In an incredible debut, 20th Century Fox‘s THE MARTIAN opens out of this world with $55 million from 3,831 theatres. The Fantasy-Adventure by Sir Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon, gets an A CinemaScore and a phenomenal 94% on the Tomatometer from Critics. The TIFF ’15 selection was made for $108 million, only second to 2001’s Hannibal for the Director, which opened back then with $58 million.
In second is last week’s champ, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 with an impressive $31.7 million from 3,754 theatres in its second week out for Sony Pictures.
SICARIO expands to 2,620 theatres this weekend, earning $11.8 million, good enough for third. The Thriller from Canadian Director Denis Villeneuve debuted at TIFF ’15 last month to rave reviews. Critics gave it 93% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it an A- CinemaScore, which likely will give it legs to go on in coming weeks.
THE INTERN ranks in fourth with $11.6 million for Warner Bros. in its second week out. Thus far it has made $36.6 million domestically.
BLACK MASS is in sixth with $5.8 million for Warner Bros., now in its third week out. It has grossed $52 million thus far in these parts.
THE PERFECT GUY rounds-out the Top Ten for Sony Pictures with $2.2 million in its fourth week out, just surpassing the $50-million mark in North America.
Notable in eleventh is THE WALK which opens in 448 theatres across the continent with $1.7 million for Sony Pictures.
HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 rests comfortably at number one in its debut for Sony Pictures this weekend! The Sequel Animated Feature earns $48.2 million from 3,754 theatres. While Critics were tough on it with a 46% on the Tomatometer, Audiences gave it an excellent A- CinemaScore. Its Predecessor in 2012 earned $42 million opening weekend.
THE INTERN proves to be a success, debut in second for Warner Bros. with $18.2 million from 3,305 theatres. The Dramedy starring Anne Hathaway and Robert DeNiro, directed by Nancy Meyers, gets a mixed 56% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore, which definitely will help it in coming weeks.
MAZE RUNNER: SCORCH TRIALS slips to third spot for 20th Century Fox this weekend, earning $14 million in its second week out, a cumulative total of $51 in two weeks domestically.
EVEREST expands to 3.006 theatres for Universal Pictures, earning $12.4 million in its second week.
BLACK MASS is in fifth spot with $11.5 million for Warner Bros., totaling $42.5 million in two weeks.
THE GREEN INFERNO opens in ninth with $3.5 million for HTR/eOne Films, from 1,540 theatres. The Horror from Eli Roth gets 39% on the Tomatometer and a C- CinemaScore.
Notably rounding out the Top Ten is TIFF ’15 Selection, SICARIO which plays only at 59 theatres in limited release, earning an impressive $1.7 million already for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films.
Although not as big as its 2014 predecessor, MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH TRIALS debuts atop the Box Office this weekend with $30 million for 20th Century Fox, from 3,791 theatres. The sequel garners a B+ CinemaScore from audiences and a 49% on the Tomatometer.
After a high-profile debut on the festival circuits in Venice and Toronto, BLACK MASS opens in second for Warner Bros. with $24.8 million from 3,188 theatres. The Drama about gangster Whitey Bulger gets a B CinemaScore and a better 79% on the Tomatometer.
In its second week out, horror THE VISIT places third with $10 million from 3,148 theatres for Universal Pictures. It has grossed $41 million domestically.
THE PERFECT GUY lands in fourth in its second week out with $9.8 million for Sony Pictures. Cumulatively it has made $41 million in North America.
From only 545 theatres, EVEREST debuts in fifth for Universal Pictures with $6.9 million. It gets a decent 73% on the Tomatometer.
CAPTIVE rounds-out the Top Ten for Paramount Pictures with $1.9 million from 806 theatres across North America. It earned 36% from Critics on the Tomatometer.
Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
Scott Cooper (Out of the Furnace, Crazy Heart) takes on his most ambitious project to date as he tells the story of James “Whitey” Bulger one of the most infamous South Boston gangsters in history. Black Mass tells this intense story featuring performances from the incredible Johnny Depp who restores his faith in his acting career with arguably the best performance of his career in the film. Black Mass is an incredible feature that sheds a light on a story that needed the light.
