The Irishman, a gangster movie based upon actual events, was released on November 14 and pulled out of theaters Nov 22 having grossed only $349,018 at theaters in NY and LA, not creating buzz nor justifying a wider release. On Nov 27, it will stream on Netflix, maybe a record for quickest theatre to stream.
A mafia movie with Pacino, Pesci, DiNero, Kietel, and directed by Scorsese was much anticipated. Then DiNero went crazy with his over-the-top (even for Hollywood) rants and F-bombs, about President Trump, offending half or more of the population. Even some liberals are offended by his F-bombs and angry rants.
NOTE: If you watch on Netflix, look for a star turn by movie newbie, stand-up comedian Sebastian Maniscalco, an Italian from NY.
IMO DiNero’s associates have a righteous compliant about him costing them greatly at the box office. If there is good buzz, 3-weeks in the theatre is nothing. What did the producers do? They sent DiNero on Fallon to pump up the movie. Wrong move. Have you heard DiNero in interviews and on talk shows. Let’s face it; the man can act; I offer Godfather II and Casino and the TV Movie about Bernie Madoff as evidence. But in a spontaneous situation, away from work, he’s a total dud; not exactly a Rhodes Scholar. He needs a script writer when he’s away from work too.
With a limited showing on a few screens a hit could expand to up to 2,000 screens and easily get the movie into the black. I don’t know what Netflix is paying, but my fees haven’t gone up.
In his movies since 2014, Dinero has drawn 1.4 billion in Joker, which was not his star turn but Joaquin Phoenix. He made 101 million gross in another and the rest seriously tanked. My belief is he is on a serious downward spiral and in danger of being just a bitter old man, who once was great genre actor. When Trump is re-elected maybe we should put him on suicide watch.
That movie had to make at least $300 Million before it started showing any kind of profit and that was not going to happen.
It was always destined for Netflix. It had a brief theatrical run only to qualify for Academy Awards contention, that's all. It was never slated for wide theatrical release. It's an R-rated movie that is 3 1/2 hours long.
Netflix always does small releases. Generally in the art houses. That’s where I saw it yesterday. They’re really just gunning to be movie award eligible instead of just TV award, and a bit of change on those that want to see things on the big screen. Not looking for a big splash or long run. El Camino only did a weekend. That’s their model. Theatrical is nothing more than an add for the service.