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“Spider Man” on Steroids: Triple-Star Marvel Pic Makes $405 Million in Just 9 Days

Roger Friedman
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“Spider Man” on Steroids: Triple-Star Marvel Pic Makes $405 Million in Just 9 Days

It’s “Spider Man” on steroids.

“No Way Home,” the 20 year culmination of 8 Spider Man movies, has now made $895 million worldwide in just 9 days.

The US part of that is just over $405 million.

The movie stars all three Spider Men from the series history, Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield.

It also features a number of villains from past adventures including Alfred Molina, Willem Dafoe, and Thomas Haden Church.

Directed by Jon Watts, “No Way Home” is a record breaker. With a cost of $200 million, the money is coming back over and over. It’s a real win for producer Amy Pascal, and for Marvel which combined forces for the first time with Sony Pictures to make a cross studio movie.

When a movie is this much of a blockbuster, the remuneration is considered the reward. Much as fans love it, “No Way Home” is not an Oscar movie. The irony is, of course, that Garfield will be nominated for an Oscar, but for another movie. He’s among the leading contenders for an Oscar from “Tick Tick Boom,” directed by Lin Manuel Miranda, about the life of Jonathan Larson.

The irony of Spider Man’s financial success should not be lost on us during this COVID outbreak. Fans are crowding into literally the most number of theaters a movie can be in at a time that is literally dangerous heath-wise. While Broadway is partially shut down and other movies aren’t faring well, “No Way Home” could turn out to be a breeding ground for Omicron. But no one seems to care. Fans feel as invincible as super heroes!

 

Broadway: “The Music Man” with Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster Pauses Performances Because of COVID

Roger Friedman
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Broadway: “The Music Man” with Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster Pauses Performances Because of COVID

There’s trouble in River City.  Trouble with a capital T. “The Music Man” has thrown in the towel.

The new musical, already a hit after just four previews, is pausing performances through at least Monday because of COVID.

Star Sutton Foster missed Thursday’s show because of COVID, but now the whole thing has been put on hold.

The show’s Twitter feed reads:

“The evening performance on Saturday, December 25 and matinee performance on Sunday, December 26 of Broadway’s The Music Man have been cancelled due to breakthrough COVID-19 cases. All tickets for the cancelled shows will be refunded at the point of purchase. Our company would have loved nothing more than to celebrate the holiday with the audience and their families, but the priority is the health and wellness of the cast, crew, and audience.We are so grateful to our entire cast and crew — most especially our heroic understudies and swings — for ensuring our speedy return to the Winter Garden Theatre.”

COVID is sweeping through Broadway and all other businesses in New York. Get the vax, the booster, stay out of crowds and be careful!

Exclusive: Grammy Awards Are Likely Moving from January to the Spring, New Date Will Be Announced Soon

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: Grammy Awards Are Likely Moving from January to the Spring, New Date Will Be Announced Soon

It’s not a big surprise, but the ‘Cron is playing havoc with the Grammy Awards.

The show is supposed to take place on Monday, January 31st. But because of the Omicron variant and the huge spike in COVID cases in Los Angeles (not to mention New York) the Grammy Awards are moving to a new date.

I’m told the new date will be in late March or early April. CBS and the Recording Academy are trying to find alternative venues. The Hollywood Bowl is being discussed as it would be outside. But the weather would have to be on the side of the music biz.

The biggest problem is getting artists to commit to being there, and to performing. Right now, with Broadway partially shut down and lots of appearances being canceled (see my Aimee Mann story) no one is thrilled to participate. Of course, by early spring it’s hoped that the ‘Cron will be gone and life will get back to normal.

The Grammys join the Critics Choice Awards and the New York Film Critics in making this wise choice. There is no Golden Globes show this year, so that’s not an issue. The National Board of Review will be next to cancel or risk infecting the members who pay them fees. (That would be ironic.)

When the Grammys move, by the way, the MusiCares Person of the Year dinner moves with them and so does Clive Davis’s pre-Grammy gala dinner. Here’s an idea: Davis turns 90 years young on April 4th, why not turn the whole thing into a birthday celebration?

 

Aimee Mann Cancels Next Week’s Shows at City Winery NYC After Drummer Tests Positive

Roger Friedman
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Aimee Mann Cancels Next Week’s Shows at City Winery NYC After Drummer Tests Positive

Aimee Mann’s shows at NY’s City Winery were so sold out they added two more. Now she’s had to cancel. Her drummer, she says, has tested positive and she’s been sick all week.

Aimee, get better! Come back in April when this is all over. In the meantime, everyone listen to her album, “Queens of the Summer Hotel,” gorgeous arrangements and songs, best of 2021. The voice remains a gem.

Top 10 Movies of 2021: The Best Films With Oscar Chances Plus a Couple of Fun Runners-Up

Roger Friedman
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Top 10 Movies of 2021: The Best Films With Oscar Chances Plus a Couple of Fun Runners-Up

Everyone’s got a list, so why not?

The most interesting list is the second one. Criminally underrated performances this year were Alessandro Nivola in “Many Saints,” Margot Robbie in “Suicide Squad,” Clifton Collins Jr. in “Jockey,” and Kirsten Dunst in “Power of the Dog.”

Also, for Best Actress this season, the Academy should not overlook Jennifer Hudson in “Respect” and Jessica Chastain in “Tammy Faye.” These were the most passionately devoted turns of the year. My other three choices would be Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, and Olivia Colman.

