Summer 2013 has come to a close, so it’s time to look back at the big and small movies of the last four months.  On this week’s episode of The Collision, we talk about the hits, the misses, the disappointments, the surprises, the general consensus on the overall success of this year’s blockbuster line-up, how critical response measures up against the box office receipts, and much more.  As always, we finish up with our recommendations.

Click here to listen to the new episode of The Collision, click here for the previous episode (“Ben Affleck as Batman, You’re Next, The World’s End, and We Know Better”), click here to add the podcast to your RSS, and click here to find us on iTunes. To keep up to date with The Collision, you can follow us on Twitter at @MattGoldberg, @AdamChitwood, and @DrClawMD (Dave Trumbore). Hit the jump to check out the trailers for this week’s recommendations.

This week on The Collision, we talk about Ben Affleck being cast as Batman in Man of Steel 2 , the fanboy reaction to that news, how fans think they know how best to run a studio, and much more. We also talk about the marketing of You’re Next, and rave about The World’s End.

Click here to listen to the new episode of The Collision, click here for the previous episode (“The ‘Realness’ of Superheroes and Kick-Ass 2“), click here to add the podcast to your RSS, and click here to find us on iTunes. To keep up to date with The Collision, you can follow us on Twitter at @MattGoldberg, @AdamChitwood, and @DrClawMD (Dave Trumbore). Hit the jump to check out the trailers for this week’s recommendations.

In terms of grosses, summer 2013 is not going out with a bang. For the fourth year in a row, a holdover took the number one spot at the pre-Labor Day box office while new releases struggled. Among the latter, The World’s End looked strongest – both financially and critically – while Sony/Screen Gems’ The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones became the latest young-adult fantasy adaptation to disappoint.

Hollywood’s three new releases were no match for holdovers at Friday’s box office. Lee Daniels’ The Butler remained on top with an estimated $4.7 million, followed by the three week-old comedy We’re the Millers. Those rankings aren’t expected to change by Sunday, ensuring that this pre-Labor Day weekend will be one of the least-lucrative of the summer.

Among the frame’s new titles, The World’s End showed the most promise. The R-rated comedy earned an estimated $3.5 million on its opening day in 1,549 locations – not a particularly impressive number until you note that The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones earned just $3.1 million from twice as many locations. The adaptation of Cassandra Clare’s fantasy novel debuted at number one on Wednesday but should have trouble reaching its modest goal of $15 million after five days. You’re Next, the one new release that had chance to unseat The Butler based on tracking, opened to a disappointing fifth place instead. The well-reviewed horror film earned an estimated $2.9 million from 2,437 locations on Friday and is projected to take in $8 million this weekend. We’ll have full details tomorrow.

It should come as a surprise to no one that this week’s Top 5 is headlined by the news that Ben Affleck will inherit the cowl as the next Batman in Summer 2015′s Man of Steel sequel. And with good reason. Unless something goes drastically wrong, the movie is going to be an international blockbuster that millions will line up to see/pay for (yours truly included). That said, and like I mentioned last week, this weekend is one that I’ve been looking forward to for some time and one that I hope movie lovers will embrace; which is why Matt’s editorial on this being the best weekend of the summer earns the second spot in this week’s installment. If you need a break from the common blockbuster, sequel, reboot, remake, etc., this weekend is for you. If you believe original movies have a place at your local cineplex, here’s your chance to dig into your wallet and prove it. You might be paying to see your favorite movie of the summer or you might end up seeing something that doesn’t suit your tastes at all. Either way, you’ll come out of it a better movie fan than you went in.

All begging and pleading aside, on tap this week is the aforementioned Ben Affleck/Batman news, Matt’s editorial on this being the best weekend of the summer (which will start the begging and pleading all over again), a neat flashback video of George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and Martin Scorsese discussing the future of movies in 1990 with Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel, interviews for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, and a couple of noteworthy Star Wars: Episode VII tidbits. As is customary, a brief recap and link to each of the above can be found after the jump.

