Page 30 - ARUBA TODAY

A30 PEOPLE & ARTS
Tuesday 7 augusT 2018
'Mission: Impossible' bests Winnie-the-Pooh at box office

By JAKE COYLE tion," said Taff. "We're hap-
NEW YORK (AP) — Tom py with where it's at and we
Cruise sped past Winnie- think it's got some runway
the-Pooh at the box of- being one of the only fam-
fice to lead all films for the ily options going forward."
second straight week with Taff confirmed that "Chris-
an estimated $35 million in topher Robin" has been
ticket sales for "Mission Im- denied a release in China,
possible -- Fallout." locking the release out
The success of Paramount from the world's second
Pictures' sixth, stunt-filled largest film market. While
"Mission: Impossible" install- China provides no reason
ment, along with muted for the films it doesn't select
enthusiasm for the Walt for its theaters, government
Disney Co.'s "Christopher sensors have recently been
Robin," made for a seldom- blocking images of Winnie-
seen result: A Disney movie the-Pooh after bloggers
debuting in second place. began using him to parody
In a year where the studio Chinese president Xi Jin-
has already notched three This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Tom Cruise in a scene from "Mission: Impossible ping. The late-summer suc-
$1 billion films worldwide - Fallout." cess of "Mission: Impossible"
("Black Panther," ''Aveng- Associated Press — which has made $124.5
ers: Infinity War" and, as of million thus far along with
this week, "Incredibles 2"), ens." emaScore. pole releases in the Disney $205 million internation-
the more modest Winnie- Made for an estimated $75 Cathleen Taff, head of dis- slate. "It's one of our smaller ally — is helping solidify a
the-Pooh live-action revival million, Marc Forster's "Chris- tribution for Disney, said films and it's really focused comeback summer for Hol-
opened with a relatively topher Robin" stars Ewan there's room for non-tent- on character and emo- lywood. q
ho-hum $25 million. As a McGregor as a grown-up
reminder that "Christopher Christopher Robin reunited
Robin" was a minor release with the beloved charac- 'Under a Dark Sky' has shrewd
for Disney, "Black Panther" ters of the Hundred Acre
on Sunday became the Wood: Pooh, Tigger, Piglet plot, realistic characters
third film to ever cross $700 and the rest (who are ren-
million domestically, a feat dered digitally but con-
only previously accom- vincingly felt-like). While
plished by "Avatar" and reviews were mixed, audi- est. A shrewd plot and real- able, she is drawn to the
"Star Wars: The Force Awak- ences gave it an "A'' Cin- istic characters also soar in myriad personalities — and
"Under a Dark Sky." their complex relationships.
Mired in grief since her hus- Despite their shared his-
band, Bix, died nine months tory, the group has an odd
ago, Eden Wallace de- dynamic. "... these people
cides to keep a reservation didn't even seem to know
at Straits Point International how to enjoy one another's
Dark Sky Park in Michigan. company," Eden observes.
Before he died, Bix planned Complicated jealousies,
the park visit as a surprise past actions and devastat-
for their 10th-wedding an- ing secrets are revealed
niversary, and she has just when one of the six is mur-
found the reservation while dered. Rader-Day expertly
cleaning out a drawer. It's plots an ingenious mystery
an unusual gift because in "Under a Dark Sky." Eden
This cover image released by Eden's fear of the dark grieves for her husband but
William Morrow shows "Under
a Dark Sky," by Lori Rader- is pathological, but she also mourns what her mar-
Day. hopes the visit will give her riage was and what the
Associated Press a new perspective on her relationship with Bix could
life, and get her away from have been. Grief and re-
By OLINE H. COGDILL her Chicago home. gret have turned her into a
Associated Press But instead of solitude, woman she doesn't recog-
"Under a Dark Sky" (Mor- Eden is sharing the resort nize, simultaneously overly
row), by Lori Rader-Day with six strangers — college emotional, coldhearted
A dark sky park where even friends who booked the and judgmental. Although
the slightest glimmer of light cottage for a reunion. Her only 34, Eden feels so much
is blocked out provides a immediate reaction is to older than the friends who
fascinating backdrop for leave, but Eden has been are even more unsettled in
Lori Rader-Day's inventive doing a lot of hiding late- their mid-20s.
fourth novel. The darkness ly, avoiding people and Set in a fictional park, "Un-
that permeates the park's alienating friends who are der a Dark Sky" captures
environs also works as an tired of hearing about Bix's the beauty of the dozens
imaginative metaphor for death. Besides, the park of similar nocturnal environ-
murky emotions and con- will not refund Bix's pay- ments that thrives at such
cealing secrets, even from ment. Although the friends recreation areas through-
those to whom one is clos- make Eden uncomfort- out the world.q