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Box Office Breakdown: Tyler Perry vs. George Clooney

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adventure, Drama, Family, Horror, Independent, Musicals, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Sports, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,

Michael Clayton

This weekend saw , , and all fighting for your box office dollars—so who would have thought would come out the big winner?

Even though two of his last three films opened with impressive numbers, very few predicted the writer/actor/producer/director would topple the competition.  Now the number crunchers know better.  Though the debut underperformed 2005’s Diary of a Mad Black Woman ($21.9 million) and 2006’s Madea’s Family Reunion ($30 million), Tyler Perry’s still scored $10 million more than its nearest competitor.

Additionally surprising was the lasting success of Disney’s .  The film finally dropped one notch to #2 in its third week—also beating out and .  Although kid-friendly fare is rarity these days, the movie’s ability to remain so strong is quite impressive.

 

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‘Elizabeth: The Golden Age’: A Less Than Royal Film

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Universal, Drama, Period, Sequels, Box Office, New Releases,

Cate BlanchettWhen Cate Blanchett blazed onto the big screen as Queen Elizabeth I nine years ago, Hollywood couldn’t help but to take notice. She commanded royally, earning an Oscar nomination and much acclaim for her role as England’s 16th century monarch. Elizabeth has long been a character of fascination to historians and ordinary people, the daughter of Henry VIII and a woman who led in a time when most females followed. But that doesn’t guarantee Blanchett will lead at the box office, and early reviews are unflattering, to say the least.

showcases the queen during a later period of rule, a hectic time that sees Elizabeth battling for supremacy against the frightening Spanish Armada, and Queen of Scots Mary Stuart. Elaborate sets and costumes give viewers plenty of eye candy in the Golden Age, but the timid approach to bold subject matter is sure to turn audiences off. Blanchett is nearing forty, though The Golden Age portrays a Queen beyond the age of 50. The movie, at least, offers some true historical accuracy – and if it didn’t, I would be the first one to start hollering. Elizabeth was a Protestant in a time when England wasn’t so hip to changing religious trends, a woman who defied convention and the Pope to rule her people the way she desired. This caused a clash between England’s Queen and her own cousin Mary Stuart, the devoutly Catholic Queen of Scotland. The imprisonment and subsequent execution of Mary Stuart has long been a stain on England’s history, and a famous fable that has been re-told countless times. Stuart was the mother of James, who would become King James I of England and the man who brought the Bible to the common folk.

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Read More | Entertainment Weekly

In Theaters This Weekend (10/12)

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Magnolia, MGM, Lionsgate, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Yari Film Group Releasing, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Period, Comedy, Sports, Lists, New Releases,

Elizabeth

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

This Week on DVD:  September 25, 2007

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Drama, Horror, Romance, Comedy, Home Entertainment, New Releases,

Next

Here are a few of the titles you can find on the rental shelves this Tuesday:

  • Babel (Special Collector’s Edition):  starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett (watch the FilmCrunch review here)
  • Black Book:  starring Carice van Houten, Sebastian Koch
  • Bug:  starring Ashley Judd, Michael Shannon
  • Cujo (25th Anniversary Edition):  starring Dee Wallace, Danny Pintauro
  • Evening:  starring Natasha Richardson, Toni Collette
  • Knocked Up:  starring Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl
  • Next:  starring Nicolas Cage, Julianne Moore, Jessica Biel

Click here to see the TV-On-DVD options for this week.
Click here to see the new titles released on HD DVD and Blu-Ray.


Cate Blanchett to Reprise Royal Role

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Universal, Drama, Sequels, Awards, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases,

Cate Blanchett  Joining a very elite group of actresses, will reprise the role that pushed her into the mega-star category back in 1998. Almost ten years after her original performance as Queen Elizabeth I of England, Blanchett will star in Elizabeth: The Golden Years. Clive Owen and Geoffrey Rush will co-star in the flick, which will depict the controversial clash between England’s Queen and Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary Stewart is one of the most interesting characters in history, but there’s a good chance Blanchett will drown out any other female performer who shares the screen with her. As Elizabeth, Blanchett won the Golden Globe and receive an Oscar nomination for her well-loved portrayal. Will the Golden Years prove to be Blanchett’s chance for winning gold as Elizabeth?

