July to August 2016 Tomatometer Predictions

Tomatometer Guess: 56%. Steven Spielberg directs this adaptation of the popular Road Dahl book.

Actual Score: 73%. It's unlikely that The BFG will go down as one of Steven Spielberg's best efforts, but nevertheless, it's a heartfelt adventure with fantastic special effects, impressive acting (both from Mark Rylance as BFG and the actress who plays Sophia), and a great score by John Williams.

Though the film is not without its flaws (The pacing in the third act is sluggish and its brand of humor is childish at times), it's still a blast for families and especially kids.

Tomatometer Guess: 52%.

Actual Score: 56%. If you enjoyed the first two Purge films, then Election Year may be the best one yet. If you didn't care for or didn't like the previous films, this won't do anything to change your mind.

Tomatometer Guess: 39%.

Actual Score: 33%. The Legend Of Tarzan has moments of greatness like the flashbacks to Tarzan's origins (Which would have served for a much better movie), Samuel L. Jackson as the side character, and Margot Robbie's performance as Jane Porter.

However, the main story is rather uninteresting, Christoph Waltz is typecast as the villain,and the movie isn't as entertaining as it could and should be because it's far too serious for its own good.

Overall, it's a mediocre (but not unwatchable) movie that you'll forget all about as soon as it's over.

Tomatometer Guess: 82%. From the Creators of the Despicable Me franchise comes what is essentially Toy Story crossed with Cats & Dogs.

Actual Score: 76%. The Secret Life Of Pets features crisp animation and some admittedly clever visual gags, but its story is predictable (It's basically Toy Story with dogs), none of the characters really stand out, and the slapstick humor can be overbearing at times.

It's not terrible, I was at least entertained by it, but this film will definitely have more value for kids.

Tomatometer Guess: 17%.

Actual Score: 39%.

Tomatometer Guess: 65%.

Actual Score: 63%. Bryan Cranston's performance carries the otherwise average and predictable thriller.

Tomatometer Guess: 43%. I can't think of a movie with as much baggage as Paul Feig's Ghostbusters. From the vitriolic reactions to the marketing, (The first trailer was the most disliked YouTube trailer at the time.) to the controversy about whether the all-female cast was a political move, it's a mess.

But even with all of this drama, could this movie turn out to be good, or it as dead the ghosts in the film?


Actual Score: 75% (44% Audience) So, after all of the controversy surrounding it, Paul Feig's Ghostbusters turns out to be.....alright. The main cast has decent chemistry together, with Leslie Jones and Chris Hemsworth being the standouts, there are several moments that made me chuckle throughout the movie.However, the movie is hampered by several flaws:

For every joke that landed, there was another that would fall flat or overstay its welcome. For example, there are several jokes aimed towards the online detractors of this movie, and these pot shots come off as petty, mean-spirited, and childish. The villain is bland, uninteresting, and has barebones motivations.

Though it insists on being viewed as a standalone effort, the living cast members of the first film all make cameos. There are also several lines and story beats similar to the first. Some of these call-backs work, but most of them feel forced and take you right out of the movie.

The editing is choppy, and at times, incoherent, but my biggest issue with the film comes with the climax, which while entertaining, is full of cartoony CGI and an unbelievably stupid resolution.

So all in all, the new Ghostbusters is neither the train wreck the promotions made it out to be, nor is it the beacon of female heroes for girls to look up to, it's just...meh. It's fun, but I imagine that this movie will be remembered more for its controversy than its quality.

Tomatometer Guess: 72%.

Actual Score: 83%. Star Trek Beyond (in my opinion) is the kind of film that will leave everyone satisfied.

Hardcore Star Trek fans who weren't fond of the emphasis of action in the first two reboot films will be pleased that this installment focuses more on exploration and characters. This is largely thanks to script pegged by Simon Pegg.

And yet, the film still pleases fans of the reboot with spectacular action scenes and great humor.

This is a very entertaining film and a very nice way to celebrate Star Trek's 50th anniversary.

Tomatometer Guess: 88%.

Actual Score: 78%. Of all of the horror films released this year, Lights Out may be the most surprising.

Though the film works as a horror film with legitimate scares and likable/competent characters, it also works as a compelling drama about a dysfunctional family thanks to the writing and acting.

And thanks to its brisk running of time of 81 Minutes, the film almost never drags or meanders.

Tomatometer Guess: 32%. The franchise that has seemingly lasted as long as the event it's named after returns for a fifth installment.

