Box Office Breakdown: Transformers Rises Above the Competition

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, FOCUS, Disney, Paramount, Sony, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Period, Remakes, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists

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, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen 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, The Dark Knight earned $203.8 million domestically.

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Read More | Variety

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Review - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Posted by Todd Matthy Categories: DreamWorks, Paramount, Action, Adventure, Science Fiction, Sequels

I’ve been waiting for this. I’ve always been a Transformers fan, the original movie from 1986 is one of my favorites. When Michael Bay was announced as the director for the first film, I was skeptical. Then I saw it and found it to be an enjoyable romp, but wanted something more. Revenge of the Fallen gives me that something more. As in more robots, more action, and of course more Megan Fox. I really liked how Bay and the writers picked and chose aspects from Classic G1, the Japanese “Masterforce” series, the Dreamwave comics, and Armada to flesh out the story as well as Easter eggs to search for. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is exactly what you expect it to be; a big, loud, action packed popcorn flick that takes itself seriously enough that it doesn’t treat the material as a joke, while at the same time not attempting to recreate “War and Peace” with giant robots.

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In Theaters This Weekend: June 26, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, IFC Films, Magnolia, Miramax, New Line, Paramount, Action, Adaptation, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Foreign Language, Music, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

• My Sister’s Keeper (PG-13): starring Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Alec Baldwin (directed by Nick Cassavetes)
• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (PG-13): starring Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel (directed by Michael Bay)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: June 26, 2009

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Box Office Breakdown: Audiences Agree on The Proposal

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Paramount, Sony, Touchstone, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Remakes, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists

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, The Proposal 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.)

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Read More | Variety

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Sequel News: Mission Impossible, Haunting in Connecticut and More

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, Paramount, Sony, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Horror, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Upcoming Releases

Here’s the latest scoop on the sequel buzz spreading across Hollywood:

Mission Impossible: Even though he could do just about anything he wants these days, Star Trek‘s J.J. Abrams will be returning to familiar territory. Three years after the debut of MI:3, the director has agreed to reteam with Tom Cruise on a fourth installment. (Apparently the actor wasn’t listening when I said he should stay away from this project.) Although they are both only listed as producers at this point, things could change for the busy men once a script is finalized. Paramount is currently aiming for a 2011 release.

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Read More | Variety

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Julianne Hough About to Go Footloose

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Paramount, Adaptation, Musicals, Remakes, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases

Julianne Hough‘s tackled both the dancing world and country music, now she’s moving on to the next phase: acting.

Provided she has room in her busy schedule, Julianne will be the Chace Crawford’s leading lady in the remake of Footloose. Dancing with the Stars’ two-time winner will be take on the Ariel Moore role originated by Lori Singer.

Hough’s selection came after several other young stars - including Hayden Panettiere and Miley Cyrus - were rumored for the part. Although this wouldn’t be the 20-year-old’s first appearance on the big screen, this would be her first major role.

Director Kenny Ortega (High School Musical) told E! Online that he has much love for Julianne. “I adore her. I’m a big fan of hers. Not only how beautiful but how deep her talent goes.”

Production is set to begin in March.

Read More | Variety

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Early Reviews for Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Paramount, Action, Science Fiction, Sequels, Upcoming Releases

Do you like your movies loud, big, long and mindless? Then it sounds like Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen might be for you. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the ticket for some who’ve had the chance to watch it so far.

The movie doesn’t debut in the United States until June 24, but it’ll hit the UK on June 19. Here are few of the early reviews:

Hollywood Reporter:  “With its intelligence at the level of the simple-minded, however, the film is not likely to attract moviegoers who seek something more than a screen filled with kaleidoscopes of colored metal. Fan boys will no doubt love it, but for the uninitiated it’s loud, tedious and, at 147 minutes, way too long.”

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Harrison Ford tops Highest Paid Actor List

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Paramount, Box Office, Celeb News, Lists

Harrison Ford is Hollywood’s highest paid actor after earning $60.37 million over the last 12 months. The 66-year-old star made the staggering sum after starring in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - which took $701 million worldwide at the box office. Ford - who had only appeared in four movies since 2000 before agreeing to reprise the famous role for a fourth time - was paid the figure between June 2008 and June 2009 as part of a deal that saw studio Paramount give the veteran star, director Steven Spielberg and producer George Lucas a percentage of the film’s earnings.

Other stars to make the list, compiled by business bible Forbes magazine, include Adam Sandler, who came second after raking in $51.38 million, Will Smith, who finished third with $42 million, and fourth placed Eddie Murphy, who earned $37.3 million. Rounding off the top five was Nicolas Cage, who was paid $37 million in the last 12 months. Forbes compiled the list of top earning stars by speaking to agents, managers, producers and lawyers to find out what money stars received upfront for movies in development and earnings from released films.  Advertising and other earnings from the last 12 months were also taken into consideration.

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Box Office Breakdown: Hangover Hangs on for Another Win

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Remakes, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists

This is one hangover that’s taking a while to recover from.

For the second week in a row, the must-see comedy of the summer has taken the top spot at the charts. The Hangover, which already had a greenlighted sequel prior to its debut, raked in another $32.7 million over the weekend. The film has now earned over $100 million and given Bradley Cooper his second #1 entry of the year. (His first was February’s He’s Just Not That Into You.)

Sitting in third place this week (right behind Up), was The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, a remake of a 1974 version starring starring Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw. The action thriller, which had Denzel Washington working with director Tony Scott for the fourth time, pulled in a respectable $23.3 million. Meanwhile, Imagine That, Eddie Murphy’s latest stinker, earned $5.5 million in wide release. That gross bests the premiere of Meet Dave by approximately $200,000.

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Read More | Variety

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This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: June 16, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, MGM, Lionsgate, New Line, Paramount, Sony, Action, Drama, Horror, Period, Science Fiction, Comedy, Sports, Thrillers, Home Entertainment, Lists, New Releases

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

• Dr. Strangelove: Blu-ray
• Fracture: New Line
• Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter: DVD
• Friday the 13th, Part 2: Blu-ray
• Friday the 13th, Part 3 (3D): Blu-ray
• Friday the 13th, Part V: A New Beginning: DVD
• Friday the 13th, Part VI: Jason Lives: DVD
• Ghostbusters: Blu-ray
• The Greatest Game Ever Played: Blu-ray
• Kickboxer: Blu-ray
• Miracle: Blu-ray

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Read More | Amazon

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