Bert Kreischer is living proof that truth is stranger than fiction.
In the mid-’90s, Kreischer went on a Florida State class trip to Russia, and to make a long story short, the Russian mafia forced the 22-year-old college kid to rob a passenger train that included his classmates. The Florida native somehow made it out of Russia unscathed, and after enough time had passed, he began telling the story on radio shows and podcasts until it became the focus of his viral stand-up comedy special, The Machine, in 2016. A few years later, Kreischer sold a movie version of The Machine to Legendary Entertainment’s Cale Boyter, who boiled the indirect pitch down to “The Godfather Part II meets The Hangover.”
The film’s premise revolves around Bert and his father, Albert (Mark Hamill), getting kidnapped by a Russian gangster (Iva Babić) as a form of payback for Bert stealing...
In the mid-’90s, Kreischer went on a Florida State class trip to Russia, and to make a long story short, the Russian mafia forced the 22-year-old college kid to rob a passenger train that included his classmates. The Florida native somehow made it out of Russia unscathed, and after enough time had passed, he began telling the story on radio shows and podcasts until it became the focus of his viral stand-up comedy special, The Machine, in 2016. A few years later, Kreischer sold a movie version of The Machine to Legendary Entertainment’s Cale Boyter, who boiled the indirect pitch down to “The Godfather Part II meets The Hangover.”
The film’s premise revolves around Bert and his father, Albert (Mark Hamill), getting kidnapped by a Russian gangster (Iva Babić) as a form of payback for Bert stealing...
- 6/5/2023
- by Brian Davids
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mark Hamill knows full well that he’s perceived as one of pop culture’s most heroic figures, so he welcomes any opportunity he can get to go against type. In the case of his latest film, The Machine, Hamill and stand-up comedian Bert Kreischer play father and son, and to put it mildly, they get caught up in quite a bit of mayhem and debauchery, allowing Hamill to show a rather new side to himself. Written by Kevin Biegel and Scotty Landes, the Peter Atencio-directed action comedy sequelizes a true story that Kreischer has been telling for over two decades, most notably in his 2016 stand-up special, The Machine.
To make a long story short, in the mid-‘90s, Kreischer went on a Florida St. class trip to Russia, and the hard partier was forced to rob a train full of passengers by the Russian mob. So, the film,...
To make a long story short, in the mid-‘90s, Kreischer went on a Florida St. class trip to Russia, and the hard partier was forced to rob a train full of passengers by the Russian mob. So, the film,...
- 5/26/2023
- by Brian Davids
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Machine is loud, gross, obnoxious and overbearing. It’s also disarming, quick-witted, fast moving and becomes increasingly funny as it ends up in, of all places, Russia for its payoff scenes.
Presided over, if that is the right term, by the irrepressible Bert Kreischer, the big-gutted comedian who goes by the name The Machine and prefers to appear without a shirt on whenever possible, has landed his first big feature film at age 50 and continues the same comic shtick he’s been doing for years. Lo and behold, it’s still pretty funny stuff. This is a big picture for a big guy, and Kreischer is so persistent, and persistently off the wall, that it’s finally far easier to enjoy the party than to carp and resist.
Kreischer makes a point of performing with his shirt off when at all possible, something that becomes a tad strange in...
Presided over, if that is the right term, by the irrepressible Bert Kreischer, the big-gutted comedian who goes by the name The Machine and prefers to appear without a shirt on whenever possible, has landed his first big feature film at age 50 and continues the same comic shtick he’s been doing for years. Lo and behold, it’s still pretty funny stuff. This is a big picture for a big guy, and Kreischer is so persistent, and persistently off the wall, that it’s finally far easier to enjoy the party than to carp and resist.
Kreischer makes a point of performing with his shirt off when at all possible, something that becomes a tad strange in...
- 5/26/2023
- by Todd McCarthy
- Deadline Film + TV
Plot: Set 23 years after the original story which inspired it, The Machine finds Bert Kreischer facing familial crisis and the arrival of his estranged father when the ghost of his booze-soaked past arrives: a murderous mobster hellbent on kidnapping Bert back to the motherland to atone for his crimes. Together, he and his father must retrace the steps of his younger self in the midst of a war between a sociopathic crime family while they attempt to find common ground.
Review: This weekend boasts two theatrical films featuring stand-up comedians with dedicated fanbases in stories about their relationship with their father. Both Sebastian Maniscalco and Bert Kreischer have performed elements of the stories at the core of their big-screen adventures, but the results could not be further apart. While About My Father is a wholesome bromance centered on the culture clash of two families, The Machine is a balls-to-the-wall action...
Review: This weekend boasts two theatrical films featuring stand-up comedians with dedicated fanbases in stories about their relationship with their father. Both Sebastian Maniscalco and Bert Kreischer have performed elements of the stories at the core of their big-screen adventures, but the results could not be further apart. While About My Father is a wholesome bromance centered on the culture clash of two families, The Machine is a balls-to-the-wall action...
- 5/26/2023
- by Alex Maidy
- JoBlo.com
When you tell people they’re actually gonna film the script you wrote, the first two questions are always, “Is there a premiere? Are you going to the premiere?” It’s partially out of excitement, partially out of shock that you, a writer, a goblin troll thing that sits in a dark cave and writes fart jokes for a living, will actually get out into the light. Premieres are mythical things to most people, full of flashbulbs and red carpets and, to a writer, that rarest thing of all: acknowledgement. People win contests to go to premieres. The news covers premieres. The magazine your aunt reads does full-page splashes on premieres, and if you’re lucky enough to get half a face in a photo as you stand way behind a star, relatives back home will cut it out and frame it. “Look, there’s Zendaya and my nephew Kevin.
