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Box Office Breakdown: Cloverfield Attacks the Charts
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, FOCUS, Disney, Fox Searchlight, Paramount, Sony, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Independent, Period, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Books, Lists, New Releases,
Final numbers for the three-day weekend revealed what many had suspected: Cloverfield toppled New York and the competition. The strong numbers were a result of Paramount’s 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 Matt Reeves flick the title for best MLK and January opener ever.
Although 27 Dresses raked in $20 million less than the horror flick, Katherine Heigl had nothing to cry about. Thanks to more strategic marketing - this time by Fox - 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 Mad Money. The movie - co-starring Queen Latifah, Diane Keaton and Katie Holmes - cashed out in 8th place. This makes two disappointing debuts in a row for the Cruise Clan (the first being Tom’s Lions for Lambs). Let us not forget that Katie opted to do this film instead of the Batman sequel 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.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Cloverfield Attacks the Charts
Yahoo! Movies
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Is Stephen Colbert Different?
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Comedy, Late Night, Talk Shows, Cable,
On his Wednesday night show, Stephen Colbert told viewers that, although he is lumped together with other late night hosts, he is different. He is a newsman. This was said all very tongue-in-cheek of course, but Colbert may not be far from wrong. The Colbert Report is a little different from other variety shows, and the program’s host definitely stands out from the pack.
In his quest to find ways to fill up air time, Colbert taped three recently-aired hilarious segments in which he chronicled his quest to hang in the nation’s museum: The Smithsonian Institution. For six weeks, Colbert’s portrait (from season three, this one features four different Stephens in the picture) will hang just outside the Hall of Presidents in the National Portrait Gallery. To be specific, right under the sign for the restrooms. This is, of course, only a temporary arrangement. (An official for the museum said the Institute is going along with the joke, and the portrait will not be a permanent fixture.) Since Colbert’s announcement, several young visitors have flocked to the museum to pose with the portrait - even some who had never been to the National Portrait Gallery before.
The sheer loyalty Colbert commands sets him apart from other hosts, and the attention he receives is no laughing matter. Somehow, I can’t help but think Colbert’s portrait won’t have any trouble finding a permanent home in some prestigious locale.
Yahoo! News
Box Office Breakdown: The Bucket List Rises to the Top
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, FOCUS, Disney, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Music, Period, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
After placing 23rd last week, The Bucket List - starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman - 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 Rob Reiner. His biggest opener had been 1992’s A Few Good Men. (That film grossed $15.5 million.) Maybe Reiner should write Jack into all his films.
Debuting at #2 was the latest Ice Cube comedy. First Sunday, co-starring Tracy Morgan (30 Rock), earned an impressive $8000 per screen average. That was the best median performance for any movie in this week’s Top Ten. (There Will Be Blood, this week’s #17, averaged $14,421 over the past three days.)
Will this yesterday’s Golden Globes have any effect on Sweeney Todd’s 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 Oscar nominees, I’m guessing the win for Best Comedy/Musical will give the movie a nice boost next weekend.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: The Bucket List Rises to the Top
Yahoo! Movies
LIVE RESULTS: 2008 Golden Globe Awards
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Award Shows, Comedy, Drama, Prime Time, Specials, ABC, BBC, Cable, CBS, FX, HBO, NBC, PBS, Showtime, TNT-HD, ER, Extras, Grey’s Anatomy, House, Medium, My Name Is Earl, The Office, The Sopranos, Announcements,
Without a formal ceremony to introduce the winners, tonight’s ‘presentation’ at the Beverly Hilton was simply about the facts. Here are the 2008 Golden Globe Award Winners:
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - FILM
- Cate Blanchett, I’m Not There **WINNER**
- Julia Roberts, Charlie Wilson’s War
- Saoirse Ronan, Atonement
- Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
- Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
- “That’s How You Know,” Enchanted
- “Grace Is Gone,” Grace Is Gone
- “Guaranteed,” Into the Wild **WINNER**
- “Despedida,” Love in the Time of Cholera
- “Walk Hard,” Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
Click to continue reading LIVE RESULTS: 2008 Golden Globe Awards
Box Office Breakdown: Juno Makes An Impressive Surge
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Disney, Fox Searchlight, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Music, Musicals, Period, Political, Romance, Satire, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
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, Juno, 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 National Treasure’s $14,232.
- Golden Globes buzz also contributed to the success of seven-time nominee Atonement. Although it only placed 14th overall, the romantic weeper scored a $15,764 average.
- Alvin and the Chipmunks outmuscled last week’s #2, I Am Legend. The family-friendly flick traded spots with the Will Smith blockbuster thanks to its $2.5 million edge.
- The Debaters narrowly missed a place in the Top Ten despite its connection to both Denzel Washington and Oprah. You heard it right - the talk show host’s touch does not always mean gold.
- Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story followed up its disappointing debut with another out of tune performance. The musical satire plummeted five spots all the way down to #13.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Juno Makes An Impressive Surge
Yahoo! Movies
Box Office Breakdown: Book of Secrets a National Hit
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Disney, Fox Searchlight, New Line, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Music, Musicals, Period, Political, Romance, Satire, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
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, Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Johnny Depp, Hilary Swank and Oscar-nominee John C. Reilly had all made entries into the Top Ten - but it was Nicolas Cage who wound up striking gold.
