Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Donate
Home Blog Page 1032

Review: Cher and Cher A-like: “Mamma Mia” is a Venue for Everyone’s Favorite Pop Diva

Leah Sydney
-
0
Review: Cher and Cher A-like: “Mamma Mia” is a Venue for Everyone’s Favorite Pop Diva

Cher.  Cher and more Cher. The highlight of  “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” is Cher, the great pop diva and off the cuff Twitter political activist. But hey did you expect it wouldn’t be? And diva Cher doesn’t even make her grand entrance till the end of the film. Throw in the ever-adorable Meryl Streep, playing the now deceased Donna, and you get an energetic, entertaining film that finds its kitschy, campy footing in the second half. Directed and written by Ol Parker, the film knows exactly what it wants to be and doesn’t strive for anything more. 

The first hour is slower.  Even though Lily James of “Downton Abbey” fame (playing a young Donna) is game and talented, there are too many ABBA songs that are not recognizable and sing-along-able, which slows the energy down a bit. When the seasoned veterans —  Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Stellan Skarsgard, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan —  all take the stage, well that’s when the fireworks literally begin.  And they are all just delicious, funny and get every move, quip, glance and moment right. 

The saga takes place in flashback; at the beginning it shows a deceased Donna (Meryl Streep) with her loyal beloved daughter, Sophie (an always terrific Amanda Seyfried,) mourning her.  Sophie just built a new hotel on the idyllic Greek island to honor her mother, which will be managed by an older hunk Fernando (Andy Garcia). One of her three dads, Sam (Pierce Brosnan) is on the island.  Her boyfriend Sky (Dominic Cooper) is away on business.  So when an unexpected storm ruins all the plans, the story begins. 

Cut to the young Donna’s original journey to this island that will eventually be her forever home. The film recounts the plot of the first movie and now delicately deals with how hippie-like Donna slept with three men in quick succession hence the whole premise of “Mamma Mia” i.e.  Who is the father of her baby (Sophie)? Will we ever find out? (Maybe not because the ABBA catalog is now exhausted.)

And yes, our Cher, Oscar winner who still dabbles in film, playing Donna’s colorful mother, makes her grand entrance and does the most sublime version of “Fernando” you will ever see.  She’s the grandest “Mamma” of them all.

Universal’s ‘Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” opens July 20th. 

Sacha Baron Cohen’s Scathing Satire “Who is America?” Scores Just 327,000 Viewers

Roger Friedman
-
0
Sacha Baron Cohen’s Scathing Satire “Who is America?” Scores Just 327,000 Viewers

Showtime didn’t do much to promote Sacha Baron Cohen‘s new show “Who is America?” And it shows. Just 327,000 people watched it on Sunday night.

The only real publicity the show had was on the Drudge Report, of all places. But there was no premiere, no screenings, no build up. Showtime relied on outrage and word of mouth. It didn’t work.

The show that followed, Stephen Colbert’s “Our Cartoon President,” had 186,000 viewers. I watched it, and loved it. But I had no idea what it was when it came on. I guess no one else did, too.

What is the Showtime strategy? They just don’t care about publicity or press. I don’t get it.

Cohen was trounced at 10pm.  “Mexico Life” was among the shows on cable that did five or six times the business. (1.9 million viewers). Something called “On the Case with PZ” on Discovery had 1.5 million. “History of Comedy” on CNN had 764K. That’s twice as many as Cohen’s show.

“Who is America?” should be appealing to the “Borat” and “Ali G” audience, as well as a young, hip demo. But Showtime can’t seem to reach these people. This happened last year with “Twin Peaks.” It was ignored. And “Billions,” one of the best shows on TV or cable, has equally low ratings and no love from the Emmy Awards. Frustrating!

Why wasn’t “Who is America?” on HBO? That’s what I’d like to know. It’s perfect for them. Maybe the Time Warner-ATT Merger made it too hot…

UPDATE: Showtime says “Who is America?” actually was seen by over 1 million people when include all platforms including several showings that were streamed and beamed and telegraphed. But basically, “Who is America?” didn’t make the top 25 cable shows on Sunday night. It was a bust.

