This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: June 23, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, MGM, New Line, Sony, Touchstone, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Foreign, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Home Entertainment, Lists, New Releases

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

• The Code: DVD, Blu-ray
• Confessions of a Shopaholic: DVD, Blu-ray
• Inkheart: DVD, Blu-ray
• My Dinner with Andre: DVD
• Phoebe in Wonderland: DVD
• The Pianist: Blu-ray
• Pink Panther 2: DVD, Blu-ray
• Waltz with Bashir: DVD, Blu-ray

Click here to see the TV-on-DVD options for this week.

Read More | Amazon

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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.)

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

Read More | Variety

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In Theaters This Weekend: June 19, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, IFC Films, Sony, Touchstone, Action, Adventure, Biopics, Documentary, Foreign, Horror, Period, Romance, Comedy, Lists, New Releases

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

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In Theaters This Weekend: February 13, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, New Line, Sony, Touchstone, Action, Adaptation, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Horror, Independent, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

• Confessions of a Shopaholic (PG): starring Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy, Krysten Ritter (directed by P.J. Hogan)
• Friday the 13th (R): starring Derek Mears, Jared Padalecki, Amanda Righetti (directed by Marcus Nispel)
• The International (R): starring Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl (directed by Tom Tykwer)
• Gomorrah* (NR): starring Toni Servillo, Gianfelice Imparato, Salvatore Abruzzese (directed by Matteo Garrone)
• Two Lovers* (R): starring Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, Vinessa Shaw,  (directed by James Gray)
• Under the Sea 3D* (G): narrated by Jim Carrey (directed by Howard Hall)

*limited release

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In Theaters This Weekend: September 26, 2008

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Fox Searchlight, Magnolia, Lionsgate, Paramount, Touchstone, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Independent, Political, Romance, Comedy, Sports, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

• Eagle Eye (PG-13): starring Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson (directed by DJ Caruso)
• Miracle at St. Anna (R): starring Derek Luke, Michael Ealy, Laz Alonso (directed by Spike Lee)
• Nights in Rodanthe (PG-13): starring Richard Gere, Diane Lane, Scott Glenn (directed by George C. Wolfe)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: September 26, 2008



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In Theaters This Weekend: August 1, 2008

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Sony, Touchstone, Universal, Action, Adventure, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Independent, Period, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

• The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (PG-13): starring Brendan Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello (directed by Rob Cohen)
• Swing Vote (PG-13): starring Kevin Costner, Paula Patton, Kelsey Grammer (directed by Joshua Michael Stern)
• America the Beautiful* (R): starring Gerren Taylor, Ted Casablanca, Eve Ensler (directed by Darryl Roberts)
• Frozen River* (R): starring Melissa Leo, Misty Upham, Michael O’Keefe (directed by Courtney Hunt)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: August 1, 2008



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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

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)

  Click to continue reading In Theaters This Holiday Weekend (2/14)

  
  
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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

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

Although fellow ‘Frat Packer’ Will Ferrell rang bells with November 2003’s Elf, Vince Vaughn 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 for Lambs.  Lions wasn’t expected to take in Mission Impossible-esque numbers, but the film did still boast Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep and actor/director Robert Redford.  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 (Rendition).

P2, 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

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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

Combine Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington’s star-wattage and you’re bound to get a hit.  But did anyone expect a $43 million debut for American Gangster?  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 Jerry Seinfeld—the hardest working self-promoter of 2007.  Even though NBC spent countless hours of airtime sucking up to its former Golden Boy, Seinfeld’s Bee Movie was stung with a 2nd place finish.  Although $38 million take is nothing to complain about, I expect next week’s Fred Claus 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

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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

This weekend’s success of Saw IV 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 Dan in Real Life, 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 The Game Plan has remained firmly planted in the Top Five.

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

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