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.Play Video
Box Office Breakdown: Saw Outdone by Paranormal Activity
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Remakes, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists
Have audiences seen enough Saw?
Although Jigsaw is known for slaying his competition, the serial killer was no match for Katie Featherstone and Micah Sloat. This weekend, those two unknowns saw their small project, Paranormal Activity, finally top the box office charts. The movie, which was produced for approximately $15,000, reached that position after a steady climb up the ranks. (Aren’t films supposed to go down?) The horror flick also had a higher per screen average than any entry in the Top 10 despite fewer engagements.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Saw Outdone by Paranormal Activity
Read More 
| Variety
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Box Office Breakdown: The Wild Things Are #1
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Science Fiction, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, Technology
Who knew a 10-sentence long story could do so well?
It may have taken over three years for Where the Wild Things Are to officially debut, but the long journey was apparently worth the wait. The Spike Jonze project, which was once rumored to be too scary for children, finally unfolded over the weekend and soared to first place. The Maurice Sendak adaptation, which earned approximately $32.7 million, also gave Warner Bros. its best October open ever.
Even though Gerard Butler didn’t bother to promote Law Abiding Citizen during his recent Saturday Night Live stint, the film managed to survive on its own. The actioner, which also starred Jamie Foxx, raked in just over $21 million and won a close race for 2nd place. Meanwhile, word-of-mouth hit Paranormal Activity grossed another $19.6 million and moved up one rung to the third spot.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: The Wild Things Are #1
Read More | Variety
Box Office Breakdown: Audiences Escape to Couples Retreat
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Fox Searchlight, MGM, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Documentary, Family, Independent, Music, Political, Remakes, Romance, Science Fiction, Comedy, Sports, Box Office, Lists
Depending on how you look at the numbers, the winner this weekend was either Couples Retreat or Paranormal Activity.
In the comedy corner, we have a Peter Billingsley-directed film that earned $35.3 million and a first-place finish. The movie - which combined the efforts of Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau and Jason Bateman - pulled in the best numbers for any Columbus Day weekend entry ever. It also gave Vaughn his 2nd best opening behind The Break-Up.
Meanwhile, on the horror front, Paranormal Activity made a huge splash despite being in limited release. The Blair Witch-esque movie scared up a shocking $49,000 per screen average. It also raked in nearly 500 times more than its budget. (It only cost less than $16,000 to produce.)
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Audiences Escape to Couples Retreat
Read More | Variety
Box Office Breakdown: No Sluggish Start for Zombieland
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Fox Searchlight, MGM, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Documentary, Drama, Family, Horror, Independent, Music, Political, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists
Watch out, vampires…there’s still life in the other undead.
Although he was previously known as a director for Jimmy Kimmel Live, Ruben Fleischer now has a new title: box office champ. This past weekend, Ruben saw his first major feature, Zombieland, attack the competition with a $24.7 million debut. The movie - which only cost approximately $24 million to make - had the highest open for any zombie-themed flick since Dawn of the Dead in 2004.
Meanwhile, another director had an entirely different result with her debut feature. Whip It, a roller derby comedy helmed by Drew Barrymore, rolled into 6th place finish with only $4.7 million. (When your film’s been topped by Pixar entries from 10+ years ago, there might have a problem.) Hopefully in a few more weeks, the Ellen Page vehicle will at least cover its $15 million production tab.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: No Sluggish Start for Zombieland
Read More | Variety
Box Office Breakdown: Meatballs Rolls to Another Victory
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, FOCUS, Disney, Lionsgate, Sony, Touchstone, Universal, Warner Bros, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Documentary, Drama, Family, Horror, Independent, Music, Period, Remakes, Romance, Science Fiction, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists
Surrogates was no substitute for meatballs.
Despite competition from a Bruce Willis film, a music-based remake and a sci-fi horror entry, A Cloudy Chance of Meatballs remained the theatergoers’ order of choice for the second week in a row. The children’s book adaptation had Sony dining to the tune of $25 million—over $10 million more than the second place finisher.
