Weekend Picks: ‘This Means War’ & ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance’

Adam Pockross

Last weekend, four films scored big on the way to some record-breaking box-office numbers, with "The Vow" taking the wedding cake. It was the first nonholiday weekend in history that four flicks individually made more than $20 million upon debut. Since there are only two films opening wide this weekend, the chance of repeating that feat is not good.

What is good, though, is the broad audience the two films opening this weekend will likely please. One film alone spans three different genres, and the other is a sequel to a film that grossed more than $115 million. But with two such crowd-pleasers vying for your ticket sales, how can you possibly decide? Worry not; we boil down the choices below and predict what kind of fans will enjoy each flick.

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, some disturbing images, and language.

What's the Story?
Cursed to be the devil's bounty hunter, Johnny Blaze (Nicolas Cage) hides out in Eastern Europe, trying to keep the world safe from his hellfire affliction. Members of a secret sect of the Church seek out Johnny to help them save a young boy from the devil, who wants to use the boy to take on a new human form. Though Johnny is initially reluctant to embrace his powers and pit himself against the Prince of Darkness, he realizes that if he can save the boy, he may just be able to rid himself of the curse.

Who Will Dig It?
If you love dark comic books, special effects, sequels, heart-pounding action, and incredible stunts, then check out this fiery flick, and you'll be a lucky devil.

See showtimes for 'Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance' >>


This Means War


Rated PG-13 for sexual content, including references; some violence and action; and language.
What's the Story?
Legendary lothario FDR (Chris Pine) and romantically hapless Tuck (Tom Hardy) are superspy partners and best friends until, unbeknown to each another, they fall for the same beautiful woman, Lauren Scott (Reese Witherspoon). Instead of just fighting over her, they go to war over her. Using their incomparable covert skills and Sharper-Image-on-crack gadgetry, the former friends go Spy versus Spy to see who can outmatch the other and win the girl.

Who Will Dig It?
If you like romantic comedies, spy thrillers, action/adventure films, and beautiful people, then you shouldn't fight your desire to see what happens when James Bond gets domestic.

See showtimes for 'This Means War' >>

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • Police say 5 people died in Mexico from drinking a poison potion in a Santeria 'power' ritual

    Five people have died after drinking a poison potion in a Santeria ‘power’ ritual, police in the southern Mexico state of Oaxaca said Wednesday. Iván García Alvarez, the Oaxaca state police chief, said four men and one woman died after drinking a mix of substances he did not specify. García Alvarez said the victims mixed the potion themselves and drank it “to acquire some certain kind of powers.”

  • eXp World Holdings Q1 Earnings: Misses on EPS Estimates, Revenue Surpasses Expectations

    Insights from the Latest Financial Performance and Future Outlook

  • Bernie Williams to raise awareness of lung disease at May 3 event in Puerto Rico

    Fresh off his New York Philharmonic debut, former New York Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams returns to his native Puerto Rico on Friday for an evening of discussion and performance to raise awareness for Interstitial Lung Disease. Williams will be joined by former major leaguers Carlos Beltrán and Carlos Delgado for the event at the TASIS Dorado Performing Arts Center in the San Juan suburb of Dorado.

  • Montana man gets 2 1/2 years in prison for leaving threatening voicemails for Senator Jon Tester

    A Montana man who pleaded guilty to leaving voicemail messages threatening to kill Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and his family was sentenced Wednesday to 2 1/2 years in prison, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Anthony James Cross, 30, of Billings pleaded guilty in January to making threats to injure and murder a U.S. senator. U.S. District Court Judge Susan Watters accepted a plea agreement that called for dismissing a charge that Cross made threats against President Joe Biden.

  • Martha Stewart's go-to Skechers sneakers are on rare sale at Amazon — save over $30

    The domestic diva prioritizes comfort and support when it comes to shoes, and she says these affordable kicks deliver on both.

  • Columbia Defends Using NYPD Against Students Protesting War In Gaza

    Tuesday night's campus crackdown happened exactly 56 years after police were called to arrest Columbia students protesting the Vietnam War.

  • DoorDash stock falls on weak Q2 guidance

    Shares of DoorDash (DASH) are falling during after-hours trading on Wednesday, following the release of the company's first quarter results. Despite beating revenue expectations by posting $2.51 billion in revenue, surpassing analyst estimates of $2.45 billion, the company's weaker-than-expected outlook for the second quarter is weighing on the stock price. Yahoo Finance's Brooke DiPalma breaks down the delivery company's quarterly results. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Market Domination Overtime. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • Interest rates staying where they are is a forgone conclusion, but the Fed's decision day still matters

    A September rate cut would come shortly before another major economic event: the US presidential election.

