2014 In Film

[Akhilleus]

I haven't seen Lone Survivor, but think of it like this. Would you rather go to a three hour movie, laugh your ass, see dozens of hot, naked women, and hum along with Matthew McConaughey, or would you rather go to a two hour movie that's set in bumfuck Afghanistan and that will make for a sobering night afterward? I think you know the right answer.

Decided that I'm just going to see both of them this weekend. I'll be seeing The Wolf on Wallstreet tonight, and maybe if I'm not passed out when I get back I'll let you all know what I thought of it. Then Sunday I'll catch the Lone Survivor.

I'm expecting both of them to be good, but it won't be easy distinguishing from the two considering they seem like two very opposite movies. One thing from what I've read about The Wolf on Wall Street is the fact that it's a black comedy. Black comedies are great for me. I'm the type of guy who laughs at a slasher film. Jason Voorhees is cutting people up with a machete? I'll be the one cracking up. I saw a black comedy a long time ago called Very Bad Things. It was with Christian Slater, Cameron Diaz, Daniel Stern, and Jeremy Piven. It had me cracking up the hole way through. If The Wolf on Wallstreet is anywhere near is dark as that one was than I think I'll enjoy it, and considering this movie has been kicking that movie's ass in the box office it has to be.

 

[Akhilleus]

So I am back from seeing The Wolf of Wall Street. It definitely lived up to the hype I'll say that much. It wasn't exactly the type of black comedy that I said I was hoping for six hours ago, but this film was so good it hardly made a difference. It was still dark, and it had me and my partner cracking up throughout the entire film. It was a nice surprise to see actress Cristin Milioti in the movie. This is the first I've seen of her since I saw her playing the role of The Mother on How I Met Your Mother, and it was a good moment when I realized that's who she was halfway through an early scene.

Throughout the entire movie I really got this whole Goodfellas vibe. Which makes complete sense being that Martin Scorsese was the director. It had just as much swearing, in fact more. So much that if you told me after I first watched Goodfellas that there would be a film that surpassed it's usage of the f-bomb than I probably wouldn't have believed you. I actually have to think they were trying to break the record. With 569 uses of the word I think they succeeded. This film was a lot like Goodfellas, except just with less violence and three times more the drug usage. DiCaprio's narration throughout the film is very similar to how Ray Liotta's was in Goodfellas, in fact it even has a very similar story arc to the 1990s classic. Leonardo's perfect imitation of a New York accent only amplifies that, and I even felt like I was listening to Liotta himself at some points in the film. Yet this isn't a bad thing at all, in fact it's what made me love watching the movie even more. Goodfellas was such a great film, and Scorsese has done it once again with The Wolf of Wallstreet.

The negatives I can think of for it are just nitpicks. First of all I was disappointed with how much Matthew McConaughey was actually in the story. I can't remember how much he was billed in the film leading up to it's release, but I am fairly sure his name was one of the big three they showed when I was looking up movies and their times on my local theater's website. I would accuse them of doing what many movies do where they take a big name and advertise it when that name is hardly in the film for five minutes, but this film really didn't even need to do that. They already have enough star power with DiCaprio and rising star Jonah Hill. I don't think that was their intention anyway when it came to McConaughey and the film, but it was disappointing to see his character only had about ten minutes in the actual film. To be fair though with the character he was portraying that was just about as far as they could take him when it came to fitting into the real story. Matthew played his role well none the less, and had me cracking up in the small parts that he was in.

Another small nitpick would actually be the length of the film. Normally it wouldn't bother me but I had a bit of a long day before going to the theater in the first place, and by about three quarter's of the way through I had to take a serious leak after sucking down a Rootbeer. So at that point I admit I might have been wishing for the movie to just end already. It didn't take away from it though, and I understand why they made it as long as they did with all the storytelling that it had. It was all smoothed out well and it really wasn't that big of a deal. In fact I couldn't believe it was already 9:00 PM when I left the movie, considering it started at 5:45. The fact that the film just flew by shows how good it was to me at the very least.

