#BOXOFFICE: “BLACK PANTHER” SPE-CAT-ULAR IN DEBUT

Without a doubt the weekend belongs to BLACK PANTHER, taking the top of the Box Office with $185 million from 4,020 theatres for Disney/Marvel. The Film sets a best for Superhero Films, earning a record  high 97% on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer. Audiences loved it also with a rare A+ CinemaScore.

PETER RABBIT lands in second this weekend with $17.8 million from 3,725 theatres for Sony Pictures, a total $54 million earned over two weeks domestically.

FIFTY SHADES FREED after a smashing debut last week, finds itself in third with $17.4 million for Universal Pictures, a two-week total of $78 million.

JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE is in fourth with $8.1 million, a nine-week total of $380 million for Sony Pictures.

EARLY MAN debuts in seventh with $4.7 million for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films from 2,494 theatres. The Animated Feature featuring the voices of Eddie Redmayne gets 81% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore.

THE POST rounds-out the Top Ten with $2 million in its ninth week for 20th Century Fox, a tally of $77 million in its North American run.

#BOXOFFICE: FINAL “MAZE RUNNER” FILM AMAZING IN DEBUT

We finally have a new champ! MAZE RUNNER: DEATH CURE takes the top of the Box Office in its debut, closing-out the popular Young Adult Franchise on a high note. It earns $23 million from 3,787 theatres for 20th Century Fox.  Among the Series this one ranks third, the top opening still going 2014’s first installment. It gets a 44% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.

Make no mistake, JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE still is performing great in second with $15.8 million, showing incredible staying power for Sony Pictures now in its sixth week out. It has made $337 million in its domestic run so far.

HOSTILES has a solid wide release expansion in third with $9.9 million, playing now in 2,696 theatres for Entertainment Studios/Elevation Pictures. The TIFF ’17 selection starring Christian Bale and Rosamund Pike gets 72% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore.

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN v. much is still alive in fourth with $9.3 million from 2,663 theatres for 20th Century Fox in its sixth week. It has made $126 million in North America.

THE POST is in fifth with $8.7 million for 20th Century Fox, hot off its Best Picture nomination. It has made $58 million to-date.

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI rounds-out the Top Ten with $4 million for Disney. It has earned a whopping $610 million in its seven-week run.

#BOXOFFICE: “JUMANJI” UNSTOPPABLE IN THIRD STRAIGHT WEEK AT #1

JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE is showing no signs of stopping! It stays on-top a third straight week with $20.8 million from 3,704 theatres for Sony Pictures, a total $317 million grossed domestically over five weeks.

In second in its debut is 12 STRONG with $15.4 million from 3,002 theatres for Warner Bros. Starring Michael Shannon and Chris Hemsworth, the post-9/11 Drama gets a 56% on the Tomatometer but an A CinemaScore.

In third also is another new release in DEN OF THIEVES with $13.5 million from 2,432 theatres for STX Entertainment/VVS Films. It gets a 38% score on the Tomatometer  and a B+ CinemaScore.

Oscar Contender THE POST is in fourth for 20th Century Fox with $12.4 million. Over five weeks it has grossed $45 million in North America.

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN lands in fifth with $10.9 million showing longevity, having made $113 million in its run this far for 20th Century Fox.

FOREVER MY GIRL makes its debut rounding-out the Top Ten with $4.1 million from 1,115 theatres for Roadside Attractions/Elevation Pictures. It gets 18% on the Tomatometer.

#EDITORSNOTE: TEAM MR. WILL 2017 TOP TENS

Truly we are blessed to work with an outstanding Team whom we wouldn’t be able to do it without. While you will see many Year’s Best Lists pop-up around this time of year, what makes our Team unique is that we genuinely are paying Filmgoers like you. These are real opinions without the critical pretension, of individuals who know a lot about Film and individuals who live and breathe Film. We all work day and night jobs like all of you, juggling screenings and junkets into our crazy schedules for the love of Film.

We thank David Baldwin, Jonathan Godfrey, Siobhán Rich, Amanda Gilmore and Justin Waldman for their amazing work on the daily!

