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Box Office Breakdown: G-Force Teams Up on Harry Potter

G-Force

Let’s face it: Daniel Radcliffe may be cute, but guinea pigs are cuter.

Despite earning $78 million last weekend, could not keep up the magic. The sequel fell to second place after earning a still impressive $29.5 million take over the past three days. Overall, the film has raked in $220 million to date and a delayed opening in IMAX theaters this Wednesday - Transformers 2 had been taking up room - should give the film another boost.

So what could possibly scoot the wizards out of first place? Rodents. Disney, which has already seen The Proposal and Up premiere on top this summer, earned another victory with the debut of . The comedy about a bunch of whiskered CIA operatives roped in $31.6 million over the weekend, just enough for a close win.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: G-Force Teams Up on Harry Potter

Read More | Variety

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Box Office Breakdown: Harry Potter Casts a Big Win

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

After putting up with a frustrating delay, eager Muggles rushed to the theaters this weekend in droves. kicked off its extended debut with a record-breaking premiere ($22.2 million) at midnight Tuesday. The series’ sixth installment went on to earn $158 million over five days and officially became the biggest international opener of all time ($237 million).

Despite the numbers, there was one film Half-Blood could not beat: The Dark Knight. At this same time last year, the Batman sequel had also racked up $158 million in sales. But that film did it in only three days.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Harry Potter Casts a Big Win

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Bruno Crawls His Way to #1

Bruno crawling

Just like in the fashion world, one day was hot—the next day he was not.

Even though the comedy did well enough to place first this weekend, it appears the sexually graphic film may have turned some off. Ticket sales for the entry dropped 39% between Friday and Saturday, leading many to believe that negative word of mouth played a factor.

In total, Bruno piqued enough interest to raise $30.6 million over three days. While that gross beats Borat‘s $26.5 million debut, the 2006 film later went on to earn $129 million domestically.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Bruno Crawls His Way to #1

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Transformers Melts Ice Age’s Hopes

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

This was one heated battle that left Ice Age out in the cold.

Only 24 hours ago, and the animated comedy were estimated to finish in a possible tie. But when the final numbers were computed, last Monday’s champ managed to keep its spot for another round. In just two weeks, the Paramount feature has managed to earn just under $300 million.

But had nothing to complain about. Even though it missed the #1 spot by less than $1 million, the threequel had the best per screen average of any entry in the Top Ten. In total, the movie earned $66.7 million over five days, just shy of what 2006’s Ice Age: The Meltdown grossed over only three days.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Transformers Melts Ice Age’s Hopes

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Transformers Rises Above the Competition

Transformers: Rise of the Fallen

It’s not very often when “loud” and “mindless” are deemed good qualities. But in Paramount’s case, it was a recipe for success.

Over the past five days, did what most films have been attempting all year: It passed the $200 million mark. (Up just became the first 2009 film to hit $250 million.)

While the Michael Bay film is definitely on track to be one of the most successful entries this year (let’s not forget about Harry Potter), the sequel’s opening still takes second behind last year’s topper. During its opening run, earned $203.8 million domestically.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Transformers Rises Above the Competition

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Audiences Agree on The Proposal

The Proposal's Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock

It seems a little skin might just go a long way.

After weeks of talking to the media about their joint nude scene, Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds saw their movie take the top spot. Was it a coincidence? Maybe. Whatever the reason, became the actress’ biggest opener ever. Prior to this weekend, 2007’s Premonition - a horrible film, btw - had Bullock’s largest debut. (That movie grossed $17.6 million, almost 1/2 less than the romantic comedy.)

Meanwhile, Reynolds is this week’s Bradley Cooper. Sandra’s leading man, like The Hangover star, has just had his second #1 film of the year. (The first being Wolverine.)

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Audiences Agree on The Proposal

Read More | Variety

In Theaters This Weekend: June 19, 2009

The Proposal

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

  • The Proposal (PG-13): starring Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Mary Steenburgen (directed by Anne Fletcher)
  • Year One (PG-13): starring Jack Black, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse (directed by Harold Ramis)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: June 19, 2009


Palm pre photo gallery

Palm pre front

Earlier today introduced us to the handset that they hope will bring them into the future, the . We’ve collected a bunch of press shots into our gallery that show off the device quite nicely in our Palm pre gallery. We will have video as well, but for now, check out the stills. What do you think? iPhone killer?

Read More | Palm pre gallery

Gallery:


Disney to Ban Smoking in All Future Releases

Disney LogoTwo months ago, the MPAA announced that any films submitted for rating would now be scrutinized for instances of cigarette smoking, particularly when it is glamorized.  This new regulation was aimed at keeping these images away from the eyes of young, malleable children, and could affect said film’s rating, though the deciding criteria remains unknown.  Now family-friendly juggernaut Disney has become the first major Hollywood studio to back the MPAA’s anti-smoking decision to help keep cigarettes away from the youth of America.

The decision was made as a result of recent studies exploring the affect current films have on children given the ubiquitous nature of these images — the results don’t look good.  It seems that 90 percent of all films depict smoking, and that children with the highest exposure to these films are three times more likely to try smoking. 

In addition to banning smoking in all upcoming releases, Disney has said it will place anti-smoking public service announcements on any future DVDs that feature smoking, and they are encouraging theater owners to do the same on the big screen.  The company’s two other labels, Touchstone and Miramax, will also be strongly discouraged from producing or distributing movies with images of smoking, though how strong the discouragement remains unclear.

Disney may be taking an important step in the fight against this national health crisis, but film is only a small piece of the pie.  It is up to our government to implement proper anti-smoking education for children — a quick PSA before a movie will do nothing.  And it helps to remember that smoking, unlike violence or sexual imagery, is around children all the time, wherever they go.  The only way to make real change is with parents who feel a need to protect their children.  Light a fire under them, and the problem will smoke itself.

Read More | Reuters

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