You can only make so many bad movies before the movie audience gives up on you. Such may be the case for Johnny Depp. His new film, “Black Mass,” well regarded, directed by Scott Cooper with a terrific supporting cast, had a rocky launch last night at the box office. The gangster movie about Whitey Bulger took in just $8.8 million. Original estimates of a $30 million weekend seem overly enthusiastic now, with $25-$27 million more realistic.

That’s not good. “Black Mass” was being trumpeted as an Oscar candidate. A lot of money has been spent on promotion.

This was supposed to be Depp’s comeback from a run of miserable films. They include the huge disaster, “The Lone Ranger,” and the mild disaster “Mortdecai.” Aside from “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, Depp hasn’t had anything resembling a hit in a long long time.

Earlier this week, Depp appeared at the Toronto Film Festival premiere of “Black Mass” looking bloated and uncomfortable. He’s clearly aiming to follow the path of the late Marlon Brando, and you wonder why. Brando was not a role model for anything except self indulgence. Depp would do a lot better to shake that idea off and come back to Earth immediately.

That said, “Black Mass” is very entertaining and well worth seeing this weekend. Joel Edgerton and Julianne Nicholson are among the stellar players in it. Cooper did a great job. Forget comparisons to Scorsese or anyone else. Just enjoy it for what it is.

Oh what to do! Pretty much everyone has seen “Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation.” The movie’s been a huge hit. As of today, it’s at $188 million.

But that still leaves $12 million to the magic mark of $200 million. What to do?? How to get Tom Cruise that magic number?

Great idea: Paramount is offering a 2 for 1 sale. Starting Friday and going through next Thursday, the 24th, you can get two tickets for the price of one at most major theaters.

This is a smart move. Next week Yom Kippur knocks out at least 24 hours of movie going. This way, Paramount juices interest, and gets a shot closer to $200 million. Movie studios like to reach those nice round numbers. But Rogue Nation is still a skip away, and soon theaters will give it the boot for new movies.

Is it an impossible mission? Let’s see.

Keith Richards says there will be a new Rolling Stones album next year. The issue came up in an interview for his new album “Cross Eyed Heart” and the accompanying Netflix film and DVD “Under the Influence.” They are released this week.

The album is wonderful by the way, full of blues and guts. It’s all real and heartfelt. There’s one song on it, called “Lover’s Pen,” that is absolutely remarkable. I hope every smart music fan takes a chance on it. I’m also crazy about “Heartstopper,” “Blues in the Morning,” and “Something for Nothing.”

The movie, directed by Morgan Neville, shows Keith at his most charming. There’s a lot of talk about how the Rolling Stones came to be, and what they mean in the larger picture. You do get the feeling that Keith is kind of an unheralded genius. His reputation as a musician has been obscured by his publicity as a druggie and outlaw. But here he is, still alive, kicking, funny and more thoughtful than ever.

He prefers the “roll” he says, to “the rock.” He’s a blues man. The Stones, he points out, are based on two albums– the Best of Muddy Waters and the Best of Chuck Berry. He and Mick met over those two albums. The movie also shows his great friendship with Buddy Guy. There’s footage of Keith with all of them.

So what if there’s a new Stones album? Keith is the musical heart of the Stones. “Crosseyed Heart” is kind of an essential throw back lesson. And for fun, go back and read his book.