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American Morning

Interview with Sam Rubin

Aired July 12, 2002 - 09:35   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "ROAD TO PERDITION")

PAUL NEWMAN, ACTOR: Where is Michael? Is he OK?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've spoken to him. He understands.

NEWMAN: That's tough, seeing that for the first time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Hard to believe Paul Newman can better and better. Boy.

There's a whole lot of buzz surrounding "Road to Perdition," this new Tom Hanks film which opens up today. But, is this film Oscar- worthy? Is there any talk like that? And the more immediate question is, can it keep "Men in Black" from seeing green again at the box office?

Joining us now from Los Angeles with the big weekend movie picture, is KTLA Entertainment Editor Sam Rubin -- good to see you, again, Sam. How are you?

SAM RUBIN, KTLA ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR: Hey, Leon. Very well. Good morning to you.

HARRIS: All right. Now, listen. When last we spoke together, we were talking about what was going to happen with "Men in Black." Well, it seems like it pretty much filled out every single prediction you were going to make about the first big weekend, but how about -- how much -- I shouldn't say how many legs this movie has, but then again, that probably is a good metaphor for it. But what do you think about the legs of this movie? Will it last?

RUBIN: Well, that is really the key question. It is very often, Leon, that the second weekend tells the tale. "Men in Black" has made a extraordinary amount of money so far. Will it hold up in weekend two, or has more or less everyone who has wanted to see already seen the film?

Sometimes sequels fall as much as 50 percent week to week. I think that could happen here. Are people recommending it to their friends, and/or is there a need to see it twice? I don't think either of those questions are answered favorably for "Men in Black II," so I think it will fall. However, it's in so many theaters, and you know, such a water cooler film, it still will do well. It could be the number one movie only because more of the distribution, as opposed to really the merits of the film. That's the big thing.

HARRIS: Yes, one of the big films that is coming out, the one that is being released today, "Perdition" -- "The Road to Perdition," that's one that a lot of people are thinking could actually eke away some support from "Men in Black II." What do you think about this movie? Is it -- go ahead.

RUBIN: Well there's -- it is a very good movie, Leon. The reviews around the country, particularly breaking in the major papers this morning have been nothing short of raves, and with good reason. Sam Mendes, who we heard from on AMERICAN MORNING earlier in the week, the director of "American Beauty," his second movie. Paul Newman told me it felt like his 20th movie, it is so -- very well done.

It is a serious movie. Not -- quote-unquote -- a "summer movie," and that is going to be the thing that is very interesting. What people will be talking about Monday morning, was it a smart idea to release a movie of this caliber, of this quality, at this time of the year? And we'll see. I think audiences who are looking for an alternative to all the popcorn fair will want to see this.

You mentioned Paul Newman in the beginning. The performances from Paul Newman, Jude Law, who we just saw in the clip, and particularly Tom Hanks, all three names, we will likely hear come Oscar time. It is a very good movie.

HARRIS: Yes, let me ask you about that, because you brought up a good point there, summertime is usually action film time or teen movie time. What do you think about that?

RUBIN: Well, it is a real interesting thing that the studio, DreamWorks, is electing to do. It is in fewer theaters than a movie like "Men in Black." Most of the big movies are in 2,500 screens or more. "Road to Perdition" is opening in 1,700 screens. A smaller opening, and they're doing that because they figure they can have more sellouts in fewer theaters. I would imagine it will do fairly well, but it is very difficult to say. They track these movies ahead of time. There is certainly a large audience awareness. It's tested very well, but will people who generally see summer movies, teenagers and the like, come to see this? I don't know. Monday we will know so much more. It is hard to say.

HARRIS: Well, let's get to the movie that is going to have Jack Cafferty running out here like a crazed teen. He can't wait to get to the screen to go see "Crocodile Hunter." That's what he was just telling me moments ago.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Yes.

HARRIS: What do you...

RUBIN: I don't know.

HARRIS: Is it possible to sustain this for a whole movie or what?

RUBIN: It is very interesting, because Steve Irwin is a wonderful personality. He is a terrific small screen television personality. He's been all over TV in the last week promoting this movie. Does that make for, you know, a nearly two-hour future film? That's the question. The reviews have suggested that, You know what? He's good on the big screen as well.

There is no real plot, per se. His wife is featured in it. His 4-year-old daughter is actually seen in the movie. I don't know. The other films that have come out this summer based on TV shows have been primarily kiddie cartoons. They have not fared well. What happens is, audiences are asking themselves, Gee, is this something different, or is it really just the TV show? If they answer, It is just the TV show, they're not going to go to the movie.

MGM has had a very bad year. They're releasing the film. They're hopeful, and they are they are putting in a lot of theaters, I think about 2,000 theaters. We will see on this one too. Kind of a tossup.

HARRIS: Yes. Well, you confirmed one thing we were all thinking here -- no plot. We figured that much. But you know what, kids don't care. One last quick question. Yet another "Halloween" out. This one, "Resurrection," thumbs-up, thumbs-down?

RUBIN: I would say no thumb, because it is the eighth installment and they deliberately did not show it to critics, and when they don't show a movie to be reviewed in advance of its coming out, why do you think that is? They don't want us to see it, because they don't want audiences to know ahead of time of what it probably is. Jamie Lee Curtis has been good in many movies, I don't imagine this is one of them, but because they hid it from the press, I can't really tell you.

Sometimes these horror movies do real quick hit-and-runs. They kind of come into theaters and come out. Not a big budget. And again, the eighth time. Will it be the charm for "Halloween: Resurrection"? I doubt it, but we will again see on Monday.

HARRIS: Well, we will have to look forward to the next one, which will be "Halloween: The Crocodile Hunter." OK.

RUBIN: Exactly right.

HARRIS: Take care -- kill two birds with one stone, literally, there. Sam Rubin, thanks so much.

RUBIN: There you are.

HARRIS: Take care.

RUBIN: All right, Leon.

HARRIS: See you later on.

RUBIN: You bet.

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