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Latest Video: FilmCrunch 067: Hairspray, Chuck & Larry, Premonition reviewed

Veronica Santiago and Neil Estep review Hairspray, Chuck & Larry, and Premonition in this episode of FilmCrunch.
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In Theaters This Holiday Weekend (2/14)

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, Paramount, Touchstone, Universal, Action, Adaptation, Drama, Family, Foreign, Foreign Language, Independent, Period, Religious, Romance, Science Fiction, Comedy, Lists, New Releases

Definitely, Maybe

Here are some possible suggestions for Valentine’s Day weekend:

  • Definitely, Maybe (PG-13): starring Ryan Reynolds, Rachel Weisz, Abigail Breslin (directed by Adam Brooks)
  • Jumper (PG-13): starring Hayden Christensen, Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Bell (directed by Doug Liman)
  • The Spiderwick Chronicles (PG): starring Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte (directed by Mark Waters)
  • Step Up 2 the Streets (PG-13): starring Briana Evigan, Robert Hoffman, Will Kemp (directed by Jon M. Chu)

  • Jodhaa Akbar* (NR): starring Hrithik Roshan, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Suhasini Mulay (directed by Ashutosh Gowariker)
  • Me & You, Us, Forever* (PG): starring Michael Blain-Rozgay, Stacey J Aswad, Hugh McLean (directed by Dave Christiano)
  • The Year My Parents Went On Vacation* (NR): starring Michel Joelsas, Germano Haiut, Daniela Piepszyk (directed by Cao Hamburger)

*limited and/or gradual release


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Box Office Breakdown: Fred Claus No Match for Jerry Seinfeld

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: DreamWorks, Disney, MGM, Lionsgate, New Line, Sony, Touchstone, Universal, Warner Bros, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Political, Romance, Comedy, Sports, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Bee Movie

In a shocking turn of events, came buzzing back to life this weekend stealing the #1 spot from recent victor, .  Bee’s $25 million take also embarrassed the newest comedic entry, .

Although fellow ‘Frat Packer’ rang bells with November 2003’s Elf, couldn’t come close to matching his friend’s $31.1 million debut.  The news was especially surprising given Vaughn and director David Dobkin’s recent collaboration on 2005’s Wedding Crashers.  Could this mean Vaughn’s only appealing when he’s part of a larger comedic team?

Also noteworthy this weekend was the disappointing performance of .  Lions wasn’t expected to take in Mission Impossible-esque numbers, but the film did still boast , and actor/director .  As it was, the movie grossed less than any other Cruise-attached wide release in more than 20 years.  At least Streep can say this topical film debuted higher than her last attempt ().

, the only other new Top Ten entry, racked up ninth place.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Fred Claus No Match for Jerry Seinfeld


Box Office Breakdown: A Gangbusters Weekend for Washington, Crowe

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: DreamWorks, Disney, Miramax, Lionsgate, New Line, Sony, Touchstone, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

American Gangster

Combine and star-wattage and you’re bound to get a hit.  But did anyone expect a $43 million debut for ?  Why did these Oscar-winners do so well when others have only done okay?  How did an R-rated film beat out an animated PG flick?  Why didn’t the movie’s long running-time (157 minutes) turn people away?

Gangster’s #1 spot was just one of the film’s many weekend achievements.  The movie also marked the biggest opening weekend for both lead actors (Russell’s Gladiator earned $35 million; Washington’s Inside Man grossed $29 million).  It also had the 2nd best debut for a drama in November (right behind 2002’s 8 Mile).

Unfortunately, all this good news was lost on comedian —the hardest working self-promoter of 2007.  Even though spent countless hours of airtime sucking up to its former Golden Boy, Seinfeld’s was stung with a 2nd place finish.  Although $38 million take is nothing to complain about, I expect next week’s will slide right in to become the week’s best-grossing comedy.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: A Gangbusters Weekend for Washington, Crowe


Box Office Breakdown: Saw Slices Its Way to #1

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Miramax, Lionsgate, Sony, Touchstone, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Drama, Family, Horror, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Sports, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Saw IV

This weekend’s success of proved that ‘torture porn’ is very much alive and well...at least right before All Hallows Eve.  (Apparently originality is not a prerequisite when you’re in the haunting mood.) The horror series, which took in $55 million domestically when it debuted in 2004, bloodied the competition with its recent $31 million take.  It will now likely hit the $80 million mark the last two installments surpassed.

Although , lagged behind with only $11 million, the film at least managed to place second.  Hopefully Dan will have legs in the weeks to come; it’s a nice counter-programming option for those desperately seeking romance on their date nights.  Those hunting for acceptable kids fare may have it a bit harder though --- which probably explains why has remained firmly planted in the Top Five.

