Your time is valuable and at the end of a long week, the discretionary time must be spent to its maximum value. In order to help narrow choices down on the film and television front, every Friday we’ll give you the rundown of your options and an educated guess as to which ones make the most sense. There is a very complex formula involved. Usually, that formula includes us watching the things and then telling you if they’re good. OK, we admit it’s not exactly the recipe for Coke, but we’re trying to help.
I predicted the box office returns for these films last Sunday, but I must admit that my track record hasn’t been too accurate thus far.
On the Screen
The Boss
Director: Ben Falcone
Stars: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Bell, Peter Dinklage, Kathy Bates
Current RT Meter: 18% Fresh
My box office prediction last Sunday: $31,000,000
The juggernaut that is Melissa McCarthy returns to screens in yet another broadly appealing comedy that plays on her persona and fearlessness. She’s critic-proof, so the Rotten Tomatoes numbers shouldn’t be a big deal. No word on if the film’s director is related to Carmine Falcone, but he will be attempting to give Batman a hard time this weekend regardless.
The Verdict: Money in the bank.
Hardcore Henry
Director: Ilya Naishuller
Stars: Sharlto Copley, Haley Bennet, Ilya Naishuller, Tim Roth
Current RT Meter: 54% Fresh
My box office prediction last Sunday: $8,500,000
A first-person sequence in a film isn’t a new idea but an entire film from that perspective hasn’t really happened yet. Until now. Will the concept wear out over feature length? Possibly, but we know that the director has a lot of tricks up his sleeve and Sharlto Copley is never boring. Fingers crossed.
The Verdict: The really wide release this film is getting is surprising. It may swallow a little Batman and Superman money but it has no chance to be a big hit and it’s opening way too wide for a film so specific.
On the Console
The Lab
The HTC Vive is something very few have been able to get their hands on, but for early adopters of the VR unit the hands on favorite piece of software available thus far is Valve’s The Lab. It’s a collection of different distractions and demos to showcase the potential for the medium. If you are one of the lucky few, make it a point to grab this.
The Verdict: Don’t you want to embrace the future?
Quantum Break
Available for the PC and as an XBOX One exclusive, Quantum Break is by many accounts the first true “killer app” exclusive for the platform. The third-person game involves a very story-driven concept involving usage of time travel as well as environmental puzzles and is not a sequel, which is nice. The voice cast is fantastic as well, boasting a who’s who from screen and tube. The creators of Alan Wake and Max Payne are back with a vengeance.
The Verdict: Shawn Ashmore is gold. Right?
On the Tube
The Ranch
The latest Netflix comedy effort features the dubious return of That 70’s Show alums Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson and it focuses on the prodigal son (Kutcher) returning home to help with the family business. Sam Elliott and Debra Winger add class and gravitas.
The Verdict: The reviews have been good but it is Ashton Kutcher, so…