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A30 PEOPLE & ARTS
Monday 23 SepteMber 2019

'Downton Abbey' overpowers Brad Pitt,

Rambo at box office

By JAKE COYLE cus' distribution chief. "But matoes and comes on the
Associated Press as we started on working heels of plaudits for Pitt in
NEW YORK (AP) — Raise with promotions and spe- Quentin Tarantino's "Once
your tea cups! The big- cial events for the movie, Upon a Time ... In Holly-
screen encore of "Downton we realized that the love wood" (which has grossed
Abbey" handily (but very for 'Downton Abbey' goes $344.6 million worldwide
politely) thumped both way beyond what we even thus far).
Brad Pitt's "Ad Astra" and thought it was going to be." But the film, in which Pitt
Sylvester Stallone's "Rambo: Coming four years since plays an astronaut journey-
This image released by Focus Features shows Elizabeth Mc- Last Blood" in theaters over the series finale, "Down- ing through the solar system
Govern, from left, Harry Hadden-Paton, Laura Carmichael, the weekend in one of the ton Abbey" returns most of to reach his space-explorer
Hugh Bonneville and Michael Fox, right, in a scene from the film
"Downton Abbey." more unlikely box-office the original cast and was father (Tommy Lee Jones),
Associated Press upsets. penned by its creator, Ju- was a pricey one — espe-
"Downton Abbey" debuted lian Fellowes. To drum up cially for an artfully made
with $31 million in ticket excitement, Focus hosted drama predicated more
sales, according to studio dress-ups and "Down- on father-son psychology
estimates Sunday, royally ton" parties. While the film than sci-fi spectacle. The
trumping the $19.2 million- drew a healthy amount of production cost around
opening for "Ad Astra" younger moviegoers (31% $100 million for 20th Centu-
and the $19 million debut under 35), its audience was ry Fox, which was earlier this
for "Rambo: Last Blood." predictably largely female year acquired by the Walt
Neither the draw of Pitt in (74 and older (32% over 55) Disney Co.
space nor a bandanna- — a seldom-catered-to de- Disney postponed the re-
wearing Stallone could mographic. lease of "Ad Astra" from
match the appeal a tea Critics greeted the film May to September. The
party with old friends. warmly (85% fresh on Rot- result for "Ad Astra" fol-
While the stout perfor- ten Tomatoes) but audi- lows disappointing returns
mance of "Downton Ab- ences were even more for a handful of Fox films
bey" had come to be ex- enthusiastic, giving it an A released under Disney,
pected in the lead-up to CinemaScore. Having al- including "Dark Phoenix"
release, it was still striking. ready played for a week and "Stuber." ''Ad Astra,"
The debut marked the best in some international terri- which added $26 million
first weekend ever for Fo- tories, "Downton Abby" has overseas, will hope good
cus Features in its 17-year already brought in $61.8 reviews give the film some
history. It ranks as the best million worldwide. legs in the weeks ahead.
opening for any specialty Reviews were similarly "It's been a very rough go
studio in a decade. strong for James Grey's "Ad for many of the Fox releas-
"We always knew that there Astra," which premiered es," said Paul Dergarabedi-
was a tremendous amount earlier in the month at the an, senior media analyst for
of love for 'Downton Ab- Venice Film Festival. It sits data firm Comscore. "I think
bey,'" said Lisa Bunnell, Fo- at 83% fresh on Rotten To- this is a solid debut. q

Brittany Howard shines in new solo album

ative independence allows in "He Loves Me" and race
them to hit their stride. For in "Goat Head." Even seem-
others (even rock legend ingly simple songs, such as
Mick Jagger), they seem to "Georgia," carry weight.
function better as part of a In a world where lesbian
collective effort. love songs are a rarity in
Brittany Howard of Ala- the mainstream, this ten-
bama Shakes falls into the der track feels both pow-
former category. Her per- erful and vulnerable. "He
sonality and songwriting Loves Me" samples church
shine through on "Jaime," sermons as Howard sings,
the singer and guitarist's "I don't go to church any-
In this April 29, 2017 file photo, 11-track solo debut. more." The song confronts
Brittany Howard of Alabama Howard doesn't play it safe the dissonance between
Shakes performs at the New
Orleans Jazz and Heritage on "Jaime." She experi- religious teachings and
Festival in New Orleans. ments with musical styles progressive lifestyles head
Associated Press more than she typically has on. "I know He still loves me
in her work with the Shakes. when I'm smoking blunts/
By RAGAN CLARK While Alabama Shakes ad- Loves me when I'm drinking
Associated Press here to a more classic rock too much," she sings. Then
Brittany Howard, "Jaime" sound, Howard brings in later, "He doesn't judge
(ATO Records) gospel, lo-fi and funk influ- me." Just as Howard brings
Solo projects can be hit ences on "Jaime." to light the gray area of re-
or miss for artists looking In her subject matter, ligion in "He Loves Me," she
to break from a band. For she also doesn't pull any does the same with race in
some, their newfound cre- punches, tackling religion "Goat Head."q