Surprise! Or not. STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI opens with a huge bang for Disney, raking-in a superb $220 million from 4,232 theatres. Critics are loving this follow-up to 2015’s The Force Awakens with 93% on the Tomatometer and a resounding A CinemaScore from Audiences. It still however is unable to best the $247 million opening its Predecessor had.

Animated Feature FERDINAND is a distant second with $12.3 million from 3,621 theatres for 20th Century Fox. Starring John Cena, it gets 75% in the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore.

In third is COCO with $9.2 million now in its fourth week out, surpassing the $150 million-mark domestically for Disney.

WONDER is in fourth with $5 million for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films. It has made a successful $108 million already over five weeks in North America.

DADDY’S HOME 2 is showing incredible longevity into the Holidays in sixth with $3.3 million for Paramount Pictures in its sixth week. It is just shy of $100 million.

In eighth is THE DISASTER ARTIST expanding to 1,010 theatres with $2.4 million for Elevation Pictures/A24 Films. It has made $12.7 million over three weeks.

LADY BIRD continues to capitalize off its Oscar buzz in tenth with $1.9 million from 947 theatres for Elevation Pictures/A24 Films.  It has made $25 million thus far.

It ain’t U.S. Thanksgiving yet but Warner Bros. must give thanks to a powerful opening for JUSTICE LEAGUE earning $96 million in its opening from 4,051 theatres – completely in another league than its competition. This latest DC Comics Adaptation gets a B+ CinemaScore from Audiences and 40% on the Tomatometer from Critics.

WONDER starring Canada’s Jacob Tremblay has a very wonderful opening in second with $28.3 million for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films. Audiences are smitten with an A+ CinemaScore and a strong 83% on the Tomatometer.

THOR: RAGNAROK slips to third in its third week with $20.3 million for Disney. Thus far it has made $245 million domestically.

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS slips to fourth in its second week with $14.1 million for 20th Century Fox. In North America thus far it has grossed $52 million.

DADDY’S HOME 2 slips to fifth, also in its second week with $13.6 million for Paramount Pictures. It has made $49.4 million to date.

THE STAR earns $10.2 million from 2,837 theatres for Sony Pictures. It opened on Wednesday. The Nativity Story-centered Film gets 62% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore.

LADY BIRD expands successfully to 238 theatres for A24 Films/Elevation Pictures with $2.4 million. Over three weeks it has made $4.6 million and has a perfect 100% CinemaScore.

THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI expands to 52 theatres this weekend and earns $1.1 million for Fox Searchlight. The Oscar Contender sits at 94% on the Tomatometer and has the distinction of winning the TIFF ’17 People’s Choice Award.

JIGSAW rounds-out the Top Ten with $1 million for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films. 

A v. healthy weekend at the Box Office, but alas THOR: RAGNAROK remains triumphant a second straight week. The latest in the Marvel Franchise earns $56.1 million in week two from 4,080 theatres, a total $209.1 million grossed thus far in North America.

In second is 20th Century Fox‘s MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS with $27.9 million from 3,331 theatres domestically.  The Agatha Christie Adaptation with a star-studded cast gets 58% on the Tomatometer from Critics and a B CinemaScore.

DADDY’S HOME 2 opens in third narrowly edged-out for second, with $27.5 million from 3,575 theatres for Paramount Pictures. It gets 16% on the Tomatometer from Critics and an A- CinemaScore. It’s 2015 Predecessor debuted with $37 million by comparison.

A BAD MOM’S CHRISTMAS is in fourth in its second week out for STX Entertainment/eOne Films with $11.6 million. Thus far it has tallied $39.9 million.

Acclaimed TIFF ’17 selection LADY BIRD rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.7 million for A24 Films/Elevation Pictures in its second week out, expanding to just 37 theatres across North America.

Paramount Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Screening of DADDY’S HOME 2! Screenings take place in Toronto + Montreal Wednesday, November 8, 2017.

