Brad Pitt’s latest action flick, Bullet Train, based on Japanese novel “Maria Beetle,” topped the box during its first weekend of release, selling a solid $30 million domestically over its first three days of release.
Add in foreign sales, and Bullet has already sold $62 million worldwide. Not bad. Stuntman-turned-filmmaker David Leitch (John Wick, Deadpool 2, Nobody) directed and Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Sandra Bullock, and Michael Shannon support.
The reviews haven’t been especially strong for this one, with lots of whitewashing from critics. The director argued that race was not essential to any of the characters. Tough subject.
This is one I’ll check out soon, as I’ve been told from some reliable sources that it’s a total blast. Also, these days I pretty much check out anything Pitt is involved with. Dude has good taste.
Also at the Box
The dreaded DC League of Super-Pets continued to roll, taking the No. 2 spot over its second weekend of release, selling another $11.2 million. So far, this silly little movie has sold $45 million domestically and $83 million worldwide in 10 days.
Jordan Peele’s third feature, Nope, took the No. 3 spot with $8.5 million in sales. So far, Nope has sold $98 million domestically and has not been released outside of the U.S. It’ll be interesting to see how this one does abroad. Peele is on one heck of a winning streak at this point.
Taika Waititi’s Thor: Love and Thunder took the No. 4 spot with $7.6 million in sales while Minions: The Rise of Gru was fifth with $7.1 million. Both films have topped the $300 million mark in domestic sales. Wow, I guess “the movies are back.”
Also of note, A24’s Bodies Bodies Bodies, tested on six screens, selling $226,526. Not bad. Good enough for the weekend’s by-far highest per-screen average. Strong word-of-mouth for this one.
New this Week
Two films, Mack & Rita and Summering will open wide this weekend, while a handful of smaller films will open in select theaters, including Let the Little Light Shine, No Way Out, Girl Picture, Emily the Criminal, Fall and Rogue Agent.
Wow, there are so many movies being made these days. No clue how anyone keeps up. Also look out for reissues of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Apocalypse Now. I would love to see either of those on a big screen.
ScreenRant
I saw a documentary called Fire of Love this past weekend. Loved it. Might even end up in my Top 10 this year and is a film I could see competing strongly for the Best Documentary Oscar.
The flick tells the story of married volcanologists Maurice and Katia Krafft, two lovers who are great with cameras and obsessed with volcanoes.
I don’t want to say too much about, so as to not take the fun of watching the movie away. I’ll just say this: Rarely have I seen something so gorgeous on screen. Also, Miranda July’s narration is about as good as it gets. Beautiful film: two thumbs up, four stars, 10 outta 10.
A new classic.
