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
Morgan
Director: Luke Scott
Stars: Kate Mara, Anya Taylor-Joy, Rose Leslie
Current RT Meter: 41% Fresh
My box office prediction last Sunday: $11,000,000
Nick’s box office prediction: $9,000,000
Labor Day weekend is usually a doldrum period for the box office. That seems to be the case with Morgan, the new sci-fi thriller from Ridley Scott’s progeny. The cast is fantastic and the film looks enticing, but the buzz has been sour and there doesn’t seem to be much beyond what we’ve seen in the trailers. Plus, Don’t Breathe sounds like the better way to spend the weekend if you want some thrills.
The Verdict: Watch Ex Machina instead. Seriously. That film is destined to be a classic.
The Light Between Oceans
Director: Derek Cianfrance
Stars: Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Rachel Weisz
Current RT Meter: 62% Fresh
My box office prediction last Sunday: $9,000,000
Nick’s box office prediction: $5,000,000
This looks like a perfectly pleasant little romantic drama, but you have to bring more to the table these days in order to stand out. The cast is excellent and the director is top notch, but the source material seems like it might be a little too cloying for its own good. Still, hard-hitting performances and a steady hand at the helm goes a long way. This one could surprise.
The Verdict: Need a date movie? This one looks like a winner.
On the Tube
Narcos
Netflix’s true crime drama was a critical darling in its first season. Season two of the series looks like it’s kicking things up to eleven in every way. The story of Pablo Escobar is only getting more explosive, and that gives Wagner Moura more opportunities to pout and scowl. There’s even a nice Scarface nod in this trailer with the guy getting tossed out of the helicopter. Looks like fun for the whole family!
The Verdict: Netflix rarely drops the ball with quality, and this looks like it’s getting crazier than ever. Seems like a good time to get on board.
For the Gamers
Fallout 4: Nuka-World
Fallout 4 fans have been eager for this one. A Disneyland-esque theme park that takes its inspiration from the Wasteland’s favorite bubbly beverage? Seems like loads of fun. However, reviews have been somewhat mixed to middling. Could this last add-on send Fallout 4 out on a whimper?
The Verdict: Hey, if you love Fallout 4, you know you’re gonna be playing this.
Attack on Titan
The hit anime series has made its way to consoles. How has the action game been faring? Pretty down the middle as far as reviews are concerned. The look of the show has been preserved quite well, but it doesn’t seem to bring a whole lot to the table in terms of unique gameplay. Still, fans of the show will be dying to jump into this world and will probably overlook a few minor faults.
The Verdict: This one is for the fans. Everyone else can probably skip it.
