First Look: Angelina Jolie in Salt

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, Sony, Action, Thrillers, Trailers, Upcoming Releases

In this new trailer for Salt, Angelina Jolie rocks heels, climbs walls and wields guns. In other words, it’s your typical day for the mother of six.

The film, which was originally set to star Tom Cruise, tells the story of a CIA agent who may or may not be a Russian spy. While the story reminds me a great deal of Kevin Costner’s No Way Out, the visuals are more in line with Jolie’s Wanted.

Salt - also starring Liev Schreiber and Chiwetel Ejiofor - opens July 23.

Read More | New York Post

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This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: November 3, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Magnolia, Paramount, Sony, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Documentary, Drama, Family, Foreign, Foreign Language, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Home Entertainment, Lists, New Releases

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

• Aliens in the Attic: DVD, Blu-ray
• The Answer Man: DVD, Blu-ray
• The Dead: DVD
• Food, Inc.: DVD, Blu-ray
• Forrest Gump: Blu-ray
• G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra: DVD, Blu-ray
• Howards End: Blu-ray
• I Love You, Beth Cooper: DVD, Blu-ray
• It’s a Wonderful Life: DVD, Blu-ray
• Love Actually: Blu-ray
• National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Ultimate Collector’s Edition): DVD, Blu-ray

Click to continue reading This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: November 3, 2009

Read More | Amazon

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Box Office Breakdown: That Was It for Paranormal Activity

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Fox Searchlight, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Biopics, Documentary, Drama, Family, Horror, Music, Period, Remakes, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists

Based on the numbers from the past week, it looks like This Is It should remain in theaters longer than two weeks. Oh wait - it will.

Since opening late Tuesday night, the concert film has generated a total of $34.4 million domestically - $23.2 million just over the weekend - and approximately $101 worldwide. Although Michael Jackson technically didn’t beat the opener for Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour (that entry earned more over 5 days), This Is It had the best international debut ever for any concert film.

Sony’s win meant a short victory for Paranormal Activity. After a steady climb, and only 1 week at the top, the horror film slipped down to second place. Of course, the word-of-mouth hit has nothing to complain about. Not only has the movie grossed $84.6 million to date, it also had the best per screen average of any Top 10 charter.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: That Was It for Paranormal Activity

Read More | Variety

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Extended Run for This Is It

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, Sony, Documentary, Music, New Releases

When does a two-week run ever last for only two weeks?

Earlier this month, the Toy Story/Toy Story 2 double feature was given an indefinite run once it neared its expiration date. Now the forces behind Michael Jackson’s This Is it are also having a change of heart. The documentary, which officially debuted last week, will now remain in theaters through Thanksgiving—that’s approximately 3 more weeks than originally planned. (I’m surprised Sony just didn’t book it for 50 dates like AEG did with Michael’s tour.)

Those still unable to catch This Is It in theaters will likely get tickets to a home version soon. It’s believed the DVD will come out in early 2010.

Read More | Showbiz 411

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In Theaters This Weekend: October 30, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Fox Searchlight, Magnolia, Sony, Adaptation, Biopics, Documentary, Drama, Family, Foreign, Horror, Independent, Music, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases

Here are a few selections in theaters this weekend:

• Michael Jackson’s This Is It (PG): starring Michael Jackson (directed by Kenny Ortega)  **in theaters now**
• Aladin* (NR): starring Ritesh Deshmukh, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt (directed by Sujoy Ghosh)
• The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day* (R): starring Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus, Billy Connolly (directed by Troy Duffy)
• The Fall* (NR): starring Benny Ciaramello, Scott Kinworthy, Erica Shaffer (directed by John Krueger)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: October 30, 2009

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Box Office Breakdown: Saw Outdone by Paranormal Activity

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Remakes, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists

Have audiences seen enough Saw?

Although Jigsaw is known for slaying his competition, the serial killer was no match for Katie Featherstone and Micah Sloat. This weekend, those two unknowns saw their small project, Paranormal Activity, finally top the box office charts. The movie, which was produced for approximately $15,000, reached that position after a steady climb up the ranks. (Aren’t films supposed to go down?) The horror flick also had a higher per screen average than any entry in the Top 10 despite fewer engagements.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Saw Outdone by Paranormal Activity

Read More | Variety

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This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: October 27, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Lionsgate, Sony, Weinstein Company, Animation, Family, Horror, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Home Entertainment, Lists, New Releases

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

• Afterwards: DVD
• Collision: Christopher Hitchens vs. Douglas Wilson: DVD
• Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs: DVD, Blu-ray
• The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue: Blu-ray
• Night of the Creeps: DVD, Blu-ray
• Nothing Like the Holidays: DVD, Blu-ray
• Orphan: DVD, Blu-ray
• Stargate (15th Anniversary Edition): Blu-ray
• Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure: DVD, Blu-ray
• Whatever Works: DVD, Blu-ray
• Z: DVD

Make sure to also check out the TV-on-DVD options for this week.

Read More | Amazon

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This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: October 20, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Miramax, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Action, Adventure, Horror, Period, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Home Entertainment, Lists, New Releases

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

• 100 Feet: DVD, Blu-ray
• Blood: The Last Vampire: DVD, Blu-ray
• Cheri: DVD
• Easy Rider: Blu-ray
• I Am Because We Are: DVD
• Love N’ Dancing: DVD, Blu-ray
• Monsoon Wedding (Criterion Collection): DVD, Blu-ray
• Plains, Trains and Automobiles (“Those Aren’t Pillows” Edition): DVD
• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: DVD, Blu-ray
• Waterworld: Blu-ray
• Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead: DVD, Blu-ray

Make sure to also check out the TV-on-DVD options for this week.

Read More | Amazon

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Box Office Breakdown: The Wild Things Are #1

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Science Fiction, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, Technology

Who knew a 10-sentence long story could do so well?

It may have taken over three years for Where the Wild Things Are to officially debut, but the long journey was apparently worth the wait. The Spike Jonze project, which was once rumored to be too scary for children, finally unfolded over the weekend and soared to first place. The Maurice Sendak adaptation, which earned approximately $32.7 million, also gave Warner Bros. its best October open ever.

Even though Gerard Butler didn’t bother to promote Law Abiding Citizen during his recent Saturday Night Live stint, the film managed to survive on its own. The actioner, which also starred Jamie Foxx, raked in just over $21 million and won a close race for 2nd place. Meanwhile, word-of-mouth hit Paranormal Activity grossed another $19.6 million and moved up one rung to the third spot.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: The Wild Things Are #1

Read More | Variety

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First Look: Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfriend in Dear John

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Sony, Adaptation, Drama, Romance, Trailers, Upcoming Releases

Dear John -

XOXO,
Savannah

Dear John - starring Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum - opens in theaters on February 5.

Read More | E! Online

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