By Chris Kavan - 04/05/18 at 07:49 AM CT
Ready Player One became Steve Spielberg's biggest opening in nearly a decade last weekend. This weekend it will face off against a silent (but deadly) horror film, a R-rated comedy of parental control, a fact-based drama and an uplifting story. Oh, and Black Panther is still on the prowl even after seven weeks of shows. It will be interesting to see how Spielberg's nerd-fest nostalgia trip holds up against the challengers - but I think it's going to face a decent threat.
A QUIET PLACE My anticipation of this horror film has been building - slowly at first, but after a few trailers, it is ready to blow. Office veteran John Krasinski worked hard on this one - writer, producer, star and director and, by all accounts, this is a very worthy horror film. Following... something (still unsure if it is man-made or extraterrestrial) the world's population has been decimated by creatures that hunt via sound. They are quick, deadly and unmerciful - which is why Lee and Evelyn (Krasinski and Emily Blunt) have moved their family to a remote location. Their two children Marcus and Regan (Noah Jupe and Millicent Simmonds) follow a set of rules to keep noise out of their lives. The family is uniquely prepared for this since Regan is deaf and the family is used to communicating without talking. Of course, no matter how much you prepare, something can always go wrong and, based on the trailers, something does go wrong. We've only gotten glimpses of these creatures - but the film looks to rely on tension and emotion more than anything. It is off to a great start with critics and I have a feeling it will more than hold its own against the big films and set a good bar for horror for the rest of the year.
It has been awhile since the big screen has been graced by a good, old-fashioned R-rated adult comedy. Blocker follows three parents ( Leslie Mann, John Cena and Ike Barinholtz) who will do anything to prevent their three daughters (Geraldine Viswanathan, Kathryn Newton and Gideon Adlon) from prom night promiscuity. Disaster, of course, ensues. The film has been picking up steam (much like A Quiet Place) and, since it is the only comedy around, it should corner the market and wind up in a nice spot itself. Top five for sure - whether it can top Ready Player One as well remains to be seen, but it could be close.
CHAPPAQUIDDICK On the more serious side of things, we have Jason Clarke portraying polictical scion Ted Kennedy who finds his life, both personal and political, upended following a car accident that resulted in the death of the young, political strategist Mary Jo Kopechne (Kate Mara). This event would alter the course of history, not just for the Kennedy family, but for politics in general. The film boasts a great cast - Bruce Dern as Joe Kennedy, Clancy Brown as Robert McNamara, Olivia Thirlby as Rachel Schiff, Ed Helms as Joe Gargan and Jim Gaffigan as Paul Markham just to name a few. The film, directed by John Curran, and writers Andrew Logan and Taylor Allen aren't pulling any punches, digging deep into the inquest, reports and documents to present an unvarnished look into how far politics can reach, influence and manipulate - something that may be more relevant than ever.
THE MIRACLE SEASON FInally, for those who want something to really make them feel good, we have The Miracle Season. The film follows a volleyball team who lose one of their own, Caroline 'Line' Found (Danika Yarosh) it seems to crush the hopes of the team. Though she is feeling the same loss, Coach Kathy Bresnahan (Helen Hunt) isn't about to give in, and, instead, inspires her team. It's tough love, but she will do anything to get her girls back in the game and rally to honor their fallen teammate rather than let her death consume them. This follows in a long line of sports-related, feel-good films - We Are Marshall, Remember the Titans, Miracle - and it will probably play to a decent crowd. It's not going to bring in the audience that Blocker or A Quiet Place is going to, but I suspect it won't have to in order to turn out just fine.
There you have it, horror and comedy are going to challenge action/fantasy for the top spot at the box office. I'll return on Sunday with all the details.
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