SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, April 22, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — Three films hit theaters today: “Elvis and Nixon,” “A Hologram for the King” and “The Huntsman: Winter’s War.”
I’m not expecting too much to change at the box office this weekend as “The Jungle Book” will most likely retain its lead over its competition and remain in first place. The Disney animated film is poised to earn an additional $60 million this weekend.
Experts are predicting “The Huntsman: Winter’s War” will open in second place bringing in somewhere between $24 and $30 million.
Fighting for a spot in the Top 10 will be “A Hologram for the King” and “Elvis & Nixon.” Both films have earned great reviews, but are playing in only a few theaters.
According to Box Office Mojo, here’s is how the weekend is predicted to go:
1. “The Jungle Book” (4,028 theaters) – $60.41 million
2. “The Huntsman: Winter’s War” (3,791 theaters) – $24.64 million
3. “Barbershop: The Next Cut” (2,676 theaters) – $11.94 million
4. “Zootopia” (2,798 theaters) – $5.46 million
5. “The Boss” (3,371 theaters) – $4.88 million
6. “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (3,066 theaters) – $4.49 million
7. “Criminal” (2,683 theaters) – $2.94 million
8. “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” (1,742 theaters) – $1.77 million
9. “Compadres” (368 theaters) – $1.21 million
10. “A Hologram for the King” (401 theaters) – $1.08 million
The Reviews:
“Elvis & Nixon”
Starring: Kevin Spacey and Michael Shannon
Rated R
Based on the true story, when the King of Rock ‘n Roll showed up in 1970 on the lawn of the White House to request a meeting with the most powerful man in the world, President Nixon.
The film is all about the acting. Michael Shannon takes on the role of Elvis and offers us a beautifully nuanced performance, without going into an impersonation or over acting.
Likewise is Kevin Spacey’s Richard Nixon. Spacy manages to capture Nixon’s mannerisms, speech patterns and gestures without going overboard.
The combination is truly captivating and makes the film very watchable as the film has some wonderfully humorous moments, as well as some thought-provoking dialogue.
“Elvis & Nixon” gets a solid B and is rated R.
“A Hologram for the King”
Starring: Tom Hanks and Alexander Black
Rated R
An American businessman looks to recoup his losses and perhaps find himself by traveling to Saudi Arabia and presenting a high-technology concept to a wealthy monarch.
“A Hologram for the King” is a mid-life crisis film with Tom Hanks suffering through all the downs in his life. A bad marriage, a poor decision at work which left him jobless, and the idea of having to restart his life.
The film will resonate with an older audience, as Hanks is still a marvelous actor to watch and remains a kind of everyman, cast out and finding his way again.
Much like the recent films, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” “Eat, Pray, Love,” “In Good Company” and even Hanks’ film “Larry Crowne,” the film reminds the audience it’s never too late to make changes or to bring change.
“A Hologram for the King” has a few pacing problems, but in the end the film delivers on its promise to entertain.
It gets a B- and is rated R.
“The Huntsman: Winter’s War”
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Jessica Chastain, Charlize Theron and Emily Blunt
Rated PG-13
In this prequel to 2012’s “Snow White and the Huntsman,” in a land where love is forbidden, a war between rival queen sisters Ravenna (Charlize Theron) and Freya (Emily Blunt) escalates.
Eric the Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) and fellow warrior Sara (Jessica Chastain), who were raised from childhood to protect Freya, try to conceal their forbidden love as they combat Ravenna’s wicked intentions.
“The Huntsman: Winter’s War” is a wonderfully filmed sword and sorcery movie with some stunning special effects. Also worth mentioning is the amount of time spent focusing on the female warriors. The film was well balanced in providing scenes where the women were more than eye candy.
The film does have its flaws, such as the use of the film’s dwarf warriors as mostly comic relief. “The Huntsman: Winter’s War” also suffered from pacing problems, but I think ultimately, audiences will enjoy this film slightly better than its predecessor.
It gets a B and is rated PG-13.
