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Unboxing: The Official ‘Juno’ Hamburger Phone

Juno Phone 1


It isn’t too often we here at FilmCrunch get to do an official unboxing like our sister site, Unboxing.com. But I kind of think this actually one-ups their normal gadgetry, allowing you to get your vicarious thrills doubly—it’s cool and it’s related to one of this year’s best films, Juno. Case in point, I give you the Official Juno Hamburger Phone. Yes, that so-ugly-and-weird-that-it’s-cute-and-I-actually-really-want-one phone was handed to me as part of the film’s promotion, and I couldn’t be more excited about it.

I haven’t had the chance to use it yet—I don’t have a landline—but I hear it works about as well as the one from the movie. Remind me not to use it the next time I call my local abortion clinic.

Check the rest of the meaty, telephony photos after the jump.

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Vanity Fair’s Hollywood Issue

Since 1995, Vanity Fair has been churning out legendary covers tipping its hat to Hollywood.  And year after year, photographer has been counted on to produce those stunning and memorable images.  Remember the one with Tom Ford and the two nude ladies ( and )?  How about the cover with Uma, Kate and Cate?

This season, the magazine will honor the ‘Fresh Faces of 2008’:

Vanity Fair Cover

Those pictured include: (The Devil Wears Prada), (Enchanted), (The Illusionist), (The Devil Wears Prada), (I Am Legend), (Juno), (Vantage Point), (Fred Claus), (Big Love), and (Ugly Betty).

Make note of these ladies.  Some of their careers will soar, while others will become faded segments of Vanity Fair’s history (e.g. , , , ).

To see a slideshow of all fourteen Annie Leibovitz covers, click here.

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Vanity Fair


Box Office Breakdown: Hannah Montana Humiliates Her Elders

Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus

It’s now time for the entertainment industry to take notice:  a 15-year-old girl has officially become the hottest thing thing around.  already had a hit TV series () and a sold-out concert tour, but now she has a record-breaking movie as well.

The limited run of her 3-D film, , made waves on what is usually considered a slow weekend for movies.  (Audiences are usually plopped in front of the TV watching the .)  The pic earned over $31 million, surpassing the total set by 1998’s during the same football weekend.  (That weeper grossed $25.2 million.)  Miley also rocked a stellar $45,560 per screen average.  In comparison, this week’s #2 (), earned $40,000 less per theater.  Fortunately, those unable to snag a Montana ticket now have their chance.  The wildly successful film has been extended indefinitely.

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Variety


Box Office Breakdown: Rambo Outgunned by Spartans

Rambo

Although was hoping to end the series on an up note, it appears the actor/writer/director will just have to settle for second place.  Many had expected the fourth installment would come away with the weekend’s spoils, unfortunately the aging action hero was overpowered by a group of toga-clad warriors.

It should be said though that had an extremely narrow victory.  The spoof of 2007’s edged out the action flick by just $300,000.  But a win is still a win, right?  The satire also had the best per screen average of any movie in the Top Ten ($7104).

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Rambo Outgunned by Spartans

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Variety


Box Office Breakdown: Cloverfield Attacks the Charts

Cloverfield

Final numbers for the three-day weekend revealed what many had suspected: toppled New York and the competition.  The strong numbers were a result of smart marketing.  In addition to the eerie trailers, the film debuted in January - usually a fairly quiet month for decent films.  Cloverfield’s $46 million take has already covered the movie’s budget (estimated at around $25 million).  That dollar amount also earned the flick the title for best MLK and January opener ever.

Although raked in $20 million less than the horror flick, had nothing to cry about.  Thanks to more strategic marketing - this time by - the film was able to take advantage of those looking for something less dark.  Dresses was originally scheduled to debut last week but was repositioned so it could open during the busy weekend.

Unfortunately, female focus on the romantic comedy didn’t help the female-filled .  The movie - co-starring , and - cashed out in 8th place.  This makes two disappointing debuts in a row for the Clan (the first being Tom’s ).  Let us not forget that Katie opted to do this film instead of the for her post-Tom movie return.  Come to think of it, maybe it was for the best.  I could just hear Tom telling us now that if he had known Heath was doing drugs, he would have cured Ledger himself.

