First Look: 30 Days of Night Sequel
Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Adaptation, Horror, Independent, Sequels, Thrillers, Casting, Filmmaking, Upcoming Releases,
The first image from the 30 Days of Night sequel, Dark Days, is out and fails to make an impression on me.
Kiele Sanchez replaces Melissa George as our heroine, Stella Oleson, wielding a particularly large knife. While the movie may be a direct adaptation of its graphic novel origin, this photograph recalls the typical Friday the 13th cinematography.
A fan of the novel, I’m hoping that more images say otherwise. I’m still not buying Sanchez’s portrayal, either.
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Box Office Breakdown: Fred Claus No Match for Jerry Seinfeld
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Disney, MGM, Lionsgate, New Line, Sony, Touchstone, Universal, Warner Bros, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Political, Romance, Comedy, Sports, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
In a shocking turn of events, Bee Movie came buzzing back to life this weekend stealing the #1 spot from recent victor, American Gangster. Bee’s $25 million take also embarrassed the newest comedic entry, Fred Claus.
Although fellow ‘Frat Packer’ Will Ferrell rang bells with November 2003’s Elf, Vince Vaughn couldn’t come close to matching his friend’s $31.1 million debut. The news was especially surprising given Vaughn and director David Dobkin’s recent collaboration on 2005’s Wedding Crashers. Could this mean Vaughn’s only appealing when he’s part of a larger comedic team?
Also noteworthy this weekend was the disappointing performance of Lions for Lambs. Lions wasn’t expected to take in Mission Impossible-esque numbers, but the film did still boast Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep and actor/director Robert Redford. As it was, the movie grossed less than any other Cruise-attached wide release in more than 20 years. At least Streep can say this topical film debuted higher than her last attempt (Rendition).
P2, the only other new Top Ten entry, racked up ninth place.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Fred Claus No Match for Jerry Seinfeld
Box Office Breakdown: A Gangbusters Weekend for Washington, Crowe
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Disney, Miramax, Lionsgate, New Line, Sony, Touchstone, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
Combine Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington’s star-wattage and you’re bound to get a hit. But did anyone expect a $43 million debut for American Gangster? Why did these Oscar-winners do so well when others have only done okay? How did an R-rated film beat out an animated PG flick? Why didn’t the movie’s long running-time (157 minutes) turn people away?
Gangster’s #1 spot was just one of the film’s many weekend achievements. The movie also marked the biggest opening weekend for both lead actors (Russell’s Gladiator earned $35 million; Washington’s Inside Man grossed $29 million). It also had the 2nd best debut for a drama in November (right behind 2002’s 8 Mile).
Unfortunately, all this good news was lost on comedian Jerry Seinfeld—the hardest working self-promoter of 2007. Even though NBC spent countless hours of airtime sucking up to its former Golden Boy, Seinfeld’s Bee Movie was stung with a 2nd place finish. Although $38 million take is nothing to complain about, I expect next week’s Fred Claus will slide right in to become the week’s best-grossing comedy.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: A Gangbusters Weekend for Washington, Crowe
Box Office Breakdown: Saw Slices Its Way to #1
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Miramax, Lionsgate, Sony, Touchstone, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Drama, Family, Horror, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Sports, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
This weekend’s success of Saw IV proved that ‘torture porn’ is very much alive and well…at least right before All Hallows Eve. (Apparently originality is not a prerequisite when you’re in the haunting mood.) The horror series, which took in $55 million domestically when it debuted in 2004, bloodied the competition with its recent $31 million take. It will now likely hit the $80 million mark the last two installments surpassed.
Although Dan in Real Life, lagged behind with only $11 million, the film at least managed to place second. Hopefully Dan will have legs in the weeks to come; it’s a nice counter-programming option for those desperately seeking romance on their date nights. Those hunting for acceptable kids fare may have it a bit harder though—- which probably explains why The Game Plan has remained firmly planted in the Top Five.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Saw Slices Its Way to #1
In Theaters this Weekend (10/26)
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Lionsgate, Sony, Touchstone, Warner Bros, Documentary, Drama, Horror, Independent, Noir, Political, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases,
Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:
- Dan in Real Life (PG-13): starring Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook (directed by Peter Hedges)
- Saw IV (R): starring Shawnee Smith, Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor (directed by Darren Lynn Bousman)
- Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead* (R): starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Marisa Tomei (directed by Sidney Lumet)
- Bella* (PG-13): starring Sophie Nyweide, Eduardo Verastegui (directed by Alejandro Gomez Monteverde)
Click to continue reading In Theaters this Weekend (10/26)
Box Office Breakdown: 30 Days of Night Sucks Up the Competition
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Miramax, New Line, Paramount, Sony, Touchstone, Warner Bros, Animation, Drama, Horror, Comedy, Sports, Lists, New Releases,
I never thought I would ever find myself writing this: ‘A Josh Hartnett-led film has opened at #1.’ Of course, he did have a little help from a vampire or two..
The horror film, 30 Days of Night, had an impressive debut for what was actually an unimpressive weekend. With only $16 million, the Alaskan-set vampire flick beat out a host of movies filled with Oscar-nominated stars. Ben Affleck’s well-reviewed directorial debut, Gone Baby Gone, opened up in 6th place. Rendition, starring are-they-or-aren’t-they-dating Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal, barely cracked the Top Ten. Meanwhile, Things We Lost in the Fire placed a dismal 15th despite the presence of Halle Berry and Benicio Del Toro (and promotion on Oprah).
The success of 30 Days and the surprise return of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas - which placed 8th even though it was only in 564 theaters - clearly spells out the audience’s need for some Halloween fare. This bodes well for the release of Saw IV which opens next weekend. (Yay!)
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: 30 Days of Night Sucks Up the Competition
In Theaters this Weekend (10/19)
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, DreamWorks, FOCUS, Miramax, New Line, Sony, Drama, Horror, Independent, Political, Science Fiction, Comedy, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases,
Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:
- 30 Days of Night (R): starring Josh Hartnett, Melissa George (directed by David Slade)
- The Comebacks (PG-13): starring David Koechner, Carl Weathers (directed by Tom Brady)
- Gone Baby Gone (R): starring Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Freeman (directed by Ben Affleck)
- Lars and the Real Girl (PG-13): starring Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer (directed by Craig Gillespie). Read the FilmCrunch review here.
- Rendition (R): starring Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhaal, Meryl Streep (directed by Gavin Hood)
- Sarah Landon and the Paranormal Hour (PG): starring Rissa Walters, Brian Comrie (directed by Lisa Comrie)
Click to continue reading In Theaters this Weekend (10/19)
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