Weekend Preview 2014: 'Tomorrowland' and 'Poltergeist' Lead New Releases; Claudia Llosa's 'Aloft' in Limited Release
This weekend, two mid-sized films will be released in time for Memorial Day. Disney and Fox will try to outrun "Pitch Perfect," "Mad Max" and "Avengers."
"Tomorrowland" - Disney's latest fantastical adventure is the biggest release of the weekend. Starring George Clooney, the film tells the story of a teen bursting with scientific curiosity and a former boy-genius inventor who embark on a mission to unearth the secrets of a place somewhere in time and space that exists in their collective memory. The film has garnered mixed reviews and has been criticized for its convoluted plot. Disney has made a strong push in the last weeks after its weak marketing campaign back in March. It is one of the few original films this year, which is always a risk. However, the forecast looks good as the film could open on top with $50 million. "Tomorrowland" will likely appeal to family audiences, who have been in need of a film for weeks.
"Poltergeist" - Fox will release the remake to the horror classic. The film, starring Sam Rockwell and Rosemarie DeWitt, tells the story of a family whose suburban home is haunted by evil forces. As a result, they must come together to rescue their youngest daughter after the apparitions take her captive. The film has scored mixed reviews with critics noting it lacks originality. Nevertheless, horror fans have been craving a film for weeks and this weekend is perfect, given most colleges are out and schools are on vacation. Fox is expecting the film to open in the mid-$20 million, which would be huge for the horror genre.
"Aloft" - Claudia Llosa's latest film will be released after a year premiering at the Berlinale film festival. The drama, starring Jennifer Connelly, Cillian Murphy and Melanie Laurent, tells the story of a struggling mother who encounters the son she abandoned 20 years earlier. Early reviews have been terrible as the film has obtained a 0 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Sony Pictures Classics has not given the film a strong marketing push and the film will likely have a short theatrical run.
In art house theaters, Freestyle will release "Chocolate City" while GKIDS will release its latest animated film "When Marnie Was There." The film has obtained reviews and is voiced by Hailee Steinfeld, John C. Reilly and Geena Davis.
Magnolia will release the Toronto International Film Festival selection "Sunshine Superman" while Strand has "Love at First Sight." Meanwhile, Samuel Goldwyn will unveil the festival hit "The Farewell Party."
Holdovers "Mad Max: Fury Road" and "Pitch Perfect 2" should continue to perform well at the box office as well as "Avengers: Age of Ultron." Fox Searchlight will expand "Far from the Madding Crowd" after breaking out on in art house theaters. Sony Pictures Classics will also expand "Saint Lauren" while Warner Bros. will make one last push for the Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara comedy "Hot Pursuit."
"Ex Machina," "Furious 7" and "The Age of Adaline" will also continue to play in limited theaters after successful runs in the spring.
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