If I had to pull a random rating out of my unprofessional behind I would give this film an 9/10. It was funny, it was serious, and it was all around a fabulous acting performance from the entire cast. If DiCaprio does not win his first Oscar for this performance than I will be more than appalled. While it isn't a film I would suggest taking your mother or kids to see with you, it is one I wouldn't want to miss out on.

 

[Dagger Dias]

Here are the highest grossing films at the moment....

1. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
$114,400,702

2. The Wind Rises
$112,722,821

3. Ride Along
$107,859,660

4. The Monkey King
$102,000,000

5. The Lego Movie
$87,150,279

6. Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones
$86,285,051

7. Where Are We Going, Dad?
$78,100,000

8. The Attorney
$70,010,303

9. Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo
$60,313,000

10. The Nut Job
$57,986,916



I'm surprised that The Lego Movie did not have a higher figure as of yet, but I fully expect it to take 1st place soon and hold onto it for a while. We have 4 releases coming up this week. I'm not all that interested in any of them, but their release is worthy of bringing up.

2/12: RoboCop
2/14: About Last Night
2/14: Endless Love
2/14: Winter's Tale

 

[Mitch Henessey]

Interesting week coming up.

RoboCop should benefit from the Wednesday lead, but I'm not 100% sure. The trailers and TV spots are unimpressive, and the consensus for early reviews label RoboCop as another useless and unnecessary remake.

On top of that, it's Valentine's Day on Friday, and you have three romantic films set for a release, with About Last Night as the only full blown romantic comedy. The trailer for Endless Love annoys the shit of me (I can blame a lot of that on my frequent trips to the cinema), but there's a chance it could crack the top three. Winter's Tale? That's another tricky one. It's another film that's a perfect fit for Valentine's Day, but this week is crowded with nice set of heavily promoted films.

Valentine's Day is a factor, but I'm picking RoboCop for the new #1 film, because it's a RoboCop remake with a Wednesday release date. The Lego Movie should fall into the #2 spot, and all the Valentine's Day themed stuff is up in the air, because it's a crowded bunch.

 

[TLC]

I'm honestly not too sure on Robocop occupying the number 1 spot. I think with The Lego Movie receiving such rave reviews that people will continue to flock to it and keep it on top. It's nice to see it making a fair amount of money and I can't wait to watch it myself.

I think Robocop will be number 2, I feel like none of the other releases have had as much advertising as the aforementioned film. I actually think Winter's Tale will do shit. Colin Farrell isn't exactly a box office draw and the trailers have made it look quite unimpressive. I'm shocked that they're not making more of a deal out of Will Smith being involved, I've not even seen him in the trailers.

Anyway, #1 - Lego Movie, #2 Robocop, 3# all the other crappy valentines day movies.

 

[JGlass]

Valentine's Day is a factor, but I'm picking RoboCop for the new #1 film, because it's a RoboCop remake with a Wednesday release date. The Lego Movie should fall into the #2 spot, and all the Valentine's Day themed stuff is up in the air, because it's a crowded bunch.

Never underestimate the power of kid's movies at the box office. They're an anomaly in that they can draw just as well in week two as they did in opening week. Most parents aren't taking their kids to see movies because they want to expose their kid to cinema–they're doing it because they need something to do on a Saturday afternoon, and a movie is a pretty inexpensive, relaxing, and enjoyable alternative to letting your kid run around like a maniac.

I'd be surprised if Lego Movie doesn't stay at number one for a few weeks.

 

[Akhilleus]

Never underestimate the power of kid's movies at the box office. They're an anomaly in that they can draw just as well in week two as they did in opening week. Most parents aren't taking their kids to see movies because they want to expose their kid to cinema–they're doing it because they need something to do on a Saturday afternoon, and a movie is a pretty inexpensive, relaxing, and enjoyable alternative to letting your kid run around like a maniac.

I'd be surprised if Lego Movie doesn't stay at number one for a few weeks.

Which is why films like Toy Story do so astoundingly well in the box office too. Because when you add what you said with the fact that it's a movie that nearly everyone can see and love, then it's bound to go sky high with success.

However The Lego Movie is not something I plan on seeing, but a lot of my friends with kids keep talking about how they went to see it.

