As the summer dwindles down, the studios are releasing mid-sized blockbusters with little special effects. This weekend three different genres will compete for number one including a comedy, a horror film and a video game adaptation.

Weekend Highlights

"American Ultra": Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg combine for yet another comedy. The new stoner comedy tells the story of a government agent who is marked as a liability and targeted for extermination. The film reunites Eisenberg and Stewart after "Adventureland." However, this film is being met with mixed reviews and is not tracking well at the box office. Lionsgate hopes the film opens with $9.5 million but it will depend on Stewart and Eisenberg's star power. As of late, Eisenberg has not been the biggest of box office attractions. Meanwhile, Stewart has found critical acclaim in her Cesar-winning turn in "Clouds of Sils Maria" but like Eisenberg has lacked a breakout hit at the box office. It will be interesting to see if the two Indie starlets still have the same selling power they once had.


"Sinister 2": Back in 2012, Lionsgate released breakout hit "Sinister" which went on to make $48 million. This year the company is releasing the sequel that tells the story of a young mother and her twin sons who movie into a house that is marked by death. Focus Features is releasing the film at a time when there are no horror films in the market and as a result the film should open with at least $12 million. However, with the lack of Ethan Hawke's star power, the film could suffer from a lack of A-list stars. Nevertheless Focus Features is giving it a huge marketing push and will likely open above all other wide releases.

Other releases

Fox is rebooting the "Hitman" series with its latest film "Hitman: Agent 47." With a new cast and refreshing plot, the studio hopes this will be the start of a new franchise and could be one of the few video game adaptations to be successful.

The Orchard is releasing Hannah Fidell's second feature, "6 Years," and Joe Swanberg's "Digging for Fire." Both films were big festival hits and expected to play well with Indie crowds.

Sony Pictures Classics will release the acclaimed "Grandma" with Lily Tomlin. The film is receiving acclaim and many pundits have already predicted that Tomlin could potentially get her second Oscar nomination.

The Weinstein Company will release Mikael Hafstrom's long delayed "Shanghai." Starring John Cusack, the movie is being released five years after its initial release and recently received a trailer. However, it currently has no poster artwork and marks the latest film that company dumps into theaters this month.

Broad Green Pictures will release "Learning to Drive" with Patricia Clarkson and Sir Ben Kingsley. The movie won the Toronto Film festival runner up award but is receiving mixed reviews and a small marketing campaign.

Other releases include Level 33 Entertainment's "After Words," Lionsgate's "She's Funny That Way" and Submarine Deluxe's "Station to Station."

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