At first glance my watching Cutthroat Island might seem a bit out of place with the purported purpose of this website. My goal was to watch lesser known films, specifically films I knew nothing about going into them, in the hopes of finding the occasional gem as well as simply taking a few risks when compared to my standard movie watching habits. I’m as guilty of being selective as anyone else and this seemed like a fun way to test the cinematic waters. And, well, watching one of the biggest financial flops in film history certainly has its own brand of appeal. How often do you get to watch a movie that killed an entire genre of film?

The pirate film, as most probably know, had a long, rich and financially successful relationship with Hollywood since Hollywood’s inception. They would have been considered the “blockbuster” films of their day, at least in comparison to modern day films. Big stars, big sets, bigger production budgets and big, big profits. While over time the popularity of pirate films, and the assured giant box office takes, fluctuated within Hollywood, their were few genres considered as sure as a thing as the pirate film.

By the time Cutthroat Island was being made the pirate film’s greatest glories had long since passed. While they were still being produced with regularity, they hadn’t dominated at the box office in years. So, as production began on Cutthroat Island, word soon began to spread that it would mark a return to Hollywood’s Golden Age, a time when people of all ages could lose themselves in the wonder of the movies. Cutthroat Island, it was promised, would mark the first step of many to a new Hollywood Golden Age.

Even years later I still remember being inundated with the marketing push for Cutthroat Island. TV spots were everywhere, and I specifically remember all the television tabloids like Inside Edition and Access Hollywood offering numerous “exclusive” behind-the-scenes looks at the film. Geena Davis, whose star had steadily risen for years, was being pushed as the next Hollywood superstar, an actress who could excel in both dramatic and action roles. Her husband, and Cutthroat Island’s director, Renny Harlin, was being touted with equal fervor. As the next “it” action director. The press simply couldn’t get enough of this husband and wife duo battling to resurrect a cherished but slightly forgotten genre. Cutthroat Island quickly became a looming juggernaut. A Christmas film that simply could not fail. Would not fail. That is, until it failed. Rather spectacularly as it turns out.

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It was tough to find a DVD release that looked interesting enough to rent, let alone buy, this week. Sure I could have picked The Spirit, only problem is it is not very good. It looks good. But nothing else about the film is anywhere close to good. Thus I have to resort to recommending a film based solely on its trailer, which brings me to The Caller. Starring Frank Langella and Elliot Gould, it is a film on which I no close to nothing about. But it has two good actors acting, and it is a movie released this week. Huzzah!

But the real reason for even posting anything today, is for my theatrical nomination this week. While there is only one movie even worth mentioning, it is a doozy, that movie being Observe and Report, the new film from director Jody Hill, who has brought us such dark, uplifting tales as The Foot Fist Way and Eastbound and Down. Eastbound and Down in particular is truly fantastic, and if Hill can build on that Observe and Report could end up being something amazing. But be prepared, Observe and Report isn’t going to be some silly little comedy film.

As always trailers are after the break!

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