This week, the gripping thriller “Financial Crisis” dominated both the American and Russian box offices. For those Americans who managed to make it to the cinemas, a dose of suspense came in the form of Neil LaBute’s “Lakeview Terrace” (2008), starring Samuel L. Jackson.
Lakeview Terrace: A Thriller with a Twist
The film centers around a black cop who terrorizes his neighbors, playing on the reversal of typical racial stereotypes. In this narrative, the racist is black, and his hatred is directed towards interracial couples. Samuel L. Jackson delivers a compelling performance as a sociopath, sparking divided opinions among critics. Some hailed it as a superior thriller with a clear social message, even surpassing “Crash,” while others deemed it repulsive and questioned its outdated social commentary. The film grossed $15.6 million in its opening weekend, exceeding expectations and marking a career-high for director Neil LaBute. For Samuel L. Jackson, this is the second film in 2008 to top the box office, following “Jumper” (2007), which grossed approximately $80 million.
Burn After Reading: The Coen Brothers’ Take on Absurdity
In second place, the Coen brothers presented their unique brand of filmmaking with “Burn After Reading” (2008), earning $11 million in its second weekend, bringing its total gross to $36.4 million. The film’s plot revolves around the absence of a coherent plot, with characters struggling to understand the unfolding events. The Coens’ signature deadpan style leaves the audience feeling as clueless as the characters, which is precisely the point and the film’s main draw.
My Best Friend’s Girl: A Rom-Com with Dane Cook
Howard Deutch’s comedy “My Best Friend’s Girl” (2008) debuted in third place with $8.3 million. Critics universally lamented the continued presence of Dane Cook in romantic roles. In this film, he assists his friends in winning back their girlfriends by initially attracting them but then behaving so obnoxiously that they return to their previous partners. Kate Hudson, bearing a resemblance to a post-surgery Jennifer Lopez, delivers a performance reminiscent of Lopez recovering from cosmetic procedures.
Igor: An Animated Twist on Mad Science
The animated film “Igor” (2008) secured fourth place, a welcome addition to a box office dominated by adult-oriented films. Directed by Tony Leondis (“Lilo & Stitch 2”), the film pays homage to Tim Burton’s style and tells the story of an assistant to an evil mad scientist. Igor decides to pursue his own career and enter the annual Evil Mad Scientist competition. The term “Igor” has been used since “Son of Frankenstein” to describe the half-dead assistants of evil mad scientists. The film earned $8 million in its opening weekend, with some children reportedly crying and being taken out of the theater mid-screening.
Righteous Kill: De Niro and Pacino Reunite
Rounding out the top five is “Righteous Kill” (2008), starring veteran actors Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. The film earned $7.7 million for the weekend and $28.8 million in its first ten days. Meanwhile, “The Dark Knight” (2008) continues its successful run, spending its final weekend in the top ten after ten consecutive weeks. The film’s domestic gross now stands at $521.9 million.