Warner Bros. had a hot/cold year at the box office, but ultimately finished on a high note with hits like MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, SAN ANDREAS, and AMERICAN SNIPER pushing them well into the green (with SNIPER raking in more than double of what FURY ROAD and SAN ANDREAS made). CREED was also a surprise contender, as was GET HARD and THE INTERN which did decent business. However, flops like PAN, JUPITER ASCENDING, IN THE HEART OF THE SEA, and POINT BREAK can’t be ignored, all of which left some substantial dents. 2016 marks the studios big push into the superhero genre with their DCEU slate (BATMAN V SUPERMAN and SUICIDE SQUAD) as well as a return to the wizarding world well of cash with FANTASTIC BEASTS, amidst a slew of smaller, yet somewhat reliable fare that fits the needs of multiple demographics. Obviously, the biggest risks are the DCEU slate and FANTASTIC BEASTS, both in terms of cost and planning (sequels for FANTASTIC and multiple DCEU films are already on the books). So far, we’d say it looks good, but we won’t know until the box office receipts come in.
Check out Warner Bros. 2016 slate and let us know what you’re looking forward to from them!
For those still yearning for the days of awaiting a new Harry Potter book, followed by a new movie, the wait is…kind of over. Author J.K. Rowling and HP director David Yates return to the big screen (sans a book to adapt, opting for an original screenplay instead) with a tale set 70 years before The Boy Who Lived arrived at Hogwarts. Tracking the exploits of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) in “New York’s secret community of witches and wizards” the film kicks off a new trilogy for the Wizarding World Universe that could easily spawn any number of future films once complete. BEASTS also stars Katherine Waterston, Ezra Miller, Colin Farrell, Ron Perlman, Samantha Morton, and Jon Voight. Here’s to hoping it can rekindle the magic that Harry Potter fans have been missing since that chapter closed.
FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM opens on November 18th.
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The cinematographer of The Hangover films, Lawrence Sher, is making his directing debut with this brotherly comedy that stars Owen Wilson and Ed Helms as brothers raised to believe their father is dead. But, when they discover this to be untrue, the two set out on an adventure to find their real dad. J.K. Simmons and Terry Bradshaw play potential Pops for the two, with Glenn Close, Katt Williams, and Ving Rhames joining the shenanigans as well. While not on the cutting edge of original ideas, that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun and the strong cast certainly have the potential to make something hilarious out of it. Let’s hope it’s more laughs than eye rolls.
BASTARDS heads to theaters on November 4th.
After kicking the shit out Superman in BATMAN V SUPERMAN, Ben Affleck will drop the cowl and don a tie for THE ACCOUNTANT. But, that doesn’t mean he won’t still be kicking the shit out of anyone. Affleck stars as an accountant that moonlights as an assassin embroiled with some unsavory clientele. Director Gavin O’Connor (WARRIOR, JANE GOT A GUN) brings the action and thrills to life with stars Anna Kendrick, Jon Bernthal, J.K. Simmons, Jeffrey Tambor, and John Lithgow coming along for the ride. It’s nice to see Affleck dipping his toe back into some more commercial fare in 2016, so we’ll approach this one with reserved excitement.
THE ACCOUNTANT takes your money on October 7th.
If that kitschy first teaser trailer for STORKS left you thinking it was a simple one-note tale about storks delivering babies, well…there’s no way to condense it, so Ill just leave you with the full synopsis:
“Storks deliver babies…or at least they used to. Now they deliver packages for global internet giant Cornerstore.com. Junior, the company’s top delivery stork, is about to be promoted when he accidentally activates the Baby Making Machine, producing an adorable and wholly unauthorized baby girl. Desperate to deliver this bundle of trouble before the boss gets wise, Junior and his friend Tulip, the only human on Stork Mountain, race to make their first-ever baby drop – in a wild and revealing journey that could make more than one family whole and restore the storks’ true mission in the world.”
Well, that sounds a lot more appealing than watching another Minions style animated flick where everyone just acts like assholes for 90 minutes. Director Nicholas Stoller (NEIGHBORS) and Doug Sweetland direct this one, bringing in the voice talents of Andy Samberg, Keegan-Michael Key, and Kelsey Grammer. We’ll see if STORKS delivers.
