martin.

“I don’t play the banjo but I’m thrilled to be hosting the Oscars – it’s the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Baldwin.

Martin hosted the 73rd and 75th Academy Awards shows, earning an Emmy nomination for the first stint.  He has also served as a presenter on the show several times, most recently at the ceremony in February when he appeared with Tina Fey.  He is currently touring with the bluegrass band Steep Canyon Rangers in support of his latest album “The Crow:  New Songs for the Five String Banjo.” In 1977 and 1978 Martin won Grammys for Best Comedy Recording.  He earned a third Grammy in 2001 in the Best Country Instrumental Performance category.  In 2007 Martin earned a Kennedy Center Honor.

Baldwin was nominated for an Academy Award in 2003 for his supporting role in “The Cooler.”  That year also marked his most recent appearance as a presenter on the show.  Baldwin currently stars as Jack Donaghy on the comedy “30 Rock,” a role for which he has won two Emmys (in 2008 and 2009).  Baldwin earned a Tony nomination in 1992 for his performance in “A Streetcar Named Desire.”

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center^®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.