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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.

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Read More | Variety

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Box Office Breakdown: Audiences Say Yes to Jim Carrey

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Fox Searchlight, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Foreign, Period, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists

Yes Man

How will remember Winter Solstice 2008? As the weekend he placed second.

Prior to Friday’s premieres, number crunchers were already predicting a close race between headliners Jim Carrey and Will Smith. Unfortunately for Warner Bros., ‘s ultimate victory felt slightly hollow. The comedy’s $18.2 million gross was nowhere near the figures Carrey used to generate. (Bruce Almighty‘s premiere earned $68 million in 2003; Liar Liar took in $31.4 million in 1997.) Yes did, though, do better than 2005’s Fun with Dick and Jane. (That film raked in $14.1 million during its open.)

Will Smith didn’t have much to celebrate over the last three days either. His latest film, , only took in $14.8 million. That’s a number almost unheard of in Smith-land. The drama, directed by Pursuit of Happyness’ Gabriele Muccino, was the actor’s lowest grosser since Ali. (That film earned $14.7 million when it debuted in December 2001.)

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Read More | Variety

2009 Screen Actors Guild Award Nominations (Film)

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: FOCUS, Fox Searchlight, Miramax, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Period, Political, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Awards, Lists

Doubt

Although last January’s were spared from the writers’ dispute, SAG is facing its own strike this year. Regardless, the awards season must go on. Next month’s event - scheduled to air on Sunday, January 25th on both TNT and TBS - will come just three days after the Oscar nominations are announced.

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

  • led this year’s crop with three nominations. Milk and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button came in second with two nods each.
  • Richard Jenkin was honored for The Visitor while Clint Eastwood (Gran Torino) was left off.
  • added another nom to his belt. Meanwhile, Robert Downey Jr. was nominated for his turn in Tropic Thunder.
  • Kate Winslet was named for both The Reader and Revolutionary Road. Leonardo DiCaprio was left empty-handed.
  • The Dark Knight, Revolutionary Road and The Reader were all left out of the Best Ensemble categories.

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Read More | Screen Actors Guild Awards

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.

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Read More | National Board of Review of Motion Pictures

In Theaters this Weekend: November 14, 2008

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, Fox Searchlight, Sony, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Music, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Lists, New Releases

Quantum of Solace

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

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