Home
Entertainment
'La La Land' Shatters Records Despite Release in Just Five Theaters

'La La Land' Shatters Records Despite Release in Just Five Theaters

By Rea Gabriel 13 Dec, 2016 11:55 EST

Actors Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling place their handprints in cement during a ceremony in the forecourt of the TCL Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California U.S., December 7, 2016. Photo: REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Lionsgate's musical film "La La Land" grossed around $855,000 in just five theaters located in New York and Los Angeles. Despite its limited release, the musical acquired record- breaking figures on its debut in December 9. It averages $171,000 in each of the five cinemas. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone's stellar performance and chemistry hooked the people to keep the cinemas packed and lines full.

"It's a movie that you walk in the theater and you just feel great," David Spitz, Lionsgate's head of distribution, said. "It makes you feel terrific and that's a good thing right now."

"La La Land" has been already gaining positive reaction since its screening to several film festivals last fall. It is considered to be one of the best in the critics' list for the year, according to Variety. Even Tom Hanks accounted that "if the audience doesn't go and embrace something as wonderful as 'La La Land' then we are all doomed."

The director of "La La Land," Damien Chazelle, who is also behind the musical works of the critically-acclaimed "Whiplash," worked and discussed the idea with motion picture group president Erik Feig for the creation of the musical. Chazelle stated that he wanted to put a modern take on classical musicals like "The Band Wagon" and "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg."

The proven and engaging chemistry of Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling also helped the film gain a wider audience, especially the younger men and women. According to Hollywood Reporter, 53% of the moviegoers who watched the film are over 30 years old.

"Right now we are focused on expanding the film and spreading the success," said Spitz.

In South Korea, "La La Land" gained a $4 million debut which is its first major market overseas. It is also screened in limited release on other foreign small markets which garnered a total of $4.6 million.

"La La Land" is also gaining recognition from its seven nominations from the Golden Globes. The nominations include best comedy or musical, best director, for Chazelle, best actress in a comedy or a musical, for Emma Stone, and best actor in a comedy or a musical, for Ryan Gosling.

Apart from the Golden Globe nominations, the musical was also awarded best picture and best director in the Critics Circle Awards. With the acknowledgment of the film in different award shows, "La La Land" could not be far from gaining a nomination or an award for Oscars.

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

In order an effort to promote traditional Chinese culture, the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, in collaboration with Macao YMCA, Guangzhou Suigang'ao Teenagers Institute, and the Teacher Chang Foundation of Taiwan, has conducted a survey on teens measuring their cultural awareness. They found that Hong Kong youths generally identify with and support the values of traditional Chinese culture.
Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.
Yesterday, October 31, was Reformation Day, and Lutherans around the world held various events in commemoration. In Singapore, the Lutheran Church advocated for Christian communion, while the German Lutheran Church encouraged believers to face the challenge of “trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time.”
Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.
2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation
In the afternoon of Reformation Sunday, Oct. 27, some 2.1 million Christians gathered for a joint worship service from 2pm to 5pm in Seoul, Korea to “unite for repentance, revival, and restoration of holiness in our society.” According to organizers, an estimated 1.1 million joined onsite despite the bad weather with another 1 million joining online. The unprecedented joint worship service brought together Korean churches across denominations as they affirmed traditional marriage and family and
Willow Creek Community Church invites believers to write prayer cards for the next president
This past Sunday, Willow Creek Community Church based in Illinois invited believers to “pray for the next president” during the service. The church not only expressed its concern for the upcoming election but also emphasized the role believers should play in the process and the importance of offering prayers for the nation's leaders.

'La La Land' Shatters Records Despite Release in Just Five Theaters

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues

2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.