 

 

Bette Midler’s “Hello, Dolly!” Return Still Has Tickets for Sale, 2nd Cash Grab Not As Successful

Roger Friedman
-
0
Bette Midler’s “Hello, Dolly!” Return Still Has Tickets for Sale, 2nd Cash Grab Not As Successful

Tonight, Bette Midler returns for a second cash grab at “Hello, Dolly!” on Broadway. She’ll close the show on August 25th.

Midler’s return comes not a minute too soon. Last week, “Hello! Dolly!” reached a weekly box office nadir of $777K with Bernadette Peters and Victor Garber (and their production was superior).

The Midler version was scoring $2 million a week during first run because crazy people were paying $500 and up to see her live. With Peters, ticket prices returned to normal.

But Midler’s return isn’t a total sell out this time around. Looking at Telecharge, there are still plenty of seats every night for this run. The orchestra seats are $600 premium seats. Not worth it. But there are plenty of mezzanine and balcony seats right through August 24th. They’re just fine, too. Bring binoculars, and a walking stick for the climb upstairs at the theater.

Producers must be counting on good walk up business. *The joke is, the audience will walk up and up and up.

For great seats, go see Donna Murphy on one of the four Tuesdays she fills in for Midler. There are loads of tickets available. Murphy, like Peters, is a Broadway superstar. It would be worth hearing her Dolly Levi.

Sad that producer Scott Rudin didn’t want to go on, maybe have a black Dolly the way the really legendary producer David Merrick did in the 60s with Pearl Bailey. Queen Latifah, Audra McDonald, R&B legend Gladys Knight– there were lots of choices. But the idea now is to get out with cash in hand. This was never about the art.

 

Groundbreaker: Vinessa Antoine Leaving “General Hospital” to Be First Female Black Star of a Canadian Drama Series

Roger Friedman
-
0
Groundbreaker: Vinessa Antoine Leaving “General Hospital” to Be First Female Black Star of a Canadian Drama Series

Good and big news for Canadian TV viewers, maybe US as well: Vinessa Antoine is leaving “General Hospital” to star in a CBC series called “Diggstown.” Antoine was a massive find for “General Hospital”– smart, sexy, charismatic, and a really fine actress. She’s been on the show for 4 years but incredibly underused for the last two.

Interestingly, showrunner Floyd Kane told the Toronto Star in June that he was looking for the next Kerry Washington. His character, Marcie Diggs, will be the first ever black woman to lead a Canadian TV series. This is HUGE for Antoine, who should only have upward career trajectory for a long time to come.

Kane said: “I think it will push boundaries. Whatever preconceived notions some people may have about Blackness or Black women, and what that means to be a character on TV, we mean to challenge that.”

Antoine says on Twitter:  “There are so many people that God put into place who are directly and indirectly responsible for my time at GeneralHospital You know who you are. I thank you. I came into this world as an artist. My job is to create and inspire. I hope that I did that a little in playing JordanAshford. I believe that I have taken her as far as I can. To clarify, as negotiations for Diggstown were underway, although I am open to stay and play in Port Charles, I was told by my reps that GeneralHospital felt that my character would be off the canvas for too long for me to continue playing her. With that, we decided to mutually part ways. It’s time to make room for more women of color in prominent roles on television. I’m grateful to assist in that by starting this new chapter in my journey. I hope you’ll all come along. I feel blessed. Be well. xo”

Coincidentally, another very hot Black leading lady, Mishael Morgan, has just left “The Young and the Restless” after not getting a raise in five years. Who knows? She may have gone for the “Diggstown” role, too. I hope she does not succeed Antoine at “GH,” which could happen. Morgan deserves her own series, too, or something comparable. The soaps are being killed off by the networks. All their actors should aim high at this point. Next to exit “GH” should be Billy Miller, who looks like he’s been taken hostage.

 

L.A. Art Dealer Duped by Sacha Baron Cohen to Donate Plucked Body Hair: “Funny the things a camera will make a person do”

Roger Friedman
-
0
L.A. Art Dealer Duped by Sacha Baron Cohen to Donate Plucked Body Hair: “Funny the things a camera will make a person do”

EXCLUSIVE Christy Cones became an overnight celebrity last night courtesy of Sacha Baron Cohen. She was hoodwinked by the man who is sometimes Borat or Ali G. When Cohen and his camera crew hit her Coast Art Gallery in Laguna Beach, California last year, she thought he was a recently released felon who made art using bodily fluids.

