Often follow-ups fail to live-up to the success of their Predecessors but both critically and commercially, MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN does the unlikely! Debuting atop the Box Office this weekend with an impressive $37 million from 3,317 theatres for Universal Pictures, this Prequel to 2008’s Box Office smash MAMMA MIA gets 78% on the Tomatometer and also an A- CinemaScore. By contrast, the 2008 Adaptation of the smash hit Broadway Musical, earned $27.7 million in its debut and mustered only 54% from Critics on the Tomatometer.
In second is another follow-up, EQUALIZER 2 reuniting Denzel Washington and Director Antoine Fuqua, with $33.7 million for Sony Pictures, from 3,388 theatres. Critics gave it 51% on the Tomatometer and audiences loved it with an A CinemaScore. Its 2014 Predecessor debuted with $34 million back in 2014.
HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: SUMMER VACATION still is going strong in third this weekend with $22.4 million from 3,388 theatres for Sony Pictures, a total $90.1 million gross over two weeks domestically.
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP sits in fourth with $15.6 million for Disney/Marvel. Over four weeks it has earned $164 million in North America.
UNFRIENDED: DARK WEB debuts in ninth with $3.4 million for Blumhouse Productions/Universal Pictures. Its 2015 Predecessor opened with $15.8 million.
Rounding-out the Top Ten is SORRY TO BOTHER YOU with $2.7 million for Annapurna Pictures/eOne Films, a two-week total of $10.1 million.
Families dictated the Box Office this weekend, getting away to the movies to see HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: SUMMER VACATION. Earning $42.2 million from 4,267 theatres for Sony Pictures. Overall, this puts the Film third in the Franchise, its best still going to 2015’s Hotel Transylvania 2 with a $48.4 million opening. Critics gave it 59% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences responded much more positively with an A- CinemaScore.
In second this weekend is ANT-MAN AND THE WASP with $28.1 million from 4,206 theatres after a strong opening last weekend. Thus far it has grossed $132 million for Marvel/Disney.
Debuting in third is SKYSCRAPER starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson with $24.2 million for Universal Pictures from 3,782 theatres. It gets 51% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.
INCREDIBLES 2 lands in fourth this weekend with $14.5 million in its fifth week out for Disney/Pixar. Domestically it has made an outstanding $534 million.
SORRY TO BOTHER YOU debuts in seventh with $4 million from 805 theatres for eOne Films/Annapurna Pictures. The critically-acclaimed debut by Director/Writer Boots Riley gets 95% on the Tomatometer.
OCEAN’S 8 rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.9 million for Warner Bros., a tally of $132 million over six weeks.
Following great success at Sundance earlier this year, Director Boots Riley brought his debut Feature SORRY TO BOTHER YOU to Toronto for a Canadian Premiere tonight.
Centering on a young man named Cassius Green (Lakeith Stanfield) who is struggling to make ends meet. Decidedly, he takes on a Telemarketer job as a last ditch attempt before eviction from his uncle’s garage. Taking on a new persona or what he calls his “white voice”, Cassius finds himself excelling and climbing the corporate ranks much to the disagreement of his artist girlfriend Detroit (Tessa Thompson) and friends at work who are plotting to bring on a union into the workplace. Things get increasingly complicated when he uncovers are horrific secret undertaking which one of his company’s biggest clients is plotting under influencial power player Steve Lift (Armie Hammer).
Despite it being Father’s Day, Sorry to Bother You brought-out a packed house at Cineplex Yonge & Dundas to see the buzzed Film first and hear Riley speak. Some of you may know the former Rapper from his work as Frontman of Hip-Hop act The Coup. Despite having filmmaking aspirations, Riley dropped-out Film School to pursue music only now to come full circle, better late than never. He also once worked as a Telemarketer too like the Film’s flawed hero, Cassius.
Riley tells the audience about the characters in this quirky, out-there journey of self-discovery, shot over 28 days at 61 locations, exploring at what costs one is willing to go against what they believe in truly. “I wrote things from a human place, writing every single character as if they were me. They all represent conflict going on in my head”. “I had to trust my views of the world and let them come out.”.
The Film’s breakout star is Lakeith Stanfield who plays Cassius. Riley tells us about his casting choice. “His manager was really persistent”, he says, met with laughter by the audience. “When I cast him, there had only been one episode of Atlanta and I only knew him from Short Term 12.”. “I went and met with him he had a full beard. I realized he was a much older soul than his years would let on. He also had the right element of crazy.”.
One key scene however was cut from the Film, reveals Riley. “There was a full frontal (non-sexual) nudity scene and I needed him to be the most vulnerable he can be. It was a deal breaker and he cut me off and said ‘I’ve been waiitng for a role like this!’.”. He adds, “I was able to cut it out. He (Stanfield) achieved what few great actors can achieve, this vulnerability – letting him experiece the feelings, never worrying what he looks like.”.
See the Trailer:
See some Snaps. Hover cursor left and right to navigate.
eOne Films release SORRY TO BOTHER YOU Friday, July 13, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films/Mr. Will Wong)
eOne Films x Mr. Will want to take Readers in Toronto to the Canadian Premiere of SORRY TO BOTHER YOU with Director Boots Riley! The Premiere takes place Sunday, June 17, 2018.
Synopsis:
In an alternate present-day version of Oakland, telemarketer Cassius Green discovers a magical key to professional success, propelling him into a macabre universe.
The Film which premiered at Sundance to rousing reviews, stars Lakeith Stanfield (Get Out, Atlanta), Tessa Thompson (Annihilation, Dear White People) and Armie Hammer (Call Me By Your Name).
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
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eOne Films release SORRY TO BOTHER YOU Friday, July 13, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)
A major hit at Sundance earlier this year, we get to see a proper Trailer for SORRY TO BOTHER YOU.
Synopsis:
In an alternate present-day version of Oakland, telemarketer Cassius Green discovers a magical key to professional success, propelling him into a macabre universe.
See the Trailer:
eOne Films release SORRY TO BOTHER YOU Friday, July 6, 2018.
(Photo/ video credit: eOne Films)
A major hit at Sundance, SORRY TO BOTHER YOU also debuted at SXSW this weekend to raves again.
Synopsis:
In an alternate present-day version of Oakland, telemarketer Cassius Green discovers a magical key to professional success, propelling him into a macabre universe.
Cast: Lakeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson, Armie Hammer, Terry Crews, Steven Yeun, Omari Hardwick, Jermaine Fowler and Danny Glover.
The new Trailer for it has just premiered and you can see it below!
SORRY TO BOTHER YOU hits theatres Friday, July 6, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: Annapurna Pictures)
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Sorry To Bother You follows Telemarketer Cassius Green (Keith Stanfield) in an alternate present-day version of Oakland, California. When he finds the key to success he gets thrusted into a macabre universe. This Film is out-of-this-world greatness. Writer-Director Boots Riley crafts an ambitiously bonkers satire.
Sorry To Bother You is the most unique Film is years. The entire Ensemble Cast makes this outrageous Comedy set in a realistic world no matter how crazy the story becomes. Stanfield is a powerful force and roots this off-the-wall Film and causes the audience to sympathize with the most outlandish scenarios. But the real show stealer is Armie Hammer as themanic drug-addicted CEO. Hammer is at his best in a role that is furthest from anything he’s played before.
Sorry To Bother You screens at Sundance Jan. 20 at 6PM at PC Library, Jan. 21 at 9:15PM at The Grand SLC, Jan. 22 8:30AM at Prospector PC, Jan. 24 at 12:15PM at Eccles PC, Jan. 26 5:30PM at The MARC PC, and Jan. 27 at 3PM at Sundance Resort.
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