A Box Office Roundup – A Flop for Every Success.

This week, Stealth Media Films gives you a roundup of box offices on both sides of the Atlantic; as whilst one film rides high in the UK, another flops in the US.

What Works At the Box Office?

As a film finance company, Stealth Media Films takes box office numbers very seriously. Box office numbers are the most useful tool that we have to hand to determine how an audience has received the latest projects making a splash in the world of film.

Film audiences are funny things. You can put millions into a film and they hate it, whilst they take like a duck to water to a low budget indie flick that nobody expected to even make up its production costs. That wasn’t quite the case over the past seven days, but the numbers certainly were interesting.

Those Inbetweeners do it Again!

As far as UK markets go – you guessed it – the second Inbetweeners film still reigns supreme. This is the comedy film’s second consecutive week at the top of the UK box office.

According to Digital Spy, the second film instalment of the rude coming-of-age franchise raked in an impressive £4.3 million this week to once again top the UK box office. It pulled in more than Hollywood blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy and latest release, Expendables 3 – also considered a heavyweight.

Whilst Galaxy Rode High, Sin City 2 Monumentally Flopped

Meanwhile, the US markets certainly proved fascinating to watch over the past seven days. Whilst Guardians of the Galaxy did manage to top that market (they really love a big-budget flick over there) – similar Hollywood heavyweight Sin City 2, flopped so hard you could hear it from China!

The Sin City sequel – Sin City 2: A Dame to Kill, pulled in a paltry $6 million at the US box office. It came eighth in the list of top ten. Guardians meanwhile, pulled in almost three times as much – over $17 million.

There is no Proven Recipe for Success

These numbers have once again shown Stealth Media Films that it’s hard to predict what’ll prove a hit at the box office. Both films – the Inbetweeners and Sin City, were seen as proven recipes for success; yet only one was. Why that was, we can only speculate. 

Lauren Bacall Passes Away at the Age of 89

According to ABC News, Lauren Bacall died recently at the age of 89 from a stroke. It was announced on Twitter by the Estate of her late husband, Humphrey Bogart.

The sad news has prompted us here at Stealth Media Films to remember the life of Lauren Bacall; one of the most iconic stars of Hollywood’s golden era. A New-York native, who was noted for her sultry looks, electric talent and her fiery on-screen chemistry with eventual husband Humphrey Bogart, Lauran Bacall was one of the greatest actresses who’s ever lived.

Stealth Media Films’ Top Five Lauren Bacall Roles

What better way to celebrate the life and times of Lauren Bacall than to look at the roles that defined her prolific career. So what are Lauren Bacall’s best five movie roles of all time?

1)      Marie ‘Slim’ Browning, To Have and Have Not: Bacall’s first ever role, the character of Marie ‘Slim’ Browning in romance-war-adventure flick To Have and Have Not has to be the best of her career. Bacall’s turn as American wanderer Slim saw her star opposite prolific on-screen love interest and eventual husband Humphrey Bogart as fishing boat captain Harry Morgan. Their chemistry was simply out-of-this-world, and the role established Bacall a one of the most daring femme fatales to ever feature on the silver screen.

2)      Hannah Morgan, The Mirror Has Two Faces: Believe it or not, Bacall didn’t receive a single OSCAR nomination until she took on her heralded (and last major) role of Hannah Morgan in lonely hearts drama The Mirror Has Two Faces. As Hannah Morgan, the selfish mother of lead character Rose Morgan, played by the ever-talented Barbara Streisand, Bacall showed that sometimes, even the A-List saves the best for last.

3)      Vivian Sternwood Rutledge, The Big Sleep: A flick added to the National Film Registry by the US Library of Congress in 1997 for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant," The Big Sleep is one of the most classic film noir productions ever made. As Vivian Sternwood Rutledge, the ultimate mysterious femme fatale, Bacall established the infinite unflappability that would come to characterise everything she would later come to do.

4)      Nora Temple, Key Largo: The fourth and final collaboration Bacall would take on with real-life husband Humphrey Bogart, Bacall shines as Nora Temple in hostage flick Key Largo. This comes despite the fact that she’s upstaged by Claire Trevor, who clinched an OSCAR for her turn as Edward G Robinson’s boozy moll Gaye Dawn.

5)      Bond Rogers, The Shootist: A Western featuring John Wayne (the King of Westerns) in his last ever film role, The Shootist was an unusual project for Bacall and one of the few she took on in the 1970’s. Yet she rose to the occasion as Bond Rogers, Wayne’s widowed landlady who touched the hearts and minds of viewers around the world, showing the incredible versatility she displayed as an actress. 

A Tribute to Menahem Golan

This week Stealth Media Films pay tribute to acclaimed film maker Menahem Golan, who died last Friday in Tel-Aviv.

It’s the People behind the Camera who Make the Movie

There are people in this world who define what we see on the silver screen. Often we think of A-list actors as those behind bringing a movie to life. The Brad Pitts, Angelina Jolies, George Clooneys and Jennifer Anistons of this world.

