Monday, July 30, 2018

"Mamma Mia!" sequel continues strong run at box office

In it's second weekend, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again took in another $15 million, bringing its domestic total to $70m.  Box Office Mojo reported that the film had a larger drop than expected (45%), but it still came in second after the debut of Tom Cruise's latest Mission Impossible entry.

A strong international showing brings the film's worldwide total to a hefty $168 million already. I don't expect it to reach the levels of the original, which topped $600m, but good reviews and positive word of mouth will hopefully propel this to a similarly strong finish. 



Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Eliza Scanlen likely to join "Little Women"

We may have completed our quartet of March sisters. Australian Eliza Scanlen is reportedly in consideration for director Greta Gerwig's upcoming remake of Little Women. Scanlen most recently starred alongside Amy Adams in HBO's Sharp Objects. She would play the oft-ill sister, Beth. Variety reported that she tested opposite Emma Stone (Meg) earlier this month and evidently did well.

I'd never heard of Scanlen before this news, but it's good to see that the entire cast won't be completely A-list. That can almost get a little distracting, to be honest. Scanlen and Stone will join Saoirse Ronan as Jo and Florence Pugh as youngest sister, Amy. The only other main character we have yet to hear about is that of Marmee, mother to the March girls.

Filming is set for October.




Sunday, July 22, 2018

Film review: "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" (2018)

My friend Scooter and I caught a matinee of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again yesterday. In the preceding couple of days, it was already apparent that the sequel was poised to establish itself as a formidable follow-up to the immensely popular original. Released almost ten years to the date of its predecessor, this second iteration has a distinction that the first installment failed to garner: critical praise. Yes, with a Rotten Tomatoes score at 78%, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, while not a consensus gem, is somewhat surprisingly appeasing critics with its more polished execution.

Both Scooter and I agreed that the first quarter of the film dragged a bit. It opens with Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) busily preparing for the reopening of her mother's hotel. We learn early that Meryl's character Donna has indeed passed, thus striking the emotional drive for both the present-day events and flashback sequences. Considering Meryl was barely in the movie until a single scene at the end (with a touching performance of My Love, My Life), my favorite scenes were with Lily James, who plays the young Donna. She is an absolute joy to watch onscreen. Beautiful, energetic, glowing, with a light, yet lovely voice. We're given a glimpse into how she met Sophie's "three fathers." And while it was particularly silly to believe she would run into a devilishly handsome contemporary every fifty paces, it was nonetheless enjoyable to follow as their relationships unfold. I admit I developed a little crush on Josh Dylan, who plays young Bill (Stellan SkarsgĂ„rd).



Comic relief was adeptly provided by both Julie Walters (Rosie) and especially Christine Baranski (Tanya), with such irreverant quips from Tanya as "be still my beating vagina." Alexa Davies (young Rosie) and Jessica Keenan-Wyn were delightful as their twenty-something counterparts.

And then of course there's queen Cher. Portraying Ruby, Donna's mother and Sophie's grandmother, she flies in on a helicopter to crash the hotel's opening extravaganza. I told some friends that she's very Cher-y in her fun performance of Fernando with Andy Garcia, who portrays the hotel manager, Fernando, extraordinarily a former lover of Ruby's. Overall, pretty much only Meryl and Cher sounded like professional singers, but that's sort of the tone of the film, I guess, and it didn't really bother me. 

Numbers are still trickling in from the box office, but the opening weekend is likely to land around $34 million, slightly under the projected total of $40m. Worldwide, it's already hit a total of over $76 million, opening in multiple large international markets simultaneously with its U.S. release.

As I had mentioned in a previous post, part of the appeal of this film is likely the simple fact that it's fun. While there are some sentimental or even sad scenes, those moments lend the film a more touching human element, despite its often predictable, corny dialogue. I have only seen the first film once (opening weekend 2008), and frankly have had little interest in a second viewing. For part two, however, I just might have to get myself to the theater for another dose.

Thursday, July 19, 2018

"Little Women" set for Christmas 2019 release

Box Office Mojo has updated its release schedule to include "Little Women" for Christmas Day 2019. This position suggests that Sony expects the film to be an awards player (duh), as well as a potential holiday box office hit. The 1994 version was also released around the holidays, with the film's snowy settings a natural fit for a December premiere.

Of course this date is subject to change, but it's sort of a no-brainer for this level of project. Shooting is set to begin in October. 

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Positive reviews flowing in for "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again"

Well color me surprised. The first critic reviews started coming in yesterday for Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, and I'm guessing I'm not the only one who wasn't expecting such a positive response. As this goes to post, with 57 reviews counted on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is sitting at a very strong 86%. Dozens of additional reactions will of course trickle in over the coming days, but at this point, that number is extremely encouraging. Even Metacritic, with it's weighted scale, has the film at a respectable 65, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.

The sequel is probably just overall a better picture. From the trailers, the cinematography and camera angles seem a little more sophisticated (not that I'm an expert) than the original, which, in comparison, topped out at a tepid 54% on RT. Well done, Ol Parker. 

