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Box Office UPDATE: Disney’s “Jungle Cruise” Brings $35 Mil on $200 Mil Budget, Will Need Many More Passengers Quickly

Roger Friedman
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Box Office UPDATE: Disney’s “Jungle Cruise” Brings $35 Mil on $200 Mil Budget, Will Need Many More Passengers Quickly

SUNDAY UPDATE: Disney is estimating $34.8 mil and $30 million from Premier Access. The latter number looks good, but that’s what we said about “Black Widow,” which made from Premier Access in its opening weekend. This cruise will need many more passengers, all booking state rooms and ordering Dom Perignon if they want to get near breaking even. 

 

EARLIER I can’t I remember being on the Jungle Cruise ride at Disneyland, but I know it’s popular. So why not make a movie about it?

I’ll tell you why not: no one’s going. The $200 million “Jungle Cruise” movie with The Rock and Emily Blunt is set to sink this weekend with just $32 million at the box office.

Now it is possible “Jungle Cruise” is massive hit on Disney’s Premiere Access for $30. Anything is possible. But it’s unlikely. And if The Rock’s deal is like Scarlett Johansson’s, he may be suing the Mouse House by the end of the week.

Some reviewers liked “Jungle Cruise” but not enough to get it above a 64 or so on Rotten Tomatoes. I’m sure the banter between Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt is fun, although it’s hard to imagine them having sexual chemistry or getting together at the end.

But Emily will never say a word. She’s too nice, and also, she’s made a mint with “A Quiet Place” and from it knows that silence is golden. Of course, she and husband John Krasinski are already suing Paramount over the short video window for “AQP2,” so who knows? Maybe courtrooms will take the place of red carpet premieres this fall.

Exhibitor Relations is predicting that “Jungle Cruise” will go the way of Warner’s “Space Jam 2” with Lebron James. That one started big with $30 mil, then pffed out to its current $57 mil. They should have used Sting’s “The Last Ship” as the song over the end credits because more trips on this boat seem unlikely.

Box Office UPDATE: Oscar Buzzed “Stillwater” Crashes in Debut with $5 Mil Weekend, Deep Sixed by Amanda Knox Complaints That Film Was About Her

Roger Friedman
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Box Office UPDATE: Oscar Buzzed “Stillwater” Crashes in Debut with $5 Mil Weekend, Deep Sixed by Amanda Knox Complaints That Film Was About Her

SUNDAY AM: “Stillwater” was deep sixed by Amanda Knox. Total weekend, four days incl. Thurs previews, came to $5.1 million. Terrible. This is such a good film. Let’s not let it be ‘cancelled.’

 

SATURDAY: “Stillwater” struggled in its opening night at the box office. On Friday. the Tom McCarthy directed film starring Matt Damon took in just $1.560 million. Adding in Thursday’s previews, the total is $1,840,000 for the official “opening.”

The movie is in wide release. Not 4,000 theaters like a Disney film. But a healthy 2,500+.

With a huge opening at Cannes, and very positive reviews, “Stillwater” is pitched as an Oscar possible movie. The cognoscenti should love it. I did. It’s “our” kind of movie made for smart adults.

But that box office number is not promising. And one reason it’s not as high as it should be is Amanda Knox.

The movie is about a conservative Trump-like father from Oklahoma whose 20ish daughter is in a French prison for killing her roommate. Sound familiar? That’s because “Stillwater” is ripped from the headlines of Amanda Knox, convicted in real life of killing her Italian roommate. The case was overturned on appeal and she was freed.

On the night before the film’s opening, Knox posted a long thread on Twitter railing against the movie and the appropriation of her story. Now this morning The Atlantic magazine has published a version of that thread under her byline. It’s basically suggesting people to boycott the movie without using that word. It’s designed to warn audiences away.

