By Chris Kavan - 06/19/14 at 06:41 AM CT
Last weekend, the box office was dominated by a pair of sequels and comedy 22 Jump Street topped How to Train Your Dragon 2 as the biggest draw for audiences. This weekend yet another sequel makes an appearance, with red-hot Kevin Hart leading the charge. Otherwise, Clint Eastwood once again enters the director's chair as he brings a popular Broadway musical to the big screen. But with one sequel be able to unseat the reigning champion - or we we FINALLY have a two-week champ for the first time in the summer? I think it's going to be a close one.
THINK LIKE A MAN TOO There is no doubt that actor Kevin Hart has been on a hot streak. From his stand-up comedy film Let Me Explain to Ride Along (which was released early in the year to the tune of $134 million), Hart has been a major force at the box office. Think Like a Man wasn't just Hart's show - the 2012 film featured an ensemble cast: Michael Ealy, Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union, Meagan Good, Regina Hall, Jerry Ferrara, Terrence Jenkins and even Chris Brown - all came together in a film that cost $12 million and went on to make over $91 million at the box office. Now the main gang is back (along with a few new faces: Adam Brody and Dennis Haysbert) and this time they're hitting Vegas. What starts off as a weekend getaway soon turns into an epic battle of men vs. women as each go on their separate adventures - and, of course, both groups find trouble. A lot of the trailers have focused on Hart (and why not, he is winning the popularity contest right now) but I have to admit, it also looks like a lot of fun. The big trick here is going to be to top the original film - and I have a good feeling it will be at least able to reach $100 million this time around. It will be interesting to see how it stands up to 22 Jump Street - both comedies, but targeting different audiences - and how it comes out over the weekend.
On a completely different spectrum comes the latest film from Clint Eastwood - the biographical musical of The Four Seasons, Jersey Boys. But don't be fooled by the trailers featuring some of the most popular songs by Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito and the rest of the crew - this is an R-rated venture that focuses just as much on the hard-hitting life of growing up on the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey as it is making it big in the 60s. I honestly think the film is going to be a tough sell. Though its based on a monstrous Broadway hit - look at Rent - that didn't exactly burn up the box office. Les Miserables did stellar business - but that was a huge, sprawling near-epic - Jersey Boys isn't exactly in the same league. Eastwood isn't as big a draw as he once was, either and it's just... weird thinking of him directing a musical. Plus, you have the rating - which can do nothing but work against it. I have a feeling this is going to be middling at best due to all those factors.
Given the titles, it's once again going to come down to a battle of the sequels - 22 Jump Street vs Think Like a Man Too. It just really depends on if the bromance between Jonah HIll and Channing Tatum can top the momentum of Kevin Hart. We'll find out where the bigger draw lies this weekend.
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