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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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Madonna Wants Blanchett for Musical

Madonna wants Cate Blanchett to star in her musicalMadonna wants Cate Blanchett to star in her new musical—when the Queen of Pop wants you, is there even a chance of declining?

The “4 Minutes” singer is set to direct and produce Wallis, which follows the life of American socialite Wallis Simpson, who Britain’s King Edward VIII gave up the throne to marry, and wants the Notes On A Scandal actress to take on the lead role opposite Doctor Who actor David Tennant after opting against casting Keira Knightley.

A source told Britain’s The Sun newspaper, “The final script is now written and the locations have been scouted. Madonna is now trying to assemble the cast and put the finances in place. The first scene of the film is an old woman in her 90s living on her own in a Parisian flat. She starts to tell her life story to her housekeeper. It turns out the old woman is Wallis Simpson. There will be a song for each decade of her life.”

Madonna, whose last acting role in a movie was in 2002 flop Swept Away, had been planning to start work on the film last year, but it was put on hold while she finalized her divorce from Guy Ritchie.

Click to continue reading Madonna Wants Blanchett for Musical


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Box Office Breakdown: Number 1 for District 9

District 9

may not have have any big name stars and it may not be based on a story everyone knows, but it does have something no other film has this Monday: a first place finish.

Over the weekend, the R-rated actioner landed on Earth safely with over $37 million in ticket sales. The sci-fi entry also raked in one of the best per screen averages ($12,251) of any film currently in in theaters. (Sony Pictures Classics’ averaged $13,240 while in limited release.)

In the non-alien department, cornered the romantic genre with an $18.6 million total. Meanwhile, Vanessa Hudgens proved she’s nothing without her better half. The Disney star’s new film, Bandslam, failed to even crack the Top Ten. The teen comedy barely managed to gross over $2 million.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Number 1 for District 9

Read More | Box Office Mojo

In Theaters This Weekend: August 14, 2009

The Time Traveler's Wife

Here are a few selections in theaters this weekend:

  • Bandslam (PG): starring Gaelan Connell, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Aly Michalka (directed by Todd Graff)
  • District 9 (R): starring Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, David James (directed by Neill Blomkamp)
  • The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard (R): starring Jeremy Piven, Ving Rhames, David Koechner (directed by Neal Brennan)
  • The Time Traveler’s Wife (PG-13): starring Rachel McAdams, Eric Bana, Ron Livingston (directed by Robert Schwentke)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: August 14, 2009


This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: May 5, 2009

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button DVDHere are some of the options available this Tuesday:

  • The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: DVD, Blu-ray
  • Enchanted April: DVD
  • Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: Blu-ray
  • Grease: Blu-ray
  • It Could Happen to You: Blu-ray
  • Last Chance Harvey: DVD, Blu-ray
  • Roxanne: Blu-ray
  • Saturday Night Fever: Blu-ray
  • Twilight: Blu-ray
  • Wendy and Lucy: DVD


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

Read More | Amazon

Getting Into Character: Russell Crowe as Robin Hood

Russell Crowe as Robin Hood

Robin of Loxley has shed his locks.

If you were one of the many who watched State of Play this weekend, this image of might throw you for a loop. Not only has the actor already cut his hair (thank goodness), he’s let go of a few pounds as well.

In Robin Hood, the 45-year-old resurrects a Gladiator-esque coif for his turn at the iconic character. The film, which is being directed by American Gangster‘s Ridley Scott, costars Cate Blancett as Maid Marian.

The Universal Pictures feature is scheduled for release on May 14, 2010.

Read More | USA Today

Casting Corner: Cate Blanchett, Leonardo DiCaprio, Megan Fox and More

Cate Blanchett

Here’s a quick look at some of the casting announcements made recently:

Cate Blanchett: The Benjamin Button actress will be paired with a new leading man for her next feature. Blanchett was recently tapped to replace Sienna Miller in the latest version of the Robin Hood tale. Cate will star as Maid Marian opposite Russell Crowe’s Robin of Loxley. The movie, previously titled Nottingham, will be helmed by by Crowe’s favorite director, Ridley Scott.

Click to continue reading Casting Corner: Cate Blanchett, Leonardo DiCaprio, Megan Fox and More


Box Office Breakdown: New Life for Oscar Contenders

Slumdog Millionaire

Nominations? doesn’t need any stinkin’ nominations…

Although the 78-year-old was recently overlooked by the Academy, the actor/director still got some respect from the paying public. This past weekend, landed softly into third place and, most importantly, topped the actual Best Picture contenders.

But that’s not to say a nomination is pointless. Last week’s #10, Slumdog Millionaire, jumped 5 positions this week after nabbing 10 nods on Thursday. (It also bested Torino’s per screen average.) Meanwhile, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - thanks to 13 nominations - found itself reentering the Top Ten.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: New Life for Oscar Contenders

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Gran Torino Expands to a Win

Gran Torino

He may have lost out to Bruce Springsteen last night, but Clint Eastwood was still a big winner this weekend. After 4 weeks in limited theaters, the 78-year-old’s film became the top movie in wide release.

Eastwood’s directorial project not only pulled in $29.4 million over the last three days ($40.5 million to date), it outranked the vehicles from Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and Will Smith. also earned the best per screen average of any charter in the Top Ten.

Despite opening on approximately 600 more screens than the first place finisher, #2’s grossed nearly $4000 less per theater. The Kate Hudson-Anne Hathaway comedy also averaged less than #3’s The Unborn.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Gran Torino Expands to a Win

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Marley & Me Ends 2008 on Top

Marley & Me

Aside from a few changes at the bottom of this week’s Top Ten, every single movie remained planted in their positions from last Monday. Since Friday’s new entries (Good, Defiance) were only offered in limited release, there really wasn’t much of a battle.

Over the last three days, tacked on another $24 million and officially crossed the $100 million mark. The Fox adaptation became the 25th film from 2008 to accomplish that. Meanwhile, the only new charter was #10’s . Although it was only shown in 612 theaters (that’s down two from last week), the Fox Searchlight feature helped push The Spirit down to #13. The probable Oscar contender also earned a better per screen average than all the films ahead of it.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Marley & Me Ends 2008 on Top

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Marley & Me is the Weekend’s Top Dog

Marley & Me

When it comes to the box office, has no problem pushing best friends (Courteney Cox), exes (Brad Pitt) or former leading men (Jim Carrey) aside.

After a record-breaking Christmas Day, pulled in approximately $36.4 million over the last three days. The PG-rated film, which earned nearly $51 million since December 25, gave Aniston bragging rights and Owen Wilson his best Friday-Sunday gross ever.

Although he eventually lost out to Jen, Brad Pitt really had nothing to complain about. , the weekend’s #3 finisher, had the 2nd best ($12 million) Christmas day opening. Meanwhile, Bedtime Stories - starring Adam Sandler and Courteney Cox - now ranks 3rd ($10.6 million) on the all-time Dec. 25 debuts list.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Marley & Me is the Weekend’s Top Dog

Read More | Variety

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