This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: May 12, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, MGM, Paramount, Sony, Action, Adventure, Drama, Horror, Period, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Home Entertainment, Lists,

Here are some of the DVD and Blu-ray options available this Tuesday:

• Big: Blu-ray
• Black Sheep: Blu-ray
• Fargo: Blu-ray
• Force 10 from Navaraone: Blu-ray
• Galaxy Quest (Deluxe Edition): DVD
• The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Blu-ray
• The Grudge: Blu-ray
• Licence to Kill: Blu-ray
• The Man with the Golden Gun: Blu-ray
• The Pianist: Blu-ray
• S. Darko: A Donnie Darko Tale: DVD, Blu-ray
• Star Trek: Motion Picture Trilogy: DVD, Blu-ray

Click to continue reading This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: May 12, 2009

Read More | Amazon

Box Office Breakdown: Audiences are Taken with Liam Neeson

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Warner Bros, Action, Adventure, Drama, Family, Horror, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists,

While it would seem logical to find a female-oriented movie on top after Super Bowl Sunday, an action thriller proved there was more than enough testosterone to go around. Taken, starring Oscar-nominee Liam Neeson, took in $24.7 million making it the second best opener ever during the same football period. (Last year’s Hannah Montana concert film grossed $31.1 million.)

Meanwhile, a romantic comedy starring an actual Oscar winner, failed to do what counterprogramming options are meant to do: score a touchdown. New in Town, starring Renee Zellweger and Harry Connick Jr., earned $6.7 million and a disappointing 8th place. (Apparently Academy Awards don’t guarantee future success.) The romantic comedy raked in about 1/2 as much as Zellweger’s Leatherheads did…and that’s saying a lot.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Audiences are Taken with Liam Neeson

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: New Life for Oscar Contenders

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Family, Horror, Music, Period, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers,

Nominations? Clint Eastwood doesn’t need any stinkin’ nominations…

Although the 78-year-old was recently overlooked by the Academy, the actor/director still got some respect from the paying public. This past weekend, Gran Torino landed softly into third place and, most importantly, topped the actual Best Picture contenders.

But that’s not to say a nomination is pointless. Last week’s #10, Slumdog Millionaire, jumped 5 positions this week after nabbing 10 nods on Thursday. (It also bested Torino’s per screen average.) Meanwhile, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - thanks to 13 nominations - found itself reentering the Top Ten.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: New Life for Oscar Contenders

Read More | Variety