Category: Monthly Previews

July 7, 2017 Spider-Man: Homecoming Oscar Prospects: What I said: “Uncertain. For a time, any film starring Iron Man was a guaranteed Oscar nominee. However, that has since changed with the last two efforts underwhelming Oscar voters. Thus, it’s possible the film is ignored. However, if there’s any category it could be a factor in,…

Here we look at the upcoming month’s offerings. December 1, 2017 The Disaster Artist (Limited) Premise: From IMDb: “A behind-the-scenes look at the making of Tommy Wiseau’s The Room (2003).” Box Office Prospects: $2 M Expectations: Weak. There is no more specialized an audience than for this film. Although the film has earned solid reviews,…

June 2, 2017 Captain Underpants Oscar Prospects: What I said: “None.” Oscar Results: Still None. Box Office Prospects: $85 M Box Office Expectations: What I Said: “Uncertain. DreamWorks has a strange history with audiences. Even movies that are trashed by critics still do well and some that aren’t do poorly. It’s almost a crap-shoot whether…

Here we look at the upcoming month’s offerings. November 3, 2017 A Bad Moms Christmas Premise: From IMDb: “Amy, Carla and Kiki struggle to cope when their respective mothers visit for the holidays.” Box Office Prospects: $100 M Expectations: Uncertain. Sequels to hit comedies have uneven track records, though this might just be different enough…

Let’s take a look at how May’s releases performed, especially compared to my as-usual high expectations. May 5, 2017 Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 Oscar Prospects: What I said: “Good. The first film earned two Oscar nominations, though it was expected to pick up more. I suspect that it will make another appearance this…

Here we look at the upcoming month’s offerings. October 6, 2017 Blade Runner 2049 Premise: From IMDb: “Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K (Ryan Gosling), unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what’s left of society into chaos. K’s discovery leads him…

April 7, 2017 The Case for Christ Oscar Prospects: What I said: “None.” Oscar Results: Still None. Box Office Prospects: $40 M Box Office Expectations: What I Said: “Decent. The producers are hoping for a result similar to God’s Not Dead, but are more likely to deliver in the Soul Surfer range.” Box Office Results:…

Here we look at the upcoming month’s offerings. September 1, 2017 Unlocked Premise: From IMDb: “A CIA interrogator is lured into a ruse that puts London at risk of a biological attack.” Box Office Prospects: $5 M Expectations: Weak. The film is being released on one of the worst days of the year for box…

And so we come to Oscar season. While this four-month period will be replete with Oscar contenders galore, there will be plenty of blockbusters in the offing, including three franchise continuances (Thor, Justice League, and Star Wars) plus a lot of other options. The month will be characterized by holiday-targeted box office fare as well…

March 3, 2017 Before I Fall Oscar Prospects: What I said: “None.” Oscar Results: Still None. Box Office Prospects: $40 M Box Office Expectations: What I Said: “Uncertain. While the concept should appeal to tweens and many adults, it hasn’t had nearly the level of advertising needed to be a breakaway hit.” Box Office Results:…

Here we look at the upcoming month’s offerings. August 4, 2017 The Dark Tower Premise: From IMDb: “The Gunslinger, Roland Deschain, roams an Old West-like landscape where “the world has moved on” in pursuit of the man in black. Also searching for the fabled Dark Tower, in the hopes that reaching it will preserve his…

February 3, 2017 The Comedian Oscar Prospects: What I said: “None.” Oscar Results: It had a brief qualifying run for the 2016 Oscars, but was never a contender. Box Office Prospects: $25 M Box Office Expectations: What I Said: “Doubtful. The film was positioned for an Oscar run, but never materialized the requisite buzz. Now…

Here we look at the upcoming month’s offerings. July 7, 2017 Spider-Man: Homecoming Premise: From IMDb: “A young Peter Parker/Spider-Man begins to navigate his newfound identity as the web-slinging superhero.” Box Office Prospects: $350 M Expectations: Excellent. The Original made more than $400 million at the box office. The reboot made a mere $262 million.…

January 6, 2017 Amityville: The Awakening Oscar Prospects: What I said: “None.” Oscar Results: Box Office Prospects: $40 M Box Office Expectations: What I Said: “Uncertain. It’s been 12 years since the last attempt to making an Amityville franchise and that film, starring Ryan Reynolds, made an inflation-adjusted $87 million. That’s decent, but this film…

Here we look at the upcoming month’s offerings. June 2, 2017 Captain Underpants Premise: From IMDb: “Two overly imaginative pranksters named George and Harold, hypnotize their principal into thinking he’s a ridiculously enthusiastic, incredibly dimwitted superhero named Captain Underpants.” Box Office Prospects: $85 M Expectations: Uncertain. DreamWorks has a strange history with audiences. Even movies…