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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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Megan Fox is No Bond Girl

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, MGM, Action, Sequels, Casting, Celebrity Gossip, Rumors, Upcoming Releases

Megan Fox might not be interested in becoming the next Lara Croft, but she wouldn’t be silly enough to overlook a 007 film. At least not yet.

Despite reports that the Terminator star had turned down a chance to play a Bond girl, her rep denies ever getting an opportunity. While it’s quite possible the 23-year-old would “rather be a more central part of the movie,” the actress is currently not a part of any sequel.

“The report about Megan Fox turning down a Bond movie is completely not true. There have been no discussions nor any offers. Megan is a fan of the Bond movies,” the rep stated.

But seriously—wouldn’t we rather see Freida Pinto as the new Bond girl anyway?


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Frost/Nixon’s Writer Pens New 007 Film

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, MGM, Action, Sequels, Scripts, Upcoming Releases

Peter MorganBond duo Neal Purvis and Robert Wade will be joined by a new scribe for the next 007 film.

Oscar-award winning screenwriter Peter Morgan will join the two franchise vets for the 23rd installment. In addition to work on both and Quantum of Solace, Purvis and Wade have also contributed to Die Another Day and The World is Not Enough.

Morgan’s previous credits include Best Picture nominees and The Queen. He also co-wrote 2006’s The Last King of Scotland.

No start date has been set for the film’s production, though a 2011 release is projected.

Read More | Variety

This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: May 12, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, MGM, Paramount, Sony, Action, Adventure, Drama, Horror, Period, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Home Entertainment, Lists

Here are some of the options available this Tuesday:

Taken DVD

Is Freida Pinto the Next Bond Girl?

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, MGM, Action, Sequels, Casting, Celebrity Gossip, Rumors

Freida PintoHollywood definitely recognizes a hot gem when it sees one.

Although her Oscar-winning film is still charting in the Top Ten, Slumdog Millionaire’s Freida Pinto is already moving on to the next phase of her career. Just weeks ago, the former model was cast alongside Naomi Watts, Josh Brolin and Anthony Hopkins in an untitled Woody Allen project. Now she is being rumored for something with an even higher profile.

According to a British newspaper, the 24-year-old is now being considered for the next Bond film. A source for The Sun claims Pinto’s name was actually known to them prior to her recent success. “Freida came to the attention of the Bond team when they were casting Quantum of Solace. She was too young at the time to have a part as a love interest for a secret agent. But she has blossomed into an incredibly stunning young woman and would look perfect on Daniel Craig’s arm,” the insider stated.

If the reports are true, it’s possible Freida could be reuniting with her Slumdog director for the 007 flick. The same paper also claims Danny Boyle has been asked to helm the latest installment.

Read More | The Sun

Box Office Breakdown: Audiences Say Yes to Jim Carrey

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Fox Searchlight, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Foreign, Period, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists

Yes Man

How will remember Winter Solstice 2008? As the weekend he placed second.

Prior to Friday’s premieres, number crunchers were already predicting a close race between headliners Jim Carrey and Will Smith. Unfortunately for Warner Bros., ‘s ultimate victory felt slightly hollow. The comedy’s $18.2 million gross was nowhere near the figures Carrey used to generate. (Bruce Almighty‘s premiere earned $68 million in 2003; Liar Liar took in $31.4 million in 1997.) Yes did, though, do better than 2005’s Fun with Dick and Jane. (That film raked in $14.1 million during its open.)

Will Smith didn’t have much to celebrate over the last three days either. His latest film, , only took in $14.8 million. That’s a number almost unheard of in Smith-land. The drama, directed by Pursuit of Happyness’ Gabriele Muccino, was the actor’s lowest grosser since Ali. (That film earned $14.7 million when it debuted in December 2001.)

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Audiences Say Yes to Jim Carrey

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: The Day The Earth Stood Still Stands Tall

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

The Day the Earth Stood Still

Mediocre reviews couldn’t keep from vaulting into first place this weekend.