Many thought Willis, who hasn’t had a major role since 2007’s Live Free or Die Hard, was on track to take first this weekend. Unfortunately, his hair movie was considered a big letdown given its $15 million gross and $80 million budget. Meanwhile, Fame, a remake of the 1980 hit, had no one feeling like they wanted to live forever. The MGM feature only rung up $10 million for third place.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Meatballs Rolls to Another Victory
Read More | Variety
Box Office Breakdown: Chance of Meatballs is Winning Recipe
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, FOCUS, Lionsgate, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Period, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists
While it may not have had a Damon, an Aniston or a Fox, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs had something no other film did this weekend: a win. The animated adaptation raked in $30.3 million over the weekend easily pushing it to the top of the charts. The PG-rated entry towered over the box office and nearly tripled its nearest competitor (The Informant). The 3-D film also gave Sony Pictures Animation its biggest debut to date.
Elsewhere, two Hollywood beauties were struggling to make a respectable showing. Despite (or because of) a number of notable quotes, Megan Fox failed to muster any interest in her first starring vehicle. Jennifer’s Body, a horror film penned by Diablo Cody, raised a whopping $6.9 million for a fifth-place finish. (I’m not even sure that would be enough to fund one day of a Transformers production.) Megan Fox might not be a fan of Michael Bay, but she better be grateful she met him.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Chance of Meatballs is Winning Recipe
Read More | Variety
Moneyball Will Roll On
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, Sony, Adaptation, Sports, Filmmaking, Scripts
Moneyball may have suffered a delay, but the game was not completely called off. Unfortunately, the project will not resume without a few changes to the lineup.
Still playing? Brad Pitt. On the disabled list? Steven Soderbergh.
Production on the sports film was halted late last month, just days before lensing was to begin. Although Columbia Pictures head Amy Pascal had been pleased with earlier versions of the script, a final version drafted by Soderbergh, the movie’s director, was considered a disappointment.
While it was unclear whether the film would go to another studio, or just be scrapped altogether, Sony decided to tap Aaron Sorkin (Sports Night) for another rewrite. Unfortunately, they’ve also chosen to go with a new director as well.
It’s hoped a script will be done by August.
Read More | Variety
Possible Strikeout for Soderbergh’s Moneyball
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, Adaptation, Sports, Filmmaking, Scripts
It looks like Moneyball may have struck out just days before its planned start.
Although production was set to begin on Monday, Columbia Pictures head Amy Pascal has placed the film in limited turnaround. This means the adaptation of Michael Lewis’ Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game might not be seen at all. Brad Pitt had been committed to play Billy Beane, the real-life baseball player turned Oakland A’s manager. The book told the story of Beane’s use of computer-based analysis - instead of a deep pocket book - to build a competitive baseball team.
Click to continue reading Possible Strikeout for Soderbergh’s Moneyball
Read More | Variety
Is Maguire Gearing Up for Two Spidey Sequels?
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, Sony, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Sequels, Casting, Celeb News, Rumors
Had you asked me last year whether I saw another Spider-Man in Tobey Maguire‘s future, I would have easily said “No.” Thank goodness, I didn’t put any money down on that.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the chances of Maguire of participating in two more sequels are actually quite strong. Maguire and director Sam Raimi are reportedly very close to sealing new deals with Columbia Pictures.
This news comes months after a premiere date was announced by the studio. Back in June, producer Laura Ziskin said she would like to see a fourth installment in theaters on Memorial Day 2011.
Assuming casting is determined soon, Columbia may opt to schedule back-to-back productions as early as fall 2009.
Read More | Hollywood Reporter
Ghostbusters Sequel in the Making
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, Sony, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Rumors, Upcoming Releases
UPDATE: Harold Ramis recently confirmed the sequel news to the Chicago Tribune.
Maybe Bill Murray could use the divorce settlement money? Or maybe Dan Aykroyd could simply use the work? Whatever the reason, it’s looking like a Ghostbusters reunion might soon be possible.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Columbia Pictures is looking to create a third installment for the popular ‘80s franchise. Although the sequel would likely introduce another exterminating crew, it’s hoped the original four cast members - Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson - could be incorporated into the comedy.
Click to continue reading Ghostbusters Sequel in the Making
Read More | Hollywood Reporter
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