Normally these two wouldn’t be leading, but ‘The Promotion’ features John C. Reilly and Seann William Scott in a, as Davis mentions, not that well promoted comedy. The low-budget movie is seeing a limited release this weekend and reviews are mixed. It seems like one of those love it or hate it movies.

Reelviews gave a 7.5 and said, “There are enough laughs to justify it being labeled as a comedy but a stronger storyline than one normally associates with this kind of film. It’s an enjoyable diversion amidst the big guns of summer.”

While the 3.0 review at The Hollywood Reporter mentions how it’s one “of the unfunniest comedies ever. Punch lines are lifeless. Characters are borderline catatonic. Running gags can’t even walk.”

‘Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa’ is completing its cast. No, ‘Kung Fu Panda’ isn’t the only animation DreamWorks is releasing this year. And this one might even be bigger. We already saw how they signed a deal with IMAX to release the movie worldwide, but more deals are in the making. Bernie Mac and Alec Baldwin just signed for two of the voices. They join Ben Stiller, Chris Rock and David Schwimmer.

I didn’t actually know this, but ‘Madagascar’ was a wild success in 2005. It made just under $200 million in the US, but topped that with $340 million overseas. A $533 worldwide gross certainly justifies the sequel (from a business standpoint), which will hit theaters November 7.

We already saw the ‘You Don’t Mess with the Zohan’ tracking numbers earlier today. But how about that other comedy, ‘Kung Fu Panda’? Well, the DreamWorks animation is looking at a better opening than Adam Sandler, that’s for sure. Tracking indicates an opening somewhere around $60 million.

Continue reading ‘Kung Fu Panda’ box office tracking numbers