- 5/23/2023
- by Kevin Biegel
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It's not every stand-up's classic routines that become fodder for a movie script, but when you're Bert Kreischer and your material revolves around how you were apparently part of a train robbery in Russia years ago, you can see it happening. Check out the trailer for The Machine, starring Kreischer as himself and Mark Hamill as his dad…
Set 23 years after the original story which inspired it, The Machine (which refers to the persona Bert adopted while hanging with dodgy types in Russia years ago) finds Bert facing familial crisis and the arrival of his estranged father when the ghost of his booze-soaked past arrives: a murderous mobster (Iva Babić) hellbent on kidnapping Bert back to the motherland to atone for his crimes.
Together, he and his father must retrace the steps of his younger self (Jimmy Tatro) in the midst of a war between a sociopathic crime family while...
Set 23 years after the original story which inspired it, The Machine (which refers to the persona Bert adopted while hanging with dodgy types in Russia years ago) finds Bert facing familial crisis and the arrival of his estranged father when the ghost of his booze-soaked past arrives: a murderous mobster (Iva Babić) hellbent on kidnapping Bert back to the motherland to atone for his crimes.
Together, he and his father must retrace the steps of his younger self (Jimmy Tatro) in the midst of a war between a sociopathic crime family while...
- 3/21/2023
- Empire - Movies
Bert (Bert Kreischer) and Sponge (Martyn Ford) in Screen Gems The Machine.
Hitting theaters on May 26 is the upcoming comedy The Machine.
Set 23 years after the original story which inspired it, The Machine finds Bert Kreischer facing familial crisis and the arrival of his estranged father (Mark Hamill) when the ghost of his booze-soaked past arrives: a murderous mobster (Iva Babić) hellbent on kidnapping Bert back to the motherland to atone for his crimes. Together, he and his father must retrace the steps of his younger self (Jimmy Tatro) in the midst of a war between a sociopathic crime family while they attempt to find common ground.
Based on the breakout Bert Kreischer stand-up routine, check out the red-band trailer. Grab your tickets now for with a Live pre-show with Bert May 25! Website: http://www.TheMachine.Movie
Catch the very funny Kreischer on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/80238360
The cast includes Bert Kreischer,...
Hitting theaters on May 26 is the upcoming comedy The Machine.
Set 23 years after the original story which inspired it, The Machine finds Bert Kreischer facing familial crisis and the arrival of his estranged father (Mark Hamill) when the ghost of his booze-soaked past arrives: a murderous mobster (Iva Babić) hellbent on kidnapping Bert back to the motherland to atone for his crimes. Together, he and his father must retrace the steps of his younger self (Jimmy Tatro) in the midst of a war between a sociopathic crime family while they attempt to find common ground.
Based on the breakout Bert Kreischer stand-up routine, check out the red-band trailer. Grab your tickets now for with a Live pre-show with Bert May 25! Website: http://www.TheMachine.Movie
Catch the very funny Kreischer on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/80238360
The cast includes Bert Kreischer,...
- 2/24/2023
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
23 years ago, comedian Bert Kreischer was better known for his partying antics as "the top partyer at the Number One Party School in the country," according to Rolling Stone. He ended up spending a summer in Russia that went kind of haywire, earning him the nickname "The Machine" and giving him an impressive story to tell for the rest of his life about being a part of a train robbery while not even speaking Russian. His shirtless stand-up story is the stuff of internet legend and kickstarted Kreischer's career as a comedian. Now, decades later, he's starring in a movie that returns him to where it all began, with Russians, robberies, and a whole lot of ridiculous antics.
The red-band trailer has arrived for "The Machine," which follows a fictionalized version of Kreischer and his dad (played by Mark Hamill!) after they're kidnapped by Russians and forced to be a...
The red-band trailer has arrived for "The Machine," which follows a fictionalized version of Kreischer and his dad (played by Mark Hamill!) after they're kidnapped by Russians and forced to be a...
- 2/23/2023
- by Danielle Ryan
- Slash Film
(Welcome to ...And More, our no-frills, zero B.S. guide to when and where you can watch upcoming movies and shows, and everything else you could possibly stand to know.)
Long before Ryan Reynolds stepped in as Deadpool, Detective Pikachu, or the co-owner of the Welsh football club Wrexham A.F.C., most people knew him as the star of "National Lampoon's Van Wilder." But did you know that the titular seventh-year senior was actually based on a real person? The charismatic character was based on a Florida State University student that was profiled by Rolling Stone in 1997. Dubbed "the top partyer at the Number One Party School in the country," that student's name was Bert Kreischer.
Now known for his stand-up comedy (which he performs without a shirt on), the St. Petersburg native has proven that his life gets much Wilder than anything that inspired Reynolds' breakout role. One...
Long before Ryan Reynolds stepped in as Deadpool, Detective Pikachu, or the co-owner of the Welsh football club Wrexham A.F.C., most people knew him as the star of "National Lampoon's Van Wilder." But did you know that the titular seventh-year senior was actually based on a real person? The charismatic character was based on a Florida State University student that was profiled by Rolling Stone in 1997. Dubbed "the top partyer at the Number One Party School in the country," that student's name was Bert Kreischer.
Now known for his stand-up comedy (which he performs without a shirt on), the St. Petersburg native has proven that his life gets much Wilder than anything that inspired Reynolds' breakout role. One...
- 1/9/2023
- by Ben F. Silverio
- Slash Film
Comedian and star Bert Kreischer’s The Machine will laugh its way into theaters on May 26, the beginning of the long Memorial Day weekend. Legendary Star Wars actor Mark Hamill co-stars opposite Kreischer.
Sony and Legendary announced the film’s release date on Wednesday. The two companies recently announced a multi-year distribution deal.
The film is an adaptation of a story Kreischer told onstage about getting involved with the Russian mob while studying abroad in college. The tale of Kreischer’s exploits quickly went viral and has been viewed more than 85 million times, according to Legendary.
Peter Atencio (Key & Peele, Keanu) is directing The Machine from a script by Kevin Biegel and Scotty Landes.
Set 23 years after the original story which inspired it, The Machine finds Kresischer facing familial crisis and the arrival of his estranged father (Hamill) when the ghost of his booze-soaked past arrives: a murderous mobster (Iva Babić...
