Carl Roberts 
The animal magic strikes again as Dolittle returns to the top of the chart leaving Harley Quinn and her Birds Of Prey to get the flock out of town!
‘We were this close’. With those words from ‘Rogue One‘ echoing in our ears and meaning quite a lot after the past few days, welcome once more to the official top ten countdown. Next week SHOULD have seen the re-opening of Britain’s cinema’s in particular, the Cineworld chain. But due to the spike in infections across the pond of the coronavirus, many of the films that were due to open this month have been shoved back yet again. Where some cinema chains are still re-opening and showing some classic fare, Cineworld has decided to postpone their re-opening until the 31st of July due to the latest films no longer coming as planned. As I have said before, it may be an idea to forget this year and release the films that are due for release this year over the twelve months of 2021. It would have to be a staggered release due to the number of big blockbusters that are waiting in the wings but with no sign that this dreadful virus is going to let go of the world anytime soon, it may have to be this way, even though I for one don’t want to happen.
In the home entertainment market, this week sees one new title hit the chart, a riser of twenty-six places, a riser of eleven places, and a return of a family film that dropped out of the chart last week but has managed to return once more. And as every week, some titles have to leave us to make way for the newbies and this week, we bid farewell to ‘The Personal History Of David Copperfield‘, ‘Bad Boys For Life‘, ‘Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker‘ and ‘Call Of The Wild‘. And once more, we have a brand new number one film. Is it a new entry or an old friend who has climbed back up the chart? Let us set sail on our voyage of discovery.
The animals are not just talking to him once more, they are positively screaming at him as ‘Dolittle‘ after a solitary week off of the top spot returns once more to be the UK’s best-selling title for the week. The Robert Downey Jr starring family film continues to sell and download well despite the mauling it took back in January. The film cannot say it hasn’t found its market now after flopping quite spectacularly at the worldwide box office upon release. The film seems to constantly entertain the families out there as its chart position proves. At this rate, the film will be hanging around the chart and the top places for a while to come yet. But it only won the top spot by a meager 193 sales ahead of the second-placed film.
It was close but ‘Emma‘, despite rising an incredible twenty-six places, has to settle for the second spot and the silver medal this week. The new version of the timeless 1815 novel from Jane Austen opened back in February to favorable reviews from critics and managed to amass $25million in box office receipts before the coronavirus lockdown curtailed its cinematic run. The film was made available on the cinema rental circuit as were so many other films and that has added to its haul. The film stars Anya Taylor-Joy in the main role with support from Johnny Flynn as George Knightley, Mia Goth as Harriet Smith, Bill Nighy as Mr. Woodhouse, and the wonderful Miranda Hart as Miss Bates. And a quick fact for all the film trivia fans out there, the music is by David Schweitzer and Isobel Waller-Bridge, the older sister of the acclaimed actress, comedienne, and writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The film is definitely one for the Austen fans out there and is enjoyable from start to finish.
Despite being my favorite film of the year (so far) and entertaining almost everyone who has watched it, it hasn’t stopped ‘Birds Of Prey: And The Fantabulous Emancipation Of One Harley Quinn‘ from surrendering her place as last week’s number one title and slipping two places to become this week’s number three. The Margot Robbie led female action/comedy/ comic book movie has already made its impact on the chart as it was made available on download and keep long before it hit the disc format and as such, it was to be expected that the film would possibly be a one-week wonder as the UK’s top-selling title.
Coming straight into the chart in the fourth position, we welcome Mark Ruffalo as ‘Dark Waters‘ makes its bow based on downloads alone. The legal thriller is based on the true story of lawyer Robert Bilott and his legal actions against the chemical manufacturing corporation, Dupont after they contaminated a town with unregulated chemicals. The film is gripping and in some places, quite harrowing but is a terrific drama and a wake-up call to all those responsible for chemicals causing deaths around the world. With terrific support from the likes of Anne Hathaway and Tim Robbins, this film is one that I cannot recommend highly enough. Ruffalo is fantastic as Billott and the film itself is frightening as it is a true story.
Rounding out the top five places is ‘1917‘, which falls two places from last week’s third position. The Sam Mendes World War I drama has hung around the top of the charts for over a month now and is one of the best-selling titles of the year to date.
We start our look at the bottom half of the chart by finding ‘Sonic The Hedgehog‘ after a fall of a single place. The James Marsden, Jim Carrey starring family film and the debut of Sega’s best-selling videogame character has delighted families and small children ever since it launched itself onto the home entertainment market.
Rising eleven places to make its top ten chart debut in seventh place, we find Elizabeth Moss in the reboot/remake/ re-imagining? of the classic ‘The Invisible Man‘. The film, which I admit, I had serious reservations over when it was announced and after seeing the first trailer, is one of the best films to have been released so far this year. A modern take on the material, the film is frightening, scary, and certainly not one for the children or the faint-hearted. I love horror movies and I can say that not much makes me jump nowadays. This film managed to make me jump several times in places and as such, I loved it. And to make things better, this is the UNCUT version of the film. When the film was taken to the B.B.F.C for classification, the distributor asked for a 15 rating for it but was told it would be gaining an 18 certificate unless they edited or cut a few scenes. The distributor agreed to the cuts and the film was released with a 15 certificate. This version reinstates the material removed at the request of the B.B.F.C and makes the film just that little bit more frightening and scary. The film has been a success and rumors are floating that a sequel may be in the works. I actually hope it doesn’t get a sequel as the film stands up well on its own merits as a one time only deal.
Ok, I admit it. I just DON’T get it. What is the attraction? Why has this film done so well? It doesn’t really matter that much though as ‘Jumanji: The Next Level‘ has pulled it off again, not only holding onto a top ten chart position but actually moving back up the chart from last week’s tenth place to claim the eighth spot this week. The film has been a mainstay in the chart for months and shows no signs of departing anytime soon. Just when you think Dwayne Johnson and company have had their final week inside the chart, they manage to hang on in there. The film has got to be one of the biggest-selling titles of the year so far and it wouldn’t shock me if it is there or thereabouts at the top of the chart of the year come December.
Those lovable Lightfoot brothers are still going strong inside the top ten despite ‘Onward‘ slipping a further two places to become this week’s ninth-placed title.
And finally, despite deciding to let it go (I HAD TO SAY IT!) last week and drop out of the chart to land down in the fifteenth position, Elsa and her friends have slid back up the chart to ice themselves into holding up the other nine titles as ‘Frozen II‘ returns to the chart in the tenth place.
Hitting download and keep from July 6th, the comedy-drama ‘Military Wives‘ becomes available. The film tells the true story of a group of women who, while their partners are away serving in Afganistan, form themselves into a choir and discover themselves becoming a media sensation and starting a global movement. The film is based on the story of the Military Wives Choirs who now number 75 choirs across the United Kingdom and overseas. The film stars Kristen Scott Thomas, Sharon Horgan, Greg Wise, and Jason Flemyng. The film was released in the UK back in March, just as the coronavirus hit full strength and caused the cinemas to shutdown, curtailing its prospects at the box office and denying it a Stateside release. The film sadly went straight to streaming services over in the U.S and was available here on the home cinema front. Despite its curtailed run, the film is a feel-good movie that will entertain and enthrall the audiences who watch it and will leave them with a big smile on their faces. A worthy film for a wet and windy afternoon with a cup of tea or coffee and some biscuits.
So, it’s over to you once more. What are your thoughts on how the chart will look next week? Will ‘Dolittle‘ keep on chatting to the animals and charm his way into remaining the chart-topper? Will ‘Emma‘ manage to overcome the odds to take the honors? Will the ‘Birds Of Prey‘ fly again to the top of the tree? Will ‘Dark Waters‘ seep its way into the top place? Or will ‘The Invisible Man‘ take the number one position without being seen?
Whatever you decide, whatever you buy, stay safe, look after each other, be kind and happy viewing!
Anyone wishing to buy any of the titles featured in the chart can do so via FindAnyFilm.com
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Carl Roberts is a Senior Staff Writer and Books and Literature Correspondent for Future of the Force. Aside from being our horror genre aficionado, he is also passionate about Star Wars, Marvel, DC, and the Indiana Jones movies. Follow him on Twitter @CarlRoberts2 where he uses the force frequently!
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Editor’s Note | All videos and information have been supplied by Find Any Film and used under authorization.
Future of the Force News Editor,Liverpool F.C fan,Halloween Movie Fan, Friday The 13th movies fan, Star Wars Fan, Star Trek Fan.
