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« Charlize Theron is always correct | Main | Best of the "Whodunnit?" Genre (Part Three) »
Sunday
Nov172019

Ford v Ferrarri wins the weekend box office race

Weekend Box Office [UPDATED WITH ACTUALS]
Nov 15th-17th
🔺 = New or Expanding / ★ = Recommended
W I D E
PLATFORM / SPECIALTY TITLES
FORD V FERRARI PARASITE
1 🔺  FORD V FERRARI  $31.4 *new* REVIEW, PODCAST ★ 
1 🔺 PARASITE $1.8 on 620 screens (cum. $14.4) PODCAST, CLASS THEMES, BONG JOON HO 
2 MIDWAY $8.5 (cum. $34.8) *
2 🔺 BETTER DAYS $328k on 88 screens (cum. $1.6)  
3 🔺  CHARLIE'S ANGELS $8.3 *new*
3 PAIN & GLORY $212k on 226 screens (cum. $3.0)  REVIEWPODCAST ★ 
4 PLAYING WITH FIRE  $8.3 (cum. $25.2)
4 🔺 HONEY BOY  $203k on 17 screens (cum. $577K) REVIEW, PODCAST ★ 
5 LAST CHRISTMAS $6.4 (cum. $22.3) REVIEW
5 🔺 WAVES $134k on 4 screens *new* REVIEW2ND OPINION ★
GOOD LIAR WAVES
DOCTOR SLEEP  $6 (cum. $24.8) 
6 🔺 NO SAFE SPACES $117k on 55 screens (cum. $361k)
7 THE GOOD LIAR $5.6 *new* REVIEW
7 🔺 THE WARRIOR QUEEN OF JHANSI $112K on 276  screens *new*


The combined star power of Christian Bale and Matt Damon proved an easy ticket to the top of the box office charts over the weekend. Unfortunately the star power of Kristen Stewart and the combined star power of Helen Mirren and Sir Ian McKellen didn't do much for either Charlie's Angels or The Good Liar. That's particularly disastrous for Charlie's Angels, though, since it's the type of movie that is made specifically for a big opening. 

Outside the movies at thousands of theaters it was the same story as ever: Parasite, Pain & Glory, and JoJo Rabbit continue to be the three movies of choice.  Audiences are also taking non-committal peeks at Honey Boy and Waves though it's too early to tell if they'll expand well.

What did you see?

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Reader Comments (38)

The Irishman is 45,000 hours of my life I will never get back. With each agonizing minute that slithered by, I got more angry at the blatant disrespect of my time. About 17 or 18 hours in, I started praying to all the gods I don’t believe in, promising to become a devout follower of any who would divinely intervene and break the projector so I could get out of that theater, but alas, it was not to be. I’d recommend surgery without anesthesia over sitting through that garbage. I’ll never forgive any of those involved. New least favorite movie of all time.

I did see The Lighthouse (for the second time) and Pain and Glory on weeknights last week and absolutely loved both of them. Both are in my top 5 for 2019 so far.

November 17, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterDoug

I SAW PAIN AND GLORY!!!!!!! Obviously, my paranoia at it not opening here was wrong (if not unfounded). What an exquisite film, with a particularly great ending.

November 17, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterArkaan

Well, I LIKED The Irishman, so there's a contrary (less dramatic) opinion.

I did a lot of Oscar preparation over the weekend, also seeing THE REPORT and MARRIAGE STORY. Also (for counter balance) did LAST CHRISTMAS, and a couple of Festival films (Afghan and Serbian) but neither film is worthy enough to mention...

(Actually no, I will mention the Afghan one, HAVE, MARYAM, AYEASHA, because apparently it was the official Afghanistan entry for the 2019 International Film Oscar race, but didn't end up on the final list. Nathaniel, or anyone else, do we know what the story is here?)

November 17, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterTravis C

*HAVA, MARYAM, AYESHA

November 17, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterTravis C

I saw The Irishman last week--hardly my least favorite movie of all time, but all of the reviews that stated that the time just FLIES by are full of it. It's long, and it feels too long. That said, there's much to recommend it by and I thought Pesci was excellent.

Last night I saw Howard's End, which I had never seen before. I enjoyed it.

November 17, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterJJM

I thought "Parasite" was intriguing, eye-filling, suspenseful until the last act, where the plot fell off a cliff.

November 17, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterDesmond

I saw The Irishman (I could have lived without the two first hours) and Hustlers.

Pacino and López are co-leads. I'm officially a J-Lo fan now and I want her to work again with Soderbergh and with Almodóvar.

November 17, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterPeggy Sue

Saw The Irishman. Not what I expected, but I loved it! No one’s talking about the fact that it’s a pitch-black comedy for two-thirds of its runtime. It may contain the funniest performances Robert De Niro and Al Pacino have ever given (though I still need to see Midnight Run). That’s quite impressive for two actors widely regarded as iffy comedians. The final third, which sneaks up on you, is profoundly heartbreaking. Scorsese handles the tonal swerves beautifully. De Niro gets a great laugh-line toward the end involving his lawyer, but he spends most of the denouement making you cry. I really liked Anna Paquin’s contribution as well.

