With so much grabbing for your attention and dollars these days, it’s easy to miss when the latest releases are heading to a cinema near you. So come back every week as we here at So, Is It Any Good? preview the new movies hitting screens and help you decide what to watch.
Valentine’s weekend brings us something for everyone: It’s the Merc With A Mouth vs. the Magnum Man for box office supremacy, and the final Oscar contender Brooklyn opens for the more serious-minded.
Deadpool
Rating: MA15+
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Gina Carano
Synopsis: Based upon Marvel Comics’ most unconventional anti-hero, Deadpool tells the origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson, who after being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopts the alter ego Deadpool. Armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense of humor, Deadpool hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life.
OUR VERDICT
Trailer:
Why you should be interested: If you haven’t heard of this movie by now, this is your first time on the internet… so welcome. For the rest of us.. OMG OMG OMG it’s here! After the best marketing campaign I’ve seen for a movie in ages (possibly ever), the artist formally known as Wade Wilson finally makes his proper big screen debut (no, we’re not counting X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and neither should you). Hilarious, profane, endlessly violent, this is the movie that Deadpool fans have been waiting for, and those that aren’t familiar with the character’s quirks will just have an awesome time at the movies.
Who should see it: Anyone who likes their action/comedy cocktail shaken and stirred
Zoolander 2
Rating: M
Starring: Ben Stiller, Will Ferrell, Owen Wilson, Olivia Munn, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kristen Wiig, Penelope Cruz
Synopsis: In 2001 Derek Zoolander was the world’s top male supermodel. 15 years later, Derek, Hansel and Mugatu are back! This time they will be joined by some really, really, ridiculously good-looking celebrities.
OUR VERDICT
Trailer:
Why you should be interested: Although it was a bit of a flop on release, Zoolander found a new lease on life on DVD, and became the endlessly quotable pop culture phenom that we now know it to be. This sequel might just be about 13 years too late to really capitalise on that momentum, but darn it if they aren’t trying anyway! Like Anchorman 2, expect more of the same, just more. If that sounds like your cup of orange mocha frappucino, then drink up my friend.
Who should see it: Really, really ridiculously good looking people
Brooklyn
Rating: M
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson, Michael Zegen
Synopsis: In 1950s Ireland and New York, young Ellis Lacey has to choose between two men and two countries.
Trailer:
Why you should be interested: The final Oscar Best Picture contender to be released in Australia, Brooklyn is probably the smallest story amongst the eight, but it might also be the most heartwarming. Unashamedly romantic, this drama should be just the ticket for those Valentines not interested in comics or male models.
Who should see it: Love-lorn expats
And here’s how the chips fell last weekend:
AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE FEB 4-7
Source: Urban Cinefile
Dirty Grandpa sinks it’s false teeth into the top spot and doesn’t budge, dropping 33% to $1.9 million. The big news is the preview screenings for Zoolander 2, they were a big enough draw to send the beautiful people into 3rd place with $1.1 million. It’s not a huge number, and I wonder if preview screenings might maybe take some wind out of their hair this weekend in the proper release. The winner amongst last week’s openers was love-fest The Choice which probably didn’t hit the sweet spot it was looking for, but managed $820K in 7th place. Outside the top ten, Steve Jobs made $357K from 60 screens for a 13th place finish.
So, who’s getting your hard earned dollars this weekend? Hit us up in the comments and let us know what you’ve watched, and if it’s any good!