Category Archives: movies
Will ‘Transformers: The Last Knight’ be the last film in the franchise?
This weekend sees the return of those robots in disguise. But will a fifth film be too much for audiences? Here’s our prediction:
Transformers: The Last Knight is managing to keep the franchise tradition with some absolutely horrible reviews; the film currently sits at a 16% score at Rotten Tomatoes. Usually, this films are critic proof, but its been a while since Michael Bay actually delivered a good Transformers film (some would suggest he’s never actually accomplished that feat). Transformers: The Last Knight opened this past Wednesday with an underwhelming $15 million. Decent for the middle of the week, but far from blockbuster numbers. Consider the bloom off the rose for Transformers. While the film will top the weekend, it will be with a lacklustre $43 million.
Blu-ray/Digital Round-Up: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, The LEGO Batman Movie, Logan
I’ve had a ton of Blu-rays and digital movies come my way the last few weeks, and I’ve wanted to highlight a few of them, in case you’re looking for something to watch this weekend or over the next few weeks.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (HBO Films): I’m not going to sugarcoat this. I’d never heard the name Henrietta Lacks or her amazing story before. This was simply one of those films sent my way which I thought I’d give a chance. I’m certainly glad I did, as the legacy of Ms. Lacks is remarkable – she was an African American woman who, in 1951, had her cancer cells immortalized in the HeLa line of cells. Basically, these cells have been used countless times in major medical breakthroughs over the last 60 years. Sadly, nobody asked Ms. Lacks if her cells could be taken or used, and neither her nor her family ever received any sort of compensation for what essentially is her immortality.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is based on the book by Rebecca Skloot, who is portrayed in the film by Rose Byrne, who wrote a series of articles on Ms. Lacks and her family. Oprah Winfrey plays Henrietta’s daughter Deborah, and is absolutely captivating on screen. Deborah is hesitant to share her mother’s story with any reporter, and Oprah delivers the character as guarded but loving. It’s a bravura performance that can’t help but overshadow the rest of the film, which sometimes gets muddled as it moves across various timelines. However, Byrne and Winfrey have a great chemistry together, and help The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks rise above some of its pacing and script issues.
Wonder Woman puts The Mummy in its place
It was another wonderful weekend for the biggest hero in theatres right now, while a new franchise failed to rise from the depths. Here’s what went down:
Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman had a fantastic second weekend, dropping just 44% week to week to bring in $57 million and hold on to the top spot at the box office. The film has already crossed the $200 million mark, and is a certifiable blockbuster. Wonder Woman will likely drop to second place next weekend with the arrival of Cars 3, but it will no doubt still cross make at least $300 million before the end of its run.
Debuting in second place with $32 million is The Mummy, starring Tom Cruise. The film is the first entry into Universal’s Dark Universe series of films. Simply put, this is a bad number in North America. The reviews were horrible, as was audience reactions, and its likely The Mummy won’t make $100 million in North America. Amazingly, factoring the numbers from around the world, and with $169 million globally, The Mummy still marks the biggest opening for Tom Cruise.
‘City Of Tiny Lights’ is a Nice Slice of Urban Noir
The voice-over in the beginning of City of Tiny Lights, the latest film from director Pete Travis (Dredd, Tesseract), might seem at odds with its hand-held cinematography and the gritty scenery of London, but as soon as Tommy Akhtar opens the door of his second-story office to a young woman named Melody, it starts making sense.
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Wonder Woman looking to right the DC movie wrongs at the box office
It should be a wonderful weekend at the box office, as the first major female super hero film is hitting theatres. How much will it make? Here’s our prediction:
Wonder Woman looks to finally get the DC Cinematic Universe on track, after lackluster critical responses for Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Suicide Squad. Directed by Patty Jenkins, the film stars Gal Gadot as the title character, and is an origin story set during the First World War. The film has been getting simply outstanding reviews, and currently sits at 92% fresh at Rotten Tomatos. Anticipation is super high for Wonder Woman, and I think it’s going to perform stronger than many are anticipating. Look for a first place debut with $105 million.
The Princess reviews Max 2: White House Hero
This past week, the Princess and I sat down to watch a new film from our friends at Warner Brothers called Max 2: White House Hero. The star is a dog, so you’d figure that this would be a guaranteed charmer for the kids, but what about me?
‘Pirates’ debuts soft, ‘Baywatch’ sinks at the box office
While the Memorial Day long weekend continues in the U.S., the three day weekend estimates have come in, and they’re just not very good for any of the big debuts. Here’s what went down:
As predicted, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales debut at number on at the box office, but with only $63 million over three days. Those are just horrible numbers for what’s considered a tentpole franchise. While audiences who are actually going to the movie have been giving it good word of mouth, the critics absolutely savaged this fifth in the series, and it currently sits at an abysmal 32% fresh at Rotten Tomatoes. The debut for Dead Men Tell No Tales is the worst for the series, which will have to rely on making bank overseas for this to be considered a success.
Things are even worse for Baywatch, which had to settle for a third place debut with just $17 million. It’s surprising that the film couldn’t get people into theatres, even with the combination of Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron. Reviews were off the chart terrible, and the film’s marketing failed to find a crossover audience. This will be one of the biggest bombs of The Rock’s career, but I have a feeling he’ll be ok.
‘Pirates 5’ takes on ‘Baywatch’ this weekend at the box office
It’s the Memorial Day long weekend in the U.S., which should mean big box office for some of the new releases that are hitting theatres. Will any of them take down last week’s number one film? Here’s our prediction:
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales is the fifth installment in the seemingly venerable Disney franchise. But all isn’t necessarily well in the Pirates world. It’s been a long time since Johnny Depp has had a real hit, and with his appearances in courts and gossip columns thanks to his failed marriage and legal battles with management, his box office clout isn’t what it once was. While this new Pirates film will top the box office this weekend, it will be a far cry from the franchise’s peak in 2006, when Pirates of the Carribbean: Dead Man’s Chest debut in with $135 million. Look for Dead Men Tell No Tales to open with $70 million.
Coming off his fifth time hosting Saturday Night Live, Dwayne Johnson will have to settle for second place at the box office this weekend with his Baywatch remake. The R-rated comedy co-stars Zac Efron and, even though its reviews have been weak, the combination of The Rock and Efron should be enough to bring in significant dollars. Look for a second place debut for Baywatch with $40 million.
Trailer Time – ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’
Well, good morning! Why don’t you wake up with a new Spider-Man: Homecoming trailer, which just dropped!
‘Alien: Covenant’ Lands at #1 at the Box Office
The Xenomorph returned to theaters this weekend, and audiences were waiting for it. Here’s what went down:
Amidst strong social buzz and decent (but not spectacular reviews) Ridley Scott’s Prometheus sequel, Alien: Covenant, landed in first place at the box office this weekend, bringing in an estimated $36 million, the third largest in the franchise following Prometheus ($51 million) and Alien vs Predator ($38.3 million). While not a bad number, its clear that there was some significant audience drop off following the mixed reaction to Prometheus some five years ago. The film will be lucky to cross the $100 million mark in North America, and it must set its sights on strong box office overseas to guarantee the third film in the story Scott has promised to tell.