The sci-fi remake starring Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly earned $30.5 million over the last three days, more than doubling the take of its nearest competitor. Although Earth had the smallest debut for a #1 film since October 17th (when Max Payne grossed $17.6 million), the Fox feature only cost a reported $80 million to make. It was also the studio’s best open since Horton Hears a Who unfolded in back in March.

The only other new entries in this week’s Top Ten were Nothing Like the Holidays and . Holidays took in $3.5 million and scored itself a 7th place finish. Meanwhile, Milk - which had actually reached #10 before - reentered the charts at #9.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: The Day The Earth Stood Still Stands Tall

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Another Festive Weekend for Four Christmases

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Music, Period, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists

Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon

Faced with little competition, last week’s #1 lived to see another win. took in $16.8 million over the last three days - a 46% drop from its first outing - to bring its cumulative total to $69.8 million. The comedy was only one of two films to pass the $10 million mark this weekend.

The only new entries in the Top Ten were and Punisher: War Zone. Despite a relatively small opening (it only hit 687 theaters), Cadillac averaged $5,015 per theater for a 9th place finish. Meanwhile, Punisher took in a disappointing $4.3 million, less than 1/3 of what the first film did in 2004.

Despite premiering at #22, was actually this weekend’s top performer. Ron Howard’s film earned a whopping $60,236 per screen average from only 3 theaters.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Another Festive Weekend for Four Christmases

Read More | Variety

Sean Combs Aims to Be the Next James Bond

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Action, Celebrity Gossip


Last month, it was revealed that Beyonce was vying for a role in a possible Wonder Woman movie. Now Sean Combs is publicly stating his interest about playing another action star.

In Diddy Blog #35, the entrepreneur and aspiring actor debuted a six-minute long “movie” for one of his new fragrances. (Aren’t perfume commercials supposed to show someone rolling around nude in silk sheets?) During his presentation, Combs stated why he might soon change his name (once again) to 007:

“I feel like I am best suited to be the next . Okay, we got a black president..you know, it’s time for black Bond. So this is also my audition tape and it’s my the movie for the fragrance I Am King.”

Click to continue reading Sean Combs Aims to Be the Next James Bond

Read More | E! Online

Box Office Breakdown: Number One for Four Christmases

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, FOCUS, Disney, Miramax, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Independent, Period, Political, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists

Four Christmases

Theatergoers still recovering from Thanksgiving had no problem getting into the Christmas spirit this last weekend.

Despite horrible reviews, - a holiday feature starring Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn - managed to pull in over $31 million over the past three days. (The comedy’s five-day total was $46 million.) That was enough to tame some hungry vampires and give Reese her best opening since Sweet Home Alabama. (The 2002 film had a $35.6 million debut.)

But even with Witherspoon and Vaughn’s combined wattage, Christmases still wasn’t the brightest spot on the box office tree. This weekend’s top performer was actually a political drama with a very limited release. Although it was only seen in 35 theaters, , starring Sean Penn and James Franco, found itself sitting in 10th place. The Gus Van Sant film also averaged $40,385 per theater…nearly $31,000 more than the laugher did per screen.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Number One for Four Christmases

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: A Bloody Good Weekend for Twilight

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Disney, Fox Searchlight, MGM, Miramax, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Independent, Musicals, Period, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Twilight

Although Disney features typically find a place at the top of the pack, the studio’s cute puppy was outmatched by a hot vampire this weekend. After pulling in $35.9 million on Friday ($7 million of which was earned at midnight), went on to suck up nearly $70 million in total. The film’s first day take alone was enough for Summit Entertainment to immediately greenlight a sequel. (A script for New Moon had already been in the works.)

The Stephenie Meyers adaptation - which was originally slated to premiere on December 12 - undoubtedly owes Warner Bros. partial credit for its success. Had the studio not chosen to move until next year, Twilight would most likely have debuted in fewer theaters. The Catherine Hardwicke film also wouldn’t have become the highest opener ever for a female director. (Deep Impact, helmed by Mimi Leder, took home $41.2 million in 1998.)

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: A Bloody Good Weekend for Twilight

Read More | Yahoo! Movies

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