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Box Office: “Elvis” Is a Hit, Crosses $76 Mil Mark in 12 Days, Sends Albums Up the Charts

Roger Friedman
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Box Office: “Elvis” Is a Hit, Crosses $76 Mil Mark in 12 Days, Sends Albums Up the Charts

Well, well.

There’s still an audience for Elvis Presley, and it’s a big one.

Warner Bros. is celebrating today. Over the weekend, Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” crossed the $76 million mark and could be headed to $100 million.

For the studio that has lived on DC Comics movies, this is a nice result. “Elvis” is not part of a ‘universe.’ It’s a standalone movie, a biopic with music, and a film aimed at adults. A lot of people said ahead of time that no one remembered Presley, that young people wouldn’t be interested.

But the naysayers were wrong, The movie has even sent Presley’s records up the charts. The movie soundtrack is number 8 on iTunes, and three different greatest hit collections are in the top 100.

Austin Butler is electric on screen, and the audience has responded. Tom Hanks is having his first hit in some time. Bravo!

Broadway: “Company” Gets Mid-Show Standing Ovations, “American Buffalo” A Gem

Roger Friedman
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Broadway: “Company” Gets Mid-Show Standing Ovations, “American Buffalo” A Gem

I caught up again with two Broadway shows this weekend. “Company,” which won Best Musical Revival, is set to close at the end of this month. “American Buffalo” will shutter at the end of this week.

Why “Company” is closing is beyond me. A packed performance on Saturday was not the usual matinee. It was full of young people, and lots of POC. There were two standing ovations– one for Patti Lupone when she finished “Ladies Who Lunch” and another for Katrina Lenk for “Being Alive.”

Lupone won the Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Lenk has been ignored by awards groups which is weird since she won Best Actress for “The Band’s Visit” not long ago. I was there on opening night last winter and appreciated her performance. But something has changed. Lenk has grown in the role. If Tony voters had seen her this weekend, she’d have won. She’s playing the central character Bobbi, who used to be a man in previous productions. Lenk is in almost every scene. She even sits and watches Lupone destroy the theater with “Ladies.” She is dazzling.

Lupone is not the only scene stealer in “Company.” Matt Doyle, who also won a Tony, nearly walks off with the show in the patter song, “Getting Married Today.” (Sondheim fans will notice this song reappears in a different form in “Sweeney Todd” as do some other rogue elements.) Marianne Elliot’s direction, which also won a Tony, is maybe the best here with the famous trick refrigerator filling in as an actual character. Kudos also to Jennifer Simard.

Everything about this production of “Company” will be memorable for time to come. It looked pretty sold out to me. See it before it closes…

SAM ROCKWELL. He lost the Tony to British actor Simon Russell Beale from “The Lehman Trilogy.” But when you see him “American Buffalo.” as Teach, it’s a star turn. The slicked back hair, aviator sunglasses, mismatched “cool” clothes, and the swagger: Teach was a part Rockwell was born to play. Laurence Fishburne does the heavy lifting as the straight man to Teach’s insanity, sometimes a thankless job, but he pulls it off with aplomb. Darren Criss is an essential part of the triangle in David Mamet’s famed play. This might be the best production I’ve seen since the Al Pacino staging in 1983. (Yes, I was there.) Just a few days left. And PS the junk shop set is worth the price of admission!

Only Wives in the Building: Yes, That Was Anne Stringfield, aka Mrs. Steve Martin, Knitting with Tina Fey

Roger Friedman
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Only Wives in the Building: Yes, That Was Anne Stringfield, aka Mrs. Steve Martin, Knitting with Tina Fey

We told you last year that Tina Fey has always joked about her resemblance to Steve Martin’s wife, Anne Stringfield.

Last fall, Stringfield put in a cameo on “Only Murders in the Building” and we told you about it.

Well, there was again in Episode 1 of Season 2 which dropped last Tuesday on Hulu. Episodes 3 and 4 drop Tuesday (or maybe tonight, after midnight).

That’s Stringfield continuing to play a knitting minion of Fey’s Cinda, the podcaster trying to get the best of Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. Cinda creepily is accompanied by women and assistants who look just like her. It’s an inside joke.

Last week’s episodes featured, among others, the legendary Shirley MacLaine, and Michael Rapaport, There are more cameos coming. Who killed Bunny? We have a ways to go yet.

Review: “Stranger Things” Gargantuan, Unnecessary Season 4 Scores with Matthew Modine, Sadie Sink, and Very Special Effects

Roger Friedman
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Review: “Stranger Things” Gargantuan, Unnecessary Season 4 Scores with Matthew Modine, Sadie Sink, and Very Special Effects

To tell you the truth, I was happy when Season 3 of “Stranger Things” ended. The story was wrapped up, we’d seen everything we needed to, and that was it.

But it’s never the end. So Season 4 is something like 14 hours, I’ve watched it. It’s gargantuan and unnecessary. The kids are now a lot older, so it’s not “Goonies ” revisited anymore. It’s almost “The Big Chill.” Someone on Twitter quipped that a lot of the kids look like they’re on their second marriages. It still cracks me up.

