Your time is valuable and at the end of a long week, the discretionary time must be spent to its maximum value. In order to help narrow choices down on the film and television front, every Friday we’ll give you the rundown of your options and an educated guess as to which ones make the most sense. There is a very complex formula involved. Usually, that formula includes us watching the things and then telling you if they’re good. OK, we admit it’s not exactly the recipe for Coke, but we’re trying to help.
I predicted the box office returns for these films last Sunday, but I must admit that my track record hasn’t been too accurate thus far.
On the Screen
Money Monster
Director: Jodie Foster
Stars: George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Jack O’Connell, Dominic West
Current RT Meter: 58% Fresh
My box office prediction last Sunday: $13,000,000
George Clooney plays a Jim Cramer-esque financial pundit who gets held at gunpoint on the air by a troubled man who hold’s the host responsible for his hardships. Julia Roberts is the TV producer capturing it all behind the scenes. Based on the premise it could be good or it could be overcooked, but Jodie Foster is a very interesting filmmaker and talent like this doesn’t often agree to participate in garbage. A nice, smart movie in the Summer season? We’ll take it.
The Verdict: It has to be good with these people involved.
The Darkness
Director: Greg McLean
Stars: Kevin Bacon, Radha Mitchell, Matt Walsh
Current RT Meter: 0% Fresh
My box office prediction last Sunday: $9,000,000
The plot of The Darkness has a very Poltergeist feel to it. Problem is, we have enough Poltergeist movies. Too many, actually. Kevin Bacon stars in this Blumhouse product, and as good as the actor is, the track record for Jason Blum’s films isn’t enough to warrant much interest. The film carries a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is pretty much the same rating an undeveloped can of film has. Be wary.
The Verdict: It’s hard to get a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes with all the quote-hungry critics out there.
On the Console and PC
Uncharted 4
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End has already set the gaming world on fire and many are calling it a masterpiece. The blend of platforming and great storytelling is that rare sequel in a major gaming franchise that takes its time and rewards its fans on a deeper level. If you’re unfamiliar, the video below should get you up to speed:
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The Verdict: If you own a PS4 and don’t buy this, why do you have a PS4?
DOOM
The older among us heard the term “shareware” for the first time in conjunction with the release of the original DOOM, and that product helped turn programmers and game designers into rock stars. A lot has changed in the industry since then but the visceral thrill of roaming dark corridors with gigantic guns looking for demons hasn’t. This is a big game and though they’ve been a little cagey in pulling curtain back on the final product it’s still DOOM.
The Verdict: It’s DOOM. You probably have an opinion based on the name alone.