As Above, So Below wins!
Talk about a close one! As Above, So Below made $10.3 million this holiday weekend, while The November Man finished with $10.2 million. This is the closest battle we've seen yet! As Above, So Below performed well below my own expectations, but it still had a solid showing, and cracked into the weekend top 5. Seems I was foolish for assuming that either film had a chance at the #1 spot, as Guardians of the Galaxy and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles kept going strong and probably will continue their hot streak for at least another week. All in all, this weekend closed out what's been a hugely disappointing summer for the box office.
Are you ready for the final Movie Kombat fight of the summer? This week, the spy-vs-spy action-thriller The November Man opens along with the Paris catacombs horror film As Above, So Below! Of course, I don't think either film is going to knock it out of the park, but I think it's an interesting matchup. While there's some tough competition in theaters right now, I think both Guardians of the Galaxy and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are winding down, so this week their spots atop the box office should be ripe for overtaking. Do The November Man and As Above, So Below have what it takes to top the box office? More importantly, can The November Man survive a trip through the Paris catacombs, or will he end up forever trapped below?
In The November Man, Brosnan plays the title character, who is a former CIA agent that comes out of retirement when a woman he knows becomes a high-value target. As he tries to protect her, he is hunted by his own former pupil, the one person who knows him best. It's a battle of master versus apprentice. It's also based off of a popular book series.
As Above, So Below takes place in the haunted catacombs below the city of Paris. A group of friends decide to explore the underground crypt as they look for a hidden treasure. They have no idea about the horrors they're about to face down below. Will they be able to work together to find their way out, or are they in too deep?
As Above, So Below takes place in the haunted catacombs below the city of Paris. A group of friends decide to explore the underground crypt as they look for a hidden treasure. They have no idea about the horrors they're about to face down below. Will they be able to work together to find their way out, or are they in too deep?
Brosnan was the Bond I grew up with, so I suppose I have a fondness for the guy. However, I get the impression that there aren't a whole lot of people excited about The November Man, and I'm a little disappointed by that because I think it looks like a blast. It's like a throwback to Pierce Brosnan's James Bond days! Who doesn't want more of that?! Oh, right. Probably anyone that saw Die Another Day! Haha, well fortunately for me, I skipped that one. ;)
As for As Above, So Below, I should reiterate that I'm not really into horror movies, partly because I'm a wuss and partly because a lot of them are just outrageously silly and dumb. Still, it's a very popular genre, so I can't really knock it, especially since I typically avoid it. Some people actually like being scared, which is a bizarre concept to me. I do think As Above, So Below looks pretty darn creepy, and I'm glad you guys didn't vote for me to see it. You did vote for me to watch The Purge: Anarchy, though I don't think that one was really scary at all. I know one of these days you guys are going to get me to watch something that scares the heck out of me. It's only a matter of time... Anyway, here are my predictions for these two films. Please leave your own estimates in the comments below.
As Above, So Below - $21 million
The November Man - $8 million
Yes, that's a pretty big disparity, however horror movies usually do quite well, especially on opening weekend. Meanwhile, it seems that with the exception of myself, people aren't really interested in watching older action stars try to relive their glory days (See: The Expendable 3's weak 4th place opening). Of course, I could end up being totally wrong. After Sin City: A Dame to Kill For's pitiful 8th place opening last weekend, I'm just not sure of anything anymore! Has the whole world gone mad?!!
Just a heads-up for you guys: Movie Kombat will be taking a week off. Possibly two weeks off. I may bring it back for the week of September 12th when The Drop, No Good Deed, and Dolphin Tale 2 come to theaters, but as of right now, I haven't decided.
As for As Above, So Below, I should reiterate that I'm not really into horror movies, partly because I'm a wuss and partly because a lot of them are just outrageously silly and dumb. Still, it's a very popular genre, so I can't really knock it, especially since I typically avoid it. Some people actually like being scared, which is a bizarre concept to me. I do think As Above, So Below looks pretty darn creepy, and I'm glad you guys didn't vote for me to see it. You did vote for me to watch The Purge: Anarchy, though I don't think that one was really scary at all. I know one of these days you guys are going to get me to watch something that scares the heck out of me. It's only a matter of time... Anyway, here are my predictions for these two films. Please leave your own estimates in the comments below.
As Above, So Below - $21 million
The November Man - $8 million
Yes, that's a pretty big disparity, however horror movies usually do quite well, especially on opening weekend. Meanwhile, it seems that with the exception of myself, people aren't really interested in watching older action stars try to relive their glory days (See: The Expendable 3's weak 4th place opening). Of course, I could end up being totally wrong. After Sin City: A Dame to Kill For's pitiful 8th place opening last weekend, I'm just not sure of anything anymore! Has the whole world gone mad?!!
Just a heads-up for you guys: Movie Kombat will be taking a week off. Possibly two weeks off. I may bring it back for the week of September 12th when The Drop, No Good Deed, and Dolphin Tale 2 come to theaters, but as of right now, I haven't decided.
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