As far as awards are concerned, I‘ll be shocked if Pacino doesn't surge ahead of Pitt in the Oscar race once more people see this. Pesci’s terrific, but his work seems too muted for awards glory. Al, on the other hand, channels his charisma much like Brad did in OUATIH, but it startles you here because Al hasn’t been this electric in a long, long time.

November 17, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterMJ

I saw THE REPORT and MARRIAGE STORY - Adam Driver awards double!

THE REPORT was solid and engaging, if ultimately a bit depressing.

MARRIAGE STORY snuck up on me. I was enjoying it but thinking it was a bit overhyped but the last 20 minutes had a big impact and I couldn't stop thinking about it afterwards.

I still think Joaquin and Renee are winning Best Actor and Actress, but I can see Driver winning *a lot* of critics' prizes (for both MARRIAGE STORY and THE REPORT) and ScarJo picking up some awards along the way too.

November 17, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterSteve G

Oh, and Martha Kelly (as the Evaluator) in MARRIAGE STORY is one to remember for Best Cameo. Her reactions were priceless!

Julie Hagerty was terrific too. So many marvellous line readings and small performances - I can't wait to watch this again, on Netflix.

November 17, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterSteve G

"Marriage Story" for me. Beautifully written, directed, and acted, although I questioned some of the broader, glibber portrayals (the lawyers and social worker, mainly, who feel a bit too heightened for me, although I wouldn't trade anything for Dern's performance).

November 17, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterJonathan

Parasite - this went on too long for me, like being at the dentist 30 minutes longer than expected. I get why people admire it but I enjoyed leaving the theater.

November 17, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterTom Ford

Busy movie weekend!

White Snake
Tel Aviv on Fire
Last Christmas
Ford v Ferrari
Charlie’s Angels
One Child Nation
The Apollo
Malificent
Settling in for Clemency

November 17, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterKelly Garrett

Doing a triple feature of Harriet, The Lighthouse, and Pain and Glory tomorrow. What order should I see them in?

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterMichael R

Doing a triple feature of Harriet, The Lighthouse, and Pain and Glory tomorrow. What order should I see them in?

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterMichael R

Re-watches of The Avengers, Big, and Thor: The Dark World plus a big first-timer in Jojo Rabbit (easily one of the year's best films).

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered Commenterthevoid99

i really need to know what the og kelly garrett thought of those whippersnappers in the new charlie’s angels

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered Commenterpar

Prayers up for Doug, everyone. We have a lot of fun on here, but every once and a while you come across a comment like his and it's just like, damn...Here I am, sitting in my comfortable two bedroom apartment surrounded by family and adorable pets and all the advantages of a comfortable middle class life. Yet I still catch myself getting annoyed over dumb, petty shit like a late uber eats order or an prolonged youtube buffering. But then, wham!, Doug's comment. And suddenly everything is put into perspective. Shit, dude. Hang in there. We're here for you.

If you feel you might be suicidal, and live in the United States, I urge you to call the Suicide Hotline at 800-273-8255 or navigate to http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ for a live chat and additional resources. If it's not an emergency, but you want to know more about mental health, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers information on their website https://www.nami.org/ and a free HELPLINE 800-950-6264.

#dougstrong

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterBrad

Doug -- that was how i felt watching CASINO but i enjoyed Irishman, go figure.

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterNATHANIEL R

I saw 1978's Magic.

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered Commentermarkgordonuk

I watched 1982 Best Picture nominee Missing, for the first time. A sad story, with excellent performances from Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek.

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterEdward L.

I saw Pain and Glory. I thought the movie was great... but Antonio was better than the movie. As a person who struggles with chronic pain, I liked the physicality of his performance; you could see the weight of the character's discomfort. It's my favorite male performance of the year.

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterSuzanne

Par -- Kristen Stewart was the MVP, and I liked the other two new angels as well. The movie was overall enjoyable, but brought down by the offensive erasing of David Doyle, the heart of the cast for five years.

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterKelly Garrett

The Lighthouse

Truly bonkers and a lot of fun. I couldn't really hear or understand a lot of the dialogue. I don't know if it was due to some hearing issues I've been having lately or if the actors were just mumbling most of time. In the end it didn't really matter, shot like a great silent film. the images just took me there. I loved it.

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterBrad

"The Irishman is 45,000 hours of my life I will never get back. With each agonizing minute that slithered by, I got more angry at the blatant disrespect of my time. About 17 or 18 hours in, I started praying to all the gods I don’t believe in, promising to become a devout follower of any who would divinely intervene and break the projector so I could get out of that theater, but alas, it was not to be."

That's probably the most thoroughly damning pan I've read in some time. My kudos to you, Doug. Have to admit I'm still looking forward to watching it (over a couple of evenings, mind you) on Netflix!

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterRob

Brad: Don't make light of suicidal ideation. Shitty joke and
attempt at "humor" on your part.

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterW

I saw four enjoyable films with a great disparity in running times.

Ford vs Ferrari - Very much enjoyed this film, the two and a half running time went quickly, there is no lagging in pacing for the film. It successfully toes the line between popcorn film and prestige film, which I think bodes well for its best picture chances.

