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Back Seat Box Office Shows

Back Seat Box Office #194

Help Support Lilly’s Pediatric Cancer Treatment
Lilly and her family need your help (Brittney’s video)

Congrats to our Cougron and Tad for scoring another entry for the Amazon $25 gift card contest.

Jeff

1. How To Train Your Dragon 2
2. 22 Jump Street
3. The Fault In Our Stars
4. Edge of Tomorrow
5. Maleficent

Art, BrittDoesIt

1. How To Train Your Dragon 2
2. 22 Jump Street
3. The Fault In Our Stars
4. Edge of Tomorrow
5. Maleficent

Art’s House:
Jeff picks The Rover
Art picked The Ivory Tower
Father Beast picks The Signal

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Announcement

Weekend Box Office: Jun 6-Jun 8

#1 The Fault in our Stars from Fox opened at #1 with a gross of $48 million in 3,173 theaters.  Budget was $12 million.

#2 Maleficent from Buena Vista fell from #1 to #2 with a gross of $34.3 million (-50.6%) in 3,948 theaters.  Total gross to date is $128.2 million.  Budget was unknown.

#3 Edge of Tomorrow from Warner Bros. opened at #3 with a gross of $28.8 million in 3,490 theaters.  Budget was $178 million.

#4 X-Men: Days of Future Past from Fox fell from #2 to #4 with a gross of $15.2 million (-53.4%) in 3,639 theaters (-362).  Total gross to date is $189.6 million.  Budget was $200 million.

#5 A Million Ways to Die in the West from Universal fell from #3 to #5 with a gross of $7.3 million (-56.3%) in 3,160 theaters (+2).  Total gross to date is $30.3 million.  Budget was unknown.

#6 Godzilla from Warner Bros. fell from #4 to #6 with a gross of $6.1 million (-49%) in 3,110 theaters (-391).  Total gross to date is $185.2 million.  Budget was $160 million.

#7 Neighbors from Universal fell from #6 to #7 with a gross of $5.3 million (-34.1%) in 2,674 theaters (-265).  Total gross to date is $137.9 million.  Budget was $18 million.

#8 Blended from Warner Bros. fell from #5 to #8 with a gross of $4.1 million (-49.4%) in 2,928 theaters (-627).  Total gross to date is $36.6 million.  Budget was $40 million.

#9 Chef from Off Road Films held at #9 with a gross of $2.6 million (+37.2%) in 1,298 theaters (+674).  Total gross to date is $10.4 million.  Budget was unknown.

#10 Million Dollar Arm from Buena Vista fell from #8 to #10 with a gross of $2 million (-43.5%) in 1,643 theaters (-686).  Total gross to date is $31.6 million.  Budget was $25 million.

#11 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 from Sony/Columbia fell from #7 to #11 with a gross of $1.9 million (-48.1%) in 1,481 theaters (-671).  Total gross to date is $196.4 million.  Budget was unknown.

#12 Belle from Fox Searchlight fell from #11 to #12 with a gross of $778 thousand (-38.2%) in 476 theaters (-49).  Total gross to date is $7.6 million.  Budget was unknown.

Sources:

Box Office Mojo

 

Categories
Back Seat Producers Season 09 Shows

BSP Episode 320: Godzilla

Join the gang as they discuss the 2014 film Godzilla.

  • Directed by Gareth Edwards
  • Written by Max Borenstein
  • Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bryan Cranston, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen, Sally Hawkins, Juliette Binoche, David Strathairn

This time, it will be different! This Godzilla pretends that the whole Matthew Broderick/Roland Emmerich Godzilla debacle of 1998 never happened and that we’re back to the basics, back to the old Godzilla storylines we’re used to. In today’s environment, though, there’s the cushy advantage of better digital technology, allowing Godzilla and other giant creatures—in this case, MUTOs—to come to life in all their gross and city-destroying glory. In this reboot, Bryan Cranston is, for some reason, a nuclear engineer living and working in Japan when a terrible attack occurs that he cannot explain. His son, played by the guy who was Kick Ass, grows up and joins the Army and has to spring to action when attacks start happening. Then we learn why: Godzilla and now MUTOs are threatening everyone on Earth. Now get to destroyin’ stuff!

Worth noting:

  • Do you know what a Cassingle is? Let the old people of BSP clue you in.
  • Tony discussing his stack of floppy disks. We’re all about outdated storage technology here.
  • When we finally talk about Godzilla, we have mixed reactions. One called it fantastic while another called it terrible. Let’s discuss this.
  • Side note: seems like there are sure a lot of white people living and speaking English in Japan.
  • We address the Fat Godzilla so-called controversy. And yes, Godzilla is fat, played perfectly by Andy Serkis. David is particularly impressed by this. He’s easily impressed by things.
  • Godzilla is an over-the-top monster and disaster movie. Maybe you’ll like that, maybe you won’t.

