We here at Comicbook.com get a lot of great insights about what movies are available for your viewing pleasure each week – be it big new releases competing for box office glory; previously released movies hoping to added to the their box office totals; or even smaller releases available through either limited theatrical released, On Demand, etc.
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This week, manga/anime tries to achieve Hollywood blockbuster success with the release of Scarlett Johansson’s Ghost In The Shell. However, Ghost is going to have more stiff competition than it may be able to handle: the Power Rangers movie will ride strong buzz into its second week of release, and Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast will continue making serious buck, in its third week out. For those stuck at home, there are also some nice picks for your viewing pleasure.
Check out our Weekly Movie Guide to help you decide what to see!
New Movie Showcase: Ghost In the Shell
Ghost In The Shell currently holds a 3.54/5 ranking in our user anticipation ratings – sign that there is a considerable niche audience (manga/anime fans) that are interested in seeing the film. Mainstream interest doesn’t really seem to be there right now, so while GITS could come out with a respectable opening this week, early indication is that once the dedicated fans have seen it, this film could quickly wither on the vine, domestically.
How a Hollywood “whitewashed” version of a popular Japanese franchise will fare internationally is anyone’s guess.
Rate your anticipation for Ghost In The Shell above! And follow all our Manga/Anime coverage on the Comicbook.com Anime Channel!
Second Run Showcase: Beastly Power
The choices for those wanting to avoid the new release rush are interesting this week – especially if you have a family, or fall into the young adult/teen demographic.
The obvious choice for a teen date flick or family outing will be Beauty and the Beast – but any young kids looking for some action and excitement or teens in need of a superhero flick fix are going to have enough positive incentive to see Power Rangers.
On the other hand: Beauty and the Beast is now in its third week, with a steadily diminishing box office; while Power Rangers could see a yuge dropoff, now that the built-in fanbase has come and gone.
With the decision left to viewer context and preference, and a week of release separating the two, it will be interesting to see how Beauty and Rangers stack at this weekend’s box office.
NEXT
Kids Pick: The Boss Baby
Dreamworks Animation has a habit of picking film concepts that seem ridiculous and laughable on the surface, but actually deliver smart and meaningful animated movie experiences, that can go on to become massive franchise successes (Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon).
The Boss Baby seemed like the type of movie you would see advertised as a joke within a comedy film or TV show – right up until the last batch of trailers came out. Now we know the film is actually a clever metaphor for sibling rivalry – specifically the difficulties that come when only children must welcome that new brother or sister into the family.
That more than just a zany cartoon distraction for 80-90 minutes; it’s actually content that could help parents out with a very common issue. So, while the marketing dept may be trying too late to steer Boss Baby to the right audience, any parent needing to show special attention to one of their brood should that this is useful destination!
At Home: Dave Chappelle Netflix Specials 1 & 2
If you love comedy, Chappelle’s Show or just want something fun to watch without having to brave the movie theater this week, this is a good bet. Don’t be left out of this pop-culture fixation of the moment!
People are currently debating the overall quality of the first two in a planned series of Chappelle Netflix specials – with the usual “not as a good as he used to be!” criticisms being leveled at the boundary-pushing comedian. Truthfully speaking, there is merit to the claim: both specials find a very different Chappelle on stage; older, wiser, more introspective and yet clearly affected by the bubble of celebrity. It’s a different Dave, and so a different comedy experience than fans may be used to.
The first special is the more dynamic of the two, with Chappelle brimming with confidence and energy as he takes the stage again. The brew of humor is odd, alternating between lighter celebrity life anecdotes/observations, and incredibly sensitive hot-button topics of race, gender, and sexuality. It’s a scattered array of comedy, yet Chappelle arguably pulls it together in dementedly epic way that people are still discussing…
The second special is much more laid-back – almost like a practice run for a bigger show. It features a much more relaxed and off-the-cuff Chappelle doing call-and-response jokes with an Austin, Texas audience, with ruminations on everything from relationships to his personal growth as an older, richer, man living in America. It admittedly contains more than a few segments taken from Chappelle’s major comeback tour a few years back.
Head to Netflix to see both Dave Chappelle comedy specials!
Arthouse Picks: Zookeeper’s Wife & God Knows
If you’re looking for some movies that appeal to more sophisticated cinematic palettes, then above you can watch trailers for your two picks of the week.
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