In the show, “Who is America,” which aired last night on Showtime, the attractive blonde eventually gave “artist” Ricky Sherman a pubic hair plucked right in front of us, from under her dress, to include in an art project.

Did she really do it?

“Funny the things a camera will make a person do when it’s in your face,” Cones said, with a laugh. “Maybe it’s just the beginning of my relationship with him as an artist.”

If Cones is on the level– and I think she is– what comes across in her segment of “Who is America” is that she tries so hard to be accepting of Sherman. She is guileless. Maybe  she’s discovering a great artist–this thought flashes across her forehead. To a cynical New Yorker, she’s very sweet.

One thing we don’t know yet is if Ricky Sherman went back to the Coast gallery, or if Cones is going to turn up in more episodes.

It does seem as though Cones was genuinely duped, and that she didn’t know it was Borat/Cohen who allegedly painted a picture of her using his feces and ejaculate. She’s handling it pretty well, without looking like a rube.

She told me of Cohen: “The guy’s a genius.” She added: “It was serendipity that I was chosen” and noted “the importance of satire.”

Cones is entertaining invitations from talk shows, etc for interviews. We may be seeing her in New York before too long.

Cardi B., Beyonce and Jay Z, Drake, Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino Lead MTV Video Awards

Roger Friedman
-
0
Cardi B., Beyonce and Jay Z, Drake, Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino Lead MTV Video Awards

 

 

The MTV Video Music Awards are coming back to New York’s Radio City Music Hall. The show is on August 20th. This crop of nominees is pretty good. I’d look for Childish Gambino aka Donald Glover, to sweep. But Drake’s performance will cap off the Summer of Drake.

 

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” – Republic Records

Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records

Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records

The Carters – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment

Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records

Drake – “God’s Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records

 

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Ariana Grande – Republic Records

Bruno Mars – Atlantic Records

Camila Cabello – Syco Music/Epic Records

Cardi B – Atlantic Records

Drake – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records

Post Malone – Republic Records

 

SONG OF THE YEAR

Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records

Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records

Drake – “God’s Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records

Dua Lipa – “New Rules” – Warner Bros. Records

Ed Sheeran – “Perfect” – Atlantic Records

Post Malone ft. 21 Savage – “rockstar” – Republic Records

BEST NEW ARTIST (Presented by Taco Bell®)

Bazzi – iamcosmic/Atlantic Records

Cardi B – Atlantic Records

Chloe x Halle – Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records

Hayley Kiyoko – Atlantic Records

Lil Pump – Warner Bros. Records

Lil Uzi Vert – Atlantic Records

 

BEST COLLABORATION

Bebe Rexha ft. Florida Georgia Line – “Meant to Be” – Warner Bros. Records

Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records

The Carters – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment

Jennifer Lopez ft. DJ Khaled & Cardi B – “Dinero” – Epic Records/Nuyorican Productions

Logic ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid – “1-800-273-8255” – Def Jam Recordings

N.E.R.D & Rihanna – “Lemon” – i am OTHER/Columbia Records

PUSH ARTIST OF THE YEAR

JULY 2018 – Chloe x Halle – Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records

JUNE 2018 – Sigrid – Island Records

MAY 2018 – Lil Xan – Columbia Records

APRIL 2018 – Hayley Kiyoko – Atlantic Records

MARCH 2018 – Jessie Reyez – Island Records

FEBRUARY 2018 – Tee Grizzley – 300 Entertainment

JANUARY 2018 – Bishop Briggs – Island Records

DECEMBER 2017 – Grace VanderWaal – Syco Music/Columbia Records

NOVEMBER 2017 – Why Don’t We – Atlantic Records

OCTOBER 2017 – PRETTYMUCH – Syco Music/Columbia Records

SEPTEMBER 2017 – SZA – TDE/Aftermath/Interscope Records

AUGUST 2017 – Kacy Hill – Def Jam Recordings

JULY 2017 – Khalid – RCA Records

JUNE 2017 – Kyle – Atlantic Records

MAY 2017 – Noah Cyrus – Republic Records

BEST POP

Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” – Republic Records

Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records

Demi Lovato – “Sorry Not Sorry” – Island Records

Ed Sheeran – “Perfect” – Atlantic Records

P!nk – “What About Us” – RCA Records

Shawn Mendes – “In My Blood” – Island Records

 

