‘Dark Phoenix,’ ‘Godzilla,’ and ‘Rocketman’ Take a Dive at the Box Office

Breitbart ^ | June 8,2019 | John Nolte

[Hojczyk]

Rocketman also took a steep 57 percent dive in its second weekend, which brings the overall ten-day take to a pathetic $47.5 million.

This Elton John biopic was supposed to be this year’s Bohemian Rhapsody, but Freddie Mercury’s biopic opened higher ($51 million) than Rocketman’s total ten day haul.

In fact, after its second weekend, Bohemian Rhapsody had already cleared the $100 million mark.

So what went so wrong here? After all, Rocketman received much better reviews than Bohemian Rhapsody (90 percent fresh for Rocketman compared to Bohemian’s barely fresh 61 percent), Elton John was always a bigger star than Freddie Mercury, and both men were open about their homosexuality.

The big difference appears to be the approach.

Bohemian Rhapsody explored Mercury’s life as an artist, as a musical genius, and didn’t dwell on his sexuality or other personal foibles. It was a tribute to a man’s otherworld talent — and that is how the movie chose to define him, as opposed to defining him by what he did with his penis.

Rocketman defines Elton John by his sexuality, his drug problems, and sex addiction, as opposed to his undeniable musical talent.

[Hardastarboard]

What?!?!? Freddie Mercury was gay?!?! Who knew? Lol

[Hojczyk]

I saw both..forget Rocketman...it was a two hour therapy session

Most depressing move I have seen in a long time..

I left Bohemian Rhapsody at least happy..

Is everyone in the Arts GUY???

I really do not what to know every ones sexuality

[Spruce]

I liked Elton John despite his homosexuality, not because of it.

[MeganC]

The difference between Freddie Mercury’s movie and Elton John’s movie is that one movie was about a musical genius who happened to be gay and the other is about a nasty, bitter faggot who happens to be a musician.

[Heartlander]

FYI - John Wick 3 is a pretty good action flick...

[cincinnati65]

That was my very thought when I first saw the trailers for Rocketman -- it's a knockoff of Bohemian Rhapsody, where they were going to try to "out-gay" it.

The difference between the two is that BR explored Mercury's homosexuality as a single facet of a complex character; whereas it appears Rocketman sought to define Elton John by his sexuality.

[freedumb2003]

Rotten Tomatoes “rates” based on the highest bidder.

Captain Marvel proved it is meaningless. Even the “critics” admitted you give good reviews or “lose access.”

It is useless as a guide to where you want to spend your hard-earned entertainment $$.

[freedumb2003]

>>The difference between Freddie Mercury’s movie and Elton John’s movie is that one movie was about a musical genius who happened to be gay and the other is about a nasty, bitter faggot who happens to be a musician.<<

Excellent synopsis. I really liked Bohemian Rhapsody for exactly that reason. The gay stuff was there and even shaped him but it was in the context of how Mercury did what he did.

Have not seen RM and based on reviews will not. It should be about Taupin anyway (is it?) :)

[TomServo]

Don’t even go the movies anymore. Stream Netflix or wait for it to hit bargain bin at Wally Mart.

[ClearCase_guy]

Homosexuals are boring.

It takes more than perversion to attract an audience. “Bohemian Rhapsody” had very little perversion, actually. It was a movie very busy telling an interesting story about a musician and his band.

[Zathras]

I really liked it!
Haley Barry and the dogs were worth the price of admission.

[Heartlander]

Agreed

[vetvetdoug]

the dogs were worth the price of admission
No kidding, those were well trained Belgians and their attacks were well aimed.

I also saw Godzilla and it had some decent special effects, the story line poor with multiple gaps, but it was a Godzilla movie, I didn't expect much.

[Gen.Blather]

“Is everyone in the Arts GAY???”

I knew a happily married man who ran an antique and art boutique in downtown St. Pete. One day I stopped in and we were chatting. His wife got his attention and nodded towards a woman just coming in. The wife disappeared in the back and my buddy did a complete transformation into this foppish, gay guy. He complimented the customer on her fabulous outfit, his wrist was spaghetti. I wandered over to look at a display. My buddy sold this woman several pieces amounting to something around five thousand dollars. (She was a regular, an interior decorator, if I recall.) After she left, it was like he flipped a switch and he was normal again. His wife came back out of the back. He said, (approximately) “We were doing poorly and then somebody told me that to sell antiques around here you have to be gay. We came up with this persona and we were suddenly doing very well.”

There are certain professions and places where it is really hard to make it as a straight.

[Reily]

“Is everyone in the Arts GAY???”

Short answer - yes!

[MarkL]

I remember the vast majority of people LOVING Elton John, David Bowie, Lou Reed, Robert Plant, and Mick Jagger in spite of their sexual exploits, not because of them. They were loved because of their talents. Bohemian Rhapsody took that direction. I'll admit I haven't seen the Elton John movie, and probably won't, until it comes to TV, though I loved his music in the 70s, I can't understand why they would focus on his failings rather than his genius.

The craziest thing is something the article stated as just a throwaway line, but it may be the most startling and prescient thing in the article.

Hollywood should make movies for everyone.

Mark

[Frapster]

Rocketman was painful to watch. Instead of celebrating his musical genius we had to sit through a classic victim narrative. Whatever. Sure would like my money and time back.

[dfwgator]

There was a Cheers episode where Norm had to pretend to be gay in order get business as an interior decorator.

[MarkL]

Besides the fact that I wasn't much of a Queen fan until I saw them in concert in the mid 1970s (I couldn't believe how just 4 people onstage could have such charisma, and I do mean all 4, although Freddie took it to a different level.) The actor who played Freddie, Remy Malik, is an incredible actor. While many people may remember his from "A Night at the Museum," his work in "Mr. Robot" is really incredibly disturbing, and he's either seriously disturbed, or a really amazing actor.

Mark