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2008 Academy Award Nominations

Academy Awards statueThe nominations for the were announced bright and early Tuesday morning from the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.  Assuming the ceremony goes on as scheduled, you can see the live broadcast Sunday, February 24th on .

Notable additions/omissions from today’s announcement:

Box Office Breakdown: The Bucket List Rises to the Top

Morgan Freeman, Jack Nicholson

After placing 23rd last week, - starring and -  soared 22 spots to take the #1 spot this past weekend.  It seems a simple case of addition was all that was needed to accomplish this feat.  Up until now, the movie had only been playing in 16 theaters total; it expanded to nearly 3000 on Friday.  Bucket’s impressive finish was not only a win for 70-year-olds everywhere, it was a win for director .  His biggest opener had been 1992’s .  (That film grossed $15.5 million.)  Maybe Reiner should write Jack into all his films.

Debuting at #2 was the latest comedy.  , co-starring (30 Rock), earned an impressive $8000 per screen average.  That was the best median performance for any movie in this week’s Top Ten.  (, this week’s #17, averaged $14,421 over the past three days.)

Will this yesterday’s Golden Globes have any effect on financial future?  After only 4 weeks in release, the dark feature dropped off the chart and landed at #12.  Assuming theatergoers are still interested in watching potential nominees, I’m guessing the win for Best Comedy/Musical will give the movie a nice boost next weekend.

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Yahoo! Movies


Box Office Breakdown: Juno Makes An Impressive Surge

Juno

Come Wednesday morning, the box office chart saw very few changes at the top.  That’s not to say the five-day holiday weekend didn’t have any notable moments at all:

  • Strong word of mouth helped boost last week’s #10, , up five whole spaces.  The movie - already in it’s 4th week - continues to soar despite its fairly limited release.  It’s $15,788 per screen average even topped $14,232.
  • Golden Globes buzz also contributed to the success of seven-time nominee .  Although it only placed 14th overall, the romantic weeper scored a $15,764 average.
  • outmuscled last week’s #2, .  The family-friendly flick traded spots with the blockbuster thanks to its $2.5 million edge.
  • narrowly missed a place in the Top Ten despite its connection to both and .  You heard it right - the talk show host’s touch does not always mean gold.
  • followed up its disappointing debut with another out of tune performance.  The musical satire plummeted five spots all the way down to #13.

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Yahoo! Movies


Box Office Breakdown: Book of Secrets a National Hit

National Treasure: Book of Secrets

This holiday weekend introduced a slew of big-ticket features in our cineplexes.  It also brought us a wide cast of former Oscar-winners competing for our theater dollars.  By Monday, , , , , and Oscar-nominee had all made entries into the Top Ten - but it was who wound up striking gold.

earned $45 million, an increase of $10 million over the 2004 original.  This was the second hit for Cage this year, following the critically-panned Ghost Rider.  In addition to having the weekend’s best gross, Secrets also had the best average of any movie over those three days.  Although ‘s fourth place was respectable (especially for a politically-based film these days), its $3760 per screen take clearly set it apart from this week’s champ.  In contrast, earned an $11,184 average for an impressive 10th place finish.

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2008 Screen Actors Guild Award Nominations (Film)

Thanks to an interim waiver granted by the , the telecast will air as scheduled on Sunday, January 27.  Since plans for the and the are still up in the air, this could be most viewed awards show in quite some time.

This year’s film nominees are:

Viggo Mortensen Eastern PromisesOUTSTANDING LEADING MALE PERFORMANCE

  • George Clooney, Michael Clayton
  • Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
  • Ryan Gosling, Lars And The Real Girl
  • Emile Hirsch, Into The Wild
  • Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises

OUTSTANDING LEADING FEMALE PERFORMANCE

  • Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age
  • Julie Christie, Away From Her
  • Marion Cotillard, La Vie En Rose
  • Angelina Jolie, A Mighty Heart
  • Ellen Page, Juno

Click to continue reading 2008 Screen Actors Guild Award Nominations (Film)

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Screen Actors Guild


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