We Speak Indie Artist
Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’ Tops $500M After Record $65M Third Weekend
Black Panther just snagged a jaw-dropping $65.7 million in its third weekend of domestic release. That’s the third-biggest third weekend of all time, behind only Avatar ($69m in 2010) and Star: The Force Awakens ($90m in 2016). Both of those respective third frames occurred when the Friday was on New Years’ Day. Black Panther is thus the biggest third-weekend gross for a movie that didn’t have any holiday boost. If you want to adjust for inflation, the Black Panther’s third-weekend gross is the fourth-biggest of all time, behind only Spider-Man ($71m adjusted), Avatar ($79m adjusted) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($96m adjusted).
Like Jurassic World, it needed just 17 days to get to $500 million domestic, which will be one day slower than The Last Jedi and seven days slower than The Force Awakens. Boy, the studio that distributed Black Panther is gonna be pissed that it took longer to top $500m than those last two episodic Star Wars movies. In all seriousness, the ridiculous hold arguably implies that Black Panther will eventually catch up to The Last Jedi in day-to-day grosses. But it might take a moment, which just goes to show that year-end Christmas/New Years advantage.
It has already passed Finding Dory to become the tenth-biggest U.S. grosser of all time, with a final landing spot of between seventh place and fifth place by the time it wraps up. Either way, this gives Walt Disney 15 of the top 30 domestic earners of all time, with 12 of those being in just the last six years. That’s a terrifying monopoly on the top-tier of mega-bucks franchises, which is why (all due respect), you might want to be rooting for Deadpool 2 and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom to kick unholy butt this summer.
Among comic book superhero flicks, it sits behind only The Dark Knight ($1 billion in 2008), The Dark Knight Rises ($1.1b in 2012), Captain America: Civil War ($1.1b in 2016), Iron Man 3 ($1.2b in 2013), Avengers: Age of Ultron ($1.4b in 2015) and The Avengers ($1.5b in 2012). Yes, it’s going to make a play for Iron Man 3’s milestone as the biggest solo superhero flick worldwide. Yes, it’s thus-far tracking for a solid bow in China next weekend. No, it doesn’t need to hit a home run in China to prove anything. Come what may, Black Panther is already a glorious smash hit.
Your move, Teen Titans Go to the Movies!.
We Speak Indie Artist
Feelgood Frequencies: Why CR Srikanth’s “Dancing in the Dark – VS Pop™” Is The Sonic Hug You Didn’t Know You Needed
If you’ve been looking for a track that feels like a warm, nostalgic hug wrapped in shimmering synths, CR Srikanth’s new single “Dancing in the Dark – VS Pop™” might be exactly what you need. It offers a beautiful balance of emotional depth and danceable energy, pulling you out of your head and into a place where you can just breathe, feel, and move. In a world that often feels overwhelming, this track delivers a sense of calm and release.
Srikanth, a US-based Indian composer and sonic storyteller, has carved out a unique musical space with his self-created genre, VS Pop™ (Very Smooth Pop). Drawing from vintage 1980s synthpop, ambient soundscapes, and cinematic orchestral touches, he’s crafted a style that feels both familiar and forward-thinking. “Dancing in the Dark” continues that evolution. It is at once intimate and expansive, polished yet deeply human.
The track features vocals from Junior Paez, whose delivery adds emotional texture to the lyrics. There’s a quiet honesty in lines like “Don’t you think you’re losing your mind again?” and “Hold on, I’ll take you a little higher tonight.” These words speak to the chaos we often feel inside, but instead of staying stuck there, the song encourages movement, connection, and hope. It is music that acknowledges the darkness but chooses to dance through it anyway.
The production is rich with shimmering arpeggiators, retro synth bass, and crisp electronic drums. It brings together nostalgia and futurism in a way that feels effortless. Imagine flickering neon lights, soft motion blur, and the kind of energy that makes you want to close your eyes and sway. It is cinematic but never overwhelming. Every layer serves the emotion at the heart of the track.
What makes “Dancing in the Dark” so appealing is how well it adapts to your mood. Whether you’re heading out for a solo night drive, setting the vibe for a weekend gathering, or simply lying on your bed in need of a reset, this song fits the moment. It never pushes too hard, but it always lands exactly where it needs to. There is something comforting about how sure of itself it feels.
CR Srikanth is not just making music for the sake of it. He is building emotional landscapes for listeners to get lost in and to find themselves again. With “Dancing in the Dark – VS Pop™,” he offers more than just a catchy tune. He gives us space to reflect, to feel seen, and to find joy in the act of simply moving forward. So press play, turn it up, and let yourself be lifted. This one’s for the heart, the soul, and the feet.
-
We Speak Soccer7 days agoNo Entry Allowed: How Austin Fortner Is Becoming a Standout Keeper with Confidence and Control
-
We Speak Football1 week agoFrom Snap to Touchdown: How Niah Reyes Plays the Game with Heart and Hustle
-
We Speak Coaches1 week agoCoach of Culture, Heart of a Movement: The Extraordinary Journey of Daniel Moore, Pioneer of Women’s Flag Football and Builder of Young Lives
-
We Speak Soccer2 days agoFrom Small Steps to Big Goals: How Alianna-Reyne Basa Became a Fearless Striker with a Champion’s Heart