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It’s Hammer Time! “Thor Love and Thunder” Opening Weekend Is Best Debut in Series

Roger Friedman
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It’s Hammer Time! “Thor Love and Thunder” Opening Weekend Is Best Debut in Series

It’s indeed Hammer time, and I don’t mean Armie Hammer, who is not working selling time shares in the Cayman Islands. (Congrats to TMZ for getting duped.)

No, I do mean “Thor Love and Thunder.” The fourth installment in the Marvel series had its best ever opening weekend– $143 million. That’s about $14 million more than the last one, “Ragnarok.”

All around the world, including the US. “Love and Thunder” has $300 million under its belt already. This will go on and on for a while as Marvel rakes in the bucks, Disney does a dance, and Easter eggs are discussed and examined.

Yes. I find it tiresome. Most adults do. Blockbuster after blockbuster isn’t that interesting when the movies are not memorable except to comic book aficionados. Nothing expressed in these movies will mean anything in years to come. But for now, it means solid stock prices and Maybachs for everyone involved!

Cheerio!

PS Maybe Disney will make “Black Swan II” for Natalie Portman as a thank you.

Tom Cruise, Who’s Rarely Had a $100 Mil Movie, Hits $600 Mil on Monday with “Top Gun Maverick”

Roger Friedman
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Tom Cruise, Who’s Rarely Had a $100 Mil Movie, Hits $600 Mil on Monday with “Top Gun Maverick”

“Top Gun Maverick” is poised to cross the $600 million mark in US box office tomorrow, Monday. Today it stands at $600 million.

For Tom Cruise, this is the cherry on top of the sundae. “Maverick” already has over $1 billion in sales counting international box office.

Cruise is not a regular player at the $100 million table. Over the years his non “Mission Impossible” movies have fallen shot, with only “Edge of Tomorrow” — kept in theaters forever — just making the mark.

Otherwise, a string of movies like “Oblivion” and two “Jack Reacher” chapters couldn’t do it. Neither could “American Made,” a good movie that was thrown away, or “The Mummy.”

But “Maverick” hit the zeitgeist. It was nostalgia delivered at the right moment, when audiences were depressed and nervous about COVID, the economy, and worried about a madman running for office again.

And now Cruise is set up for two “Mission Impossible” movies coming next summer and the summer after that. They will each be blockbusters. Cruise’s legacy as a movie star is cemented. The real life stuff? Scientology? The strange situation with Suri, his 16 year old daughter? All of that lingers and is not going away. But for the moment, Cruise is top gun at the box office.

PS A “Top Gun 3”? You can bet the house on it.

Oprah’s Dad, Vernon Winfrey, Passes Away After Family Gives Him Grand Send Off

Roger Friedman
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Oprah’s Dad, Vernon Winfrey, Passes Away After Family Gives Him Grand Send Off

Condolences to Oprah Winfrey. She reports on Instagram that her dad, Vernon, has passed away at age 88. On July 4th Oprah organized a grand send off for her dad with all his friends and family. It’s sort of a neat idea, a kind of pre-memorial that he could enjoy. Oprah says in the video that he thought it was for July 4th. Sweet.
PS Oprah looks very well in the video. Good for her! So sorry for her loss.

Broadway: Beanie Feldstein Out Again for “Funny Girl” Matinee Today, New Stand By In

Roger Friedman
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Broadway: Beanie Feldstein Out Again for “Funny Girl” Matinee Today, New Stand By In

Ephie Aardema is getting her big break today at 2pm. She’s in for Beanie Feldstein as Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl” on Broadway.

Aardema ordinarily wouldn’t have this chance, but as dumb luck would have it, Beanie’s regular stand by, the popular Julie Benko, has COVID. She’s out til Tuesday.

Beanie misses a lot of shows. I love her, but she’s had the spottiest record on Broadway in some seasons. She should have been nominated for a Tony Award. Instead when she leaves in September she’ll have an award for most absences.

As I reported a couple of weeks ago, insiders at “Funny Girl” say “Glee” star Lea Michele is coming to replace Beanie.

We’re still waiting for announcement. Don’t rain on our parade!

“Thor Love and Thunder” Thunders to $40 Mil Friday, $69.5 Mil Opening Night

Roger Friedman
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“Thor Love and Thunder” Thunders to $40 Mil Friday, $69.5 Mil Opening Night

The hammer has been swung.

Tongue in cheek “Thor Love and Thunder” is, of course, a massive Marvel hit.

Friday night box office was $40 million. Adding in Thursday previews, Marvel has $69.5 million to start the weekend.

They’re heading to a $150 million weekend. Or more. The gods only know.

On Twitter there’s debate if the movie is good or bad or whatever. But we’re well beyond all that now. All that matters is that the merchandise is selling, the drinks are cold, and the popcorn has butter.

All the other big movies did well last night– “Elvis,” “Minions.” “Jurassic World 6.” Considered a failure, “Lightyear” made it to $110 million.

Carlos Santana Recuperation Continues, Famed Guitarists Cancels Six More Shows

Roger Friedman
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Carlos Santana Recuperation Continues, Famed Guitarists Cancels Six More Shows

The great Carlos Santana is taking his recuperation seriously.

Since passing out from heat exhaustion and dehydration at Pine Knob in Michigan, Santana is taking a well deserved break from touring. He’s cancelled six more shows while he gets back to his perfect self.

The cancellations also affect Earth Wind & Fire, who are on tour with Santana on some dates. The EWF shows without Santana will continue.