Our own Matt Goldberg recently explained to you how this weekend is among the best this summer for original movies, but if you need a little more incentive to check them out, well we’ve got something for you.  Writer-director David Lowery, whose film Ain’t Them Bodies Saints opened last weekend, posted an article urging audiences to see not only his movie, but three other worthy films as well.  To grease the wheels a bit for his proposed weekend quadruple feature, he promised a custom-made prize to fans who saw his picture, plus writer-director Destin Cretton’s Short Term 12, writer-director Joe Swanberg’s Drinking Buddies and Adam Wingard’s You’re Next.  Those filmmakers have also kicked in some swag for those who manage to see all four films this weekend, so it’s a win-win situation for all involved!  Hit the jump for details.

It’s been a long time in the making for You’re Next.  Premiering in 2011 at the Toronto International Film Festival, the well-reviewed home-invasion horror film was quickly bought by Lionsgate… only to then sit on a shelf for 2+ years.  Since then You’re Next has screened at multiple film festivals to overwhelming acclaim while its release remained in limbo.  This Friday, the wait ends – and as leads AJ Bowen (A Horrible Way to Die) and Sharni Vinson (Bait 3D) are quick to note: the fact that an independently-made horror film is getting any sort of wide release, regardless of the time-lapse, is reason enough to celebrate.  I’ll second their motion – as You’re Next takes what can be an unpleasant subgenre in horror (see The Strangers, Funny Games) and turns it on its head into a fun audience picture.  It may be hard to imagine a film where a bunch of masked murderers hunt and kill a dysfunctional family as a rollicking good time – but that’s exactly what You’re Next is.

In the following interview with Sharni Vinson and AJ Bowen, the duo discuss the protracted release of You’re Next, their favorite moment touring with the film on and off for 2+ years and their favorite ‘final girl’.  In addition, AJ Bowen previews the Ti West directed The Sacrament, set to premiere at this year’s TIFF.  For the full interview, hit the jump.

Summer Movie Season 2013 is all but over.  Next weekend will be the traditionally slow Labor Day weekend where the highest-grossing opening weekend topped out at $30 million for the remake of Halloween.  This summer, we’ve waded through 12 sequels, 6 adaptations, and 1 reboot (I’ve kept each film to one category, but some could easily cross over like Man of Steel being a reboot and an adaptation of a comic book).  There have been some original movies along the way.

Summer is about to end, but not before it goes out with some of its best movies that also happen to be original movies.  Hit the jump for why they’re not just great films, but why you’ll be glad you saw them (and it’s probably not for the reason you think).

[This is a re-post of my review from the Toronto International Film Festival.  You're Next opens tomorrow.]

Adam Wingard‘s You’re Next is the home invasion horror sub-genre played to near-perfection. Through a terrific blend of setting, characters, pacing, and creative kills, Wingard delivers a horror film that even non-horror fans can enjoy. The film falters slightly when it offers more information than necessary, but you’ll suspend your disbelief for the fun, thrills, and excitement you’ll get in return.

One of my favorite films from the Toronto Film Festival a few years back was Adam Wingard’s home-invasion horror flick You’re Next.  The story is about a family reunion that turns deadly when the family becomes targeted by masked murderers.  Their only hope is Erin (Sharni Vinson), a girlfriend of one of the family members and the best home defender since Kevin McCallister.  The film also stars Joe Swanberg, AJ Bowen, Amy Seimetz, Barbara Crampton, Wendy Glenn, Margaret Laney, Rob Moran, Nicholas Tucci, and Ti West.  For more on the film, here’s all our previous coverage and Matt’s glowing review.

With the film opening August 23rd,  Lionsgate is letting us premiere a new poster and you can check it out after the jump.

I know the TV spots for You’re Next haven’t been good.  I know it doesn’t have any name stars.  I know that with so many entertainment options at your disposal, you’re taking a chance by coming out on a Tuesday night to spend two hours on a movie you probably know almost nothing about.  I’m asking you to trust me, and take a chance on this film.  If you like horror that earns its tension, features disturbing antagonists, has a memorable female lead, and finds a new use for a blender, you’re going to want to see this movie.  With so much marketing telling us every little thing about films these days, this is a rare opportunity to really create a word-of-mouth hit, and I hope it connects with audiences.  But first they have to go see it.

I’m pleased to announce we’re giving away 20 admit-two passes to the Atlanta screening of You’re Next.  Hit the jump to find out how you can see the movie early and for free.  You’re Next opens August 23rd.

