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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: Number 1 for District 9

District 9

may not have have any big name stars and it may not be based on a story everyone knows, but it does have something no other film has this Monday: a first place finish.

Over the weekend, the R-rated actioner landed on Earth safely with over $37 million in ticket sales. The sci-fi entry also raked in one of the best per screen averages ($12,251) of any film currently in in theaters. (Sony Pictures Classics’ averaged $13,240 while in limited release.)

In the non-alien department, cornered the romantic genre with an $18.6 million total. Meanwhile, Vanessa Hudgens proved she’s nothing without her better half. The Disney star’s new film, Bandslam, failed to even crack the Top Ten. The teen comedy barely managed to gross over $2 million.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Number 1 for District 9

Read More | Box Office Mojo

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Box Office Breakdown: Audiences Drawn to Funny People

Funny People

When you combine the talents of , Seth Rogen and Judd Apatow, a 1st place finish shouldn’t shock you. A $22.7 million haul? That is surprising.

Despite earning enough to displace G-Force for the weekend’s top spot, failed to bring the movie house down. The 144-minute length dramedy pulled in the lowest gross for any #1 entry this summer. While the film did better than any of Sandler’s dramatic efforts, it didn’t fall line with his comedic outings.

On the other hand, Rogen and Apatow had more reason to be pleased with the box office results. The Universal pic gave Seth his best debut since 2007’s Superbad. Meanwhile, Funny fell right in between The 40-Year-Old Virgin ($21.4 million) and ($30.7 million) for Judd.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Audiences Drawn to Funny People

Read More | Variety

Seth Rogen Calls Katherine Heigl a Hypocrite

Knocked Up

If you thought Katherine Heigl was only alienating the people she works with in television, you’d be wrong. It seems the actress’ big mouth has irked her coworkers in film as well.

In a 2007 interview, the Knocked Up star gave a surprising interview to Vanity Fair about the Judd Apatow comedy. Instead of praise for her box office hit, Heigl called the film “a little sexist.” “It paints the women as shrews, as humorless and uptight, and it paints the men as lovable, goofy, fun-loving guys. It exaggerated the characters, and I had a hard time with it, on some days. I’m playing such a bitch; why is she being such a killjoy? Why is this how you’re portraying women? Ninety-eight percent of the time it was an amazing experience, but it was hard for me to love the movie,” she stated.

Needless to say, her costars weren’t exactly thrilled by her comments.

Click to continue reading Seth Rogen Calls Katherine Heigl a Hypocrite

Read More | E! Online

In Theaters This Weekend: July 31, 2009

Funny People

Here are a few selections in theaters this weekend:

  • Aliens in the Attic (PG): starring Ashley Tisdale, Carter Jenkins, Austin Butler (directed by John Schultz)
  • The Collector (R): starring Josh Stewart, Madeline Zima, Michael Reilly Burke (directed by Marcus Dunstan)
  • Funny People (R): starring Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann (directed by Judd Apatow)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: July 31, 2009


Pineapple Express Meets Disinterest at Comic-Con

Comic-Con goers didn't care much for Pineapple ExpressWhile it never appears to be a good sign when at least a third of an audience leaves prior to one’s panel at Comic-Con, I am definitely rooting for Pineapple Express when it hits theaters in a couple weeks!

As depressing as that can be for anyone at such a hyped event, I would venture to say that Judd Apatow‘s latest project failed to meet success at the event due to misplacement. I mean, promoting a stoner movie to die-hard comic book fans? These are audiences who went crazy last year over The Dark Knight and The Incredible Hulk, and this year with Watchmen—not exactly the type whose favorite movies include Dazed and Confused or Dude, Where’s My Car?.

Click to continue reading Pineapple Express Meets Disinterest at Comic-Con

Read More | E! Online

Sacha Baron Cohen, Will Ferrell Reunite for Sherlock Holmes

Will Ferrell and Sacha Baron Cohen

For his next production, Judd Apatow has once again reached into his bag of funny men to decide on casting. This time around, and Sacha Baron Cohen - rivals in 2006’s Talledega Nights - will be working as a team on a comedy about Sherlock Holmes.

In the currently-untitled project, the star will play the famous literary detective. Meanwhile, Ferrell will take on the role of Watson, his crime-solving assistant. The movie will be penned by Etan Cohen (Tropic Thunder) for Columbia Pictures. No director has so far been assigned.

Although a target date hasn’t yet been determined, Apatow’s film could face comparisons to another upcoming project. Warner Bros. has plans for its own adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s books; that version will be helmed by ‘s Guy Ritchie.


Box Office Breakdown: Audiences Raise Their Glasses to Sex and the City

Sex and the City Movie

Thanks to a mob of high-heeled women, the big-screen adaptation of took in nearly $57 million over the past three days. Pretty impressive considering the film was expected to land somewhere in the $25-$35 million range. But Carrie and Company did just more than score first place, their hard work put them into the record books:

  • Sex and the City had the best opening weekend for an R-rated comedy.
  • The film’s debut topped any live-action adaptation of a TV show. (The original Mission Impossible raked in $45 million.)
  • SATC‘s premiere surpassed all romantic comedies including Hitch ($43.1 million) and ($30.7 million).
  • It was the fifth best showing for any R-rated movie ever.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Audiences Raise Their Glasses to Sex and the City

Read More | Variety

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

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