Looking at the Weekend: Jun. 7-9, 2019

Two potential huge hits release this weekend and the edge goes to the animated feature. Dark Phoenix is the culmination of the 19-year Fox franchise of X-Men films focusing on the rise of the Phoenix, Jean Grey’s powerful alter ego that threatened to destroy the X-Men and everyone around her. It’s bittersweet that the franchise that really set the standard for modern superhero films, from which the Marvel Cinematic Universe owes a great deal. Unfortunately, the advertising has been light and since Disney now owns the Fox catalog, it’s expected that they would diminish the chances of its final X-Men film so that it would make sense to roll it into the MCU, though where it would have an effective place remains to be seen. As such, will struggle to match the $65 million opening of the last film teaming of these characters. A better shot at a stellar debut rests with the animated sequel The Secret Life of Pets 2. Following three years after the $368 million hit and a brilliant set of early character trailers, the film is going to aim for the $104 million opening the first film hit. While I suspect it will fail to reach that high, it will still be enough to give it the top position at this week’s box office.

Our Highest Rated Films: Dark Phoenix, Late Night, The Secret Life of Pets 2
Our Best Awards Ratings: Dark Phoenix, Late Night, The Secret Life of Pets 2

OTHER LIMITED RELEASES

Chasing the Dragon 2: Wild Wild Bunch
The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil
Ghost Fleet
This One’s for the Ladies

Jun. 7-9, 2019
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Dark Phoenix (Wide Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	7.0 Wesley Lovell: (10) Peter J. Patrick: (7) Thomas LaTourrette: (4)	2.3 Wesley Lovell: (2,Oscars) Peter J. Patrick: (5,Oscars) Thomas LaTourrette: (Nil)	Categories: Sound Mixing (WL,PP) Sound Editing (WL,PP) Visual Effects (WL,PP)
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): The X-Men franchise has been one of my favorite even when they haven’t been great films, but when they are great, they are better than anything Disney has come up with. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Looks like another box-office hit for the X-Men franchise even if it doesn’t provide anything new. Thomas LaTourette (TL): The trailer just did not engage me the way it needed to, so i am not sure the film will either.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Late Night (Wide Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	7.0 Wesley Lovell: (7) Peter J. Patrick: (8) Thomas LaTourrette: (6)	3.7 Wesley Lovell: (4,Oscars) Peter J. Patrick: (5,Oscars) Thomas LaTourrette: (2,Oscars)	Categories: Actress (WL,PP) Supporting Actress (WL,TL) Original Screenplay (WL,TL)
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): It could be funnier than the trailer looks and early word is positive. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Looks like another strong role for Emma Thompson, which may be forgotten by the time Oscar rolls around. Thomas LaTourette (TL): Two mighty women headline this film which could be a great comedy or more likely a weak one, but I am hoping.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
The Secret Life of Pets 2 (Wide Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	7.0 Wesley Lovell: (10) Peter J. Patrick: (5) Thomas LaTourrette: (6)	1.7 Wesley Lovell: (3,Oscars) Peter J. Patrick: (Nil) Thomas LaTourrette: (2,Oscars)	Categories: Animated Feature (WL,TL)
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): The first film was hilarious and the early trailers for this one were equally so. Peter J. Patrick (PP): OK for kids I guess, even if it looks like a retread of the first one. Thomas LaTourette (TL): The first film was cute but not amazing, but perhaps this can take the good from that one and make it better, though I am dubious about that.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Bharat (Limited Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	5.0 Wesley Lovell: (6) Peter J. Patrick: (5) Thomas LaTourrette: (4)	Nil Wesley Lovell: (Nil) Peter J. Patrick: (Nil) Thomas LaTourrette: (Nil)	Categories: None
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): From a historical perspective, it might be interesting. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Part adventure, part drama, all Bollywood extraganza – a matter of taste. Thomas LaTourette (TL): Between Bollywood dance numbers and trying to fit the lead character into too many different roles, the film just feels overfull, and that is just from watching the trailer.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
The Last Black Man in San Francisco (Limited Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	6.0 Wesley Lovell: (5) Peter J. Patrick: (9) Thomas LaTourrette: (4)	3.0 Wesley Lovell: (Nil) Peter J. Patrick: (9,Critics) Thomas LaTourrette: (Nil)	Categories: Director (PP) Actor (PP) Supporting Actor (PP)
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): The trailer doesn’t make this look that interesting. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Sundance winner has an authentic San Franciso feel to it that may not translate into big box-office but should be an arthouse hit. Thomas LaTourette (TL): The trailer digs for epic feelings but does nothing to earn them, though the early reviews are good so maybe its worth seeing.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Papi Chulo (Limited Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	5.0 Wesley Lovell: (4) Peter J. Patrick: (6) Thomas LaTourrette: (5)	Nil Wesley Lovell: (Nil) Peter J. Patrick: (Nil) Thomas LaTourrette: (Nil)	Categories: None
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): It looks like it abuses stereotypes. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Interesting looking clash of cultures comedy. Thomas LaTourette (TL): It could be cute, bolstered mainly on the charm of Matt Bomer, but I doubt it will be be more than that.