DISNEY’S ALADDIN soars the skies in its debut, taking $84.9 million from 4,476 theatres Memorial Day weekend. By the end of the American long weekend it will be in around $106.5 million. This is Disney’s second-highest Memorial Day opening ever, behind Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, back in 2007. It gets an A CinemaScore and 58% on the Tomatometer.
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM lands in second spot after taking too spot last weekend. It still goes strong with $24.2 million this weekend, a two week tally of $106.8 million by end of day Monday for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films.
AVENGERS: ENDGAME places third with $16.6 million, a five-weekn run of $802.8 million in North America for Disney.
BRIGHTBURN opens in fifth with $8 million for Sony Pictures, at 2,607 theatres. It gets 58% on the Tomatometer.
BOOKSMART opens in sixth spot with $7 million from 2,505 theatres for eOne Films/United Artists Releasing. It gets a hearty 97% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.
LONG SHOT rounds things out in tenth with $1.6 million in its fourth week for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films.
For a third straight week, AVENGERS: ENDGAME takes the top spot at the Box Office. This weekend’s take is $70 million from 4,662 theatres, making for $730 million over three weeks for Marvel/Disney.
In second spot is Warner Bros.’ POKÉMON: DETECTIVE PIKACHU, will a strong $53 million opening from 4,202 theatres. It gets a passing 64% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore.
THE HUSTLE debuts in third with $13.5 million for Universal Pictures, playing at 3,007 theatres. It gets 18% on the Tomatometer and a B- CinemaScore.
Landing in fourth is LONG SHOT with $8 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films, a total $21.6 million in its second week.
POMS opens in sixth with $6.3 million from 2,750 theatres for STX Entertainment/eOne Films. It gets 30% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.
TOLKIEN debuts with $3.7 million from 1,465 theatres for Fox Searchlight. It gets 48% on the Tomatometer.
AVENGERS: ENDGAME takes it record-smashing success to week two, bringing-in $146.9 million this weekend for Marvel/Disney, from 4,662 theatres in North America.
Far back in second is LONG SHOT which opens to the tune of $10.6 million for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films from 3,230 theatres. It gets 83% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore.
THE INTRUDER debuts in third with $10.5 million from 2,222 theatres for Sony Pictures and 28% on the Tomatometer.
UGLYDOLLS bows in fourth with $9.2 million from 3,652 theatres for STX Entertainment/VVS Films. It gets 36% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.
SHAZAM! is in eighth with $2.2 million, a five week total of $135 million for Warner Bros.
DUMBO rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.3 million for Disney, a total $109.6 million made over six weeks.
eOne Films x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see LONG SHOT, which just premiered at SXSW to rave reviews!
Screenings take place as follows on Wednesday, May 1, 2019:
Toronto
Vancouver
Calgary
Edmonton
Winnipeg
Ottawa
Halifax
One lucky winner will win this official windbreaker, like the one Seth Rogen wears in the Film:
Synopsis:
Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen) is a gifted and free-spirited journalist with an affinity for trouble. Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron) is one of the most influential women in the world. Smart, sophisticated, and accomplished, she’s a powerhouse diplomat with a talent for…well, mostly everything. The two have nothing in common, except that she was his babysitter and childhood crush. When Fred unexpectedly reconnects with Charlotte, he charms her with his self-deprecating humor and his memories of her youthful idealism. As she prepares to make a run for the Presidency, Charlotte hires Fred as her speechwriter, much to the dismay of her trusted advisors. A fish out of water on Charlotte’s elite team, Fred is unprepared for her glamourous lifestyle in the limelight. However, sparks fly as their unmistakable chemistry leads to a round-the-world romance and a series of unexpected and dangerous incidents.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
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eOne Films release LONG SHOT Friday, May 3, 2019.
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)
By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
We are onto Day Two of SXSW and it feels as though things are just taking flight!
We started our day at The Daily Show‘s Presidental Twitter Library for Donald J. Trump. This was one hell of an experience. As soon as you walk in there are caricatures of people Trump has given unique nicknames. As you walk through the wide lobby and go into different rooms there are many of his famous Tweets, and also some of his deleted ones. Nothing compares to the back room where there is a golden toilet that guests can sit on and get their photo taken. One unique, and hilarious, addition to this event is the startling alarm that blares whenever Trump actually publishes a new Tweet. The Daily Show has truly raised the bar high making this a memorable experience for Festival-goers at SXSW.