STORKS drops off in theaters on September 23rd.
Hey, remember when that older pilot crash landed his plane into the Hudson River? Well, fear not, as director Clint Eastwood and Tom Hanks are making a movie about him! The film follows the heroic exploits of Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who landed the passenger plane in the Hudson after hitting a flock of geese on take-off that killed both engines. Saving the lives of all 155 passengers on the flight, Sully went on to retire and become an advocate for aviation safety. It’s unclear what direction Eastwood will take with the film, but having Hanks as Sully is one hell of a good start. The last time Eastwood made a movie about an American hero (AMERICAN SNIPER) it cleaned house at the box office. Could SULLY take a similar flight path? We’ll see.
SULLY takes flight on September 9th.
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Director Todd Phillips has delivered some raucous comedies in his day, from THE HANGOVER trilogy to DUE DATE to OLD SCHOOL, he’s been fairly consistent in making funny flicks about some fairly questionable people. With that in mind, ARMS AND THE DUES, the true story of two U.S. arms dealers who swindle the U.S. Government and overseas clients, is right up his alley. Starring Miles Teller and Jonah Hill as the two arms dealers, the film will most likely tell the take in a way that fits with his sensibilities, while toying with a more “realistic” concept (i.e. biographical story). So, yeah, Based on a True Story…with some ridiculous antics. Hopefully, Phillips has found a balance for the comedy/drama here. Either way, Hill and Teller are both solid actors and it’ll be nice to see them have some fun in something like this.
ARMS AND THE DUDES takes aim on August 19th.
While we’re certainly stoked to see Batman and Superman smash each others faces in, the most surprisingly cool-looking movie in DCEU’s current line up is none other than a film that stars a bunch of villains: SUICIDE SQUAD. WB was whip smart in hiring director David Ayer to bring this superteam of baddies to life, giving them a grittier tone, brimming with attitude, rather than the pop flash that typically fills the comic book movie screen. Starring Margot Robbie, Will Smith, Cara Delevingne, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Jay Hernandez, Adam Beach, Scott Eastwood, Common, Karen Fukuhara, Ike Barinholtz, and Jared Leto as the infamous Joker, SUICIDE SQUAD is kind of the wet dream of the new Hollywood diversity push and looks badass as hell. Oh, and Batman makes an appearance. Everything’s better with a little bit of the bat, am I right?
SUICIDE SQUAD takes the mission on August 5th.
Remember when it was late at night and you were on Facebook and you were just kind of clicking around and you saw this “supposedly scary” little short film called LIGHTS OUT and then you watched it and you didn’t sleep for a week? Yeah, they’re now making that into a full-on movie, so either stock up on Ambien or prepare for your electric bill to go up from leaving the lights on for a month. The director of the original nightmare-inducing short is helming the film with the lovely Teresa Palmer showing up to hopefully make us think about something else other than that creepy ass, white-eyed witch thing with its mouth open. I’d say it’s brilliant if it wasn’t so damn creepy. Maybe that’s what makes it brilliant.
LIGHTS OUT ruins your sleep starting on July 22nd.
Director David Yates is making up for lost time by releasing not one, but two films this year. He’ll kick off the new wizarding world trilogy FANTASTIC BEASTS in November, but he’ll first take a swing with THE LEGEND OF TARZAN, starring Alexander Skarsgård, Margot Robbie, Samuel L. Jackson, Djimon Hounsou, John Hurt, and Christoph Waltz, a new adaptation of the classic tale by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Skarsgard takes on the role of the famed “ape man” who is raised in the jungle by a batch of primates and later brought to the civilized world, only to return again to help save his “savage” land. The last Burroughs adaptation (JOHN CARTER) didn’t fare so well on the big screen, but perhaps Yates and co. can be a bit more convincing and bring some new life to the old tale. We’re game to see what they have in store…besides Skarsgard’s abs of steel, of course.