Sony and Legendary announced the film’s release date on Wednesday. The two companies recently announced a multi-year distribution deal.
The film is an adaptation of a story Kreischer told onstage about getting involved with the Russian mob while studying abroad in college. The tale of Kreischer’s exploits quickly went viral and has been viewed more than 85 million times, according to Legendary.
Peter Atencio (Key & Peele, Keanu) is directing The Machine from a script by Kevin Biegel and Scotty Landes.
Set 23 years after the original story which inspired it, The Machine finds Kresischer facing familial crisis and the arrival of his estranged father (Hamill) when the ghost of his booze-soaked past arrives: a murderous mobster (Iva Babić...
- 1/5/2023
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sony Pictures will open Legendary Pictures’ The Machine on May 26.
The Peter Atencio directed movie takes place 23 years after the original story that inspired it. In the pic, comedian-star Bert Kreischer faces a familial crisis and the arrival of his estranged father (Mark Hamill) when the ghost of his booze-soaked past arrives: a murderous mobster (Iva Babić) hellbent on kidnapping Bert back to the motherland to atone for his crimes. Together, he and his father must retrace the steps of his younger self (Jimmy Tatro) in the midst of a war between a sociopathic crime family while they attempt to find common ground.
Kreischer will perform an exclusive live pre-show event at 6 p.m. May 25 in Los Angeles at a Tba theater location. The pre-show, which will be simulcast across 1,000+ theaters nationwide, will be followed by the first preview screening of the film. Tickets will go on sale at a later date.
The Peter Atencio directed movie takes place 23 years after the original story that inspired it. In the pic, comedian-star Bert Kreischer faces a familial crisis and the arrival of his estranged father (Mark Hamill) when the ghost of his booze-soaked past arrives: a murderous mobster (Iva Babić) hellbent on kidnapping Bert back to the motherland to atone for his crimes. Together, he and his father must retrace the steps of his younger self (Jimmy Tatro) in the midst of a war between a sociopathic crime family while they attempt to find common ground.
Kreischer will perform an exclusive live pre-show event at 6 p.m. May 25 in Los Angeles at a Tba theater location. The pre-show, which will be simulcast across 1,000+ theaters nationwide, will be followed by the first preview screening of the film. Tickets will go on sale at a later date.
- 1/5/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Jimmy Tatro is set to join Bert Kreischer and Mark Hamill in the upcoming feature film The Machine, based on Kreischer’s hit viral story. Jess Gabor is also on board. The film will be directed by Peter Atencio and written by Kevin Biegel and Scotty Landes. Kreischer will also produce with Legendary’s Cale Boyter and Levity’s Judi Marmel.
Described as The Hangover meets Midnight Run, the film is a genre-bending comedy inspired by Kreischer’s real-life adventures and subsequent breakout stand-up routine The Machine, which has been viewed more than 85 million times. In it, his past catches up with him when he and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk on a college semester abroad in Russia.
Philip Waley will executive produce, Jay Ashenfelter will associate produce, and Jonathan English will co-produce alongside Serbian production company Balkanic Media.
Tatro most recently...
Described as The Hangover meets Midnight Run, the film is a genre-bending comedy inspired by Kreischer’s real-life adventures and subsequent breakout stand-up routine The Machine, which has been viewed more than 85 million times. In it, his past catches up with him when he and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk on a college semester abroad in Russia.
Philip Waley will executive produce, Jay Ashenfelter will associate produce, and Jonathan English will co-produce alongside Serbian production company Balkanic Media.
Tatro most recently...
- 6/14/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Mercedes de La Cruz is set to join Bert Kreischer and Mark Hamill in the upcoming feature film The Machine, based on Kreischer’s hit viral story. Jess Gabor is also on board. The film will be directed by Peter Atencio and written by Kevin Biegel and Scotty Landes. Kreischer will also produce along with Legendary’s Cale Boyter and Levity’s Judi Marmel.
Described as The Hangover meets Midnight Run, the film is a genre-bending comedy inspired by Kreischer’s real-life adventures and subsequent breakout stand-up routine The Machine, which has been viewed more than 85 million times. In it, his past catches up with him when he and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk on a college semester abroad in Russia.
Philip Waley will executive produce, Jay Ashenfelter will associate produce, and Jonathan English will co-produce alongside Serbian production company Balkanic Media.
Described as The Hangover meets Midnight Run, the film is a genre-bending comedy inspired by Kreischer’s real-life adventures and subsequent breakout stand-up routine The Machine, which has been viewed more than 85 million times. In it, his past catches up with him when he and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk on a college semester abroad in Russia.
Philip Waley will executive produce, Jay Ashenfelter will associate produce, and Jonathan English will co-produce alongside Serbian production company Balkanic Media.
- 6/9/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Stephanie Kurtzuba is set to join Bert Kreischer and Mark Hamill in the upcoming feature film The Machine, based on Kreischer’s hit viral story. Jess Gabor is also on board. The film will be directed by Peter Atencio and written by Kevin Biegel and Scotty Landes. Kreischer will also produce along with Legendary’s Cale Boyter and Levity’s Judi Marmel.
Described as The Hangover meets Midnight Run, the film is a genre-bending comedy inspired by Kreischer’s real-life adventures and subsequent breakout stand-up routine The Machine, which has been viewed more than 85 million times. In it, his past catches up with him when he and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk on a college semester abroad in Russia.
Philip Waley will executive produce, Jay Ashenfelter will associate produce, and Jonathan English will co-produce alongside Serbian production company Balkanic Media.
Kurtzuba’s past credits include Bad Education,...
Described as The Hangover meets Midnight Run, the film is a genre-bending comedy inspired by Kreischer’s real-life adventures and subsequent breakout stand-up routine The Machine, which has been viewed more than 85 million times. In it, his past catches up with him when he and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk on a college semester abroad in Russia.
Philip Waley will executive produce, Jay Ashenfelter will associate produce, and Jonathan English will co-produce alongside Serbian production company Balkanic Media.
Kurtzuba’s past credits include Bad Education,...
