FOCUS GROUP: Will ‘Knocked Up’ score with audiences?

We've assembled representatives of some of Hollywood's key demographics. Each week, our group weighs in on the coming weekend's releases, letting us know whether all the script fixes, the re-shoots and the product tie-in campaigns have added up to a movie they are likely to see.

We are sans teenage girl this week. She's off on a school trip to Washington DC. This reporter actually went on that trip many years ago. (Elena Roye is from my hometown). It's a fun trip. A night at a dinner theater is involved. In other news our rapper has just fired his business manager because she kept forgetting to pay his bills and our pastor is swooning about the beauty of Colorado in the springtime. Sounds nice.

THE CHARACTERS:

The Christian
Keenan Roberts: Senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center in Northglenn, Colo., as well as director of the ministries of the Hell House Outreach.

The Rapper
GLC: An artist on Kanye West's label. Originally from Chicago, he now lives in Los Angeles where he is at work on his album.

The College Boy
Justin Scharf: A freshman at Georgia State University. He is 6-foot-3, listens to a lot of music, and works at Starbucks.

The Teenage Girl
Elena Roye: An eighth-grader at a middle school in Westchester County, N.Y.

The City Girl
Carol Creighton: Lives in the West Village of Manhattan. She is a manager for a pharmaceutical company, volunteers at a women's shelter, and enjoys her martinis with a twist.


We were unable to track down the rapper this week, but our Pastor reports that he and his family did NOT love "Pirates 3" despite the eagerness of all of them to see it.

He wrote: "The Family Four hit the movies [Friday] right after school for "Pirates 3"; this was following some pressure from the Teenage Dude to catch it on a Thursday night midnight showing, which didn't happen. All the same actors were fantastic, as was all the same action, same basic setting, and same basic storyline. It's way above average as movies go, but I found myself somewhat disappointed that Pirate movie #3 didn't have more "new car smell" to it.

Such is the life of sequels: you go because know what you're going to get but the problem is that you know what you're going to get."

So true Pastor Keenan. So true.

THE MOVIES:


Mr. Brooks (Kevin Costner) has an alter-ego (William Hurt) who likes killing people and when he is blackmailed, the two sides must work together to avoid capture. With Demi Moore as a police detective. R

Click here for the "Mr. Brooks" trailer

Keenan: "Random springtime thoughts: I keep wanting to attach Mel to this movie in some way. Since Costner stars in this I feel the need to say that I am one of the few people who actually enjoyed "Waterworld." At Universal that show was a winner last summer by the way. Is Demi more famous now for her movies, being the former Mrs. Willis, or the current Mrs. Kuchter? Is this movie trying to cash in on the recent BTK killer or is the timing just chance? Either way, I'm not in -- the NBA finals are looming."

Justin: "Why would you put Demi Moore in a movie? She’s like Lindsay Lohan now. She has so much baggage. And Dane Cook? What is Dane Cook doing in this movie? He is the least funny person in the world. He sucks. Every time I see the "Tourgasm" DVD I want to light it on fire. Kevin Costner is pretty good, but there’s no way I’m seeing it. I’m staying a mile away."

Elena: "It doesn’t totally attract me, but it does seem like an interesting story."

Carol: "I am not sure I believe Demi Moore as a police detective, but then again I am not really sure I believe her as much of an actor full stop. That being said, I am not that excited about any of the actors in this film, or the plot line so I doubt it would get me to the theater."


From the writer/director of "The 40 Year Old Virgin" comes this comedy about a slacker (Seth Rogan) and an up and coming career girl (Katherine Heigl) who have a one night stand that leaves her pregnant.

Click here for the 'Knocked Up' trailer

Keenan: "Less random springtime thoughts: What kind of pathetic life do you have to lead to create and then spend time writing a screenplay with this as the plot? Worse yet, what kind of frat-house, happy-hour studio are you to make this movie, Spike TV? Let me guess, the Little Rascals are all grown up, went to college, wanted to make a big boy movie with some substance, were turned down and made this on the rebound?"

Justin: "I would have taken a pass on it last week and then I read this article about the guy that made it in The New York Times. He used to room with Adam Sandler, and it was cool to hear him talk about how depressing it was to live with someone who is that hilarious. Now I want to see it. I’m psyched up for it."

Elena: "That seems like a good story, I can’t relate to it, but I can relate to it more than the serial killer one."

Carol: "FUN FUN FUN! OK, I am a sucker for Katherine Heigl... yes 'Grey's Anatomy'... I am that girl, and I don't care what you think. I also think this looks great. I love Paul Rudd (secret crush, I used to see him at the White Horse a lot) and think he is a riot to watch. I did not love 'The 40 Year Old Virgin,' but there were some classic lines, and clever writing. I can't wait to see this, and I think it might be better in a theater with a crowed to laugh with you."


Brother and sister Elisabeth and Andrew Shue star in a film inspired by a real-life incident from their past, where a 16-year-old girl fights for the rights of girls to play competitive soccer. PG-13

Click here for the "Gracie" trailer

Keenan: "Random springtime thoughts: There's something I really enjoy about a movie made from a true story. This might have potential even if it does revolve around soccer. Probably a rental down the road though. Elisabeth Shue is a believable actress in just about any role. I love that it includes a family's story. This movie won't make a shadow of the money 'Knocked Up' does, but it wins this week's Pastor's Oscar for class and dignity."

Justin: "Oh God, yawn. Nobody’s in it! I have no idea who these people are Deborah. What’s going on here?"

Elena: "I want to see that because I can relate. I used to a soccer player 24/7. It used to be like how gymnastics is for me now. And I wanted to get on other bigger teams, I just didn’t get a chance to. I like what she is trying to do. She’s trying to prove that girls can do it."

Carol: "What woman does this not appeal to on some level, whether it was the right to be an alter girl, play little league or football, or just to be asked to play with the boys on the street, we all wanted to belong. I really like what I have read about this film and the Shue clan are sucker favorites for me… 'ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING!!'"