Notable Openings This Weekend: Assassin’s Creed, Passengers, Sing, Why Him?
BAH HUMBUG! I’m very ornery today. Why? First off, I was way off on Rogue One. Well, not way off, but I gave it too much credit. Rogue One did very well, but just over $155 Million is a big difference than just under $248 Million that The Force Awakens made. Clearly the spin-off films are here to stay, but this proves they will never have the far reaching success that a traditional Star Wars film brings. Having said that, it’s a lock to repeat this weekend, despite a gluttony of Christmas openings. That’s another reason I’m irritable today. I hate predicting these types of weekends. Some of these movies opened on Wednesday. You have Oscar films expanding. I don’t know what the hell’s going on, alright! What a complete mess. Let’s just get this over with so I can order Chinese food and go to the movies on Christmas.
Let’s start the holiday cheer with another video game movie that seems destined to blow bags. To be fair, I haven’t seen the film, but what the hell?! Why can’t Hollywood deliver one great video game movie? It’s becoming the new Chicago Cubs. I guess we’ll have to wait 108 years from when the first video game movie was made. Michael Fassbender. Marion Cotillard. It doesn’t matter. This genre is just a big fat fail, as will be the Assassin’s Creed box office.
Sing is a kid’s movie with a bunch of dancing & singing animals. Translation: It will make a lot of money. Any more questions? Good. We’re moving on.
Why Him? is a decent concept, but does anybody think this looks funny? I’m simply defeated when it comes to comedy these days. I just don’t care anymore. I suppose Bryan Cranston brings a level of credibility, but it’s not enough to sell me a ticket. This will do the same business as Office Christmas Party did. It’s fine.
Out of all the new releases, Passengers is the most intriguing. The reviews are in, and it ain’t pretty. When I saw the previews I thought it could go either way. The reason I’m not trusting these reviews is the Jennifer Lawrence factor. Why can’t we just appreciate her talent and success? Do we really have to play the whole “I’m sick of her” card? There’s no doubt in my mind people went into this film with an agenda. The film could suck. I don’t know. We’ll find out soon enough. What does this mean for the box office? It’s easy to predict a flop here, but with a budget of $110 Million (via Box Office Mojo), it should do okay. It’s been marketed well, and Lawrence and Chris Pratt are still big names.
HOW WILL IT ALL BREAK DOWN…
We’ve finally reached the end of the cluster you know what. When the dust settles on a crowded Christmas weekend, Rogue One will obviously remain supreme. The world continues to search for the first great video game movie. Maybe it will be Kirby, I have no idea. Maybe I should just take solace in the fact that Chanukah and Christmas finally coincide on the same day.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
1. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – $70 Million
2. Sing – $50 Million
3. Passengers – $23 Million
4. Assassin’s Creed – $16 Million
5. Why Him? – $14 Million