- 5/5/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Jess Gabor is set to join Bert Kreischer and Mark Hamill in the upcoming feature film The Machine, based on Kreischer’s hit viral story. The film will be directed by Peter Atencio and written by Kevin Biegel and Scotty Landes. Kreischer will also produce along with Legendary’s Cale Boyter and Levity’s Judi Marmel.
Described as The Hangover meets Midnight Run, the film is a genre-bending comedy inspired by Kreischer’s real-life adventures and subsequent breakout stand-up routine The Machine, which has been viewed more than 85 million times. In it, his past catches up with him when he and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk on a college semester abroad in Russia.
Philip Waley will executive produce, Jay Ashenfelter will associate produce, and Jonathan English will co-produce alongside Serbian production company Balkanic Media.
Gabor is recognized for her performance on Season...
Described as The Hangover meets Midnight Run, the film is a genre-bending comedy inspired by Kreischer’s real-life adventures and subsequent breakout stand-up routine The Machine, which has been viewed more than 85 million times. In it, his past catches up with him when he and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk on a college semester abroad in Russia.
Philip Waley will executive produce, Jay Ashenfelter will associate produce, and Jonathan English will co-produce alongside Serbian production company Balkanic Media.
Gabor is recognized for her performance on Season...
- 4/27/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s TV news roundup, Nicki Minaj will make a guest appearance on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and Quibi has greenlit a new series from Adam Devine.
Castings
Nicki Minaj will join host RuPaul, and judges Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley and Ross Mathews as a guest judge on the upcoming Season 12 premiere of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.“ The legendary emcee will make a surprise debut on the runway as 13 new drag queens enter the competition for a chance to win $100,000 and the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar.” The new cycle of queens include Aiden Zhane, Brita, Crystal Methyd, Dahlia Sin, Gigi Goode, Heidi N Closet, Jackie Cox, Jaida Essence Hall, Jan, Nicky Doll, Rock M. Sakura, Sherry Pie, and Widow Von’Du. Season 12 will premiere on Feb. 28.
First Looks
Netflix released the trailer for its upcoming series “Love is Blind.“ Hosted by Nick Lachey and Vanessa Lachey, the 10-part...
Castings
Nicki Minaj will join host RuPaul, and judges Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley and Ross Mathews as a guest judge on the upcoming Season 12 premiere of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.“ The legendary emcee will make a surprise debut on the runway as 13 new drag queens enter the competition for a chance to win $100,000 and the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar.” The new cycle of queens include Aiden Zhane, Brita, Crystal Methyd, Dahlia Sin, Gigi Goode, Heidi N Closet, Jackie Cox, Jaida Essence Hall, Jan, Nicky Doll, Rock M. Sakura, Sherry Pie, and Widow Von’Du. Season 12 will premiere on Feb. 28.
First Looks
Netflix released the trailer for its upcoming series “Love is Blind.“ Hosted by Nick Lachey and Vanessa Lachey, the 10-part...
- 1/30/2020
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
Adam Devine is heading to Quibi with a lot of Bad Ideas. The Righteous Gemstones star is set to headline Bad Ideas with Adam Devine, a wacky celebrity reality series for the short-form video platform, from Mak Pictures.
A few examples. Devine mending an underwater fence in piranha infested waters? Not a good idea. Devine acting as human chum to attract the piranhas while someone else mends the fence? Now that’s a Really Bad Idea.
Bad Ideas with Adam Devine (Wt) is Devine’s twisted take on an adventure series. In each episode, he and a famous actor or comedian will travel to a new location in search of adventures that are already inherently dangerous – only they’ll add their own extra special sauce to ensure they are truly terrible choices.
Entering a chili pepper eating contest with the most scorching peppers on earth… when you don’t like spicy food?...
A few examples. Devine mending an underwater fence in piranha infested waters? Not a good idea. Devine acting as human chum to attract the piranhas while someone else mends the fence? Now that’s a Really Bad Idea.
Bad Ideas with Adam Devine (Wt) is Devine’s twisted take on an adventure series. In each episode, he and a famous actor or comedian will travel to a new location in search of adventures that are already inherently dangerous – only they’ll add their own extra special sauce to ensure they are truly terrible choices.
Entering a chili pepper eating contest with the most scorching peppers on earth… when you don’t like spicy food?...
- 1/30/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Stars: Claudia Sulewski, Lauren Elizabeth, Lukas Gage, Dominic Burgess, Emma Barrett, Kherrington Briggs, Mai Brunelle, Carl Gilliard, Richard Kohnke, Catherine Shu, Jordyn Yarker | Written by Scotty Landes | Directed by Caryn Waechter
The internet has, since its inception and rapid growth, been used somewhat as a tool for telling horror stories, so much so that cyber-horror is a genre unto itself. In some cases these films take a found-footage approach, telling stories from the perspective of webcams; in others its all about the perils of the internet and the “weirdos” living anonymously behind their keyboards. Then there are those films that take influence from the past, bringing the tropes of “ghosts in the machine” into the present through the medium of the internet. And Deadcon is firmly among the latter.
Ashley is a social media star attending View Con, an event where rabid fans can selfie their favourite YouTubers 24/7. But due to a hotel room mix-up,...
The internet has, since its inception and rapid growth, been used somewhat as a tool for telling horror stories, so much so that cyber-horror is a genre unto itself. In some cases these films take a found-footage approach, telling stories from the perspective of webcams; in others its all about the perils of the internet and the “weirdos” living anonymously behind their keyboards. Then there are those films that take influence from the past, bringing the tropes of “ghosts in the machine” into the present through the medium of the internet. And Deadcon is firmly among the latter.
Ashley is a social media star attending View Con, an event where rabid fans can selfie their favourite YouTubers 24/7. But due to a hotel room mix-up,...
- 8/26/2019
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros.’ “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” took first place at the box office this weekend, grossing $49 million domestically and a little lower than initial projections which pegged the film to open between $55-65 million.
