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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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Box Office Breakdown: Audiences Agree on The Proposal

The Proposal's Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock

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, 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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Harrison Ford tops Highest Paid Actor List

Harrison Ford highest paid 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 , 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.

Click to continue reading Harrison Ford tops Highest Paid Actor List


Box Office Breakdown: Hangover Hangs on for Another Win

The Hangover's Ed Helms and Heather Graham

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 , 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.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Hangover Hangs on for Another Win

Read More | Variety

In Theaters This Weekend: June 12, 2009

Imagine That

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

  • Imagine That (PG): starring Eddie Murphy, Thomas Haden Church, Nicole Ari Parker (directed by Karey Kirkpatrick)
  • The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (R): starring Denzel Washington, John Travolta, James Gandolfini (directed by Tony Scott)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: June 12, 2009


This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: June 2, 2009

Defiance DVDHere are some of the options available this Tuesday:

  • Air Force One: Blu-ray
  • Anaconda: Blu-ray
  • Bruce Almighty: Blu-ray
  • Defiance: DVD, Blu-ray
  • Eddie Murphy: Delirious (25th Anniversary Edition): DVD
  • Fletch: Blu-ray
  • Glory: Blu-ray
  • The Graduate: Blu-ray
  • He’s Just Not That Into You: DVD, Blu-ray
  • Inside Man: Blu-ray
  • Navy Seals: Blu-ray

Click to continue reading This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: June 2, 2009

Read More | Amazon

The 2009 Academy Awards: Live Commentary

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards

The Oscars

After a year away from live Oscars coverage, I’m thrilled to be back for the 2009 Academy Awards.

Even though Dark Knight‘s snub will probably keep a number of viewers away (how many can honestly say they’ve seen The Reader?), I’m eagerly anticipating several moments from this evening’s broadcast.

Will Heath Ledger’s family bring the house to tears? Is Mickey Rourke going to make the producers wince? Will the cameras pan to Brangelina after Jennifer Aniston’s presentation? Are Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron really (really?) going to do a song and dance number?

To find out if this will be the year of the Slumdog or the underdog, stay tuned here for the live results!

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Read More | Oscars

The Big Batman Riddle

Eddie Murphy

Early today, Popeater started reporting that (of all people) has been cast in the role of The Riddler. The character was played by funnyman Jim Carrey in the 1995 Batman film, and Carrey was soundly abused by critics for his efforts.

Britain’s The Sun broke the Murphy news and the story was quickly picked up elsewhere in the world. The newspaper further reported that Murphy would hit the screen in the role in 2010, and that the movie has a working title of Gotham. Murphy as The Riddler? Well, he is pretty funny. Sure, that could work. Right?

Wrong. reports that Murphy will not be play the villain. His rep has stepped forward to deny the story first appearing in The Sun. “No one has talked to me about it ever - never.” One rumor connects Johnny Depp to The Riddler role instead.

Who will play The Riddler? Since those behind the Batman film say they haven’t even worked out the story for the film, it’s a little premature to assume the character will even make the final cut.

Read More | Popeater

Casting Corner: Brad Pitt, Will Ferrell, Eddie Murphy

Brad Pitt

Here’s a quick look at some of the casting tidbits announced in the past few days:

Although the paparazzi has been aiming to get close to Brangelina for days, Quentin Tarantino was recently able to score a one-on-one with . Tarantino, who recently completed his script for Inglorious Bastards, just met with the actor in France in hopes of casting him in the film. According to Variety,  Brad was in discussion to play the role of Aldo Raine.

As we reported earlier, the Kill Bill director would like to start production on his WWII era movie soon, and his current schedule is reflecting that mood. In addition to his meeting with Pitt, Quentin was reportedly scheduled to meet Leonardo DiCaprio yesterday about the character Hans Landa. Meanwhile, Tarantino and Harvey Weinstein are meeting with five different studios to secure a financial partner.

Filming on is set to begin this fall in Germany and France.

Click to continue reading Casting Corner: Brad Pitt, Will Ferrell, Eddie Murphy

Read More | MTV Movies

Box Office Breakdown: The Golden Army Raises Hell

Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Apparently moviegoers were simply not interested in meeting anyone named Dave.

This past weekend, Eddie Murphy’s latest effort debuted in a disappointing 7th place. Fox’s pulled in only $5.2 million, the third worst opening total for the comedian. (Holy Man pulled in $5.1 million in 1998; The Adventures of Pluto Nash scraped up $2.2 million in 2002.)

Dave‘s poor performance gave two other entries plenty of room at the top of the charts. earned approximately $11 million more than the original 2004 film. The sequel’s $34.5 million haul also narrowly edged out last week’s winner, Hancock, and gave director Guillermo del Toro a first place berth. Meanwhile, the Journey to the Center of the Earth‘s $21 million was good enough for third place.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: The Golden Army Raises Hell

Read More | Variety

In Theaters This Weekend: July 11, 2008

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

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