BEST HIP HOP

Cardi B ft. 21 Savage – “Bartier Cardi” – KSR/Atlantic Records

The Carters – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment

Drake – “God’s Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records

J. Cole – “ATM” – Dreamville/Roc Nation/Interscope Records

Migos ft. Drake – “Walk It Talk It” – Quality Control/Capitol Records

Nicki Minaj – “Chun-Li” – Young Money/Cash Money Records

BEST LATIN

Daddy Yankee – “Dura” – El Cartel Records/UMLE

J Balvin, Willy William – “Mi Gente” – UMLE/Republic Records

Jennifer Lopez ft. DJ Khaled & Cardi B – “Dinero” – Epic Records/Nuyorican Productions

Luis Fonsi, Demi Lovato – “Échame La Culpa” – UMLE/Republic/Island/Universal Music Latino

Maluma – “Felices los 4” – Sony Music Entertainment US Latin

Shakira ft. Maluma – “Chantaje” – Sony Music Entertainment US Latin

BEST DANCE

Avicii ft. Rita Ora – “Lonely Together” – Geffen Records

Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa – “One Kiss” – Columbia Records

The Chainsmokers – “Everybody Hates Me” – Disruptor Records/Columbia Records

David Guetta & Sia – “Flames” – Atlantic Records

Marshmello ft. Khalid – “Silence” – RCA Records/Ultra Records

Zedd & Liam Payne – “Get Low (Street Video)” – Interscope Records

BEST ROCK

Fall Out Boy – “Champion” – Island Records

Foo Fighters – “The Sky Is A Neighborhood” – RCA Records

Imagine Dragons – “Whatever It Takes” – KIDinaKORNER/Interscope Records

Linkin Park – “One More Light” – Warner Bros. Records

Panic! At The Disco – “Say Amen (Saturday Night)” – Fueled By Ramen/Atlantic Records

Thirty Seconds to Mars – “Walk On Water” – Interscope Records

 

VIDEO WITH A MESSAGE

Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records

Dej Loaf and Leon Bridges – “Liberated” – Columbia Records

Drake – ‘God’s Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records

Janelle Monáe – “PYNK” – Bad Boy Records/Atlantic Records

Jessie Reyez – “Gatekeeper” – Island Records

Logic ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid – “1-800-273-8255” – Def Jam Recordings

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Alessia Cara – “Growing Pains” –  Def Jam Recordings – Cinematography by Pau Castejón

Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” –  Republic Records – Cinematography by Scott Cunningham

The Carters – “APES**T” –  Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Cinematography by Benoit Debie

Childish Gambino – “This Is America” –  mcDJ / RCA Records – Cinematography by Larkin Seiple

Eminem ft. Ed Sheeran – “River” – Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records – Cinematography by Frank Mobilio & Patrick Meller

Shawn Mendes – “In My Blood” – Island Records – Cinematography by Jonathan Sela

BEST DIRECTION

The Carters – “APES**T” –  Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Directed by Ricky Saix

Childish Gambino – “This Is America” –  mcDJ / RCA Records – Directed by Hiro Murai

Drake – “God’s Plan” –  YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records – Directed by Karena Evans

Ed Sheeran – “Perfect” –  Atlantic Records – Directed by Jason Koenig

Justin Timberlake ft. Chris Stapleton – “Say Something” –  RCA Records – Directed by Arturo Perez Jr.

Shawn Mendes – “In My Blood” – Island Records – Directed by Jay Martin

 

BEST ART DIRECTION               

The Carters – “APES**T” –  Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Art Direction by Jan Houlevigue

Childish Gambino – “This Is America” –  mcDJ / RCA Records – Art Direction by Jason Kisvarday

J. Cole – “ATM” –  Dreamville/Roc Nation/Interscope Records – Art Direction by Miles Mullin

Janelle Monáe – “Make Me Feel” –  Bad Boy Records/Atlantic Records – Art Direction by Pepper Nguyen

SZA – “The Weekend” –  TDE/RCA Records – Art Direction by SZA and Solange

Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do” –  Big Machine Records – Art Direction by Brett Hess

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” –  Republic Records – Visual Effects by Vidal and Loris Paillier for Buf

