Street Talk
Director Joachim Back, formerly of Copenhagen-based production house Bacon, has joined Park Pictures, New York. Known for slightly absurd, comical storytelling, Back just helmed a Viagra spot for the Canadian market for The Partners’ Film Company, Toronto….Jeff Farnath has exited his CEO post at Vinton Studios, Portland, Ore., and Los Angeles. He will continue under contract with the character/computer animation studio as a consultant. Bob Harold, a Vinton Studios board member and Nike, Inc. Finance executive, will serve as interim CEO at Vinton until a permanent successor is found for Farnath…..Global creative agency Attik has returned to New York, setting up an office in the Tribeca district. Company partner William Travis heads up the Big Apple operation. The Attik continues to maintain shops in Huddersfield, U.K., headed by partner James Sommerville, and San Francisco under the aegis of partner Simon Needham….Patrick O’Donoghue has joined Talent Solutions, New York, as broadcast business manager. Talent Solutions is a division of Beaucoup Chapeaux. O’Donoghue has been in advertising business affairs for 10-plus years, eight of which were spent with Wieden+Kennedy in its Portland, Ore., New York and Amsterdam offices….The Hugo Awards, honoring the best in television, and presented by Cinema/Chicago and the Chicago International Film Festival, were held on March 31 in the Windy City. The Gold Hugo Award for best commercial campaign went to the “Sour Altoids Campaign” out of Leo Burnett USA, Chicago, and directed by Craig Gillespie of bicoastal/international Morton Jankel Zander (MJZ). The Gold Hugo for best commercial went to Anheuser-Busch’s “Applause,” directed by Joe Pykta of Venice, Calif.-based PYTKA for DDB Chicago…..“Venom: The Last Dance” Tops Box Office Again; “Heretic” Debuts In 2nd Place
"Venom: The Last Dance" has been no blockbuster in North American theaters. But in a lethargic fall moviegoing season, even a so-so performing superhero sequel can rule the box office for three straight weeks.
For the third weekend in a row, "Venom: The Last Dance" was the No. 1 movie at the box office, collecting $16.2 million in ticket sales in U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday. It fended off a pair of new challengers in the Hugh Grant horror thriller "Heretic" and the feel-good holiday movie "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever."
With the election on Tuesday, the major studios opted not to put any new releases into theaters. That allowed Sony Pictures' "Venom: The Last Dance," the third entry in the Tom Hardy-led franchise, to hold its position.
While "The Last Dance" hasn't been a huge hit domestically — opening below expectations in late October — it has thrived overseas, grossing almost triple what it has in North America. The "Venom" sequel has grossed $279.4 million internationally, bringing its global total to $394.2 million.
"Heretic" and "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" were neck and neck for second place. Counting only Friday-Sunday ticket sales, the edge went to "Heretic," which debuted with $11 million. "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," though, factored in $2.2 million in sneak-peak screenings from last weekend to claim a reported opening gross of $11.1 million.
A24's "Heretic," directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, follows two Mormon missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who knock on the door of a man (Grant) they'll regret trying to evangelize to. Though "Heretic" has been critically acclaimed for the darkest turn yet by Grant, audiences were less impressed, giving it a... Read More