New Movies In Theaters March 21st - Rotten Tomatoes

New Movies In Theaters March 21st - Rotten Tomatoes

There are two new films in wide distro this week, and a third in limited national distro.

Divergent (3800 theaters; PG-13; 27% positive reviews). This hopes to be the first pillar of a new tween-oriented franchise, ala Twilight or Hunger Games.

Official blurb: "DIVERGENT is a thrilling action-adventure film set in a world where people are divided into distinct factions based on human virtues. Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) is warned she is Divergent and will never fit into any one group. When she discovers a conspiracy by a faction leader (Kate Winslet) to destroy all Divergents, Tris must learn to trust in the mysterious Four (Theo James) and together they must find out what makes being Divergent so dangerous before it's too late. Based on the best-selling book series by Veronica Roth."

Some critical reactions: "Bland and lifeless," "Silly and teen to the extreme," "Events that elicited thrills in the novel, and probably read like gold on the script's paper, fall terribly, even comically, flat onscreen."

Muppets Most Wanted (3000 theaters; PG; 78% positive reviews)

Official blurb: "Disney's 'Muppets Most Wanted' takes the entire Muppets gang on a global tour, selling out grand theaters in some of Europe's most exciting destinations, including Berlin, Madrid, Dublin and London. But mayhem follows the Muppets overseas, as they find themselves unwittingly entangled in an international crime caper headed by Constantine-the World's Number One Criminal and a dead ringer for Kermit the Frog-and his dastardly sidekick Dominic, aka Number Two, portrayed by Ricky Gervais. The film stars Tina Fey as Nadya, a feisty prison guard, and Ty Burrell as Interpol agent Jean Pierre Napoleon."

Critical reactions: "While it may not reach the delirious heights of The Muppets, Muppets Most Wanted still packs in enough clever gags, catchy songs, and celebrity cameos to satisfy fans of all ages."

God's Not Dead (780 theaters; PG, unreviewed)

Official blurb: "Present-day college freshman and devout Christian, Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper), finds his faith challenged on his first day of Philosophy class by the dogmatic and argumentative Professor Radisson (Kevin Sorbo). Radisson begins class by informing students that they will need to disavow, in writing, the existence of God on that first day, or face a failing grade. As other students in the class begin scribbling the words "God Is Dead" on pieces of paper as instructed, Josh find himself at a crossroads, having to choose between his faith and his future. Josh offers a nervous refusal, provoking an irate reaction from his smug professor. Radisson assigns him a daunting task: if Josh will not admit that "God Is Dead," he must prove God's existence by presenting well-researched, intellectual arguments and evidence over the course of the semester, and engage Radisson in a head-to-head debate in front of the class. If Josh fails to convince his classmates of God's existence, he will fail the course and hinder his lofty academic goals. With almost no one in his corner, Josh wonders if he can really fight for what he believes. Can he actually prove the existence of God? Wouldn't it just be easier just to write "God Is Dead" and put the whole incident behind him? GOD'S NOT DEAD weaves together multiple stories of faith, doubt and disbelief, culminating in a dramatic call to action. The film will educate, entertain, and inspire moviegoers to explore what they really believe about God, igniting important conversations and life-changing decisions."

No reviews on file.

Box office predictions: most people think Divergent will do very well, perhaps in the $60M range, despite a critical lambasting. Muppets Most Wanted should finish second, with a total gross approaching $30M for the weekend. The God movie will most likely sneak into the bottom of the top ten with two or three million, but who knows? We have often underestimated the strength of films which are promoted outside of the ordinary channels.