Actual Score: 11%. Even lower score than my most optimistic predidction.

If the last three sequels weren't evidence enough, than Ice Age: Collision Course solidifies the fact that this franchise has seriously jumped the shark.

The humor is childish, the jokes are unfunny, and the characters are bland caricatures, and it feels like the script is incoherent.

Tomatometer Guess: 85%. After the disappointment of the previous installment, Matt Damon returns as Jason Bourne in the Fifth installment in the series.

Actual Score: 57%. Though entertaining and certainly better than Legacy, Jason Bourne fails to match the heights of the first three due to its story and uninteresting narrative.

Tomatometer Guess: 24%.

Actual Score: 63%.

Tomatometer Guess: 86%. After the extremely divisive reaction to Batman V Superman, Suicide Squad looks like it could earn WB/DC goodwill from fans and critics.

Actual Score: 27%. Much like Batman V Superman, Suicide Squad has all of the makings of a great movie: An all-star cast, a talented director, and a novel concept. Sadly, just like Batman V Superman, the execution is poor and the final product, as a result, is a mess.

The movie isn't without its merits, though. The acting (for the most part) is good, the action scenes are passable, the chemistry between the main characters is great, and despite his limited screen time, Ben Affleck is excellent as Batman.

Unfortunately, the negatives outweigh the positives. It was recently confirmed by that 10 to 20 Minutes of the movie were cut, and it shows in the choppy editing. Scenes begin and end without proper transitions or flow.

If you were excited for Jared Leto's take on the Joker, prepare to be deeply disappointed. Not only is he barely in the movie, but he's non-essential to the story that you could cut him out of the movie entirely and not miss anything.

The worst part of this movie is easily the villain, Enchantress (Cara Delevigne). She has barebones motivation, Delevigne's performance is laughable, and the final fight with her in the third act is where the whole thing falls apart.

Overall, Suicide Squad is yet another disappointing entry in the DCEU. I can only pray that Wonder Woman is a lot better, but I have low expectations.

Tomatometer Guess: 4%. I.....I've got nothing to say about this folks.

Actual Score: 5%. Nine Lives feels like one of those fake trailers you'd see on SNL because of how cliche it sounds, sadly it's real and it's just as awful as you thought it would be. The film is painfully cliche and is so predictable, that you could walk out of the movie for a few minutes and put together the pieces.

Tomatometer Guess: 65%.

Actual Score: 86%. Though paint-by-numbers and somewhat dependent on cliches, Pete's Dragon is a well acted and at times moving update of the original film.

Tomatometer Guess: 74%. The best way I can describe this movie is if Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg saw Foodfight and said, "What if we made this movie, except better and with more swearing".

Actual Score: 82%. Depending on your expectations, Sausage Party might either pleasantly surprise you or disappoint you. If you were expecting a dumb generic raunchy comedy, you might be surprised that the film has a very thought provoking message about society and religion.

However, if you were expecting consistent laughs, you might be disappointed that the jokes are more spread out. And while the concept of grocery items swearing and getting brutally "killed" is funny initially, the profanity becomes overused and it stops being funny.

Still, it's a fun time at the movies, and I'd highly recommend it (to those who are old enough at least).

Tomatometer Guess: 39%.

Actual Score: 32%. Ben-Hur is yet another generic,bare-bones, run-of-the-mill remake of a classic film. It's at least an entertaining competently made film, but there's no real reason to rush out and see this.

Tomatometer Guess: 91%. Laika Animation (Coraline, ParaNorman, & The Boxtrolls) returns for what is certain to be another fine addition to their library of films.

Actual Score: 94%. With beautiful motion capture animation, great action set pieces, and a decidedly mature story, Kubo and The Two Strings is easily one of the best films of the year and easily the best film that Laika has made so far.

Tomatometer Guess: 64%.

Actual Score: 60%. Miles Teller and Jonah Hill make an otherwise uneven film entertaining and dramatic.

Tomatometer Guess: 36%.

Actual Score: %. The Mechanic Resurrection is a dumb fun popcorn movie that thankfully, doesn't take itself seriously and is endlessly entertaining.

Tomatometer Guess: 67%. The director of the 2013 Evil Dead directs this unique looking thriller.

Actual Score: 89%. Tense, tightly-edited, and genuinely frightening, Don't Breathe is an exciting time at the movies that will stay with you long after it ends.