The Godfather of Soul gets his own biopic when Get On Up debuts in theaters this Friday. Chadwick Boseman, who played Jackie Robinson in the hit 42, portrays James Brown with The Help director Tate Taylor behind the camera. Costars include Dan Aykroyd, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Craig Robinson, and Jill Scott.
Get On Up could be in a good position for a solid debut. Taylor’s The Help opened in August three summers ago to $26 million. That would certainly be a good number for this. 42 premiered to $27 million in 2013.
The pic could be successful in bringing in African-American audiences and adult moviegoers burnt out on sci-fi blockbusters. I’ll predict Get On Up manages a debut in the mid 20s.
Get On Up opening weekend prediction: $24.9 million
For my Guardians of the Galaxy prediction, click here:
Marvel Studios is back in action this Friday with Guardians of the Galaxy, their $170 million dollar project that is certainly more of a gamble than their previous megahits. It’s based on a comic book not nearly as well-known as Iron Man, Captain America, or Thor – in other words, the Avengers cast.
Still positive signals are sprouting up. The James Gunn directed saga boasts a 100% current score on Rotten Tomatoes and TV spots are omnipresent. The cast features Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, and Bradley Cooper as the voice of Rocket, a genetically engineered raccoon.
While Guardians is not likely to match the $95M debut that the latest Disney/Marvel pic, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, opened at – a healthy debut is expected. I foresee a premiere in the mid seventies and if word of mouth is solid (and it should be), it could have a nice run at the #1 spot.
Guardians of the Galaxy opening weekend prediction: $74.6 million
One of summer 2014’s biggest hits is 22 Jump Street, a comedic take on a TV crime drama that came nearly three decades before it. The same can be said for the financially successfully 1987 summer pic Dragnet, which was based on the Jack Webb show from the 1950s and 1960s.
Dragnet has developed a fairly poor reputation in the past quarter century, but truth be told – it’s a lot of fun and is worth a look for some genuine laughs. It earns a spot in my Guilty Pleasures blog series. The film stars Dan Aykroyd, who gives one of his greatest comedic performances channeling Webb as straight-laced LAPD sergeant Joe Friday. His smart ass partner Pep Streebek is played by Tom Hanks, a few years prior to his serious acting turns and multiple Oscars. We also have Christopher Plummer as a corrupt televangelist and Dabney Coleman as a Larry Flynt like porn peddler. The duo are chasing down a cult group called P.A.G.A.N. (People Against Goodness and Normalcy – love that name) who believe in crazy activities like sacrificing virgins such as Connie Swail (Alexandra Paul). One of the my favorite running jokes in the movie is that everyone refers to her constantly as “The Virgin Connie Swail” – as if she’s a Biblical figure.
Most critics didn’t like it and don’t get me wrong – Dragnet does not approach the 80s greatness of your Vacation or Ghostbusters and so forth. Yet it’s heart is in the right place and there are plenty of laughs to be had. It more than earns a spot on my Guilty Pleasures list.
And now we’ve reached the best of the best when it comes to my personal favorite Justin Timberlake songs of all time! If you missed numbers 25-6, you can click the following links and find them here:
The first single from his greatest album, JT’s label was worried about this club anthem being the #1 single. They needn’t worry. It spent seven weeks at #1.
4. “What Goes Around…Comes Around” from FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006)
The third single from FutureSex, this mid-tempo ballad is yet another triumph of production from JT’s partner Timbaland.
3. “LoveStoned/I Think She Knows” from FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006)
FutureSex‘s fourth single is a jam that would’ve fit Michael Jackson well. As is common with JT/Timbaland collaborations, the beat switches towards the end to a slower groove.
2. “Mirrors” from The 20/20 Experience (2013)
JT’s most romantic track to date is an absolutely beautifully composed ballad. The radio version is fantastic while the longer album version is flat out brilliant.
1. “Cry Me a River” from Justified (2002)
Maybe the greatest breakup track ever stands as JT’s biggest masterpiece. Timbaland’s production is exquisite. This isn’t just JT’s best pop song. It’s one of the best pop songs of all time.