In comparison, the 2014 “Godzilla” grossed $93.1 million in its opening weekend, and “Kong: Skull Island” ended up with a $61 million opening in March 2017. Overseas, the $170 million-budgeted movie took in $130 million — which is again under the $140 million international gross for the 2014 film.
“Godzilla: King of the Monsters” is directed by Michael Dougherty and finds the legendary kaiju monster facing off against his greatest titanic foes, including Mothra, Rodan and the three-headed dragon King Ghidorah. Its score of Rotten Tomatoes is 40% and its CinemaScore if B+.
Also Read: 'Godzilla: King of the Monsters' on Pace to Overtake 'Aladdin' at Box Office
Disney’s “Aladdin” came in as a close second with $42.3 million.
In comparison, the 2014 “Godzilla” grossed $93.1 million in its opening weekend, and “Kong: Skull Island” ended up with a $61 million opening in March 2017. Overseas, the $170 million-budgeted movie took in $130 million — which is again under the $140 million international gross for the 2014 film.
“Godzilla: King of the Monsters” is directed by Michael Dougherty and finds the legendary kaiju monster facing off against his greatest titanic foes, including Mothra, Rodan and the three-headed dragon King Ghidorah. Its score of Rotten Tomatoes is 40% and its CinemaScore if B+.
Also Read: 'Godzilla: King of the Monsters' on Pace to Overtake 'Aladdin' at Box Office
Disney’s “Aladdin” came in as a close second with $42.3 million.
- 6/2/2019
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Warner Bros.’ “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” is stomping its way to an estimated $48 million debut from 4,108 North American locations.
The follow-up to 2014’s “Godzilla” took in $19.6 million on Friday. The latest projection is slightly below earlier tracking estimates, which had placed it in the $50 million to $55 million range. In any case, it’s likely to debut far behind its predecessor, which took in $93 million in its opening weekend and wound up with $200 million domestically and $529 million from overseas territories. However, “King of the Monsters” will come somewhat closer to “Kong: Skull Island,” the second installment in the MonsterVerse franchise. That film took in $61 million in its 2017 debut.
Michael Dougherty directed “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” which centers on the legendary lizard battling other kaiju who have been awakened, including Mothra, King Ghidorah and Rodan. The film stars Millie Bobby Brown, Vera Farmiga, Kyle Chandler and Bradley Whitford. The 35th...
The follow-up to 2014’s “Godzilla” took in $19.6 million on Friday. The latest projection is slightly below earlier tracking estimates, which had placed it in the $50 million to $55 million range. In any case, it’s likely to debut far behind its predecessor, which took in $93 million in its opening weekend and wound up with $200 million domestically and $529 million from overseas territories. However, “King of the Monsters” will come somewhat closer to “Kong: Skull Island,” the second installment in the MonsterVerse franchise. That film took in $61 million in its 2017 debut.
Michael Dougherty directed “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” which centers on the legendary lizard battling other kaiju who have been awakened, including Mothra, King Ghidorah and Rodan. The film stars Millie Bobby Brown, Vera Farmiga, Kyle Chandler and Bradley Whitford. The 35th...
- 6/1/2019
- by Erin Nyren
- Variety Film + TV
“Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” the follow-up to 2014’s “Godzilla” and 2017’s “Kong: Skull Island” in Warner Bros. and Legendary’s MonsterVerse, stomped into the Thursday box office and earned an impressive $6.3 million.
The latest “Godzilla” film will be locked into an epic battle with another behemoth as Disney’s “Aladdin” enters into its second weekend and hopes to hang onto the top spot at the box office. It also opens against Universal and Blumhouse’s horror film “Ma” starring Octavia Spencer and “Rocketman,” Paramount’s music biopic on the life of Elton John.
“King of the Monsters” is projected for an opening weekend between $55-65 million. It currently has a 41% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The previous “Godzilla” film earned $9.3 million at the Thursday box office in the summer of 2014 and opened to $93.1 million. “King of the Monsters” however is tracking closer to “Kong: Skull Island,” which earned $3.7 million in...
The latest “Godzilla” film will be locked into an epic battle with another behemoth as Disney’s “Aladdin” enters into its second weekend and hopes to hang onto the top spot at the box office. It also opens against Universal and Blumhouse’s horror film “Ma” starring Octavia Spencer and “Rocketman,” Paramount’s music biopic on the life of Elton John.
“King of the Monsters” is projected for an opening weekend between $55-65 million. It currently has a 41% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The previous “Godzilla” film earned $9.3 million at the Thursday box office in the summer of 2014 and opened to $93.1 million. “King of the Monsters” however is tracking closer to “Kong: Skull Island,” which earned $3.7 million in...
- 5/31/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
A Cult Classic is born! And I don’t use that term loosely. I’ve been emceeing the midnight shows here in St. Louis at Landmark’s The Tivoli Theater for a decade now and if Ma finds the audience it deserves, I can totally see it playing there in a year or two with an inebriated audience screaming its many memorable lines back at the screen. “Don’t make me drink alone!” could become the new “No more wire hangers!”
Octavia Spencer stars in Ma as Sue Ann (aka Ma), a 50-ish veterinary assistant who keeps to herself in a peaceful rural Ohio town. One afternoon, Ma is confronted in a liquor store parking lot by Maggie (Diana Silvers), a teen who’s just moved to town with her mother (Juliette Lewis) who asks her to buy alcohol for her and her new pals. Ma sees this as the chance to make some younger,...
Octavia Spencer stars in Ma as Sue Ann (aka Ma), a 50-ish veterinary assistant who keeps to herself in a peaceful rural Ohio town. One afternoon, Ma is confronted in a liquor store parking lot by Maggie (Diana Silvers), a teen who’s just moved to town with her mother (Juliette Lewis) who asks her to buy alcohol for her and her new pals. Ma sees this as the chance to make some younger,...