Avicii ft. Rita Ora – “Lonely Together” –  Geffen Records – Visual Effects by KPP

Eminem ft. Beyoncé – “Walk On Water” –  Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records – Visual Effects Supervisor Rich Lee for Drive Studios

Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “All The Stars” –  TDE/Aftermath/Interscope Records – Visual Effects by Loris Paillier for BUF Paris

Maroon 5 – “Wait” –  222/Interscope Records – Visual Effects by TIMBER

Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do” – Big Machine Records – Visual Effects by Ingenuity Studios

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” –  Atlantic Records – Choreography by Phil Tayag & Bruno Mars

Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana” –  Syco Music/Epic Records – Choreography by Calvit Hodge and Sara Bivens

The Carters – “APES**T” –  Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Choreography by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Jaquel Knight

Childish Gambino – “This Is America” –  mcDJ / RCA Records – Choreography by Sherrie Silver

Dua Lipa – “IDGAF” –  Warner Bros. Records – Choreography by Marion Motin

Justin Timberlake – “Filthy” –  RCA Records – Choreography by Marty Kudelka, AJ Harpold, Tracy Phillips, and Ivan Koumaev

BEST EDITING

Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” –  Atlantic Records – Editing by Jacquelyn London

The Carters – “APES**T” –  Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Taylor Ward and Sam Ostrove

Childish Gambino – “This Is America” –  mcDJ / RCA Records – Editing by Ernie Gilbert

Janelle Monáe – “Make Me Feel” – Bad Boy Records/Atlantic Records – Editing by Deji Laray

N.E.R.D & Rihanna – “Lemon” –  i am OTHER/Columbia Records – Editing by Taylor Ward

Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do” –  Big Machine

Sacha Baron Cohen’s New Show Starts Tonight, It’s Not Even Featured on Showtime’s Website

Roger Friedman
-
0
Sacha Baron Cohen’s New Show Starts Tonight, It’s Not Even Featured on Showtime’s Website

Showtime is in a lot of trouble.

They got 21 Emmy nominations this week, as opposed to HBO’s 108. None of the Showtime nominations were for Best Drama, Comedy or Limited Series. There are a few actors, and mostly technical awards. The entire “Billions” series was ignored. Claire Danes and Liev Schreiber, two of their best actors, were omitted. It’s a mess. They couldn’t even get attention for “I’m Dying Up Here”– a really great series– starring Oscar winner Melissa Leo.

Tonight they debut a very funny series from Sacha Baron Cohen called  “Who is America?” Cable ratings take a day to process, so we won’t know how this series did until Tuesday. I won’t be surprised if the ratings aren’t great. Showtime isn’t even featuring “Who is America?” on the home page of their website. Indeed, go to www.showtime.com– you can’t click on anything to find info about their shows, when they’re on, what’s on tonight, nothing.

Then go to www.hbo.com. You will learn that Amy Adam’s acclaimed series, “Sharper Objects,” is on tonight at 9pm. Click on the photo and it takes you to the show’s website. That is HBO. It’s all clean and efficient, run sensibly and like a machine. Showtime is a mystery.

I don’t know what the problem is, but maybe they should try and fix it.

As for Sacha’s series, the first episode is hilarious. I hope people see it. Maybe the “Billions” audience will pick it up. Poor “Billions.” Such a great show.

Kanye West Twitter Meltdown Again: Either BiPolar Disorder or a Migraine Headache May Be Causing Strange New Observations

Roger Friedman
-
0
Kanye West Twitter Meltdown Again: Either BiPolar Disorder or a Migraine Headache May Be Causing Strange New Observations

Kanye West is having a real Donald Trump moment. Trump gives interviews, then denied they happened. He says derogatory things about prime ministers, or the EU, then claims not to have said them.

On Twitter overnight, Kanye decided that all pop stars should be called “recording artists” by the press. Only, they are already called that by and large, by everyone.

Kanye wrote: “It’s just another example of elitism and classism. If you read Prince or Michael’s Wikipedia their title is recording artist Moving forward anyone working in music should be referred to as a recording artist”

The Tweet was one of several starting yesterday that might indicate he’s having trouble with his medication for bipolar disorder. He admitted recently to being bipolar– something we all knew for a long time. It accounted for several long Twitter tirades, sometimes 40 or 50 Tweets at a time. Just before his “recording artist” Tweet, Kanye issued a few others:

“Music is an art form. When reporters call me “the singer,” the rapper” or even the “pop star” there’s an air of condescension and patronization. Those kinds of journalist are acting like they’re better than us.”