But in actual fact, they are only a small part of it. The people really responsible for bringing the script to life are behind the camera; the directors, producers, script writers etc. That is why this week, Stealth Media Films wants to pay tribute to the passing of a truly talented film maker. This was the Israeli producer, Menahem Golan, who passed away last Friday in Tel Aviv.

Menahem Golan has an Impressive CV as a Film Producer

You might not know the name but you should. Menahem Golan has worked with some of the most recognise names in Hollywood. These include Jean-Claude Van Damme, Chuck Norris and Sylvester Stalone. Menahem is remembered for directing two Sylvester Stalone projects; Over the Top and Cobra.

With cousin and business partner Yoram Globus, he produced extremely ambitious projects such as Superman IV: The Quest for Peace alongside Christopher Reeve. The two also famously owned Elstree studios for some time. Golan was also known for his work on 1980’s action films such as Missing in Action, The Delta Force and Bloodsport.

Golan Changed the Cinematic Landscape as We Know It

According to the BBC, several of the stars that worked with Menahem have already spoken out in tribute. Van Damme tweeted "RIP, Menahem Golan." He went on to tweet "I love you and will always do." Chuck Norris also noted Menahem’s “faith” in him, for giving him his start in Hollywood.

Norris hit the nail on the head here. Yes, the actor may play the character, but we would never get the chance to see them in the role, if it weren’t for the people behind the camera. To produce such a stellar body of work, and collaborate with some of the most acclaimed names in the action movie world, suggests Golan was a truly talented film maker, who changed the cinematic landscape as we know it. 

Inbetweeners 2 smashes UK box office again

Here at Stealth Media Films we blogged a few weeks ago about the success of Mrs Browns Boys D Movie which was a massive hit at the UK box office.

On the back of Mrs Brown Boys success comes another UK TV show that’s turned into gold at the UK box office. The Inbetweeners 2 follows on the success of the first Inbetweeners film which back in 2011 was something of a surprise success at the cinema.

Biggest opening weekend of 2014

The sequel opened to a box office bonanza of £12.5 million over one weekend, this sort of return rivals even the biggest US hits and has set the record for the UK box office this summer so far. The Australian set youth comedy looks set to dwarf the original in terms of box office success.

Choosing to make a sequel to the first film seemed like a no-brainer when the Malia set first film hit box office pay dirt in 2011. However, there are always risks with follow-up films especially in the youth genre as the actors and characters age. This so far hasn’t proved an issue so far with the massively successful sequel.

What’s the story?

The first film involved the lads first holiday abroad, this time the boys are at University and Jay is on a gap year in Australia. Invariably, the lads make the trip around the world to catch up with the antics of their buddy.

The film is beautifully shot and makes the most of locations in Australia’s Gold Coast. The direction, by series creators Iain Morris and Damon Beesley is more cinematic than the original outing which felt a little like an extended episode of the original show.

Striking a chord

Youth films have often been a staple of the UK and world box office. George Lucas made one of his biggest hits with American Graffiti back in 1974 – this went onto be one of the most profitable films ever made. During the 80s the late John Hughes made a career from teenage films such as Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club and Ferris Buellers Day Off.

It seems the very British growing pains of the Inbetweeners have struck a chord with UK film goers of all ages. The Inbetweeners 2 has been said to be the last outing of the characters, but with this sort of box office success we wouldn’t be surprised to see them appear again in another film together.

Critical reaction

Reaction to the film from the British press has so far been genuinely positive with a few detractors due to some crudity in the humour. Here at Stealth Media Films we’ll be keeping an eye on the trend for UK coming of age films over the next few years, it seems the Inbetweeners 2 has really tapped into a market that’s hungry for British youth humour.

Highest paid actor goes to the “Iron Man”

Here at Stealth Media Films we’re really big fans of ‘Iron Man’ actor Robert Downey Jr. And we weren’t surprised to see him top the Forbes ‘highest earning actor’ list for a second year running.

It’s said that Downey Jr. has earned an estimated $75 million dollars in around 12 months! “Iron Man 3” made over a billion dollars in 2013 and Downey Jr. has other films set for stateside releases in 2014.

Early Days

Downey Jr. was born in 1965 in New York into a show business family headed by his father Robert Downey Sr. His father was an actor and film-maker and even used his young son in the film Pound. His parents divorced when he was eleven.

During the 80s Downey Jr. turned in a number of memorable performances in some cult films. Including a wacky comedy turn in the Rodney Dangerfield vehicle Back to School. His comedy background led him to be the first regular member of the Saturday Night Live troupe to be nominated for a best actor Oscar.

Troubles

It’s great to see that Downey Jr. has truly overcome his much publicized problems earlier in his career. Nearly going off the rails due to drug abuse, Downey even spent time in prison.

In the early 90s he took the lead role in Richard Attenborough’s Chaplin where he won plaudits playing the silent cinema genius Charles Chaplin.

