The Roundup with Jeff Stockton (Season 31 Round 7)

 

This round was fairly uneventful at the box office, but we have some new GRA contenders. Here's The Roundup....

3. Nineteen Eighty-Four - Part One

I found the film to be pretty engrossing. Darren Aronofsky's direction certainly helped the film, coming off his Best Director GRA a couple seasons back for Murder Mysteries. The film does have some serious flaws (more on that below), but is overall pretty decent.

2. The Diplomat

I really enjoyed The Diplomat as a character study featuring talents at the top of their games. I expect serious GRA buzz. Lon Charles once again took an unlikable lead character and painted them in such a humane way that you still care about the outcome.

1. Johnny Depp

Speaking of The Diplomat, I think it is safe to say its star is one of the main frontrunners for the Best Actor GRA, with Damson Idris probably being his only real competition so far. Depp hasn't worked in LRF for a while, so it was great seeing him back on the big screen. Hopefully he isn't gone for too long. Speaking of which, I wouldn't mind seeing him back in another Sandman film (if Chad Taylor is reading this).

3. Nineteen Eighty-Four - Part One

While I still liked the film overall, I did find myself questioning why the book was split up during some of the film's slower moments. I have high hopes that Part Two will feature a lot more of the book's more exciting/tense moments as this one was definitely missing some good stuff.

2. Terror of the Lost Time

This one suffered from poor character development (I couldn't tell any of them apart and certainly didn't care if any survived the dino-threat). I also don't feel like it pushed its concept far enough. I consider Terror of the Lost Time to be a missed opportunity.

1. Blockbusters

The box office looks better on paper, but the profits have been smaller because there have been a lack of blockbusters. Through seven rounds the studio has yet to have any films hit the $500 million mark at the box office, and only two have grossed over $300 million. Justice League War is the only sure thing for the rest of the season, but there are a couple other hopeful blockbusters with Gamera and Black Widow X Hawkeye due out soon.