Posted on 07/22/2018 9:07:13 AM PDT by EdnaMode
In a battle of the sequels — and the sexes — Denzel Washington's R-rated action pic out-gunned the $34.4m debut of 'Mamma Mia 2.' In a summer box-office upset, Sony's R-rated The Equalizer 2 came in ahead of expectations to beat the star-studded Mamma Mia!: Here We Go Again with an estimated $35.8 million launch in North America.
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again grossed an estimated $34.4 million. The numbers could shift when final weekend earnings are tallied on Monday.
The female-fueled Mamma Mia 2 is by no means a disappointment and opened in line with expectations. As it turned out, Equalizer 2 beat projections, thanks to an ethnically diverse audience and keen interest among men. (Rival studios show the movie coming in closer to $35 million, but Sony is counting on a strong Sunday.)
Equalizer 2 is the first sequel of Washington's career. The first Equalizer was a sleeper hit in fall 2014 after opening to $34.1 million domestically. The budding franchise — both films were directed by Antoine Fuqua — follow the exploits of an ex-government operative drawn back into action. This time out, Washington's character is determined to exact revenge for the death of a friend. Males made up around 60 percent of ticket buyers.
(Excerpt) Read more at hollywoodreporter.com ...
Amazing actor. Hard to believe it's the performer in "Fences".
DENZEL!
Males made up around 60 percent of ticket buyers.
I bought my wife’s ticket. We both thoroughly enjoyed it.
Denzel Washington is currently our best voice in Hollyweird ... unashamed pro-life Christian Republican.
I don’t know if Denzel ever said he’s a Republican, I would imagine he’d have to play it ‘close to the vest’ on that front.
You couldn’t pay me to watch that garbage.
“I miss Edward Woodward though.”
And he loved the United States. He spoke about his love for America and the opportunities it gave him in the last years of his career on a number of occasions.
big question is whether MM2 has legs or will quickly fizzle ...
Denzel is an enjoyable actor to watch ... i know nothing about his politics, and that’s the way i like it!
And The Wicker Man (AVOID the Nicolas Cage remake.)
Loved how the critics rated Equalizer II as very low. The only critics are the people who buy the tickets and WE have spoken AGAIN!! It was a great movie by a great actor ... and one who isn’t spouting off lefty platitudes, just minds his own business. I’m going to catch this one twice.
The real question is why did MM2 cost more than EQ2. $34 million opening should be good for a romcom, but with a $75 budget it’s doomed. Once again they overspent to make a movie that should be successful a failure.
$35 isn’t exactly a blockbuster opening. Might not even make a profit depending on the drop off. Not really a round of cheers from the people.
I read a review; Denzel goes after the deep state in this one. Supposed to be good.
My husband has a Van den Plas. Beautiful car, rides like a dream....when it runs. We’ve spent more on repairs than we paid for it. It breaks his heart.
Many probably passed on it because of the terrible (and inaccurate) reviews by the “so called” critics.
Or possibly because it’s a sequel to a 4 year old movie and the time has passed. Or because the revenge thriller genre has become over filled and played out. Also it wasn’t advertised terribly well. Or maybe you’re just wrong and it’s not actually a good movie.
My Jag was actually a really good car. Only reason I got rid of it was it was getting old, 2006, and I travel a lot by myself. Was getting afraid of breakdowns while on the road. If it hadn’t been for that I would have kept it. She was still a beautiful car after being garaged and cared for since new.
I knew I would not pay to see it but was a little interested in MM2. I went to Moviespoiler.com and read it. I do that a lot. If people were going to see certain actors, they may be disappointed. Trying to be careful how I phrase that! But, now that word of mouth will be spread, we will see if it affects the momentum.
I love that movie! I don’t know how many times I’ve seen it, but if I’m flipping channels and it’s on, I watch it.
I hardly go to the movies anymore, so I guess I’ll have to wait until this one is online or on cable, but I might be convinced.
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