Looking at the Weekend: Jun. 14-16, 2019

Two wide releases and a 1,500-theater expansion. The likelihood of any of the three taking the top spot is high. The one most likely to come in first is the one opening in 3,800-plus theaters, almost 1,000 more than its next best competitor. Men in Black: International is the fourth film in the series to release in this part of the year. The first film opened for the July 4th holiday in 1997 and took in a suitable $51 million opening (roughly $100 million in 2019 dollars). It went on to gross $250 million ($492 million adjusted for inflation). The second film opened slightly higher over the same frame in 2002 with a $52 million opening (just under $81 million today), but finished well below with $190 million (or $295 million inflated). That was five years removed. The third film, with the same cast, debuted 10 years later to a disappointing $54 million ($60 million today) with a lifetime cume of $179 million ($199 million in today’s dollars). With that steep a dive, can the fourth film, releasing 22 years after the original, do better? The bonus is that it’s a new cast with Chris Hemsworth stepping into the experienced MIB role Tommy Lee Jones occupied previously while the plucky upstart (Will Smith then) is Hemsworth’s Thor: Ragnarok co-star Tessa Thompson. Their nearest competition is Shaft starring both prior incarnations of the legendary character in tow. The 2000 version took in $70 million off a $21 million debut ($117 million / $36 million adjusted for inflation). While a strong opening and tally is expected for this third outing, it won’t be enough to top Men in Black: International, which will benefit from Hemsworth’s bankability and Thompson’s rising star.

Our Highest Rated Films: Men in Black International
Our Best Awards Ratings: Men in Black International

OTHER LIMITED RELEASES

Jun. 14-16, 2019
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Men in Black International (Wide Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	7.3 Wesley Lovell: (8) Peter J. Patrick: (7) Thomas LaTourrette: (7)	2.3 Wesley Lovell: (3,Oscars) Peter J. Patrick: (Nil) Thomas LaTourrette: (4,Oscars)	Categories: Original Score (WL) Production Design (WL) Makeup (WL,TL) Sound Mixing (WL,TL) Sound Editing (WL,TL) Visual Effects (WL,TL)
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): If it weren’t for the cast (Hemsworth, Thompson, Thompson), I would have less interest in this. Peter J. Patrick (PP): The fourth installment of the franchise looks like it might be the best since the 1997 original. Thomas LaTourette (TL): When I heard there was a new Men in Black film, I was not ecstatic, but the trailer makes it look like it could be fun.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Shaft (Wide Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	6.0 Wesley Lovell: (7) Peter J. Patrick: (7) Thomas LaTourrette: (4)	Nil Wesley Lovell: (Nil) Peter J. Patrick: (Nil) Thomas LaTourrette: (Nil)	Categories: None
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): The recent red band trailer has increased my interest in this film, though a review of the original and the 2000 version might be required prior to seeing it. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Looks better than both the classic 1971 original and the forgettable 2002 installment. Thomas LaTourette (TL): The trailer does have more humor than I expected, though some felt very homophobic and labored, and I still feel no need to see it.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
American Woman (Limited Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	6.0 Wesley Lovell: (6) Peter J. Patrick: (7) Thomas LaTourrette: (5)	1.7 Wesley Lovell: (Nil) Peter J. Patrick: (5,Oscars) Thomas LaTourrette: (Nil)	Categories: None
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): The trailer was only modestly interesting, which gives me doubts. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Gritty drama of loss from the producer of Manchester by the Sea looks compelling. Thomas LaTourette (TL): The trailer feels over-emotive and tries too hard to create suspense around a missing mother.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
The Dead Don’t Die (Limited Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	5.7 Wesley Lovell: (7) Peter J. Patrick: (4) Thomas LaTourrette: (6)	Nil Wesley Lovell: (Nil) Peter J. Patrick: (Nil) Thomas LaTourrette: (Nil)	Categories: None
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): A zombie film from Jim Jarmusch should be most intriguing. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Looks like a miss for Jim Jarmusch whose films have always been hit or miss. Thomas LaTourette (TL): There are some nice touches of deadpan humor, but it feels awfully slight for a new film where there are already some good classics.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
In the Aisles (Limited Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	4.3 Wesley Lovell: (3) Peter J. Patrick: (5) Thomas LaTourrette: (5)	Nil Wesley Lovell: (Nil) Peter J. Patrick: (Nil) Thomas LaTourrette: (Nil)	Categories: None
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): It looks like a cheap and uninteresting romance. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Oddball comedy set in a supermarket doesn’t quite do it for me. Thomas LaTourette (TL): As Superstore has shown, a comedy set in a big box store can work. Unfortunately this trailer did not show us much comedy nor even a full love story. Still it might be worth seeing.