Your weekend time is valuable and at the end of a long week, the discretionary time must be spent to its maximum value. To help narrow down your choices 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
Arrival
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Stars: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker
Current RT Meter: 94% Fresh
My box office prediction last Sunday: $25,000,000
Nick’s box office prediction: $35,000,000
After a contentious week in politics, Arrival is the kind of movie we could all use. This is a thinking person’s Independence Day and that might turn off some people. For those who like their sci-fi with a lot of heart and smarts, Arrival cannot be missed. This is easily one of the year’s best films but it’s a slow and pondering picture. Check out Nick’s review to get a good idea of what you can expect.
The Verdict: No way this doesn’t end up on a lot of top ten lists.
Almost Christmas
Director: David E. Talbert
Stars: Kimberly Elise, Omar Epps, Danny Glover
Current RT Meter: 40% Fresh
My box office prediction last Sunday: $19,000,000
Nick’s box office prediction: $21,000,000
The onslaught of the holidays is already upon us. Will folks be ready for a Christmas movie just yet? Reviews have been extremely middling and this feels like a dump of film getting released in between Doctor Strange and Fantastic Beasts. It may very well be a good time but it’s a little early for such cheer.
The Verdict: This looks like it will be perfect when you can watch it in your house with your family.
Shut In
Director: Farren Blackburn
Stars: Naomi Watts, Charlie Heaton, Jacob Tremblay
Current RT Meter: N/A
My box office prediction last Sunday: $9,000,000
Nick’s box office prediction: $7,500,000
Shut In looks like a nice little thriller but this just isn’t the year for wide-release PG-13 horror. Plus, not screening the film for critics is usually a bad sign. The movie looks like it could offer some twists and turns, but it also dredges up memories of another release from earlier this year: The Disappointments Room. You already forgot about that, didn’t you?
The Verdict: Stay home for this one.
On the Tube
The True Memoirs of an International Assassin
Hoo boy. Another Kevin James movie makes its way to your eyeballs this weekend. Honestly, there might be some decent DTV action stuff in this, but the humor is… yeah. These movies obviously have their audience so who am I to judge?
The Verdict: Kevin James fans, this one’s for you.
MECH-X4
Looks like the Disney Channel is hoping to create their own Power Rangers franchise. The big mecha stuff looks fun, but the characters are VERY Disney Channel. The show has already been picked up for a second season, so strap yourself in for more MECH-X4 no matter what.
The Verdict: Let the kids figure out if this is up their alley.
For the Gamers
The NES Classic Edition
Retro gamers are going gaga for this nostalgia machine. With 3o classic games and great emulation, this is looking like it’s going to be finding its way under a lot of Christmas trees. We wrote up ten of the best games on the system, but that doesn’t even include the cult classic StarTropics, the extremely fun Excitebike, or the greatest game ever made, Super Mario Bros.
The Verdict: Can’t talk to you. I’m too busy fighting Quick Man in Mega Man 2.
Dishonored 2
Most triple-A games usually get to stretch their wings in the sequel. Dishonored 2 looks like it’s getting some good first reviews but, as is often the case, the PC version has had some frustrating bugs. The few reviews out there say that the game tweaks enough to feel like a good continuation of the series. Will this be enough to get people to the Dishonored franchise? Stay tuned for our full review soon.
The Verdict: If sinking hours into Kirby’s Adventure isn’t your thing, this is a good alternative option.
Tyranny
Need some classic RPG action in your life? Tyranny looks like the kind of game for you. Though it probably isn’t reinventing the wheel, games don’t always have to keep trying to be a brand new experience. Sometimes, a well-worn idea can be played with in interesting and fun ways. Tyranny looks like it would make a Diablo fan mighty happy.
The Verdict: Old school PC gamers should give this one a shot.
