Box Office Breakdown: Avatar Just Hours Away from Worldwide Record
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories:
Are we there yet?
Despite six weeks of chart-topping numbers, Avatar still hasn’t brought down the Titanic. Yes - the movie did finally surpass The Dark Knight on the domestic charts. And yes - the 20th Century Fox feature is now the top international earner at $1.29 billion. But James Cameron’s earlier blockbuster is still slightly ahead - by approximately $2 million - as far as worldwide receipts are concerned. (Monday’s ticket sales should change that for Avatar.) The 3D-adventure is also approximately $49.1 million shy of becoming the domestic king of the world.
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In Theaters This Weekend (1/22)
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Sony, Biopics, Drama, Family, Foreign, Horror, Independent, Period, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases,
Here are a few selections in theaters this weekend:
- Extraordinary Measures (PG): starring Harrison Ford, Brendan Fraser, Keri Russell (directed by Tom Vaughan)
- Legion (R): starring Paul Bettany, Lucas Black, Tyrese Gibson (directed by Scott Stewart)
- Tooth Fairy (PG): starring Dwayne Johnson, Ashley Judd, Billy Crystal (directed by Michael Lembeck)
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Box Office Breakdown: Gran Torino Expands to a Win
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, MGM, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Drama, Family, Horror, Period, Political, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
He may have lost out to Bruce Springsteen last night, but Clint Eastwood was still a big winner this weekend. After 4 weeks in limited theaters, the 78-year-old’s film became the top movie in wide release.
Eastwood’s directorial project not only pulled in $29.4 million over the last three days ($40.5 million to date), it outranked the vehicles from Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and Will Smith. Gran Torino also earned the best per screen average of any charter in the Top Ten.
Despite opening on approximately 600 more screens than the first place finisher, #2’s Bride Wars grossed nearly $4000 less per theater. The Kate Hudson-Anne Hathaway comedy also averaged less than #3’s The Unborn.
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Read More | Variety
Box Office Breakdown: Marley & Me Ends 2008 on Top
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Fox Searchlight, MGM, Miramax, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Family, Foreign, Foreign Language, Period, Religious, Romance, Science Fiction, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists,
Aside from a few changes at the bottom of this week’s Top Ten, every single movie remained planted in their positions from last Monday. Since Friday’s new entries (Good, Defiance) were only offered in limited release, there really wasn’t much of a battle.
Over the last three days, Marley & Me tacked on another $24 million and officially crossed the $100 million mark. The Fox adaptation became the 25th film from 2008 to accomplish that. Meanwhile, the only new charter was #10’s Slumdog Millionaire. Although it was only shown in 612 theaters (that’s down two from last week), the Fox Searchlight feature helped push The Spirit down to #13. The probable Oscar contender also earned a better per screen average than all the films ahead of it.
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Read More | Variety
Box Office Breakdown: Marley & Me is the Weekend’s Top Dog
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, MGM, Miramax, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Period, Political, Religious, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists,
When it comes to the box office, Jennifer Aniston has no problem pushing best friends (Courteney Cox), exes (Brad Pitt) or former leading men (Jim Carrey) aside.
After a record-breaking Christmas Day, Marley & Me pulled in approximately $36.4 million over the last three days. The PG-rated film, which earned nearly $51 million since December 25, gave Aniston bragging rights and Owen Wilson his best Friday-Sunday gross ever.
Although he eventually lost out to Jen, Brad Pitt really had nothing to complain about. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, the weekend’s #3 finisher, had the 2nd best ($12 million) Christmas day opening. Meanwhile, Bedtime Stories - starring Adam Sandler and Courteney Cox - now ranks 3rd ($10.6 million) on the all-time Dec. 25 debuts list.
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Read More | Variety
In Theaters This Holiday Week: December 25, 2008
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Lionsgate, Paramount, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Period, Political, Comedy, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases,
Here are some possible suggestions for your holiday weekend:
- Bedtime Stories (PG): starring Adam Sandler, Keri Russell, Guy Pearce (directed by Adam Shankman)
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (PG-13): starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton (directed by David Fincher)
- Marley & Me (PG): starring Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Alan Arkin (directed by David Frankel)
- The Spirit (PG-13): starring Gabriel Macht, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson (directed by Frank Miller)
- Valkyrie (13): starring Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Terrence Stamp (directed by Bryan Singer)
Click to continue reading In Theaters This Holiday Week: December 25, 2008
Box Office Breakdown: Will Smith a Legend in December
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, New Line, Warner Bros, Yari Film Group Releasing, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Period, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
You have to wonder whether Tom Cruise is just a wee bit jealous of his friend’s success…
This weekend, Will Smith not only smashed the box office debut of Cruise’s Lions for Lambs, he pounded everything in his path. I Am Legend - the third adaptation of the 1954 Richard Matheson novel - nearly doubled the take of its nearest competitor while breaking the record for a December release. Legend’s $77 million debut surpassed the bar set by Oscar-winner The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. The final installment in the Lords trilogy brought in $72.6 million back in 2003.
