MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE demolishes the competition this weekend, debuting in top spot with $54.2 million from 4,327 theatres for Paramount Pictures. Its five-day running total is $78 million since its Wednesday opening, across North America. Franchise best still goes to MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT with $61 million in 2018.
SOUND OF FREEDOM lands in second spot, still going strong with $23.6 million from 3,265 theatres for Angel Studios, a two-week total of $82 million.
INSIDIOUS: THE RED DOOR is in third with $12.6 million from 3,188 theatres for Sony Pictures, a two week run of $57 million.
Fourth is INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY with $11.4 million for 20th Century Studios, a total $144 million over three weeks.
Disney & Pixar’s ELEMENTAL is fifth with $8.5 million, a total $125 million over five weekends.
INSIDIOUS: THE RED DOOR takes the top spot at the Box Office in its opening with $26 million from 3,188 theatres for Sony Pictures and it was a tight finish. This fifth installment in the Horror franchise starring Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne, gets 36% on the Tomatometer. Best opening in the Series still goes to 2013’s INSIDIOUS: THE NEXT CHAPTER with $40 million.
Second spot likely will go to last week’s champ INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY, coming in with $24 million from 4,600 theatres for 20th Century Studios. This takes it to $120 million in its second weekend.
Third is Angel Studios’ SOUND OF FREEDOM starring Jim Caveziel and Mira Sorvino, with $9 million from 2,850 theatres, a total $36 million thus far.
Fourth is Disney & Pixar’s ELEMENTAL with $8.4 million for Disney, bringing its total to $107 million domestically.
SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE takes fifth with $7.5 million for Sony Pictures, a run of $357 million.
INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY connects with Moviegoers this weekend, debuting with $66 million from 4,600 theatres for 20th Century Studios. This latest installment which just premiered in Cannes, brings back Harrison Ford and pairs him with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, gets 68% on the Tomatometer. Franchise best opening still belongs to 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull bowing with $100 million. Review here.
SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE takes second spot with $12.4 million from 3,405 theatres for Sony Pictures, a total $340 million grossed domestically.
Third is Disney & Pixar’s ELEMENTAL with $10.5 million from 3,650 theatres. Its total now is at $87.9 million.
NO HARD FEELINGS completes its second weekend with $7.6 million, bringing its run to $29.4 million for Sony Pictures.
TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS rounds the Top Five with $6.5 million, a total $135 million for Paramount Pictures.
It was a fight of the Animated Features this weekend at the Movies! SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE would prevail over Disney and Pixar‘s ELEMENTAL with $19.4 million for Sony Pictures. This brings its run to $315 million domestically over four weekends. ELEMENTAL brought-in $18.3 million in its second weekend, a total run of $65 million.
Third also was a close call with THE FLASH prevailing with $15.1 million for Warner Bros. for a total $18.5 million. R-rated Comedy NO HARD FEELINGS starring Jennifer Lawrence debuted with $15 million from 3,208 theatres for Sony Pictures. Lawrence‘s latest gets 67% on the Tomatometer.
TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS is poised to take fifth spot with $11.5 million for Paramount Pictures, a total of $122 million grossed to date domestically.
It’s all THE FLASH this weekend, coming-in at #1 this weekend finally after a long awaited release. It makes $64 million over a three-day weekend from 4,234 theatres for Warner Bros. which have given the $200 million+ budget film a very patient handling. It gets 67% on the Tomatometer.
In second is Disney and Pixar‘s Elemental with $33 million from 4,035 theatres. It gets 75% on the Tomatometer.
SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE UNIVERSE is in third with a solid $28.9 million in its third weekend out for Sony Pictures, tallying-in at $286 million domestically.
TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS is in fourth with $20.5 million for Paramount Pictures in its second weekend out, a total $104.1 million grossed.
Rounding our Top Five out is Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID with $13.1 million, bringing its run to $257 million.
Check out a brand-new trailer celebrating Pixar Animation Studios’ “Carl’s Date.” Opening exclusively in theatres June 16, 2023 in front of Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental,” the all-new short marks a return to the studio’s tradition of pairing its feature films with animated shorts on the big screen. Written and directed by Academy Award® nominee and Emmy® Award winner Bob Peterson and produced by Kim Collins, “Carl’s Date” goes home with Carl Fredricksen (voice of Ed Asner) and his lovable talking dog, Dug (voice of Peterson), who were introduced in Pixar’s Oscar®-winning feature “Up.” Moviegoers will catch up with Carl as he reluctantly agrees to go on a date with a lady friend—but admittedly has no idea how dating works these days. Ever the helpful friend, Dug steps in to calm Carl’s pre-date jitters and offer some tried-and-true tips for making friends—if you’re a dog.
(Photo/video credit: Disney/Pixar)
Walt Disney Studios Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of Disney & Pixar’s ELEMENTAL.
