Movie Money Refinanced: Episode XIII
The only show that has praise for both Venom and A Star Is Born in the same week. Check out this weeks movie money with Shawna and Damian!
‘Venom’ (2018) Review
Venom (2018) Review: Vicious, Evil, Nearly Overly Mundane 11 years ago, there was a frustratingly terribly movie called ‘Spider-Man 3’. It’s tyranny showed the world one of the most beloved villains of all time, a hulking, vicious being fueled purely by hatred, as portrayed as the guy from ‘That 70s Show’. Needless to say it was a portrayal that left fans hungry, nay, starved, for a more substantial meal. Fast forward to 2018, and the character is taking top billing. Played by oscar nominated actor Tom Hardy, and helmed by ‘Zombieland’ director Ruben Fleischer, it seemed the character was on a slow, but momentous, track to finally getting the treatment he deserved. Yes, the character would be stripped of his connection to Spider-Man, a trait some would classifying as a defining characterstic. No, he wouldn't be able to play with the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (The film makes that clear when "In Association With Marvel" comes up in the opening credits with very little fanfare). Was this film centered around a homicidal alien with no regard for human life rated PG-13? Yes of course it was. But at least the character was on a track to getting the treatment he deserved? Well...You might be surprised. You might even be astonished. Flabbergasted; to hear, that despite the veritable cavalcade of negative word coming out about this film, I actually enjoyed it. Not in an ironic way, or in with a “so bad…
‘The Intent 2: The Come Up’ (2018) Review
The Intent 2: The Come Up (2018) Review: Real Actors, Real Story If you asked your typical movie-goer how many times they went to the cinema a year, the answer is likely to be counted on one hand. Of that number, you can bet that the usual suspects will be a superhero movie, the oscar movie everyone else said they should see, and the film starring their favourite actor. Outside of that though you have a sea of films that go unnoticed. Critical darlings and independent gems that capture the essence of humanity better than any blockbuster ever could. That’s the goal of ‘The Intent 2: The Come Up’. A film that places authenticity above all else. It tells the story of two young orphans, raised by their foster mother in a life of crime. Selling drugs & robbing nightclubs is business as usual for Jay, played by rapper Ghetts, and G - Money, played by Ashley Chin. They’re bond as brothers is put to the test when the two, and their crew, must travel to Jamaica in hopes of holding on to the life they built from nothing. The film features Ghetts, but he’s not the only musician making his way into acting. Artist Popcaan plays the Jamaican crime lord “Soursop”, in one of the most gripping performances of the film. What’s special about ‘The Intent 2: The Come Up’, is how it rises above its shortcomings. The film’s low budget…
Movie Money Refinanced: Episode XII
It's a sad day at DamianMichaelMovies.com. The lovely Shawna Kay Green will no longer be around for Movie Money. We try to deal with the news and somehow gather our strength to talk about the Bumblebee trailer, the Captain Marvel trailer, Joaqin Pheonix' Joker, and the top 5 box office.
Movie Money Refinanced: Episode XI
ALL KNEEL BEFORE THE POWER OF THE NUN! She needs no introduction since she blasted straight into the top 5 at number 1 this week. The...5th? film in the Conjuring Universe is yet another in the series to open with a dominating position in the box office. It made $53.8M domestically, and worldwide it's made an insane $130M. All on a budget of $22M. That's a success story if I ever saw one, and although reviews haven't been kind to this entry, safe to say 'The Nun' will be content counting the millions she brings, in the weeks to come. At number 2 we have another newbie. Another 'Taken' clone from Luc Besson, this time starring Jennifer Garner as an avatar for vengeance. It brought in $13.4M which coincidentally is it's current rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film cost $25M to make and has only made $14M worldwide. Moving on from that we have those 'Crazy Rich Asians' getting crazy rich again, trailing behind pepperment by a mere $300k with $13.1M. I don't really need to express just how successful this movie has been again, but this week the film that cost $30M to make, shot up to $164M worldwide so, yeah that sequel is still coming. Number 4 went to 'The Meg', trudging along slowly but surely to that coveted $500M worldwide total. Currently its total is at $492M after bringing in $6M and having its domestic total finally top its…
Movie Money Refinanced: Episode X
August has been a very telling month for the weekend box office. It's had a few surprises despite being very much the same every week. Now as September approaches, perhaps there's gonna be a bit more of a shake up week to week in the top 5. As it stands we've had some movies clean house the last few weeks simply because, well, if no one else is gonna do it... Case in point, the number 1 movie this week was once again, 'Crazy Rich Asians' making $22.1M in its 3rd weekend, but 4 day weekend totals actually bring it up to $28.3M. The film has brought in $110.8M domestically, and a worldwide gross of $136.9M, all on a $30M budget. It's consistently had weekends between $20-$30M, giving it one of the most consistent releases of the year. It's not the only mainstay this week either. Number 2 this week goes to we have 'The Meg' with $10.5M over the 3 day weekend, and $13.4M at the 4 day total. Domestically the film has grossed at $123.4M, just shy of its $130M budget, but the true majesty is with its $465.7M worldwide gross, which will surely bring 'The Meg' to being a $500M movie, or just shy of it. Receiving a nice bump from last week, it's 'Mission Impossible Fallout'. Once again Ethan Hunt holds on for dear life in the top 5, this weekend bringing in $7M on the 3 day…