National Treasure: Book of Secrets 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 Charlie Wilson’s War‘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, Juno earned an $11,184 average for an impressive 10th place finish.
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Yahoo!
Wednesday Ratings: Viewers Prefer CBS Leftovers
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Games, Kids, Music, Prime Time, Reality, Specials, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, The CW, Ratings,
Despite the continuation of newbies Duel and Choirs, repeats on CBS were the most appealing thing of the evening.
8pm
- Clash of the Choirs (8.3 million, 2.4/7 in 18-49) found 600,000 more followers.
- Duel (7.4 million, 2.2/7) was practically even with yesterday.
- Frosty the Snowman* (7.6 million, 2.4/8) and Frosty Returns* (7 million, 2.1/6) found more kids to entertain.
- Back to You* (1.6/5) was up almost 600,000; ‘Til Death (5.2 million, 1.8/5) gained almost 1 million.
- Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants (1.8 million, 0.8/2) lost 700,000.
9pm
- Criminal Minds* (11.6 million, 2.9/8 in 18-49) was easily the hour’s top performer.
- Private Practice* (1.7/5) came in second with 5.5 million.
- Kitchen Nightmares* (2.1/6) grossed out 4.5 million.
- About 1.8 million saw Blair’s father return on Gossip Girl (0.8/2).
10pm
- CSI: NY* (2.9/8 in 18-49) was down about 3 million from last week.
- A Holiday Celebration at Ford’s Theatre (1.2/3) dazzled 4.9 million.
- Journeyman (1.7/5) closed shop with 4.6 million.
*denotes repeat
(You can review last Wednesday’s ratings here.)
Programming Insider
Tuesday Ratings: ‘The Biggest Loser’ Inches Past CBS
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Drama, Games, Music, Prime Time, Reality, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, The CW, House, Ratings,
Although NBC narrowly lost in the viewers to CBS, it outweighed its competitors in the demos.
8pm
- NCIS* (2.8/8 in 18-49 demo) was easily the hour’s largest draw.
- Clash of the Choirs (7.7 million, 2.4/7) was down 200,000 in its second showing.
- Duel (2.4/7) challenged 7.3 million.
- Bones* (5.9 million, 2.0/6) was about even with last week.
- Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants* (0.6/2) strutted to 1.4 million.
9pm
- Approx. 11.4 million watched Bill crowned The Biggest Loser (4.6/13 in 18-49).
- The Unit (2.8/7) weighed in second with 10.8 million viewers.
- House* (9.9 million, 3.3/9) did slightly better than one week ago.
- According to Jim* (4.4 million, 1.5/4) dropped about 1.3 million.
- Reaper (1.4 million, 0.6/2) did just as well as its lead-in.
10pm
- Boston Legal (7.7 million, 2.1/6) saw a decrease of 1.3 million.
- Cane (7.2 million, 1.8/5) was off by 600,000.
(You can review last Tuesday’s ratings here.)
Programming Insider
Getting Deep With ‘The Water Horse’
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Columbia Pictures, Family, Foreign, Period, Comedy, New Releases,
Sure, I’ll admit it. I saw the trailers for The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep and turned my nose straight up into the air. Like I really have the time to watch an entire movie with people acting to the air, as the star of the flick is nothing more than CGI and legend. Promoted far less than other big holiday blockbusters (I’m surprised I even caught the trailers, in-between scenes of a desperate Will Smith running around in his Legend flick), The Water Horse offers a fantastical alternative to family-friendly movies that deal exclusively in holiday laughs.
The low-key British flick is actually a period piece - set primarily during the WWII era - and told in flashback. Here’s how it goes: young boy wandering around the beach finds a strange egg and quite naturally takes it right home with him. (Every time I’ve ever found an odd, unidentified object which will no doubt hatch an unfamiliar creature, I’m itching to take it to my place of residence.) Anyway, the egg hatches to reveal, of course, The Water Horse.
Click to continue reading Getting Deep With ‘The Water Horse’
Hollywood Reporter
Monday Ratings: CBS Survives ‘Clash’, ‘Duel’
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Drama, Games, Music, Prime Time, Reality, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, The CW, Everybody Hates Chris, House, Ratings,
A new crop of reality entries couldn’t take down the comedy/CSI combo on CBS. The Eye Network was victorious with the viewers and the 18-49s.
8pm
- Approx. 8 million watched a repeat of House* (2.6/8 in 18-49).
- Clash of the Choirs (2.4/6) sang to the tune of 7.9 million.
- Duel (2.5/7) narrowly came in third with its 7.7 million.
- How I Met Your Mother* (2.3/7) kicked off CBS’ evening with 6.6 million; The Big Bang Theory* (2.4/10) had 6.7 million.
- Everybody Hates Chris* (1.9 million, 0.7/2) and Aliens in America* (1.4 million, 0.5/1) were both down from last week.
9pm
- An hour-long Two and a Half Men* (3.7/9 in 18-49) easily beat its competitors with 11.4 million.
- K-Ville (5.3 million, 1.7/4) did a tad bit better than last week.
- Notes from the Underbelly (5 million, 1.9/5) was up about 400,000.
- Girlfriends* (1.4 million, 0.6/2) and The Game* (1.4 million, 0.6/2) were both down about 1 million.
Click to continue reading Monday Ratings: CBS Survives ‘Clash’, ‘Duel’
Hollywood Reporter
