What’s the difference between “Spectre” and “Skyfall”? In a word: Adele. “Spectre” opened Friday night with $28 million at the US Boxoffice. When “Skyfall” opened, the number was $30 mil.

The main difference? Ramping up to “Skyfall,” Adele had a hit record with the title song. It was number 1 and then some. This time, Sam Smith’s dreary song was long gone from any chart or radio station by the time “Spectre” got to theatres.

The irony, of course, is that Adele has the number 1 single — and then some — with “Hello.” She’s commanding the top spot, fending off all comers including many same sounding Justin Bieber singles and various others. But Smith isn’t even a competitor.

“Writing’s on the Wall” is so awful, I wonder if others are napping while it plays in the movie. I completely zoned out at that point. It sets the stage for nothing, so that when “Spectre” begins, there’s an abrupt change of pace. “Spectre” needed a “Live and Let Die” type song for the opening helicopter sequence. Instead they got “Goodnight Irene.” Smith didn’t even bother to use the word “Spectre” in the lyrics, once. LOL!

Elsewhere at the box office last night. “The Peanuts Movie” is a big hit with $12 million. Written by Charles Schulz’s sons, the movie marks the welcome return of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus et al.

PS Here’s what I would do: when the titles start on “Spectre” just hum this song to yourself. You’ll like the movie more:

And so, here it is. Angelina Jolie’s attempt to write and direct a film for herself and husband Brad Pitt finally debuted officially last night in Hollywood. It’s a turkey for Thanksgiving, apparently.

“By the Sea” has already received devastating reviews from Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Wrap. More are on the way.

Variety: “Likely to meet with some audience curiosity upon its initial rollout Nov. 13, though not enough to sustain a strong commercial showing…Over the course of the film’s leisurely two-hour running time, it’s possible to be moved in fits and starts by stray scenes from this marriage — particularly when Roland tenderly cradles a sobbing Vanessa in the shower — but in an almost entirely abstract, depersonalized way…”

Todd McCarthy: “This languid piece of would-be art cinema will prove once again that even the biggest names in the world won’t draw an audience to something that, in and of itself, has no reason for being.”

This sounds like a cross between the two worst recent movies ever made (at least my picks), the utterly stifling “Gerry” by Gus van Sant and Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez in “Gigli.”

The really crazy part of this is that Pitt and Jolie, who abhor publicity, have given a bunch of interviews about their personal lives in order to lure audiences to a film no one will see. It was a waste of soul baring. If only they had advisers who could have counseled them.

Meantime Universal, knowing how bad this all is, managed to screen the movie twice in New York this week but keep it away from commenters. The studio can afford to absorb this since they’ve had a record box office year already from several hits including “Jurassic World.” More power to them in forging relationships with the high wattage couple for future, more lucrative projects.

And Angelina? She’s a good director, and she’ll be back. This too shall be forgotten.

“Spectre” is already a financial hit. But critically, it’s not faring too well. With a 61 on Rotten Tomatoes, the new James Bond thriller is ranked lowest of all films opening this week.

Granted, it’s a tough week. Oscar buzzed films like Spotlight, Trumbo, and Brooklyn have all gotten high numbers. “Spotlight” is right now maybe the lead film in the Oscar race. The other two have strong followings.

Plus a number of very good documentaries open on Friday including “Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict.” There’s also the “Peanuts Movie,” with an 84.

“Spectre” has divided everyone. It doesn’t help that Daniel Craig has been critical of the series, has spoken out about the rigors of making the film. He also didn’t do any premieres in New York or Los Angeles, just a couple in Europe.

But “Spectre” should do $75 million over the weekend– quite respectable. “Skyfall,” it’s not, but that was a fluke, and this may be a “sophomore” slump.