On Gear Live: Samsung S95C: The OLED TV You Can’t Afford (to Ignore!)

Box Office Breakdown: Audiences Drawn to Obsessed

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Animation, Documentary, Drama, Family, Musicals, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists,

Obsessed

It was a battle between two stars at the box office this weekend.

After back-to-back roles in music-related dramas, Beyonce Knowles proved she could deliver without having to sing a note. , a thriller produced for approximately $20 million, pulled in nearly $29 million for a 1st place finish. The film, also featuring two NBC stars (The Office’s Idris Elba and Heroes’ Ali Larter), more than doubled last week’s champ, 17 Again.

Meanwhile, an Academy Award winner and an Iron Man joined forces for a surprising fourth place finish. , costarring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr., didn’t even cross the $10 million mark. Although it was once considered as a pre-Oscars release, the film’s debut grossed less than last week’s nominee-filled entry, State of Play.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Audiences Drawn to Obsessed

Read More | Variety

Advertisement

Box Office Breakdown: 17 is the Lucky Number

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Lionsgate, Paramount, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Animation, Drama, Horror, Music, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists,

17 Again

may be cute, but he’s no Hannah Montana.

This weekend the Disney veteran got a chance to prove his worth in his first starring role. And though he managed to hit #1, Efron pulled in approximately $8.6 million less than Miley Cyrus did last week. The premiere of 17 Again also opened to $18.3 million less than High School Musical 3 did last October. (Then again, those two family-friendly films were a bit more accessible with their G-ratings.)

Russell Crowe, in the meantime, had far much more to groan about. The Oscar winner found his new movie, , sandwiched in between the two tween idols. The thriller, costarring Ben Affleck and Rachel McAdams, earned nearly $10 million less than the age-reversal comedy for a second place finish.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: 17 is the Lucky Number

Read More | Variety

In Theaters This Weekend: April 17, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Lionsgate, New Line, Universal, Action, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Music, Political, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases,

State of Play

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

Zac Efron, the Movie Star

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Casting, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip, Upcoming Releases,

Zac EfronHigh School Musical icon may not be Footloose, but he’s still got plenty of potential projects to consider. Fans will soon see Efron starring as a younger version of Matthew Perry in 17 Again, yet another movie based on adults going back to adolescence. It’s also rumored that Efron will be featured in the next chapter of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, and will co-star in the sequel to Hairspray.

Efron is playing it coy when it comes to both rumored projects, telling reporters that he would be happy to be involved in the Pirates project. Rumor has it that Johnny Depp is currently in talks to work on the flick. “It sounds like a good idea,” Efron said of the potential Hairspray sequel, which is not yet confirmed.

He may, however, have wrecked his chances to become a leading man for . In 17 Again, Efron shares an on-screen kiss with actress Leslie Mann…otherwise known as Mrs. Apatow.

Read More | MSNBC

Zac Efron Drops Out of Footloose

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Paramount, Musicals, Casting, Celeb News,

Zac EfronGetting tired of seeing in musicals? Well, you’re not alone.

Although he had been previously set to star in a musical update of Footloose, Zac Efron has decided to set aside his dancing shoes. According to TheWrap, the 21-year-old bailed out of the movie fearing he’d be typecast. (Uhh - couldn’t he have figured that out before?).

Paramount chose to fast-track the film when Efron became attached to the project last fall. Unfortunately, Zac announced his departure just last week. (Production had been planned to start sometime this spring.) Because the actor was given script approval, a screenplay rewrite allowed him to take advantage of the exit clause.

Click to continue reading Zac Efron Drops Out of Footloose

Read More | TheWrap

The 2009 Academy Awards: Live Commentary

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards,

The Oscars

After a year away from live Oscars coverage, I’m thrilled to be back for the 2009 Academy Awards.

Even though Dark Knight‘s snub will probably keep a number of viewers away (how many can honestly say they’ve seen The Reader?), I’m eagerly anticipating several moments from this evening’s broadcast.

Will Heath Ledger’s family bring the house to tears? Is Mickey Rourke going to make the producers wince? Will the cameras pan to Brangelina after Jennifer Aniston’s presentation? Are Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron really (really?) going to do a song and dance number?

To find out if this will be the year of the Slumdog or the underdog, stay tuned here for the live results!

Click to continue reading The 2009 Academy Awards: Live Commentary

Read More | Oscars

This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: February 17, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Lionsgate, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Drama, Horror, Music, Period, Religious, Sequels, Comedy, Home Entertainment, Lists,

Religulous DVDHere are some of the options available this Tuesday:

Remake News: The Karate Kid, Oldboy, Pinocchio and More

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, DreamWorks, MGM, Paramount, Universal, Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Family, Horror, Musicals, Period, Comedy, Rumors, Upcoming Releases,

The Karate Kid

Fame: The previously announced remake has just secured its administrative lineup. The film, an update of the 1980 original, will once again follow the lives of students at New York High School of Performing Arts. Those guiding the talented crop include Megan Mullaley, Bebe Neuwirth, Kelsey Grammar and Charles S. Dutton. Debbie Allen - a veteran of the first film - will also join the cast as Principal Simms, an entirely new character.

Click to continue reading Remake News: The Karate Kid, Oldboy, Pinocchio and More

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: A Bloody Good Weekend for Twilight

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Disney, Fox Searchlight, MGM, Miramax, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Independent, Musicals, Period, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,

Twilight

Although Disney features typically find a place at the top of the pack, the studio’s cute puppy was outmatched by a hot vampire this weekend. After pulling in $35.9 million on Friday ($7 million of which was earned at midnight), went on to suck up nearly $70 million in total. The film’s first day take alone was enough for Summit Entertainment to immediately greenlight a sequel. (A script for New Moon had already been in the works.)

The Stephenie Meyers adaptation - which was originally slated to premiere on December 12 - undoubtedly owes Warner Bros. partial credit for its success. Had the studio not chosen to move until next year, Twilight would most likely have debuted in fewer theaters. The Catherine Hardwicke film also wouldn’t have become the highest opener ever for a female director. (Deep Impact, helmed by Mimi Leder, took home $41.2 million in 1998.)

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: A Bloody Good Weekend for Twilight

Read More | Yahoo! Movies

Box Office Breakdown: Record Showing for 007

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Fox Searchlight, MGM, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Music, Musicals, Period, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,

Quantum of Solace

In the battle of Bond vs. Bourne, Jason won out this time…though not by much.

Although it was initially believed would break the $70 million mark, the final numbers for the Sony/MGM film came up slightly short. The 22nd Bond installment hauled in $67.5 million this weekend, just under $2 million shy of the debut for The Bourne Ultimatum. (The 2007 premiered to $69.3 million.)

But don’t feeling sorry for . The actor has helped to revitalize the franchise in a big way. Quantum officially just became the best opener of all the 007 films. (Die Another Day grossed $47.1 million back in 2002.) The movie is also on pace to to beat the theatrical run record set by Casino Royale. (The 2006 film eventually pocketed $167.4 million domestically.)

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Record Showing for 007

Read More | Variety

Advertisement

{solspace:toolbar}