Screening Details:
Toronto
Wednesday, June 14
7:00pm
Cineplex Cinemas Queensway
1025 The Queensway, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 6C7, Canada
Calgary
Wednesday, June 14
7:00pm
Scotiabank Theatre Chinook
6455 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary, AB T2H 0K4, Canada
Edmonton
Wednesday, June 14
7:00pm
Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton
8882 170 St NW #3030, Edmonton, AB T5T 4M2, Canada
Vancouver
Wednesday, June 14
7:00pm
Cineplex Cinemas Marine Gateway
452 SW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC V5X 0C3, Canada
Ottawa
Wednesday, June 14
7:00pm
Scotiabank Theatre Ottawa
2385 City Park Dr, Gloucester, ON K1J 1G1, Canada
Winnipeg
Wednesday, June 14
7:00pm
Scotiabank Theatre Winnipeg
817 St James St, Winnipeg, MB R3G 3L3, Canada
Montreal
Wednesday, June 14
7:00pm
Cinéma Banque Scotia
977 Saint-Catherine St W, Montreal, Quebec H3B 4W3, Canada
Synopsis:
Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental” is an all-new, original feature film set in Element City, where fire-, water-, land- and air-residents live together. The story introduces Ember, a tough, quick-witted and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade challenges her beliefs about the world they live in. The films is directed by Peter Sohn (“The Good Dinosaur,” “Partly Cloudy” short), produced by Denise Ream (“The Good Dinosaur,” “Cars 2”), and featuring the voices of Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie as Ember and Wade, respectively.
To enter for your chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate for us there, your city! Re-Tweet the Contest Tweet below as well for an extra chance!
#Giveaway: Canada! We've got passes in multiple cities to an Advance Screening of Disney & Pixar's ELEMENTAL! We're hearnig so much buzz about this one.
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) June 1, 2023
Details: https://t.co/rsqX56E8i2 pic.twitter.com/7vybmlW9dv
Rules and regulations here.
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Disney & Pixar’s ELEMENTAL arrives in theatres June 16, 2023.
(Photo/video credit: Disney)
Pixar Animation Studios returns to the globally revered Cannes Film Festival for the world premiere of its all-new feature film “Elemental” on May 27, 2023 ahead of its theatrical release on June 16. Debuting out of competition as the closing film of the 76th edition of the festival, “Elemental” is the fourth film from the storied studio to be selected for the event and joins previous favorites “Up,” “Inside Out” and “Soul.”
Pete Docter, Pixar’s chief creative officer, said this year’s return to Cannes is particularly special for the studio. “As we all emerge from our pandemic cocoons and come together in story rooms, animation dailies and impromptu brainstorming sessions, it’s a joy and honour to have Pixar back on La Croisette,” said Docter. “Directed by the extraordinary storyteller Peter Sohn, ‘Elemental’ is so funny, full of heart and, frankly, stunning to see. It was created for audiences to experience on the big screen and I love that it’ll make its world premiere at Cannes.”
Docter, Sohn and producer Denise Ream will join members of the film’s voice cast at the event. Cannes has hosted the international competition since 1946. “For many years, the Cannes Film Festival has welcomed animated films from around the world,” said Thierry Frémaux, general delegate, Cannes Film Festival. “Pixar Animation Studios, with ‘Up’—directed by Pete Docter—made Cannes history by opening the 62nd edition of the Festival in 2009. It was a wonderful event! This is another great opportunity to present the amazing ‘Elemental’ on the closing of this 76th Cannes Film Festival and to think about our lives in such a powerful way.”
Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental” is an all-new, original feature film set in Element City, where fire-, water-, land- and air-residents live together. The story introduces Ember, a tough, quick-witted and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade challenges her beliefs about the world they live in. The voice cast includes Leah Lewis as the fiery Ember; Mamoudou Athie as the water-guy Wade; Ronnie del Carmen as Ember’s soon-to-be retired dad, Bernie; Shila Ommi as Ember’s love-seeking mom, Cinder; Wendi McLendon-Covey as Wade’s stormy and Air-Ball-loving boss, Gale; Catherine O’Hara as Wade’s welcoming mom, Brook; Mason Wertheimer as Ember’s admiring neighbor, Clod; and Joe Pera as an overgrown city bureaucrat, Fern. Directed by Peter Sohn, produced by Denise Ream, p.g.a., and executive produced by Pete Docter, “Elemental” features a screenplay by John Hoberg & Kat Likkel and Brenda Hsueh with story by Sohn, Hoberg & Likkel and Hsueh. The film’s original score was composed and conducted by Thomas Newman. “Elemental” opens with Pixar’s all new short, “Carl’s Date,” in theatres on June 16, 2023.
Just a couple weeks ago, we got a proper look at the official Trailer for Disney • Pixar‘s long-awaited upcoming feature, ELEMENTAL, directed by Peter Sohn (The Good Dinosaur). The brilliant-looking film is set in a city where fire, water, land and air residents live together. A fiery young woman, Ember Lumen (Leah Lewis) and a go-with-the-flow guy Wade Ripple (Mamoudou Athie), are about the learn exactly what they have in common.
Sohn has voiced characters in marquee films like Lightyear, Ratatouille and Monsters University. He came to Toronto to present footage for what surely will make a big splash this Summer for the world’s greatest animation giants. This Film is over five years in the making and while it is slated for a June release, it still is in its finishing touches, as its lighting meticulously is being tempered in this its final stretch before the world gets to see it.
