On TV Envy: American Idol Adds Fourth Judge

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 Res

In Theaters This Weekend: June 6, 2008

You Don't Mess With the Zohan

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

  • Kung Fu Panda (PG): starring Angelina Jolie, Jack Black, Jackie Chan (directed by Mark Osborne, John Stevenson)
  • You Don’t Mess With the Zohan (PG-13): starring Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, Emmanuelle Chriqui (directed by Dennis Dugan)
  • The Go-Getter* (R): starring Lou Taylor Pucci, Zooey Deschanel, Jena Malone (directed by Martin Hynes)
  • Mister Foe* (R): starring Jamie Bell, Sophia Myles, Claire Forlani (directed by David MacKenzie)
  • Miss Conception* (R): starring Heather Graham, Tom Ellis, Mia Kirshner (directed by Eric Styles)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: June 6, 2008


Advertisement

Box Office Breakdown: Prince Caspian Crowned the Winner

Prince Caspian

Although it failed to reach expectations, was still mighty enough to take down Robert Downey Jr. this past weekend. The Disney sequel pulled in over $55 million dollars and earned itself a first place finish. Unfortunately, the film’s gross was slightly disappointing given the first installment’s take; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe opened at $65.6 million back in 2005. 

In other adaptation news, Warner Bros.’ continued to fall behind in the race.  The colorful adventure slipped another notch into fourth, right behind What Happens in Vegas. Meanwhile, Iron Man‘s $31.8 million total pushed the film past the $200 million range.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Prince Caspian Crowned the Winner

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Ashton Kutcher Drives Past Speed Racer

What Happens in Vegas

Despite arresting visuals and a $120 million budget, the Wachowski brothers were unable to bring to life.  The Warner Bros. movie - which many had already predicted would fall behind Iron Man - did even worse than originally thought.  At one point, it was believed the anime adaptation would debut in 2nd place.  Unfortunately, the final box office numbers placed the PG film in third.

Meanwhile, became the second wedding-themed entry in the recent Top Ten.  The comedy, starring Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher, replaced Made of Honor as the go to ‘chick flick’ of the week.  The movie grossed $20.1 million, a slim $1.6 million more than Speed.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Ashton Kutcher Drives Past Speed Racer

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Iron Man Strikes Gold

Iron Man

Where exactly can the summer box office go from here?

This past weekend, blasted into theaters in a big way.  The comic book adaptation raked in a whopping $102 million putting an $87 million difference between itself and its nearest competitor.  The PG-13 film officially became the 10th best opener of all time and had the second best premiere for any non-sequel.  (Spider-Man grossed $114.8 million back in 2002.)

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Iron Man Strikes Gold

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Women Rule with Baby Mama

Baby Mama

Although still struggles to compete on Thursdays, Tina Fey’s had no problem topping the competition.  The film, co-starring Amy Poehler, earned $17.4 million and made a showing for women everywhere.  When’s the last time a movie with two female leads debuted at #1?

Interestingly enough, Mama‘s screen average ($6845) was outdone by another female-centric movie: .  The movie that was directed and written by star Helen Hunt earned $8066 per screen this weekend.  Fairly impressive considering Found, also featuring Bette Midler, opened in 44th place.

Friday’s other big entry - - came in second place with a $14.9 million take.  Surprisingly, that gross nearly equals what the original film raked in during it’s total run.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Women Rule with Baby Mama

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Forbidden Kingdom Kicks Past Forgetting Sarah

The Forbidden Kingdom, Jackie Chan

Favorable reviews and Judd Apatow’s association helped nab a second place finish this past weekend.  While some may have expected the adult comedy to debut at #1, the movie was unfortunately inaccessible to large segment of ticket buyers.

Meanwhile, Marshall‘s R-rated raunch allowed fellow new entry to edge right past it.  The action film, which brought martial artists Jackie Chan and Jet Li together for the first time, earned $21.4 million—just enough for the win.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Forbidden Kingdom Kicks Past Forgetting Sarah

Read More | Variety

In Theaters This Weekend (4/18)

Forbidden Kingdom

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

Jackie Chan Disappointed By ‘Rush Hour’ Films

Jackie ChanShould we excuse an actor for making a film he didn’t even like—especially when it takes in millions of our theater dollars? 

, who co-starred with in the series, is now admitting his indifference toward all three installments.

Although he never really understood the humor, the Hong Kong star participated in the original 1998 version in hopes of establishing crossover appeal.  Money and ‘fan satisfaction’ were simply the motivators for the next two.  Granted, he wouldn’t be the first person to admit he made a sequel for the paycheck—but he may be one of the few to admit he wasn’t a fan of his own work (especially when his movie is still in the theaters).  And while the fight scenes might have been too watered down for Chan’s taste, American audiences liked them enough to help each film gross over $137 million or more.

So what do you think about this?  Do you believe Chan should leave his preferences/opinions behind if he’s going to make a film in the US?  Is it right for him to bash a series he was partially responsible in making?  Or do you agree with his perspective on the Rush Hour series overall?

Read More | USA Today

Box Office Breakdown:  The Brave One Reaches #1

The Brave One

The Brave One took in nearly $15 million in its debut, making it the #1 film of this past weekend.  Although some may consider the gross disappointing for a film, I choose to think of it as a feat for women.

I decided to do a little research today and came away with some very unsettling news.  Since FilmCrunch started reporting Box Office numbers in mid-January, no female-led movie has reached the top of the pack.  That’s unless you count with , and I don’t.  Even then, that was almost 3 months ago.

, and made a stand for strong female roles during Sunday’s Emmys—and maybe it’s time that someone finally spoke up for women in film.  Until then, I’ll be counting the days until makes her royal return in Elizabeth: The Golden Years (out October 12th).

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown:  The Brave One Reaches #1


Box Office Breakdown:  Yuma Ropes Up The Win

Yuma

Audiences went old-school this weekend helping 3:10 to Yuma corral the box office crown.  The well-received film, starring and , marked the second week in a row a classic movie remake landed at #1.  (Previous winner, Halloween slid down a notch this week).

Question now is:  Will the success of Yuma spur an onslaught of Westerns?  Given the lack of any real competition this weekend, it still may be too soon to say.  But any speculation will probably be confirmed when ’s The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford opens on September 21.

A trend that probably won’t be coming back anytime soon?  Brothers-desperately-trying-to-make-a-baby-to-make-their-father-happy-before-he-dies films.  The Brothers Solomon delivered a pathetic $525,000 in its debut weekend.  Granted, it didn’t show in many theaters (only 700)—but I’m guessing there was a reason for that.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown:  Yuma Ropes Up The Win


Advertisement