Box Office
Transformers Dark of the Moon Review Part 1
Even though our lovely Megan is not in this movie, I decided to go and see how the story line developed without her in it. So here I sit blogging this as the movie is beginning. I’m curious to see how they “killed” off Mikaela. Will they simply ignore the fact that there is now an ugly blonde playing Sam’s love interest, or will they say something to the effect of them splitting up. Only a few moments and I’ll know. Stay tuned folks. Lets see how horribly Steven Spielberg messed up when he fired Megan….
“Eclipse” Eclipses Box Office @ Midnight Showings
In what looks to be an assault on the faltering summer box office, “Eclipse” raked in a staggering $30 million just in midnight showings on Wednesday (beating out the midnight screening grosses of “New Moon). Reviews for the film have all been split down the middle between top critics and regular critics but all of them agree on one thing: the third time’s the charm! Good luck trying to score some good seats this long 4th of July weekend!
Jonah Hex = Instant Failure
There are so many things that Warner Bros could’ve done to get better box office reception out of their new film “Jonah Hex”, but they didn’t. The new Josh Brolin-Megan Fox comic book flick opened yesterday in less than 2,500 theaters and only registered less than $2 million. So by industry standards, the movie could end up with a $5-6 million opening weekend, which would make it an even bigger disappointment.
Look at the factors the movie had going for it. It has starpower and the graphic novel has a fanbase. So where does the problem lie then? Let me explain it plain and simple: PROMOTION. Warner Bros. gave very little promotional push to the product. TV advertisements were scarce, you didn’t see billboards or busstop posters nor were there city busses driving around the city with Josh or Megan’s face plastered on the side.
And, on top of that, the cast did little to no promotion of the film. Malkovich is literally Missing-In-Action, Josh worked a bit and appeared in 3 or 4 late-night talk shows while Megan Fox has done ZERO late-night shows. In fact, the only TV interviews that Megan did were from a day-long press junket that was held just LAST WEEKEND. But she did appear on the covers of Allure and Interview Magazine, although it’s not as if appearing on a magazine cover ever helped. Oh, and let’s not forget, the movie’s premiere was held 24 hours before it’s release date! That’s not a good sign!
Also, the feedback hasn’t been so positive neither. The reviews for the film praise Brolin’s performance but take a big dump on everything else from the length of the film (less than 80 minutes), to the script, to the news about the film’s less-than-receptive reshoots with a different director earlier this year, and to the release date (the movie was slated for August but moved up to June). I mean, what was Warner Bros. THINKING by opening this movie against “Toy Story 3″? Somebody over there is smoking crack because if they thought this film would perform better against Pixar, they better think of looking for another job.
To be realistic, “Jennifer’s Body” made more money but at least it won’t stink like “MacGruber”.
Tyler Perry talks about Madea’s demise
Madea has been to the family reunion and she’s been to jail and now Tyler Perry wants to take the foul-tempered, pistol-packin’ matriarch to the great beyond.
The director-writer-producer wants to kill his cash cow.
“I would love to see Madea die a slow death in the next film,” Perry said.
The reason for the proposed character homicide is that it takes a lot of effort to turn the 6-foot-5-inch Perry into big momma Madea.
He knows she’s “a whole lot of fun to watch. But to do it is a nightmare,” Perry said. “It’s all one suit that I’m zipped into, so it’s all heavy. The hips are heavy. And the more I sweat, the heavier it gets. I see why women have back problems who have large breasts. Holding those things upright can be tough.”
“Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail” topped the U.S. box office last weekend with $41 million in its first three days of release, making it Perry’s all-time highest opening weekend. The character is also set to appear in “Madea’s Class Reunion.”
Perry said that it’s clear that fans want more of her. “As long as they want to see her, she’ll stay around. But, I’m telling you, if they ever stop coming, she’s going to die a quick death. ‘Madea’s Funeral.’ That’s what you look forward to.”
PEOPLE’s peek at the Presley twins
The Presley legacy expanded yet again when Elvis Presley’s only daughter, Lisa Marie, gave birth to twin girls Finley and Harper in October and PEOPLE magazine has the first peek at the new princesses of rock’n'roll. Exclusive photos of the twins will be included in this weeks’ edition of PEOPLE.
Lisa Marie tried for two years to get pregnant before conceiving this time.
“I really wanted these babies,” she said. “My blood was too thick and would clot, which caused several miscarriages. The moment I took blood thinners, I got pregnant.”
Father of the girls is her guitarist husband Michael Lockwood. Lisa Marie has a 19-year-old daughter, Riley and Benjamin, 16, from a previous marriage to Danny Keough. She married Lockwood in January 2006.
‘Sopranos’ actor cleared in slaying
“The Sopranos” actor Lillo Brancato Jr. was cleared in the killing of a police officer Monday.
