Clicky

On Gear Live: Amazon planning to open a brick and mortar store in Seattle

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
Close Player   Episode Permalink Comment on this Video Subscribe to this show via iTunes, Miro, or RSS Download for: iPod High Definition

Box Office Breakdown: The Town Takes the Crown

The Town

, Ben Affleck’s second directorial feature, surprised analysts this weekend with a win at the box office. The film, which far surpassed Gone Baby Gone’s $5.5 million debut in 2007, earned $23.8 million—a September-best for Warner Bros. The drama, co-starring Jon Hamm and Jeremy Renner, also gave actor Affleck his first #1 film—outside of He’s Just Not that Into You—since Daredevil.

Although many had topping the charts, the film came in a very respectable second place. The Emma Stone-starrer – which only cost $8 million to produce – generated good reviews and a $17.7 million take.

The weekend’s other two new wide releases also landed in the Top 5. The PG-13 horror film raised $12.3 million while Alpha and Omega, a more family-friendly entry, rang up $9.1 million in ticket sales.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: The Town Takes the Crown

Read More | Box Office Mojo

Advertisement

Box Office Breakdown: Evil Takes Up Residence at Number One

Resident Evil: Afterlife

Who says the third time’s the charm?

—the fourth movie in that sci-fi series—topped the box office this weekend with franchise-breaking numbers. The movie, which was offered in 3D, had the best Evil debut to date. (Yes - higher ticket prices did play into this.) Afterlife‘s $26.7 million take surpassed the bar set by Resident Evil: Extinction in 2007. (That outing opened to $23.7 million.)

Since Resident was the only new wide release, the other notable events occurred outside the Top Ten. , starring Katie Holmes and Josh Duhamel, opened in limited release with a $45,527 debut. More importantly, the movie averaged $22,764 per theater—the best number for all films over the weekend. In comparison, I’m Still Here—featuring a disheveled Joaquin Phoenix—only had a $5,087 per screen average.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Evil Takes Up Residence at Number One

Read More | Box Office Mojo

Box Office Breakdown: The American Defeats Machete

The American

Although it lacked Jessica Alba, Lindsay Lohan and Robert De Niro, did have two things Machete didn’t: George Clooney and a box office win.

Despite only grossing $13.2 million over the weekend ($16.3 million since Wednesday), the Focus Features entry hit its target. The movie - which was produced for approximately $20 million - managed to top the Robert Rodriguez-actioner by less than $2 million. The American also became Clooney’s best opener - outside of any Brad Pitt-related project - since The Perfect Storm in 2000.

, based on a trailer included in the film Grindhouse, came very close to matching the earlier movie. The Danny Trejo starrer debuted to a modest $11.4 million—about $200,000 short of Grindhouse‘s premiere in 2007.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: The American Defeats Machete

Read More | Box Office Mojo

In Theaters This Weekend: September 3, 2010


Here are a few selections in theaters this weekend:

  • The American (R): starring George Clooney, Thekla Reuten, Paolo Bonacelli (directed by Anton Corbijn)  **open now**
  • Going the Distance (R): starring Drew Barrymore, Justin Long, Christina Applegate (directed by Nanette Burstein)
  • Machete (R): starring Danny Trejo, Robert De Niro, Jessica Alba (directed by Ethan Maniquis, Robert Rodriguez)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: September 3, 2010


Box Office Breakdown: Dreamy Numbers for Inception

Inception

Warner Bros. might have had difficulty marketing , but strong word of mouth, stunning visuals and Christopher Nolan’s reputation were enough to sell the film. The $160 million thriller opened to $62.8 million in weekend receipts, placing the film on top of all original projects out so far this summer. Inception also bested Leonardo DiCaprio’s previous debuts (including Shutter Island‘s $41.1 million) and Nolan’s earlier titles (outside of The Dark Knight).

, on the other hand, had a harder time conjuring up interest. The Disney remake grossed only $17.6 million since Friday ($24.7 million since Wednesday). That’s a considerable disappointment given the $150 million price tag, but overseas dollars will likely help the studio.

Meanwhile, a film that placed #12 on this week’s chart actually outperformed both Inception and Apprentice. , starring Annette Bening and Julianne Moore, had the best per screen average ($28,009) of any movie currently in theaters.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Dreamy Numbers for Inception

Read More | Box Office Mojo

Box Office Breakdown: Iron Man 2 Soars High Above the Competition

Iron Man 2

Only one movie earned over $10 million over this weekend…and only movie scored over $125 million as well.

Iron Man 2 - with help from Mickey Rourke’s powerful weapons - whipped up $128.1 million over the past three days, giving Paramount its biggest open in history. The sequel, which was produced for approximately $170 million, easily improved upon Iron Man‘s $98.6 million premiere in 2008 and nabbed the fifth-largest debut of all time. (The Dark Knight still tops that leader board with its $158.4 million outing.)

Focus Features’ also made news of its own despite coming nowhere near Iron Man 2‘s numbers. The documentary, which was only released in 534 theaters, delivered $2.2 million and a ninth-place finish over the Mother’s Day weekend.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Iron Man 2 Soars High Above the Competition

Read More | Box Office Mojo

In Theaters This Weekend: May 7, 2010


Here are a few selections in theaters this weekend:

  • Iron Man 2 (PG-13): starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle (directed by Jon Favreau)
  • Babies* (PG): (directed by Thomas Balmès)
  • Badmaash Company* (NR): starring Shahid Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Meiyang Chang (directed by Parmeet Sethi)
  • Casino Jack and the United States of Money* (R): (directed by Alex Gibney)
  • Happiness Runs* (NR): starring Mark L. Young, Hanna Hall, Jesse Plemons (directed by Adam Sherman)
  • Mother and Child* (R): starring Naomi Watts, Annette Bening, Kerry Washington (directed by Rodrigo Garcia)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: May 7, 2010


In Theaters This Weekend: March 19, 2010


Here are a few selections in theaters this weekend:

  • The Bounty Hunter (PG-13): starring Jennifer Aniston, Gerard Butler, Jason Sudeikis (directed by Andy Tennant)
  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid (PG): starring Zachary Gordon, Steve Zahn, Rachael Harris (directed by Thor Freudenthal)
  • Repo Men (R): starring Jude Law, Forest Whitaker, Liev Schreiber (directed by Miguel Sapochnik)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: March 19, 2010


Box Office Breakdown: Final Destination Has Last Laugh

The Final Destination

Theatergoers made 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 . 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

Box Office Breakdown: Transformers Rises Above the Competition

Transformers: Rise of the Fallen

It’s not very often when “loud” and “mindless” are deemed good qualities. But in Paramount’s case, it was a recipe for success.

Over the past five days, did what most films have been attempting all year: It passed the $200 million mark. (Up just became the first 2009 film to hit $250 million.)

While the Michael Bay film is definitely on track to be one of the most successful entries this year (let’s not forget about Harry Potter), the sequel’s opening still takes second behind last year’s topper. During its opening run, earned $203.8 million domestically.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Transformers Rises Above the Competition

Read More | Variety

Advertisement