New Moon Already Breaks Box Office Record

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Adaptation, Drama, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Thrillers, Box Office, New Releases, Rumors

We all knew that the opening for New Moon was going to be big, but did we actually think it was going to beat out The Dark Knight and Harry Potter? Well, it did.

Rival studios reveal that the latest Twilight film took in an estimated $23-$24 million in midnight screenings alone; this surpasses The Dark Knight‘s $18.4 million record as well as Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince‘s $22.2 million. Summit Entertainment has not yet released an official number.

With a record like that, who’s to say that the vampire-werewolf crew can’t tag-team against Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen‘s current #1 spot of the year, at its $108.9 million weekend opening? With Twi-hards’ dedication, they might even give The Dark Knight a run for its money—its weekend opening did $158.4 million at the box office.

Let’s be honest here—who needs viral marketing when you have Edward Cullen and Jacob Black?

Read More | Deadline Hollywood

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Charlize Theron Purring Over Catwoman Role

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Mystery, Noir, Sequels, Thrillers, Casting, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip, Rumors, Upcoming Releases

Considering that Megan Fox can be counted out, Charlize Theron is now proclaiming how she’d love to “kick a*s” as Catwoman.

The Hollywood actress is thrilled to learn that she is in the running to play the super-villain alongside Christian Bale and Sir Michael Caine in the upcoming sequel to Batman blockbuster The Dark Knight.

“It’s news to me, but that’s kick-a*s news. I like that… I think that what has happened to that franchise is amazing, and director Chris Nolan is a genius. So I would be an idiot to not consider that.”

If the 34-year-old starlet accepts the role, she will be following in the footsteps of Michelle Pfeiffer and Halle Berry, who have both donned the iconic leather catsuit on the big screen.

Other actresses linked to the role include Angelina Jolie and Rachel Weisz.

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Box Office Breakdown: Transformers Rises Above the Competition

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

It’s not very often when “loud” and “mindless” are deemed good qualities. But in Paramount’s case, it was a recipe for success.

Over the past five days, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen did what most films have been attempting all year: It passed the $200 million mark. (Up just became the first 2009 film to hit $250 million.)

While the Michael Bay film is definitely on track to be one of the most successful entries this year (let’s not forget about Harry Potter), the sequel’s opening still takes second behind last year’s topper. During its opening run, The Dark Knight earned $203.8 million domestically.

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Read More | Variety

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2009 MTV Movie Awards: The Winners

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Adaptation, Drama, Music, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Awards, Lists

Here are the results of tonight’s broadcast hosted by SNL‘s Andy Samberg:

• Best Movie: Twilight
• Best Male Performance: Zac Efron, High School Musical 3: Senior Year
• Best Female Performance: Kristen Stewart, Twilight
• Best Breakthrough Performance (Male): Robert Pattinson, Twilight
• Best Breakthrough Performance (Female): Ashley Tisdale, High School Musical 3: Senior Year
• Best Villain: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
• Best Fight: Robert Pattinson vs. Cam Gigandet , Twilight
• Best Kiss: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson , Twilight
• Best Comedic Performance: Jim Carrey, Yes Man
• Best WTF Moment: Amy Poehler (peeing in the sink), Baby Mama
• Best Song: “The Climb” (Miley Cyrus), Hannah Montana: The Movie
• Generation Award: Ben Stiller

Read More | MTV Movie Awards

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Sequel News: Eclipse, Iron Man 2, Scream and More

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, New Line, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Music, Sequels, Comedy, Rumors, Upcoming Releases

Alvin and the Chipmunks: You can look forward to a few new characters in the family-oriented sequel. Chuck‘s Zachary Levi has signed on to play Jason Lee’s cousin in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel. (Yes, Squeakquel.) Meanwhile, the furry little guys will be introduced to Brittany, Jeanette and Eleanor (a.k.a. the Chipettes) - their female rivals/counterparts.

Click to continue reading Sequel News: Eclipse, Iron Man 2, Scream and More

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The 2009 Academy Awards: Live Commentary

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards

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

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Dark Knight Soars Above $1 Billion

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Sequels, Box Office

The Dark Knight might not be the “Best Film” of the year, but it was undoubtedly the most successful.

January’s re-release gave Knight the extra push it needed to officially cross the $1 billion mark. The sequel, with it’s $1.001 billion gross, now stands as the 4th highest-earner of all time. Only Titanic ($1.84 billion), The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ($1.12 billion) and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest ($1.07 billion) have raked in more.

Domestically, Knight falls directly behind Titanic. The Warner Bros. production has earned $533.1 million on this side of the pond.

Read More | E! Online

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Winslet, Rourke Awarded with BAFTAs

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards

While it’s looking pretty clear that Slumdog Millionaire will take home the Oscar later this month, the race for Best Actor and Best Actress remains a bit muddy.

At yesterday’s Orange British Academy Film Awards, Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) and Kate Winslet (The Reader) both took home the top honors for acting. Although this is similar to how they performed at the Golden Globes, neither actor was a winner at the recent SAG Awards. (Sean Penn and Meryl Streep took home the statues that evening.)

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Read More | British Academy of Film and Television Arts

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Ledger’s Family to Accept on Behalf of Heath

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards

Should Heath Ledger win the Academy Award later this month, you can expect a passionate acceptance speech from that Kodak stage.

Over the past few weeks, director Christopher Nolan and Gary Oldman have stepped in on Ledger’s behalf. Now someone else will have the honor.

According to Nolan, members of Heath’s family will be the ones accepting any posthumous Oscar given to the Dark Knight star. Although it’s not known which relatives might take the mic, Ledger’s father, mother and sister have all spoken to the media before.

The 81st Annual Academy Awards will air live Sunday, February 22nd on ABC.

Read More | Entertainment Weekly

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2009 Academy Award Nominations

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards

Despite no major wins for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button at Jan. 11’s Golden Globes, the film lead all entries at this morning’s Academy Award nominations. The Brad Pitt feature will go into next month’s ceremony with 13 opportunities to walk away with at least one statue. (Slumdog Millionaire will have 10 chances.)

Here are some of the noteworthy mentions from today’s press conference:

• Kate Winslet (The Reader) - a double-winner just a few weeks ago - only received one nomination this morning. Meryl Streep will only get one chance as well for her role in Doubt.
• Although it wasn’t represented at the Globes, Frozen River was recognized several times today.
• Heath Ledger‘s nomination (on the anniversary of his death!) was expected; The Dark Knight‘s omission was a disappointment.
• Four acting nods for Doubt didn’t equate to an honor for the film.
• Several pleasant announcements in the Best Actor/Supporting Actor categories: Richard Jenkins (The Visitor), Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road) and Robert Downey Jr. (Tropic Thunder). Shannon got the only major nom for his picture.

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Read More | Oscars

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