TriStar and Studio 8’s “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk” had a strong showing as it played to multiple sold-out audiences in two theaters in New York and Los Angeles over the weekend.
Directed by three-time Oscar winner Ang Lee and shot in 120 frames per second, the film made an estimated $120,000.
Audiences were treated to a high-tech, special immersive format of the film, starring newcomer Joe Alwyn, along with Kristen Stewart, Garrett Hedlund and Vin Diesel. Each theater dedicated only one screen for the film, specially outfitted to project it in 4K, 3D, and at 120 frames per second.
It’s based on the celebrated novel by Ben Fountain and goes inside the mind of decorated soldier Billy Lynn, who has gained fame after a battleground video that captures his heroics has gone viral. When he and his squad appear at an NFL game, he finds himself conflicted about his newfound fame as he reflects on his wartime experience.
So far the film has received mixed reviews, reflected in its 49 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes.
“Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk” is being distributed by Sony and expands to more than 800 theaters next weekend before opening wide.
Sony Classics thriller “Elle,” starring Isabelle Huppert and directed by Paul Verhoeven, made an estimated $56,012 from two theaters. The film about a woman who tracks down her attacker, the film has a 92 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
Abramorama’s glowingly reviewed documentary “Disturbing the Peace” earned a projected $9,798 from two theaters over the weekend. The film by Stephen Apkon and Andrew Young brings together former enemy combatants on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides as an example for a path to peace the rest of the world could follow.
Filmrise doc “National Bird” has a 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and made an estimated $4,000 from one location. The film follows whistleblowers in the secret U.S. drone war.
Finally, “The Love Witch,” out of Oscilloscope Pictures, made $23,000 from six locations. A look at the ongoing battle of the sexes, the horror comedy was written and directed by Anna Biller (“Personal Best”). It has a 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.