But is that right? All 25 years of Dick Wolf’s “Law & Order” shows are “ripped from the headlines.” So are dozens, if not hundreds, of much awarded highly regarded movies, plays, and so on. McCarthy took a kernel of a story and refashioned it into fiction. It’s a well worn tradition in dramaturgy. Shakespeare wasn’t the first to do it, but he was the first most popular. If Amanda Knox can stop “Stillwater,” then Joan Rivers’ estate can put an end to “Mrs. Maisel” and to “Hacks.” It just doesn’t work that way.

So go see “Stillwater” this weekend, and enjoy it for what it is, not to mention Matt Damon’s tremendous performance. As for Amanda Knox, she has a point, we get it, but she can make her own movie if she likes. That is how it works.

Broadway Is Returning But Shows Will Require Masks and Proof of Being Fully Vaccinated for Audience, Cast, Crew, Staff

Roger Friedman
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Broadway Is Returning But Shows Will Require Masks and Proof of Being Fully Vaccinated for Audience, Cast, Crew, Staff

And so it should be.  The Broadway League has decreed that everyone who sets foot in a Broadway theater in New York City must be vaccinated. And show proof of it. And wear a mask in the theater. Everyone.

I don’t want to see and don’t care about the idiots who line up outside shows with placards protesting “Segregationists.” Frankly, you need to be locked up in Bellevue’s craziest ward in a straitjacket with a ball gag in your mouth. And sedated often. Don’t like the rules, then don’t come to shows.

PS As for the mask rule, there’s one guy at “Phantom of the Opera” who’s already kinda doing it. Follow his example.

Here’s the layout from the Broadway League. I thank them in advance:

The owners and operators of all 41 Broadway theaters in New York City will require vaccinations for audience members, as well as performers, backstage crew, and theater staff, for all performances through October 2021. Masks will also be required for audiences inside the theatre, except while eating or drinking in designated locations.

Under the policy, guests will need to be fully vaccinated with an FDA or WHO authorized vaccine in order to attend a show and must show proof of vaccination at their time of entry into the theater with their valid ticket. “Fully vaccinated” means the performance date must be at least 14 days after the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine, or at least 14 days after a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine.

Theater owners and operators will begin notifying ticket holders for performances through October 31, 2021, with reminder messaging planned to ensure awareness of the new policies. For performances in November 2021 and beyond, theater owners anticipate a review of policies in September, and may include a relaxation of certain provisions if the science dictates.

Exceptions are being made for children under 12 and people with a medical condition or closely held religious belief that prevents vaccination. These guests must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of the performance start time, or a negative COVID-19 antigen test taken within 6 hours of the performance start time.

For more information, please visit your show’s official website or contact your point-of-purchase.

New Aretha Box Set Revives Long Lost Duet with Dionne Warwick on “I Say a Little Prayer” from 1981

Roger Friedman
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New Aretha Box Set Revives Long Lost Duet with Dionne Warwick on “I Say a Little Prayer” from 1981

Rhino’s wonderful new collection of 81 Aretha Franklin songs and performances has a lot of rarities and alternate takes of famous songs. No matter how the movie “Respect,” does the music lives on.

This set is notable for recovering a long lost duet. In 1981 when Dionne Warwick was hosting “Solid Gold,” the syndicated music show, Aretha made a guest appearance. The two legends look terrific and sound even better on a duet of the Bacharach-David hit, “I Say A Little Prayer for You.”

Dionne — Burt and Hal’s muse– had the original hit in the mid 60s. Then Aretha recorded it as an aside during a session. Her version took off, as well. They are the same song covered in two different ways that are equally good. Hearing their two voices together on the song is spine tingling.

Michael Miller produced the track, and the one and only Darlene Love is singing backup. The whole box set is beautifully produced and remastered. The original studio version of Aretha’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is only one of the gems included.

The version below is saved from “Solid Gold” but the sound on the box set is sensational, crisp and three dimensional.

Pop UPDATE: Kid Laroi Debut Album from 2020 Mysteriously Returns to Number 1 with Sudden Spike in Streams

Roger Friedman
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Pop UPDATE: Kid Laroi Debut Album from 2020 Mysteriously Returns to Number 1 with Sudden Spike in Streams

 

UPDATE This Kid Laroi album is NOWHERE on the iTunes top 100 or 200 this week. It was released a year ago and sold 1.1 million copies on the strength of a single called “Without You.” Why it suddenly spiked in streams this week is a mystery. Very weird and not too kosher.

