CinemaNerdz

The Preview Reel: Horizon Promising for Burton

Scott Davis
The Preview Reel

Welcome to another “Preview Reel” column, where we look at the week’s upcoming wide-release movies. After a somewhat disappointing start for The Magnificent Seven and Storks last weekend, this week looks to pick things up with three very different wide-release offerings. We have the true-story environmental disaster flick Deepwater Horizon, the return of Tim Burton with Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, and the much delayed comedy Masterminds. Let’s see if any of these are worth your time.

 

Deepwater Horizon

What we are excited about:
The last time Mark Wahlberg starred in a movie directed Peter Berg was in the terrific and gripping Lone Survivor. The two are teaming up again (and will do so once again later this year in Patriot’s Day) for another true story survival pic in Deepwater Horizon. If they are able to bring the same amount of passion and respect they brought to Lone Survivor, we might have another Wahlberg-Berg hit on our hands.

What we are worried about:
The Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion is largest oil spill and worst environmental disaster in United States history, but the problem is that this only happened six years ago. It does feel a little soon to be making a movie about the disaster, especially those areas that were affected by it. The similar debate did not seem to hurt Sully’s prospects both commercially and critically, so maybe the same thing will happen with Deepwater Horizon.

The Buzz:
The buzz has been solid for this movie, although maybe not as strong as Summit Entertainment hoped for. The movie cost a whopping $156 million to produce, and is only on track to make around $25 million on its opening weekend. Reviews have been strong, and Mark Wahlberg has been a box office draw lately, so maybe this film will have legs and be a box office powerhouse throughout October.

Final Thoughts:
If Deepwater Horizon is as good as Lone Survivor, then we are in. Plus, if this is good, then we will be even more excited for Patriot’s Day later this year.

 

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

What we are excited about:
This really looks like the return of Tim Burton. Not Alice in Wonderland Tim Burton, more like Edward Scissorhands Tim Burton. Based on the best-selling novel, it seems like Burton has the chance to play in an extraordinary world and explore peculiar characters. That is what he is best at. Plus, the cast is loaded with the likes of the amazingly talented Eva Green, Samuel L. Jackson, Judi Dench, Terrance Stamp, Allison Janey, and up-and-coming Asa Butterfield leading the way.

What we are worried about:
Although it is based on a book, this does kind of look a mishmash of different young adult stories. It has the feel of Harry Potter, kind of looks like X-Men, and the aesthetic is reminiscent of a children’s version of American Horror Story. Tim Burton is at his best when he is able to transport audiences to new and mysterious worlds, hopefully he is able to do that with this film and not just borrow techniques from other successful franchises.

The Buzz:
Despite being based on a best-selling novel, there is a shockingly low amount of buzz for this movie. The reviews have been mostly good, but nothing great, and it should reach around $15 million for its opening weekend.

Final thoughts:
We want classic Burton back, and this looks like the best chance in years to finally get that. Reviews and lack of buzz has us a little concerned, but we might just head to the theaters this weekend to check this one out.

 

Masterminds

What we are excited about:
Since we have to pick something to be excited about, we’ll say the cast. Zach Galifianakis, Kristin Wiig, Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones lead an all-star lineup of today’s best comedians. Plus, it is kind of cool to see a Ghostbusters mini-reunion with Wiig, McKinnon, and Jones.

What we are worried about:
Well, this movie has been delayed twice already and the trailers look awful. Despite having huge comedic talent, the trailers have managed to not make this writer laugh once. It looks painfully awkward, which might be what director Jared Hess (who gave us the cult hit Napoleon Dynamite) is going for, but it does not translate to a good trailer.

The Buzz:
The buzz has been incredibly weak for this movie and it should go quietly into the night. It was a little unfortunate that the studio behind this movie, Relativity, has had some financial issues which is why this film could not be released last year, but we do not think that sitting on the shelf for over a year has helped the film’s chances. Look for around a $5 million opening for this movie.

Final thoughts:
We would say watch this year’s Ghostbusters instead if you want to see Wiig, McKinnon, and Jones in a funny movie, but we know that’s a controversial opinion. Maybe re-watch The Hangover instead if you want to reminisce of a time where Zach Galifinakis was funny.

Scott Davis

Scott Davis is a recent graduate of Oakland University where he earned a degree in journalism. He worked for the student newspaper on campus, The Oakland Post, where he became the paper's managing editor. He also earned a minor in Cinema Studies at OU. Scott enjoys all things film and TV related, especially the blockbuster kind. He might be the biggest Christopher Nolan fan you know.
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