Box Office Battlefield: Ouija vs. John Wick

The weekend warriors of October 24, 2014 includes Ouija and John Wick, as well as two limited releases. Every week, movie studios select candidates to enter the glorious battlefield for your hard-earned dollars, Box Office Battlefield is here to help you decide which movie(s) will take priority over the others and determine who will be victorious.

Last weekend, Fury made short work of the competition thanks to Brad Pitt and his crew of merry men. And now we have two big contenders looking to pierce the armor of David Ayer’s WWII action-drama with some scares and bullets to the head. Whoa. This is the Box Office Battlefield:

Ouija (Stiles White) Rated PG-13 [89 min] – A group of friends must confront their most terrifying fears when they awaken the dark powers of an ancient spirit board. Starring Olivia Cooke, Ana Coto, Daren Kagasoff, and Bianca A. Santos

Rotten Tomatoes Score: Critics – 7% • Audience – 51%

What I’m saying:

From the moment I saw the trailer, I knew this movie would be a complete joke. Ouija takes itself way too seriously for a film about a spiritual board game. I wouldn’t expect anything less from a Platinum Dunes production though. The dialogue is complete crap; story very disconnected; and the characters utterly flat. There is no emotion or anything of interest to warrant a visit to the theaters or even a watch on a streaming device. Ouija is absolutely garbage. I know it’s Halloween in a week, but please don’t see it. SKIP IT!

John Wick (David Leitch and Chad Stahelski) Rated R [101 min] – An ex-hitman comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him. Starring Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, and Willem Dafoe

Rotten Tomatoes Score: Critics – 90% • Audience – 89%

What I’m saying:

It’s been six years since Liam Neeson wowed us in Taken, and now it is Keanu Reeves turn to blow audiences away with a full-throttle, revenge thriller that is not light on the action. They might as well call this Headshot: The Movie. Reeves carries over his martial arts training from his time in The Matrix and kicks all sorts of ass. John Wick creates a very unique, contained world that is built very well within its tight run time. And it’s really fun. Although Keanu doesn’t give the best delivery of dialogue, he upholds a strong presence that makes you believe he is the true Baba Yaga aka The Boogeyman. MATINEE IT!

Laggies (Lynn Shelton) [Limited] Rated R [99 min] – In the throes of a quarter-life crisis, Megan panics when her boyfriend proposes, then, taking an opportunity to escape for a week, hides out in the home of her new friend, 16-year-old Annika, who lives with her world-weary single dad. Starring Keira Knightley, Chloë Grace Moretz, Sam Rockwell, and Mark Webber

Rotten Tomatoes Score: Critics – 67% • Audience – 70%

What I’m saying:

I admire what Lynn Shelton attempted to bring to the forefront of the coming of age genre, but Laggies’ lack of discipline and ingenuity could have been avoided if a little more time was taken to develop the final act. And unfortunately, two-thirds of a good movie that is genuinely ambitious and full of life is rather discouraging. RENT IT! (Read my full review here)

White Bird in a Blizzard (Gregg Araki) Rated R [91 min] – In 1988, a teenage girl’s life is thrown into chaos when her mother disappears. Starring Shailene Woodley, Eva Green, Christopher Meloni, and Shiloh Fernandez

Rotten Tomatoes Score: Critics – 57% • Audience – 60%

What they’re saying:

“Too much good stuff to dismiss, despite a dull and desultory plot.” – Jordan Hoffman (Film.com)

“It’s Woodley’s typically forthright, heartfelt performance that keeps White Bird aloft.” – Mike D’Aneglo (AV Club)

What I’m saying:

Since i haven’t seen this movie, it’s hard to tell whether or not the lingering twist teased in the trailer has a great payoff or not. Shailene Woodley appears to do her thing along with Eva Green, but based on reviews and from what I’ve seen thus far, it looks a bit wooden and lacks any kind of personality. WAIT FOR IT ON NETFLIX!

This week, St. Vincent and Dear White People expand in a lot more theaters. Also, V/H/S: Viral hit Video on Demand earlier this week. I don’t think any of those will be a big contender, but they will give more options to audiences. Ouija is pure trash, but some might want to see a horror movie for the laughs or because it’s Halloween in a week. I think the bad reviews and word of mouth will persuade people not to see it. On the other end of the spectrum, John Wick has a lot of buzz going in this weekend and the reviews are very positive. It might come out on top as the underdog. So as it stands, I believe the victor for this weekend shall be: