This week on The Official Film Chart, Nicolas Cage is Nick Cage, and Spider-Man swings back home but it is Fantastic Beasts-The Secrets Of Dumbledore that conjures up the top spot!
Welcome to The Official Film Chart.
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPEN IS NOW AVAILABLE TO BUY ON DIGITAL!
For those out there that want a break from the usual Hollywood fare of superheroes, speeding hedgehogs, or a semi-remake of ‘Romancing The Stone’, there is a nice little British film for you this week. The comedy-drama ‘The Phantom Of The Open’ is now available to buy on download and keep. The film is based on the extraordinary but true tale of golfer Maurice Flitcroft, dubbed ‘The world’s worst golfer.’ Flitcroft became notorious after shooting a score of 121 in the qualifying competition for the 1976 Open Championship—the worst score recorded at the Open Championship—and by a self-professed “professional golfer”. But despite being prevented from ever entering the open again, Flitcroft attempted to pull off an incredible deception. He entered under some ludicrous names and with some hilarious disguises and none of it was discovered for a while. Mark Rylance plays Flitcroft. And the film is extremely entertaining.
THE OFFICIAL CHART
The Official Film Chart this week shows no signs of slowing down. Again, the titles move up and down as they please. But along the way, we do suffer some casualties, and this week it is the turn of ‘The Bad Guys’, ‘Top Gun’, and ‘Sonic The Hedgehog 2’ to depart. But what is our number one title? Is it still off searching for treasure? Is it a fake in the top spot? Or is it occupied in the Multiverse? Or has something else stolen the summit? Let’s not wait to find out.
THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE MAGIC THEIR WAY TO THE TOP SPOT!
It is a magical time at the top of the chart. Hitting the top spot, based on digital downloads alone, the new chart-topper is ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore.’ The third film in the ‘Wizarding World’ universe and a spin-off from the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise, it again stars Eddie Redmayne and Jude Law. The film is set several years after the events of its predecessor. And sees Albus Dumbledore tasking Newt Scamander and his allies with a mission that takes them into the heart of dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald’s army. The film is the least-earning film in the trilogy and has seemingly shut the door on the five-film plan for the franchise. Mixed critical and audience responses didn’t help its cause. But that hasn’t stopped the British public from taking the film to their hearts.
THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF HITTING NUMBER TWO!
The second and final new entry for this week lands in the second spot. And it is a warm welcome to Nicolas Cage as his film ‘The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent’ enters the charts. The movie stars Cage as a fictionalized version of himself, Nick Cage, who channels his iconic characters from over the years while caught between a dangerous superfan (Pedro Pascal) and a CIA Agent. The film is a hilarious romp that showcases Cage’s talents and gives him his best role in years. Pedro Pascal is again on top form as Javi, the superfan and the movie also includes several cameos that will delight and surprise the audience.
THE BATMAN CONTINUES TO HANG AROUND IN THIRD PLACE!
Still watching from the shadows in the third position is the three-hour superhero movie ‘The Batman.’ The film has continued to sell well on all home entertainment formats. Robert Pattinson wears the cape and cowl as the title character with support from Zoe Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffery Wright, and Colin Farrell. The film does have its problems for me but that doesn’t detract from the entertainment that is to be had from the movie. Pattinson is excellent as Batman and gives a performance that if not the best incarnation of Batman, is certainly up there with the best. Certain sequences are completely breathtaking, such as the Batmobile chase but the climax is lacking. Of course, it sets up the sequel that has already been announced and is a darker take than we’ve ever seen before. And is a decent enough superhero flick to appease the fans and the audience.
DOCTOR STRANGE REMAINS STUCK IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS!
The first Marvel movie of the year, ‘Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness’ manages to hold onto the fourth spot this week. The film, once again featuring Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Stephen Strange, is a highly enjoyable one for all the fans of the MCU. By no means the best Marvel film of them all, it is one of the better efforts since the juggernaut of ‘Avengers: Endgame.’ Directed by Sam Raimi, it is a dark film and contains scenes that are not suitable for younger children.
But with the support of Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff/ Scarlet Witch (who steals the film), it follows on from the ‘WandaVision’ series with ease. And the cameos that appear in a certain sequence of the film will have the fans cheering. We now await the casting for two Marvel properties that are due for reboots after Disney took over 20th Century Fox. And reacquired the rights to them. And a piece of fan casting for one of the roles is finally given to them here. No spoilers from me though!
THE NORTHMAN BATTLES UP A PLACE!
After hitting the chart last week in the sixth position, Robert Eggers’s brilliant Viking movie ‘The Northman’ moves up a place to round out the top five. It is based on the legend of Amleth. It stars Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, and Willem Dafoe. The plot follows Amleth, a Viking prince who sets out on a quest to avenge the murder of his father. The film is one for when the children are in bed as it is gorily violent. And the battle scenes give ‘Braveheart’ a run for its money. The film was a financial failure at the box office but has seemingly found its place on home entertainment. It was until recently available on the PVOD market but has had great success on download and keep. And I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Credit: Aiden Monaghan / © 2021 Focus Features, LLC
THE LOST CITY IS LOST DOWN THE CHART
Last week’s number one has had a spectacular fall this week as ‘The Lost City’ drops like a stone. The film, starring Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum, falls five places to land in the sixth position. Co-starring Daniel Radcliffe as the villain and a cameo from Brad Pitt make this an enjoyable film, even if you will forget it after a few days. But there is much to enjoy here, and the two leads manage to make the film a great success.
OPERATION MINCEMEAT GETS MINCED!
Last week’s second-placed title falls five places as ‘Operation Mincemeat’ now takes the seventh position on the Official Film Chart. Starring Colin Firth, the film is a true story of a successful plan by the allies in World War II to deceive the German High Command. It is incredible to realize that the film is true and that the events that are displayed here actually happened. And it is a worthy and enjoyable watch.
MORBIUS LOSES HIS BITE!
The Sony MCU film ‘Morbius’ loses its bite again this week. The movie, starring Jared Leto and Matt Smith falls a place as it sinks its fangs into the eighth spot. The film is a mess from start to finish. And contains some of the most stupid stingers in MCU history. What they have to do with the film is anyone’s guess and it left the audience I saw it with bewildered. And that’s including the comic book fans who joined me at the screening.
SPIDER-MAN FINDS HIS WAY HOME!
At the halfway stage in the race to be the biggest home entertainment title of 2022, one film is dominating the rest. And it returns to the top ten this week. Tom Holland and the superb ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ have once again decided to join us inside the top ten by moving up two places to ninth. The film currently has outsold its nearest rival for the title by two to one and seems on course to take the crown by the year’s end.
SING 2 STILL CROONING IN THE TOP TEN!
And finally, ‘Sing 2’ refuses to get off the stage as it once again holds the tenth and final position in the top ten charts. The musical animated family sequel continues its winning run inside the chart.
THAT’S ALL FOLKS!!
That’s it on the Official Film Chart for yet another week. And yet again, it has been a great week on home entertainment. And it will continue over the coming months with titles such as ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ and ‘Jurassic World: Dominion’ due to become available before the end of September. There’s so much entertainment that we can look forward to. But until next week…
Whatever you decide, whatever you buy, stay safe, be kind, look after each other, and happy viewing!!
Anyone wishing to buy any of the titles featured in The Official Film Chart can do so via FindAnyFilm.com. All videos and information have been supplied by Find Any Film and used under authorization.
Author
Carl Roberts is the News Editor of The 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 where he uses the force frequently!