- 5/31/2019
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Related: 50 Greatest Horror Movies of the 21st Century
The great Octavia Spencer, a three-time Oscar nominee and winner for The Help, recently decried the fact that starring roles in horror films have long been unfairly denied to women of color (Lupita Nyong’o in Us being an outstanding exception). So it’s a kick to see Spencer dig into the title role in Ma, a Blumhouse scarefest that tries but rarely lives up to the irresistible dynamo at its center.
Spencer plays Sue Ann, an assistant to a grouchy veterinarian...
The great Octavia Spencer, a three-time Oscar nominee and winner for The Help, recently decried the fact that starring roles in horror films have long been unfairly denied to women of color (Lupita Nyong’o in Us being an outstanding exception). So it’s a kick to see Spencer dig into the title role in Ma, a Blumhouse scarefest that tries but rarely lives up to the irresistible dynamo at its center.
Spencer plays Sue Ann, an assistant to a grouchy veterinarian...
- 5/29/2019
- by Peter Travers
- Rollingstone.com
Tate Taylor’s predatory party-animal thriller Ma breaks ground for Octavia Spencer’s career portfolio, but not the “Obsession Revenge” subgenre. As a character, “Ma” permits Spencer an outlet for normalized casting frustrations that have since been upturned when Blumhouse recognized the menace in her otherwise compassionate and typecasted eyes. As a film, Ma writes itself in circles of justification reliant on “kids will be kids” or “assholes will be assholes.” Don’t get me wrong, what teenager wouldn’t regularly attend fully-stocked basement ragers overseen by Bumblefutz, USA’s “coolest” – aka legendarily irresponsible – single adult? It’s more how, disappointingly, Taylor’s spiked Ya horror punch tastes of price-slashed subplot distilling versus premium neatness fit for Ma’s rockily shaken presence.
Ms. Spencer stars as hapless veterinarian assistant Sue Ann, a longtime resident of the same rural area code since (at least) high school. On the flipside are mother-daughter...
Ms. Spencer stars as hapless veterinarian assistant Sue Ann, a longtime resident of the same rural area code since (at least) high school. On the flipside are mother-daughter...
- 5/29/2019
- by Matt Donato
- We Got This Covered
As the title character of “Ma,” Octavia Spencer goes at the role of a friendly-on-the-outside, crazy-on-the-inside desperate stalker-pest in a way that befits a world-class actress who has chosen to star in a pumped-up B-movie. She does all she can to play the character as a real human being, and that accomplishes two things: It puts a bit of flesh on the clever/dumb bones of this Blumhouse production — a teen-flick variation on “Fatal Attraction,” with distant glimmers of “Carrie” as well as “Misery” and other revenge-of-the-nerd stalker thrillers. At the same time, Spencer’s humanity only makes the character seem that much creepier, which is a good thing.
You can’t take “Ma” seriously. It’s a squalid formula picture that’s too busy connecting dots, hitting beats, engineering situations designed to make you squirm. But you will squirm. And though even the youngest sector of the demo for...
You can’t take “Ma” seriously. It’s a squalid formula picture that’s too busy connecting dots, hitting beats, engineering situations designed to make you squirm. But you will squirm. And though even the youngest sector of the demo for...
- 5/29/2019
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
Every year on the first Monday of May, the Met Gala takes place in New York City, and the crème de la crème of the fashion world and Hollywood dress to the nines in whatever that year’s theme may be. This year the theme was camp, and A-listers presented what they believed was camp — and out of all the photos that came out of the event, only a handful actually seemed to understand the concept.
The rest? Trying too hard, bland, or just plain lost. The exact same thing could be said of “Ma,” director Tate Taylor’s latest film, which attempts to be a campy psychological thriller but gets so lost in trying to construct a message that all the exaggerated thrills die before even lifting off.
When Maggie and her mom Erica (Juliette Lewis) move back to Erica’s hometown in rural Ohio, Maggie instantly connects with...
The rest? Trying too hard, bland, or just plain lost. The exact same thing could be said of “Ma,” director Tate Taylor’s latest film, which attempts to be a campy psychological thriller but gets so lost in trying to construct a message that all the exaggerated thrills die before even lifting off.
When Maggie and her mom Erica (Juliette Lewis) move back to Erica’s hometown in rural Ohio, Maggie instantly connects with...
- 5/29/2019
- by Yolanda Machado
- The Wrap
Octavia Spencer spends the majority of “Ma” wearing pink cat scrubs and a purple-striped cardigan. When it’s time for one of her infamous ragers, she changes into an all-burgundy number with a matching ’90s-style puffy newsboy cap, as she scurries between her dreary office and the liquor store, where she buys booze for a group of local teenagers. If the whole point of director Tate Taylor’s overstuffed mess of mixed horror messages could be summarized in one redeeming line, it would be when Ma tells the kids, “They didn’t have whatever Fireball is, so I got something called After Shock.”
It’s endless fun to see Spencer in such a wildly different role; she won an Oscar for her previous teaming with Taylor in “The Help,” but that’s not enough to save “Ma” from thankless material. Produced by Blumhouse, the studio behind “Get Out” and “Us,...
It’s endless fun to see Spencer in such a wildly different role; she won an Oscar for her previous teaming with Taylor in “The Help,” but that’s not enough to save “Ma” from thankless material. Produced by Blumhouse, the studio behind “Get Out” and “Us,...
- 5/29/2019
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
The thing I want most out of a movie is to be surprised, and while I thought I had Tate Taylor’s Ma pegged after everything that had been revealed in all the different ads, screenwriter Scotty Landes and the director still had a few cards up their proverbial sleeves that managed to keep me on my toes throughout their darkly comedic excursion into the realm of psychological horror. Without a doubt, Ma’s biggest asset is the unpredictable performance from Oscar winner Octavia Spencer, but the film also features some great acting work from the rest of its ensemble, and also manages to find some new ways to mine familiar genre tropes, making Ma one wild and wickedly fun thrill ride.
The setup of Ma is pretty standard, where we follow single mom Erica (Juliette Lewis), who is moving back to her hometown with her teenage daughter, Maggie (Diana Silvers), in tow,...