Movie Money Refinanced: Episode IX
This weekend the top 5 box office provided yet another win for diveristy in film and offered an important lesson for studios. Hint: Making movies of a minority ethnicity isn't a risk anymore. Nor was it ever. What a way for that lesson to be learned. After making back its $30M budget in its opening weekend, the all Asian cast romantic comedy, 'Crazy Rich Asians' has had a monstroud second weekend bringing in $24M, just dipping 6.4% below its opening. That's an incredible feat and it means the film has more than doubled its budget just domestically. Worldwide the film has made $83.9M and is set to make more as it releases in more regions around the globe. At number 2 we have 'The Meg' with $12.8M in its 3rd weekend in the top five. Its domestic total is $105M dragging behind its $130M budget, but it's more than made up for it worldwide as it's global total sits at a comfortable $411.5M. Lurking behind at #3 is 'The Happytime Murders', which opened with $9.5M, massively underperforming behind it's $40M budget. Safe to say the crude muppet McCarthy murder mystery is a bomb, and there's really nothing more to say on it. Hopefully the world forgets about it soon.Continuing to dominate the field is 'Mission Impossible: Fallout', which has made $8M this weekend, and has surpassed its budget of $178M, with its domestic total of $193M. Worldwide the film has grossed $538.7M. Finally at…
Movie Money Refinanced: Episode VIII
Well this week's top 5 is full of surprises, and strange bunch of films. You have a movie about an internet horror story, Winnie The Pooh in action, Tom Cruise jumping out of a plane and of course, at number 5 is a Spike Lee joint, but number 1 is a movie about a great white. Only in America.Yes the number 1 movie this week is 'The Meg'. It made $45.4M this weekend, which is a far cry from its $130M budget. Luckily, the film swims well in international waters, and has amassed $146.9M. The film is something of a monster hit and will likely clean up for the rest of August along with the number 2 film. Ethan Hunt may be headed for his biggest total yet as 'Mission Impossible Fallout' is enjoying big numbers every single weekend with very steady decline. The film has brought in $30M more than the last 'Mission Impossible' film, 'Rogue Nation' did in the same amount of time. Right now it's made $436.9M worldwide and shows very little signs of stopping.Continuing, 'Disney's Christopher Robin' is enjoying its second week in a row in the top 5 and despite that Disney name, this weekend it only made $12.9M, with a domestic total of $50.5M. Worldwide it sits at $62.9M, and with a budget of $75M, it's not looking good for the live action adventure. Things get slightly better with 'Slender Man' at number 4. About 7 years…
‘Blindspotting’ (2018) Review
Blindspotting (2018) Review: Clear Cut Cinema As I write this review, I hesitate to begin any sort of synopsis for the plot. It’s one of those rare instances where truly I feel, the less you know about the film ‘Blindspotting’, the better. You can already guess how I feel about the film (It’s in the thumbnail), but to put it simply, this is the best film of the year so far. It demands your attention. Go see it now. On with the review.via GIPHY ^You, going to see Blindspotting, right now The film opens on the main character Collin, played by Daveed Diggs. He waits patiently to hear the conditions of this parole release. All he has to do is make it one year, with no complications, and he’ll once again be a free man. Fast forward 11 months and 27 days, Collin has only 3 days to go before he can get the sweet taste of freedom. This being a movie, those end up being 3 of the hardest days of his life. Along with Collin is his community, and his peers. Most of the film is spent watching him work alongside his friend Miles played by Rafael Casal. Miles is a bit of a hothead and if anyone can keep Collin on the bad side of the law, it’s Miles, the caucasian, tatted, grill sporting, chain wearing, loud mouth who looks like if Macklemore took to thrift shopping as his bonafide…
Movie Money Refinanced: Episode VII
Before I get into the top 5, I have to say if there's any episode of Movie Money you should listen to, it's this one. Over the past weekend, I accidently found myself at an anime convention. That's not a place you want to get into by accident but here we are. If you want to know what it was like, here's a picture from the event. Listen to the podcast for the rest of the rundown. Onward with the box office. So the number 1 movie this week was "Mission Impossible: Fallout", with the biggest opener for the series yet. $61.5M this weekend brought the film's opening worldwide box office to $155.8M. That opening is needed since this is the most expensive Mission Impossible film yet with a $178M budget, quite a jump compared to the last film's $150M budget. At number 2 there is, 'Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again', with a weekend gross of $15.1M. The worldwide gross continues to impress with $167M, more than double its $75M budget. The film will likely go on to make $200M before its run is over. Number 3, is 'The Equalizer 2', Denzel's superhero turn. Just behind 'Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again' it brought in $14M this weekend, with a worldwide gross of $70.3M. That's just over its $62M budget, which isn't a blockbuster by any means, but at least $37,822 JM could help it brush past its budget. Slipping down…