New Films in Theatres
The new releases in theatres for Friday July 14 include War for the Planet of the Apes (sci-fi action), Wish Upon (horror), and expanding to more theatres is The Big Sick (romantic comedy). Currently in theatres, the top 5 films based on box office grosses are Spider-Man: Homecoming (action/adventure), Despicable Me 3 (animated adventure), Baby Driver (action crime), Wonder Woman (action/adventure), and Cars 3 (animated action).
War for the Planet of the Apes is the 3rd part of the rebooted franchise following Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011 with James Franco) and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014 with Gary Oldman). It stars Andy Serkis (another motion capture performance following Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015) and Woody Harrelson, who has a busy release schedule in 2017 including Wilson (comedy), Lost in London (comedy), Shock and Awe (drama with Milla Jovovich), The Glass Castle (drama with Naomi Watts), and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (drama with Peter Dinklage). Matt Reeves co-wrote and directed, he last directed part 2 of the franchise and will next be working on The Batman with Ben Affleck. Mark Bomback co-wrote after last writing Insurgent (2015 part 2 of the Divergent franchise) and is now writing an action film Protection.
Wish Upon is a horror film about a girl who finds a magical wish granting music box that has evil consequences for using it. Director John R. Leonetti last directed Wolves at the Door (horror in 2016) and will next make a musical At the Hop. Writer Barbara Marshall recently wrote 10 episodes of Terra Nova (sci-fi in 2011) and Viral (horror in 2016). The film stars Joey King who was last in 8 episodes of Tween Fest (comedy in 2016) and Going in Style (comedy in 2017 with Morgan Freeman) and will next be seen in Zeroville (comedy directed and starring James Franco). Ryan Phillippe also stars after appearing in the first season of the action show Shooter and will next be in Tlatelolco68 (drama about the 1968 Mexican City Summer Olympics).
The Big Sick is a romantic comedy about a couple with cultural differences that they are working through while being in love. Director Michael Showalter last directed Hello, My Name Is Doris (comedy in 2015 with Sally Field) and co-wrote and co-created the show Search Party (comedy in 2016). Co-writer and star Kumail Nanjiani appears in Silicon Valley (comedy in 2014-2017), was last in Fist Fight (comedy in 2017 with Ice Cube), and will next be heard in The LEGO Ninjago Movie. Co-writer Emily V. Gordon also worked on Kumail’s tv show The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail (2014-2016). The film also stars Zoe Kazan who was last in The Monster (horror in 2016) and My Blind Brother (comedy in 2016 with Adam Scott), and will next be in the tv movie Max (comedy with Cary Elwes).
Links and Ratings
War for the Planet of the Apes – 8.3
Wish Upon – 4.4
The Big Sick – 8.1
Spider-man: Homecoming – 8.1
Despicable Me 3 – 6.4
Baby Driver – 8.3
Wonder Woman – 7.9
Cars 3 – 7.2