Welcome to the beginning of the summer blockbuster, GUG fans! And welcome to the BBoM of June, where we focus on five films of the month and the predictions we have for them! As with every BBoM article, each film receives one of the following scores:
Boom: The film is just what the studio ordered–rave reviews, universal appeal, and lots of cash!
Bust: Despite all the good intentions, the film gets thrashed by audiences and critics alike, and even worse, it stinks at the box office.
Meh: It’s an okay film, but it didn’t soar to the heights the studio expected.
With that introduction, let’s crank open the month of June vault!
The Results
Before we get to our film predictions, let us take a look at the outcome of our May predictions!
1. Deadpool 2 – BOOM!
Rotten Tomatoes
Critic Score: 83%
Audience Score: 86%
Box Office
Production Budget: $110 million
Worldwide: $495+ million
Juliana: Just like the first movie, this sequel was also a hit!
2. Solo: A Star Wars Story – Meh
Rotten Tomatoes
Critic Score: 70%
Audience Score: 63%
Box Office
Production Budget: $250+ million
Worldwide: $172 million
Juliana: For possibly a multitude of reasons, audiences haven’t really gravitated to this Star Wars spin-off. The foreign box office is also surprisingly sluggish, creating some doubt as to whether Solo will recoup its horrendously large production budget (the most expensive Star Wars film to date). The film’s not bad enough to call it a flop, but it isn’t a roaring success either.
3. Breaking In – Bust
Rotten Tomatoes
Critic Score: 25%
Audience Score: 32%
Box Office
Production Budget: $6 million
Worldwide: $39 million
Juliana: It seems this reversal of Panic Room really was nothing more than a gimmick, with both critics and audiences struggling to look past the obvious plot mechanics.
4. Show Dogs – Bust
Rotten Tomatoes
Critic Score: 16%
Audience Score: 26%
Box Office
Production Budget: $5.5 million
Worldwide: $14 million
Juliana: I don’t even need to look at the stats for this one. Considering how many people work on a film, it’s staggering to think that no one thought that having a scene that essentially conveys the idea that it’s okay to be molested was a putrid idea. There have been apologies, the original film has been pulled, and an edited version will be released, but the reputation of this movie has forever been tarnished, relegated to nothing more than a piece of movie trivia.
5. Mary Shelley – Bust
Rotten Tomatoes
Critic Score: 31%
Audience Score: 26%
Box Office
Production Budget: Unknown
Domestic: $16k+
Juliana: It’s hard to judge the film’s financial success considering this one was only a limited release. But it seems that the early critical reviews of this one were true – unless you’re looking for a dull time, this is a film to avoid.
Each “Boom, Bust, or Meh” article will include each writer’s current record next to their name. My current prediction record is (40-25), Trey Soto’s is (72-39), and Tyler Hummel’s is (16-8).
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: June 22, 2018
Synopsis: When the island’s dormant volcano begins roaring to life, Owen and Claire mount a campaign to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from this extinction-level event. (IMDB)
Director: J.A. Bayona
Starring: Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Pratt, Jeff Goldblum
The Predictions
Juliana Purnell (40-25): BOOM! – 2017 saw many would-be blockbusters unexpectedly flop, causing many analysts to suspect that sequelitis had well and truly hit. Yet I believe the latest additions to the Jurassic Park franchise are one of the few exceptions. Unlike other monsters like zombies and demons, dinosaurs have barely been touched in mainstream media for adults, and they have a sense of universality, meaning that China’s box office may lend a giant hand as well. Jurassic World was such a financial success that I banked on it–literally, I bought shares belonging to a cinema chain before the film’s release and then sold them afterwards at a nice profit.
Once again I have no doubt that audiences will flock to see this one in theaters. The film’s box office finances are secure, but what about the movie’s quality? Jurassic World gave audiences what the original dodged: to watch dinosaurs completely wreck havoc within a populated amusement park. Yet in doing so, there’s not a lot left to explore in regards to sequels. Aside from treading the same ground as The Lost World, finally exploring InGen’s devious plans is the only route this series can take. Sadly, I think Fallen Kingdom will lean a bit too much on the silly side, but if it can pull off the “dinosaur-causing-carnage-within-human-civilization” bit better than the original sequel, then it may just be a hit with audiences and critics alike.
Tyler Hummel (16-8): Bust – There is only one good Jurassic Park movie. Jurassic World is merely intermediately fascinating while mining Chris Pratt’s infinite charisma. There really isn’t any chance this works out.
Trey Soto (72-39): Meh – I grew up watching Jurassic Park (1993) as a kid and enjoyed every minute of it. With Jurassic World (2015), it wasn’t bad and I enjoyed it for what it was. As for the sequel, to be honest I’m just not that excited about it. It looks interesting but not amazing. Considering the fact that the trailer spoiled a large amount of the movie, I’m just not excited. It’s highly predictable, it’s basic, and overall, just meh. If it does well, I won’t be surprised since people eat nostalgia up heavily. But as for me, I’m putting my money on “Meh…”
Incredibles 2
Rating: PG
Release Date: June 15, 2018
Synopsis: Bob Parr (Mr. Incredible) is left to care for Jack-Jack while Helen (Elastigirl) is out saving the world. (IMDB)
Director: Brad Bird
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Holly Hunter, Craig T. Nelson
The Predictions
Juliana Purnell (40-25): BOOM! – Pixar flops are rare, if non-existent. So it would be odd to see a blot on this studio’s near-perfect scorecard. The Incredibles was dearly loved back in the day, giving depth to superheroes, along with an adventure that could rival any James Bond film. Under the same director, the sequel appears to hone in on what made the first so special–focusing on the mundane aspects of life, despite being a film aimed at kids, and pulling something extraordinary from the ordinary. The real question is whether Incredibles 2 has much to offer now that the MCU is in existence (The Incredibles came out four years before Iron Man). I believe it still has something to explore and a message to deliver, one with every ounce of maturity that the first film possessed. So this long-awaited sequel will prove popular.
