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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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Justin Timberlake and Jesse Eisenberg Sign on to Facebook Film

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Columbia Pictures, Biopics, Drama, Casting, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip, Upcoming Releases

Justin Timberlake to play Facebook president Sean ParkerIs Justin Timberlake finally receiving a chance to redeem his box office flops?

Columbia Pictures and Fight Club director David Fincher think that the pop star’s got what it takes to play Facebook founder Sean Parker in The Social Network, a drama surrounding the rise of the most-visited networking site on the internet.

Timberlake will be joined by Zombieland‘s Michael Cera Jesse Eisenberg, who will play the site’s founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Andrew Garfield, who will portray co-founder Eduardo Saverin (he later had a fallout with Zuckerberg over money).

Kevin Spacey has signed on as executive producer while Scott Rudin, Michael De Luca, Dana Brunetti and Cean Chaffin will produce. Filming is set to start next month in Boston and later move to Los Angeles.

Read More | Coming Soon

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Box Office Breakdown: New Life for Oscar Contenders

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Family, Horror, Music, Period, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers

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

This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: January 27, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, MGM, Lionsgate, New Line, Paramount, Sony, Warner Bros, Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Animation, Documentary, Drama, Family, Horror, Music, Religious, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Sports, Thrillers, Home Entertainment, Lists

Here are some of the options available this Tuesday:
Lakeview Terrace DVD

2009 Academy Award Nominations

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards

Oscar statues

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:

  • (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.
  • ‘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 (Tropic Thunder). Shannon got the only major nom for his picture.

Click to continue reading 2009 Academy Award Nominations

Read More | Oscars

Box Office Breakdown: Gran Torino Expands to a Win

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, MGM, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Drama, Family, Horror, Period, Political, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

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

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Fox Searchlight, MGM, Miramax, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Family, Foreign, Foreign Language, Period, Religious, Romance, Science Fiction, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists

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

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, MGM, Miramax, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Period, Political, Religious, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists

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

In Theaters This Holiday Week: December 25, 2008

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Lionsgate, Paramount, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Period, Political, Comedy, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases

The Spirit

Here are some possible suggestions for your holiday weekend:

2009 Golden Globe Nominations (Film)

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Disney, Fox Searchlight, Paramount, Universal, Warner Bros, Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Foreign, Foreign Language, Independent, Musicals, Period, Political, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Awards, Lists

Revolutionary Road

Although a looming SAG strike may threaten next year’s Academy Awards, the Golden Globes ceremony should finally go on as planned. The 66th annual event is scheduled to air on Sunday, January 11th, just 11 days before the Oscar nominations are announced.

Here are some of the noteworthy mentions from this year’s list of film nominees:

  • Frost/Nixon and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button both led the field with five nominations each.
  • Despite being chosen Best Film by the New York Film Critics, Sean Penn was the only nod Milk received by the HFPA.
  • Meryl Streep earned two nominations for her work in Doubt and Mamma Mia.
  • Kate Winslet is also up for two awards. Her films - Revolutionary Road and The Reader - are also up for Best Picture.
  • Heath Ledger did get a posthumous nomination as expected.
  • Although he was recently recognized for his acting work in Gran Torino, director Clint Eastwood (Changeling) was only acknowledged for his musical achievements.

(You can find the full list of film nominees after the jump. Click here for the TV nominations.)

 

Click to continue reading 2009 Golden Globe Nominations (Film)

Read More | Hollywood Foreign Press Association

Slumdog Millionaire Chosen Best Movie by NBR

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards, Lists, Upcoming Releases

Slumdog Millionaire

It’s that time of the year again. The time when critics give awards to movies most of us haven’t gotten around to seeing yet. And in the ‘s case, many honors are going to films not yet in release.

Last year, the NBR - a group consisting of educators, historians and film industry professionals - chose Old Country for Old Men as its top selection for 2007. Although that movie went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, the organization’s acting picks did not collect any Oscars.

Even though we are still very early in the awards season, there were several noteworthy items in this recently announced list.  While it’s not surprising to see a mention, the 78-year-old was actually chosen for his acting (Gran Torino) rather than his directing (Gran Torino or Changeling). Then there’s Josh Brolin’s Best Supporting honor for Milk. His selection not only highlights Sean Penn’s missing name, but Heath Ledger’s as well.

Click to continue reading Slumdog Millionaire Chosen Best Movie by NBR

Read More | National Board of Review of Motion Pictures

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