Hi, movie fans! Working on movies at The New York Times can be a jarring experience at a time of important current events. We're checking the news just like you and are keenly aware that our task pales next to bigger issues. With that stipulation, I have been thinking a lot about "Furiosa" and its box office meltdown. "Meltdown" may be a little strong, but hopes were high when the follow-up to "Mad Max: Fury Road" was announced. Its underperformance over Memorial Day weekend — when it brought in $32 million but cost $168 million — was the talk of the film desk. (And remember, marketing adds tens of millions of dollars to the final budget.) The movie was well-reviewed, scoring a 90 percent fresh from audiences and critics on Rotten Tomatoes. So what gives? Among the points reporters and critics brought up with me: - It was too long between movies with "Furiosa" arriving nearly 10 years after the previous one.
- Younger audiences, usually a prime target for action pictures, weren't as familiar with the "Mad Max" series in general.
- The marketing didn't create much awareness of the film.
- The story itself — a prequel focused on the character played by Charlize Theron before and Anya Taylor-Joy now — didn't offer a lot to root for, as she went from one captor to another.
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Several people noted that "Fury Road" wasn't a hit right out of the gate, so "Furiosa" may still come through. Then again, "Fury Road" wasn't considered a dud at first either. The box office story has been one of triumphs ("Dune: Part Two) and reversals this year, and we'll be keeping a close eye on summer releases like "Inside Out 2," "Twisters" and "Deadpool & Wolverine." Of course, the box office is just one aspect of the film ecosystem, and our critics see a lot to love among current releases. Of particular note, Alissa Wilkinson recommends "MoviePass, MovieCrash," an illuminating documentary about the subscription service that "made positively zero sense"; and Amy Nicholson calls the animated "Robot Dreams" from Pablo Berger a "wordless wonder of a cartoon." Whatever you decide to watch, enjoy the movies! |  | | San Francisco Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers, via Getty Images |
Critic's Pick 'MoviePass, MovieCrash' Review: When They Take Your Company AwayAn illuminating documentary about the ill-fated (though now-revived) subscription service finds an unexpected story. By Alissa Wilkinson |  | | Arcadia Motion Pictures, Lokiz Films, Noodles Production, Les Films du Worso |
Critic's Pick 'Robot Dreams' Review: A Friendship That Is Far From MechanicalThis animated film from Pablo Berger is a silent wonder that says everything about love. By Amy Nicholson |
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