After all the box office records that Beauty and the Beast broke last weekend, nothing is going to be able challenge it for the number one spot this weekend. However, that is not going to stop three big new releases from trying.
The biggest of the three is a reboot of a television series that has already been turned into two movies. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers launched on TV in 1993 and was made into two movies in the mid-90s. The new movie is simply called Power Rangers and is the story of five teens with attitude who are brought together by coincidence or destiny to become the newest generation in a line of superheroes given extraterrestrial powers who must learn to harness their gifts as a team to save the world. While the actors who play the Rangers are relative newcomers, veterans like Elizabeth Banks, Bryan Cranston and Bill Hader offer their talents.
While the new thriller Life is obviously inspired by Alien (its release date even moved away from the upcoming Alien: Covenant to avoid competition), the talent both in front and behind the camera will help set it apart. Jake Gyllenhaal, Ryan Reynolds and Rebecca Ferguson star as three of six astronauts on the International Space Station who find proof of life on Mars. As the scientists study the newly discovered life form, it proves to be more intelligent than anyone ever expected. Starring behind the camera are screenwriters Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese, who were responsible for Deadpool and are currently working on Deadpool 2. While acknowledging the similarities to Alien, critics are giving Life positive reviews saying that it is polished, attractively cast and scary fun.
If you mention CHiPs to Baby Boomers and early Gen X-ers, it will most likely make the iconic theme song for that TV show immediately come to mind. Running from 1977 to 1983, the TV show introduced us to Larry Wilcox as Officer Jon Baker and Erik Estrada as Officer 鈥淧onch鈥� Poncherello 鈥� two motorcycle cops patrolling the highways of California. Well, Jon and Ponch are back (played by Dax Shepard and Michael Pena, respectively) in an action comedy about two middle-aged California Highway Patrol officers who find themselves in a situation like no other when a sadistic ex-cop (Vincent D鈥橭nofrio) and his crew wreak havoc throughout the city. Funnyman Shepard also serves as writer, producer and director and hired his own wife Kirsten Bell to play his on-screen wife.
Another movie opening this weekend is the wrestling comedy Chokeslam, about a mild-mannered deli clerk who gets a second chance to pursue his high school sweetheart who is now a notorious female professional wrestler. Amanda Crew plays the object of his affections and pro wrestler Mick Foley makes an appearance.
And if you missed the biggest movie of 2016 (or if you want to see it one more time on the big screen), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is playing at Landmark Cinemas Encore in West 91大黄鸭 starting this weekend.