Lionsgate has released a new clip from director Adam Wingard’s excellent horror film You’re Next.  The story centers on a family reunion that turns deadly when the family becomes targeted by masked murderers.  Their only hope is Erin (Sharni Vinson), a girlfriend of one of the family members.  I caught the film at Comic-Con and it’s a really fun twist on the home invasion genre that injects a refreshing jolt of energy to the world of horror.  If it hadn’t been filmed three years ago, I would’ve said it was a direct response to Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon’s “do better” gauntlet throw down with Cabin in the Woods.  Do yourself a favor and get a big group of friends together to see this one in the theaters.

Hit the jump to watch the new clip, which focuses on one of the aforementioned murderers breaking into the house, and click here to read Matt’s review.  Written by Simon Barrett, the film also stars Joe Swanberg, AJ Bowen, Amy Seimetz, Barbara Crampton, Wendy Glenn, Margaret Laney, Rob Moran, and Nicholas Tucci, and Ti West.  You’re Next opens August 23rd.

Hang on, it’s not as terrifying as all that.  Well, it is a little.  The creepy masks from Lionsgate’s upcoming thriller, You’re Next, have been popping up all over LA and NYC.  Luckily, they’re only on inanimate statues for the moment, and not killers bent on making a bloody mess of a walk in the park.  We’ve put together a collection of images of these masks out in the public, but if you should happen to come across any, please send them in! (And then get the hell out of there because you have no idea if it’s safe!)

From horror anthology gurus – writer Simon Barrett and director Adam Wingard - You’re Next stars Sharni Vinson, Nicholas Tucci, Wendy Glenn, AJ Bowen, Joe Swanberg, Amy Seimetz, Ti West, Rob Moran and Barbara Crampton.  I had a chance to view the film at Comic-Con and it’s a must-see for thriller fans and general audiences alike.  Check it out in theaters starting August 23rd.  Hit the jump to view the creepified images. [Update: Some readers have sent in even more masked images from Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, and Detroit.]

Briefly:

• Insidious: Chapter 2  – Rose Byrne is hammer mom in the first poster for James Wan’s upcoming horror sequel.  The film opens September 13th and also stars Patrick Wilson, Ty Simpkins, and Lin Shaye.
• You’re Next – Lionsgate has released an excellent new poster for Adam Wingard’s terrific home invasion thriller.  The film opens August 23rd and stars Sharni Vinson, Joe Swanberg, AJ Bowen, Amy Seimetz, Barbara Crampton, Wendy Glenn, Margaret Laney, Rob Moran, Nicholas Tucci, and Ti West.
• Seventh Son – Ben Barnes features as the eponymous Seventh Son of a Seventh Son in the new Comic-Con character poster.  The film opens January 17, 2014, and stars Jeff Bridges, Alicia Vikander, Kit Harington, Olivia Williams, Antje Traue, Djimon Hounsou, and Julianne Moore.

Hit the jump to check out the posters.

With a production budget in the neighborhood of $150 million and a worldwide pull of just under $50 million entering its second weekend, it’s probably fair to say that White House Down will ultimately be seen by the powers that be as a bust. Blame its proximity to the similarly themed Olympus Has Fallen (which, on the whole, received similar critical reaction but comparatively more box office success) if you will, but having watched and enjoyed the heck out of the film last night I believe at least some of the blame lies at the feet of Sony’s marketing. Whereas Fallen was packaged, and ultimately delivered, as a dead serious action/thriller, I don’t think White House Down marketing did enough to prep its potential audience members for the over-the-top, often times ridiculous, self-aware genre piece they would encounter. The best examples I can give to support this theory are the multiple scenes that left me laughing out loud while the majority of my fellow moviegoers sat quietly, unsure whether the movie was actually asking them to laugh with it or was just that silly and contrived. It’s possible that I’m going Roland Emmerich and co. too much credit, but I went with the former every single time and ended up having a great time with the film as a result.

All White House drama aside, this week’s Top 5 includes a slew of interviews from The Lone Ranger with Johnny Depp and more, a list of 15 movies from the first half of 2013 that you may have missed but definitely deserve a look, Christian Bale insisting that he is not involved with the Justice League movie in any way, The Way, Way Back interviews with Steve Carell and more, and a look at our most anticipated movies from July to September.