There is currently a review embargo when it comes to Elizabeth Banks’ “Cocaine Bear,” but you’ll be highly amused by the scene where 12-year-olds do cocaine. I’m not kidding. The social media embargo has however been lifted, here’s a sample of what to expect:
Justin Kroll (Variety): COCAINE BEAR…Shit…What a movie.
Rafael Motamayor (The Playlist): “Cocaine Bear” is the best movie of the year so far. It's thrilling when it works as a slasher movie but with a bear, but it is also a hilariously absurd comedy like only Lord & Miller can do. The cast is incredible.”
Caitlin Welsh (Mashable): Cocaine Bear is like if the Coen brothers made Sharknado. It's under 90 minutes and the cast is perfect. Alden Ehrenreich and the kid from Sweet Tooth put on a clinic in line reading. See it in a packed cinema, ideally not 100% sober.
No, “Cocaine Bear” is not, Motamayor says, the “best movie of the year so far.” It should, however, be experienced in a theatre, with a big crowd.
The drugged-up wild animal adventure is expected to start strong at the domestic box office this weekend with a projected $17 million opening. The production budget was just $35 million.
The fact that “Cocaine Bear” is, very loosely, based on a true story makes it even more of a curiosity. But, clearly, director Elizabeth Banks has taken liberties with the actual events. Hey, If you're going to call a movie COCAINE BEAR, then you better deliver in the most unhinged of fashion.
It is scheduled for theatrical release on February 24, 2023. The review embargo lift has still not been determined.
The ‘Smile’ franchise has a new director. David Bruckner, who made “The Night House” and the 2022 “Hellraiser” reboot, has been hired to direct “Smile 3” for Paramount.