 

[Mitch Henessey]

Never underestimate the power of kid's movies at the box office. They're an anomaly in that they can draw just as well in week two as they did in opening week. Most parents aren't taking their kids to see movies because they want to expose their kid to cinema–they're doing it because they need something to do on a Saturday afternoon, and a movie is a pretty inexpensive, relaxing, and enjoyable alternative to letting your kid run around like a maniac.

I'd be surprised if Lego Movie doesn't stay at number one for a few weeks.

Yeah, I won't rule out the possibility of The Lego Movie having strong staying power for all the reasons you pointed out. I'm not rooting for it, but the RoboCop remake is rated PG-13, so parents can kill time with their kids to see an action movie with a cyborg shooting and chasing bad guys. Plus, you can't forget about the crowd of fans for the original, who will buy a ticket out of morbid curiosity.

 

[Dagger Dias]

Here are the latest figures for the highest grossing films of 2014:




1. The Lego Movie
$180,313,000

2. The Monkey King
$150,000,000

3. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
$122,387,000

4. Ride Along
$119,593,249

5. RoboCop
$96,300,000

6. Where Are We Going, Dad?
$94,120,000

7. Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones
$86,344,900

8. The Nut Job
$62,033,883

9. I, Frankenstein
$58,295,000

10. From Vegas to Macau
$44,090,000



I'm not surprised at all by The Lego Movie having already taken 1st. What did surprise me a bit is how close of 2nd The Monkey King is. I'd expect The Lego Movie to maintain 1st place for the next few weeks.


Upcoming Releases:
2/21: 3 Days to Kill
2/21: In Secret
2/21: Pompeii
2/22: Vengeance

 

[Mitch Henessey]

Well, I was dead wrong about RoboCop. A heavily promoted remake with a Wednesday release date opens at #3. That's just sad. Not taking anything away from The Lego Movie, but RoboCop's weak opening is really pitiful in the grand scheme of things. And Winter's Tale should fall out of the top ten all together next week.

The Lego Movie should hold on to the #1 spot this week, and they won't see any real competition until the 300 sequel hits. About Last Night is a distant #2 to The Lego Movie, and it wouldn't surprise me if Pompeii flopped this Friday. Paul W.S. Anderson is directing, so there's a 98% chance of shittiness. 3 Days To Kill could squeeze into the top three, but I don't like the idea of Kevin Costner and Amber Heard as a duo, because they reek of uncertainty and boredom.

 

[axedale]

I saw the wolf of wallstreet the other day.

For me, anything Scorsese is easy to watch, even if the entire movie is basically about a slimebag that ripped off a lot of people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Belfort

 

[Akhilleus]

I saw the wolf of wallstreet the other day.

For me, anything Scorsese is easy to watch, even if the entire movie is basically about a slimebag that ripped off a lot of people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Belfort

I know what Jordan Belfort did was wrong, and illegal. Though I can't really call him a slimebag. The guy saw an opportunity to take advantage of a situation, and he took it. Now as far as all of the drugs, and even the point where he was off laundering money and doing things internationally even though he was already so economically stable, that's what made him a bad guy to me. Yet he was the type of guy I root for in movies. Just like I rooted for Henry Hill in Goodfellas. It's similar to Pain and Gain, where it's a real life story that isn't something to laugh at, yet when it goes through the Hollywood grinder it makes it into a film that depicts guys who did drugs or killed people as good guys.

I know guys like Robert De Niro, and Kevin Bacon, or Edward Norton...when they get gross in their movies I always end up rooting for their side. They just make me laugh with all the nasty stuff they do.

 

[Dagger Dias]

The latest list of highest grossing films of 2014:



1. The Lego Movie
$275,515,455


2. The Monkey King
$167,190,000


3. RoboCop
$144,005,157


4. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
$127,397,324


5. Ride Along
$127,153,137


6. Where Are We Going, Dad?
$112,370,000


7. Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones
$86,362,372


8. The Monuments Men
$84,256,960


9. From Vegas to Macau
$79,140,000


10. The Nut Job
$64,939,074



This is about how far ahead of the others I expected The Lego Movie to get. I'd predict it will maintain the #1 spot for several weeks. Two more films will be released this weekend.