“Whenever you’re feeling down bored irritated or disgruntled just say… thank god I don’t have a sinus headache … they feel like the episode of black mirror when the bee went into the guys ear…I had a sinus headache on a flight once and I got a fucking cat scan after because it was so bad”

Earlier, Kanye had observed that his company was run by “creatives” and that “Yeezy is an organization ran by the creative. The creative make the final decisions here.” It makes you wonder if he’s feeling pressure from Adidas and other financial partners about his sneakers, fashion wear, and even recording career. His accountant may be worried that Kanye’s “Ye” EP sold just 18K copies this week at $7.99 and via streaming, with no hit single, while Drake sold 325K copies of a double album and all the tracks on it take up the streaming chart.

Here’s hoping Kanye gets some rest and attention today.

Box Office UPDATE: Too Much of The Rock? Dwayne Johnson’s “Skyscraper” Opens in 3rd Place, Falls Big Time to Adam Sandler’s Cartoon Vampires

Roger Friedman
-
0
Box Office UPDATE: Too Much of The Rock? Dwayne Johnson’s “Skyscraper” Opens in 3rd Place, Falls Big Time to Adam Sandler’s Cartoon Vampires

SUNDAY UPDATE: “Hotel Transylvania 3” took a $16 million lead over “Skyscraper.” The Adam Sandler led animated vampire movie made $41.2 in the US and another $46 mil overseas. “Skyscraper” was a low rent affair with just 25 million US and another 40.4 mil abroad. It opened in THIRD place, behind the “Ant Man” sequel in its second week.

 

 

SATURDAY Too much of The Rock is a thing.

“Skyscraper” — the latest movie starring ubiquitous Dwayne Johnson– is a bit of a bust. Last night the action film modeled on “Die Hard” made just $9.2 million.  That’s a LOT less than the $16.6 million earned by “Hotel Transylvania 3,” an animated second sequel for children of all ages.

“Skyscraper” is Johnson — aka The Rock’s– second movie since April. It’s his fourth film since April 2017. One of those was “Baywatch,” a total write off at the box office.

Johnson is also featured in HBO’s series “Ballers” and in a lot commercials.

How much of The Rock can people take? This may be the cut off, the straw that breaks the box office. Maybe it’s time to pull back.

Look for “Skyscraper” to battle for a $25 million weekend.

Pop: Drake’s “Scorpion” Passes 1 Million Mark After 2 Weeks, Earns $4 Mil in Streaming

Roger Friedman
-
0
Pop: Drake’s “Scorpion” Passes 1 Million Mark After 2 Weeks, Earns $4 Mil in Streaming

On “Seinfeld” they used to say, Everyone loves the Drake. No one ever explained it, but as with most things Seinfeld, the expression was prescient.

Everyone does indeed love Drake 20 years later.

The pop R&B rapper half Jewish Canadian is the king of the pop charts, summer 2018. His “Scorpion” album is number 1 for the second week. In that time, “Scorpion” has cleared the 1 million sales mark for real, not just shipments, but in sales and streaming. After selling 750K copies in week 1, Drake came back with 325K in week 2. These days, that’s nothing short of a miracle.

On the Song Revenue Chart for Week 1, hitsdailydouble shows that Drake earned over $4 million from streaming. On the top 50, songs with Drake’s name on the byline take up 24 spots. Earth shaking.

Just to give a little perspective, “Scorpion” sold 12 times the number of albums that Jay Z and Beyonce’s “Everything is Love” sold this week. Drake has obliterated The Carters and annihilated Kanye West. Drake’s only real competition for all of 2018 is Post Malone, but he’s exceeded Malone handily.

Universal Music remains the biggest market share holder in music. Warner Music is number 2, which is interesting. Sony/Columbia/RCA/Epic has fallen to a distant third. Columbia Records still has nothing on the charts. Yeesh!

 

1...1,0311,0321,033...2,128Page 1,032 of 2,128

Hollywood to the Hudson

Company

Trending

Categories

© Showbiz411.com