THE LEGEND OF TARZAN swings into theaters on July 1st.
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If you’re not a fan of Kevin Hart then you may initially be turned off by CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE, which finds a mild-mannered accountant (Hart) reconnecting with an old friend who is now a CIA operative. Now, let me toss in a few things to entice you. The Rock aka Dwayne Johnson. Not enough? Okay, director Rawson Marshall Thurber (DODGEBALL and WE’RE THE MILLERS). Need a little more? Okay, Aaron Paul and Amy Ryan. Still nothing? Okay, what about The Rock as an overweight teen singing in the shower? Okay, now we’ve got ya. In all seriousness, CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE looks like it go either way; turdsville or hilarious town. Let’s hope we make the right turn and end up at the latter. But, still, The Rock, man. You just can’t help but love the guy.
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE hits theaters on June 17th.
Director James Wan returns to his horror roots after detouring with last year’s massively successful FURIOUS 7, diving back into another successful franchise: THE CONJURING. Once again following the exploits of real-life paranormal investigators Lorraine and Ed Warren (Vera Farmiga & Patrick Wilson, respectively), the story tracks the case of a poltergeist haunting a family in North London during the late ’70’s. Joining the cast are Frances O’Connor and Franka Potenta in what will hopefully tap into the frights of the first film (minus that creepy-ass doll Annabelle) to be another scary summer entry in the series.
THE CONJURING 2 opens on June 10th.
Let’s call this the “payback movie” because this is likely what you’re going to get dragged to after making your significant other suffer through every action/superhero/comedy that comes down the pipe. If melodramatic romances are your thing, then this is about as perfect as it gets. Franchise characters collide when Khaleesi (Emilia Clarke) becomes the caregiver to wealthy, reclusive, and quadriplegic Finnick (Sam Clafin). Guess what happens next? You can’t? Well, they don’t fight in any Hunger Games or ride any dragons. No, they get dressed up and go to plays and shit and slowly fall in love with one another. Also, no Terminators. Like I said, it’s payback, so you may as well get used to the idea. Either that or shield your more romantically inclined partner from this melodramatic pipe bomb and hope they never find out about it.
ME BEFORE YOU gets its revenge on June 3rd.
Shane Black is back! Look, this is a no-brainer and an absolutely welcome return for the screenwriter/director who has gifted us with classics like LETHAL WEAPON, THE LAST BOY SCOUT, and KISS KISS, BANG BANG. After playing in the superhero genre with IRON MAN 3, Black goes back to his buddy team-up roots with Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling partnering up to investigate the apparent suicide of a porn star in ’70’s Los Angeles. And yes, it takes place during Christmas, so the deck is stacked in Shane Black-isms for THE NICE GUYS. Judging by the trailer alone, this one will hit the sweet spot for all of us missing Black’s blend of hard-boiled detectives, witty banter, inventive action, and love-to-hate/hate-to-love characters. Ticket is sold for us.
THE NICE GUYS punches into theaters on May 20th.
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Actor/director Zach Braff shifts gears in his latest film after making a splash with his debut GARDEN STATE, then fizzling with his sophomore effort (and Kickstarter funded) WISH I WAS HERE. The former Scrubs star hasn’t done much by way of acting since that excellent series closed up shop, but appears to be keeping in step with the behind-the-camera stuff with his latest GOING IN STYLE, a remake of the 1979 comedy from Martin Brest that starred George Burns, Art Carney, and Lee Strasberg as three retired guys resigned to dying until they decide to spice things up with a little bank robbery. The remake stars Morgan Freeman, Alan Arkin, Michael Caine, Christopher Lloyd, Ann-Margret, Joey King, and Matt Dillon. A far cry from Braff’s usual indie-vibe fare and with a bang-up cast to boot, this could be a nice stretch for the filmmaker and a welcome vehicle for some of Hollywood’s best acting vets.
GOING IN STYLE hits theaters on May 6th.
