Boom, Bust, or Meh: May 2015

Hey, guys! Welcome to the monthly “Boom, Bust, or Meh.” Here we will be taking a look at five different movies coming out in May, and predict how each of them will fare over the month. Every movie will receive a score of either “Boom” (Good), “Bust” (Bad), or “Meh” (Average).

Each month, I will be joined by my co-writers: Wesley Wood, Rob Butler, and Joshua Hale.

Enjoy!

The Results

In this section for “Boom, Bust, or Meh,” we show the results of the previous month’s films.

Let’s take a look at April’s movies.

1. Furious 7 – BOOM!

Worldwide Box Office – $1.32 billion (6.95x budget)

Average Rating – 7.6

Solid ratings and a record breaking box office? Boom.

2. Beyond the Mask – Meh

Worldwide Box Office – $652,431

Average Rating – 7.5

The film received exceptional ratings, but the limited release surely hurt this film.

3. Ex Machina – Meh                                                                

Worldwide Box Office – $13.99 million (0.85x budget)

Average Rating – 8.1

This film posted amazing ratings, but a flawed box office attempt led this film to its downfall.

4. Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 – BUST!

Worldwide Box Office – $61.75 million (2.05x budget)

Average Rating – 4.1

Kevin James’ physical-centric comedy performed well in the box office, but fell comically short in ratings.

5. The Age of Adaline – DELAYED

Worldwide Box Office – ?

Average Rating – ?

This movie came out too late in the month to give an accurate rating, so it will be listed on the June BBoM article.

Bonus

6. Home – BOOM!

Worldwide Box Office – $299 million (2.21x budget)

Average Rating – 6.8

Home simply posted decent box office totals and ratings.

That was how each movie fared in the month of April. Each “Boom, Bust, or Meh” article includes each writer’s current prediction record beside their name. (And just in case you were wondering, I’m 20-14.)

The Avengers: Age of Ultron – May 1

Rating: PG-13

Synopsis: When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and it is up to the Avengers to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plans. (IMDB)

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlet Johannson, Jeremy Renner, and Samuel L. Jackson

This superhero titan is without a doubt, going to be a BOOM! So I won’t dive into this movie (which will likely break $1 billion in record breaking time). But for those of you who are wondering just how well the past two Marvel movies fared. You can check it out below!

1. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Worldwide Box Office – $714 million (4.20x budget)                                     Average Rating – 7.6

2. Guardians of the Galaxy

Worldwide Box Office – $774 million (4.55x budget)                                     Average Rating – 8.0

The Prediction:

BOOM – This is the biggest for sure thing to have come on the BBoM article.

What Others Think

Wesley Wood (20-14) – BOOM

It is the Avengers. It is hyped up to the max and it is made by Marvel. Anything short of a BOOM would absolutely shock me.

Rob Butler (11-23) – BOOM

Really? Do we even need to ask this? Boom.

Joshua Hale (10-9) – BOOM

Boom, critically and financially, no surprise here.

Mad Max: Fury Road – May 15

Rating: R

Synopsis: In a post-apocalyptic world, in which people fight to the death, Max teams up with a mysterious woman, Furiousa, to try and survive. (IMDB)

Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult

I have a confession to make…I have never seen the original Mad Max movies. I have always wanted to, but I just never got around to it. Well, this changes things. After becoming hyped from this film’s “action-tastic” trailer, you can be sure I’ll see this one and the original three films.

Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron seem to have good on screen chemistry, and both of their acting styles mesh well when set in the post-apocalyptic world. Throw in the increasingly impressive acting in Nicholas Hoult, and you have a solid acting force to guide you down the road to success.

Mad Max: Fury Road was also able to keep on the original writer and director of the Mad Max series, George Miller, and that should likely make fans of the original quite happy.

The Prediction:

BOOM – This film will likely be the summer blockbuster the studio is banking on. The only thing standing in the film’s way is the third weekend showing of The Avengers: Age of Ultron, and that’s quite the roadblock.

What Others Think

Wesley Wood (20-14) – Meh

This was a well-made trailer, but it did not give anything away nor tell me the storyline. Instead it showed action and craziness for two and a half minutes. With a budget of around 150 million, I am a bit hesitant to say this will be a certified BOOM.

Rob Butler (11-23) – BOOM

I can’t wait to see this masterpiece of practical effects and stunts on the big screen in IMAX. Boom!

Joshua Hale (10-9) – Meh

This film looks to please fans of the cult franchise, but will it connect with younger audiences? Max’s biggest flaw is that it’s following the trail of Ultron, which will most likely shatter the box office for weeks.

Pitch Perfect 2 – May 15

Rating: PG-13

Synopsis: After a humiliating command performance at Lincoln Center, the Barden Bellas enter an international competition that no American group has never won in order to regain their status and right to perform. (IMDB)

Starring: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld

This is another one of the films of which I did not see its predecessor. But it doesn’t take a genius to know how much love there was for the first film. Remember the cup song trending on Youtube a while back? Yep, you can thank Pitch Perfect for that one.

