SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Nov. 18, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — Three major films open in theaters this weekend, including J.K. Rowling’s “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” The film is predicted to top the box office with an estimated take of $92 million, according to Box Office Mojo.
The film, starring Eddie Redmayne, is set to open in 4,144 theaters around the U.S. and will knock “Doctor Strange” into third place, just above the family film “Trolls.”
The other two new films, “The Edge of Seventeen” and “Bleed for This,” are predicted not to break the Top 5 films.
Here’s the predicted weekend box office the weekend of Nov. 18:
Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them – $92 million
Trolls – $20.6 million
Doctor Strange – $20.1 million
Arrival – $14.5 million
Almost Christmas – $8.5 million
The Edge of Seventeen – $8.4 million
Hacksaw Ridge – $6.6 million
Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk – $3.4 million
Bleed for This – $3.3 million
The Accountant – $2.5 million
The Reviews:
Edge of Seventeen
Starring: Hailee Steinfeld and Woody Harrelson
Rated R
In this coming of age story, Hailee Steinfeld plays Nadine, a put-upon teen maneuvering through love, loss and embarrassment, while juggling parents, school and the fact her best friend is hooking up with her brother.
We’ve seen this format a ton of times, and when it works you get films like “10 Things I Hate About You,” “Pretty in Pink,” “The Breakfast Club,” and “Heathers.”
When it doesn’t, you end up with “Biker Boyz,” “College Road Trip,” and “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.”
“The Edge of Seventeen” is a good coming of age tale with Steinfeld offering a very watchable and entertaining role. Although the film won’t make you forget “Pretty in Pink,” it will make you laugh and squirm in your seat.
“The Edge of Seventeen” gets a B and is rated R.
Bleed for This
Starring: Miles Teller and Aaron Eckhart
Rated R
The film focuses on the inspirational story of World Champion Boxer Vinny Pazienza who, after a near fatal car crash that left him not knowing if he’d ever walk again, made one of sport’s most incredible comebacks.
“Bleed for This” is a slow to boil underdog story that works very well, if you stick with it. Miles Teller takes on the role with honest enthusiasm and heartfelt angst as a man who, at the top of his career, is faced with staggering news. Teller makes this film believable with this solid acting job.
Aaron Eckhart, who is almost unrecognizable in the role of trainer Kevin Rooney, is somewhat out of place as the no-nonsense coach bringing Pazienza’s career back to life.
Overall the film, despite Teller’s performance, is uneven and saccharine.
“Bleed for This” gets a C and is rated R.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Written by J.K. Rowling, the story begins the adventures of writer and wizard Newt Scamander 70 years before Harry Potter reads his book at Hogwart’s.
Although it has a worldwide built-in audience, the film is less than perfect. Eddie Redmayne is too meek and lackluster for the role and delivers most of his lines under his breath.
The watchable performance in the film belongs to Dan Fogler, as Kowalski, a human who gets tangled up into the wizarding world. Fogler delivers a performance filled with comic disbelief, yet sprinkled with the right amount of amazement and curiosity.
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” has terrific special effects, action and a well-paced story. It just needed a little more enthusiasm from its lead actor.
In the end, the film will please and entertain its core fans. It gets a B and is rated PG-13.