Santana’s manager, Michael Vronis, says in a statement:

“I regret to inform you that the Santana band has postponed tonight’s show at Ruoff Music CenterNoblesville, Indiana. And, we are postponing the July 9 show at Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio; July 10 at American Family Insurance Amphitheater – Summerfest Grounds in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; July 12 at Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion in Rogers, Arkansas; July 15 at Dos Equis Pavilion in Dallas, Texas; July 16 at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Woodlands, Texas. Doctors have recommended that Mr. Santana gets rest to recuperate fully.”

All shows as planned beginning July 23rd of this month in Paso Robles, CA through the end of 2022 are still confirmed and will be performed as scheduled. The tour schedule can be found at: https://tour.santana.com/

“Carlos is doing well and is anxious to be back on stage soon. He just needs rest,” Vrionis went on to say. “Santana profoundly regrets that these postponements of his upcoming performances; but, his health is our number one concern. He is looking forward to seeing all of his fans very soon.”

Pop Star Shawn Mendes Cancels Next 3 Weeks of Shows, 23 Year Old Under Pressure: “I’ve reached the breaking point”

Roger Friedman
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Pop Star Shawn Mendes Cancels Next 3 Weeks of Shows, 23 Year Old Under Pressure: “I’ve reached the breaking point”

Being a pop star is a lot more stressful than it used to be. First Justin Bieber pooped out because of stress. Not it’s Shawn Mendes’s turn.

Mendes, 23,  just posted an announcement to Twitter that he’s canceling the next three weeks of shows citing mental fatigue. That’s eleven shows. “I’ve reached the breaking point,” he says.

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I went to the very first Shawn Mendes show at the Nokia Theater in New York several years ago. He was a nice kid with good songs. I thought he’d be like James Taylor.

But the star making machinery really over took him. He became a pin up boy, with a celebrity girlfriend, tabloid subject, almost over night. All his songwriting became part of the collaborative machine that makes all singers now sound alike. I’m not surprised he’s exhausted. How long can you keep all that up?

In the old days, pop stars retreated into drugs and booze. So I’m glad that this generation is smart enough to see the forest fore the trees and step away from the limelight before it scorches them.

RIP “Paulie Walnuts” Actor Tony Sirico of “Sopranos” Fame Dead at 79, Mourned by Castmates, Fans

Roger Friedman
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RIP “Paulie Walnuts” Actor Tony Sirico of “Sopranos” Fame Dead at 79, Mourned by Castmates, Fans

So sad to hear that Tony Sirico has died at age 79. The actor who played Paulie Walnuts on “The Sopranos” was a lovely guy, a sweetheart. I knew him from Elaine’s. Condolences to his big circle of friends.

Tony’s brother, Robert, posted to Facebook: ”It is with great sadness, but with incredible pride, love and a whole lot of fond memories, that the family of Gennaro Anthony “Tony” Sirico wishes to inform you of his death on the morning of July 8, 2022,” the priest wrote along with a picture of Sirico.

“Tony is survived by his two beloved children, Joanne Sirico Bello and Richard Sirico, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews and many other relatives.

“The family is deeply grateful for the many expressions of love, prayer and condolences and requests that the public respect its privacy in this time of bereavement.​ Memorial donations may be made in his honor to Wounded Warriors, St. Jude’s Hospital and the Acton Institute.”

Castmate Michael Imperioli wrote on Instagram:” It pains me to say that my dear friend, colleague and partner in crime, the great TONY SIRICO has passed away today. Tony was like no one else: he was as tough, as loyal and as big hearted as anyone i’ve ever known. I was at his side through so much: through good times and bad. But mostly good. And we had a lot of laughs. We found a groove as Christopher and Paulie and I am proud to say I did a lot of my best and most fun work with my dear pal Tony. I will miss him forever. He is truly irreplaceable. I send love to his family, friends and his many many fans. He was beloved and will never be forgotten. Heartbroken today.”

Elon Musk Says Honestly, Nevermind to Twitter and Pulls His Offer to Buy Social Media Platform

Roger Friedman
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Elon Musk Says Honestly, Nevermind to Twitter and Pulls His Offer to Buy Social Media Platform

The party’s over. Elon Musk has decided to dump his Twitter offer for $44 billion. He sent the social media company a letter today saying that even though he builds rockets, sends people into space, is the richest guy in the world, he cant figure out how many Twitter users are real.

Twitter responded by saying they don’t care, they’ll sue him to make him cough up the money.

Here’s a link to Musk’s letter.

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1418091/000110465922078413/tm2220599d1_ex99-p.htm

Bret Taylor, CEO of Salesforce and chairman of Twitter responded: “The Twitter Board is committed to closing the transaction on the price and terms agreed upon with Mr. Musk and plans to pursue legal action to enforce the merger agreement. We are confident we will prevail in the Delaware Court of Chancery.”

Business sites and pundits will be venting their spleens on this subject. But Joe South said it best:

Whitney Houston Estate Launches New Foundation, August Gala Chaired by Jennifer Hudson, Tyler Perry

Roger Friedman
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Whitney Houston Estate Launches New Foundation, August Gala Chaired by Jennifer Hudson, Tyler Perry

Whitney Houston’s estate is getting back into the charitable fundraising business.

The new Whitney Houston Legacy Foundation has been established by the late singer’s sister-in-law and executor Pat Houston. To kick it off, they’re planning a gala in Atlanta on August 9th co-chaired by Tyler Perry and Jennifer Hudson. Cece Winans will perform.

The event is raising money for the Trinity Girls Network, founded in 2016 by Jacqueline Mohair, who is described as “a nationally known Transformational Business & Life Strategist, Advocate, Professor, Life Coach, Minister, Serial Entrepreneur, and Ambassador to the UN.”

I’m told the Legacy Foundation is considering this event a “soft” opening. There will be a bigger gala arranged around what would have been Whitney’s 60th birthday next summer.

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