Category: Looking at the Weekend

There are only two new releases this weekend and one of them’s a horror film, which should be enough to make it the top of the two. The weekend will surely be dominated by holdovers otherwise. Our Highest Rated Film: The Treasure Our Best Awards Ratings: None OTHER LIMITED RELEASES Expanding: The Revenant (Previously Reviewed…

There are no new wide releases this weekend, so Star Wars: The Force Awakens will continue to dominate. Of the new releases at the specialty box office, Anomalisa will tower over newcomer Yosemite and possibly over all others in that marketplace. Our Highest Rated Films: Anomalisa Our Best Awards Ratings: Anomalisa (Oscars) OTHER LIMITED RELEASES…

Counter-programming is the name of the weekend. With Christmas falling on a Friday, the box office for the second weekend of Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be record-breaking. Each of this week’s new releases will find that an unfortunate thing since they’ll each be trying to conquer holiday audiences with Joy, Concussion and Daddy’s…

Perhaps outgrossing all other films in release this weekend, the rebirth of the Star Wars franchise begins here. Will it end here? A disappointing box office or disappointed fans will point one way, “all is forgiven” shouts will push it in the other direction. Our Highest Rated Films: Son of Saul, Star Wars: The Force…

Another weekend lacking in new releases. A new box office champion will be crowned as In the Heart of the Sea will be the top new release even if it’s a box office dud, which is also possible. Our Highest Rated Films: The Big Short Our Best Awards Ratings: In the Heart of the Sea…

As usual, the post-Thanksgiving weekend is a dumping ground for wide releases no one expects much of. Krampus is the only wide release and it won’ likely trounce the latest weekends for Hunger Games, Good Dinosaur, Creed or possibly even Spectre. Our Highest Rated Films: Chi-Raq, Macbeth, Youth Our Best Awards Ratings: Macbeth (Oscars), Youth…

Who will triumph, the dinosaur or the boxer? While both may come in second to Katniss Everdeen and the second weekend of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, the top new release will either be Pixar’s second film this year or Sylvester Stallone’s latest Rocky franchise feature. I’m giving the edge to Pixar simply…

The final film of The Hunger Games franchise will wipe the floor with the competition and will remain the dominant player at the box office until Star Wars: The Force Awakens releases in December. It will be a hefty Thanksgiving holiday for the film, which is hoping to surpass its second chapter as the most…

It’s too early for Christmas movies, but it’s possible Love the Coopers does the best business of any new film this week. However, look out for The 33, which seeks to tap into the rarely-targeted U.S. Hispanics. Our Highest Rated Films: The 33 & Kilo Two Bravo Our Best Awards Ratings: By the Sea (Golden…

This weekend it’s James Bond versus Charlie Brown, a combat no one ever would have thought would take place. James Bond has the edge simply because it’s a huge, long-legged franchise and The Peanuts Movie may have kid appeal and legions of adult fans, but it just doesn’t sound like an out-of-the-gate blockbuster. Our Highest…

While it might be nice to think that Bradley Cooper can carry a film to box office success, the Foody Era may be coming to an end. Meanwhile, Sandra Bullock, a much more proven box office magnet, is back at it with a film that I think will eke out a victory over Mr. Cooper’s…

Four unimpressive pictures are crowding the marketplace this weekend, one will be targeting the rich pre-Halloween audiences and the others have their niche audiences as well. None of them seem particularly strong in terms of box office potential, which means another week at number one for some other film. If any of these could breakout,…

Always expect the best of new Spielberg films. This looks to be the kind of film that brings adults to the theater in droves. Meanwhile, Crimson Peak will bring out horror fans and Goosebumps may draw families. It should be a solid week at the box office, but I’m giving the slight edge to Bridge…

Competing for the crown this weekend will be the second weekend of The Martian and the first weekend of family-friendly Pan. While I’d like to give Matt Damon and Ridley Scott the upper hand, the vibrancy of Pan seems like a safer bet. Our Highest Rated Films: Steve Jobs Our Best Awards Ratings: Steve Jobs…

Matt Damon will take command of the U.S. box office this weekend, with a debut that’s bound to excite and amaze. Well, at least that’s the plan. Early word suggests the film may be two tech heavy, which might not sell well to some audiences. However, any space-based sci-fi film has an edge at the…