Charlie's Angels - The tone was light and irreverent, and it worked as a pure popcorn flick. If you analyze plot points it will fall apart quickly. I enjoyed all three of the main angels, fun movie.

Light for Light - Coming in at 82 minutes, I felt it could have used a couple more scenes to flesh out some character development. It was sparse and muted, but I found what was on screen to be intriguing.

The Irishman - I'm still processing it, but it was all in all spectacular and earns its 3 and a half hour running time. It does not sensationalize gangsterism, and its muted tone works. It is often riveting and never even thought about going to the bathroom.

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterMike C

Wasn't terribly fond of FORD V FERRARI or THE GOOD LIAR, I'm afraid - though I can totally see how the former scores both Film Editing and Sound Editing a few months from now.

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterAndrew Carden

W: Making light of suicidal ideation would be disregarding or joking about someone actually in distress. I used suicidal ideation to make a shitty joke. There's a difference.

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterBrad

Ford v Ferrari: Good solid meat-and-potatoes racing movie. Not my thing, but I was very entertained, so for people who like this kind of movie, they'll love it.

Re-watched Tom Jones. Doesn't hold up at all, sad to say. Even sadder to say, it was probably the best nominee, unless the first half of Cleopatra counts (the second half, however...) Edith Evans and Hugh Griffith are excellent and Albert Finney is hotter than blue blazes, the photography (not nominated) is superb, What passes for style in the movie is just everything-but-the kitchen-sink manic desperation with fancy costumes.

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered Commenterken s.

I'll keep it brief:

Ford v Ferrari: 3.5 stars
The Truth: 3.5 stars
Portrait of a Lady on Fire: 5 stars!!!!
Klaus: 3.5 stars

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterRaul

I saw the good liar and ford v Ferrari. Incredibly good movies

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterJoe

“Black and Blue”
“Charlie’s Angels”

Two successful female led action movies on different points of the spectrum: gritty realism and popcorn fun.

In “Black and Blue”, Naomie Harris (Moneypenny in James Bond, the mother in “Moonlight) is an African-American war veteran (“Black”) who has joined the police force (“Blue” uniform). She’s great, and the action is effective. My stomach hurt at the end from the gut clenching human sized action.

“Charlie’s Angels”. Good movie for a group outing. I learned to appreciate Elizabeth Banks with “Love and Mercy” and now I’m interested in everything she does. I did drift off in some of the obligatory big action scenes. I think maybe whenever action becomes spectacle, my attention wanes.

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered Commenteradri

Saw The Irishman and, even though I felt every bit of the running time, it was ultimately a very satisfying experience, especially in the last hour or so. Al Pacino is great, but my favorite performance in the film is Joe Pesci (there's a scene late in the second hour with him and DeNiro having breakfast in an empty diner that should be his Oscar clip, showing how he can command so much respect even when he's being soft.spoken, something Pesci isn't known for and was very refreshing to see from him). It's my least favorite of the three autumnal auteur films of the year (the other two being Dolor y Gloria and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), but that speaks more of how much I love those two (I'm not even that big a fan of Tarantino, but OUATIH is a masterpiece!!!).

I also watched A Rainy Day in New York (I live in Mexico, it was released here for a festival). It's vintage Woody Allen with a few plot points that feel a little forced, but it's amiable and very funny. Timothée Chalamet makes for a great Woody-surrogate (not sure where I would rank him in the list of great Woody surrogates, a list that includes John Cusack, Jesse Eisenberg and Owen Wilson), Elle Fanning is quite funny and I surprisingly responded to Selena Gomez in this (she feels the most natural of the cast, even though she's still spouting Allen's signature intellectual dialogue). I get why people may not want to see this one, but I enjoyed it.

I need to re-watch Ford v Ferrari for a refresher. I saw it in Toronto and liked it a lot (it's a meat-and-potatoes type of Hollywood film, the kind I feel we need more of in this day in which IP is king). I remember I thought Christian Bale owned the film and the racing scenes were breathtaking. I'm sure I'll feel the same watching it again (though I also want to re-watch it for Tracy Letts, who I really admire, but I don't remember his performance that much outside of his big scene).

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterRichter Scale

I'm predicting this will be your Best Picture winner. Fun movie with great casting, script, and direction. A real Hollywood movie in the best sense. Should do well with the preferential ballot, like Green Book did last year. Good box office will be helpful as well.

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterMark F.

Saw The Report, which was a miracle of a movie--how did they make folks walking around talking in office buildings this engrossing! Loved it, probably will make my Top Ten. Adam can yell AND enunciate, so rare. Annette should be nominated--terrific work.

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered Commenterbrookesboy

Mark F., what movie are you referring to?

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterCora

I saw "Midway" which was a well made very retro war picture. All the leads are white males. the women stay home, there are no revisionist minority stunt casting and the guys smoke a lot for a modern movie but historically accurate. The special effects battle scenes are spectacular and might get get the film an Oscar nomination. You can tell a gay director is in charge because there are plenty of good looking young actors in the cast- Nick Jonas, Darren Chris but no gay story line.

November 18, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterJaragon
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