If you could invest in the box office power of each weekend’s new movie releases, this weekend would not be worth risking your money over.
Jodie Foster steps back into the director’s chair with ‘Money Monster‘. George Clooney stars as a broadcast financial advisor, similar to Jim Cramer. Julia Roberts is his producer. Set in real-time, Jack O’Connell plays an armed man who enters their studio mid-broadcast. After investing all of his savings according to the tips provided on the show, he lost everything. Now, with the cameras pointed at the three of them, he’s going to publicly hold them accountable. If the mixed reviews have you on the fence, seeing Julia Roberts in the cast should probably push you over to the “Skip it” side.
While ‘Money Monster’ may preach about Wall Street, the weekend’s second wide release preaches about Native Americans – as in, don’t mess with their ancient artifacts! In ‘The Darkness‘, while vacationing in the Grand Canyon, the youngest boy in a family finds an interesting stone with an odd symbol on it. When he brings it home, a group of dark tribal beings follow them and start tearing things up. Kevin Bacon and Radha Mitchell play the parents in this movie that seems perfect for a Friday the 13th release.
While neither of those two movies stands a chance of putting up much of a fight against the sophomore weekend for ‘Captain America: Civil War’, the following four could potentially make waves in limited release.
From ‘The Last Days of Disco‘ director Whit Stillman comes a small Jane Austen adaptation that’s said to be one of the very best. Based on Austen’s novella ‘Lady Susan’, ‘Love & Friendship‘ stars Kate Beckinsale as a widow who visits her in-law’s estate. While there, she decides to not only find a new husband for herself, but also one for her single daughter. Chloë Sevigny co-stars in the PG-rated period piece. Roadside Attractions is opening it on four screens.
After playing nearly every film festival for the past 12 months, ‘The Lobster‘ will finally make its public debut. Colin Farrell leads the black comedy about an oddball dystopia future in which the unwed are arrested, placed in a wacky hotel, and given 45 days to fall in love with one of the other inmates. Those who don’t comply are turned into the animal of their choice. The concept alone is enough to make this film worth checking out. Co-starring alongside Farrell are Rachel Weisz, John C. Reilly, Lea Seydoux and Ben Whishaw.
In the new social commentary drama ‘High-Rise‘, Tom Hiddleston stars as a wealthy, attractive and successful man who moves into a new state-of-the-art skyscraper filled with superficial yuppies. Once there, he realizes that the high life has a dirty underbelly. The cast includes Sienna Miller, Jeremy Irons and Luke Evans.
Adding to this year’s already-long list of movies about Jesus is ‘Last Days in the Desert‘. Ewan McGregor plays the Messiah in this portrayal of his 40 days spent in the desert. McGregor also plays the tempestuous Devil. Ciarán Hinds and Tye Sheridan co-star.
NJScorpio
As a never-married 30-something with a very particular personality, I’m very interested in ‘The Lobster’.
Too bad I have nobody to go see it with me.
Bolo
It’s probably the best movie I’ve seen so far this year.
Scott
Maybe she (or he, I don’t want to discriminate) will be waiting at the theater for you???
Chris B
Dude, just go alone. I go to afternoon matinees all the time because of my weird work schedule. No having to wait around for friends, no having to save seats, noone asking you questions during the movie etc.
Just give it a go!
Deaditelord
I’m in the same boat as you NJ: Single, never married, late 30’s, with a very specific taste in movies, TV, music, etc. I used to be self-conscious about it, but now I often go to matinees by myself and quite enjoy it. (Except for family films, which I skip to avoid the occasional sidelong glance from way too overprotective parents who apparently think that it’s inappropriate for a grown man to go by himself to see a Pixar/Disney film.) Not only do I save some $$$, but I usually get one of the better (if not the best) seats because the auditorium isn’t jammed to capacity.
William Henley
This is me – single, never married, no kids, most of my friends have kids and never have time for anything else, my one single friend won’t see anything less than PG-13 movies because they are kids movies (and even some PG-13 and R movies – I had to see Ted by myself). Truthfully, I am off Thursday through Saturday, so the Thursday 10am matinee are great for me to go alone. Except on family films – I am with you – I actually went and saw Maleficent with a female friend who got there 5 minutes after the MOVIE (not trailers) started, and got looks from parents like I was some horrid awful person until she came in.
EM
Well, I thought your comment was funny.
Bolo
‘High-Rise’ isn’t playing near me yet, but I’ll check it out when it does.
C.C.
If you have a region free player – The Lobster has been available from Amazon France for about a month.
(I have the steelbook edition – which is awesome.)
Josh Zyber
For those curious:
http://www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASIN/B01AVIUYI8/panandscathed-20