Synopsis:
In the sequel to the 2015 global smash, father and stepfather, Dusty (Mark Wahlberg) and Brad (Will Ferrell), have joined forces to provide their kids with the perfect Christmas. Their newfound partnership is put to the test when Dusty‘s old-school, macho Dad (Mel Gibson) and Brad’s ultra-affectionate and emotional Dad (John Lithgow) arrive just in time to throw the holiday into complete chaos.

Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and please indicate your City. Re-Tweeting this Tweet from @mrwillw also gets you an extra chance!

Paramount Pictures Canada release DADDY’S HOME 2 Friday, November 10, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

More daddys, more problems! We loved DADDY’S HOME… but are you ready for more daddy drama? See the new Trailer for DADDY’S HOME 2!

Synopsis:

In the sequel to the 2015 global smash, father and stepfather, Dusty (Mark Wahlberg) and Brad (Will Ferrell) have joined forces to provide their kids with t he perfect Christmas. Their newfound partnership is put to the test when Dusty’s old-school, macho Dad (Mel Gibson) and Brad’s ultra-affectionate and emotional Dad (John Lithgow) arrive just in time to throw the holiday into complete chaos.

See the Trailer:

Paramount Pictures Canada release DADDY’S HOME Friday, November 10, 2017.

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(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

It took four weeks for it to happen, but we finally have an opponent that gave STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS a run for its money. Barely.  STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS made $41.4 million this weekend for Disney, from 4,134 theatres, continuing to shatter  a litany of records.  By Sunday, it crossed $800 million in only four weeks domestically.

THE REVENANT has stamped itself an Oscar contender long before its release this weekend, with star Leonardo DiCaprio making this his most likely in a celebrated career to win the coveted award.   It expands to 3,375 theatres this weekend for 20th Century Fox and earns $38 million plus a Golden Globe for Motion Picture Drama. Audiences gave it a B+ CinemaScore and Critics give it a solid 81% on the Tomatometer – not quite the critical sweep some were expecting.

In third is consistent DADDY’S HOME with $15 million for Paramount Pictures, from 3,483 theatres. Thus far it has made $115 million in four weeks.

THE FOREST is in fourth in its debut this weekend with $13.1 million for Universal Pictures from 2,451 theatres. The Horror starring Natalie Dormer and Taylor Kinney, gets a C CinemaScore from Audiences and 13% from Critics on the Tomatometer.

SISTERS is in fifth spot with $7 million for Universal Pictures, now in its fourth week out.  It has just surpassed the $70 million-mark, a great feat considering it was made for $30 million.  Many had their doubts about its Holiday release, but this clearly has been a bankable venture.

THE HATEFUL EIGHT is in sixth with $6.4 million in its third week out from 2,938 theatres.  It has just surpassed the $40 million-mark in three weeks out for eOne Films/The Weinstein Co.

THE BIG SHORT is in seventh with $6.3 million for Paramount Pictures, now earning $42.6 million in five weeks.  It now plays at 2,529 theatres.

JOY is in eighth with $4.6 million in its third week out for 20th Century Fox.  Earning $46 million in three weeks, it is on its way to recouping back its $60 million budget.

CONCUSSION rounds-out the Top Ten with $3 million for Sony Pictures.  It has made just over $30 million in three weeks.

For those of you who thought STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS was finished its Box Office reign, THINK AGAIN!  The gargantuan force continues to destroy competitors, this weekend bringing-in $90 million from 4,134 theatres for Disney. This places the Film at $741 million thus far in its North American run, zooming right past TITANIC and JURASSIC WORLD, which before were second and third for all-time domestic records behind AVATAR which grossed $760.5 million.  This latest STAR WARS installment looks a cinch to surpass the latter quite soon.

DADDY’S HOME goes strong into its second week for Paramount Pictures with $28 million, bringing its tally to $92.7 million domestically.

THE HATEFUL EIGHT from Quentin Tarantino, expands its way to third place with $16.2 million, playing at 2,474 theatres for eOne Films/The Weinstein Co.   The Film gets a B CinemaScore and a 75% on the Tomatometer from Critics. It surpasses the $30 million-mark in its second week.

ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP is in fourth for 20th Century Fox this weekend with $12.2 million from 3,474 theatres. It now is in its third week out, benefiting from little competition in the Family market at the Movies.