Although Alvin and the Chipmunks was far behind in second place, its $44 million weekend was nothing to sneeze at. The movie not only exceeded most expectations, it downright embarrassed third place finisher, The Golden Compass. How could anyone possibly explain freaky-looking chipmunks taking down a large polar bear? The latter film only added another $8.8 million to its total, putting it a smidge closer to its $180 million budget. (Granted, it has done better overseas.)
But let’s not be fooled by the large numbers at the top of the charts, the weekend’s most notable turnout was made by #11: Juno. The comedic charmer earned an impressive $35,686 per screen. Meanwhile, Legend (which opened in 3566 more theaters) averaged only $21,411. Take that, Fresh Prince!
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Box Office Breakdown: The Golden Compass Lacks Luster
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, MGM, New Line, Paramount, Warner Bros, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Music, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
A Narnia-esque adaptation partnered with a holiday release date and an A-list cast should have conjured box office magic for The Golden Compass. Surprisingly, this weekend’s release from New Line Cinema brought in barely enough money to cover the film’s catering budget.
Compass, based on Philip Pullman’s children’s series His Dark Materials, was Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig’s second disappointing collaboration this year (the first being The Invasion). While it was enough for a first place finish, the $25 million debut was hardly impressive given the film’s $180 million price tag.
In other news, holiday flick This Christmas remained in third place while the critically-panned Fred Claus bumped up two spaces from last week. Meanwhile, Juno and Atonement did well with their very limited releases.
Be looking for the highly-promoted I Am Legend (and Alvin and the Chipmunks) to enter next week’s charts.
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E! Online
My Advice for Waitress’ Keri Russell
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Drama, Comedy, Casting, Celeb News,
Ms. Russell:
I just recently watched the DVD of release of Waitress - you know, the movie you’ve been receiving all the acclaim and Oscar buzz for. Let me first start off by saying that I thought you did an amazing job. I was really happy to see you solidify your comeback since your heydey on Felicity. (I’ll even forget that your critically panned August Rush exists.)
So now that I’ve gotten the compliments out of the way, I must now move on to the purpose of my note. I read a very disturbing piece of news the other day and I’m hoping you will dispute the rumors.
Please tell me it’s not true. Please tell me you will not be starring in a comedy with Adam Sandler.
Granted, Adam Shankman (Hairspray) is slated to helm Bedtime Stories. I understand the appeal. But I’m begging you—don’t make an about face and go backwards with your career.
If this film were on the dramatic end of the Sandler spectrum (like Reign Over Me, Spanglish or Punch-Drunk Love), you might have my support. But playing the romantic interest in any Sandler comedy hasn’t really helped anyone. Don’t align yourself with the Jessical Biels of the world. You’re better than that. And how about Kate Beckinsale? How did Click benefit her? And does anyone remember Winona Ryder’s role in Mr. Deeds?
You’ve already proven your comedic chops with your stint on Scrubs. Now it’s time to take advantage of the awards season hoopla. Don’t tempt fate now by coming anywhere near a possible Rob Schneider appearance. Please.
Variety
Box Office Breakdown: Jessica Alba Can’t Keep Audiences Awake
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, MGM, Paramount, Warner Bros, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
There’s nothing like a good snub to restore your faith in moviegoers.
Although Awake was the only new wide release this past weekend, discerning audiences kept it from succeeding by default. (NOTE: Cute squirrels will always trump Jessica Alba.) The movie, also co-starring Star Wars’ Hayden Christensen, opened with a dismal $6 million - less than half of what Alba’s last stellar film, Good Luck Chuck, did. (The latter opened at $13.7 million.) I wonder if this currently makes Jessica Biel the most successful Jessica out there.
Aside from Awake’s entry, the rest of the Top Ten changed very little from last week. Enchanted refused to budge from its perch and earned another $16 million over the past three days. Meanwhile, Beowulf surged back up a notch, trading spots with holiday flick, This Christmas.
Although the box office numbers were unspectacular overall, we can expect big changes in just a few days; that’s when New Line’s The Golden Compass makes its debut.
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