Discussing this film:

  • Tony
  • Darrell
  • Jolie
  • David

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Back Seat Book Club Shows

Back Seat Book Club – Book Twenty-One: The Master & Margarita

Author: Mikhail Bulgakov, Translators: Katherine Tiernan O’Connor & Diana Burgin

Published: 1966

Vintage

Plot Summary – .Combining two distinct yet interwoven parts-one set in ancient Jerusalem, one in contemporary Moscow-the novel veers from moods of wild theatricality with violent storms, vampire attacks & a Satanic ball; to such somber scenes as the meeting of Pilate & Yeshua, & the murder of Judas in the moonlit garden of Gethsemane; to the substanceless, circus-like reality of Moscow. Its central characters, Woland (Satan) & his retinue-including the vodka-drinking, black cat, Behemoth; the poet, Ivan Homeless; Pontius Pilate; & a writer known only as The Master, & his passionate companion, Margarita-exist in a world that blends fantasy & chilling realism, an artful collage of grostesqueries, dark comedy & timeless ethical questions. Though completed in 1940, The Master & Margarita wasn’t published in Moscow until 1966, when the 1st part appeared in the magazine Moskva. It was an immediate & enduring success: Audiences responded with great enthusiasm to its expression of artistic & spiritual freedom.

Quick Thoughts:

  • Scott is not a hipster, just cooler than popular fiction. There’s a difference
  • The Devil went down to Moscow…to screw with people… for some reason.
  • ‘Pretty Goshdarned Russian’ literature.
  • Bad intentions and good results.
  • Jesus; really nice crazy guy
  • Black Mass(?) Dead dude party. Being a witch is fun.
  • Talking Cats and psychopaths
  • I give up on Russian names
  • Shout-outs to Faust
  • Satire hasn’t aged well/osmosed into popculture well.
  • Sympathy for the Devil. Not literally, just the Stones tune.
  • ‘Manuscripts don’t burn’

Recorded: 05/28/14

“But would you kindly ponder this question: What would your good do if 
evil didn’t exist, and what would the earth look like if all the shadows 
disappeared? After all, shadows are cast by things and people. Here is the 
shadow of my sword. But shadows also come from trees and living beings. 
Do you want to strip the earth of all trees and living things just because 
of your fantasy of enjoying naked light? You’re stupid.” 

Next Time: Rainbows End by Vernor Vinge

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Back Seat Box Office Shows

Back Seat Box Office #193

Help Support Lilly’s Pediatric Cancer Treatment
Lilly and her family need your help (Brittney’s video)

Congrats to our new player, Brittney. She got a 25 last week, is in first place and received an entry for the Amazon $25 gift card.

Jeff

1. The Fault in our Stars
2. Edge of Tomorrow
3. Maleficent
4. X-Men: Days of Future Past
5. A Million Ways to Die in the West

Art

1. Edge of Tomorrow
2. Maleficent
3. The Fault in our Stars
4. X-Men: Days of Future Past
5. A Million Ways to Die in the West

BrittDoesIt

1. Maleficent
2. Edge of Tomorrow
3. The Fault in our Stars
4. X-Men: Days of Future Past
5. A Million Ways to Die in the West

Art’s House:

Jeff picked Obvious Child
Art picked Trust Me

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Categories
Announcement

Weekend Box Office: May 30-Jun 1

#1 Maleficent from Buena Vista opened at #1 with a gross of $69.4 million in 3,948 theaters.  Budget was unknown.

#2 X-Men: Days of Future Past from Fox fell from #1 to #2 with a gross of $32.6 million (-64.2%) in 4,001 theaters (+5).  Budget was $200 million.

#3 A Million Ways to Die in the West from Universal opened at #3 with a gross of $16.8 million in 3,158 theaters.  Budget was unknown.

#4 Godzilla from Warner Bros. fell from #2 to #4 with a gross of $16.8 million (-61.2%) in 3,501 theaters (-451).  Total gross to date is $174.4 million.  Budget was $160 million.

#5 Blended from Warner Bros. fell from #3 to #5 with a gross of $8.14 million (-43%) in 3,555 theaters.  Total gross to date is $29.4 million.  Budget was $40 million.

#6 Neighbors from Universal fell from #4 to #6 with a gross of $8.08 million (-42.4%) in 2,939 theaters (-327).  Total gross to date is $129 million.  Budget was $18 million.

#7 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 from Sony/Columbia fell from #5 to #7 with a gross of $3.8 million (-51.7%) in 2,152 theaters (-1,008).  Total gross to date is $192.7 million.  Budget was unknown.

#8 Million Dollar Arm from Buena Vista fell from #6 to #8 with a gross of $3.6 million (-48.5%) in 2,329 theaters (-690).  Total gross to date is $28 million.  Budget was $25 million.

