As summer comes to an end, the swing for the fences films arrive. These films have a few potential fatal flaws, but mostly there’s enough of a reason to expect big things from a few of them.
FANTASTIC FOUR
The Good: Reboot is for a franchise with a crappy past, great young leads, smart young director, Josh Trank, strong superhero writer Simon Kinberg
The Bad: Too many other writers, untested director, reboot fatigue
Prediction:
Chronicle was one of the best spins on the superhero story in a long time. I have faith in Trank/Kinberg,/his talented cast to bring this superhero franchise to the big leagues.
GOOSEBUMPS
The Good: Beloved childhood franchise, Jack Black with kids
The Bad: Too many writers, kiddie-centric director
Prediction:
I was riddled with glee when I saw this movie title as I am a big fan of the books. There are creative red flags that could torpedo this film though.
THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
The Good: Stylistic directing guru Guy Ritchie, Armie Hammer
The Bad: Reboot fatigue, Henry Cavill
Prediction:
Known commodity energetically directed by Guy Ritchie. Henry Cavill has the acting talent of the rock, but Hammer should benefit greatly from Guy Ritchie’s handling.
STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON
The Good: Relevant and fascinating cultural story,
The Bad: Unknown leads, untested writer, mediocre director
Prediction:
I’ve been waiting for NWA’s rise to be told, but I severely question the background talent on this film.
MASTERMINDS
The Good: Eastbound and Down Writers Jody Hill/Danny McBride, Napoleon Dynamite director, strong leads
The Bad: Tired premise
Prediction:
Expect a dark edge to this heist movie. The three-headed monster of Kristen Wiig/Zach Galifanakis/Owen Wilson could lead to some awesome results.
REGRESSION
The Good: Emma Watson, Ethan Hawke, interesting premise
The Bad: Unknown writer/director
Prediction:
3 of 4 Ethan Hawke movies are borderline great, this could be the aptly titled other one.
MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH TRIALS
The Good: Most of the cast is back, including lead Dylan O’Brien, same director, intriguing franchise
The Bad: Same writer
Prediction:
The ending cratered the first Maze Runner. I doubt that will happen again. Most of the cast and the premise are still fairly engaging and fascinating.
EVEREST
The Good: Jake Gyllenhaal, great premise, Simon Beaufoy, good supporting cast
The Bad: Untested director, too many writers
Prediction:
This movie reminds me of the movie where Liam Neeson fights wolves. However, the cast is better, and the premise is just as compelling. High hopes for this one.
BLACK MASS
The Good: Top/down intimidating cast, stellar Shakespearean story
The Bad: Schmaltzy over-the-top writer/director
Prediction:
Scott Cooper, the director, has gotten close a bunch of times with his films like Out of the Furnace. I think he gets even closer with this great mob story.
THE INTERN
The Good: Anne Hathaway, maybe?
The Bad: Awful premise, Nancy Meyers’s relevance, Robert de Niro’s relevance
Prediction:
This movie would have been interesting 20 years ago. Nancy Meyers is just too safe to mine any new/smart material from an old intern. Remember, Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson couldn’t pull it off either.