Although Key & Peele has wrapped up its run on Comedy Central, the stars of that show, Keegan-Michael Key and Jason Mitchell, are far from closing up shop on their blend of comedy. And, thankfully so, as the talented duo have more than proven their comedic skills and are now taking their act to the big screen starting with KEANU. The plot is as simple as one of their many great sketches, following two mild-mannered guys who try to retrieve a stolen cat (the titular KEANU) by posing as drug dealers in a street gang. Simple enough, but leaves the door wide open for some insane antics that look to be right at home for the duo. It’s always a risky venture taking a TV act to the big screen, but judging by the hilarious trailer and genuine talents of these guys, we’re hoping KEANU proves to be a success.
KEANU heads to theaters on April 22nd.
Ice Cube continues his box office reign in the comedy genre with a third entry in the popular BARBERSHOP series. It’s been 10 years since the last film and Calvin’s Barbershop is now a co-ed operation. While still maintaining his old crew, including the likes of Cedric The Entertainer and Common, the ladies add in Nicki Minaj ETC. Most of the activity takes place in the shop, as that’s been the draw to the series from the get go, but this time out Calvin and his cohorts rally together to help organize and save their neighborhood, which has taken a turn for the worse in recent years. The series thus far has been filled with some goofy humor and some big heart and the third entry looks to be more of the same, so if you’re in need of a trim, BARBERSHOP: THE NEXT CUT may be for you.
BARBERSHOP: THE NEXT CUT is open for business on April 15th.
Ah, the one we’ve been waiting for. Ever since director Zach Snyder teased us at Comic Con two years ago we’ve been itching to see this thing come together. BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE picks up where MAN OF STEEL began and dives headlong into the establishment of the DCEU, putting it all out there to compete with the behemoth that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The superhero extravaganza brings back Henry Cavill’s Superman, while introducing a new, yet older Batman (Ben Affleck), the first-ever big screen Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) and Aquaman (Jason Momoa), as well as mainstays like Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg), Alfred Pennyworth (Jeremy Irons). Also returning are Amy Adam’s Lois Lane and Laurence Fishburne’s Perry White. With an interconnected universe spanning multiple characters this film will serve as the catalyst for what will hopefully be the birth of a planned series of comic book films from DC/WB. Let’s hope it packs a big enough punch to make a dent..
BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE smashes into theaters on March 25th.
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Director Jeff Nichols (MUD) gets into the sci-fi genre with MIDNIGHT SPECIAL, the story of a father (Michael Shannon) who must go on the run to protect his son who he discovers has special powers. Also in the mix is Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver, Joel Edgerton, and Sam Shepard, making this sound like a fun little flick. Nichols is known for the heavy drama in his films and mixing that in with the sci-fi genre has the potential to yield something quite compelling. While not as big and flashy as, say, an X-Men film, MIDNIGHT SPECIAL seems to have a more personal feel to it, which may well elevate it beyond a simple on-the-run tale.
MIDNIGHT SPECIAL heads to theaters on March 18th.
After a breakthrough with FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, Dakota Johnson tosses her hat into the romcom ring with HOW TO BE SINGLE, joined by fellow funny ladies Rebel Wilson, Leslie Mann, and Alison Brie, as well as some male counterparts in Damon Wayans Jr. and Anders Holm. It looks to deliver on the standard fare of raunchy jokes and crazy situations while navigating the single scene, so ultimately you know what’s being sold. This is a date night movie for the ladies, so don’t fret. You can always go see DEADPOOL, while they catch HOW TO BE SINGLE. Everyone’s happy.
HOW TO BE SINGLE swipes right into theaters on February 12th.
Ice Cube vs. Charlie Day. That’s the basic breakdown of FIST FIGHT, which stars It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s Day as a mild-mannered English teacher who is challenged to a brawl with his colleague (Cube). What more do you need to know? The film co-stars Christina Hendricks, Dean Norris, and Jillian Bell in what is said to be inspired by the cult classic flick THREE O’CLOCK HIGH (a personal fave from back in the day). Whether or not FIST FIGHT can achieve that kind of cult notoriety is yet to be seen, but both Day and Cube can deliver the goods when they’ve got the right material. Let’s hope this one can throw down.
FIST FIGHT is set for release sometime in 2016.