1. West Side Story
2. Belfast
3. CODA
4. The Tragedy of Macbeth
5. Parallel Mothers
6. Being the Ricardos
7. King Richard
8. Licorice Pizza
9. Tick Tick Boom
10. The Power of the Dog

runners up
Jockey
A Hero
Spider Man
Respect
Dune
Many Saints of Newark
The Lost Daughter
Spencer
Violet
Stillwater
Eyes of Tammy Faye
The Score

Broadway: Sutton Foster’s “Music Man” Understudy Praised by Hugh Jackman, But “Waitress” Closes in COVID Disaster

Roger Friedman
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Broadway: Sutton Foster’s “Music Man” Understudy Praised by Hugh Jackman, But “Waitress” Closes in COVID Disaster

There was a lot of excitement last night at the Winter Garden Theater on Broadway. Sutton Foster didn’t appear in the fourth preview– does she have COVID? so far no word — so her understudy Kathy Voytko went on without notice and from all reports was terrific. At the end of the show — see below– Hugh Jackman introduced her to the audience as well as all the other understudies and swings who are being pressed into service during this difficult time. Well, done, Hugh! (PS They must be keeping him in a Zip Loc bag between shows.)

Meanwhile, long running musical “Waitress” closed because they can’t sustain during this COVID crisis. Also closed is “Thoughts of a Colored Man,” because of COVID. About a dozen shows are paused right now or trying to soldier through this mess.

So glad this video was captured and put on Twitter. Gives a little hope for brighter days ahead.

“Spider Man” Crossing $400 Mil Mark Today, “Matrix” Making Money Despite HBO Max Showings

Roger Friedman
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“Spider Man” Crossing $400 Mil Mark Today, “Matrix” Making Money Despite HBO Max Showings

It’s a holly jolly Christmas for Peter Parker, even if no one remembers him and his aunt is dead. “Spider Man: No Way It Won’t Happen” is crossing the $400 million mark even as you read this. That’s all in eight days. Cumulatively around the world Spidey has $800 mil in the bank and will reach $1 billion by the weekend.

So it’s hilarious that the principals have told the trades they’re planning an Oscar campaign for Best Picture. Apparently they’ve made so much money that they just want to spend it. Please, Sony, we’ll take those FYC ads. Maybe Andrew Garfield can score Best Supporting Actor for “No Way Home” and Best Lead Actor for “Tick Tick Boom.” Anyway, it’s not going to happen. But how many Maserati’s can you drive at once? Better to spend the money on a campaign.

Meanwhile, “Matrix Resurrections” has already made $10.5 million despite being available on HBO Max. That’s half of what “West Side Story” has taken in.

Keep refreshing…

Box Office: “West Side Story” Crosses $20 Mil, “Spider Man” Booms Away, “Nightmare Alley” Turns to Dust

Roger Friedman
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Box Office: “West Side Story” Crosses $20 Mil, “Spider Man” Booms Away, “Nightmare Alley” Turns to Dust

Wednesday’s box office brought a sigh of relief for “West Side Story.” Steven Spielberg’s Oscar certain classic finally crossed $20 million. This should have been $100 mil after 13 days. Go figure. But the gorgeous film is hanging in there, and taking it slow. If you’re brave enough to go see “Spider Man,” then you can go see the best movie of the year.

“Spider Man” is chugging along, of course, hitting $356 million. The webslinger will arrive at $400 million on Christmas morning.

Elsewhere: “Nightmare Alley” has turned to dust. Just $273,000 last night, and those were mercy viewings. Searchlight has struck out four times this fall, with “French Dispatch,” “Antlers,” and “Tammy Faye.” No box office for any of them and just Jessica Chastain as a possible Best Actress nominee.

Both “Matrix Resurrections” and “The King’s Man” had decent previews last night with $8 mil and $2 mil respectively. “MR” is also on HBO Max, so we’ll see how that impacts theaters.

RIP Legendary Writer Joan Didion, 87, Author of Screenplays, Keenest Observer of the Scene

Roger Friedman
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RIP Legendary Writer Joan Didion, 87, Author of Screenplays, Keenest Observer of the Scene

The great writer, journalist, novelist, observer of the scene, definer of the gestalt, Joan Didion has died at the age of 87. The cause given is Parkinson’s Disease but Joan had been frail for some time. The unimaginable losses of her husband, the writer John Gregory Dunne, and their adult daughter, Quintana Roo, resulted in her famed book, “The Year of Magical Thinking.” Even in her grief, Didion added an expression to the language.

She leaves her nephew, Griffin, and his family. Griffin is the actor and director son of Joan’s late brother in law Dominick Dunne. I had the honor of  knowing Dominick, John, and John in my lifetime, and they were three magnificently talented, ingratiating people who made life in literary New York and Los Angeles that much more rewarding. Rest in peace to all of them, and condolences to Griffin et al.

Here is a link to her Times obit.

Joni Mitchell Debuts the First Ever Video for Her Famous Christmas Song, “River,” Following Kennedy Center Tribute

Roger Friedman
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Joni Mitchell Debuts the First Ever Video for Her Famous Christmas Song, “River,” Following Kennedy Center Tribute

Last night Joni Mitchell was one of the five Kennedy Center honorees, wrapping up a year of celebrations for the beloved singer songwriter. This year has also been the 50th anniversary of her album, “Blue.” Last night Brandi Carlile sang “River,” Joni’s famous “it’s coming on Christmas” song” on the show.

This morning there’s a video for “River” for the first time ever. Director Matvey Rezanov and Shazka Studios use animated watercolor painting to capture the song’s lonesome mood while paying tribute to Mitchell’s prolific creativity as a painter. Well done! The video is in conjunction with two box sets from Rhino of Joni’s archived live performances, a must have collection.

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