Your weekend 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, television, and gaming fronts, every Friday the Weekend Preview gives you the rundown of your options and an educated guess as to which ones make the most sense.
Nick Nunziata and I predicted the box office returns for these films last Sunday.
At the Movies
Don’t Breathe
Director: Fede Alvarez
Stars: Stephen Lang, Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette
Current RT Meter: 90% Fresh
My box office prediction last Sunday: $11,500,029
Nick’s box office prediction: $16,000,000
Fede Alvarez is a really good director and an even cooler guy. His Evil Dead was much better than anyone had expected, and it’s clear he’s a true fan of the horror genre. Don’t Breathe looks like a demented twist on classic suspense fare like Wait Until Dark, but with a more modern and grisly twist. Reviews have been incredibly positive for a horror film, and it feels about right for a horror flick to reign supreme for a weekend.
The Verdict: If you don’t mind jumping out of your seat every few minutes, this is the winner of your weekend.
Mechanic: Resurrection
Director: Dennis Gansel
Stars: Jason Statham, Jessica Alba, Tommy Lee Jones
Current RT Meter: N/A
My box office prediction last Sunday: $8,000,000
Nick’s box office prediction: $11,000,000
No one asked for this sequel. Honestly, many viewers won’t even know it’s a sequel. It looks completely pointless but in an enjoyable way. This is the epitome of mindless entertainment. The problem comes in its potential to be memorable. Other than the big gag at the beginning of the trailer, nothing else really stands out in Mechanic: Resurrection. It could be dopey fun but is it worth the price of admission to a theater?
The Verdict: Might make a good rental in a few months.
Hands of Stone
Director: Jonathan Jakubowicz
Stars: Edgar Ramírez, Usher Raymond, Robert De Niro
Current RT Meter: 43% Fresh
My box office prediction last Sunday: $4,500,000
Nick’s box office prediction: $3,500,000
Hands of Stone looks like a flick that is running on pure heart and a healthy dose of stunt casting. Boxing movies are inherently dramatic tales, and the true story angle involving beloved fighter Roberto Durán could generate some deserved praise. However, this looks pretty run-of-the-mill as far as sports biopics go. It doesn’t look bad but it also doesn’t look particularly special.
The Verdict: Wanna see a movie with dad or grandpa this weekend? This is your safest bet.
On the Tube
The Strain
The FX series from Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan returns for its third season. It’s been an uneven but thoroughly enjoyable ride so far. The mythology and action/horror elements have always kept The Strain intriguing. It feels like the truly apocalyptic feel that the show has been cultivating is about to burst forth in horrible new ways. It’s great to see such high-concept horror find its footing on television. Hopefully, the show can continue to deliver some surprises and monster-y goodness.
The Verdict: It’s the best vampire television show since Forever Knight. Give it a whirl.
MTV Video Music Awards
Oh yeah, this is still around. It’s tough to understand the relevance this awards show has anymore. Music videos are practically a niche market these days, and most people are willing to wait for the more prestigious Grammys when it comes to honoring musicians. Still, this might be worth it for the Britney Spears performance. Her show in Vegas is said to be a genuine delight. There will probably be a few live performances and uncouth celebrity moments to make this minorly enjoyable.
The Verdict: Call us when MTV starts making stuff like The Maxx again.
For the Gamers
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
The Deus Ex games have always maintained a cult following, and it looks like the newest entry is really striving to break out into the mainstream like no other. The reviews on Deus Ex: Mankind Divided have been fairly solid but also not exactly spectacular. Could striving for a broader audience have neutered some of what makes this series so unique?
The Verdict: Hey, it’s a Deus Ex game. They are usually worth your time.
Madden NFL 17
Another year, another Madden game. How much can you really say about these releases unless you get into all the Dungeons & Dragons-esque statistics and rosters and team management and… Look, this has its audience and you know if you’re a part of it. If you are, please have all the fun you possibly can.
The Verdict: Like football? Like video games? Like living vicariously through your athletic heroes? Pick this baby up.
