Tag: Andy Samberg

Oscar Predictions: Zootopia 2

As they frequently do over the Thanksgiving holiday, Disney should reign supreme with an animated effort. In 2025, they’ll do it via Zootopia 2 which follows up the 2016 original. Jared Bush and Byron Howard are back directing. Returning voice work comes from Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Shakira, Idris Elba, Alan Tudyk, Bonnie Hunt, and Jenny Slate. Newcomers to the franchise include Ke Huy Quan, Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg, David Strathairn, Patrick Warburton, Quinta Brunson, and Danny Trejo.

At the 89th Academy Awards, Zootopia won Best Animated Feature against fellow studio competitor Moana and the acclaimed Kubo and the Two Strings. It opened early in the calendar (March) and maintained frontrunner status throughout the long awards season. Reviews were strong with 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 78 Metacritic.

The sequel is also generating solid critical reaction with 93% on RT and Metacritic at 73. Those numbers are sturdy enough that I’m confident Zootopia 2 has reserved a spot in the Animated Feature quintet. It also has a shot to be victorious like its predecessor. However, I’ve had it ranked in second position behind the cultural juggernaut that is Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters. Overcoming that streaming phenomenon could be a tall order. It might be achievable but leaving it in second feels right unless precursors alter the narrative. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Zootopia 2 Box Office Prediction

Disney has owned the Thanksgiving holiday in recent years and that looks to continue when Zootopia 2 arrives November 26th. Jared Bush and Byron Howard are back directing the sequel to the 2016 blockbuster that took home Best Animated Feature at the Oscars. Returning voices include Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, and Shakira. New faces behind the mics are Ke Huy Quan, Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg, David Strathairn, Patrick Warburton, Quinta Brunson, Roman Reigns, and CM Punk.

Last year, the Mouse House smashed the Thanksgiving box office record with Moana 2. That follow-up took in $139 million from Friday to Sunday with $225 million when counting Wednesday and Turkey Day. The previous highest three-day opening was the original Moana (also from 2016) at $56 million.

Zootopia 2 should fall between the Moana‘s in the record books. In a best case scenario, it could threaten part 2. In March 2016, the original exceeded expectations with a $75 million start on its way to $341 million overall domestically. This is widely anticipated to build on that with room to spare.

I’ll project a Friday to Sunday gross between $110 to $115 million and a five-day topping $180 million.

Zootopia 2 opening weekend prediction: $112.4 million (Friday to Sunday); $184.3 million (Wednesday to Sunday)

For my Eternity prediction, click here:

Eternity Box Office Prediction

Oscar Predictions: Arco

The animated futuristic fantasy Arco is out in limited fashion domestically this weekend for an Oscar qualifying run before a nationwide expansion early next year. From filmmaker Ugo Bienvenu, the Neon title premiered at Cannes in May with a voice cast including Margot Ringard Oldra, Oscar Tresanini, Swann Arlaud, and Alma Jodorowsky. The English dub’s faces behind the mic include Romy Fay, Juliano Krue Valdi, Will Ferrell, America Ferrera, Mark Ruffalo, Andy Samberg, and Natalie Portman (who also produces).

Critics have been consistently complimentary with 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 75 Metacritic. Those numbers should be enough for this to make the Best Animated Feature quintet where I’ve had it predicted for some time. A win narrative is trickier as it is probably behind cultural phenomenon KPop Demon Hunters and the forthcoming Zootopia 2 (which has encouraging WOM and the Disney marketing muscle). My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions: The Roses

Critics are not generally not showering The Roses with praise ahead of its release over Labor Day weekend. Remaking Danny DeVito’s 1989 dark comedy (itself based on a 1981 novel), Jay Roach directs Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman as feuding spouses. Costars include Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon, and Allison Janney.

Plenty of reviews say the leads elevate the material. However, Rotten Tomatoes stands at 64% with Metacritic at 59. That’s certainly in the average range and should put it outside of Oscar consideration. I wouldn’t discount the Golden Globes. That’s where the original Roses scored noms in Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical and in Actor and Actress in the same genre for Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. Fun fact: it lost all three to Driving Miss Daisy and its headliners Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy.

Depending on the level of competition, Cumberbatch and (especially) Colman could sneak into their Globe competitions. Best Motion Picture might be out of reach. My Oscar (and in this case, Globe) prediction posts will continue…

The Roses Box Office Prediction

Remaking Danny DeVito’s dark comedy The War of the Roses 36 years after its release, Jay Roach (the Austin Powers trilogy, Meet the Parents, Meet the Fockers) directs The Roses. Out August 29th, Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman headline as the divorcing title couple played by Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner in 1989. Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon, and Allison Janney costar.

The Searchlight release faces a thorny release date in the waning summer dog days. Early social word-of-mouth is encouraging. It stands a decent shot at having the highest debut over Labor Day weekend over Caught Stealing and the re-release of Jaws for its 50th anniversary.

That still might only mean higher single digits over its four-day holiday premiere.