2/28: Non-Stop
2/28: Son of God

 

[Mitch Henessey]

The LEGO Movie is safe at #1 for another week.

The overall early reviews for Non-Stop are negative, it's not Taken, and Liam Neeson doesn't have enough star power to beat LEGO on his own. And Son Of God should slide into the #3 spot behind Non-Stop at a distant #2.

 

[Dagger Dias]

Updated list of highest grossing films of 2014:

1. The Lego Movie
$330,425,000

2. RoboCop
$187,210,000

3. The Monkey King
$167,190,000

4. Ride Along
$134,189,000

5. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
$131,671,000

6. Where Are We Going, Dad?
$112,370,000

7. The Monuments Men
$104,590,000

8. Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones
$86,362,372

9. From Vegas to Macau
$79,140,000

10. I, Frankenstein
$68,510,716


The Lego Movie continues to sit at the #1 spot, although a couple of new films being released this week might make their way into the top 10. I expect 300: Rise of an Empire to do well given the popularity of the original 300. Mr Peabody & Sherman also looks interesting, I remember the Peabody segments from the Rocky & Bullwinkle cartoons back in the day.

Upcoming releases:
3/7: 300: Rise of an Empire
3/7: Mr. Peabody & Sherman
3/7: The Grand Budapest Hotel

 

[Mitch Henessey]

Damn. Ass backwards on my picks again.

Going with 300: Rise Of An Empire for #1, with Mr. Peabody & Sherman at #2. Peabody & Sherman worries me, and 300 is an R rated film, but the original was a hit, so you have to believe in the curiosity for a sequel after seven years.

And there's almost no chance of it cracking the top ten, but I'm looking forward to The Grand Budapest Hotel. Overall reviews are positive, and I'm a big Wes Anderson fan.

 

[Dagger Dias]

Here are the latest figures for the highest grossing films of 2014:

1. The Lego Movie
$360,074,000

2. RoboCop
$220,746,108

3. The Monkey King
$167,840,000

4. Ride Along
$139,968,000

5. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
$133,808,000

6. 300: Rise of an Empire
$132,850,000

7. The Monuments Men
$116,002,000

8. Where Are We Going, Dad?
$111,870,000

9. Mr. Peabody & Sherman
$98,300,000

10. Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones
$86,362,372

The Lego Movie still holds a large lead over the rest although RoboCop is getting closer and a newcomer to the top 10 in 300: Rise of an Empire will probably continue to increase in numbers this coming week too. Four notable releases this week. I'm most interested in Need For Speed, starring Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul.

Upcoming releases:
3/14: Better Living Through Chemistry
3/14: Need for Speed
3/14: The Single Moms Club
3/14: Veronica Mars

 

[Mitch Henessey]

Picking Need For Speed as this week's flop at #3. There's no real buzz surrounding the movie, and the trailers are unimpressive.

Veronica Mars will attract fans of the show, but it's a limited theatrical release with a simultaneous VOD release, so there's no chance for a significant impact on the rankings. 300 holds on to the #1 spot, with Mr. Peabody & Sherman holding the #2 spot again.

And they're both limited releases with no chances whatsoever of cracking the top three, but I'm really looking forward to Better Living Through Chemistry, and Jason Bateman as a jerk in Bad Words.

 

[Rich the UK WWE Fan 2k14]

I've seeb the Lego Movie and Robocop twice each, I thought the remake of Robocop would suck compared to the 80s original, but it's actually better IMO.

 

[Dagger Dias]

The current highest grossing films of 2014 are as follows:


1. The Lego Movie
$378,432,000

2. 300: Rise of an Empire
$236,311,000

3. RoboCop
$233,721,000

4. The Monkey King
$167,880,000

5. Mr. Peabody & Sherman
$148,180,000

6. Ride Along
$142,124,000

7. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
$133,978,000

8. The Monuments Men
$127,919,000

9. Where Are We Going, Dad?
$111,890,000

10. Non-Stop
$88,805,000


The Lego Movie maintains the #1 spot although 300: Rise Of An Empire might catch up to it eventually. Then we have 4 new films coming out on the 21st. Muppets Most Wanted might be interesting, the others don't interest me that much.


