Weekend Preview: Iron Man

I have a feeling that Iron Man 3 is going to be the highest grossing film this weekend, but I'm not really sure why. I could be wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.

Back in 2008, the first Iron Man opened to an impressive $98 million domestically on its way to a $318 million total gross. Two years later Iron Man 2 opened to an even more impressive $128 million, but its less-than-strllar critical response prevented it from surpassing its predecessor's total gross: it closed with a $312 million total domestic gross.

Three more years have passed, and Tony Stark is back again to kick off Marvel's Phase Two, and he's going to do it with a bang. I expect Iron Man should have an easy time reaching $150 million this weekend. It may even have a chance at passing Deathly Hallows Part 2's opening weekend gross of $169 million to become the second highest opening weekend of all time, behind The Avengers's $207 million.

Are you planning to see Iron Man's third outing this weekend? Don't tell me what happens because I can't see it until Thursday...

Tune in next week to be transported back to the Jazz Age in Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby.

May 2013 Preview!

Here is a quick look at the films I plan to see in May:

Iron Man 3 (5/3/13)
The first one was great. The second one was ok. I think Ben Kingsley's Mandarin should help the third outing be almost as good as the first.

The Great Gatsby (5/10/13)
Confession: I have not read F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel on which this film is based. However, I do know that director Baz Luhrmann knows how to make beautiful, complex films, and Gatsby looks to excel in both categories. What's yet to be seen is whether the adaptation can make a profit on its estimated production budget of $127 million.

Star Trek Into Darkness (5/17/13)
JJ's long awaited sequel to 2009's Star Trek. On my birthday. Now if only we knew the true identity of Benedict's villain...

Epic (5/24/13)
An interesting premise where a young girl gets pulled into a fantastical miniature forest world (possibly her backyard?) in order to help the leafmen defeat the forces of evil. I'll take this over this day's other releases any day.

After Earth (5/31/13)
Unlike most people, I still have some faith in Shyamalan, even after critical duds Lady in the Water, The Happening, and The Last Airbender. Maybe I'm just blinded by the post-apocalyptic science fiction plot, but I'm definitely interested in seeing this one.

Now You See Me (5/31/13)
Not-Michael Cera, The Hulk, Tallahassee/Haymitch, the captain from Prometheus, The Voice of God, and Alfred Pennyworth star in a magic show/bank robbery heist thriller. Count me in.

I'm sure you can tell which of these I'm looking forward to the most, so which of May's releases are you most excited about?