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Read More | Elizabeth the Golden Age

Official Title Announced for ‘Indiana Jones’

Posted by Johnny Mercedes Categories: Lucasfilm Ltd., Paramount, Action, Adventure, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Upcoming Releases,

Indiana JonesIn a truly auspicious moment at Sunday’s Video Music Awards, Shia LeBeouf announced the title of the upcoming fourth installment in the Indiana Jones series:

So I’ve been sworn to secrecy by Steven Spielberg and George Lucas not to tell you the title of the next Indiana Jones movie. What the hell, I’m 21 and we’re in Vegas, baby, so here it goes. The official title to the next Indiana Jones installment: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

The much-anticipated film has already been filming for several months and will star Harrison Ford, Shia LeBeouf, Cate Blanchett, Jim Broadbent, John Hurt, Ray Winstone and Karen Allen.  It’s scheduled to open in theatres May 22, 2008.

Does anyone else think the title is a bit busy?  I mean, at least Raiders of the Lost Ark was officially titled as such, without the Indiana Jones and the at the beginning.  It could be worse, I suppose—how about Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Shiny Crystal Skull or Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull that Bites People.  Imagine if M. Night Shyamalan, once offered a chance to write the screenplay, had penned the script: Indiana Jones and the Amish Comic Book Alien in the Water that Sees Dead People.  Scary.  But I’d love to see the poster.

Oh well, I suppose the title has little to do with the content—let’s hope that the film supersedes its bloated moniker, hmm?

Read More | Just Jared

FilmCrunch 062: Shrek the Third, Pirates of the Caribbean 3, The Good German

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: DreamWorks, Disney, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Period, Romance, Sequels, Thrillers, DVD Reviews, Full Episodes, Theatrical Reviews, Videocasts,

Veronica Santiago and Neil Estep review the Third, Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End, and the DVD release of The Good German. Plus, Neil goes into detail of his celebrity run-in while working at a high-end Seattle restaurant.

Now we want to hear from you - hit the forums and let us know what you think, what you want us to watch next, and any other recommendations you have for the show.


FilmCrunch 054: Grindhouse, The Hoax, Notes on a Scandal, Jessica Biel

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Fox Searchlight, Miramax, Action, Adaptation, Drama, Horror, Period, Comedy, Thrillers, DVD Reviews, Full Episodes, Theatrical Reviews, Videocasts,

Veronica Santiago and Neil Estep review Grindhouse, The Hoax, and Notes on a Scandal in this episode of FilmCrunch. Also, Veronica shares her disdain regarding Jessica Biel and her lack of clothing in movie trailers.


Now we want to hear from you - hit the forums and let us know what you think, what you want us to watch next, and any other recommendations you have for the show.


Shia LaBeouf Confirmed for ‘Indy 4’

Posted by Johnny Mercedes Categories: Paramount, Action, Adventure, Sequels, Casting, Celeb News, Rumors, Upcoming Releases,

Shia LaBeoufSteven Spielberg and George Lucas announced Friday that Shia LaBeouf will star in the upcoming fourth installment of Indiana Jones.  This comes – as many similar announcements these days tend to – after months of Internet rumors and buzz surrounding the 20-year-old actor and the undoubtedly epic film, set to release on May 22nd, 2008.  Cate Blanchett has also been attached to the sequel, though it is unknown what characters either actor will play – plot details are still a mystery.  LaBeouf, already a veteran of television and film, has recently said that he is ready to drop his childlike image and focus on more mature roles.  With the recent release of Disturbia, a modern-day, Rear Window-esque thriller, the upcoming Transformers, and a high-profile action-adventure flick like Indiana Jones 4, LaBeouf shouldn’t have any trouble steering clear of youthful typecasting.  And as with most of his work, he will surely be an invaluable addition to the cast.  Keep checking back for all Indy updates right here on FilmCrunch.

Read More | CNN

Cate Blanchett to Star in Fourth ‘Indiana Jones’

Posted by Johnny Mercedes Categories: Paramount, Action, Adventure, Sequels, Casting, Celeb News, Rumors, Upcoming Releases,

Cate BlanchettCate Blanchet (Notes on a Scandal, The Aviator) was recently in negotiations for a starring role in the fourth installment of Indiana Jones, according to her publicist.  The role will place Blanchett in the oft-occupied female space next to Indy, hopefully allowing her to exude a strong, supporting presence that is typical of her performances.  Much remains unknown about the long-awaited film, but keep checking back for all updates right here on FilmCrunch.

The fourth installment of the Indiana Jones series will be directed by Steven Spielberg, produced by George Lucas, and will star – as always – Harrison Ford.

Read More | CNN

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