Denzel
Washington is one of the very few movie stars who can put “butts
in the seats” as they say. According to Erik Childress of WCIU-TV and
WGN radio in Chicago, Washington has had only 4 films to date that have grossed
$100 million or more domestically, and yet he hasn’t had a film that has opened
below $20 million since 2003’s "Out of Time." Name me another actor or actress
who can make that claim.
So despite
mixed reviews, as expected, his anxiously awaited new film, "The Equalizer," was the No. 1 film this weekend, with $35 million, which was pretty much predicted for the film for its opening weekend.
And no
matter how you may feel about the film, let’s be honest about it, there’s a real
thrill and satisfaction seeing an older, mature guy who’s seen it all and “has
been beaten up by life”, as a friend of mine likes to say, just ripping the
crap out of a bunch wise ass, clueless, arrogant young punks. It sure makes me
feel good all over. It’s that basic and simple.
And if word of mouth is strong and holds, the film is projected to earn some $90-105
million domestically. However it does face some very stiff completion when
David Fincher’s much anticipated film version of the best-selling novel, "Gone
Girl," opens this Friday. The film is already getting some of the best
advance reviews for any film this year, and is seen to be a real Oscar contender
in all the major categories.
Meanwhile, last
week’s No. 1 film "Maze runner" dropped nearly 50%, but held on
good enough for second place, and "No Good Deed" dropped another 46%, but still
held on for 6th place, with nearly $50 million so far. Which brings
up the question I brought up two weeks ago: now that the film will gross well
over $50 million at the box office, will this boost Taraji P. Henson’s career or
not?
"Let’s Be
Cops" the never ending "Guardians of the Galaxy" and even "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" all stay firm in the top ten list.