In fifth is SISTERS, earning $12.1 million from 2,978 theatres for Universal Pictures.  It has made $61-million in three weeks.

JOY is becoming a very profitable venture for 20th Century Fox, earning $10 million in its second week out.  It is nearing the $40-million mark already in North America.

THE BIG SHORT expands to 1,588 theatres for Paramount Pictures, landing it in seventh with $8.8 million, receiving both acclaim from Critics and Audiences with an 86% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore respectively.

In eighth is CONCUSSION with $7.9 million for Sony Pictures, earning a modest $25 million in two weeks.

THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY, PART 2 rounds-out the Top Ten with $4.7 million in its seventh week out, nearing the $250 million-mark.

It might have been Star Wars all Christmas weekend, but the others aren’t faring too bad!  STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS continues a monstrous run at the Box Office, at the top yet again this weekend with $157 million for Disney from 4,134 theatres. Its latest feat sees it getting the distinction of being the quickest Film ever to reach the $500 million-mark, grossing now $553 million in just over one week domestically!

DADDY’S HOME debuts in second with $46 million from 3,721 theatres for Paramount Pictures. Critics panned it with a 28% on the Tomatometer, but Audiences were far more forgiving with a B+ CinemaScore.  The Comedy reuniting Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg bests their last collaboration, The Other Guys, which opened with $35 million in 2010.

JOY opens a respectable third with $20 million from 2,896 theatres for 20th Century Fox. The Oscar vehicle for Jennifer Lawrence based on the true story of the Miracle Mop creator, didn’t get a lot of love from Critics with 58% on the Tomatometer, but got an okay B+ at CinemaScore.

ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP is in fourth in its second week out with $16 million from 3,705 theatres for 20th Century Fox. It has made $42 million in its North American run.

SISTERS certainly isn’t shamed, in fifth with $14.8 million from 2,962 theatres in its second week out for Universal Pictures.  It nears the $40 million-mark domestically.

CONCUSSION, an Oscar vehicle for Will Smith, opens in sixth with $13 million for Sony Pictures.  Critics gave it a passing 60% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences definitely enjoyed it with an A CinemaScore.

Playing only in 1,585 theatres, THE BIG SHORT is in seventh with $11.5 million for Paramount Pictures. Certified “fresh” on the Tomatometer, this star-studded affair with Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Christian Bale and Brad Pitt gets an 86% score on that site and an A- CinemaScore also from Audiences.

POINT BREAK, a remake of Kathryn Bigelow‘s acclaimed action flick, opens in eighth with $10.5 million for Warner Bros. Critics panned it with a 4% only on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore gives it a bit more hope.

CREED rounds-out the Top Ten with $5 million in its fifth week out for Warner Bros.  It is closing quick on the $100 million-mark.

Master of wit. Member of the original Frat Pack.  Will Ferrell for many of us is a household name we’ve grown-up with, whether it be his phenomenal run on NBC staple Saturday Night Live, timeless classics like Elf or what’s to come next – that eagerly-awaited sequel to Zoolander which already has ‘broken the internet’ with a record-setting 52.5 million views in its first week.

Although this wasn’t Ferrell‘s first visit to the City, with the Toronto International Film Festival, Semi-Pro and The Campaign bringing him to Toronto in recent years, Fans and Media equally were excited to see him again as the red carpet was rolled-out at Scotiabank Theatre for a special Advance Screening of DADDY’S HOME.

Despite being a bit behind schedule worsened by inclement weather, Ferrell was generous with his face time and after doing a round of interviews, he quickly went in-theatre to introduce his new Comedy, before picking-up where he left-off with Media. Believe me, we’ve been on the Red Carpet circuit for years now and we’re lucky sometimes even to get a question in.  Ferrell was a class act, giving thoughtful answers which go a level deeper than the Funnyman we think we know.