We then headed over to the Hilton Hotel where the ACLU was holding the Making Change On and Off The Screen Featured Session. On hand to talk was the Executive Director of the ACLU Anthony Romero, Actress Amber Heard, Author and Top Chef Host Padma Lakshmi, and Actor and Director Ike Barinholtz. Heard, Lakshmi and Barinholtz spoke about what it means to be ACLU Ambassadors in Women’s Rights, Immigration Rights and Voter Rights respectively. A big topic the four were speaking about was how everyone can be an Activist in the world today. “Everyone has the power to start a revolution,” Heard said. When it came to speaking about the change that has happened in Hollywood since the #MeToo Movement began Barinholtz said he sees change happening. “I think Showbiz is heading in the right direction,” he affirmed. After the hour-long discussion fans rushed up to the stage to take photos with Heard who was more than willing to spend time with fans.
Then it was time to hit the red carpets and premieres of some of the biggest movies at the Festival. First up was The Beach Bum, which is the latest Film for Director Harmony Korine. Two surprise appearances on the Red Carpet and at the Q&A following the Film were from Martin Lawrence and Jimmy Buffett, who both act alongside Matthew McConaughey. McConaughey and Isla Fisher were front and center at the Premiere. Review here.
The last Premiere of the night at The Paramount was Long Shot, starring Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen who were both in attendance. When guests first got into the theatre they were handed a complimentary concession token worth $10. Director Jonathan Levine, Rogen and Theron introduced the Film and contributed to a short Q&A following because they had another surprise in store for the audience. That surprise was that Boyz II Men were there and performed for all of us! They sang two songs, the second was “I’ll Make Love To You” with the band give roses to the women in the audience. The audience went absolutely insane. It appeared like Rogen and Theron enjoyed the performance also, as both were singing to the music. When the performance was over guests left the venue and realized another treat was in store. They gave everyone a jacket that is identical to the one Rogen wears in the Film. Review here.
It was a very eventful day, one we would love to relive all over again! We can only look forward to tomorrow which will be another eventful day. There are more Pop-Ups to be seen and Olivia Wilde will be making her directorial debut with Booksmart which will have its World Premiere tomorrow night. Check back for more!
Check out our gallery of the day below. Hover cursor right to move forward:
(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)
By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Today was the official start of the 2019 SXSW Festival and it didn’t disappoint.
The day began with a bunch of conferences from those in the Tech world, like Pricilla Chan, to those in the Film industry, such as Busy Phillips. Earlier in the day Chan spoke about the work and impact the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is doing. Later on in the afternoon, Phillips sat down and had a talk with her close friend Hillary Kerr. The two spoke about the career Phillips has had and her new late-night talk show Busy Tonight which airs on E! Network.
But the main event for the day was the World Premiere and Opening Night Film Us directed and written by Jordan Peele. For films at SXSW, people typically begin lining-up about two hours in advance, at most. However, for Us, the line began a whopping six hours in advance. By the time that two-hour mark hit, it was a guessing game of if you were going to get in or not. Thankfully, we made it in and it was worth the wait. We were also treated to many Cast and Crew being there, such as Jordan Peele, Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss and more. All stayed after the show for a Q&A. To know more about this anticipated Film, make sure to check out our Review here.
Film isn’t the only thing of focus at SXSW, they also have a wide selection of Television events. Tonight was the What We Do In The Shadows Premiere and Executive Producers Taika Waititi and Jermaine Clement were on hand to introduce the upcoming FX Series based on their cult classic Mockumentary. They were quick to put on quite the two-man show for the audience. Each made jokes about turning their Film into a TV show. Waititi also spoke of Toronto during his hilarious banter with Clement. Waititi said the show takes place in Staten Island, even if it looks like Toronto. This was in reference to the Vampires on the show living on Staten Island, but production taking place in Toronto.
At the end of the night, 6th Street was bright with the glow of lights coming from the restaurants and bars. There was a smell of street food wherever you walked with the sounds of after parties and students heading out for the weekend in the background.