The best things about Season 4 are Sadie Sink as Max, the red haired heroine who listens to Kate Bush all the time; and Matthew Modine as Dr. Brenner, the mad scientist who created all this chaos for Hawkins, Indiana. Also in the forefront of the action is Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, the good girl torn between two guys and trying to save the world.

Who got the short stick this time? The adults. I mean, the older adults since the actors who play Nancy, Steve, Jonathan, Eddie, and Vecna/One are all between 25 and 30. Winona Ryder, David Harbour, and Brent Gelman are all sent to Russia for some reason, to be in the snow, a prison, and to fight green screen monsters. Instead of being integral to the main story, they are like a side dish. It’s too bad because they are the best actors on the show. Gelman is a hoot this time around as Murray.

But remember when Winona (Joyce) figured out the mysteries in the first season? She was so charming an unexpected, and the kids needed her. By the end of Season 4, Joyce (and Harbour’s Hopper and Gelman’s Murray) are ready to be sent to the nursing home.

Still there are lots of pleasures with “Stranger Things.” The special effects, costumes, lighting, sets are beyond compare. There are lots of “Easter eggs,” references to other movies and shows, to “Stranger Things” itself. I loved the Eddie Munson character who looked more like Eddie van Valen than the original. And the pizza delivery guy, Eduardo Franco, needs his own Seth Rogen movie. He’s the new Franco in the Rogen world (I don’t think he’s related to the other guy).

Was 14 hours worth it? OMG. I did it. That’s all I know. Not all at once, a couple at a time until the end, which was two hours and 22 minutes! Some things I didn’t understand. The kids go to a gun store called The War Zone and spend a fortune. How did they pay for it? How did they pay for anything? No one eats, bathes, or seems aware of anything in real life. I guess we just suspend disbelief. There are weird jumps where we’re supposed to assume things happened, and that’s okay, The real stars of “Stranger Things” are the film editors. I salute them.

As for Sink and Modine, they deserve Emmy nominations, I hope it works out. So does Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven. She’s still a teen, I have no idea how she carries this load. And the good news she will have a career well beyond the series. If it ever ends.

Hamptons Readies For Annual Foodie Extravaganza for Waxman Charity This Saturday

Roger Friedman
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Hamptons Readies For Annual Foodie Extravaganza for Waxman Charity This Saturday

It’s time once again this Saturday July 9th for the Great Foodie Extravaganza in the Hamptons.

The Hamptons Happening is for the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation. Over two dozen A list restaurants set up shop under the stars to raise money for this worthy cause.

(A lot of celebs show up at this thing. Among others look for actor Richard Kind, and I can’t say who else.) WCBS TV’s star newsman Chris Wragge will be master of ceremonies.

This year’s culinary honoree is Chef Julian Medina, Chef & Owner of Toloache, Tacuba, Coppelia, Kuxe, La Chula, and El Fish Shack. He’ll have all his restaurants there. Plus they’ve got everyone from Barney Greengrass to Magnolia Bakery and Phillippe Chow.

Other honorees include Bess Freedman, CEO of Brown Harris Stevens, Mark Melchiorre, Executive Managing Director, CIO & Head of Brean Investment Group, and Max Mara and Cristian Notari, CEO of Max Mara USA. 

Here’s the link to buy tickets.

“Minions” Breaks July 4th Opening Record for Animated Films, Universal Pictures Takes 3 of Top 5 for Weekend

Roger Friedman
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“Minions” Breaks July 4th Opening Record for Animated Films, Universal Pictures Takes 3 of Top 5 for Weekend

“Minions” is not about gatherings for prayer of 13 bar mitzvahed men. That’s “Minyans,” coming this winter at Sundance.

Just kidding!

“Minions” (subtitled “The Rise of Gru,” which is not a leavened bread) is the Universal Pictures animated film, sixth in its series, which just broke the 3 day July 4th weekend box office record for animated films. Total take (including the 4th): $128 million. As I noted yesterday, that’s more than Pixar’s “Lightyear” has made in three weeks.

Universal must have prayed, though and their prayers were answered. They have 3 of the top 5 movies this weekend. The others are the massive hit, “Jurassic Park Dominion” (which is not about dinosaurs eating voting machines) and “The Black Phone” (about the horrors of not being able to get an iPhone 13 in matte black).

Plus, Universal Focus is still on the charts with “Downton Abbey: A New Era,” which is also showing on Peacock (and has ruffled some feathers).

The kids obviously love “Minions,” and adults don’t mind taking them. Donna Langley, the amazing head of Universal, runs that studio with perfection. She is tops in Hollywood, and also a very smart lady. So congrats to her and the whole gang.

Claudia Conway, 17, Leads Pro-Choice Rally as Conservative Mom Kellyanne’s Book Drops Off Amazon Top 1000

Roger Friedman
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Claudia Conway, 17, Leads Pro-Choice Rally as Conservative Mom Kellyanne’s Book Drops Off Amazon Top 1000

Claudia Conway is a chip off the old block. Her father’s.

Claudia, now 17, is the daughter of ruthless liar, Trump supporter still, and danger to the republic Kellyanne Conway.