The setup of Ma is pretty standard, where we follow single mom Erica (Juliette Lewis), who is moving back to her hometown with her teenage daughter, Maggie (Diana Silvers), in tow,...
- 5/29/2019
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
“Aladdin” exceeded box office expectations with a $112 million Memorial Day weekend, but its lasting power in theaters will be challenged as the next two weekends will be loaded with new releases that will cater to family and musical-loving audiences that served as the Disney remake’s core demographic.
But the film projected to take No. 1 this weekend has more stomping and smashing than singing. Warner Bros. and Legendary are back with the third installment of their MonsterVerse series, “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” which is projected for an opening this weekend in the $55-65 million range. Critics have been mixed on the film, giving it a 56% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Also Read: 'Godzilla: King of the Monsters' Film Review: Hollywood Finally Gets Kaiju Right
That’s notably lower than the $93.1 million start earned by last American “Godzilla” released in 2014, but the film at least has a chance to...
But the film projected to take No. 1 this weekend has more stomping and smashing than singing. Warner Bros. and Legendary are back with the third installment of their MonsterVerse series, “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” which is projected for an opening this weekend in the $55-65 million range. Critics have been mixed on the film, giving it a 56% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Also Read: 'Godzilla: King of the Monsters' Film Review: Hollywood Finally Gets Kaiju Right
That’s notably lower than the $93.1 million start earned by last American “Godzilla” released in 2014, but the film at least has a chance to...
- 5/29/2019
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Everybody’s welcome at Ma’s. But good luck getting home safe.
Oscar® winner Octavia Spencer stars as Sue Ann, a loner who keeps to herself in her quiet Ohio town. One day, she is asked by Maggie, a new teenager in town, to buy some booze for her and her friends, and Sue Ann sees the chance to make some unsuspecting, if younger, friends of her own.
She offers the kids the chance to avoid drinking and driving by hanging out in the basement of her home. But there are some house rules: One of the kids has to stay sober. Don’t curse. Never go upstairs. And call her “Ma.”
But as Ma’s hospitality starts to curdle into obsession, what began as a teenage dream turns into a terrorizing nightmare, and Ma’s place goes from the best place in town to the worst place on earth.
Oscar® winner Octavia Spencer stars as Sue Ann, a loner who keeps to herself in her quiet Ohio town. One day, she is asked by Maggie, a new teenager in town, to buy some booze for her and her friends, and Sue Ann sees the chance to make some unsuspecting, if younger, friends of her own.
She offers the kids the chance to avoid drinking and driving by hanging out in the basement of her home. But there are some house rules: One of the kids has to stay sober. Don’t curse. Never go upstairs. And call her “Ma.”
But as Ma’s hospitality starts to curdle into obsession, what began as a teenage dream turns into a terrorizing nightmare, and Ma’s place goes from the best place in town to the worst place on earth.
- 5/28/2019
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
In the new thriller, Ma, Oscar® winner Octavia Spencer stars as Sue Ann, a loner who keeps to herself in her quiet Ohio town. One day, she is asked by Maggie, a new teenager in town (Diana Silvers), to buy some booze for her and her friends, and Sue Ann sees the chance to make some unsuspecting, if younger, friends of her own.
She offers the kids the chance to avoid drinking and driving by hanging out in the basement of her home. But there are some house rules: One of the kids Must stay sober. Don’t curse. Never go upstairs. And call her “Ma.” But as Ma’s hospitality starts to curdle into obsession, what began as a teenage dream turns into a terrorizing nightmare, and Ma’s place goes from the best place in town to the worst place on earth.
Genre: Thriller Cast: Octavia Spencer, Juliette Lewis,...
She offers the kids the chance to avoid drinking and driving by hanging out in the basement of her home. But there are some house rules: One of the kids Must stay sober. Don’t curse. Never go upstairs. And call her “Ma.” But as Ma’s hospitality starts to curdle into obsession, what began as a teenage dream turns into a terrorizing nightmare, and Ma’s place goes from the best place in town to the worst place on earth.
Genre: Thriller Cast: Octavia Spencer, Juliette Lewis,...
- 2/17/2019
- by Mike Tyrkus
- CinemaNerdz
At Ma's, you can party all you want downstairs, as long as you don't go upstairs... In the new movie Ma, Octavia Spencer plays a woman who hosts teenage parties in her basement, but the teens find that the party can't last forever when her "hospitality" transforms into something malevolent in the trailer for the new Blumhouse film from director Tate Taylor (The Help), coming to theaters on May 31st from Universal Pictures:
"Everybody’s welcome at Ma’s. But good luck getting home safe.
Oscar® winner Octavia Spencer stars as Sue Ann, a loner who keeps to herself in her quiet Ohio town. One day, she is asked by Maggie, a new teenager in town, to buy some booze for her and her friends, and Sue Ann sees the chance to make some unsuspecting, if younger, friends of her own.
She offers the kids the chance to avoid...
"Everybody’s welcome at Ma’s. But good luck getting home safe.
Oscar® winner Octavia Spencer stars as Sue Ann, a loner who keeps to herself in her quiet Ohio town. One day, she is asked by Maggie, a new teenager in town, to buy some booze for her and her friends, and Sue Ann sees the chance to make some unsuspecting, if younger, friends of her own.
She offers the kids the chance to avoid...
- 2/13/2019
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Some Ohio teenagers ask a random woman to buy them booze. Harmless kid stuff, right? Not when the askee is Sue Ann, a loner who sees an opportunity to make some new friends.
Here’s the first trailer for Ma, a Blumhouse starring Oscar winner Octavia Spencer as the woman who agrees to purchase alcohol for the group and even offers up her basement as a place to party. But there are rules: One of the kids has to stay sober. Don’t curse. Never go upstairs. And call her “Ma.” What seems like a golden opportunity for the new teen in town (Diana Silvers) and her pals turns into a terrorizing nightmare, and Ma’s house goes from the best place in town to the worst place on Earth.
Juliette Lewis, Luke Evans, McKaley Miller, Missi Pyle, Corey Fogelmanis, Gianni Paolo and Dante Brown also star in the thriller...
