Box Office Breakdown: Final Destination Has Last Laugh

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: FOCUS, Disney, New Line, Paramount, Sony, Warner Bros, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Family, Horror, Music, Period, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists

Theatergoers made The Final Destination the destination this weekend.

Even though it had no A-list names and was pitted against another horror film, the fourth Destination installment gave the franchise its best opening to date. The movie, which was boosted by 3D venues and pricing, grossed approximately $27.4 million since its Friday debut. Up until now, the series only saw openings under $20 million.

Warner Bros.’ win meant a loss for Halloween II. Rob Zombie’s latest splatter-flick scared up nearly $14 million less than 2007’s Halloween grossed. (This could be part of the reason why the director is being replaced for Halloween 3D.) Unfortunately, the $16.3 million take wasn’t even good enough for 2nd place. The sequel was actually topped by a different Weinstein Company film: Inglourious Basterds.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Final Destination Has Last Laugh

Read More | Variety

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In Theaters This Weekend: August 28, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: FOCUS, IFC Films, New Line, Biopics, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Horror, Music, Period, Sequels, Comedy, Lists, New Releases

Here are a few selections in theaters this weekend:

• The Final Destination (R): starring Bobby Campo, Shantel VanSanten, Hayley Webb (directed by David R. Ellis)
• Halloween II (R): starring Tyler Mane, Brad Dourif, Chris Hardwick (directed by Rob Zombie)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: August 28, 2009

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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

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