Tyler Hummel (16-8): BOOM! – I’m worried about this one. Brad Bird really hasn’t had a hit in over a decade since his last Pixar film. That being said there’s a lot of potential here and it’s getting a solid buzz.
Trey Soto (72-39): BOOM! – Finally! The sequel has been given to us! It’s not like we’ve waited over a decade or anything! On a serious note, I’m actually super excited for the sequel. I know it will do well considering the work put into it and everything. That being said, I do have a small concern. Based on the trailer, it looks like the first one but a gender swap. While my hopes and predictions are high, the switch reminds me of Finding Dory (2016). It’s the same as Finding Nemo (2003), just a change in characters and minor details. Will the Incredibles sequel be that way? Hopefully not, so there’s only one way to find out.
Ocean’s 8
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: June 8, 2018
Synopsis: Debbie Ocean gathers a crew to attempt an impossible heist at New York City’s yearly Met Gala. (IMDB)
Director: Gary Ross
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Sandra Bullock, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Rihanna
The Predictions
Juliana Purnell (40-25): Meh – Oof! This was a tough one to judge as to whether it is going to perform decently or completely tank. Ocean’s Thirteen was horrendous, and Ocean’s 8 does feel just as gimmicky. It could easily follow the same path as 2016’s Ghostbusters, where while I thought it was decent, it managed to gather a lot of hate for trying too hard to empower female audiences through belittling its male characters. That said, Gary Ross has directed some lovely nuanced works in the past, while it’s also comforting to note that so many high profile actresses have signed on. If the script was atrocious then it wouldn’t have this level of pulling power. Naturally, stars have made career slip-ups before, but for now I have faith in their integrity. So Ocean’s 8 can’t be that bad, right?
Tyler Hummel (16-8): Meh – Not directed by Soderbergh, meh. Looks overlit with a stunt cast. Since it’s from the director of Secretariat it might be pretty good but I’m not betting on it.
Trey Soto (72-39): Meh – You know, I honestly was not sold on the idea at first, but after seeing the trailer a few times I’ve become interested. That being said, I still don’t think it will do well significantly. Sure, it has a strong cast, but audiences aren’t too fond of gender swap spin-offs, like with Ghostbusters (2016). I personally think I’ll enjoy it, but then again, I don’t know. If it’s the same plot but with different genders, then what’s the point?
Adrift
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: June 1, 2018
Synopsis: Based on the true story of survival, a young couple’s chance encounter leads them first to love, and then on the adventure of a lifetime as they face one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history. (IMDB)
Director: Raja Gosnell
Starring: Shailene Woodley & Sam Claflin
The Predictions
Juliana Purnell (40-25): Meh – There aren’t a lot of romance films being released at the same time as Adrift, so it will reap well from that particular demographic. Based on a true story, it also means that the narrative will be reigned in, with the plot less likely to fall victim to the more fantastical, cringe-worthy tropes of the genre. I think this will ultimately be an intriguing journey of survival, but it’s not a story that I feel will leave a strong mark on the cinematic medium as a whole. With two reasonably bankable stars, I can’t imagine it’ll flop either. So, meh!
Tyler Hummel (16-8): Meh – Eeeeh… Looks kinda gimmicky. Love the lead actress whenever I see her in movies but otherwise, this looks pretty disposable.
Trey Soto (72-39): Bust – I wasn’t really too psyched on the trailer. When it comes to films that focus on being stranded in open waters, it can be a hit or miss. Life of Pi (2012) got it right. In the Heart of the Sea (2015) got it wrong. It looks really cheesy and overall lackluster. Not interesting and not sold. Moving on.
Hereditary
Rating: R
Release Date: June 8, 2018
Synopsis: When the matriarch of the Graham family passes away, her daughter’s family begins to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry. (IMDB)
Director: Ari Aster
Starring: Toni Collette, Gabriel Byrne, Alex Wolff
The Predictions
Juliana Purnell (40-25): BOOM! – While Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom makes me giddy, it’s Hereditary that I’m super excited about for this month. Australians know all too well how much of a powerhouse Toni Collette is in the acting department. It looks like she’ll be delivering another phenomenal performance here in a film that’s frequently touted as the next masterpiece in the ever-growing horror genre. I haven’t heard a negative word against this film as of yet, and I’m suspecting it’ll have the finesse and pure terror to give A Quiet Place a run for top place for the best horror this year. There’s a lot of buzz amongst critics with this film. If you’re into this genre, it’ll be worth a look.
Tyler Hummel (16-8): BOOM! – A24 has a great record curating obscure independent films. There’s a lot to be excited about with this! That said don’t trust the trailer. It may be deceiving like It Comes At Night was.
Trey Soto (72-39): BOOM! – Welp, there’s a horror movie I won’t be seeing. That is some scary looking stuff. Considering how A24 has been highly successful in their films lately and the fact of how mysterious this film is, I personally believe it will do significantly well. While it does have that same horror suspense like other films, it looks different. I can’t really describe how, but I think this might do better than one may think.
Thanks for reading this month’s edition! Let us know your predictions in the comment section. Join us next month for another edition of “Boom, Bust, or Meh!”