Box Office: 'Transformers: Age of Extinction' Scores 2014's Biggest Opening Weekend

1. Transformers: Age of Extinction- $100M
It appears there's a lot more energon in the tank of Paramount's Transformers franchise as Transformers: Age of Extinction scored the biggest opening weekend of 2014 with $100M. The fourth film in the series and the second to be called Michael Bay's finale (we'll see about that), this is also the first to open on a Friday, oddly enough, and the results were $41M on that first night alone. The film was also a Chinese co-production with the action taking place partly in Hong Kong, and that no doubt factored into the strong $30M it earned there as part of a $201M international haul. At $301M on the first weekend there's every reason to think it will cross the $1B mark just as the last film did. One has to consider the addition of Mark Wahlberg, who is signed up for multiple movies, had a hand to play in keeping audiences interested at a time when most franchises start to die out. Whether Bay returns for the already-confirmed Transformers 5 in 2016 is unknown but if not he's going out with a band, just as we'd expect him to.
2. 22 Jump Street- $15.4M/$139.8M
3. How to Train Your Dragon 2- $13.1M/$121.8M
4. Think Like a Man Too - $10.4/$48.1M
On less solid footing than the prior movie, Think Like A Man Too slipped 64% and seems a long shot to match Think Like A Man's $96M run.
5. Maleficent- $8.2M/$201.8M
6. Jersey Boys- $7.6M/$27.3M
7. Edge of Tomorrow- $5.2M/$84.1M
8. The Fault In Our Stars- $4.8M/$109.5M
9. X-men: Days of Future Past- $3.3M/$223.3M
Skirts past the $700M mark worldwide. 
10. Chef- $1.6M/$19.4M
Jon Favreau's little culinary film keeps on cookin', slipping only 3% from last week.

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Box Office: 'Think Like A Man Too' Gambles and Wins with $30M; 'Jersey Boys' Only $13M

1. Think Like A Man Too- $30M
To nobody's surprise Think Like a Man Too was the top new release o the week with $30M. What may be a little bit unexpected was the total, which checks in at less than the $33M debut of 2012's Think Like A Man. The reasons for this probably have to do with their being a greater uptick in the number of African-American comedies, nearly all of which star Kevin Hart who really blew up after the first film. For him, this is a stronger open than the $25M About Last Night earned, and considerably less than Ride Along's $41M. But the good thing about it is none of these movies cost all that much, and Think Like A Man Too only ran about $24M so Screen Gems is pretty happy right now and probably thinking of what exotic locale to take the gang next. Think Like A Man Three: European Vacation?
2. 22 Jump Street- $29M/$111.4M
Slipping 49% in its second weekend was 22 Jump Street, but at $149M worldwide there's every reason to expect it will surpass the $201M total haul of 21 Jump Street.
3. How to Train Your Dragon 2- $25.3M/$95.1M
Dreamworks isn't getting quite what they hoped for out of How to Train Your Dragon 2, which after two weeks isn't performing much better than the original hit movie. Worldwide it has only gained about $131M, well below the prior film's $500M.
4. Jersey Boys- $13.5M
Maybe they should have held all of the Jersey Boys screenings before 5pm, included with an Early Bird Special? Clearly, Clint Eastwood was hoping his fellow octogenarians would carry his adaptation of the hit Broadway musical to greater heights than a mere $13.5M but they simply didn't turn out for the film. This is especially notable since older-skewing movies have been performing like gangbusters of late, which means some of the blame has to fall on Warner Bros.' marketing which relied less on the popularity of the musical or the Four Seasons' music than they did on Eastwood's name. And as we've seen with a movie like Trouble with the Curve, Eastwood's name doesn't quite hold the same cache it used to. The odd summer release schedule probably didn't help as this would normally be the type of film we'd see in the fall.
5. Maleficent- $13M/$185.9M
6. Edge of Tomorrow- $10.3M/$74.5M
For further proof that domestic grosses don't mean much anymore, simply look at the $181M earned by Tom Cruise's Edge of Tomorrow overseas. That brings the total to $255M which doesn't look bad at all, does it?
7. The Fault In Our Stars- $8.6M/$98.7M
In related news, Kleenex stock up 47% in the last three weeks. By the way, The Fault In Our Stars is wringing tears all around the world, about $42M worth on top of the domestic numbers. In other words, Shailene Woodley is a superstar.
8. X-men: Days of Future Past- $6.2M/$216.7M
9. Chef- $1.8M/$16.9M
If they ever do a live-action Ratatouille they better hire Jon Favreau. 
10. Godzilla- $1.8M/$194.9M

