Each Thursday we look at what is going to be coming out in theaters this weekend, show you the trailers for the big releases, predict the box office winner and just generally give you enough of a carrot to pull you through the rest of the work week. This week has three 2016 movies opening wide, five 2017 movies opening, and a much-hyped Netflix series to consider for binge watching.

The MLK holiday weekend certainly is cranking out entertainment options.  EIGHT new movies to consider, as well as the debut of Netflix’s adaptation of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. Unlike the Jim Carrey movie (which was mostly unfortunate), Netflix’s adaptation is getting positive reviews.  The 2017 movies are largely getting panned or have not previewed for critics, which-as we’ve discussed-is never a good sign.  Then again if you’re going to Monster Trucks, you don’t give a flying frick about reviews.  Also being panned for the first time in his directorial career is Ben Affleck in his adaptation of Dennis LaHane’s novel, Live by Night.  Your best bets are Peter Berg’s Boston Marathon bombing drama Patriots Day, and the latest from Martin Scorcese, Silence, about missionaries in Japan.  Both films are receiving critical praise, though neither is likely to figure into the Oscar picture.

100 Streets (Idris Elba, Gemma Arterton, R, 1hr 33min)

A Series of Unfortunate Events (Netflix, 8 Episodes)

Book of Love (Maisie Williams, Jason Sudekis, PG-13, 1hr 47min)

The Bye Bye Man (Erica Tremblay, Doug Jones, PG-13, 1hr 36min)

Live by Night (Ben Affleck, Zoe Saldana, R, 2hr 8min)

Monster Trucks (Barry Pepper, Danny Glover, PG, 2hr 2min)

Patriots Day (Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman, R, 2hr 10 min)

Silence (Andrew Garfield, Liam Neeson, R, 2hr 41min)

Sleepless (Jamie Foxx, Michelle Monaghan, R, 1hr 35min)

HOW DID WE DO LAST WEEK?
KT picked Rogue One for the fourth week in a row, and it came down to counting pennies on Monday, but Hidden Figures doubled its box office estimates and pulled an upset win.  The NASA drama opened with $22.9 million.  Rogue One dropped to #2 with $22.1 million and needs only $3 million to finally move atop the 2016 box office.  Its domestic total sits at $483 million and $920 million internationally.  The film should easily pass $500 million domestic and $1 billion internationally. (2017 Prediction Record: 1-1; Lifetime prediction record 39-6).

WHO WILL WIN THE WEEKEND?
This may be the most difficult weekend to call that I’ve had since I started this column.  Disregard the 2017 films; none of them will compete for #1 and Paramount has already written Monster Trucks off as at least a $100 million loss for the studio.  Hidden Figures could repeat, but conventional wisdom says it will drop a little into the teens.  Rogue One will do steady business, but probably not enough to regain the top spot.  La La Land is adding 2,000 more screens after its Golden Globes sweep.  Silence has pedigree and reviews, but won’t be on more than 1,000 screens.  I think the strongest opener and weekend winner will be Patriots Day, but I don’t think I’ve ever had less confidence in a pick and we might find ourselves in the hole only three weeks into the year.