Because...
The reviews for Land of the Lost starring over-rated funny man Will Ferrell are pretty bad...While the adult comedy The Hangover (reviews) directed by Todd Phillips is faring much better with critics..It's box office could still be lessend by its R rating....And Fox Searchlight's My Life in Ruins (reviews) goes for that My Big Fat Greek Wedding kind of vibe...
Pamela McCiintock and Dave McNary of Variety:
The summer's first batch of comedies opens at the domestic box office this weekend, led by Warner Bros.' "The Hangover" and Universal's Will Ferrell topper "Land of the Lost."
"Land of the Lost" unspools in 3,521 runs, "Hangover" in 3,269.
Fox Searchlight, via big Fox, also debuts romantic comedy "My Life in Ruins" in 1,100. Focus Features launches Sam Mendes' dramedy "Away We Go" in four theaters in New York and Los Angeles.
But it's Disney-Pixar holdover "Up" that has a clear shot at No. 1. The 3-D toon, opening last weekend to $68.1 million, has been seeing boffo weekday grosses and heads into the weekend with a domestic cume of over $92 million.
"Hangover," has been gaining strength in tracking.
The raucous comedy follows the travails of four buddies who pay the price for a wild night out in Las Vegas.
Director Brad Silberling's "Land of the Lost" is a major -- and risky --departure from the classic TV kids series created in 1974 by Sid and Marty Krofft. The TV show featured a family that finds itself in a parallel world with dinosaurs; U's film features a scientist, a research assistant and a survivalist.
Film's raunchy humor earned it a PG-13 rating, making it less of a choice for families with younger kids. Pic cost at least $100 million to produce, plus a major marketing spend.
"Land of the Lost," which won't be helped by dismal reviews, is tracking best among teenage boys who follow Ferrell, according to Universal. Film also stars Danny McBride and Anna Friel.
Rival studios say the film is also drawing interest from boys ages 8 and older, but note that U has to be careful how it targets this demo because of the PG-13 rating. Those old enough to remember the TV show may be wary about taking their younger kids to see the film.
U expects the film to open along the lines of Ferrell's "Blades of Glory" or "Step Brothers," each of which debuted to roughly $30 million.
Like "Land of the Lost," "Hangover" is tracking best among the male demo but is picking up interest among women as well. Film, co-produced and co-financed by Legendary Pictures, stars Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Justin Bartha.
Many box office observers say the well-reviewed comedy could become a sleeper hit even if it does not sport a huge opening.
So far, the 2009 summer box office has been dominated by fanboy pics and family fare, leaving plenty of room for broad comedies to prosper.
Warner Bros. and New Line have seen strong returns for May romantic comedy "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past." Searchlight and Fox hope for the same with "My Life in Ruins," although the latter is much smaller in scope. Film, directed by Donald Petrie, stars Richard Dreyfuss, Nia Vardalos and Rachel Dratch.
Like "Land of the Lost," "My Life in Ruins" could be hampered by poor reviews...
It's so bad out there for Land that Nicole Sperling of EW says Hangover may come in at #2 behind UP!
Next Week: The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 remake and the Eddie Murphy family pic Imagine That enter the summer derby
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