SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, May 13, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — The box office forecasters are predicting another big weekend for “Captain America: Civil War.”
The film, which turned in over $179 million its debut weekend, is estimated to haul in an additional $75 to $80 million, according to Box Office Mojo.
Staying in the No. 2 slot will be Disney’s animated “The Jungle Book,” starring the vocal talents of Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley and Scarlett Johansson. The film, now in its fourth week in release, is anticipated to take in a domestic total of $15 to $16 million.
And “Money Monster,” which opens this weekend, is predicted to premiere in third place, with an estimated $10.3 million, perhaps proving George Clooney and Julia Roberts don’t have the audience pull they once enjoyed.
The prediction for top 10 films over the weekend are:
01. Captain America: Civil War (4,226 theaters) – $77.03 M
02. The Jungle Book (3,970 theaters) – $15.18 M
03. Money Monster (3,104 theaters) – $10.31 M
04. Mother’s Day (3,291 theaters) – $4.88 M
05. The Darkness (1,755 theaters) – $4.3 M
06. Zootopia (1,935 theaters) – $2.22 M
07. The Huntsman: Winter’s War (2,511 theaters) – $1.94 M
08. Keanu (2,120 theaters) – $1.68 M
09. Barbershop: The Next Cut (1,333 theaters) – $1.49 M
10. The Boss (1,344 theaters) – $.99 M
The Review:
“Money Monster” is directed by Jodie Foster and filmed in real time. George Clooney and Julia Roberts are cast as financial TV host Lee Gates and his producer Patty, who are put in an extreme situation when an irate investor, played by Jack O’Connell, forcefully takes over their studio.
During a tense standoff broadcast to millions on live TV, Lee and Patty must work furiously against the clock to unravel the mystery behind a conspiracy at the heart of today’s fast-paced, high-tech global markets.
“Money Monster” offers up a few tense and well crafted moments, but the film isn’t treading on any new ground. As I was watching it, I felt as if the film was borrowing some its plot from films like “John Q,” “Firewall,” “Inside Man,” “The Taking of Pelham 123,” and “The Hostage Tower.”
What saves “Money Monster” is the performances by George Clooney and Julia Roberts. Clooney, who plays the star of the TV financial advice show “Money Monster,” is an arrogant and cocky host. As he comes face to face with the outcome of a financial prediction gone wrong, he begins to understand how the big banks affect the little guy.
Julia Roberts as Patty, the director of the TV show, has a constant commentary going on with Clooney’s character through an earpiece. Roberts pretty much is explaining to the audience what’s transpiring as police, media and the financial world are converging on the TV station.
In the end, “Money Monster” is an audience-pleasing, popcorn-muncher with good performances by the cast and solid directing from Jodie Foster. But I did take a full grade off for its heavy borrowing from other hostage films.
It gets a B and is rated R.