Sherlock Holmes

Downey Jr. has had success with a number of films recently that have spawned multiple sequels. As well as the Iron Man franchise Downey Jr. has been a box office smash as Sherlock Holmes. He’s currently rumoured to be preparing for a third outing as the Victorian detective.

The Avengers series is currently filming a third outing, again featuring Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark/Iron Man persona. Another standalone Iron Man film may also be on the cards in the future.

Astonishing productivity

Since he put his past problems behind him, Downey Jr. has been astonishingly busy, with an acting work rate that would put most stars to shame. He’s appeared so many film roles that he really is one of the hardest working men in Hollywood.

Here at Stealth Media Films we’re pleased that Downey Jr. is achieving the popularity and success that his hard work deserves.

Courtney Love Calls For Kurt Cobain Biopic

Perennial tabloid stalwart Courtney Love has called for a biopic of the life of her husband; iconic Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, Stealth Media Films has learned.

Stealth Media Films Knows How to Spot an Opportunity

Here at Stealth Media Films we have grown, through our international operations, based in cinematic hubs such as Los Angeles, London and Munich, to become a key film finance firm on a global level.

We have evolved to become a player in international film finance, quite simply, because we know how to spot an opportunity; we know what works in film, what’ll rock the box office, and what’s flop harder than a tourist belly flopping into the hotel pool in Majorca.

Will this go the Way of Love’s Other Media Stunts?

That’s why we felt we had to comment on this latest move by everlasting publicity hound Courtney Love. It could provide an epic window into the life of one of rock and roll’s last true icons. Or, it could be a disaster of proportions usually reserved for Love’s latest media stunt.

We’re fans of the biopic to be sure; we think, if done right, it can shed new light on the people who have shaped the world in which we live. Unfortunately, biopics can be tenuous. Look at the recent ones about Dianna and Grace of Monaco.

What Are the Plans for a Kurt Cobain Biopic?

So what has Love actually said? Well, according to Digital Spy, Love has claimed that she herself is hoping to create a biopic of the life of the legendary Nirvana singer. Inquirer further reported that Love is currently looking into casting the flick.

Love commented that the biopic should start within the next year or so. She went on to talk about casting, saying: "I won't name names because I don't want to jinx it for anyone but these are 25-year-olds who are blonde, gorgeous and the new Brad Pitts. There's a ton of those. Some are really good actors, not just pretty faces... I don't want to be the person who makes that decision.”

At Stealth Media Films, We’ll Reserve Judgement

The thing is, at Stealth Media Films, we really want to be excited about this. We think a glimpse into the life of the 90’s most elusive rocker could be fascinating. However, it’s a project run by Courtney Love; human disaster machine. We’ll hold our judgement until we know more!

5 top Star Wars VII rumours

Here at Stealth Media Films we’re as excited as anyone about next year’s Star Wars VII. In the digital age the rumours around the hotly anticipated film are running wild on the internet. In fact, the chat has reached a crescendo this week with Luke’s severed hand and Jar Jar Binks’ return leading the way.

So, to save you time Googling what’s being said, we decided to put all the conjecture, rumour and outright fabrication in one easy to digest blogpost.

Luke’s missing hand

One rumour that surfaced to us seems, a little ridiculous. The rumour involves Luke’s severed hand landing on a distant planet. Presumably this is the hand that Darth Vader severed during the infamous “I am your father” sequence in Empire Strikes Back.

The rumour seems to have developed further and indicates that it’s not ‘that hand’. We’re big fans of the Star Wars series, and we can’t remember Luke losing two hands, so we’re a little confused about this.

The hand is supposedly found by John Boyega and Daisy Ridley who team with Han Solo to track down Luke and return the hand (which is still gripping a Lightsabre – ouch).

The Emperor strikes back

Ian McDiarmid is brilliant throughout the series as Emperor Palpatine. For those who recall, he’s killed off in Return of the Jedi. This fact, hasn’t stopped the rumour mill online, who claim that McDiarmid is set to return as an Obi style ghost.

McDiarmid was speaking at the London Film and Comic-Con earlier this month, where he said he was “definitely” not in “Episode VII. That’s put that to rest then, or has it?

Jar Jar is back

Jar Jar Binks is set to return? We’re not sure this much reviled character will be turning up in part VII. This hasn’t stopped the rumour mongers who claim that Jar Jar will be played by actor Andy Serkis.

Andy has been kind enough to reveal that he definitely won’t be playing Jar Jar Binks.

Darth Vader

Darth Vader died in Return of the Jedi, however, spies on the set have reported that Vader’s costume has been seen, namely the iconic helmet. The original sculptor of the helmet, Brian Muir, recently admitted online that he was returning to work on the new series.

He fuelled conspiracy theorists when he later deleted the post.

If any of these rumours prove to be true we at Stealth Media films wouldn’t be too surprised, it’s certainly fun speculating on what the film-makers have in store for a new generation of Star Wars films.