My Samsung S6 rang off the hook around 7:10 PM while Ferrell was on-stage before a packed theatre of Fans, many who hadn’t a clue he’d be coming.  Already a bit nervous, my jaws dropped in disbelief that he singled me out, asking “Where’s Will Wong?”.  Perhaps it’s because we share a name, perhaps our name had a fun ring to it, or maybe he googled us after learning that we’d be speaking on the Carpet?  Whatever it was, we didn’t want to wake-up from it.

Special thanks to @DaveMABalwdin for sending this in:

What is life again?

Daddy’s Home centers on a man named Brad (Ferrell), a smooth jazz radio executive whose world is turned upside-down after the birth father of his stepchildren, Dusty (Mark Wahlberg) re-enters the picture after a period of estrangement.  Dead-set on reclaiming back his wife Sarah (Linda Cardellini) and kids, Dusty pulls-out all the stops, awakening Brad‘s competitive spirit and deepest insecurities in a full-on Battle of the Dads.  Can there be only one Dad?

Decked-out in a perfectly-cut suit, the eloquent and gracious Ferrell made his way to us, the last outlet on the Carpet, still in great spirits. We expressed our gratitude for his shout-out earlier – an endorsement of the highest kind.

I point-out that often in Film, we see the stepparent not always in the most favourable light.  What is refreshing about Daddy’s Home is that it gives us a completely new perspective.  As Producer and Star of the Film, we ask about the importance of this story being told.

Ferrell says, “I think Daddy’s Home is more about the blended family, which is becoming more commonplace. It’s so unique. We don’t think we’ve seen this done before in a Family-Comedy.”.   He adds, “Original Writer Brian Burns gives us a  heightened version of his life and that’s how he pitched it to us. He’s a stepdad of two and he does everything by-the-book and is always there for them. Meanwhile the ‘real dad’ comes on weekends, takes them to Disneyland and buys them candy and Brian‘s left to pick-up the pieces on Monday and we kept laughing at this.”.  “It’s the steady force having to deal with the tornado and there’s  a lot of potential for comedy there.”.

The character Brad seems to know what he wants in life until Wahlberg‘s Dusty shows-up and from there his insecurities become amplified and it is his competitive spirit that drives the plot along.  We ask the well-spoken and confident Ferrell about his own insecurities and after pausing to think, his response in true Ferrell form is hysterical.

He jokes, “My greatest insecurity is that Mark Wahlberg will be jealous of my one ab and that he won’t talk to me anymore.”.

We ask Ferrell about his upcoming projects, more specifically hoping he’ll dish on Zoolander 2 and his sassy fashion maven, Mugatu.  And he does.

“I’ve got Zoolander 2 coming out and I had a great time reprising Mugatu.  I’m working on reuniting with Adam McKay (Anchorman, Step Brothers, The Other Guys) and John C. Reilly on a Film about two guys who go down to protect the (southern U.S.) border.”.

We wish it were the Canadian-border though…  He seemed to know enough about Canadian Politics, answering questions about our new Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with another outlet earlier.

See our Chat:

#TrueStory: #WillFerrell walks into the Canadian Premiere for #DaddysHome and asks, “Where’s Will Wong?!?”. And I faint. #Toronto #The6ix Photo by @alyssamhurst. A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Dec 14, 2015 at 4:51pm PST

Paramount Pictures Canada release DADDY’S HOME on Christmas Day.

Review coming soon.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Alyssa Hurst)

Paramount Pictures Canada + Mr. Will want to take Readers in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver to see Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg in DADDY’S HOME! Screenings take place in Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton + Calgary on Sunday, December 13, 2015. A special screening in Toronto takes place Monday, December 14, 2015 with a special guest.

Official Synopsis:
DADDY’S HOME follows a mild-mannered radio executive (Ferrell) who strives to become the best stepdad to his wife’s two children, but complications ensue when their freewheeling and freeloading real father (Wahlberg) arrives, forcing him to compete for the affection of the kids.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook.  Remember to state your city. Click “share” from there for an extra chance or Tweet the below too:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/daddyshome @MRWILLW wants us to #win Advance Passes to see #DADDYSHOME!  Out Christimas.

G’luck.

Paramount Pictures Canada release DADDY’S HOME on Friday, December 25, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)