Posted on 07/04/2023 9:14:50 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
The summer’s biggest disappointment – and sleeper – are hitting theaters within days of each other.
“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” earned a measly $60 million at the U.S. box office over the weekend, combined with a lackluster global bow. Those numbers, paired with the film’s reported $295 million budget, mean Dr. Indiana Jones rides off into retirement in the red.
Meanwhile, a fledgling film studio’s second major release looks to score an impressive debut with a story unlike anything in the summer film marketplace.
“Sound of Freedom,” starring Jim Caviezel in a fact-based tale of child trafficking, already locked in $10 million in pre-sales before today’s official release. Angel Studios’ aggressive, pay-it-forward policy means it’s a likely hit before it graces a single screen.
The news is even better for the studio, which expanded beyond its small-screen offerings (Dry Bar Comedy, “The Chosen”) earlier this year with “His Only Son.”
The far-Left Deadline predicts “Sound of Freedom” will earn $20 million in its first six days of release on 2,600+ screens. That’s far fewer than “Dial of Destiny” (4,600) as well as south of most major film releases.
“Sound of Freedom” represents the ultimate in summer movie counter-programming. It’s serious, sober and a far cry from roller-coaster-style movies like “The Flash” and “Fast X.”
“Time and again, Angel fans have proven that they’ll support films that are entertaining and inspiring, and ‘Sound of Freedom’ is no exception,” said Jared Geesey, SVP of Global Distribution for Angel Studios in a statement. “We are now closer to our goal of selling two million tickets this opening week to symbolize the two million children who are trapped in the horrors of trafficking each year. ”
RELATED: WHY ARE STUDIOS STILL AFRAID OF CHRISTIANITY?
The film isn’t getting much help from Rotten Tomatoes.
The release isn’t featured in the “new and upcoming” section on its front page. The slideshow-like gallery showcases 20 films (both obscure and mainstream titles) but leaves “Sound of Freedom” out.
The site’s critical roundup, as of early July 4, stands at an impressive 85 percent/99 percent “fresh” rating from critics/audiences.
Variety gave the film a hearty recommendation, but not before attacking both Christians and conservatives in its review.
“Sound of Freedom” has been heavily marketed on right-wing media, like Ben Shapiro’s Daily Wire, and — one of the grand subtexts of all of this — in taking on the issue of the horrific criminals who kidnap and traffic children, the film could be seen as adjacent to the alt-right paranoia that was originally stoked by 4Chan and QAnon: the wing-nut conspiracy theory about a Washington, D.C., pizza parlor being a front for a pedophile ring, extending into the larger conspiracy theory that says that the culture of liberalism is a racket to protect and cover up the actions of pedophiles.
Child trafficking is a shocking and sad reality, which means the critic’s tangent makes no sense.
That hardly seems to matter for “Sound of Freedom,” a fact-based story on track to give Summer 2023 its biggest sleeper success story.
Disney owned the film for about 4 years when it bought 20th Century Fox, who originally made the film with its writer/producer.
But Disney wouldn’t release it. They also wouldn’t sell the rights back to the makers.
Its almost as thought they didn’t like the story about pedos getting outed....
How did they get it back from Disney?
Yoink.
That was going to be my question too.
So, what changed? Usually such a change has to do with some certain people leaving and other particular people becoming decision makers.
The man the movie is based on is a fraud. This story never happened
https://americancrimejournal.com/operation-underground-railroad-earns-47-million-in-2020/
I rarely go to the movies anymore, but this one is a ‘must see’
I haven't been able to find details, but it looks like a new distributor final was able to buy the rights
https://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/a-conspiracy-heavy-disney-reject-has-already-brought-in-10m-ahead-of-its-july-4-opening/
https://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/sound-of-freedom/
Various articles seem to indicate that Disney felt the movie was too "alt-right" as the story and movie involved people like Glenn Beck. I am sure for a woke company like Disney, the actor Jim Caviezel is also persona-non-grata.
I’m also curious. All I can find is that Disney bought Fox which included the rights to this movie. They shelved it and must’ve decided it wouldn’t make money so sold the rights. Wokeness aside, it’s not the kind of subject matter that usually has box office appeal particularly during the summer.
I don’t go to movie theaters anymore, but I’ll buy the DVD when it’s released and may buy a ticket anyway to show support.
May God use this film to open eyes and hearts to what’s happening in the slave trade of this century.
SOURCE:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Underground_Railroad
[EXCERPT]
Ballard stated that prior to founding O.U.R. (Operation Underground Railroad) he served 12 years as a U.S. Special Agent for the Department of Homeland Security, on the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) and the U.S. Child Sex Tourism Jump Team.
According to The Atlantic, “spokespeople for the CIA and DHS said they could not confirm Ballard’s employment record without his written permission, which he did not provide.”[5]
______________________________
QUESTION : Why do the CIA and DHS need Ballard’s written permission simply to confirm that he DID work for the DHS?
What’s so special about informing the public that he was a Special Agent for X number of years that requires his consent?
First screening of
‘Jesus Revolution’
I can wait on this.
My wife and I went to the theater today to see “Sound of Freedom.” It is a very good movie and I urge everyone to support the film.
I watched him and Caviezel being interviewed by Jordan Peterson last night.
My deadly instincts say Ballard's no fraud.
saw it today...intense...
That may very well be, but it doesn't invalidate this issue - human trafficking is real, and is made worse by:
Open borders, and
main-streaming of pornography.
We cannot (and should not) turn a blind eye to the darkness enveloping this nation.
Read through the article which had accusation after accusation with little evidence, Lots of cracks at the man and the LDS faith. The star of the movie, Jim C, is a staunch Catholics - man of faith. If he believes in this story, I’m okay with it. Because ultimately its not about Ballard; its about the absolute evil of child trafficking and pray God putting a stop to it.
I totally agree, he makes so many allegations but falls shorts of actual facts. His constant innuendos shows it was an opinion piece and not a piece involving actual evidence.
Saw Indiana Jones,enjoyed it
Ask yourself why this writer is so against people who are trying to stop child trafficking. And why are YOU?
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