Other notable mentions for this week:

  • After debuting in ninth place last week, has already made a swift exit.  (Thankfully, Reese and Jake will have their love to keep them warm.)
  • ‘It’ girl now only has one film in the Top Ten; has disappeared while deservedly stays.
  • Meanwhile another Gone star, , has stepped in to take Monaghan’s place.  The woman who does a great job playing a drugged-up mother also makes an appearance in Dan as one of family members.  She’s so cleaned up in the latter film, she’s barely recognizable.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Saw Slices Its Way to #1


In Theaters this Weekend (10/26)

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Lionsgate, Sony, Touchstone, Warner Bros, Documentary, Drama, Horror, Independent, Noir, Political, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases

Dan in Real Life

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

  • Dan in Real Life (PG-13):  starring Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook (directed by Peter Hedges)
  • Saw IV (R):  starring Shawnee Smith, Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor (directed by Darren Lynn Bousman)

  • Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead* (R):  starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Marisa Tomei (directed by Sidney Lumet)
  • Bella* (PG-13):  starring Sophie Nyweide, Eduardo Verastegui (directed by Alejandro Gomez Monteverde)
  • Black Irish* (R):  starring Michael Angarano, Brendan Gleeson (directed by Brad Gann)
  • Man from Plains* (PG-13):  starring President Jimmy Carter (directed by Jonathan Demme)
  • Mr. Untouchable* (R):  starring Nicholas Barnes, Thelma Grant (directed by Marc Levin)
  • The Music Within* (R):  starring Ron Livingston, Melissa George (directed by Steven Sawalich)
  • Rails & Ties* (PG-13):  starring Kevin Bacon, Marcia Gay Harden (directed by Alison Eastwood)
  • Slipstream* (R):  starring Anthony Hopkins, Stella Arroyave (directed by Anthony Hopkins)

*limited or gradual release


Box Office Breakdown: 30 Days of Night Sucks Up the Competition

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Miramax, New Line, Paramount, Sony, Touchstone, Warner Bros, Animation, Drama, Horror, Comedy, Sports, Lists, New Releases

30 Days of Night

I never thought I would ever find myself writing this:  ‘A Josh Hartnett-led film has opened at #1.’ Of course, he did have a little help from a vampire or two..

The horror film, , had an impressive debut for what was actually an unimpressive weekend.  With only $16 million, the Alaskan-set vampire flick beat out a host of movies filled with Oscar-nominated stars.  Ben Affleck’s well-reviewed directorial debut, , opened up in 6th place.  , starring are-they-or-aren’t-they-dating Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal, barely cracked the Top Ten.  Meanwhile, placed a dismal 15th despite the presence of Halle Berry and Benicio Del Toro (and promotion on Oprah).

The success of 30 Days and the surprise return of - which placed 8th even though it was only in 564 theaters - clearly spells out the audience’s need for some Halloween fare.  This bodes well for the release of which opens next weekend.  (Yay!)

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: 30 Days of Night Sucks Up the Competition


This Week on DVD:  September 11, 2007

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Touchstone, Yari Film Group Releasing, Action, Classics, Drama, Independent, Period, Romance, Science Fiction, Comedy, Thrillers, Home Entertainment, Lists, New Releases

Away From Her

Here are a few of the new titles you can find on the rental shelves this Tuesday:

  • Away From Her:  starring Julie Christie, Gordon Pinsent & Olympia Dukakis
  • Even Money:  starring Kim Basinger, Ray Liotta & Forest Whitaker
  • Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee:  starring Adam Beach, Aidan Quinn & August Schellenberg
  • Face/Off (Special Collector’s Edition):  starring John Travolta, Nicolas Cage & Joan Allen
  • The Graduate (40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition):  starring Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft & Katharine Ross

NOTE:  Click here to see the TV-On-DVD options for this week.


Disney to Ban Smoking in All Future Releases

Posted by Neil Estep
Categories: Disney, Miramax, Touchstone, Family, Distribution, Filmmaking

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

FilmCrunch 056: Deja Vu, Hot Fuzz, Night at the Museum, Freedom Writers

Posted by Andru Edwards
Categories: 20th Century Fox, Touchstone, Universal, Action, Adaptation, Family, Romance, Science Fiction, Comedy, Thrillers, DVD Reviews, Full Episodes, Theatrical Reviews, Videocasts


In this episode of FilmCrunch, Veronica Santiago and Neil Estep review the theatrical releases of Hot Fuzz, Deja Vu, and Freedom Writers, as well as the DVD release of A Night at the Museum.

Now we want to hear from you - hit the forums and let us know what you think, what you want us to watch next, and any othe recommendations you have for the show.


Box Office Breakdown:  Lucky Number 13

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: DreamWorks, Disney, Fox Searchlight, MGM, Lionsgate, Paramount, Touchstone, Universal, Warner Independant Films, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Independent, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Oceans 13

Having exhausted all their sequel choices, theater patrons quickly moved on to the latest offering:  Ocean’s Thirteen.  Despite general indifference for the series’ second movie, Steven Soderbergh and friends faced down the unlucky number and rolled the dice again.  Their gamble paid off well this weekend when they took down Captain Jack Sparrow and his mates

Of course, viewers who crave the comfort of familiarity can still manage to have discerning taste.  Eli Roth’s Hostel: Part II only rounded enough voyeurs to rank a mediocre 6th place.  Here’s to hoping that the era of grisly horror movies is once again over…

1. Ocean’s Thirteen, Warner Bros, $36,133,403
2. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, Disney, $21,143,905
3. Knocked Up, Universal, $19,643,080
4. Surf’s Up, Sony, $17,640,249
5. Shrek the Third, DreamWorks Animation-Paramount, $15,317,614
6. Hostel: Part II, Lionsgate, $8,203,391
7. Mr. Brooks, MGM, $4,911,319
8. Spider-Man 3, Sony, $4,304,986
9. Waitress, Fox Searchlight, $1,600,600
10. Disturbia, DreamWorks-Paramount, $523,504


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