James “Whitey Bulger (Johnny Depp) is one of the most notorious gangsters of South Boston, while his brother Billy Bulger (Benedict Cumberbatch) was state senator, as the story depicts Whitey’s rise to the top of the criminal empire and how he managed to continually fall through the cracks of the justice system. Whitey always believed in not being a rat, because if you’re a rat you’re going to die and it will certainly not be pleasant. However, when rival gang families starting moving in on Whitey’s territory and old friend from Southie, FBI agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) offered him a deal where he provides information and in return gets protection from the FBI Whitey could not say no. Black Mass tells the story of how James “Whitey” Bulger became one of the most feared men in South Boston.
Johnny Depp who has chosen some interesting roles in the last few years of his career, have made people start to forget how talented he truly is. Thankfully though his performance in the film is nothing short of terrifying and riveting as he brings life to the screen as the sadistic psychopath. He has restored his faith in his fans with this performance, which could potentially get him a fourth Oscar nomination. Benedict Cumberbatch who plays the brother to Whitey also does a phenomenal job at hiding what he knows and trying to protect his brother while he is completely aware of the terrible human being that he is. Moreover, Joel Edgerton who never has managed to disappoint audiences shines through yet again delivering another compelling performance that keeps the audience at the edge of their seats. Other mentions to performances have to be mentioned with respect to Kevin Bacon who plays the FBI lead who allows the alliance that Connolly and Bulger have together, as Bacon delivers a stellar performance as well.
However, Black Mass has not only incredible performances that will surely receive buzz and potential academy recognition, but the directing in this two hour heavyweight is flawless as Scott Cooper never lets anything become too dull or diluted as the gruesomeness is not toned down for a lighter audience. The reason why this had to be done, is to truly show how terrifying and how much of a menace James “Whitey” Bulger truly was and still is.
Black Mass is an fascinating piece about a terrifying force. It is one of the better gangster films of recent years, and adds another great addition into the careers of everyone involved.
It’s that time of the year again and we couldn’t be more thrilled with this initial batch of Films announced as part of the TIFF ’15 (aka #TIFF40, now in its 40th year) Lineup. The annual unveiling took place at TIFF Bell Lightbox as Filmlovers and Industry types awaited eagerly as titles were announced at 10:00 AM.
Although the Celebrity and Filmmaker Guest List is still to come, thus far we can expect A-Listers like Johnny Depp, Matt Damon, Tom Hardy, Michael Caine, Helen Mirren, Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams, Sandra Bullock, Kristen Stewart, Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth, Emily Blunt, Julianne Moore, Jessica Chastain and several, several, more.
In addition, there will be several exciting Documentaries including Davis Guggenheim‘s latest, He Called Me Malala and two about Horse Racing, Being Ap and Dark Horse.
DEMOLITION has been announced as the Opening Night Gala, from Canadian Director Jean–Marc Vallée, who has brought us delights WILD and DALLAS BUYERS CLUB in recent years. And it would appear once again we have eclectic mix of Films from all around the World, ranging from The Danish Girl from Oscar-winning Director Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech) which sees Oscar Winner Eddie Redmayne in a transgender role, to gritty Dramas like BLACK MASS starring Johnny Depp as Gangster Whitey Bulger and highly-buzzed SICARIO from Canadian Director Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners) about an FBI Agent caught in a dangerous Mexican cross-border sting. Emily Blunt is getting tons of Oscar buzz for her performance in this and this will mark a pivotal moment in her campaign trail at the TIFF.
Closing Night Gala looks to end on a light-hearted note with Paco Gazeba‘s MR. RIGHT starring Anna Kendrick and Sam Rockwell.
London also has been chosen as the city of focus in this year’s City to City Programme with Films starring Nicholas Hoult and Tom Hardy being featured.
Also just announced is an opening night Charity Soirée with Academy Award Winner Natalie Portman where she talks about her successful career and upcoming work. Tickets range from $350 to $650. Details here.
As part of TIFF‘s new Primetime Programme, showcasing Television for the first time, we learned that NBC‘s Toronto-filmed HEROES: REBORN will be premiering its first episode in its two-hour entirety at the Festival.
