The July 4th holiday weekend came without much fanfare in regards to a big summer blockbuster opening, as the quants at the studios launched most of their warheads in June and judging by the box office numbers the really did their homework. Historically the July 4th weekend hasn’t been a good week to launch in fact there was a ubiquitous decline across the board with only one film in the top ten increasing in percentage over the previous week, and that was “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” which came in at 1.3 million up 33% for the weekend as the word of mouth momentum continues to surprise. The Summer’s behemoth “Jurassic World” had a strong weekend by most July standards with a 30.9 million total but compared with their record setting previous weekends it was off by 43%. “Ted 2” continues to disappoint off 67% from its prior weekend at 11 million, but when compared to first Ted film it has a wider release but had a second weekend drop that was 27% worse, further illustrating the overall off week for the box office. However the next big wave should come this weekend as “Minions” opens on the 10th and should have little competition owning the week. Here are the box office stats for the weekend and a preview of what’s upcoming. Look out for Self/Less as a sleeper pick.
Week of July 10 – July 17
10,000 Km
When a residency takes her from Barcelona to Los Angeles, an artist and her boyfriend must rely on technology to keep their relationship alive. With Natalia Tena and David Verdaguer. Written by Carlos Marques-Marcet and Clara Roquet. Directed by Marques-Marcet. In Spanish, with English subtitles. Broad Green Pictures
The Bronze
A bitter small-town gymnast clinging to her third-place Olympics win a decade earlier is persuaded to coach a promising local talent but isn’t too keen on having her thunder stolen. With Melissa Rauch, Haley Lu Richardson and Thomas Middleditch. Written by Melissa Rauch and Winston Rauch. Directed by Bryan Buckley. Relativity Studios
The Gallows
Twenty years after an accident killed the lead actor of a high school play, students at the same small-town school resurrect the failed stage production, but things don’t go as planned. With Cassidy Gifford, Ryan Shoos and Reese Mishler. Written and directed by Chris Lofing and Travis Cluff. Warner Bros. Pictures
Minions (One to Watch)
The capsule-shaped creatures known as Minions search for a new evil mastermind to follow in this spinoff of the “Despicable Me” animated films. With the voices of Sandra Bullock and Jon Hamm. Written by Brian Lynch. Directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda. In 3-D. Universal Pictures
The Pilgrim: The Best Story of Paulo Coelho
A biopic about Brazilian novelist Coelho and his brushes with death, madness, drugs, love, rock ‘n’ roll and more. With Júlio Andrade, Ravel Andrade and Fabiana Gugli. Written by Carolina Kotscho. Directed by Daniel Augusto. In Portuguese and Spanish, English subtitles. Music Box Films
Self/Less
A wealthy man dying of cancer undergoes a radical medical procedure to transfer his consciousness into a healthy young body, but all is not as it seems when he digs into the origin of his new frame. With Ryan Reynolds, Natalie Martinez and Ben Kingsley. Written by David Pastor and Alex Pastor. Directed by Tarsem Singh. Focus Features
Tangerine
On Christmas Eve, a transgender prostitute and her best friend seek revenge on the former’s pimp/boyfriend. With Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, Mya Taylor and Karren Karagulian. Written by Sean Baker and Chris Bergoch. Directed by Baker. Magnolia Pictures
July 17
Ant-Man
A master thief seeking redemption dons a suit that allows him to shrink in size but increase in strength to face down a new generation of threats. With Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly and Corey Stoll. Written by Rudd and Adam McKay. Directed by Peyton Reed. Walt Disney Pictures
Ardor
In the rainforest of Argentina, a mysterious man emerges from the jungle to help a tobacco-farming family threatened by land-grabbers. With Gael García Bernal and Alice Braga. Written and directed by Pablo Fendrik. Participant Media
Irrational Man
A tormented philosophy professor finds a will to live when he commits a crazy act to help a total stranger. With Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone and Parker Posey. Written and directed by Woody Allen. Sony Pictures Classics
Mr. Holmes
In 1947, an aging Sherlock Holmes faces the end of his days in a remote seaside farmhouse, where he begins to rely on his housekeeper’s young son and revisits the unsolved case that forced him into retirement. With Ian McKellen, Laura Linney and Milo Parker. Written by Jeffrey Hatcher. Directed by Bill Condon. Roadside Attractions
The Stanford Prison Experiment
A dramatic account of the infamous 1971 psychology experiment in which 24 male undergraduates acted out the randomly assigned roles of guards and prisoners, embracing their roles to a shocking degree. With Billy Crudup, Ezra Miller and Michael Angarano. Written by Tim Talbott. Directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez. IFC Films
That Sugar Film
A documentary exploring the prevalence of sugar in supposedly healthy foods and its potential effects. Directed by Damon Gameau. Samuel Goldwyn Films
Trainwreck
A hard-living men’s magazine writer who doesn’t believe in monogamy is thrown for a loop when she starts to fall for her latest profile subject, an endearing sports doctor. With Amy Schumer, Bill Hader and Brie Larson. Written by Schumer. Directed by Judd Apatow. Universal Pictures