By Dustin Jayroe

 

We had a significant shake-up in the box office last week, with four of the weekend’s releases opening up the Top 5. Midway led the pack on Veterans Day weekend with a $17.9 million opening, Doctor Sleep ($14.2 million), Playing With Fire ($12.8 million) and Last Christmas ($11.4 million) followed, and holdover Terminator: Dark Fate ($10.8 million) fell to number five. 

 

Here are the top movies opening in theaters this week.

 

Charlie’s Angels (PG-13)

Opens 11/15

Director: Elizabeth Banks

Writer(s): Elizabeth Banks, Evan Spiliotopoulos, David Auburn

Rotten Tomatoes: Current: 63%; Prediction: 58%

Stars: Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, Ella Balinska, Elizabeth Banks, Patrick Stewart

Good morning, Angels. This “reboot” of sorts from Elizabeth Banks (Pitch Perfect 2) aims to breathe some new life into the classic franchise, using the familiar name to tell a similar story in a different way. In this version of Charlie’s Angels, the empire has expanded globally, with multiple Bosley’s guiding teams of women in countries across the world. 

VERDICT: See it. 

 

The Good Liar (R)

Opens 11/15

Director: Bill Condon

Writer(s): Jeffrey Hatcher, Nicholas Searle

Rotten Tomatoes: Current: 61%; Projection: 55%

Stars: Helen Mirren, Ian McKellan, Russell Tovey

 

I think it says a lot that the official movie poster weights the two stars’ last names much higher and heavier than the actual title of the film. The Good Liar is about a con man (McKellan) who singles out a wealthy widow (Mirren) for his next hit. Similar to last week’s Last Christmas, this one impressions as a made-for-TV film I’ve seen before with simply a much stronger cast. This is the first time Mirren and McKellan have starred alongside each other, so that’s something. 

 

VERDICT: Stay away. 

 

Ford v Ferrari (PG-13)

Opens 11/15

Director: James Mangold

Writer(s): Jez ButterworthJohn-Henry ButterworthJason Keller

Rotten Tomatoes: Current: 89%; Prediction: 87%

Stars: Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Jon Bernthal, Josh Lucas

Director James Mangold (Walk the LineLogan) appears to have another hit on his hands with this true story tale of Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and Ken Miles’ (Christian Bale) quest to build a race car for Ford Motor Company that can take down the dominant Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966. Chalk this one up as another awards season contender, as it is already generating significant engine rumblings around Hollywood.

VERDICT: See it.

 

EDITOR’S CHOICE

The Report (R)

Opens 11/15

Director: Scott Z. Burns

Writer: Scott Z. Burns

Rotten Tomatoes: Current: 86%; Prediction: 84%

Stars: Adam Driver, Annette Bening, Jon Hamm

This based-on-a-true-story drama is centered around the aftermath of 9/11. Daniel J. Jones (Adam Driver) leads the U.S. Senate’s investigation into the CIA’s Detention and Interrogation program, under the purview of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Annette Bening). The secrets he uncovers rattle him to his core. This looks incredibly gripping and entirely chilling (not to mention I am a sucker for political dramas). Consider this one an awards season contender in a number of categories. 

 

VERDICT: See it. 

Last Week’s Rotten Tomatoes Predictions

 

Doctor Sleep

Predicted: 74%

Actual: 76%

Almost on the money. We thought Doctor Sleep might come down just the slightest bit, but steadied at 76 percent. 

 

Jojo Rabbit

Predicted: 78%

Actual: 79%

Same scenario here — forecasted a minor dip, but director Taika Waititi’s latest stayed the course.

 

Midway

Predicted: 45%

Actual: 42%

We came in blind here, as the review embargo did not lift on Midway until right at opening, but we still had it (almost) pegged perfectly. 

 

Last Christmas

Predicted: 65%

Actual: 50%

Should have stuck with our gut here on what appeared to be one that would divide critics. But with Paul Feig directing and two high-quality actors leading, we gave a little too much cushion than was apparently due.