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Interview: Michael Ealy and Meagan Good Talk 'Think Like A Man Too', Sequels, and Filming in Vegas

When 2012's Think Like a Man, based on Steve Harvey's relationship book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, wrapped up its run nearly hitting $100M it took many by surprise. The film helped make a superstar out of Kevin Hart and gave a number of actors we're used to seeing in supporting roles their chance to shine as leads. That talented ensemble consisting of Michael Ealy, Meagan Good, Gabrielle Union, Taraji P. Henson, Terrence J, Regina Hall, Romany Malco, and Jerry Ferrara, all came back for the sequel, Think Like A Man Too, which is expected to be a huge hit this weekend.  Taking the action to Las Vegas where one of the couples is due to be married, the guys and girls instead compete to see who can have the wildest night in Sin City. 

Along with my Addicted to Film colleague, Tim Gordon, I had a chance to talk with Think Like A Man Too stars Michael Ealy and Meagan Good about coming back for the sequel; the chemistry they've built, and if there are plans for a Think Like a Man 3. You can watch the interview below and be sure to check us out on Addicted to Film every Sunday night at 7pm on Listen Vision Radio.

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Cinema Royale #67- Jersey Boys; The Rover; Think Like A Man Too

On a special Cinema Royale, Think Like a Man Too stars Michael Ealy and Meagan Good drop by to talk about the comedy sequel which takes the laughs and relationship headaches to Las Vegas!

Christopher Bumbray of Joblo.com stops by to review Clint Eastwood's musical Jersey Boys, based on the smash Broadway play. Plus we'll take a look at The Rover with Robert Pattinson and Guy Pearce, from the director of Animal Kingdom.Plus, huge Star Wars news, info on two Bowe Bergdahll movies, and is Batman getting a solo film soon?

Cinema Royale is part of the Hashtag Studios Broadcast Network and brings you movie reviews and news straight from the Nation's Capital! Go to www.cinemaroyaleshow.com and subscribe, and while there consider signing up for the premium service for more content and to be entered in our monthly prize drawing!

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Review: 'Think Like a Man Too' Starring Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, Meagan Good, and Taraji P. Henson

They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and by the time Think Like A Man Too is over you'll wish it had stayed there, also. Following up on 2011's surprise comedy hit based on the relationship book by Steve Harvey, the film leans heavily on breakout star Kevin Hart to carry the comedic load, to the detriment of the equally-talented cast he's surrounded by. Not to say that Hart isn't talented as well, but as a colleague of mine put it, "A little Hart goes a long way". It's the classic case of a sequel that's bigger but not necessarily better, louder but not necessarily funnier.

Admit it, the first time you heard Vegas would be the setting you knew the sequel was doomed. Vegas has become something of a black hole from which fresh ideas never escape. The only one to break this disturbing trend was The Hangover, which then proceeded to return to Vegas disastrously in the franchise's finale. Overconfidence will kill ya. But the worst side-effect of the Vegas problem is the locale guarantees there will be less relationship insight and more indulging in the night life.