We thank you for joining us on our adventures throughout the year and hope you’ll be around as we share our thoughts with you on the upcoming 2018 slate.

From our family to yours!

 

DAVE BALDWIN
The real world may have been a complete nightmare in 2017, but the celluloid world was nothing short of incredible. Each month gifted us with exceptional films that continually surpassed any and all expectations. While there were some terrible stinkers sprinkled throughout, 2017 will go down as a banner year for cinema. There was something for everyone, from blockbusters to indies to everything in-between, and it was incredibly hard to narrow down a list of just 10 of those films. I could easily list 10-20 more genuinely outstanding pictures — it was really that great of a year. And while there is a dark cloud over Hollywood right now, I’d like to think this year’s films prove that we are finally moving in the right direction instead of reliving the past.

1. The Shape of Water
2. The Big Sick
3. Baby Driver
4. Ingrid Goes West
5. Get Out
6. Call Me By Your Name
7. Raw
8. The Disaster Artist
9. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
10. I, Tonya

 

JONATHAN GODFREY
The Red Turtle
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
Trainspotting 2
mother!
Ghost in the Shell
Blade Runner 2049
Alien Covenant
Justice League
Your Name.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi

These are the movies that moved me the most this year. Many of them performed poorly with regards to revenue and reviews. Nevertheless, I enjoyed them deeply, and in my own way. They are all passion projects that were beautiful to behold. So much so that I don’t have an overall “favourite.” I have “favourites,” and I can’t wait to find ten more in 2018.

 

SIOBHÁN RICH

The Big Sick
Call Me By Your Name
Don’t Talk to Irene
Foxtrot
Get Out
Girls Trip
Ladybird
Loveless
The Post
Shape of Water
Split
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

I found it incredibly difficult to narrow down my list this year. Presented as always in alphabetical order, this list does not include Logan, Wonder Woman or Baby Driver but does include a movie that was criminally left off TIFF’s list for Canada’s Top Ten. I included a comedy that had people falling off their seats and one that reflects what my family looks like. I also snuck in some early favourites to balance out my top two foreign films from TIFF ’17 and a late entry which blew me away. Finally, I rounded out my top twelve with a few hits from TIFF that will definitely be making a comeback during Oscar season.

 

AMANDA GILMORE

Lady Bird
Call Me By Your Name
The Florida Project
Get Out
A Ghost Story
Dunkirk
The Shape Of Water
The Disaster Artist
Mudbound
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

My Top Ten are in no particular order. In my Top Ten there are Films that I found unique, told honest depictions of the human condition and/or pushed the boundaries of filmmaking. All the Films showcase outstanding acting, writing and direction done by all involved. These Films are in my Top Ten because no matter what time they came out throughout 2017 they have stayed with me until the end. And will probably stay with me throughout the years to come. Hope you enjoyed them if you have seen them. And I hope you seek out the ones you haven’t!

 

JUSTIN WALDMAN
2017 has been one roller coaster of a year for Hollywood, or Christopher Plummer being in like every movie (ha!). However if you can look past all the horrible things that have plagued Hollywood this year, there are plenty of quality films that hit the silver screen this year. In absolutely no particular order here at my top ten movies for 2017.

The Big Sick
Logan/Wonder Woman
Lady Bird
Call Me By Your Name
Get Out
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
The Disaster Artist
The Post
The Shape of Water
Logan Lucky

These films all possess something to them that made them stand out this year, whether it be the subject matter, the performances, the unexpected fantastic ride it took you on, each of these 11 movies gave me something this year. As well they all have massive re-watch value and are endlessly delights to watch.

 

For Mr. Will‘s Best-Of 2017 including Movies, Music and Celeb Spottings, click here!

#GOLDENGLOBES: “BIG LITTLE LIES” + “THE SHAPE OF WATER” LEAD NOMINATIONS AT 2018 GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS

Continuing momentum into Awards Season, nominations were announced for the 75th Golden Globe Awards today. Leading Film nominations is TIFF ’17 selection and Toronto-filmed THE SHAPE OF WATER with seven nominations including Screenplay, Original Score, Supporting Actor (Michael Shannon) and Actress (Octavia Spencer), Actress in a Drama (Sally Hawkins) and Director (Guillermo del Toro).