EARLIER Scooter Braun can claim a couple of records for his debut album from The Kid Laroi. (Look at that mug in the picture. Isn’t he a gem?)

Kid’s debut album, “F**k Love,” came in at number 1 as one of the lowest selling albums ever to achieve that position.

And the title of album is the first I can think of to contain a four letter, unprintable word in the title.

So really, congrats. It’s like the Beatles or Madonna or something. What distinctions!

“F**k Love” sold just 80,315 copies but not really. Almost all of them came from streaming. Only 1,885 were paid downloads or CDs (not sure if they actually made cDs). Kid Laroi will be an oldies show in 2 years.

The actual number 1 selling album in downloads and CDs;? Why Paul McCartney’s “McCartney III Imagined” with 21,427 copies. Yes he was in the Beatles.

Numbers courtesy of Buzz Angle.

 

“Better Call Saul” Star Bob Odenkirk Speaks: “I had a small heart attack but it’s going to be ok”

Roger Friedman
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“Better Call Saul” Star Bob Odenkirk Speaks: “I had a small heart attack but it’s going to be ok”

Bob Odenkirk Tweets from the hospital that he’s going to be ok. Odernkirk collapsed on the set of “Better Call Saul:” earlier this week in New Mexico. He was rushed to the hospital. A day later, it was announced he’d had a heart attack but his vital signs were good. Now he says he didn’t have to have surgery, but I suspect he may have had stents placed in his arteries. His blockage was fixed. I’m sure People magazine will have his plaque on the cover next week. Whew!!!!

“Hi. It’s Bob.
Thank you.
To my family and friends who have surrounded me this week.
And for the outpouring of love from everyone who expressed concern and care for me. It’s overwhelming. But I feel the love and it means so much.
I had a small heart attack. But I’m going to be ok thanks to Rosa Estrada and the doctors who knew how to fix the blockage without surgery.
Also, AMC and SONYs support and help throughout this has been next-level. I’m going to take a beat to recover but I’ll be back soon.”

Thank god. Bob, take all the time you need.

Joey Gallo Coming to the Yankees, Bob Dylan Wins Lawsuit Over Song About Gangster of Same Name

Roger Friedman
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Joey Gallo Coming to the Yankees, Bob Dylan Wins Lawsuit Over Song About Gangster of Same Name

Joey Gallo is in the air, his spirit and his bat.

The Yankees just bought Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers to be — fingers crossed — a superstar outfielder and hitter in the Bronx. He’s 27, and from Las Vegas.

But the real Joey Gallo was a terrifying gangster in the New York mob. He was brutally murdered at Umberto’s Clam House in Little Italy in 1972. His death came right around the time of “The Godfather” being released. The mob was very sexy and frightening then.

Bob Dylan must have been intrigued. He wrote a song called “Joey” with Jacques Levy, now deceased, released in 1975. “Desire” was a terrific album; Levy wrote a lot of the lyrics to many songs.

Dylan sang/Levy wrote:

One day they blew him down in a clam bar in New York

He could see it comin’ through the door as he lifted up his fork

He pushed the table over to protect his family

Then he staggered out into the streets of Little Italy

The other songs co-authored by Levy are really great, including “Hurricane,” “Isis,” “Mozambique,” “Oh Sister,” “Romance in Durango,” and “Black Diamond Bay,” which appeared on the “Desire” album, plus “Catfish,” “Money Blues” and “Rita Mae.”

When Dylan sold the rights to his catalog last year for $300 million, Levy’s widow sued him looking for money on their 10 collaborations including “Joey.” Today, she lost the lawsuit. Jacques Levy apparently agreed back in ’75 that he waived all rights, he was work for hire. He gets royalties, always has and still will. But he is not an owner of the song with Dylan.

You could say Levy’s estate went to bat and got rubbed out.