And there’s my list! I’ll be hearing the vast majority of them in five days when I see JT in concert. But who’s counting?
We have breached the Top Ten of my personal Top 25 Justin Timberlake songs! We’ll get to the top five tomorrow. If you missed my first three posts covering numbers 25-11, peruse them here:
10. “Not a Bad Thing” from The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2 (2013)
JT’s current hit single closes out his newest album in grand fashion – a fabulous mid-tempo ballad that sounds more like his old N’Sync material than pretty much anything else he’s done. And that’s not a bad thing in this case.
9. “FutureSex/LoveSound” from FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006)
The influence of Prince is present on the title and opening track to his magnificent second album. At first listen, you knew he was moving in a different direction than Justified four years earlier.
8. “My Love” from FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006)
One of his biggest smash hits, the second single from FutureSex is a standout featuring rapper T.I.
7. “Rock Your Body” from Justified (2002)
If this sounds like the greatest track Michael Jackson never made, that’s no accident. This Neptunes produced pop classic was originally offered to the King of Pop.
6. “Pusher Love Girl” from The 20/20 Experience (2013)
With its edgy lyrics comparing his love life to a drug induced high, the first track off 20/20 is a glorious eight minute masterpiece of production from Timbaland and JT’s vocals. And those opening strings…
This evening we’ve arrived at part 3 of my personal Top 25 Justin Timberlake songs from his catalogue. If you missed the first two posts covering numbers 25-16, I hope you’re proud of yourself and you can find them here:
15. “True Blood” from The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2 (2013)
This nearly ten minute opus is one of those Timbaland productions where he throws in everything but the kitchen sink. It may even remind you of “Thriller” with its Vincent Price cackles punctuating the delicious dance groove.
14. “(Another Song) All Over Again” from FutureSex LoveSounds (2006)
This soulful ballad closes out FutureSex and it allows legendary producer Rick Rubin to work with JT. The result is special.
13. “Like I Love You” from Justified (2002)
The single that started it all for Timberlake’s solo career. At first listen, you immediately knew this Neptunes produced groove meant JT had left his boy band roots behind and good things were to come.
12. “Let the Groove Get In” from The 20/20 Experience (2013)
This salsa sounding concoction from Timbaland may remind you of listening to the best 80s pop in its heyday.
11. “Senorita” from Justified (2002)
Another Neptunes created jam from his debut album, this track with its call and response portion will forever be a JT concert highlight.
Three new titles open Friday to challenge current two week champ Dawn of the Planet of the Apes for box office dominance. They are the Scarlett Johannson action pic Lucy, The Rock led Hercules, and the Michael Douglas/Diane Keaton rom com And So It Goes. You can read my detailed prediction posts on each here:
As I see it, Lucy and Hercules may fight it out for the #1 position. If both underwhelm, there is an outside chance for Dawn to three-peat. As for other holdovers, current #2 The Purge: Anarchy is likely to suffer the typically big decline that horror titles do, though I’m not predicting it’ll drop as precipitously as the original fell (75%) last summer. The animated Planes: Fire & Rescue should have the smallest decline of all titles in its sophomore weekend while And So It Goes may have to settle for a sixth place debut.
And with that – my predictions for this coming weekend’s top 6:
1. Lucy
Predicted Gross: $28.1 million
2. Hercules
Predicted Gross: $21.4 million
3. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Predicted Gross: $19.4 million (representing a drop of 46%)
4. Planes: Fire & Rescue
Predicted Gross: $11.2 million (representing a drop of 36%)
5. The Purge: Anarchy
Predicted Gross: $10.3 million (representing a drop of 65%)
6. And So It Goes
Predicted Gross: $9.3 million
Box Office Results (July 18-20)
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes remained #1 for the second week in a row with $36.2 million, just above my $34.6M projection. The well-reviewed sequel has earned $139 million in ten days and a gross north of $200 million seems in the cards.
