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    Bill Bregoli - At The Movies - August 21st 2024

    enAugust 21, 2024
    What was the box office performance of Alien: Resurrection?
    How did Ridley Scott's involvement affect the film's release?
    What themes do 'Blink Twice' and 'The Forge' explore?
    What challenges do the characters face in 'Incoming' and 'Classified'?
    How did 'It Ends with Us' perform compared to sequels?

    Podcast Summary

    • Alien: Resurrection successAlien: Resurrection surprised the box office in August 2022, outperforming Deadpool: Wolverine and raking in $108 million worldwide, potentially due to Ridley Scott's involvement and theaters release.

      August 2022 at the box office saw a surprise hit with the new Alien film, Alien: Resurrection, outperforming expectations and taking the number one spot from Deadpool: Wolverine. With a domestic weekend gross of $45.1 million and a worldwide total of $108 million, the film is looking to make its money back. Ridley Scott's involvement likely played a role in the decision to release the film in theaters instead of just streaming. Deadpool: Wolverine slid down to second place but still made over $1.1 billion worldwide. Blake Lively's It Ends with Us was in third place, with a domestic total over $100 million and the best showing for a non-sequel this year. Notably, there have been many sequels performing well lately, but It Ends with Us could potentially start a new franchise, despite some behind-the-scenes drama between the cast and director.

    • Unconventional animation, remakesStop-motion animation film Twisters and remake of The Crow, starring Bill Skarsgard and FKA Twigs, surprised at the box office, making over $8.9 million and $12 million respectively, marking directorial debut of Zoey Cravitz

      Unconventional animation and remakes continue to find success in the film industry. Twisters, a stop-motion animation film by Leica Animation, surprised with a strong fifth-place showing at the box office, making over $8.9 million. Another surprise hit was "The Crow," a remake of the 1994 film, which stars Bill Skarsgard and FKA Twigs, and has grossed impressive numbers in its opening week. Additionally, it marks the directorial debut of Zoey Cravitz, Lenny Cravitz's daughter, adding to the intrigue of this dark and creepy film. Despite the tragic backstory of Bruce Lee's son's death during the production of the original, the new version of "The Crow" has breathed new life into the franchise. These examples demonstrate that unique storytelling and timeless themes can resonate with audiences, regardless of the format or the source material.

    • Identity and Self-DiscoveryTwo intriguing films, 'Blink Twice' and 'The Forge,' explore themes of identity and self-discovery in unique ways. 'Blink Twice' encourages trusting instincts and questioning reality, while 'The Forge' inspires self-improvement and finding one's place.

      Both "Blink Twice" and "The Forge" explore the themes of identity and self-discovery in unique and intriguing ways. "Blink Twice" follows a young cocktail waitress named Frieda who joins a billionaire on his private island for a dream vacation, only to realize something sinister is happening. As she searches for her missing best friend, she uncovers the island's dark secrets. "The Forge," on the other hand, tells the story of a young black man who, a year out of high school, is still without a job or direction in life. When his mother gives him an ultimatum, he embarks on a journey of self-improvement and self-discovery. Both films offer surprises and suspense, promising to keep audiences engaged and guessing. "Blink Twice" encourages us to trust our instincts and question what we see, while "The Forge" inspires us to step up and find our place in the world. Overall, these films offer thought-provoking narratives that explore the complexities of identity and the importance of self-discovery.

    • Unexpected life turnsLife can take unpredictable turns, leading to dangerous situations and unexpected alliances. Be prepared and address potential issues, such as drug use and difficult relationships.

      Life can take unexpected turns, sometimes leading to dangerous situations and unexpected alliances. In the movie "Incoming" on Netflix, a woman tries to leave her abusive husband and lets strangers stay, with disastrous results. Meanwhile, on Hulu, "The Dive" follows two sisters as one is trapped underwater, relying on her sister for survival. On Amazon Prime, "Classified" tells the story of a young woman's life upheaval when sent to live with her father in South Africa and attend an elite school. These stories remind us that life can be unpredictable and that we must be prepared for the unexpected, whether it's dealing with difficult relationships or dangerous situations. Additionally, the portrayal of teenage behaviors in "Incoming," such as drug use and partying, highlights the importance of addressing these issues and providing resources for those in need.

    • August movie releasesAugust offers viewers the chance to watch lengthy movies at home with the freedom to control playback, featuring releases like 'Horizon' and 'American Saga' on streaming platforms

      The upcoming month of August offers an opportunity to catch up on longer movies that were previously only available in theaters, but can now be watched at home with the convenience of pausing or fast-forwarding. For instance, viewers can finally see Kevin Costner's "Horizon" and "American Saga," which were criticized for their length but may now be more accessible due to their release on streaming platforms. The discussion also touched upon the intrigue of discovering a stepmother's connection to the CIA, but ultimately, the focus was on the upcoming viewing options for August. Overall, the ability to watch lengthy movies at home with the freedom to control the playback is a significant advantage for viewers, making August an exciting month for movie enthusiasts.