New Movies August 28: DJs, Escapes and Prayer
by EG
Last week's new releases weren't able to end Straight Outta Compton's reign at the box office, but maybe this week's new films will have a better shot at dethroning the hip-hop powerhouse. None of the new films screams blockbuster, however, so the weekend's box office results could be interesting.
The first of the new wide releases is No Escape, an action thriller starring Owen Wilson and Pierce Brosnan, neither of them a guaranteed box office draw. Lake Bell also stars as Wilson's wife. Critics are somewhat mixed on the quality of the flick, although most reviews are coming down on the negative side.
The next wide release is We Are Your Friends, a drama about a battle between club DJs in Hollywood. The film features Zac Efron, Emily Ratajkowski, Wes Bentley and an unwieldy title. Critics are even less enthusiastic about this one, with reviews pointing out the flat writing and the film's inability to make the club scene seem very appealing.
The week's third new film is getting a somewhat less wide release than the other two but will still be on the screen in most major markets. War Room is Christian drama in which a wise old woman teaches a married couple that a dedication to their faith can save them from divorce. The film is produced and directed by the Kendrick brothers, who are responsible for other faith-based films, including Fireproof and Courageous. If War Room is lucky, it could tap into the trend that made several Christian films into surprise hits last year.