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.
10 Cloverfield Lane
Director: Dan Trachtenberg
Stars: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman, John Gallagher, Jr.
Current RT Meter: 91% Fresh
My box office prediction last Sunday: $28,500,000
It’s hard to put too much weight on a film that none of us knew existed three months ago but if there such a case this would be it. There is more at stake here than a film being released bearing a familiar moniker on it. Though the word on the street is that film gained “Cloverfield” status late in its development cycle, 10 Cloverfield Lane does tangentially share enough traits with the Matt Reeves blockbuster to warrant the connection. What is most interesting is how JJ Abrams’ Bad Robot is creating a theatrical anthology series right under our noses. The idea of a semi-annual Cloverfield branded genre film in theaters is an exciting one. The possibilities are endless and it could be a way to break new filmmakers in the same way television’s The Twilight Zone and Tales from the Crypt did. As for the actual film being released this weekend, the less an audience member knows going in the better. The video below succinctly conveys my feelings for the film.
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The Verdict: It’s going to make a mint this weekend and deservedly so. It’s terrific.
The Brothers Grimsby
Director: Louis Leterrier
Stars: Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Strong, Rebel Wilson
Current RT Meter: 44% Fresh
My box office prediction last Sunday: $11,000,000
One would think that a truly successful action director like Louis Leterrier could sell the traditional side of this oddball smash-up of action and comedy but the buzz has been terrible for The Brothers Grimsby. It’s a shame, because Sacha Baron Cohen and Mark Strong together are a delicious combination. Without being adhered to Cohen’s wheelhouse of inserting his characters into the real world, the film is forced to deliver on more traditional material. There are some good bits in the trailer but that may not be enough.
The Verdict: It’s Sacha Baron Cohen, one of the true comedic geniuses working today. Alas, it’s not looking good for the old chap.
There are no television premieres this week so happy hunting! We’ll catch up with you on the other side and see how it went.
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