  • House v. NCAA settlement heats up, more drama at Colorado and the worst Kentucky Derby names

    Dan Wetzel, Ross Dellenger, and SI's Pat Forde unpack the latest update on the House v. NCAA case, react to Twitter beef happening at Colorado, and the worst Kentucky Derby names ever.

  • Stuart Fairchild's sensational catch robs Manny Machado of a 3-run homer

    Cincinnati Reds center fielder Stuart Fairchild made a sensational leaping catch to rob Manny Machado of a three-run homer in the first inning of Wednesday's series finale against the San Diego Padres. After Spencer Steer homered for the Reds with two outs in the first, it looked as if the Padres would surge ahead on Machado’s drive to right-center off Graham Ashcraft.

  • Emma Hayes faces trophyless last season with Chelsea after devastating defeat by Liverpool

    Emma Hayes conceded that she will probably end her final season with Chelsea without a trophy after her side suffered a devastating Women’s Super League defeat by Liverpool.

  • AP Top Stories May 1 P

    Here's the latest for Wednesday, May 1st: UCLA cancels classes after protesters clash on campus; Fed to keep key interest rate unchanged; Marjorie Taylor Greene seeks to oust Johnson as House speaker; Harvey Weinstein back in court.

  • Former PC Party vice-president appointed as Ontario judge

    A former vice-president of the Progressive Conservative party has been appointed an Ontario judge — a move one opposition party says is the latest example of the government putting "well-connected insiders" into prestigious roles.On Monday, the province announced Sara Mintz was appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice and will be stationed in Toronto.Mintz, who was most recently the associate chair of the Criminal Injuries Compensative Board before its wind-down, disclosed to a legislative comm

  • Carvana shares soar on upbeat forecast for core profit, retail sales

    Carvana's results come as high interest rates prompt consumers to look for deals on second-hand cars instead of buying new ones. The used-car retailer said it was expecting a sequential increase in adjusted core profit and growth rate in retail units in the second quarter, while analysts expected a 2.6% fall in retail sales from a year earlier. The company reported a first-quarter profit of $49 million, compared with analysts' estimates of $31.2 million, according to LSEG data.

  • Dow Jones Futures: Stock Market Round-Trips Fed Gains As AI Plays Struggle; Carvana Skyrockets Late

    The stock market round-tripped big initial gains as AI plays such as Nvidia retreated. Carvana soared late on earnings.

  • Weinstein appears in court as re-trial set for fall

    New York prosecutors plan to retry the case in the fall after his 2020 rape conviction was overturned.

  • Qualcomm results suggest a supercycle is on the horizon: Analyst

    Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) reported its second quarter earnings results, beating analyst estimates on the top and bottom lines. The semiconductor giant's second quarter adjusted earnings were $2.44 per share, topping Street estimates of $2.32. Adjusted revenue of $9.39 billion was just slightly better than the $9.32 billion estimate. Joining Market Domination Overtime to discuss the results are Rosenblatt Securities Managing Director and Senior Research Analyst Kevin Cassidy and Moor Insights & Strategy Founder, CEO, and Chief Analyst Patrick Moorhead. While the quarter focused primarily on Qualcomm's handset sales, Moorhead highlights the company's automotive segment as "the biggest surprise" in the results. He notes that this sector witnessed a remarkable surge in its backlog, increasing from $30 billion to a staggering $45 billion over the course of 18 months, describing the feat as "pretty big." Asked about AI's implications, Moorhead says that with Qualcomm's new chips featuring "supersized AI" capabilities, he is "very optimistic" that a supercycle could emerge in the latter half of the year. Cassidy echoed Moorhead's sentiment, describing Qualcomm's results as "a relief" amid reports of weakening demand in the Android sector. He agrees with the notion of a potential supercycle, saying that Qualcomm's unique features and applications could support such a development. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Market Domination Overtime. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • Coleraine to meet Crusaders in European play-off final

    Coleraine and Crusaders will face off in the European play-off final after they overcame Glentoran and Carrick Rangers respectively on Wednesday night.

  • Airbnb Announces Stays at Pop Culture ‘Icons’: See the Floating “Up!” House, “X-Men” Mansion and More!

    "We're focused on creating more magic in the real world," Airbnb CEO and co-founder Brian Chesky tells PEOPLE

  • Biden and Trump say they want to debate, but would they be better off if they didn’t?

    Both candidates have potential liabilities that could be highlighted under the bright lights of the debate stage.