Category: Looking at the Weekend

Give Will Smith his credit as this may be a rebound hit for him after the disastrous performance of After Earth. Individual Commentaries Wesley Lovell: Nothing in wide release looks good, but three in limited have potential: ’71, Maps to the Stars and Wild Canaries. Peter J. Patrick: There’s nothing new this week I’m in…

Although I doubt it will beat out Fifty Shades of Grey in its second week, of the three new wide releases, Hot Tub Time Machine has what it takes to be the top new wide release. Individual Commentaries Wesley Lovell: None of this week’s wide releases seem that interesting, though Wild Tales might be. Peter…

It’s another Valentine’s victory in the offing as Fifty Shades of Grey, the smutty bestseller is certain to crush all competitors this weekend. Individual Commentaries Wesley Lovell: I have zero desire to watch the misogynistic best seller get turned into a misogynistic box office hit. Kingsman may end up being crap, but at least it…

Unless it’s a bomb, Jupiter Ascending should break the American Sniper streak. Individual Commentaries Wesley Lovell: Finally a new release that will at least be fun even if it’s terrible. Jupiter Ascending might be a good time. Peter J. Patrick: Four new movies, four good reasons to find something else to do than see a…

Could American Sniper win the box office for a third consecutive weekend? With Black or White having the highest profile of the three new releases, my guess is yes. Individual Commentaries Wesley Lovell: Another week of so-so releases to ignore and wait for on DVD. Peter J. Patrick: Some strong January releases this week including…

None of this week’s releases are likely to pull enough box office away from American Sniper to keep it from topping a second week, but if there are two films with a shot, it’s Mortdecai and Strange Magic. Family auds may not be as likely, so I give the edge to Mortdecai. Individual Commentaries Wesley…

It’s possible that Taken 3 holds the top spot for a second weekend, but Paddington gives families a rare opportunity to get back to the cinema in January. Individual Commentaries Wesley Lovell: Blackhat has solid pedigree, so it’s probably the best chance you have of finding something good this week. Peter J. Patrick: Paddington for…

There isn’t much new coming out in these early months. Taken 3 will be the film to dislodge The Hobbit from the top of the box office, but whether it can match its predecessors remains to be seen. Individual Commentaries Wesley Lovell: Beloved Sisters might be good, but it won’t be in my neck of…

With the very likely weak opening of Woman in Black 2, I’d say The Hobbit has a very good chance of a three-peat. Individual Commentaries Wesley Lovell: I enjoyed the first Woman in Black, but no resemblance does this new film have to that one, so it’s out for me. A Most Violent Year has…

While it’s possible The Hobbit could hang on for a second week atop the box office chart, Into the Woods may give it a good run for its money. Individual Commentaries Wesley Lovell: As bad as the past Stephen Sondheim adaptations have been, I’m not exactly looking forward to Into the Woods, though Unbroken might…

Sensing weakness, studios have done two bits of counter-programming for the final chapter of Peter Jackson’s Hobbit trilogy. That won’t likely matter as Jackson is bound to top the list once again. Individual Commentaries Wesley Lovell: I’m excited to finally get to the end of The Hobbit trilogy. Little else outside of Mr. Turnerlooks interesting.…

The Hunger Games‘ reign is about to come to an end as Ridley Scott’s Bible epic Exodus: Gods and Kings competes for box office dollars. The film’s success depends entirely on attendance from church groups as I don’t think it’s going to be too big of a cross-demographic hit. Individual Commentaries Wesley Lovell: Inherent Vice…

There are no new major wide releases this weekend, so Katniss Everdeen will continue to have the odds in her favor. Individual Commentaries Wesley Lovell: The post-Thanksgiving Weekend weekend tends to be a dumping ground for non-serious awards contenders, so it’s a bit surprising that Reese Witherspoon’s potential Best Actress nomination for Wild is releasing…

Although the first film was a surprise hit, Horrible Bosses 2 is sure to share the same fate as a lot of comedy sequels. Penguins of Madgascar has plenty of funny for families over the Thanksgiving weekend, so it should come out on top. Individual Commentaries Wesley Lovell: There’s a lot of good things to…

Box office records won’t be annihilated, but they won’t be held too far at bay. The third of four Hunger Games films opens this weekend and it’s sure to be huge. Individual Commentaries Wesley Lovell: The book series is fantastic and the movies have been terrific so far. Can they make it three-for-three? In limited…