1. Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (Fox, 3,700+ Theaters, 131 Minutes, Rated PG-13 for extended sequences of violence and action, some thematic elements, substance use and language, Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer at press time: 45% Fresh [75 Reviews]): The success rate of films made from young adult novels is not high, so when The Maze Runner made ten-times its budget worldwide, fans knew they had a good shot at seeing all the books hit the silver screen.
This time around, the kids have left the maze and made it to the Scorch, a desolate, desert-like land where danger hides behind every corner. Thomas begins to find out more about WICKED and what the organization wants with him.
As you can see above, the reviews haven’t been all that good. With another sequel planned for 2017, hopefully those reviews won’t keep people away.
2. Black Mass (Warner Brothers, 3,188 Theaters, 122 Minutes, Rated R for brutal violence, language throughout, some sexual references and brief drug use, Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer at press time: 76% Fresh [104 Reviews]): Funny how the instant Johnny Depp plays a character he brings to life with heavy make-up who is also a real character, that Oscar buzz begins.
Yes, even though he is probably wearing as much make-up, if not more, that he did as Barnabas Collins, the Mad Hatter, or Tonto, the fact that he is playing the recently incarcerated Whitey Bulger is enough for people to start with the talk of a nomination.
But will the film be Oscar worthy? The Departed was and that was a bastardized version of Bulger’s story (Jack Nicholson played the Bulger role). Of course, the quality of that film has no indicator that this one will be good.
