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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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Box Office Breakdown: Burn After Reading Smokes Past Competition

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: DreamWorks, FOCUS, Lionsgate, Picturehouse, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Burn After Reading

Around this same time last year, Tyler Perry was beating George Clooney in a battle at the box office. Now the Sexiest Man Alive is having his day.

This past weekend, cineplexes were kept busy with a handful of new releases. Although each film had a chance of reaching #1, - starring Clooney, Brad Pitt and Frances McDormand - emerged as the eventual winner. But the news wasn’t so bad for the other three contenders. Theatergoers clearly starving for fresh material placed all four wide release entries into the chart’s four top slots.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Burn After Reading Smokes Past Competition

Read More | Variety

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Kung Fu Panda Released with Companion Piece

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: DreamWorks, Paramount, Animation, Family, Home Entertainment

Kung Fu PandaThe upcoming home video release of will break against two long-standing traditions.

Those planning to buy either the DVD or Blu-ray version of the Dreamworks hit have the opportunity to get a brand new companion piece as well. While it’s not a surprise to see direct-to-video sequels of an animated film, those creations are typically produced at a later time. A purchase of the “Pandamonium Double Pack” will give fans an extra disc titled “Secrets of the Furious Five.” This feature will expand on the characters’ backgrounds and will also include the voices of and Dustin Hoffman.

Although Tuesdays are typically reserved for new releases, Paramount Home Entertainment will release this two-disc set (and a single-disc version) on Sunday, November 9th.

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

Box Office Breakdown: Bangkok Dangerous Tops Dismal Weekend

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Musicals, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists

Bangkok Dangerous

Eek. And I thought a $14 million weekend was bad.

Seven days ago, Tropic Thunder reached the #1 spot despite an unimpressive box office turnout. This week, accomplished that same achievement—with only $7.7 million dollars.

While number crunchers weren’t expecting stellar numbers (kids are back in school, football’s back gone), the underwhelming response to ’s latest film was a bit surprising. Not only did the film industry have its worst weekend of 2008, Bangkok had the lowest take for any first-placed flick in five years. (Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star topped with $6.6 million in 2003.)

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Bangkok Dangerous Tops Dismal Weekend

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Tropic Thunder Makes It Three for Three

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Musicals, Romance, Satire, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Disaster Movie

At any other time of the year, a $14 million take would probably get you a decent ranking in the Top Ten. This holiday weekend, that box office total was enough to put into first place. Again.

Despite a new Vin Diesel entry, the Ben Stiller comedy led the top of the pack for the third weekend in a row. (If it reaches that mark a fourth time, it will have officially reached Dark Knight territory.) Meanwhile, Babylon A.D. settled for second place with only $11.5 million in ticket sales. I’m guessing the sci fi film’s reviews - in particular, the one from the movie’s own director - might have had something to do with the disappointing turnout.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Tropic Thunder Makes It Three for Three

Read More | Yahoo! Movies

Box Office Breakdown: Tropic Thunder Wins the Death Race

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, MGM, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Horror, Musicals, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Jason Statham in Death Race

Although it was widely believed that (hunky) Jason Statham would emerge as this weekend’s winner, somehow managed to hold its ground. The comedy, which only raked in $16.2 million during this outing, became the third movie this year to make a repeat appearance at #1. (The other two films were those giant blockbusters called Iron Man and The Dark Knight.)

Overall, this was an unimpressive weekend for films. Theatergoers probably confused (like me) by Joan Allen’s participation only poured $12.6 million of their dollars into . Meanwhile, The House Bunny became this week’s highest-grossing chick alternative (Sorry, Sisterhood!) with its $14.5 million gross.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Tropic Thunder Wins the Death Race

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Dark Knight Struck Down by Tropic Thunder

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, MGM, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Horror, Musicals, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists

Tropic Thunder

Despite a somewhat disappointing opening last Wednesday ($6.5 million), actually managed to surpass the four-time box office winner. The comedy grossed $25.8 million over the past three days, nearly $10 million more than its caped competitor.

And while Ben Stiller should be happy by his movie’s accomplishment, the Dreamworks/Paramount film still left a lot to be desired. Recent comedies such as Get Smart ($38.6 million) and Step Brothers ($30.9 million) debuted to better numbers. But then those two films didn’t have a distraction like Michael Phelps to contend with.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Dark Knight Struck Down by Tropic Thunder

Read More | Variety

In Theaters This Week: August 13, 2008

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, IFC Films, Paramount, Warner Bros, Weinstein Company, Animation, Documentary, Drama, Family, Foreign, Horror, Music, Religious, Romance, Science Fiction, Comedy, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases

Tropic Thunder

Once again, theatergoers will have new options to choose from this Wednesday:

Sequel News: Hairspray, Anchorman, School of Rock

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: DreamWorks, New Line, Paramount, Musicals, Sequels, Comedy, Casting, Celeb News, Rumors, Upcoming Releases

Hairspray

Here’s the latest scoop on the sequel buzz spreading across Hollywood:

The film that inspired a Broadway show and an update may soon spawn another creation: a sequel. New Line Cinema, obviously encouraged by the success of the High School Musical franchise (and last week’s debut of Mamma Mia!), has asked John Waters to begin writing a treatment for a follow to .

According to Variety, the studio hopes to reunite members of last year’s cast in time for a 2010 release. The story would again be set in the 60’s, just where the Turnblad family left off.

While no actors have yet been lined up, most of the musical’s key players - including director/choreography - are scheduled to return.

Click to continue reading Sequel News: Hairspray, Anchorman, School of Rock

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Record-Breaking Weekend for The Dark Knight

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Musicals, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight

Okay, let’s not beat around the bush. We all know was huge. But how big exactly was it? Let’s break the numbers down:

  • The film grossed approximately $158.3 million, beating the record set by ($151.1 million) last year. The total already comes within reach of Tim Burton’s Batman. (The $251.2 million grosser has been the best earner in the franchise so far.)
  • Knight pulled in $18.5 million during its Friday midnight screenings alone. The previous record holder was 2005’s Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith ($16.9 million).
  • The movie had the best Friday total ever: $67.8 million.
  • The sequel earned $6.2 million from IMAX showings alone. That number, again, beat Spider-Man 3 ($4.7 million).
  • In one weekend, The Dark Knight grossed more than the last three Batman installments made in their opening weekends combined.
  • The Christopher Nolan feature, along with the strong performance from , helped the industry attain the best box office weekend ever. Mamma‘s $27.6 million outperformed last year’s Hairspray ($27.5 million) to become the biggest musical opener ever.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Record-Breaking Weekend for The Dark Knight

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: The Golden Army Raises Hell

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Picturehouse, 20th Century Fox, Disney, Picturehouse, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Apparently moviegoers were simply not interested in meeting anyone named Dave.

This past weekend, Eddie Murphy’s latest effort debuted in a disappointing 7th place. Fox’s pulled in only $5.2 million, the third worst opening total for the comedian. (Holy Man pulled in $5.1 million in 1998; The Adventures of Pluto Nash scraped up $2.2 million in 2002.)

Dave‘s poor performance gave two other entries plenty of room at the top of the charts. earned approximately $11 million more than the original 2004 film. The sequel’s $34.5 million haul also narrowly edged out last week’s winner, Hancock, and gave director Guillermo del Toro a first place berth. Meanwhile, the Journey to the Center of the Earth‘s $21 million was good enough for third place.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: The Golden Army Raises Hell

Read More | Variety

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