Even though Meryl is only making a cameo, anytime something she's involved in is well-received, it's exciting. Hopefully the reviews forecast a hefty performance at the box open as well!

Monday, July 16, 2018

Streep attends premiere of "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again"

Meryl was in London today for the premiere of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.


A lot of eyes were of course on the newest cast member, Cher. She and Meryl actually shared a kiss at one point on the blue carpet, no doubt to screams from onlookers. Streep's attendance seemed to put to rest fears from a few remaining naysayers out there who still weren't convinced that she actually made an appearance in the film at all. 

The film opens nationwide in the States on Friday. I'll be catching a Saturday matinee with Scooter. 

Additional photos of Meryl from the premiere can be found here





Thursday, July 12, 2018

Streep performs three songs on soundtrack to "Mamma Mia!" sequel

The soundtrack for Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again will be released tomorrow (Friday) Meryl is listed three times on the recently revealed tracklist:

• When I Kissed the Teacher - Lily James, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Alexa Davies and Celia Imrie

• I Wonder (Departure) - Lily James, Jessica Keenan Wynn and Alexa Davies

• One of Us - Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper

• Waterloo - Hugh Skinner and Lily James

• Why Did It Have to Be Me? - Josh Dylan, Lily James and Hugh Skinner

• I Have a Dream - Lily James

• Kisses of Fire - Panos Mouzourakis

• Andante, Andante - Lily James

• The Name of the Game - Lily James

• Knowing Me, Knowing You - Jeremy Irvine, Lily James, Pierce Brosnan and Amanda Seyfried

• Angel Eyes - Christine Baranski, Julie Walters and Amanda Seyfried

• Mamma Mia - Lily James, Jessica Keenan Wynn and Alexa Davies

• Dancing Queen - Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard, Amanda Seyfried, Christine Baranski, Julie          Walters and Pierce Brosnan

• I've Been Waiting for You - Amanda Seyfried, Christine Baranski and Julie Walters

• Fernando - Cher and Andy Garcia

• My Love, My Life - Amanda Seyfried, Lily James and Meryl Streep

• Super Trouper - Cher, Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Pierce Brosnan, Colin      Firth, Stellan Skarsgard, Andy Garcia, Amanda Seyfried, Dominic Cooper, Lily James, Jessica      Keenan Wynn and Alexa Davies

• The Day Before You Came - Meryl Streep

Lily James is obviously a large part of the picture, based solely how much she's represented in the recording. I'm particularly looking forward to hearing "My Love, My Life."  "The Day Before You Came" is likely Meryl's big moment in the film.

Earlier today there was also a new featurette where Meryl discusses her involvement:


The film opens next Friday, July 20.

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Disney changes "Mary Poppins Returns" release date

Disney has slightly bumped up the release date for Mary Poppins Returns from Christmas Day to 12/19. This may not seem like that big of a deal, but with Christmas on a Tuesday this year, moving the film's release up to the prior Wednesday may signal confidence in its box office potential from the studio. By the time Christmas Day comes to a close, we will have a full seven days of receipts to take the temperature of the film's reception.

This move will also wreak havoc for other studios, who are now likely going to have to reconsider their slates for the entire month of December. I doubt Disney is too worried about it. 

Sunday, July 8, 2018

New scenes from "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again"

Some new scenes were recently released from the upcoming Mamma Mia! sequel:



It heavily features Cher, who portrays Meryl's mother in the film. After watching this, I'm actually starting to look forward to the film. I've mentioned in previous posts that the production quality seems pretty good and that it's colorful and bright. Even if the film doesn't end up being what most critics would call a good film, or if it's cheesy and campy and predictable, it will likely provide something that I can remember Meryl describing about the original.

She had originally seen the show on Broadway shortly after 9/11, and recalled that the buoyancy and fun of the production was uplifting to her and the group of kids she had taken as part of her daughter's birthday party. It was a dark and somber time in the United States, and with the way things are currently going here, I'm realizing that I'm craving over-the-top happy things again, regardless of their artistic merit.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again opens nationwide July 20.

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Streep to play Aunt March in "Little Women" reboot

According to the Los Angeles Times, Meryl will be portraying wealthy Aunt Josephie in Greta Gerwig's upcoming adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. Since the news broke last week that Meryl was attached to participate in the project, it was widely reported and assumed that Streep would portray Marmee, mother to the March girls. But producer Robin Swicord, who wrote the screenplay to the 1994 film version, is quoted as saying that Meryl will in fact portray Aunt March instead.

It sort of makes sense if we think about the age. Streep, at 69, might be too much of a stretch to play the mother of early 20-something girls. Not that Meryl couldn't pass for early to mid 50s, but the role of Aunt March seems more realistic. What's interesting about the article is that it suggests that the role may be a bit juicer than that of Marmee.  After watching the 1994 film for the first time this weekend (don't hate), I was sort of disappointed that Susan Sarandon seemed to have so little to do. If Gerwig is indeed focusing more on the girls' experiences as young adults, the role of Aunt March may be more prominent, as she regularly tries to influence the girls life choices, with varying levels of success.

Here's hoping that Greta has made it worth Meryl's while. Filming is set to begin on October 1.