The smartest insight and analysis, from all perspectives, rounded up from around the web: Even in a summer filled with box office failures, Ben-Hur is a flop of "biblical proportions," said Marissa Martinelli at Slate. Paramount Pictures and MGM spent more than $100 million to make and market the retelling of the swords-and-sandals epic, but the film recouped just $11.4 million during its August opening weekend.