Weekend Preview & Trailers 2014: Denzel Washington's 'The Equalizer,' 'Boxtrolls' Headline Movie Weekend
Action, animation, romance and revenge.
American audiences will have a lot of variety to choose from this weekend with a number of new features competing to revive the box office and continue the solid start to the fall season:
The Equalizer
Easily the biggest release of the week, Denzel Washington should attract audiences to the cinemas. The latest feature, also starring Chloe Grace Moretz, tells the story of a man who believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and has dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when he meets a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he has to help her. The movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and scored solid reviews. Washington is a huge box office draw and this film is tracking well, with many pundits expecting it to open with $40 million. Sony will debut it in 3,000 theaters.
The Boxtrolls
Laika is back with its third feature and Focus Features, which is distributing, hopes to make its first hit of the year. The animated film, based on the children's novel “Here Be Monsters” by Alan Snow, tells the story of a young orphaned boy who is raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors. When the Boxtrolls are threatened, the young boy tries to save his friends from an evil exterminator. “The Boxtrolls” opened at Venice Film Festival, where it scored mixed reviews and critics stated it was the weakest animated film from Laika following “Coraline” and “Paranorman.” Stop motion animated films are always difficult sells, but with the popularity of the production company’s recent films, this feature will likely be a popular one. With awards buzz and opening in 3,300 theaters, the movie will likely open in $13 million.
Mas Negro que la Noche
The latest Lionsgate/Pantelion co-production tells the story of Greta, who moves into her recently deceased aunt's mansion and starts throwing wild parties with her friends. However, what looks to be the best summer of their lives turns into a fight for their lives after Beker, her aunt's prized cat, drowns in the home's pool. Starring Zuria Vega and Adriana Ibarra, the Mexican horror feature is likely to appeal to Latin American audiences. Vega is popular on soap operas and that is always helpful when Pantelion distributes a film. However, Lionsgate is opening in 150 theaters and it is the first horror movie the two companies have distributed. As a result, it could be a hard sell.
The Two Faces of January
Starring Oscar Isaac, Viggo Mortensen and Kirsten Dunst, the latest film by Hossein Amini tells the story of a con artist, his wife, and a stranger who flee Athens after one of them is caught up in the death of a private detective. The feature opened at the Berlin Film Festival and Los Angeles Film Festival where it scored rave reviews. Latin Post called the movie “a captivating suspense thriller with complex characters and relentless pace.” The thriller currently has awards buzz, especially for Isaac and composer Alberto Iglesias. Magnolia has been promoting the film extensively and opened it on demand before bringing it out to theaters. With a solid cast and solid reviews, the company should see great returns.
The Song
The Samuel Goldwyn release by Richard Ramsey tells the story of an aspiring singer-songwriter whose life and marriage suffer when the song he writes for his wife propels him to stardom. While the drama is opening in 300 theaters, a small marketing campaign and a lack of reviews will likely make the film flop.
The weekend will also see the release of the awards contender “Pride,” which premiered at Cannes and was acquired by CBS Films. Strand will debut the Sundance selection “Lilting,” which stars Ben Whishaw and garnered rave reviews.
Meanwhile, IFC Films will showcase “Days and Nights” on demand in theaters. The film stars Katie Holmes, Jean Reno and William Hurt.
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