Tag: Miracle

The Way Back Box Office Prediction

Director Gavin O’Connor is known for his sports dramas like 2004’s Olympic hockey recounting Miracle with Kurt Russell and the MMA pic Warrior starring Tom Hardy and Nick Nolte. The filmmaker is back in the genre next weekend with The Way Back, which centers on Ben Affleck as a basketball coach struggling with addiction. Costars include Al Madrigal, Michaela Watkins, Janina Gavankar, and Glynn Turman.

O’Connor’s biggest box office opening came outside the genre in 2016 with his thriller The Accountant, which also starred Affleck. That pic surprised prognosticators with a debut of nearly $25 million. Miracle had the Disney marketing machine behind it (and a well-known story about a game that just celebrated its 40th anniversary). It made nearly $20 million. On the other hand, Warrior struggled with just over $5 million.

The Way Back, despite Affleck promoting it all over sports media, is not expected to be a breakout success. Solid reviews (not out yet) could help it achieve more than the expected  range of high single to low double digits. As of now, that general forecast appears likely.

The Way Back opening weekend prediction: $8.3 million

For my Onward prediction, click here:

https://toddmthatcher.com/2020/02/27/onward-box-office-prediction/

The Accountant Box Office Prediction

It’s been a busy year for Mr. Ben Affleck as he made his debut as the Caped Crusader in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and will unveil his next directorial effort, the Prohibition era crime drama Live by Night, this December. And that’s not all because next weekend comes The Accountant. 

The action thriller stars Batfleck and is directed by Gavin O’Connor, who’s had a mixed filmography with critical and commercial pleasers like Miracle and Warrior. There’s also his previous effort – the Natalie Portman flop of a Western Jane Got a Gun. This will be a true test of Affleck’s star power as he’s really the sole selling point. Costars include Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons, Jon Bernthal, Jeffrey Tambor, and John Lithgow.

Two Octobers back, the star had one of his largest career hits with Gone Girl, which debuted to $37 million. The Accountant will try to lure in adult moviegoers who (unlike in the summer) have had plenty of offerings to choose from, including Sully, The Magnificent Seven, Deepwater Horizon, and The Girl on the Train. While this could reach over $20 million, a debut in the high teens seems like the numbers this Accountant will manage.

The Accountant opening weekend prediction: $17.6 million

For my Kevin Hart: What Now? prediction, click here:

https://toddmthatcher.com/2016/10/05/kevin-hart-what-now-box-office-prediction/

For my Max Steel prediction, click here:

https://toddmthatcher.com/2016/10/06/max-steel-box-office-prediction/

This Day in Movie History: February 6

As the 2014 Winter Olympics gets underway in Sochi – how appropriate that on This Day in Movie History – February 6 – 10 years ago, Miracle opened in theaters. The picture focused on the 1980 U.S. Hockey team’s victory over the heavily favored Soviet team at the Winter Olympics and cast Kurt Russell as head coach Herb Brooks. Miracle was a hit with audiences ($64 million domestic) and critics (80%) on Rotten Tomatoes.

As for birthdays, Rip Torn is 83 today. He made his debut in the 1956 film Baby Doll and would soon have a significant part in Pork Chop Hill with Gregory Peck. He played Judas in 1961’s King of Kings. Over recent history, Torn has been known mostly for comedic roles including as a cast member of HBO’s “The Larry Sanders Show”. More recent appearances include the first two Men in Black flicks and Dodgeball.

Dane Dehaan is 28 today. He first came onto the scene in the lead role in 2012’s unexpected hit Chronicle. He has since appeared in Lincoln, Lawless, and Kill Your Darlings. This summer Dehaan will take over the part of Harry Osborn in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, where he’ll likely morph into the Green Goblin at some juncture.

As for Six Degrees of Separation between Mr. Torn and Mr. Dehaan:

Rip Torn was in Men in Black with Tommy Lee Jones

Tommy Lee Jones was in Lincoln with Dane Dehaan

And that’s today – February 6 – in Movie History!