PS Maybe the new Joey Gallo can have the song “Joey” played when he comes up to bat at Yankee Stadium:

 

Hollywood Wars: Scarlett Johansson’s CAA Talent Agent Bryan Lourd Hits Back at Disney

Roger Friedman
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Hollywood Wars: Scarlett Johansson’s CAA Talent Agent Bryan Lourd Hits Back at Disney

Well, this is getting interesting.

Bryan Lourd, one of the main partners in powerhouse agency CAA, has rallied behind client Scarlett Johansson. He’s gone on the attack against Disney since Scarlett sued them yesterday over “Black Widow.” Disney responded by attacking Scarlett, which was a mistake, I think.

But now we have Bryan Lourd going on the offensive against Disney. This is potentially earth shaking. For CAA to take on the Mouse House is a big big deal. Good for Bryan Lourd. But how this shakes out among all the different relationships is up in the air.

Stay tuned…

Lourd’s statement: I want to address the Walt Disney Company’s statement that was issued in response to the lawsuit filed against them yesterday by our client Scarlett Johansson. They have shamelessly and falsely accused Ms. Johansson of being insensitive to the global COVID pandemic, in an attempt to make her appear to be someone they and I know she isn’t.

Scarlett has been Disney’s partner on nine movies, which have earned Disney and its shareholders billions. The company included her salary in their press statement in an attempt to weaponize her success as an artist and businesswoman, as if that were something she should be ashamed of. Scarlett is extremely proud of the work that she, and all of the actors, writers, directors, producers, and the Marvel creative team have been a part of for well over a decade.

This suit was filed as a result of Disney’s decision to knowingly violate Scarlett’s contract. They have very deliberately moved the revenue stream and profits to the Disney+ side of the company, leaving artistic and financial partners out of their new equation. That’s it, pure and simple.

Disney’s direct attack on her character and all else they implied is beneath the company that many of us in the creative community have worked with successfully for decades.

Whew! Good News About Bob Odenkirk from Pal David Cross: “He’s doing great!”

Roger Friedman
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Whew! Good News About Bob Odenkirk from Pal David Cross: “He’s doing great!”

David Cross, who starred with Bob Odenkirk in “Mr. Show,” has great news about his friend.

Cross posted to Twitter: “Just got off the phone with Bob and he’s doing great! Joking and japing and joshing. Both he and his family are overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and concern everyone has shown. You will be hearing from him soon. But he’s doing really well!!!”

Thank goodness. There’s been an outpouring of concern for Odenkirk ever since he collapsed on the set of “Better Call Saul.” He had some kind of heart attack, and there was trepidation because it took almost 24 hours to get a report on him, but sounds good.

Better call Bob!

Here We Go Again with a DC Comics Movie: “Suicide Squad” Director Says There’s a Better Director’s Cut of His 2016 Film

Roger Friedman
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Here We Go Again with a DC Comics Movie: “Suicide Squad” Director Says There’s a Better Director’s Cut of His 2016 Film

Shades of “Justice League” and Zack Snyder. Now 2016 film “Suicide Squad” director David Ayer has taken to Twitter to say there’s better director’s cut of his film.

Ayer is no doubt peeved because James Gunn’s new “Suicide Squad” movie is getting raves from critics. (I’m going to see it today.)

Ayer says: “I put my life into Suicide Squad. I made something amazing. My cut is intricate and emotional journey with some bad people who are shit on and discarded (a theme that resonates in my soul). The studio cut is not my movie. Read that again. And my cut is not the 10 week director’s cut — it’s a fully mature edit by Lee Smith standing on the incredible work by John Gilroy. It’s all Steven Price’s brilliant score, with not a single radio song in the whole thing. It has traditional character arcs, amazing performances, a solid third-act resolution. A handful of people have seen it.”

After Snyder complained similarly, DC fans mounted a campaign to see the director’s cut– and we did, this year. Maybe Ayer will get the same treatment. And in 2035 we’ll get the DC version of “Mank” that will show how the intended versions of these movies were cast aside.



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