Here’s the first trailer for Ma, a Blumhouse starring Oscar winner Octavia Spencer as the woman who agrees to purchase alcohol for the group and even offers up her basement as a place to party. But there are rules: One of the kids has to stay sober. Don’t curse. Never go upstairs. And call her “Ma.” What seems like a golden opportunity for the new teen in town (Diana Silvers) and her pals turns into a terrorizing nightmare, and Ma’s house goes from the best place in town to the worst place on Earth.
Juliette Lewis, Luke Evans, McKaley Miller, Missi Pyle, Corey Fogelmanis, Gianni Paolo and Dante Brown also star in the thriller...
- 2/13/2019
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
If you were scared to drink tea after seeing “Get Out,” you’ll be terrified of knocking back any kind of alcohol after watching the trailer for “Ma.”
In the horror movie from Blumhouse Productions and Universal, Oscar winner Octavia Spencer plays a woman who buys booze for a group of teenagers and invites them to party at her house. She then throws increasingly crazy ragers and grows creepily attached, even sending them all video messages and goading them for constant partying.
“Welcome to Ma’s,” Spencer’s character says. “Don’t make me drink alone! Don’t make me drink allloooonneeee!”
Also Read: Octavia Spencer in Talks to Join Robert Zemeckis' 'The Witches' Remake With Anne Hathaway
But Ma’s got a set of rules too, telling the kids they can party in the basement all they want, but can never go upstairs. What they find...
In the horror movie from Blumhouse Productions and Universal, Oscar winner Octavia Spencer plays a woman who buys booze for a group of teenagers and invites them to party at her house. She then throws increasingly crazy ragers and grows creepily attached, even sending them all video messages and goading them for constant partying.
“Welcome to Ma’s,” Spencer’s character says. “Don’t make me drink alone! Don’t make me drink allloooonneeee!”
Also Read: Octavia Spencer in Talks to Join Robert Zemeckis' 'The Witches' Remake With Anne Hathaway
But Ma’s got a set of rules too, telling the kids they can party in the basement all they want, but can never go upstairs. What they find...
- 2/13/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Ma, the thriller from Tate Taylor and Jason Blum that stars Oscar winner Octavia Spencer, has landed a release date. Universal said the pic is taking on a slot held for a Blumhouse project and will bow wide in theaters May 31.
Spencer stars as Sue Ann, a loner in a quiet Ohio town who one day is asked by Maggie (Diana Silvers), a new teenager in town, to buy some booze for her and her friends. Sue Ann sees the chance to make some unsuspecting, if younger, friends of her own, and offers them the chance to avoid drinking and driving by hanging out in her basement. Her hospitality quickly starts to curdle into obsession. Scotty Landes (Workaholics) and Taylor co-wrote the script.
Juliette Lewis, Luke Evans, Missi Pyle, McKaley Miller, Corey Fogelmanis, Gianni Paolo and Dante Brown also star. Producers are Blum, Taylor and John Norris. Spencer Couper Samuelson,...
Spencer stars as Sue Ann, a loner in a quiet Ohio town who one day is asked by Maggie (Diana Silvers), a new teenager in town, to buy some booze for her and her friends. Sue Ann sees the chance to make some unsuspecting, if younger, friends of her own, and offers them the chance to avoid drinking and driving by hanging out in her basement. Her hospitality quickly starts to curdle into obsession. Scotty Landes (Workaholics) and Taylor co-wrote the script.
Juliette Lewis, Luke Evans, Missi Pyle, McKaley Miller, Corey Fogelmanis, Gianni Paolo and Dante Brown also star. Producers are Blum, Taylor and John Norris. Spencer Couper Samuelson,...
- 2/12/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Octavia Spencer and Get Out production company Blumhouse are teaming on a new horror thriller, Ma.
The movie, which begins filming next week in Mississippi, will see the Oscar winner reteam with Tate Taylor, director for The Help. While exact plot details are being kept under wraps, Ma is described as a psychological thriller.
Beauty and the Beast actor Luke Evans and Juliette Lewis will also star in the feature from Workaholics scribe Scotty Landes. Jason Blum and The Help producer John Norris are producing.
Spencer recently picked up an Oscar nomination for her role in The Shape of Water. She will co-star with Jessica...
The movie, which begins filming next week in Mississippi, will see the Oscar winner reteam with Tate Taylor, director for The Help. While exact plot details are being kept under wraps, Ma is described as a psychological thriller.
Beauty and the Beast actor Luke Evans and Juliette Lewis will also star in the feature from Workaholics scribe Scotty Landes. Jason Blum and The Help producer John Norris are producing.
Spencer recently picked up an Oscar nomination for her role in The Shape of Water. She will co-star with Jessica...
- 2/1/2018
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Comedy Central is taking multiplatform incubation quite seriously.
The cable channel’s in-house Cc:Studios has renewed two returning series and greenlit five new ones in development, the company said on Thursday.
Additionally, the online division released “Roustabout” on Wednesday, a comedic travelogue that follows Kurt Braunohler as he jet skis from Chicago to New Orleans to raise money for charity.
See photos: 14 Late Night TV Hosts Ranked by Popularity (Photos)
The renewed series are “Six Guys One Car” (pictured above), from YouTube stars Dormtainment, and “New Timers,” following two low-key friends that remain unchanged and unphased by a post-apocalyptic Brooklyn.
The cable channel’s in-house Cc:Studios has renewed two returning series and greenlit five new ones in development, the company said on Thursday.
Additionally, the online division released “Roustabout” on Wednesday, a comedic travelogue that follows Kurt Braunohler as he jet skis from Chicago to New Orleans to raise money for charity.
See photos: 14 Late Night TV Hosts Ranked by Popularity (Photos)
The renewed series are “Six Guys One Car” (pictured above), from YouTube stars Dormtainment, and “New Timers,” following two low-key friends that remain unchanged and unphased by a post-apocalyptic Brooklyn.
- 1/29/2015
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
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