Following closely with six nominations apiece are fellow Fox Searchlight release THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI which also premiered at TIFF ’17 winning the Cadillac People’s Choice Award and THE POST which for the first time ever pairs Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep and Director Steven Spielberg. All three in the trio are nominated for their work.

Leading Television Nominees are HBO‘s BIG LITTLE LIES which was just announced for a second season despite its first season ending where it source material Novel ends. Its two leads Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman both vie for Actress in a Limited Series, while Shailene Woodley is up for Supporting Actress.

In addition to THE SHAPE OF WATER being Toronto-set and filmed, Canada plays a key role at the Golden Globes with our v. own Eric McCormack up for the rebooted WILL AND GRACE in the Actor in a TV Comedy category. Toronto-made THE HANDMAID’S TALE star Elisabeth Moss also is up for Actress in a TV Drama. The Series also is up for TV Series Drama as is Ann Dowd for Supporting Actress. THE BREADWINNER which is produced by Angelina Jolie (her FIRST THEY KILLED MY FATHER) is up for Foreign Language Film) and starring Canadian talent Saara Chaudry, also is up for Animated Feature. MOLLY’S GAME which was filmed in Toronto, sees Jessica Chastain up for Actress in a Motion Picture Drama. Screenwriter-turned-Director Aaron Sorkin also is up for Screenplay.

The Awards often are known for the deciding-Hollywood Foreign Press Association‘s surprises and shocks. Many are surprised Greta Gerwig who just was named Best Director by the Toronto Film Critics’ Association for her directorial debut LADY BIRD, was the best shot at a female being nominated in the category. She does at least get recognized for in the Screenplay category for the Film. Jordan Peele, many were expecting to get recognized for his writing and directing in GET OUT but got shut-out for both. Kumail Nanjiani won much acclaim for his and wife Emily Gordon‘s autobiographical Comedy THE BIG SICK but was snubbed. THE FLORIDA PROJECT which was named Best Picture also by the TFCA, failed to get a nod for Motion Picture Comedy though Willem Dafoe sees a Supporting Actor nod.

Many are surprised Ansel Elgort received a nomination for his work for Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy in Edgar Wright’s BABY DRIVER despite the Film winning huge raves earlier this year. Another fresh face Timothée Chalamet finds hinself up against seasoned competition for Actor in Motion Picture Drama for CALL ME BY YOUR NAME. He is expected to be a major force this Awards Season.

While he filmed his scenes only recently, Christopher Plummer who replaced Kevin Spacey in ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD already has landed a Supporting Actor nod in a Motion Picture.

For a complete list of Nominees, visit here.

NBC air the Golden Globe Awards Sunday, January 7, 2018 8 PM ET.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER + POSTER FOR “THE POST”

Spielberg + Streep + Hanks together at last! 20th Century Fox release the new Trailer for THE POST. We’re unsure how we lived this long without seeing these three legends together!

 

SYNOPSIS:
Steven Spielberg directs Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks in The Post, a thrilling drama about the unlikely partnership between The Washington Post‘s Katharine Graham (Streep), the first female publisher of a major American newspaper, and editor Ben Bradlee (Hanks), as they race to catch up with The New York Times to expose a massive cover-up of government secrets that spanned three decades and four U.S. Presidents. The two must overcome their differences as they risk their careers – and their very freedom – to help bring long-buried truths to light.

Cast: Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Alison Brie, Carrie Coon, David Cross, Bruce Greenwood, Tracy Letts, Bob Odenkirk, Sarah Paulson, Jesse Plemons, Matthew Rhys, Michael Stuhlbarg, Bradley Whitford, Zach Woods

 

See the Trailer:

Poster:

20th Century Fox release THE POST in select cities Friday, December 22, 2017 and wide Friday, January 12, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Fox)