I far underestimated The Purge: Anarchy, which debuted strongly at second with $29.8 million – way beyond my $15.5M prediction. I incorrectly surmised that audience’s dislike of the original would hurt this. It didn’t. Expect a part 3 next year.
Disney’s Planes: Fire & Rescue opened third with a decent $17.5 million, under my generous $25.4M estimate. It couldn’t match the $22 million that its predecessor accomplished last summer, but it should hold well in future weekends.
The bomb of the weekend was undoubtedly the Cameron Diaz comedy Sex Tape, which stumbled out of the gate with $14.6 million – about half of my $29.1M projection. Oops. There’s no doubt that highly negative reviews hurt this and this will go down as one of the season’s biggest flops.
In fifth was holdover Transformers: Age of Extinction with $9.8 million in its fourth weekend, above my $7.7M estimate. It’s taken in $227 million so far and should get to $250 million, which will most likely allow it to be summer’s highest domestic grosser.
Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin is one of those films that your film geek friend will likely rave about while the vast majority of audience members won’t enjoy it. This is no doubt an “art film” and it’s not for mainstream filmgoers in the least. For me, there is enough truly amazing visuals in the pic that I felt it worth my time. However, be warned – you may not feel it’s worth yours.
Loosely adapted from Michael Faber’s 2000 novel, Under the Skin stars Scarlett Johannson as a nameless alien being trolling the Scottish countryside for men to destroy. We are never given a reason why she’s doing so and it doesn’t much matter. She lures these men in the simplest way possible… her disguise is that she looks like Scarlett Johannson. There’s another “male” alien accomplice who rides around on a motorcycle and assists her.
Her cold and calculated seductions take a turn when she begins to develop some feelings about what she’s doing. It allows her to spare the life of a man with a severe facial disfigurement. And it leads her to form an awkward relationship with another man that she attempts to have a normal sexual relationship with.
Under the Skin has a dreamlike quality to its proceedings throughout. If you’re the type of art house enthusiast who revels in captivating imagery, there is much to take in here. There are shots in the picture – an abandoned child in a murder scene, the luscious Scottish landscapes, the alien’s character revealing her true body – that will stay with you and are creepy and haunting. Daniel Lindin’s cinematography and Mica Levi’s musical score are terrific. And Johannson once again proves why she’s one of the best actresses today. She has little dialogue and much of her most powerful acting is done through her expressions. It’s one of her most remarkable performances.
There is a lot to be admired about Under the Skin and yet I won’t deny that the pacing is slow and tough going at times. This is not a film for mass consumption, but for “film people” (you know who you are) – it’s definitely worth a look.
Director Rob Reiner attempts a summer movie season counterprogramming move with And So It Goes, opening Friday. The romantic comedy stars Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton and the pic will try to bring in an adult audience burnt out on would-be blockbusters populating the marketplace.
I’m not so sure it’ll succeed. Early reviews have been mixed and the advertising campaign has been low-key. And So It Goes would love to bring in the numbers of Hope Springs with Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones, which opened two summers ago to a $14 million opening weekend gross. I don’t believe this will reach those heights. Premiering on a relatively low 1800 screens, I’m forecasting that this won’t quite reach double digits and should be available for home viewing in the near future.
And So It Goes opening weekend prediction: $9.3 million
This Friday, audiences are treated to their second Hercules themed film of 2014. This would considered the higher profile one as The Legend of Hercules bombed in January with an abysmal $18 million domestic gross. Expectations are understandably bigger for this one – as it stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and is directed by Brett Ratner. It’s likely to gross more in its first weekend than Legend did in its whole domestic run.
Having said that, I’m anticipating a fairly muted opening for Hercules. The trailers and TV sports aren’t bad, but they’re rather unimpressive. There’s also Lucy, the Scarlett Johannson action thriller that seems to have more buzz around it and could be more successful in attracting a female audience. As I see it, Hercules will need to do solid business internationally to justify its reported $110 million budget because I don’t see it reaching very close to that stateside.
Hercules opening weekend prediction: $21.4 million
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