My Publicist Note Book

" If you were to create a blueprint for how to perfectly execute a box office year, they’ve done it " LOS ANGELES — "Straight Outta Compton" may take place more than two decades ago, but its themes of racial tension, poverty, and police brutality still speak to moviegoers living in a post-Ferguson world. The boys from Compton smashed opening weekend expectations, while the stylish “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” struggled to find its footing. Universal’s N.W.A. biopic earned an astonishing $56.1 million in its debut, according to studio estimates Sunday. Director F. Gary Gray’s well-received film charts the formation and rise of the influential rap group. It cost just $29 million to produce. The biopic about rap group N.W.A. debuted to a blistering $56.1 million this weekend in 2,757 theaters, surpassing "American Pie 2" to become the biggest ever August debut for an R-rated movie. Beyond the fandom around N.W.A. and the timeliness of the theme...

“ Straight Outta Compton ” is headed straight to the top of the U.S. box office with an opening weekend of more than $40 million in its sights. That should more than double the opening for Warner Bros.’ spy drama “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” which carries plenty of star power with Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer and Alicia Vikander. The music biopic, focused on the groundbreaking rap group N.W.A, looks likely to keep Universal’s hot streak at the 2015 box office in tact following hits with “Jurassic World,” “Minions,” “Trainwreck,” “Furious 7” and “Fifty Shades of Grey.” The most conservative estimates for “Straight Outta Compton,” co-financed by Legendary Pictures with a budget of $29 million, have placed the debut in the $25 million to $29 million range. Tracking is strongest among African-American and Caucasian male audiences but Phil Contrino, VP and chief analyst at BoxOffice.com, said the movie is showing plenty of traction in all demographics outside of the cor...