Over the weekend, Claudia led a pro-choice rally in Englewood, New Jersey and declared on Twitter that she wouldn’t be celebrating July 4th because of the Supreme Court rollback of Roe v. Wade.

Meanwhile, her mother’s book, “Let’s Return to the Dark Ages,” aka “Here’s the Deal,” dropped off Amazon’s top 1000 after a month in release. It’s one of the quickest disasters in book publishing history.

Claudia– who became famous on social media while her mom was busy fronting like a stooge for Trump in the White House press room– later appeared on “American Idol.” She had teenage ups and downs emotionally. But she clearly wants to stay in the spotlight even if it means going against everything Kellyanne and her former employer (maybe still, who knows) stand for.

Claudia — see below — proves to be an articulate communicator. Unfortunately, a stupid reporter for a local paper called her “potty-mouthed.” It couldn’t be less true. Claudia has turned a corner. I think we’re going to be hearing from her for a long time. Her father, George Conway, estranged from Kellyanne, and politically with Claudia, must be proud.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Rupert Murdoch Divorce: How Much Will it Cost Media Mogul to Gag Jerry Hall’s Large Family?

Roger Friedman
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Rupert Murdoch Divorce: How Much Will it Cost Media Mogul to Gag Jerry Hall’s Large Family?

The Rupert Murdoch-Jerry Hall divorce is not over by a long shot.

Even with a pre-nup, Murdoch has a big hill to climb before he’s severed from Hall for good.

The uncoupling may cost a lot more than thought. In the agreement to undo the six year marriage, Murdoch would definitely be asking Hall for a Non Disclosure Agreement. This would mean she’d be unable to talk about their marriage or him or his family. Or write a book about the whole experience.

But Hall is not alone. She has four children — Georgia May, Lizzie, James, and Gabriel — and they presumable know everything about the Murdochs– enough to fill several seasons of “Succession.” Murdoch would have to gag them, as well, and maybe even Hall’s four sisters — including twin Terry. For Murdoch, this will not be a bargain. Think of all those people writing books, selling stories to the tabloids! They all know where the liver spots are covered.

Right now, Hall is asking for spousal support. She deserves war pay. She took care of this old geezer for two years during the pandemic. She put in her time. She deserves to be compensated. Murdoch — probably with his children’s pressure — dumped her via email. That wasn’t smart. Instead of talking it out, they scorned Jerry Hall, a Texan through and through. She’s not going away quietly.

I’m rooting for Jerry, of course. Who isn’t? There’s almost no amount of money Rupert Murdoch would miss from his vaults. Let’s hope she backs a Brinks truck up to his wallet.

Deja Vu: Crosby, Stills & Nash Return to Spotify After Joe Rogan Boycott Without Neil Young or Joni Mitchell Songs

Roger Friedman
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Deja Vu: Crosby, Stills & Nash Return to Spotify After Joe Rogan Boycott Without Neil Young or Joni Mitchell Songs

Remember back when Spotify podcaster Joe Rogan was spouting misinformation about vaccines and COVID? Neil Young took his music from the streamer, followed by Joni Mitchell.

Right after that, Crosby, Stills and Nash all did the same.

Well, guess who’s back?

Crosby, Stills, and Nash have returned to Spotify as of yesterday according to Billboard.

But I can tell you that Neil and Joni have not caved in. Almost everything they could remove is still absent from the service.

Not only that: Neil’s famous album with the trio, “Deja Vu,” is only partially restored. The songs written by Young or Mitchell — including “Woodstock” and “Helpless” — are not available.

“Four Way Street,” the live album of “Deja Vu,” remains completely off of Spotify. So do any Young songs that appeared on any of the other guys’ solo albums.

I’m a little surprised about Nash and Crosby. They’ve always been politically active. But Spotify represents what’s left of income for most legacy artists. CDs don’t sell, vinyl is a niche market, and touring is iffy right now. The trio also sold their publishing rights and catalogs last year to different firms for cash. It may be that those groups have insisted on returning so their investments can be realized.

Animated Battle: “Minions” Makes More in Opening Weekend Than “Lightyear” Did in 3 Weeks

Roger Friedman
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Animated Battle: “Minions” Makes More in Opening Weekend Than “Lightyear” Did in 3 Weeks

The battle of the Summer 2022 animated films has been won.

Universal’s “Minions: The Rise of Gru” has stampeded Pixar’s “Lightyear.” We will never be the same!

In its opening weekend, “Minions” has made $108 million. In three days, it just “gru” and “gru” and “gru.”

That’s four million dollars more than “Lightyear” earned in three weeks.

Ouch!

“Minions” is eyeing a July 4th record opening for four days: $128 million. Who’d a thunk it?

“Lightyear” is a rare failure for Pixar, which made the mistake of creating a prequel with no attachment to the movies — the “Toy Story” series — it was prequelling.

Also, “Lightyear” is said to have cost $200 million to make. So unless it catches on with streaming or DVDs or the merchandise suddenly becomes collectible, the money is lost to the winds of time. Maybe Pixar can re-voice the whole thing with Tim Allen as a stunt. That’s the only way out.

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