All Saints

Weekend Movies: Saints & Sinners

This weekend’s selection of new movies is so weak that the most appealing option is a 3D conversion of a 26-year-old sci-fi action classic. Pitted against a Weinstein animated kids’ movie, a faith-based drama, and a kung-fu bio-pic, who wouldn’t choose the Terminator?

The Weinstein Company has dabbled in kids’ movies before – the ‘Hoodwinked’ franchise, ‘TMNT’, ‘Spy Kids’ and the ‘Nut Job’ movies – but all of them have stunk. With more of the studio’s trademark 1995-looking CG animation, I wouldn’t expect anything better with ‘Leap!‘. Doesn’t the title’s included exclamation point give off a sense of how much fun it is? The movie tells the story of an orphan who sneaks into a prestigious ballet company in Paris. Elle Fanning voices the lead character. Dane DeHaan, who always sounds like a little kid trying to do a grown-up voice, also lends his ability to talk to this 2,575-screen release. Might ‘Leap!’ become a new record-breaker for the lowest opening of a release on more than 2,500 screens?

The weekend’s second-biggest title comes to us from BH Tilt, Jason Blum’s other production company. ‘Birth of the Dragon‘ is yet another bio-pic about Bruce Lee. Test screenings for the martial arts flick were so poorly received that the filmmakers have been editing and re-editing as a response to the negative feedback. Opening on 1,617 screens, do we have a contender box for worst release of a movie on 1,600+ screens here?

Sony is back in the faith-based game with ‘All Saints‘. Opening at 845 locations, John Corbett carries the true story as a pastor who not only made a life-changing impact for his congregation and a group of refugees, but for himself. Given that we’re stuck in the slow post-summer weeks, this PG movie just might stand a chance, given that faith-promoting moviegoers show up like they typically do.

James Cameron’s ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day‘ has received a new remaster and a 3D conversion. The new version (which includes a few FX touch-ups) has played at various locations around the globe and has been well received, but who knows if that’s due to the new remaster or the fact that it offers fans a chance to see ‘T2’ on the big screen? Either way, choosing to catch this re-release is a win-win.

In addition to the week’s new releases, Robert Pattinson’s ‘Good Time‘ is expanding to 721 locations and Aubrey Plaza’s ‘Ingrid Goes West‘ is expanding to 647.

3 comments

  1. Luke Hickman
    Author

    Um, it’s mentioned above – but it didn’t come close to beating the openers. I think chain-exclusive releases like this hurt re-releases. I, for one, only have two AMC’s in my state. And although one is close to my house, I certainly prefer going to another chain that invests more in the theatrical experience (cleanliness, concessions, atmosphere, etc.).

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