Weekend Preview 2015: 'San Andreas' and Bradley Cooper's 'Aloha' to Revive Box Office
After a disappointing Memorial Day weekend, the studios will attempt to revive it with a destruction film and a romantic comedy.
"San Andreas" - The biggest release of the weekend comes from Warner Bros. The film, starring Dwayne Johnson, tells the story of a rescue-chopper pilot who makes a dangerous journey across the state in order to rescue his estranged daughter in the aftermath of a massive earthquake in California. The movie is the latest in a line of destruction movies. The film has not been screened by the critics and, based on tracking, the film is unlikely to score an opening of more than $30 million.
"San Andreas" has been marred by criticism, especially after the earthquake in Nepal which killed 8,019 people and injured over 17,000. Warner Bros. decided not to delay the movie but this recent incident will likely limit the audience for the film.
"Aloha" - Coming off his Oscar nomination, Bradley Cooper returns to cinemas in a romantic comedy by acclaimed filmmaker Cameron Crowe. The new film, also starring Rachel McAdams and Oscar nominee Emma Stone, tells the story of a celebrated military contractor who returns to the site of his greatest career triumphs and re-connects with a long-ago love while unexpectedly falling for the hard-charging Air Force watchdog assigned to him. The latest film currently has no reviews and based on early screenings this is likely not going to be a critics favorite. Nevertheless, Sony will open "Aloha" in 2,700 theaters and expects to open with at least $17 million. However, if all Cooper fans turn out this could be a big surprise at the box office.
"Heaven Knows What" - In limited release, Radius-TWC will finally release the festival hit by Ben and Joshua Safdie. The Indie flick tells the story of Harley and Ilya. Harley gives Ilya's life purpose and sets her passion ablaze. The movie received raves when it opened in the festival but critics cautioned it would be a hard sell given the amount of drug use in the film. Radius-TWC will release the film in theaters first before expanding to digital platforms.
"Results" - The Sundance flick starring Guy Pearce and Cobie Smulders tells the story of two mismatched personal trainers whose lives are upended by the actions of a new, wealthy client. Magnolia is opening the film, which received to rave reviews when it premiered in Park City. While it did not win the dramatic competition, critics have raved about Smulders and Pearce's performances.
Other films opening include the Orchard's "Club Life," Music Box Films' "Gemma Bovery" and Strasson Group's "Warx2."
The holdovers that will continue at the box office include "Tomorrowland," which will continue to struggle, as well as "Pitch Perfect 2" and "Mad Max: Fury Road." "Poltergeist" will continue to be the only horror flick in the marketplace while "Avengers: Age of Ultron" should continue to hold steadily. IFC Films will continue to expand "Good Kill" while Fox Searchlight will also expand "Far from the Madding Crowd" after a successful wide expansion.
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