Movie TalkWeekend Picks: ‘The Five-Year Engagement,’ ‘The Raven,’ ‘Safe’ & ‘The Pirates! Band of Misfits’
Last week something happened that hasn't in a long time—a movie other than "The Hunger Games" made it to No. 1 at the box office! In surprising fashion, the romantic comedy "Think Like a Man" earned the top spot while racking up some $33 million. Alas, it will be hard-pressed to stay there this weekend, seeing as four new films are opening wide on Friday.
It's a crapshoot as to which new film might win the weekend, since they all feature big names and appeal to wide audiences. But with so many fine flicks debuting, how can you possibly decide what you should see? Well, that's where we come in! Read on for a breakdown of what each movie is about and who it's for. Then let us know who you think will take the weekend box office crown in our poll below.
[Related: Find showtimes and tickets for movies near you]
Rated R for sexual content, and language throughout.
What's the Story?
Jason Segel and Emily Blunt play a couple who just can't seem to get their wedding act together. A cross-country career move acts as the catalyst for a gradual spiral into relationship hell. Stolen smooches, hilarious hunting, frozen toes and even knitwear ensues... A LOT of knitwear!
Who Will Dig it?
"Forgetting Sarah Marshall" fans should like this as it was written and directed by the same team, including Segel who co-wrote. But don't be disappointed if you don't see Segel's man-bits... his full-frontal scene was cut out this time around.
[Tickets: Get local tickets & showtimes for 'The Five-Year Engagement']
Rated R for strong violence throughout, and for language.
What's the Story?
Jason Statham stars as a karate-chopping cage fighter who loses everything after he blows a rigged match. When he sees a girl—who he later discovers to be a math prodigy—being tormented by the same gangsters who killed his wife, he takes action to protect her.
Who Will Dig It?
Statham and action fans alike will approve of this high-stakes thriller with a brainy twist.
[Tickets: Get local tickets & showtimes for 'Safe']
Rated PG (for mild action, rude humor and some language).
What's the Story?
The Pirate Captain (Hugh Grant) fearlessly leads his inept crew, and his big boned parrot, to a life full of adventure and booty. Along the way, the Captain realizes his life's goal is to become the Pirate of the Year, so he leads his ship to Victorian London, where the competition is held. Alas, the Captain may be woefully under qualified to win the prize. But don't expect that to stop him, or his crew, from swashbuckling their way through.
Who Will Dig It?
Good clean family fun lovers of a silly laughs, swashbuckling adventure, and high-quality stop-motion claymation. "Pirates" is meticulously crafted by the masters at Aardman, the same folks who brought you "Chicken Run" (2000) and "Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were Rabbit" (2005).
[Tickets: Get local tickets & showtimes for 'The Pirates! Band of Misfits']
Rated R for bloody violence and grisly images.
What's the Story?
In 19th century Baltimore, the macabre mind of writer Edgar Allan Poe (John Cusack) is at its prolific height. Unfortunately, a deranged reader becomes overly inspired by Poe's work and begins copycatting the grisly murders in the author's canon. After ruling out Poe as a suspect, cracker-jack detective Emmett Fields (Luke Evans) elicits the writer's help in solving the murders. Or so he hopes.
Who Will Dig It?
Lovers of true crime thrillers, Edgar Allan Poe's ghastly works, John Cusack's dramatic dark side, and revisionist history.
