Fast Furious to a Billion

"When you're dead, you got it made"

-Jimi Hendrix

That eerily (and tragically) prescient emark may now apply to the cast and producers of  Universal's “Furious 7″ which in the wake of the death od beloved star Paul Walker last year, crossed $1 billion at the worldwide box office Friday, becoming the studio’s first film to reach that milestone.

“Furious 7″ has grossed $735.2 million overseas in 17 days and $273.7 million in North America after 15 days — making it the fastest movie to reach $1 billion. “The Avengers,” “Avatar” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2″ had all crossed $1 billion in 19 days. Universal said the seven films in the franchise have totaled $3.392 billion in worldwide grosses.

“Furious 7″ is directed by James Wan and stars Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Jason Statham and Ludacris.It is the 20th film to take in $1 billion, with “Avatar” leading the list at $2.79 billion, followed by “Titanic” at $2.19 billion. Paramount’s “Transformers: Age of Extinction” had been most recent addition to the list last year with a $1.09 billion worldwide gross, which leaves it in 10th place.

“We’re incredibly proud to watch ‘Fast & Furious’ take its place as the only original live-action franchise to reach these kinds of results at the box office,” said Nick Carpou, U’s head of domestic distribution. “Our cast, filmmakers and all of our Universal and ‘Fast’ family deserve credit for working so hard to make ‘Furious 7′ a huge success, and we look forward to continuing to watch the film grow over the next few weeks.”

“What started as a small film about the street racing sub-culture of East Los Angeles has become a global phenomenon, with ‘Furious 7′ shattering records in so many territories around the globe,” said Duncan Clark, president of international distribution.

Universal said “Furious 7″ chalked up the record for second-biggest worldwide opening weekend at $397.2 million behind only “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.” It was the studio’s highest-grossing domestic launch at $147.2 million and international opening at $250 million.

“Furious 7″ also set records as the highest opening weekend in 29 territories and has become Universal’s highest-grossing film in 26 territories. Its $63.5 million opening day in China set a record, demolishing the previous record of $36 million for “Transformers 4.”

Ron Meyer, vice chairman of studio parent NBCUniversal, sent out a congratulatory note to the staff.

“At Universal we have had franchises with strong results at the box office, including ‘Jurassic Park,’ ‘Despicable Me’ and the ‘Bourne’ series, and although we take great pride in these accomplishments, what distinguishes ‘Fast and Furious’ is that it is an original live action concept with an entirely diverse cast,” Meyer noted. “It is the only franchise of its kind to reach a total of more than $3.39 billion and counting.”

Meyer also noted the unique circumstances created by star Paul Walker’s death in late 2013.

“When our friend and colleague Paul Walker tragically passed away in the middle of production, our team, led by Jeff Shell and Donna Langley, and the filmmakers, along with the cast and crew, did what they do best: They focused on family first; then talked to the fans; then got to work on making a great film that we can all be proud of,” he said. “We were all saddened and honored to be a part of Paul’s final career performance and to celebrate his defining role in our live

Going Deep, but Always Going Down: Sanctum Movie Trailer Official (HD)

About halfway through this vanity project, billed as "Executive Produced by James Cameron, director of Avatar and Titanic" the conclusion is hard to avoid: one is watching the aquatic-adventure equivalent of "Predator" or "The Nightmare on Elm Street" series, where the only fun that may remain is guessing which one of the cast is about to die next. 


The premise offers considerable prospects of escapist entertainment, if you're not creeped out by caves or extended underwater sequences: a group of explorers is deep inside one of the largest cave systems in the world, when a tropical cyclone above ground floods out their bas e station and forces them to find a possible way out by merely following the flow of the underground river.


The motley crew includes a crusty adventure-junkie, his estranged son, three associates, and the rich thrill-seeker who is financing the initial exploration, and who has brought his girlfriend along.  Things start out interestingly enough until the storm blows in and at that point, the body count begins to ratchet up, leading to frayed tempers and despair among the survivors. 


Richard Roxburgh as self-appointed leader Frank, is the best of the actors, but his obviously strained relationship with his son Josh (Rhys Wakefield) doesn't provide the tension that one requires. As the multi-millionaire playboy, Ioan Gruffudd (say 'Griffith") seems to have lost his way, content to merely shout his way through his scenes as if bluster automatically equates to emotion.  


Make no mistake, under director Alistair Grierson, Sanctum is marvelously shot. In particular, there's an early sequence in which we are afforded a bird's-eye view of the gaping mouth of the cave, looming like some giant catchment tank in the midst of the tropical jungle. For such a large system, in such a location, the cave is inexplicably devoid of wildlife, and this pristine nature leaves the movie feeling even more artificial, like a massive soundstage (which it almost certainly was).


Sanctum may well be one of those movies where a DVD viewing may be more in order, where the additional manipulation available may relieve the tedium of the action. 

Matrix: Reopened? Reeves says he and directors plan two more

Keanu Reeves reveals plans for Matrix four and fiveEnlarge photo

The actor - who appears as Neo in the first three movies of the sci-fi action drama - hinted he and the writers of the franchise, Andy and Larry Wachowski, have discussed the possibility of shooting the two new movies in 3D and are reportedly seeking further advice from 'Avatar' creator James Cameron.

However, the Wachowskis are said to be keen to deliver something which has "never been seen" in the movie world and would "truly transform" the action movie genre.

Hearing Keanu commenting during a key note speech at the London School of Performing Arts, a reporter for Ain't It Cool News said: "They have completed work on a two picture script treatment that would see him return to the world of 'The Matrix' as Neo.

"Keanu says the brothers have met with Jim Cameron to discuss the pros and cons of 3D and are looking to deliver something which has never been seen again. He stated that he still has an obligation to the fans to deliver a movie worthy of the title 'The Matrix' and he swears this time that the treatment will truly transform the action genre like the first movie."

However, according to the reporter, the Wachowskis are looking to complete their current work on new movie 'Cloud Atlas' before discussing the possibility of adding to 'The Matrix' series.