Whether it be part of Documentaries, Special Presentations or Gala Presentations, here are some of the highlights to rock the City this September.
45 YEARS (Andrew Haigh)
ABOUT RAY (Gaby Dellal)
BEASTS OF NO NATION (Cary Fukunaga)
BEEBA BOYS (Deepa Mehta)
BEING AP (Anthony Wonke)
BEING CHARLIE (Rob Reiner)
BLACK MASS (Scott Cooper)
BORN TO BE BLUE (Robert Budreau)
BOXING (Grayson Moore, Aidan Shipley)
BROOKLYN (John Crowley)
COLONIA (Florian Gallenberger)
THE DANISH GIRL (Tom Hooper)
DARK HORSE (Louise Osmond)
THE DAUGHTER (Simon Stone)
DISORDER (Alice Winocour)
DEMOLITION (Jean-Marc Vallée)
THE DRESSMAKER (Jocelyn Moorhose)
EQUALS (Drake Doremus)
EYE IN THE SKY (Gavin Hood)
THE FINAL GIRLS (Todd Strauss-Schulson)
FREEHELD (Peter Sollett)
THE FAMILY FANG (Jason Bateman)
FORSAKEN (Jon Cassar)
THE GIRL IN PHOTOGRAPHS (Nick Simon)
GREEN ROOM (Nick Saulnier)
HE NAMED ME MALALA (Davis Guggenheim)
HIGH-RISE (Ben Wheatley)
HYENA ROAD (Paul Gross)
I SAW THE LIGHT (Marc Abraham)
I SMILE BACK (Adam Salky)
IT’S NOT YOU (Don McKellar)
JANIS: BLUE LITTLE GIRL (Amy Berg)
JE SUIS CHARLIE (Daniel Leconte, Emmanuel Leconte)
KILL YOUR FRIENDS (Owen Harris)
KILO TWO BRAVO (Paul Katis)
THE LADY IN THE VAN (Nicolas Hynter)
LEGEND (Brian Helgeland)
LEN AND COMPANY (Tim Godsall)
THE LOBSTER (Yorgos Lanthimos)
LOLO (Julie Delpy)
LONDON FIELDS (Matthew Cullen)
LONDON ROAD (Rufus Norris)
LOUDER THAN BOMBS (Joachim Trier)
MAGGIE’S PLAN (Rebecca Miller)
MAN DOWN (Dito Montiel)
THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY (Matthew Brown)
THE MARTIAN (Ridley Scott)
THE MEDDLER (Lorraine Scafaria)
MISS SHARON JONES! (Barbara Kopple)
MISSISSIPPI GRIND (Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden)
MISS YOU ALREADY (Catherine Hardwicke)
MOUNTAINS MAY DEPART (Jia Zhang-ke)
MR. RIGHT (Paco Gazeba) – Closing Night Gala
OFFICE (Johnnie To)
THE ONES BELOW (David Farr)
OUR BRAND IS CRISIS (David Gordon Green)
THE PROGRAM (Stephen Frears)
THE REFLEKTOR TAPES (Kahlil Joseph)
REMEMBER (Atom Egoyan)
ROOM (Lenny Abrahamson)
SEPTEMBERS OF SHIRAZ (Wayne Blair)
SICARIO (Denis Villeneuve)
SPOTLIGHT (Tom McCarthy) – didn’t Rachel McAdams hint at us first it would be at TIFF?
STONEWALL (Roland Emmerich)
A TALE OF LOVE AND DARKNESS (Natalie Portman)
A TALE OF THREE CITIES (Mabel Cheung)
TRUMBO (Jay Roach)
TRUTH (James Vanderbilt)
UN PLUS UNE (Claude Lelouch)
WHERE TO INVADE NEXT (Michael Moore)
THE WITCH (Robert Eggers)
WOMEN HE’S DRESSED (Gillian Armstrong)
YOUTH (Paolo Sorrentino) – NSFW Trailer
Complete list of Titles complete Synopses announced thus far here.
Just 14 more days to go! Final titles to be announced in a week.
(Photo credit: eOne Films/Warner Bros./Studio Canal/Majestic Filmproduktion/20th Century Fox)
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