SALT LAKE CITY, October 11, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — 4 major films become available for purchase or rent today, as “Ice Age: Collision Course,” “The Infiltrator,” “The Legend of Tarzan” and “Ghostbusters” are released to home video.
“Ice Age: Collision Course” opened July 22nd to a $21.3 million dollar weekend. The film, which was in theaters for 13-weeks brought home $63.9 million dollars domestically. The animated antics of Manny, Sid and Diego fared much better overseas as it took in $340.4 million dollars in foreign markets, bringing its total global take to $404.4 million dollars, according to Box Office Mojo.
Bryan Cranston’s “The Infiltrator” opened in theaters July 13th to a first weekend total of $5.3 million dollars. The film, which was released only in 1,601 movie houses around the USA, ended up with a total of $15.4 million dollars after 13-weeks.
“The Legend of Tarzan” debuted July 1st and took home $38.5 million dollars its opening weekend. The film, starring Margot Robbie and Alexander Skarsgard went on to a global total of $229.5 million dollars in its 12-weeks in release.
The latest remake of the 1984 classic “Ghostbusters” premiered July 15th and brought home an opening weekend total of $46.0 million dollars. The comedy starring Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon ended its domestic run with a $127.7 million dollar payday. The film also did an additional $100.7 million dollars in foreign cinemas overseas, bringing its worldwide total to $228.7 million dollars.
Ice Age: Collision Course
Starring the Voices of: Ray Romano, Queen Latifah, Denis Leary and John Leguizamo
Rated PG
Scrat’s epic pursuit of his elusive acorn catapults him outside of Earth, where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the planet. To save themselves from peril, Manny, Sid, Diego, and the rest of the herd leave their home and embark on a quest to exotic new lands and encountering a host of colorful new characters.
“Ice Age: Collision Course” is a terrible movie. This latest one should have been a direct to DVD release. There is nothing in this boring film that will hold a child’s interest. Watching this film will be more of a form of punishment for your kid… and for you.
Pass it by.
“Ice Age: Collision Course” gets a D and is rated PG.
The Infiltrator
Starring: Bryan Cranston
Rated R
A U.S. Customs official uncovers a money-laundering scheme involving Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.
“The Infiltrator” is strictly a character study of an undercover agent who must assume different personas as he burrows deeper and deeper into the violent world of drug cartels.
Bryan Cranston has proven time and again he’s no slouch when taking on difficult roles. In fact, he’s been quite prepared since his “Breaking Bad” days as “Walter White.”
What “The Infiltrator’ doesn’t do is reach for anything new. We’ve seen this plot many times before and the film does little to enhance the genre. Check out films like “Sicario,” “American Hustle” and “Traffic.”
Overall, “The Infiltrator” has the feel of a movie wanting to be much better, but can’t overcome its own pacing and script.
It gets a C and is rated R.
The Legend of Tarzan
Starring: Alexander Skarsgard and Margot Robbie
Rated PG-13
After a decade of London life, Tarzan is called back to his former home to Africa to investigate activities in the Congo.
“The Legend of Tarzan” is a very intelligent adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs stories. The film isn’t trying to reinvent the title character or give us another origin story. It does use flashbacks to help the viewer understand Tarzan, but the story is about political corruption and greed.
Alexander Skarsgard puts in a solid performance as the now civilized Tarzan who must get back in touch with his wild side. Skarsgard offers up a man torn between two worlds, which he acutely portrays in gesture and expression.
Margot Robbie as Jane isn’t afraid to show the balance between feminist and feminine. Her performance is a perfect counterbalance to Skarsgard’s, and there is a real chemistry to their performances.
All in all, “The Legend of Tarzan” is well worth renting. It gets a B and is rated PG-13.
Ghostbusters
Starring: Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones
Rated PG-13
In Paul Feig’s reboot of the 1984 film, New York is beginning to suffer a ghost invasion of immense proportions, causing paranormal enthusiasts Erin Gilbert and Abby Yates, nuclear engineer Jillian Holtzmann and subway worker Patty Tolan band together to stop the otherworldly threat.
Despite all the outrage early on this year questioning the idea of using an all-woman cast to lead the new “Ghostbusters” franchise into the 21st century, the question is now answered.
“Ghostbusters” is a very funny film. It’s a well-directed, audience-pleasing comedy. That being said, the laughs are really coming from the cast of supporting players including Zach Woods as a tour guide and Karan Soni as a takeout delivery guy.
Audiences will love the celebrity cameos, situational comedy and background jokes as well as the film’s high-energy pacing and special effects.
What was lacking was the main characters weren’t all that funny. Yes there were some laughs provided by each of the main ladies, but, for the most part, the quintet was only reacting to the action on the screen, not pushing it forward.
Again, I liked the film and laughed a lot. But I think there should have been more comedy emanating from the girls on the front line.
“Ghostbusters” gets a B and is rated PG-13.