The Roses opening weekend prediction: $7.9 million (Friday to Monday projection)

For my Caught Stealing prediction, click here:

Caught Stealing Box Office Prediction

For my Jaws 50th Anniversary prediction, click here:

Jaws 50th Anniversary Box Office Prediction

For my The Toxic Avenger Unrated prediction, click here:

The Toxic Avenger Unrated Box Office Prediction

The Top 50 SNL Cast Members of All Time: Number 17 – Will Forte

Will Forte wasn’t known for impressions during his eight years on SNL. In fact, his most known impression was President George W. Bush and he had the unfortunate task of following up Will Ferrell’s legendary take on the 43rd POTUS. He reportedly did not enjoy doing it.

Instead Forte is notable for one particular character while also delivering a whole series of sketches that were bizarre and often fantastic. There’s also soft-spoken and creepy political candidate Tim Calhoun, clueless ESPN host Greg Stink, and Jeff Montgomery, who uses trick-or-treat as occasion to share some disturbing news with his neighbors. Some of his sketches like “Potato Chip” and “Fart Face” have become favorites among aficionados. He costarred with Andy Samberg in the first Digital Short “Lettuce”. One of his best (and frustratingly not on YouTube) is his Coach character that motivates Peyton Manning (but not the rest of the team) during a halftime speech. It’s worth seeking out. Another highlight is Forte butchering a word in a spelling bee.

And, finally, there’s MacGruber. This brilliant take on MacGyver was a fan favorite would even spawn an underrated 2010 feature that has deservedly become a cult classic. Forte isn’t underrated on this list as he earns the spot. #16 will be up soon!

Will Forte

Years on the Show: 2002-10

The Top 50 SNL Cast Members of All Time: Number 25 – Andy Samberg

Andy Samberg has been a frequent presence on SNL’s 50th season as Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff in cold opens leading up to the election. It was his contributions to the show from 2005 to 2012 that have him kicking off the top 25 of my 50 all-time cast members.

His writing partners Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone also deserve special mention. That trio made up The Lonely Island and are responsible for SNL Digital Shorts. These taped bits brought the sketch program into the internet age starting with “Lettuce” in which Will Forte and Samberg hilariously mull serious issues while chomping on heads of the title plant. Yet it the second Short “Lazy Sunday” with Samberg and Chris Parnell’s hardcore rapping about The Chronicles of Narnia that became a YouTube sensation just as that platform was becoming known to the populace.

Many uproarious Shorts followed. Natalie Portman and her hip hop skills? Check. Laser Cats and T-Pain on a boat? Double check. And, of course, a trio of iconic risquè numbers with Justin Timberlake. It’s also worth noting that Samberg did memorable Mark Zuckerberg and Nicolas Cage impressions. #24 will be up soon!

Andy Samberg

Years on the Show: 2005-12

The Top 50 SNL Cast Members of All Time: Number 50 – Chris Parnell

My Top 50 countdown of SNL cast members begins with a glue guy who was present in one of the show’s finest eras. That would be Chris Parnell. Whether rapping about Jennifer Garner or Britney Spears or rapping alongside Andy Samberg in the iconic “Lazy Sunday” short or lead singing beside a cow-belling Will Ferrell, Parnell was always a welcome presence on the show.

A utility player who would also provide hilarious moments on Tina Fey’s 30 Rock, Parnell kicks off the list and #49 is coming your way shortly!

Chris Parnell

Years on the Show: 1998-2006

If you missed my prelude mentioning cast members who just missed the cut, you can find it here:

The Top 50 SNL Cast Members of All Time: A Prelude

Oscar Predictions: Lee

Ellen Kuras is best known for her cinematography (including Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) and she makes her directorial debut with Lee. Kate Winslet stars in the true life tale of a model turned WWII war photographer. The supporting cast includes Alexander Skarsgård, Andrea Riseborough, Marion Cotillard, Josh O’Connor, Noémie Merlant, and Andy Samberg.

Reaction from its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival is mostly complimentary though not effusive. The Rotten Tomatoes meter is 75%. Winslet and surprisingly Samberg are getting the lions share of kudos. The only real awards play is Winslet, who would be gunning for nomination #8 (her sole Actress win came for 2008’s The Reader). She could make the cut, but the lead category is already packed. Winslet is already behind others like Emma Stone (Poor Things), Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall), and Carey Mulligan (Maestro) in my view. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Get those pens (not pencils) ready for one nominee in the Animated Feature race at the 96th Academy Awards. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is out this weekend. The sequel to 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is drawing similar reactions to its predecessor. That means some serious raves as it currently stands at 95% on Rotten Tomatoes (on par with the 97% for part 1).

In December 2018, Into upended the animated category. Any hope that Incredibles 2 or Isle of Dogs held for taking the prize fell by the wayside upon its release. That happened late in the calendar for the first Spidey. We are not even at the midpoint of 2023 and Across has established itself as the strong frontrunner. Pixar’s Elemental, which drew so-so chatter from Cannes, may even struggle to make the final cut of five nominees.

Across is guaranteed a slot and is a huge threat to win no matter what follows in the next few months. It is only the first half of two sequels as Beyond the Spider-Verse follows in March of next year. You can safely assume it might be a hopeful for the 97th Academy Awards.

As for other competitions, I suppose Adapted Screenplay is feasible if Sony were to make a dedicated push. Critics are also pointing out the visual effects. Yet animated titles struggle to get noticed in that particular derby. It’s more likely this will stick to Animated Feature and it could very well stick the landing. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…