Everybody's back for what turns out to be a big wedding bash in Sin City, only now their respective relationships have been kicked up to sitcom levels. Candace (Regina Hall) has settled into a comfortable groove with her fiancé Michael (Terrence J), who is still a "momma's boy" and perhaps even more so. Mya (Meagan Good) is having issues dealing with "Zeke the Freak" (Romany Malco) and his sexual history, made worse by his reputation around Vegas. Lauren (Taraji P. Henson) and Dominic (Michael Ealy) are having work/life balance issues; Jeremy (Jerry Ferrara) and Kirsten (Gabrielle Union) are trying to maintain their passion while trying to get pregnant, and of course the requisite unhip white couple (Gary Owen and Wendi McLendon-Covey) is along for the ride and get spruced up roles. Aggressive motormouth Cedric (Hart) has a wild bachelor party planned and a $40K-per-night hotel all booked up for the festivities, hilariously mistaken into thinking he's been asked by Michael to be the best man. Making fun of Hart's diminutive stature has become all too common, but director Tim Story finds new ways to emphasize his lack of height. Cedric, who narrates the action as he did before, sees it as a competition between the sexes to have the craziest evening possible, frequently and weakly reaching for basketball metaphors to make his point. They were probably lifted word-for-word from Harvey's book, but on the plus side the author's appearances are thankfully few.

Hart gets the bulk of the funniest lines as Cedric berates his friends and their love lives, racing them from one disastrous mishap after another. “I’m sick of this nontourage", he cleverly quips. You can't blame them for making Hart the centerpiece but his rat-a-tat-tat shtick has a limit, and you don't know when the line has been crossed until it's too late. In one tell-tale moment, Hart indulges in a Risky Business-style dance number that goes on way too long and would have been funnier as a shared scene with the group. The ensemble is what audiences love, and they will absolutely flip over the film's creative highlight; a music video of the ladies rappin' to Bell Biv Devoe's "Poison". From there it's all downhill for Think Like a Man Too, a sequel that, if we were to use a relationship metaphor, is like a really bad rebound date.

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*CLOSED* 'Think Like A Man Too' Advance Screening *First Come First Served*

We're doing something a little differently for this screening of Think Like A Man Too. We know you all want to see the sequel to last year's hit film starring Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, Regina Hall, and Taraji P. Henson. And since the screening is coming up in just a couple of days, we're going to make it easy for you to attend. The event takes place on Thursday, June 5th at 7:00pm at Regal Gallery Place in Washington, DC. If you're interested, simply go here and download two passes. These are first come, first served and once they are gone that's it; no more.

We do ask that you be considerate and not download more than two. We can check the account and will embarrass (then ban) those who do. Just kidding, sorta.

Anyway, we hope you enjoy the film and be sure to head over to the Punch Drunk Critics Facebook page and share your thoughts!

Think Like A Man Too
Opens June 20th
Director: Tim Story
Cast: Kevin Hart, Taraji P. Henson, Michael Ealy, Regina Hall, Jerry Ferrara, Terrence J, Romany Malco, Meagan Good, Gabrielle Union

Synopsis: In the highly anticipated sequel, which was inspired by Steve Harvey’s best-selling book Act Like a Lady, Think Like A Man, all the couples are back for a wedding in Las Vegas. But plans for a romantic weekend go awry when their various misadventures get them into some compromising situations that threaten to derail the big event.

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Trailer for 'Think Like a Man Too' Takes the Action to Vegas

The emergence of Kevin Hart as a superstar really kicked off in 2012 with Think Like a Man, the relationship comedy surprising many with a $96M box office. Audiences jumped at the chance to see the cast full of favorite supporting actors such as Michael Ealy, Regina Hall, and Romany Malco get their chance to shine, and now they gang is back again for the sequel, Think Like a Man Too.

The first trailer for the film has been released and it worryingly takes the action to Las Vegas for some "sin city" shenanigans. The entire cast has returned, and this time the couples are together for an impending wedding, although the footage keeps secret who will be tying the knot. The first film was smart, funny, and relatable in a way I don't think many were expecting, but this looks to be relying heavily on silly antics rather than the ties that bind these characters together.

This could be a step in the wrong direction but so far the combination of director Tim Story and producer Will Packer have yet to strike out. The duo also collaborated on the $100M-topping Ride Along, and Packer produced this weekend's About Last Night remake which features much of this film's cast.

Co-starring Taraji P. Henson, Gary Owen, Terrence J., Meagan Good, Jerry Ferrara, La La Anthony, Jenifer Lewis, and Gabrielle Union, Think Like a Man Too opens June 20th 2014.


Think Like a Man Too (2014) Trailer by Afro-Style.com

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