Box Office Breakdown: Burn After Reading Smokes Past Competition

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: DreamWorks, FOCUS, Lionsgate, Picturehouse, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Around this same time last year, Tyler Perry was beating George Clooney in a battle at the box office. Now the Sexiest Man Alive is having his day.

This past weekend, cineplexes were kept busy with a handful of new releases. Although each film had a chance of reaching #1, Burn After Reading - starring Clooney, Brad Pitt and Frances McDormand - emerged as the eventual winner. But the news wasn’t so bad for the other three contenders. Theatergoers clearly starving for fresh material placed all four wide release entries into the chart’s four top slots.

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Read More | Variety

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Box Office Breakdown: Bangkok Dangerous Tops Dismal Weekend

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Musicals, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists

Eek. And I thought a $14 million weekend was bad.

Seven days ago, Tropic Thunder reached the #1 spot despite an unimpressive box office turnout. This week, Bangkok Dangerous accomplished that same achievement—with only $7.7 million dollars.

While number crunchers weren’t expecting stellar numbers (kids are back in school, football’s back gone), the underwhelming response to Nicolas Cage’s latest film was a bit surprising. Not only did the film industry have its worst weekend of 2008, Bangkok had the lowest take for any first-placed flick in five years. (Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star topped with $6.6 million in 2003.)

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Read More | Variety

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Box Office Breakdown: Tropic Thunder Makes It Three for Three

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Musicals, Romance, Satire, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

At any other time of the year, a $14 million take would probably get you a decent ranking in the Top Ten. This holiday weekend, that box office total was enough to put Tropic Thunder into first place. Again.

Despite a new Vin Diesel entry, the Ben Stiller comedy led the top of the pack for the third weekend in a row. (If it reaches that mark a fourth time, it will have officially reached Dark Knight territory.) Meanwhile, Babylon A.D. settled for second place with only $11.5 million in ticket sales. I’m guessing the sci fi film’s reviews - in particular, the one from the movie’s own director - might have had something to do with the disappointing turnout.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Tropic Thunder Makes It Three for Three

Read More | Yahoo! Movies

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Cher’s Publicist Enjoys Catwoman Rumors

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Warner Bros, Adaptation, Sequels, Casting, Celebrity Gossip, Rumors

C’mon. Does anyone really believe the rumors are real?

Last month, Britain’s Daily Telegraph reported that Britney Spears was being sought for a role in a Quentin Tarantino film. And while that story has since been shot down, the same newspaper is back at it again.

Over the past week, buzz has been spreading about the next installment in the Batman series. According to the Telegraph, director Christopher Nolan is currently talking to Cher about playing Catwoman. The paper cites a ‘studio exec’ who says Nolan has strong visions for the Vegas singer. “Cher is Nolan’s first choice to play Catwoman. He wants to her to portray her like a vamp in her twilight years,” said the source.

By the way - did I mention that Johnny Depp is supposedly on board to play The Riddler as well?

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Read More | TV Guide

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Box Office Breakdown: Tropic Thunder Wins the Death Race

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, MGM, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Horror, Musicals, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Although it was widely believed that (hunky) Jason Statham would emerge as this weekend’s winner, Tropic Thunder somehow managed to hold its ground. The comedy, which only raked in $16.2 million during this outing, became the third movie this year to make a repeat appearance at #1. (The other two films were those giant blockbusters called Iron Man and The Dark Knight.)

Overall, this was an unimpressive weekend for films. Theatergoers probably confused (like me) by Joan Allen’s participation only poured $12.6 million of their dollars into Death Race. Meanwhile, The House Bunny became this week’s highest-grossing chick alternative (Sorry, Sisterhood!) with its $14.5 million gross.

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Read More | Variety

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Box Office Breakdown: Dark Knight Struck Down by Tropic Thunder

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, MGM, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Horror, Musicals, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists

Despite a somewhat disappointing opening last Wednesday ($6.5 million), Tropic Thunder actually managed to surpass the four-time box office winner. The comedy grossed $25.8 million over the past three days, nearly $10 million more than its caped competitor.

And while Ben Stiller should be happy by his movie’s accomplishment, the Dreamworks/Paramount film still left a lot to be desired. Recent comedies such as Get Smart ($38.6 million) and Step Brothers ($30.9 million) debuted to better numbers. But then those two films didn’t have a distraction like Michael Phelps to contend with.

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Read More | Variety

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Box Office Breakdown: Batman Smokes Pineapple Express

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Disney, New Line, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Musicals, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers

Pineapple Express’ strong open last week made number crunchers wonder: Would this be the week Batman was finally taken down? Unfortunately, breaking the record for ‘Any Wednesday in August’ doesn’t necessarily mean a movie will succeed on Friday or Saturday or Sunday. And despite Pineapple‘s promising start (the movie grossed $12.1 million on its first day), the comedy found itself smoked by the Caped Crusader.

The Dark Knight’s recent $26 million take has now pushed the film past $441 million. When the sequel passes Star Wars‘ $461 million (which should happen shortly), it will become the #2 film of all time. By staying on top for the fourth weekend in a row, Knight has also accomplished something that hasn’t been done since 2003’s Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.

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Read More | Yahoo! Movies

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Box Office Breakdown: The Dark Knight Fights Off the Mummy

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Family, Music, Mystery, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

It was a close one. A very close one. But after a tight contest, The Dark Knight once again emerged as the box office winner this weekend.

Although it initially appeared as if The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor was going to bring Batman down, the three-quel lost steam at the end. The film, which grossed $40.4 million over the past three days, narrowly lost out to Knight and wound up being the lowest performer in its series. (The Mummy opened at $43.4 million in 1999 while The Mummy Returns scored $68 million in 2001.)

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Read More | Variety

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Brangelina Babies Born…What’s Next?

Posted by K.C. Morgan
Categories: Action, Adaptation, Casting, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip, Upcoming Releases

Unless you managed to seal yourself in a cave the past few weeks, you know the Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie twins have been born. This Hollywood power couple has never let grass grow under their feet - so what’s next for the industrious pair? Not much has been confirmed, but one thing is certain - these two just aren’t going to stop making headlines.

In case you haven’t heard the news, The Dark Knight is making money hand over fist (domestically, the film has already made well over an astronomical $300 million). It’s only natural that talk of a new Batman installment is already circulating.

None of those associated with the current Batman movies have said much about the possible flick, but one star from the past has stepped forward to put in her two cents. Julie Newmar, the iconic Catwoman who played opposite Adam West’s Batman, has nominated Angelina Jolie for her former role. “Angelina would own the part,” Newmar stated to the New York Daily News.

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Box Office Breakdown: The Dark Knight Hits $300 Million

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Family, Musicals, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Despite the combined forces of Ferrell/Reilly and Duchovny/Anderson, Team Bale/Ledger could not be slowed down.

This past week, The Dark Knight added a few more records to the franchise’s box office mantle:

• The film became the fastest movie ever to surpass the $300 million mark. (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest crossed that line in 16 days; Knight did it in 10.)
• The sequel is now predicted to break $400 million in approximately 18 days. Shrek 2 took 43 days to the same in 2004.
• IMAX theaters also continue to benefit from the blockbuster’s success. Another $4.6 million was grossed over the weekend.
• It’s now believed the latest Batman installment could soar to $500 million - making it only the second movie to do so. Domestically, Titanic ($601 million) still reigns as the box office champ. (The original Star Wars pocketed $461 million while Shrek 2 earned $436 million.)

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: The Dark Knight Hits $300 Million

Read More | Variety

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