Welcome to Boom, Bust, or Meh, ladies and gentlemen! This is where we focus on five films released during the month and have some fun predicting their success! As with every BBoM article, each film receives one of the following scores from each participating GUG film critic:
Boom: A film you’ll remember for the rest of the year.
Bust: A film you’ll regret watching.
Meh: A film that entertains during the moment, but has no lasting impact.
At the end of each month, each of the films will be arbitrarily judged and the critic’s ongoing tally will be updated (the score is written beside their name: correct predictions – incorrect predictions).
Let’s see what March has to offer after we look at last month’s results!
The Results
Before we get to our film predictions, let us take a look at the outcome of our February predictions!
1. The Quiet Girl – BOOM!
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 96%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 92%
IMDB Score: 7.7
Box Office
Production Budget: $1.3 million
Worldwide: $1.6 million
While quieter at the box office, this is a simple story told well that was emotionally powerful enough to earn itself an Oscar nomination. It seems that those who do track it down tend to love it.
2. Knock at the Cabin – Meh
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 67%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 64%
IMDB Score: 6.2
Box Office
Production Budget: $20 million
Worldwide: $52 million
Many found this horror to be a little too weak and suspenseful to really pull off its apocalyptic terror.
3. Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey – Bust
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 5%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 51%
IMDB Score: 3.9
Box Office
Production Budget: Under $100 thousand
Worldwide: $3.3 million
This film truly was just a cash grab.
4. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania – Meh
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 48%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 83%
IMDB Score: 6.5
Box Office
Production Budget: $200 million
Worldwide: $365 million
Despite great performances from the cast and finally featuring some forward momentum from the overarching story of the MCU, this latest offering failed to wow audiences.
5. Jesus Revolution – Meh
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 56%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 99%
IMDB Score: 7.7
Box Office
Budget: $15 million
Worldwide: $17 million
It was never going to appeal to everyone given the story’s faith-based plot, but Jesus Revolution is still a massive step in the right direction for this genre, providing a heart-warming narrative for those that wish to seek it out.
New Releases
Each “Boom, Bust, or Meh” article will include each writer’s current record next to their name. My record is (122-103), and Tyler Hummel’s is (93-86).
Creed III
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: March 3, 2023
Synopsis: Adonis has been thriving in both his career and family life, but when a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy resurfaces, the face-off is more than just a fight. (IMDB)
Director: Michael B. Jordan
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson, Jonathan Majors
The Predictions
Juliana Purnell (122-103): BOOM! – I’m a little biased because I have always loved the Rocky franchise. Sadly, although he created the original character, Stallone sold the rights a long time ago and has effectively no control over the direction of these new films. However, Rocky’s narrative arc felt complete, and it feels fitting for these films to instead shift entirely now to exploring Apollo Creed’s son, Adonis. The Creed films, while not as memorable as Rocky’s, are still strong entries in the narrative sports genre—possibly the best that are currently released cinematically. Boxing always seems to be a very theatrically powerful sport on screen as it’s easy to visualise the literal battle of the protagonist, and with Creed III’s plot taking a personal route with high stakes, it’s not hard to see how this film could BOOM! It has all the right ingredients.
Scream VI
Rating: Not yet rated for USA. Rated 18 in the UK.
Release Date: March 10, 2023
Synopsis: In the next installment, the survivors of the Ghostface killings leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter in New York City. (IMDB)
Directors: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett
Starring: Melissa Barrera, Courteney Cox, Jenna Ortega
The Predictions
Juliana Purnell (122-103): Meh – I wasn’t expecting another one of these so soon after the last. The previous couple of films were spread out over a number of years, which gave leeway for the franchise to satirically comment on the horror trends of their time of release. I’m unsure what Scream VI plans to say or how it imagines it will be different from other slashers. Yet I’m still excited for it. This franchise is consistently competent. There was one direction in Scream that I felt could have been explored, so it would be interesting to see whether that plot thread is picked up in this one. Also keen to see how they justify the existence of this film and the trailer’s claim this killer is somehow different—will this be the first Ghostface with a gun? I’m not expecting great things, but certainly something good.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: March 17, 2023
Synopsis: The film continues the story of teenage Billy Batson who, upon reciting the magic word “SHAZAM!” is transformed into his adult Super Hero alter ego, Shazam. (IMDB)
Director: David F. Sandberg
Starring: Helen Mirren, Zachary Levi, Lucy Liu
The Predictions
Juliana Purnell (122-103): Meh – Although Shazam! wasn’t a ground-breaking film in the superhero genre, I still thoroughly enjoyed its tone and humor. If this sequel replicates the charm experienced in the first, then there’s no reason why it won’t foster an enjoyable time at the cinema. But is it enough? In a genre that’s so over-explored, a superhero film really has to produce something exceptional in order for critics, in particular, to not simply mentally relegate it to their pile of tired and worn-out movies consisting of plots they’ve already seen a hundred times before. I don’t think Shazam! Fury of the Gods has what it takes to truly stand out from the rest, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be a fun ride nonetheless.
65
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: March 10, 2023
Synopsis: An astronaut crash lands on a mysterious planet only to discover he’s not alone. (IMDB)
Directors: Scott Beck, Bryan Woods
Starring: Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt, Chloe Coleman
The Predictions
Juliana Purnell (122-103): BOOM! – Maybe I really don’t have my finger on the pulse for this one, but it wasn’t long ago when I was wondering—since the Jurassic Park/World franchise has run its course—if someone else was going to step into the dinosaur horror movie premise. Dinosaurs are way too popular for them to be mostly monopolized in cinema by one IP. The science and some of the plot ideas behind 65 could be incredibly stupid, but I’m really keen to see a dinosaur flick! Silliness can be forgiven if the creators ensure their work is strong in other areas, such as tone, tension, entertainment and production quality. I don’t think this will be a flawless story, but I believe it will scratch that much-needed dinosaur itch that a lot of people possess. And Adam Driver tends to always deliver.
John Wick: Chapter 4
Rating: Not yet rated
Release Date: March 24, 2023
Synopsis: John Wick uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes. (IMDB)
Director: Chad Stahelski
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård
The Predictions
Juliana Purnell (122-103): Meh – I’m going to give a hot take. I do adore this franchise. I loved the simplicity of the original’s plot. I marvel at the world these films have unexpectedly built. They’re great martial art films, inventing gun-fu, and they typically feature some of the best fight scenes of the year. But is John Wick outstaying his welcome? How much more can you build upon this world before it all becomes too outlandish? It was starting to get that way in the last film, but I turned a blind eye because the movie was so cool. Now I really want to see this franchise coming to some sort of final resolution, though I feel Chapter 4 will simply be used as filler. I could be very wrong—this film has the potential to host brilliant fight scenes, high stakes, intriguing amounts of tension, and other great narrative qualities that make for a fantastic film, but I’m going to take the risk and instead predict more unoriginal fare, and I think reviewers will notice its gloss is starting to lose its shine.
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!”