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, television, and gaming fronts, every Friday we’ll give 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
Warcraft
Director: Duncan Jones
Stars: Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster
Current RT Meter: 23% Fresh
My box office prediction last Sunday: $40,000,000
Nick’s box office prediction: $28,000,000
The biggest video game adaptation of all time finally makes its way stateside this weekend. While the consensus seems to lean towards the negative, Nick had plenty of good things to say in his review of the film. Large scale fantasy and obvious ambition make this the curiosity of the weekend. Will general audiences be enticed by this grand epic?
The Verdict: If you’re even a minor fan of the property, you absolutely have to check this out.
The Conjuring 2
Director: James Wan
Stars: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Madison Wolfe
Current RT Meter: 72% Fresh
My box office prediction last Sunday: $29,000,000
Nick’s box office prediction: $45,000,000
A big budget, wide-release horror movie in the middle of the summer is catnip for me. Audiences seem primed for a return to Ed and Lorraine Warren‘s ghost-busting adventures, and the sequel looks to have upped the ante in every regard. Throw in the positive reception and you have a film that could potentially be the definitive scary movie of 2016.
The Verdict: Any self-respecting horror fan has to support this.
Now You See Me 2
Director: Jon M. Chu
Stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson
Current RT Meter: 32% Fresh
My box office prediction last Sunday: $19,000,000
Nick’s box office prediction: $13,000,000
Though the original made a big splash when it landed three years ago, there hasn’t been a huge desire from audiences to return to the magical escapades of the Four Horsemen. The sequel looks like more of the same and maybe that will be enough for casual viewers, but the other releases this weekend offer far more excitement and thrills.
The Verdict: Only for the most fervent of magic lovers.
On the Tube
Voltron: Legendary Defender
Everyone’s favorite defender of the universe makes a triumphant return this weekend on Netflix, and the reviews have been primarily positive. Fans of the series will find lots to love in this new iteration, and newcomers will be able to jump right in without missing a beat. This is one for the kid in all of us.
The Verdict: The best option for some family fun action this weekend.
Hell on Wheels
AMC’s western drama has almost miraculously stuck around for five seasons, and this weekend will kick off the last remaining episodes of the series. The trials and tribulations of Cullen Bohannon will finally come to an end and it probably isn’t going to be pretty. Even though the show has flown under the radar for some time, it still promises to go out strong.
The Verdict: If you’ve been watching, you’re in until the bitter end.
The Last Ship
TNT’s apocalyptic thriller has managed to milk its sci-fi premise — a virus wipes out most of the human race, leaving a single naval ship in control of saving what’s left of the world — far beyond its initial idea. Things have certainly gotten crazier in the last season, though the Michael Bay produced show might be a little too over-the-top for some.
The Verdict: It’s better than watching Battleship.
For the Gamers
Mirror’s Edge Catalyst
Mirror’s Edge has maintained a strong fanbase over the years, even if the original game was a little too ahead of its time in terms of concept and technology. Mirror’s Edge Catalyst doesn’t seem to have those issues and the game has been getting mixed-to=positive reviews. The parkour action is still a blast and the sci-fi world is gorgeous to soak in.
The Verdict: Looks like breezy, stylish fun.
