However, “Chappie” could take hold with certain demographics and make good. But, no matter what, the box office so far this year is doing real well, overall, so these down times are not anything to worry about right now.
Last year’s box office was down, but this year, it is up from that, and it is looking for better days as the year plays out. Those intangibles are always out there, such as fatigue from moviegoers with a particular genre. For example, superheroes. One day, the crowds will dry up but that does not seem to be happening yet. Another is sequels and series of films. Even if one loves a genre or series, they can get old and stale.
That happens as Hollywood plays an idea to death. Even if a film does well at the box office, it can seem like a failure because it did not do better than the one before.
Weekend
1. “Chappie” – 3,000+ theaters
2. “Unfinished Business” – 2,800 theaters
The movie that gets the widest release is a tried-and-true formula in “Chappie.” A police droid is stolen and must be destroyed. No it is not “Robocop,” but it is a robot film. It should find an audience like “District 9” did. It is from Neill Blomkamp, who was responsible for that film, and it surprised many. It stars Dev Patel, Sharlto Copley and Sigourney Weaver. It is R-rated and that does limit many who may want to see it.
With Vaughn and “Unfinished Business,” it is no wonder he has been seen all over trying to promote this one. It feels like it needs it. Vaughn even took a dip in the cold waters of Lake Michigan for a Polar Plunge, hoping to wake up people to this film. Oh yes, the plunge was for the Special Olympics, but the public relations stunt was not lost on too many people.
It, too, is rated R and this and “Chappie” will do battle and the robot should easily win. In fact, last week’s winner, “Focus” may hang around. But a usual 50 percent drop will not help the Will Smith film. “Kingsman: The Secret Service” is hanging around, too. One may look to around an $18 million winner this weekend, which is weak.
Three other films out may be harder to seek out. Those films are “The Second Best Marigold Hotel,” “These Final Hours” and “Merchants of Doubt.”
If the first one sounds familiar, it should. Following the first one that starred Helen Mirren, among others, the second has Judi Dench, among others. The others in this case include Richard Gere, Patel, David Strathairn, Bill Nighy and Maggie Smith. This one involves moving the story forward with hotel expansion. It is rated PG.
The unrated “These Final Hours” is about the last ours on Earth, while “Merchants of Doubt,” rated PG-13, is a documentary focusing on spin in media.
Meanwhile, there are always more movies that get released but will not get much play. Here may be one of those. A documentary called “An Honest Liar” opens March 6. It is about James “The Amazing” Randi. It plays with the mind, and more.