Day Two has more marquee premieres with The Beach Bum and Long Shot. We received word that Matthew McConaughey and Isla Fisher will be on hand for the former and that Seth Rogen and Charlie Theron will be here for Long Shot Premiere. There are also some pop-up events and conferences featuring Amber Heard and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. So keep checking back here for more updates as we go!
(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)
By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
SXSW 2019 is beginning tomorrow in Austin, Texas and will run until March 17. It’s once again celebrating all things Film, Music and Comedy. The Festival runs from March 8-17.
SXSW is known to showcase some marquee titles that star heavyweight talent. It appears that this year SXSW will be putting its entire support behind the Horror film genre because both the Opening and Closing Film are sure to scare audiences. One of the highest profile Films this year is the Opening Night Film, US. This is the second Feature Film for Writer-Director Jordan Peele and stars Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss and more. We have word that all those we have named will be on hand for the World Premiere tomorrow at the Paramount Theatre. Pet Sematary has been chosen as the Closing Night Film and stars Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz, John Lithgow and more.
Other Must-Sees which are having their World Premieres at SXSW are Long Shot starring Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron, Good Boys starring Canadian Jacob Tremblay, The Beach Bum starring Matthew McConaughey, Snoop Dogg, Isla Fisher and Zac Efron, The Highwaymen starring Woody Harrelson and Kevin Costner, Booksmart which is the directorial debut of Actress Olivia Wilde, and Stuber starring Dave Bautista and Kumail Nanjiani. All those Films are apart of the Headliners section of the Film Festival and are expecting big Red Carpet arrivals. One close-to-home Film we should have our eyes on is Run This Town, which is the Toronto-filmed movie about the late Mayor Rob Ford. It stars Ben Platt, Nina Dobrev, Scott Speedman and Damien Lewis as Rob Ford.
Something that sets the SXSW‘s Film Festival apart from others is its Keynote Speakers and Featured Sessions. These panels and talks provide insight into many different industries and social issues. This year some noteworthy mentions are Jason Blum, Ethan Hawke, Jodie Foster, Amber Heard, Busy Phillips, Elizabeth Banks, Gwyneth Paltrow, Henry Winkler, Kathy Griffin, Trevor Noah and more. There are also some political officials set to speak at sessions during the Festival such as Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Elizabeth Warren, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and more.
Tomorrow is when things will be kicking into full swing, check back here for all the latest from SXSW.
At least a new Trailer for LONG SHOT starring Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron!
Synopsis:
He’s a hard-hitting political writer with a talent for trouble. She’s the country’s top diplomat with a talent for…well, everything. When Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen) reunites with his first crush who also happens to be the current US Secretary of State, Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron), he charms her with his self-deprecating humor and his memories of her youthful idealism. As she prepares to make a surprise run for the Oval Office, Charlotte hires Fred to punch up her campaign speeches and their unmistakable chemistry leads to a round-the-world affair. But Fred’s carefree indiscretions, past and present, could bring down her campaign before it even begins. The film redefines “international relations” with a profane, funny and unexpected love.
See the Trailer:
eOne Films release LONG SHOT Friday, May 3, 2019.
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)
New Stills have surfaced from LONG SHOT, starring Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron!
SYNOPSIS:
He’s a hard-hitting political writer with a talent for trouble. She’s the country’s top diplomat with a talent for…well, everything. When Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen) reunites with his first crush who also happens to be the current US Secretary of State, Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron), he charms her with his self-deprecating humor and his memories of her youthful idealism. As she prepares to make a surprise run for the Oval Office, Charlotte hires Fred to punch up her campaign speeches and their unmistakable chemistry leads to a round-the-world affair. But Fred’s carefree indiscretions, past and present, could bring down her campaign before it even begins. The film redefines “international relations” with a profane, funny and unexpected love.
From the celebrated team of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, creators of outrageous comedy hits including SAUSAGE PARTY, NEIGHBORS franchise, and KNOCKED UP, LONG SHOT also features O’Shea Jackson Jr. (Den of Thieves, Straight Outta Compton), Andy Serkis (Black Panther, Planet of the Apes), June Diane Raphael (The Disaster Artist, Grace & Frankie), Ravi Patel (TV’s Master of None) and Alexander Skarsgård (TV’s Big Little Lies and The Legend of Tarzan).
See the Stills:
eOne Films release LONG SHOT Friday, May 3, 2019.
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)
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