The film sang gracefully through the box office posting over $113 million to date. That turns out to be 6.64 times the film’s box office! On top of that, the film scored well too! Even going on to grab a 7.3 on IMDB.

With the success of the first film, Pitch Perfect 2 has its vocal chords warmed up for another run at the box office. The only issue? It has to fight against Mad Max and The Avengers for the top spot. And that will not likely be an easy task. Sure The Avengers will be on its third weekend stretch, but with an estimated $200 million opening it will likely have the legs to still be fighting for the top spot.

The Prediction:

BOOM – With a budget far less than the other two contenders listed above, This film should be more than able to take back its budget, even if it doesn’t grab the top spot.

What Others Think

Wesley Wood (20-14) – BOOM

I actually enjoyed the first movie a lot. It had the humor, music, and actresses to pull off something I never thought a movie could. The second film looks promising as well with a new storyline that is not just a retread of the first film.

Rob Butler (11-23) – BOOM

Judging by the success of the first film and the fact that Anna Kendrick is still as gorgeous as ever… Boom.

Joshua Hale (10-9) – BOOM

Boom, thanks to a meager budget, and fan favorite predecessor.

Tomorrowland – May 22

Rating: PG

Synopsis: Bound by a shared destiny, a teen bursting with scientific curiosity and a former boy-genius inventor embark on a mission to unearth the secrets of a place somewhere in time and space that exists in their collective memory. (IMDB)

Starring: George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie

Tomorrowland has a lot of factors working for it. The first of which is the impeccable acting chops of George Clooney. This well-aged actor has had years of cinematic success (sans Batman), and that’s for good reason. He enraptures audiences with a deep voice that makes you pay attention to every word he speaks.

The second factor is the production studio behind it. Disney is known to throw loads of money into their films, and this is no exception. With star power, visual effects, and a litter of well-respected writers, this film’s budget has racked up an estimated $190 million. That is nothing new from Disney though, as their films usually cost that much, but rake in a ton more with each blockbuster film.

The film will likely be a visual experience to behold, but it’s not without its challenges. The main of which is the close release date to the three other films listed above. But if Tomorrowland can soar over this hurdle, it will surely land on solid ground.

The Prediction:

BOOM – As hesitant as I am having this many BOOMs on this month’s article, I just can’t see Disney failing with this one.

What Others Think

Wesley Wood (20-14) – BOOM

Wow! The premise of Tomorrowland intrigues me a ton. Add in George Clooney and the fact that Disney is making it and this is pretty much a guaranteed hit. Just do not remember John Carter. That film was so good and yet forgotten so quickly.

Rob Butler (11-23) – BOOM

I WANT TO SEE THIS! This might be the first genuinely original action adventure film of the year. Boom!

Joshua Hale (10-9) – Meh

Brad Bird’s new Disney film will suffer (like every film in May) because of Ultron’s presence, but given that both are Disney releases, it won’t hurt the House of Mouse too much. This is a new property, and first entries typically are the poorest performers box office wise.

Aloha – May 29

Rating: PG-13

Synopsis: A celebrated military contractor returns to the site of his greatest career triumphs and reconnects with a long-ago love while unexpectedly falling for the hard-charging Air Force watchdog assigned to him. (IMDB)

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams

With all of the other blockbusters on this list, there appears to be no money left for Aloha. But, unlike the other films on this list, I predict Aloha to have the highest set of ratings out of all of these movies. I mean, how could it not? It’s got a flock of award-winning actors, a well-respected writer/director, and a plot that tends to the needs of the genre’s fans.

If there is a potential issue arising for Aloha, it’s the same thing that haunts the rest of the list: too many great movies. The Bradley Cooper-led romance would have benefited from an earlier release. If it would have released back even a month ago it would’ve likely had a better release date.

The Prediction:

Meh – I really hope I am wrong about this one, but I don’t think there’s enough of an audience left from the onslaught of Ultron, Mad Max, and Batman…uhh…I mean George Clooney.

What Others Think

Wesley Wood (20-14) – Meh

Considering the cast, this film should be a laugh riot. Instead we have Funny People reincarnated. A drama flick with a whole lot of comedians in it. It feels backwards and the premise is dull. I am sure the critics will love it and audiences will pass.

Rob Butler (11-23) – Meh

Sad to say even an all-star cast that happens to have four of the most beautiful people in show business can’t save this film from a Meh.

Joshua Hale (10-9) – Meh

Despite a great trailer, cast, director, and critical buzz, Aloha aims to please those tired of capes and explosions. It will probably fare better on home format.

Well, that’s it for our predictions for the month of May! How do you think each movie will fare? Let us know your predictions in the comments section below!