Brancato was instead convicted of a lesser charge of attempted burglary and faces three to 15 years in prison. The former actor could get credit for time served because he has been behind bars for nearly three years during the trial process.
The results were met with criticism by the slain officers’s sister.
“What message is this sending out to the New York City police officers today? It’s wrong,” said Yolanda Rosa Nazario, sister of the victim.
Prosecutors said Brancato, 32, and accomplice Steven Armento broke into a basement apartment to steal prescription drugs after a night of drinking at a strip club in December 2005. Officer Daniel Enchautegui, 28, who lived next door and was off duty, came over to investigate.
Armento shot Enchautegui with his .357 Magnum, hitting him in the heart. The dying officer fired back and wounded both Armento and Brancato.
Brancato admits to problems with drugs and alcohol, said he was unaware Armento, 48, was carrying a weapon. He also argued he did not directly take part in the killing and was not armed.
Armento was convicted earlier this year of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Brancato left the courtroom in handcuffs. His sentencing is Jan. 9, and District Attorney Robert T. Johnson said he would seek “the maximum sentence that the law allows.”
‘BH Chihuahua’ is still the top dog
Apparently reality is so annoying that even a talking dog will get people in the door.
“Beverly Hills Chihuahua” remained the top dog this weekend with $17.5 million for a 10-day total of $52.5 million. Studio analysts are speculating that its success was thanks to the dire financial realities which drove people toward light-hearted family fare.
October’s horror crowd flocked to “Quarantine,” which debuted with $14.2 million for second place.
Next up was “Body of Lies,” a terrorism thrill starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe and directed by Ridley Scott. It took in $13.1 million in its debut weekend. The Warner Bros. film centers on a CIA operative hunting the terrorist responsible for bombings around the world.
The weekend’s other new wide releases, “The Express” and “City of Ember,” opened weakly.
“The Express” – starring Rob Brown and Dennis Quaid in the story of Ernie Davis, the first black player to win the Heisman Trophy – came in sixth with $4.7 million.
“City of Ember,” with Tim Robbins and Bill Murray in a post-apocalyptic adventure set in an underground world, took in $3.2 million to finish at No. 10.
The top 10 list for the weekend is:
1. “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” $17.5 million.
2. “Quarantine,” $14.2 million.
3. “Body of Lies,” $13.1 million.
4. “Eagle Eye,” $11 million.
5. “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist,” $6.5 million.
6. “The Express,” $4.7 million.
7. “Nights in Rodanthe,” $4.6 million.
8. “Appaloosa,” $3.34 million.
9. “The Duchess,” $3.32 million.
10. “City of Ember,” $3.2 million.
‘Chihuahua’ takes a bite out of the box office
“Beverly Hills Chihuahua” looked like a dog to me, but it was barking up the right tree with movie audiences this weekend. The Disney movie took the number one spot for the weekend with $29 million.
Last week’s number one, “Eagle Eye,” dropped to second place with $17.7 million for a $54.6 million haul overall.
The weekend wasn’t quite as sweet to other premieres. “Mick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” came in third with $12 million and “Nights in Rodanthe,” dropped to fourth place in its second week and hauled in $7.4 million. “Appaloosa” (in expanded but still limited release) took fifth with $5 million.
Two other movies, the comedy “How to Lose Friends and Alienate People” and the apocalyptic “Blindness,” both bombed. “How to Lose Friends and Alienate People” (which is a bit tiring just saying the name of) alienated viewers and pulled in just $1.4 million in 1,750 theaters. “Blindness” took in a bit more: $2 million in 1,69 0theaters.
The top-12 movies hauled in $95.4 million, up 42 percent from the same weekend a year ago, when “The Game Plan” was No. 1 with $16.6 million.
“We had a huge weekend,” said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Media By Numbers. “That’s really due to the little Chihuahua. The little dog made a big difference.”
The final rankings for the weekend were:
1. “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” $29 million.
2. “Eagle Eye,” $17.7 million.
3. “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist,” $12 million.
4. “Nights in Rodanthe,” $7.4 million.
5. “Appaloosa,” $5 million.
6. “Lakeview Terrace,” $4.5 million.
7. “Burn After Reading,” $4.08 million.
8. “Fireproof,” $4.07 million.
9. “An American Carol,” $3.8 million.
10. Religulous, $3.5 million.
James Bond: Quantum of Solace tralier
Well I’m in Movie mode tonight and in my opinion I think this is going to be one hell of a film.
I actually found it difficult to accept Daniel Craig as the ‘new’ Bond and couldn’t get to grips with his first outing as Bond in Casino Royale, but I decided to give it another go and was completely gripped! He is a fantastic actor and has certainly made Bond his own, more gritty and sexy into the bargain.
So here’s a little taster of what is to hit our screens in the UK in November, enjoyL
Sneak peek at the long awaited ‘Watchmen’ film
Only a select few members of the press were allowed to preview this masterpiece with director Zack Snyder on Wednesday.
