Sunday, December 21, 2025
Donate
Home Blog Page 79

“Superman” Flies to $56.5 Million Thurs-Fri, Heading Toward $125 Mil Weekend, MAGA Resistance No Kryptonite

Roger Friedman
-
0
“Superman” Flies to $56.5 Million Thurs-Fri, Heading Toward $125 Mil Weekend, MAGA Resistance No Kryptonite

“Superman” is the story of the summer.

James Gunn’s clever revival of the DC Comics chief hero is a bonanza at the box office.

Thursday previews plus Friday numbers came to $56.5 million.

Weekend predictions are for $125 million. Today’s numbers are going to be huge based on word of mouth. The movie has a 95% audience meter on Rotten Tomatoes.

DC Comics movies are saved, and so is Warner Bros.

Meanwhile, MAGA tried to be the movie’s kryptonite by saying it was “woke” or so much nonsense. No one took the bait. Also, timing is everything. New polls show that immigrants are sympathetic now, so saying Superman is an immigrant has proven to be very smart.

Also smart is the “Superman” marketing campaign. It’s relentless, and fun. The movie’s trio of stars — David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult — have come across in a most jolly way. They make you want to see the movie.

PS There will be two more of these “Superman” movies. I love it when they say the actors are “open” to sequels. In reality, they all signed deals for a trilogy in advance. Most of these franchise deals are built that way.

Rosie Responds To Trump’s Hollow Threat: “You lie, you steal, you degrade –
I nurture, I create, I persist”

Roger Friedman
-
0
Rosie Responds To Trump’s Hollow Threat: “You lie, you steal, you degrade –
I nurture, I create, I persist”

Rosie O’Donnell has struck back at Trump’s hollow threat with Thunder.

“hey donald –
you’re rattled again? 
18 years later and I still live rent-free in that collapsing brain of yours.
you call me a threat to humanity –
but I’m everything you fear:
a loud”

“You lie, you steal, you degrade –
I nurture, I create, I persist,” she declares.

Trump has always feared Rosie. She fights back. She won’t be bullied. She’s 10 times smarter and more articulate. She’s also literate. These are things he’s not.

Watch Trump try and do this. A California judge has just put his deportations on hold. The federal judges are not going to allow their legacies to be tied to his — well maybe his SCOTUS shills but not all of them.

Trump Epstein Fake Out: Says He Might Revoke Rosie O’Donnell’s Citizenship (Which He Knows He Can’t Do)

Roger Friedman
-
0
Trump Epstein Fake Out: Says He Might Revoke Rosie O’Donnell’s Citizenship (Which He Knows He Can’t Do)

Trump is falling apart over Jeffrey Epstein.

The presidency is falling apart as the FBI’s quacky leaders Kash Patel and Dan Bongino are threatening to quit over Pam Bondi’s announcement that no Epstein files exist.

They existed a short time ago, of course, when binders were waved around reading “Epstein Files.”

MAGA is furious because they were hoping Bill Clinton and some of their hate targets would be mentioned. They don’t even think Trump is in files.

Elon Musk says Steve Bannon is in the files.

We can imagine Trump is since Epstein called him his best friend and there is plenty of video evidence of their hanging out together.

So what does Trump do? He announces this morning, apropos of nothing, that he might revoke Rosie O’Donnell’s citizenship. Rosie has been living in Ireland just to get away from the madness here. She’s very much a US citizen, born in New York to American parents.

Trump knows he can’t do this, but it’s a misdirection, a fake out to get the press off the Epstein story. He also announced 30% tariffs on the UK and EU today. He’s trying to get away from the court ruling last night stopping ICE from acting like the gestapo. Trump is losing bigly.

Trump also lost his final appeal to not pay E. Jean Carroll $5 million in the sex abuse case.

Trump is rattled. Monday’s stock market will drop like a rock following Friday’s drop over Canada tariffs. There’s a new poll saying Americans are finally waking up to the immigration situation and are now in favor it — I guess watching Nazi type behavior rattled the sensible part of the public.

Can he strip Rosie of her standing? No. But it’s something to talk about all weekend. Whatever happened to Greenland and Panama, for example?

Rosie is and has been for 10 years a voice in the wilderness on Trump. She’s never wavered in her criticism. Trump worked on Barbara Walters to get her fired from “The View.” Rosie has been steadfast. Bravo! She’s a woman of principles.

Justin Bieber’s “Swag” Album Debuts at Number 2 on iTunes But So Far No Singles Have Hit the Chart — Here’s Our Choice

Roger Friedman
-
0
Justin Bieber’s “Swag” Album Debuts at Number 2 on iTunes But So Far No Singles Have Hit the Chart — Here’s Our Choice

Justin Bieber dropped his surprise album last night.

“Swag” has about 16 songs and 5 “interviews” with comedian Druski.

The album should have been called “Whine Collection.”