Upcoming Releases:
3/21: Bad Words
3/21: Divergent
3/21: Jodorowsky's Dune
3/21: Muppets Most Wanted

 

[Mitch Henessey]

I like Shailene Woodley, and Kate Winslet is a sign for hope, but Divergent has all the makings of another failure in the barrage of young adult adaptations. Muppets Most Wanted is my pick for #1, with Divergent at #2 as another forgettable Harry Potter wannabe. Mr. Peabody & Sherman falls to #3, with Rise Of An Empire at #4.

Took a chance on RoboCop last week. It's decent enough, with a few slick action sequences, but it's another forgettable remake overall. Although, Jackson delivers another hilarious tirade at the end. In fact, the remake is a better film with more Samuel Jackson (Pat Novak).

 

[Dagger Dias]

The current highest grossing films for 2014:

1. The Lego Movie
$390,952,000

2. 300: Rise of an Empire
$289,153,000

3. RoboCop
$239,184,000

4. Mr. Peabody & Sherman
$183,202,000

5. The Monkey King
$167,880,000

6. Ride Along
$146,401,000

7. Non-Stop
$142,021,000

8. The Monuments Men
$138,009,000

9. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
$134,126,000

10. Need for Speed
$126,504,000


I had a feeling Need for Speed might make it into the top 10. The Lego Movie maintains its place at the top approaching the $400,000,000 mark. Out of the four releases this weekend Sabotage sounds like it could interesting, and Noah will certainly be worth a look. I never watch sequels without watching a prequel first (unless the prequel came second in order of release) so I won't be watching The Raid 2. Not yet anyway.

Upcoming Releases:
3/28: César Chávez
3/28: Noah
3/28: Sabotage
3/28: The Raid 2: Berandal

 

[Mitch Henessey]

Well, Divergent crushed my #1 pick. I thought about the possibility of Muppets opening at #2, but I expected a closer race. $54,607,747 VS $17,005,126? Damn, that's a big gap.

Noah has to open at #1, and that's my pick for #1 this week. With all the hype, anything short of a #1 spot is a failure. It wouldn't shock me if Sabotage flopped. The Last Stand featured Arnold's big return to action and the big screen, and The Last Stand opened at #10. Arnold is not a powerhouse box office draw anymore, and #1 or no #1, Divergent will stick around in the top three.

The trailers for The Raid 2 are fantastic, and the reviews are positive, but I'm always uneasy about sequels.

 

[Dagger Dias]

The highest grossing films of 2014 so far....


1. The Lego Movie
$400,504,000

2. 300: Rise of an Empire
$314,245,000

3. RoboCop
$239,282,279

4. Mr. Peabody & Sherman
$218,009,000

5. Need for Speed
$168,153,000

6. The Monkey King
$167,880,000

7. Non-Stop
$148,567,000

8. Ride Along
$146,976,000

9. The Monuments Men
$138,459,461

10. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
$134,246,000



The Lego Movie reached $400,000,000+. It might not hold onto first much longer though. We have a big name film coming this week in the Captain America sequel on the 4th. I'd expect that to take the top spot rather quickly given the success of the Avengers film series.

Upcoming Releases:
4/1: The Pirate Fairy
4/4: Captain America: The Winter Soldier

 

[Mitch Henessey]

No big surprise with Noah at #1, and it pains me to say this as a fan, but I think Schwarzenegger's star power is dead. Sabotage opened at #7, with The Grand Budapest Hotel in the #6 spot holding a cushioned lead. TGBH opened on March 7, and if I'm not mistaken, it's a limited release. The Expendables films will draw with the nostalgia kick and the support of an ensemble cast, but Arnie's days as a main attraction draw are over.

I know it's a limited release, but I'm really looking forward to Under The Skin with Scarlett Johansson, and it's safe to say Captain America: The Winter Soldier grabbing the #1 spot this week is a foregone conclusion. It's holding a 93% on RT, and I really enjoyed the first Captain America film, so I have high hopes for this.