New in Theaters March 01: Greta, A Madea Family Funeral
Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/28/19 at 07:46 AM CT
With How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World finally delivering some good news in 2019 after so many other films under performed, it looks like this animated sequel is set to dominate the box office for a second week in a row. The competition this week consists of the next (and possibly last) Madea film from Tyler Perry as well as a cautionary tale about who you choose to let into your life …
Hellboy, Shaft, The Kitchen and More in This Week's MPAA Ratings Bulletin
Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/27/19 at 11:11 AM CT
Three is just a right, good number of films to talk about and, wouldn't you know, the MPAA Ratings Board has graced me with the perfect number of wide releases in this bulletin. Granted we have one remake, one sorta-sequel and finally an original crime/drama to talk about. But I'll take what I can get and it's the sweet spot this time around, even if the quality leaves me a bit …
New on DVD and Blu-Ray Week of February 26 - March 04
Harley Lond - wrote on 02/26/19 at 07:50 AM CT
FROM THE BIG SCREEN:
"Ralph Breaks the Internet," the delightful and highspeed sequel to 2012’s Oscar-nominated “Wreck-It Ralph” -- it's a thoroughly enjoyable animated adventure for kids 4 to 80; "The Possession of Hannah Grace," a by-the-book and utterly scare-less horror film; and "Mary Queen of Scots," a period costume drama of political intrigue set in 16th century England, with …
Weekend Box Office: How to Train Your Dragon 3 Opens to Best in Series
Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/24/19 at 08:11 PM CT
Finally 2019 truly has a film that not only opened above expectations, but did so in a big way. How to Train Your Dragon 3: The Hidden World may not have had a $100 million opening, but it was big enough to top the first two films in their openings as well as providing 2019 with its first legitimate hit. Alita took a big domestic tumble, but is looking much better overseas thanks to a big debut …
New in Theaters February 22: How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, Fighting with My Family
Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/21/19 at 07:40 AM CT
So far 2019 has been a bit of a letdown with a lot of films coming in below expectations. In fact, just one film has broke the $100 million mark thus far. Animated films are usually a solid bet, but with LEGO Movie 2 failing to take off, perhaps the How to Train Your Dragon franchise will have a better result at the box office. Meanwhile, after a pretty impressive limited debut, the biopic about …
Little, Yesterday, Unplanned and More in This Week's MPAA Ratings Bulletin
Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/20/19 at 10:44 AM CT
The MPAA steps things up with an actual trio of major movie ratings. Now, I fully admit, it's not the most exciting of updates for me, personally, but I take what I can get and this is exactly the kind of output I appreciated from the MPAA Ratings Board as three is the perfect amount - not too many, not too few and if I could get this every week my life would be so much better. So my hat is off …
New on DVD and Blu-Ray Week of February 19 - 25
Harley Lond - wrote on 02/19/19 at 11:00 PM CT
FROM THE BIG SCREEN:
In a third remake of the classic film "A Star is Born," seasoned musician Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) discovers -- and falls in love with -- struggling artist Ally (Lady Gaga). She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer -- until Jack coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally's career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is …
Weekend Box Office: Alita Battles to Top Spot Over Slow President's Day Weekend
Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/17/19 at 08:40 PM CT
There haven't been a lot of fireworks as 2019 has just finally gotten its first $100 million plus film (Glass - see the happy news under the box office roundup). It has been pretty slow all around and even though Alita: Battle Angel managed to come in ahead of expectations, it still wasn't exactly a huge opening. Happy Death Day 2U also opened under expectations leaving the romantic comedy Isn't …
New in Theaters Feb. 15: Alita: Battle Angel, Happy Death Day 2U, Isn't It Romantic
Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/14/19 at 07:42 AM CT
February has been crawling along, with no really big hits thus far. While Glass and The LEGO Movie 2 are going to wind up just fine - both opened under expectations while the other big releases What Men Want and Cold Pursuit are doing fine on their own, but really it's the holdovers like Aquaman and The Upside that continue to make the biggest waves. Will this week change things? Alita: Battle …
New on DVD and Blu-ray Week of February 05 - February 18
Harley Lond - wrote on 02/13/19 at 10:59 AM CT
FROM THE BIG SCREEN:
"Bohemian Rhapsody" and "The Front Runner."
THIS WEEK'S BEST BETS
One of the most shocking J-horror films ever made, "Audition" (1999 -- Japan) exploded onto the festival circuit at the turn of the century to a chorus of awards and praise. The film would catapult director Takashi Miike to the international scene and pave the way for such other genre delights as …
Shazam!, Art of Racing in the Rain, Teen Spirit and More in This Week's MPAA Ratings Bulletin
Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/13/19 at 10:08 AM CT
Frigid temperatures? Wind? Snow? Yup, it's winter and I was hoping the MPAA Board would keep me all warm and toasty with an avalanche of new ratings, but, alas, once again I have been left out in the cold. At least one of the big films this week looks like a lot of fun - a kid who becomes a superhero and Shazam! you have a new twist on a popular genre. The other big name is the long-titled The …
Weekend Box Office: LEGO Movie 2 Less Awesome in Soft Opening, What Men Want, Cold Pursuit Adequate
Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/10/19 at 08:41 PM CT
I thought this was going to be the weekend that turned February around, but that weekend is still upcoming as The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, despite good audience reception, opened much lower than expected. What Men Want, Cold Pursuit and The Prodigy all performed in line with expectations. Still, there wasn't anything that really popped and that means February is still looking for something …
New in Theaters Feb. 08: The LEGO Movie 2, What Men Want, Cold Pursuit, The Prodigy
Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/07/19 at 07:49 AM CT
With January not exactly getting off to a heated start, and the Super Bowl dominating over a very slow February opening, hopefully this week brings a much-needed shot in the arm to the box office. Leading the pack will be the animated LEGO sequel, which brings back the all-star cast as they battle an other-worldly new enemy. We also have horror in The Prodigy, comedy in What Men Want and action …
Captain Marvel, Us, Hotel Mumbai and More in This Week's MPAA Ratings Bulletin
Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/06/19 at 10:41 AM CT
This entire year has essentially been a struggle as the MPAA Ratings Board has been rather stingy with handing out ratings, at least to major films. This week brings a welcome update with two huge films - Captain Marvel and Jordan Peele's Us receiving their official ratings, along with the true-life drama Hotel Mumbai. Three is a nice, dependable number and more so when there are strong films to …
New on DVD and Blu-ray Week of February 05 - February 11
Harley Lond - wrote on 02/05/19 at 08:12 AM CT
FROM THE BIG SCREEN:
"The Girl in the Spider's Web," "Widows," "A Private War," "The Sisters Brothers" and "Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch."
THIS WEEK'S BEST BETS
Directed by Ingmar Bergman, "Shame (Skammen)" (1968) is at once an examination of the violent legacy of World War II and a scathing response to the escalation of the conflict in Vietnam. Max von Sydow and Liv Ullmann star as musicians …
Weekend Box Office: Football Triumphs Over Movies as Glass Leads Extra-Slow Weekend
Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/03/19 at 11:01 PM CT
No exaggeration here, as the weekend was the worst Super Bowl weekend in nearly two decades and the slowest weekend since September 2017. Miss Bala, the only new wide release, was a distant third while Glass topped the box office with a sub-$10 million performance. All in all, it was a rather yawn-inducing weekend for Hollywood, but luckily this downturn will be short-lived as the rest of …
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