Here’s the latest from the crossroads of faith, media & culture: 09/03/24
Audiences double down on the Gipper. Widely projected to make $5 million at the box office, the biopic Reagan starring Dennis Quaid as the 40th President of the United States surprised box office prognosticators by doubling the $5 million box office take they projected. Instead, the film pulled in just over $10 million, finishing in third place at the box office behind Deadpool & Wolverine and Alien: Romulus. Meantime, moviegoers awarded the film an A CinemaScore and a 98% on the Rotten Tomatoes Popcorn Meter. In stark contrast, Rotten Tomatoes critics scored the movie at just 19%. That cultural chasm between critics and audiences is nothing new of course – but is reportedly record, perhaps more indicative of how much many in the media despise Ronald Reagan and his legacy than it is any actual reflection of the artistic merits and flaws of the movie itself.
Talking about the film’s success and outlook, Kevin Mitchell, president of the newly launched Showbiz Direct which release the film on 2,750 screens, said “We are thrilled to be sitting in the top five with our first movie in a competitive market over this holiday weekend. We expect the film will continue to grow in the weeks ahead – especially in the South and Midwest.”
Still flying. Per Angel Studios, Season 3 of the hit animated series The Wingfeather Saga has received a full funding commitment and is moving into production. The show is the #1 crowdfunded animated family series in history, with over $8.2M raised by over 10,000 investors.
Expressing gratitude to the fans, showrunner J. Chris Walls said “The support from our fans has been so encouraging and inspiring…This milestone wouldn’t have been possible without the steadfast support from fans who joined the Angel Guild to watch the series, pay it forward, and purchase merchandise. Their enthusiasm is what fuels our commitment to delivering more of the adventures and wonder they have come to love. We’re so excited to dive into the next chapter of this journey.”
Distributed by Angel Studios, The Wingfeather Saga series is based on the best-selling novels by singer-songwriter and novelist Andrew Peterson which have sold over a million copies. Season 3, titled The Ice Prairies, continues the story from the book North! Or Be Eaten in which the Wingfeather family flees toward the Northern Ice Prairies to escape the Fangs of Dang. And who wouldn’t want to escape the Fangs of Dang.
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As a new season begins, here’s hope for everyone seeking a new start. Singer-songwriter Jason Crabb has teamed up with his long-time friends, multi-platinum recording artists Zach Williams and Trace Adkins, to deliver a brand-new spin on his inspirational 2024 hit God Can Use a Broken Man available everywhere today. The song, written by Williams, Ed Cash and Jonathan Smith, celebrates the power of forgiveness, the value and mercy that God places on each life and the purpose and hope of redemption. Extrapolating out from that all-important personal message (which applies to men and women), our country is feeling a little broken right now – but, with God’s mercy, our purpose as a beacon of freedom for the world remains. Stay hopeful, America.
John W. Kennedy is a writer, producer and media development consultant specializing in television and movie projects that uphold positive timeless values, including trust in God.
Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
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