#BOXOFFICE: “VENOM” INVADES THE TOP SPOT AT THE BOX OFFICE

A smear campaign, nor critical panning could stop Marvel’s VENOM from taking the top of the Box Office this weekend. The Blockbuster starring Tom Hardy opens on-top with a stellar $80 million for Sony Pictures from 4,250 theatres across North America. It also gets 31% on the Tomatometer and much better B+ CinemaScore from Audiences.

By no means disgraced, A STAR IS BORN opens in second spot with an excellent $42.2 million from 3,686 theatres for Warner Bros.  The directorial debut from Star and Writer Bradley Cooper gets unanimous praise out of the Festival circuit with 91% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore from Audiences. It is seen as an Oscar Frontrunner at this point, getting a head start on Awards Season.

SMALLFOOT earns $14.5 million in its second week out for Warner Bros., a total $42.2 million gross over two weeks domestically.

NIGHT SCHOOL, last week’s #1 Movie, slips to fourth with $11.9 million for Universal Pictures, a total $39.1 million in two weeks.

THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS is in fifth this weekend with $7 million, bringing it to $54.7 million in its third week for Universal Pictures.

CRAZY RICH ASIANS shows incredibly longevity in eighth with $2.1 million for Warner Bros., now in its eighth week out. It is just shy of $170 million to date in these parts.

THE PREDATOR rounds-out the Top Ten with $900k for 20th Century Fox, a total $49 million over four weeks.

 

#BOXOFFICE: “NIGHT SCHOOL” MAKES THE GRADE IN OPENING

Kevin Hart continues his ascent as one of he most bankable stars in Hollywood. NIGHT SCHOOL which he co-wrote and stars in,  debuts atop the Box Office in its debut with $25.9 million from 3,010 theatres across North America for Universal Pictures.  Of course it doesn’t hurt that the Malcolm D. Lee (Girls Trip) Film also stars “It Girl”, Tiffany Haddish. While it musters-up only 30% on the Tomatometer, Audiences certainly enjoyed it with an A- CinemaScore.

In second is SMALLFOOT with $23.6 million from 4,131 theatres for Warner Bros. The Animated Feature featuring Channing Tatum, James Corden and Zendaya, gets a 63% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore.

In its second week out, THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS finds itself in third with $12.3 million. Its tally takes it to  $44.6 grossed in North America for Universal Pictures.

A SIMPLE FAVOR quietly continues to add to its bankroll in fourth with $6.7 million, good enough for fourth spot for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films. The Toronto-made Paul Feig Thriller has made $43.1 million thus far domestically.

Right in-time for Halloween is HELL FEST, debuting in sixth with $4.7 million for eOne Films/CBS Films. It gets 35% on the Tomatometer and a C CinemaScore

PEPPERMINT rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.8 million for Elevation Pictures/STX Entertainment, a decent $33.5 million earned over four weeks.

#BOXOFFICE: “CLOCK” BRINGS THE HOUSE DOWN IN DEBUT

Director Eli Roth might be known to us for his Cult Classics and Horrors, but he makes his first foray into the children’s genre a winning one. THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS opens on-top with $24.6 from 3,592 theatres for Universal Pictures. Starring Jack Black and Cate Blanchett, the Film gets 67% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.

In second is A SIMPLE FAVOR with $10.5 million also for Universal Pictures. The Thriller starring Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick, also Director Paul Feig’s first try in Film outside of Comedy, has made $32.7 million over two weeks.

In third is THE NUN with $9.4 million for Warner Bros., just surpassing $100 million domestically in three weeks.

THE PREDATOR lands in fourth with $8 million for 20th Century Fox, a total $39.7 in two weeks for the TIFF ’18 Midnight Madness selection.

CRAZY RICH ASIANS still continues to slay in fifth with $6.3 million, tallying $159.2 million now over six weeks for Warner Bros.

FAHRENHEIT 11/9 opens with $2.8 million from 1,719 theatres, in eighth. This latest effort from Documentarian Michael Moore, gets 80% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore for Briarcliffe Entertainment and levelFILM.

LIFE ITSELF which like the Moore Film just debuted at TIFF ’18, opens in ninth with $2.1 million for Amazon Films/VVS Films, getting 13% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore. It has an all-star Cast including Oscar Isaac, Olivia Wilde, Annette Bening, Mandy Patinkin and Olivia Cooke.

Rounding-out the Top Ten is THE MEG with $2.1 million, a total $140.3 million over seen week for Warner Bros.

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS”

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS. Screenings take place:

Toronto WED Sept 19 Scotiabank Theatre Toronto 7:00 pm

Montreal WED Sept 19 Cineplex Forum 7:00 pm

Calgary WED Sept 19 Landmark Shawnessy 7:00 pm

Edmonton WED Sept 19 Cineplex South Edmonton Commons 7:00 pm

Vancouver WED Sept 19 Cineplex International Village 7:30 pm

 

Synopsis:
In the tradition of Amblin classics where fantastical events occur in the most unexpected places, Jack Black and two-time Academy Award® winner Cate Blanchett star in The House with a Clock in Its Walls, from Amblin Entertainment. The magical adventure tells the spine-tingling tale of 10-year-old Lewis (Owen Vaccaro) who goes to live with his uncle in a creaky old house with a mysterious tick-tocking heart. But his new town’s sleepy façade jolts to life with a secret world of warlocks and witches when Lewis accidentally awakens the dead.

 

See the Trailer:

 

Artwork:

 

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City there. In the comments, tell us about a surprise you stumbled upon in your house! Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance.

Universal Pictures Canada release THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS Friday, September 21, 2018.

 

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)