Adam Sandler’s Dracula was out for blood last weekend as Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation seized the number one spot at the box office, likely driven by out-of-school youngsters looking for some entertainment after Incredibles 2. The horror/comedy reeled in $44 million, keeping in line with the two previous entries, which also released to the mid-forties. Dwayne Johnson’s latest actioner had less luck, delivering below expectations to a meager, yet not-terrible $25 million. I would attribute it less to The Rock-fatigue and more to a glaring absence in originality.
This weekend is more of a lull in the season as far as major blockbusters go, with competition showing a marked trepidation with a brand new Mission: Impossible film due next week. This Friday action fans can look forward to the sequel The Equalizer 2 with Denzel Washington, skewing more toward the men out there, while musical fans can look forward to the sequel Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, skewing more toward the women out there. Deadline reports projections for Mamma Mia between $30 and $36 million, and for Equalizer 2 in the mid-twenties.
With the critics, the Mamma Mia sequel, directed by Ol Parker, is tracking far better on Rotten Tomatoes than Phyllida Lloyd’s popular original, sitting currently at a favorable 86% compared to its predecessor’s mixed 56%. Denzel Washington’s first-ever sequel in The Equalizer 2, however, is tracking slightly below the first with a currently divided 50% compared to the original’s 60%. I have seen neither Mamma Mia nor The Equalizer, but judging by the trailers Mamma Mia looks to have a lot more to offer than Equalizer 2, though as a man I would much rather watch Equalizer 2.
The comedy Sorry to Bother You just expanded to Des Moines, so I’m planning on prioritizing that this weekend. I’m still working on getting caught up on The Equalizer, but I’m planning on getting to the sequel sometime soon. I will predict Mamma Mia to earn a strong $40 million, and the Equalizer 2 to score a decent $24 million. I am expecting to rate Equalizer around 5/10. What are your predictions? Let me know in the comments, and check back soon for upcoming reviews.
Film Sentinel 
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