The film is based on Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ award-winning graphic novel of the same name about a group of subversive superheroes in hiding. The film was originally going to be set in modern times, but Snyder persuaded them to set the film in its proper era of 1985, which is when the graphic novel which the film is based on was set in.
There were three scenes viewed in all and Snyder is adamant that there won’t be a sequel, so I’m hoping that this trailer whets your appetite for the forthcoming movie, set to hit the big screens in March 2009.
‘Eagle Eye’ flies to the top of the box office
“Eagle Eye” soared to the top of the box office this weekend with $29.2 million, according to studio estimates.
In second-place was romantic drama “Nights in Rodanthe” with $13.6 million.
The previous box office champ, “Lakeview Terrace,” fell to No. 3 with $7 million for a ten-day total of $25.7 million.
And in a surprise fourth-place finish was Christian drama “Fireproof,” starring Kirk Cameron as a firefighter who turns to God to help save his marriage. It pulled in $6.5 million.
Spike Lee’s World War II drama “Miracle at St. Anna” opened with just $3.5 million, coming in at No. 9.
The top 10 list is:
1. “Eagle Eye,” $29.2 million.
2. “Nights in Rodanthe,” $13.6 million.
3. “Lakeview Terrace,” $7 million.
4. “Fireproof,” $6.5 million.
5. “Burn After Reading,” $6.2 million.
6. “Igor,” $5.5 million.
7. “Righteous Kill,” $3.803 million.
8. “My Best Friend’s Girl,” $3.8 million.
9. “Miracle at St. Anna,” $3.5 million.
10. “Tyler Perry’s the Family That Preys,” $3.2 million.
Hillary Swank Hospitalized.
According to PEOPLE Hilary Swank is recuperating after undergoing a minor medical procedure at the hospital. According to her manager, Jason Weinberg,
Hillary was experiencing some discomfort and went to see her doctor, who prescribed an immediate course of action that included a brief hospitalization to remove a small, benign growth
Megan Fox & Shia LaBeouf @ Eagle Eye Premier. Looking Great Together
The young duo was seen out at The Eagle Eye premier. Sources tell Celebutopia that this is a hot ticket and this movie will be one of the best this season. Megan looks fantastic as usual. They look like they would be a happy couple if they decided to become one. Only wishful thinking, i know. Below you will see some of the images. For the full set, enter our FORUM.
Megan Fox In New GQ Magazine HOTNESS!!!!
Megan has become somewhat of a sex symbol. She has been known to get embarrassed whenever she gets noticed…
Fox is having breakfast in a hotel lobby in San Diego, and this Sam! Sam! bit is her impression of her work in Transformers the movie that launched her career in 2007 and earned her such dubious honors as the Sexiest Woman in the World. She’s not exactly proud of the performance. “It’s like ‘Fuck. Fuck!’” she says. “Every time that movie is playing on a plane, I pull my hat down like blinders.”
It’s been a year since ‘Transformers’ director Michael Bay had her bend her denim-skirted body over the hood of a 76 Camaro, a moment that’s since blown up on the Web and made Fox into Farrah Fawcett for the Internet video age. But lately, Fox has begun to see all the attention coming her way as a problem.
“I don’t want to be famous right now,” she says. “I’ve done one movie. And it’s not a movie I want to stand on as far as acting ability goes. I mean, I’m not going to win an Oscar anytime soon. I’m not Meryl Streep.
GQ Video
GQ Images
‘Burn After Reading’ burns through the box office
Brad Pitt and George Clooney can bring it. To the box office, that is. The Coen brothers nailed their biggest opening weekend to date with $19.4 million in sales for their movie “Burn After Reading,” according to Sunday studio estimates.
“The Family That Preys,” “Righteous Kill” and “The Women” did steady business as well.
Writer-director Tyler Perry’s “The Family That Preys” came in second with $18 million, while the Pacino-De Niro crime flick “Righteous Kill” came in third with $16.5 million.
Indie flick and remake “The Women” made $10.1 million for fourth place.
The weekend’s total box-office draw should exceed $100 million, breaking a seven-week slide in ticket revenue, said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Media by Numbers. Last weekend was the slowest moviegoing weekend in five years.
The top 12 movies at US theaters were:
1. “Burn After Reading,” $19.4 million.
2. “Tyler Perry’s The Family that Preys,” $18.0 million.
3. “Righteous Kill,” $16.5 million.
4. “The Women,” $10.1 million.
5. “The House Bunny,” $4.3 million.
6. “Tropic Thunder,” $4.2 million.
7. “The Dark Knight,” $4.0 million.
8. “Bangkok Dangerous,” $2.4 million.
9. “Traitor,” $2.1 million.
10. “Death Race,” $2.0 million.
11. “Babylon A.D.,” $1.7 million.
12. “Mamma Mia!,” $1.7 million.
