Murder on the Orient Express

This uncluttered post-Thanksgiving frame left the US box office without a single major wide release, but several returning titles and expanding specialty films made milestones of their own. First place went to Disney/Pixar’s Coco, which once again sapped some super powers away from Justice League and finished its second weekend with $26.

Kenneth Branagh’s Murder on the Orient Express harkens back to another era but is updated with modern and eternal themes – ethnic discrimination, greed and revenge. The Agatha Christie classic allows for plush material and incredible tailoring, lavishly employed by costume designer Alex Byrne.

There was little surprise this weekend as all of the world’s box office headlines were dominated by Thor: Ragnarok’s US launch. Industry analysts and Disney/Marvel execs were predicting a $100 million opening after Thursday’s preview showings but strong word of mouth and overwhelmingly positive reviews pushed the Chris Hemsworth led film to $121 million.

  “I was very happily not working,” notes Judy Hofflund, who had retired after 30 years in the business as an agent and manager, “but I had to say, ‘Yes,’” when former client, Kenneth Branagh asked her to be a producer on his latest film, Murder on the Orient Express. “I asked Ken, “This movie is huge, are you sure?’ He was completely confident, saying, ‘I know you will find your way.