#9 Chef from Off Road Films held at #9 with a gross of $1.9 million (-15.7%) in 624 theaters (+126).  Total gross to date is $6.8 million.  Budget was unknown.

#10 The Other Woman from Fox fell from #7 to #10 with a gross of $1.4 million (-62.6%) in 1,114 theaters (-1,040).  Total gross to date is $81.1 million.  Budget was $40 million.

#11 Belle from Fox Searchlight rose from #12 to #11 with a gross of $1.3 million (-23.9%) in 525 theaters (+72).  Total gross to date is $6.2 million.  Budget was unknown.

#12 Rio 2 from Fox fell from #8 to #12 with a gross of $1.1 million (-54.8%) in 983 theaters (-718).  Total gross to date is $124.3 million.  Budget was $103 million.

The combined gross of the top 12 movies this weekend was $160.1 million.

Sources:
Box Office Mojo

 

Categories
Back Seat Producers Season 09 Shows

BSP Episode 319: True Detective

Join the gang as they discuss the 2014 HBO TV show True Detective.

We’re deviating from regularly scheduled programming this week to talk about True Detective because Jolie and David just wouldn’t shut up about it. True Detective is the grand 8-episode crime drama from HBO telling the story of two state police officers in Louisiana solving a grisly murder involving a dead naked woman with satanic overtones at the crime scene. We soon learn that the show is partly about the mystery but mostly about the complex relationship between Marty and Rust, characters with very different worldviews. Also, True Detective is further proof that McConaughey is killing it these days. Dude is unstoppable with great acting roles.

Worth noting:

  • Two phrases that shouldn’t go together: Snakes on a Plane and brilliant marketing.
  • An important public service announcement about how ladies like to party; alternately, Schrödinger’s party.
  • Some of us think this is the best thing on television since Breaking Bad. Others are impressed but didn’t like the ending that much.
  • In which we spend nearly an entire episode discussing plot points, acting, writing choices. Yes, nearly an entire episode spent discussing the topic at hand because we’re so fancy.
  • What are your favorite terrible euphemisms for sex?
  • Ultimately, True Detective is highly recommended.

Featured in this episode:

  • Tony
  • Jolie
  • David

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Back Seat Box Office Shows

Back Seat Box Office #192

Help Support Lilly’s Pediatric Cancer Treatment
Lilly and her family need your help (Brittney’s video)

Congrats to Cougron, Nick (and Art) for their High Score of 25. Cougron and Nick have scored another entry for the Amazon $25 gift card.

Jeff and BrittDoesIt

1. Maleficent
2. X-Men: Days of Future Past
3. A Million Ways to Die in the West
4. Godzilla
5. Blended

Art
1. X-Men: Days of Future Past
2. Maleficent
3. A Million Ways to Die in the West
4. Godzilla
5. Blended

Art’s House:

Jeff picked Filth
Art picked Night Moves

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Categories
Back Seat Producers Season 09 Shows

BSP Episode 318: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Join the gang as they discuss the 2014 film The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is the follow-up to the follow-up of the Spider-Man franchise. Not to be confused with the three Spider-Man movies of about a decade ago, this reboot start Andrew Garfield, the still wise-cracking young kid who get bitten by a mutated spider and blah, blah, blah, Spider-Man happens, though this time flashier, quippier, and hunkier than in the Sam Raimi version of the story. In The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Spidey and Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy discover the sinister powers of Electro, the maddening of one Harry Osborn, and why it’s probably best to stay away from Paul Giamatti if he’s got head tattoos.

Worth noting:

  • On Archon and the epic racism saga.
  • Except for a few stragglers, this movie was well-hated, sometimes with passion.
  • Is this movie really a Schumacher-era Batman movie?
  • Sony ruined Spider-man. There. We said it.
  • No discussion of the Amazing Spider-Man reboot is complete without talking about the last Spider-Man reboot. You know, that one that just came out a decade ago.
  • Surprise, surprise, this movie has inconsistencies in storytelling.

Featured in this episode:

  • Tony
  • Darrell
  • Jolie
  • David

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Categories
Back Seat Box Office Shows

Back Seat Box Office #191

Help Support Lilly’s Pediatric Cancer Treatment
Lilly and her family need your help (Britney’s video)

Congrats to Nick (and Jeff) for their High Score of 25. Because of this, Nick has earned his first entry for the Amazon $25 gift card. Keep it going, Nick!

We had some more tehnical difficulties this week. No more echo but we ended up with volume differences between Art and myself.

Jeff
1. X-Men: Days of Future Past
2. Godzilla
3. Blended
4. Neighbors
5. Million Dollar Arm

Art
1. X-Men: Days of Future Past
2. Godzilla
3. Blended
4. Neighbors
5. The Amazing Spiderman 2

Art’s House:
Jeff picked Lila, Lila
Art picked Cold in July

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