Friday’s openings redux: Search for the savior

So, the two movies that I posted yesterday will open on Friday. And a third one will as well. Friday's additional opening is as follows:

"The Case for Christ": As IMDB describes it, "An investigative journalist and self-proclaimed atheist sets out to disprove the existence of God after his wife becomes a Christian." Wonder how that one turns out.

No word from the Magic Lantern yet about any new openings.

Regarding Friday's biggest opening, here are a few critical comments:

Kristen Yonsoo Kim, The Village Voice: "The biggest show is, naturally, saved for last, when they face off in Russia with icy racing (involving tanks and submarines) that plays like Mario Kart on speed. Nothing in all of the Fast & Furious movies has ever felt bigger or more ridiculous — two things F8 rightfully thrives on. It’s exhilarating. Now how will they top this one?"

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: " Most franchises, after eight films, are feeling a twinge of exhaustion, but this one has achieved a level of success — and perpetual kinetic creative energy — that’s a testament to its commercial/cultural/demographic resonance. So it only makes sense that its characters must now do important things. Breaking the speed limit never looked so responsible."

Gwilym Mumford, The Guardian: "(W)hat kept the franchise afloat during those lean times was its melodrama-soaked character moments and, bar some extended relationship turmoil between Dom and Letty, and a couple of nice nods to the late Walker, they’re relatively thin on the ground. Instead this is a big dumb action movie in its purest, most honourable sense: fast, furious and frequently fun."