Sohn recalls his journey making Elemental and i overcome with emotion thinking about his heartfelt journey. He lost both his parents in the span of a couple years and really this Film is all for them. “I was in the Bronx and I was looking into the crowd and there was this huge diverse group of people and my parents were there in the front – these yellow faces up there – they were crying and I just lost it”. “I had a speech I was going to give, but I didn’t give it because I was so overwhelmed by seeing them. I thanked them for giving me and my brother life and there was someone in the crowd going, ‘You better thank them!’. I went back to Pixar in New York and told them the story and they were like, ‘Peter you have to do that as your story!’. That is the thing I came back to when I was getting lost.”.
Sohn tells us about the laser-precision focus in Pixar‘s winning storytelling recipe. “At Pixar, creating emotionally-genuine performances through animation is a top priority. I love that this art form is about connecting emotionally. On Elemental we had a new layer to weave into these performances – to tie the energy of the effect to an emotion, if that makes sense.”. He adds, “Our Animation Team learned that rather than one style fit all, different moments have different needs and elemental energies. They referenced that real elements evoke emotions depending on their energy… and those energies we were trying to tie into those performances.”.
Though this hasn’t taken eight years to make like other studio classics like Up and Coco, Elemental certainly has been challenging for Sohn and the Crew in a good way. “There were so many moments where the Crew was like, ‘We’re not gonna be able to do this’, and there was such a passion of what they had all done. I’ve never done anything this personal before, but it was an emotional experience for me because the Crew connected to this and put all of that love into the Film and I can’t wait for the audience to finally see the Movie.”.
On a parting note. Sohn is asked by Moderator Marriska Fernandes which element he identifies with most, He says, “I wish I was more fire but I am a sap… that emotional side is what I click with, so I’m water for sure.”.
Walt Disney Studios Canada release Disney•Pixar’s ELEMENTAL June 16, 2023.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Walt Disney Studios Canada)
Our George Kozera had the pleasure of attending Walt Disney Studios Canada’s 2022 Holiday Preview, highlighting some of the Studio’s exciting upcoming theatrical and theatrical releases. Here’s a little sneak peek what we can expect after some first looks were offered at the event.
Highlights:
After a two-year absence due to COVID restrictions, it was pure joy to attend the Walt Disney Studios Canada press event for a light breakfast, previews of 2023 releases and a screening of STRANGE WORLD. Disney will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2023 and from what we saw, it will be a banner year for the studio and its audience, either theatrically or streaming on Disney+. Some of the preview highlights had us salivating in anticipation.
The Cinematography in the upcoming live action version of THE LITTLE MERMAID is astonishing and it will be spectacular viewing on the big screen. The same can be said for the Animated Feature ELEMENTAL, its vibrancy and colour palette is hypnotic. ANT MAN & THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA appears darker in tone and execution from the previous two movies, but any film with Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jonathan Majors, Evangeline Lilly and Bill Murray will have me first in line! Snippets of season three of THE MANDALORIAN has inspired me to binge-watch the first two seasons and WILLOW looks very interesting. But what really yanked my crank was SECRET INVASION, the Marvel mini-series starring Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn and award-winning magnet, Olivia Colman.
STRANGE WORLD is Disney’s first foray into the Animated Science-Fiction genre and it is a rollicking success. Jaeger Clade and his young son Searcher go on an expedition to cross the mountains to see what’s on the other side. Searcher comes across a mysterious plant, stays behind to extradite and harvest it back home and Jaeger continues on the journey solo. Fast-forward 25 years…Searcher is now the town’s most successful farmer as this plant has miraculous components and alongside his wife Meridian, his 16-year-old son Ethan and their three-legged dog, their life is blissful. Until they are told by Callisto that the roots source of this plant is being ambushed and they all need to explore the treacherous landscapes of Avalonia inhabited by surreal lifeforms to save it.
There is a myriad of reasons why I fell in love with STRANGE WORLD. The voice work from Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, Gabrielle Union, Lucy Liu and, especially, Jaboukie Young-White as Ethan is exceptional. The animated world of Avalonia is visually intoxicating and I genuinely appreciated that innumerable creatures there were not given annoyingly cute human characteristics. They don’t periodically break into song; they enhance the story and illicit smiles or dreaded anticipation. However, first and foremost, with a standing ovation and bouquets of flowers thrown onto the stage, Disney tackles diversity with gusto, class and bravado. From a “blink and you might miss it” scene of a background character in a wheelchair, to the fact that Searcher and Meridian are a biracial married couple, impressed me to the hilt. Most importantly, taking into account the controversy Disney experienced when it was alleged that one of the characters in its monster hit FROZEN may have been gay, Ethan has a schoolboy crush and it is a another boy. Kudos to Disney for not sensationalizing this and giving space to tell a story that can only be a learning opportunity to some young audience members struggling internally.
Excluding Animated Features from Pixar, STRANGE WORLD is my favourite Disney movie since BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Whereas I tend to abhor cinematic sequels, I would relish another opportunity to spend more time with the Clade family.
Walt Disney Studios Canada release STRANGE WORLD November 23, 2022.
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