Fans sent the album straight up the iTunes top 100 albums to number 2. That’s pretty good for a release no one knew was coming.

With so many songs, you’d think there was an obvious single. So far, though, none has emerged. None of the tracks has hit the iTunes singles chart. Usually an album like this also places several “singles” on iTunes until one main hit is obvious.

That’s exactly what Billie Eilish saw happen with “Birds of a Feather.”

On YouTube, most of the audio videos have picked up an average of 400,000 views – not a lot.

The biggest so far is a very catchy little song called “Go Baby,” now at around 800,000 views.

The runner up is called “All I Can Take,” which has over 500,000 views. It’s the lead single on the album so maybe they thought that would be the single.

In any case, there’s no hit like “Peaches,” on which Bieber had two collaborator singers four years ago. “Swag” may have to survive without a mega hit. Time will tell.

In other news, there are reports that Justin has settled his financial issues with former manager, Scooter Braun. Who won? Braun. Who lost? Justin. It’s a classic music industry story. Justin, says People magazine, has to pay Braun $30 million in their divorce. Braun is now worth 20 times that, all thanks to Bieber. But that’s the way it goes.

Exclusive: Morgan Neville’s Paul McCartney Doc Could Be Going to Amazon Prime, Not Apple Home of the Beatles

Roger Friedman
-
0
Exclusive: Morgan Neville’s Paul McCartney Doc Could Be Going to Amazon Prime, Not Apple Home of the Beatles

You might have heard Paul McCartney is going on tour later this fall.

McCartney’s Got Back Tour is going to Canada, Las Vegas, and other remote points. No New York this time! Drat!

The ex Beatle also has a book coming out this fall about his time with his post-Fab Four group, Wings.

“Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run” is scheduled for November 4th, and I can’t wait.

But what about Oscar winner Morgan Neville’s documentary about Wings? What happened to “Man on the Run”? The film details how Paul picked up the pieces of the Beatles falling apart and embarked on a uniquely successful second career that ran through the 1980s.

The peak of this list of hits was 1974’s “Band on the Run.” But there were also blockbusters like “Live or Let Die,” “My Love,” “Listen to What the Man Said,” “Silly Love Songs,” and so on. The main Wings group included the great Linda McCartney and Denny Laine.

Most of the Beatles’ docs have come from Apple including Peter Jackson’s extraordinary mini series, “Get Back.” The Beatles have had a long association with Apple, going back to when Steve Jobs stole their name and logo.

But now I’m told that Amazon Prime wants the Neville film. Of course, Amazon and Apple each have all the money in the world. So they can really bid this thing up.

With the book coming November 4th, it would make sense to get the movie out around the same time. Even if it doesn’t get to the Oscars shortlist (celebrity and music docs rarely make it), the one-two punch would still be rockin’.

Extra note: there’s already sort of a soundtrack for “Man on the Run.” You can buy it now. “One Hand Clapping” covers Wings rehearsals with live performances from the “Band on the Run” era. The production is sensational with some of the best versions of those songs.

“Superman” Starts With Huge Previews Despite Talk About Being “Woke” and If a Space Visitor is an Alien

Roger Friedman
-
0
“Superman” Starts With Huge Previews Despite Talk About Being “Woke” and If a Space Visitor is an Alien

“Superman” flew high last night in previews.

Total take was $22.5 million (I predicted $22 mil).

The weekend should come in over $100 million, maybe as much as $120 million.

This is despite Fox News and crazy people on social media carping about wokeness and whether or not Superman is an immigrant.

Superman is a space alien from Krypton. His planet exploded, he’s a refugee. He’s actually Moses, if you think about it, a baby set in swaddling clothes and instead of being sent down a river was jettisoned into space.

Still, if he were real, Stephen Miller and Tom Homan would come after him with denouncements.

We need Superman now to vanquish anyone conducting kidnappings off the street. Superman would fly to Sudan and Guatanamo and release the victims.

But I digress.

Warner Bros. is having an amazing year. A new star is born in David Corenswet, who better make a bunch of movies small and big so he’s not pigeonholed as Clark Kent. Rachel Brosnahan’s career is made.

James Gunn? He’s the king of DC Universe. They needed one!

PS I’m a little surprised Warner’s didn’t partner with Moscot or some eyeglass place for Clark Kent spectacles. There is a Superman watch I have my eye on, however. Looks cool!

Surprise! Richie Sambora Drops Clip of New “Born to Rock” Solo Single as a Birthday Gift to Us! We Need More!

Roger Friedman
-
0
Surprise! Richie Sambora Drops Clip of New “Born to Rock” Solo Single as a Birthday Gift to Us! We Need More!

Happy Birthday, Richie Sambora!

The great ex-Bon Jovi guitarist and underrated vocalist turns 66 today.

He’s posted a 1:12 sound clip of a new solo single called “Born to Rock.”

It’s absolutely great! We need more, like the whole song, and an album would be nice.

A Richie comeback is as welcome as can be. Bring it on! Happy Birthday to one of rock’s unsung heroes!

Who wants to hear the rest of this song?

“Superman” Previews Sell Out, Eyeing $22 Mil Thursday, Audience Rating Skyrockets to 95%, Repeat Business Ahead

Roger Friedman
-
0
“Superman” Previews Sell Out, Eyeing $22 Mil Thursday, Audience Rating Skyrockets to 95%, Repeat Business Ahead

Warner Bros.– aka DC Comics — has a massive hit in “Superman.”

The James Gunn directed reboot is looking at a $22 million Thursday in previews.

A $100 mil weekend is predicted.

Reviews are good — at 82% on Rotten Tomatoes.

But the RT audience rating is 95%. The people who saw it tonight loved it.

David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan star in what will be the first of three movies with this gang.

Back when Richard Donner directed the first two “Superman” Movies in 1978 and 1980, sequels were not a “thing.” The third and fourth installments had no quality control.

But now, all the chapters should have a pretty great consistent pedigree with Gunn and his DC Comics co-chief Peter Safran.

Kudos to Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy at Warner Bros. They’ve had a banner six months. This is the cherry on top of the sundae.

BOLD MOVE Justin Bieber Drops “Swag” First New Album in Four Years, Written By Teams of Grammy Winning Songwriters

Roger Friedman
-
0
BOLD MOVE Justin Bieber Drops “Swag” First New Album in Four Years, Written By Teams of Grammy Winning Songwriters

Justin Bieber has dropped his first album in four years, it’s called “Swag,”

In a bold move, Bieber is singing songs written and produced by Grammy nominee Carter Lang and a group of professionals including Tobias Jesso, Eddie Benjamin, and Dylan Wiggins.

Lang won Grammys with SZA in 2024 and 2025.

Jesso has had hits with Adele.

Rather than write his own music during a time of personal upheaval, Bieber has turned to the experts.

It’s a bold move. He’s reviving his career with carefully crafted pop songs.

The only reveal of Justin’s inner life are interstitial “interviews” with a comedian named Druski. One of them is called “Therapy Session.”

Lang has written hits for Post Malone, SZA, Doja Cat, and Lil Nas X and other current pop stars. I have to say these songs are very, very good for top 40 pop. They will get a lot of airplay.

Lang is about 40 years old, and has real musical training. By morning, everyone will want to talk to him. A star is born, after two decades!

Lang’s name is listed as “writer” on all the YouTube videos released tonight by Universal Music. On the Wikipedia page, there are teams — from 8 to 12 collaborators — for each song.

Here’s the title track:

All I Can Take– written by Carter Lang

Joaquin Phoenix, A24 Walking into a Buzzsaw with Reaction to Next Week’s Two and a Half Hour “Eddington”

Roger Friedman
-
0
Joaquin Phoenix, A24 Walking into a Buzzsaw with Reaction to Next Week’s Two and a Half Hour “Eddington”

While “Superman” soars high this weekend, next weekend may bring disappointment for another film.

Ari Aster’s “Eddington” is coming from A24, and it looks like a big problem.

Despite an all star cast with Joaquin Phoenix and the ubiquitous Pedro Pascal, “Eddington” looks like it will follow Aster’s “Beau is Afraid” into the abyss.

Reviews on Rotten Tomatoes are not friendly. The score so far is 68%. The movie is also two and a half hours long.

The bad reviews are bad.

The Hollywood Reporter: If Hereditary and Midsommar got under the skin with genuinely scary storytelling and startling imagery and Beau is Afraid was equal parts squirmy and maddening, Eddington is just annoying and empty.

Vanity Fair: A better film would tightly synthesize the macro with the micro, but Aster instead lets them hang discordant next to one another, clanging in the desert wind.

Even the ‘fresh’ reviews on Rotten Tomatoes have a kick to them.

New York Magazine: “I didn’t love it — I’m honestly not sure I’d even say I liked it — but it gets at the way our shared reality fractured in ways that may be irreparable, leaving a situation ripe for grifters and opportunists to step in and take over.”

South china Morning Post: “Eddington can be a slog at times, but there’s no doubting Aster has an abundance of ideas about what to say about his nation.”

I’m told by spies that “Eddington” wastes a lot of potential, not to mention name actors, on a social satire about COVID and the lockdown.

Yikes! A24 Studios is very adept at creating cult of personality type following for its indie films even the movies themselves are not good. Ari Aster had two intellectual horror films — “Hereditary” and “Midsommar” — but “Beau is Afraid” fell flat and then some. “Eddington” seems to be going in that direction.

1...787980...2,324Page 79 of 2,324

Hollywood to the Hudson

Company

Trending

Categories

© Showbiz411.com