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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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In Theaters This Weekend: September 5, 2008

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Magnolia, Lionsgate, Action, Adaptation, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Religious, Romance, Comedy, Sports, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases

Bangkok Dangerous

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

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Casting Corner: James McAvoy, Ben Affleck, Nicolas Cage

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Miramax, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Comedy, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases

James McAvoy

Here’s quick look at some of the casting announcements made recently:

It seems as if there isn’t a woman can’t romance. In the past few years, he’s been paired with Gillian Anderson, Keira Knightley, Anne Hathway and, of course, Angelina Jolie. Now the rising actor will be taking on his biggest chemistry challenge yet.

In Gnomeo and Juliet, McAvoy and Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada) will voice characters in a CGI-animated version of the Shakespeare drama. But those looking for any Montagues or Capulets will be pleasantly surprised. In this version, the lovers will actually come from rivaling families of garden gnomes.

This film, co-produced by Elton John, will also feature music from the Lion King musician. The feature should be completed by 2010.

Click to continue reading Casting Corner: James McAvoy, Ben Affleck, Nicolas Cage

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

Casting Corner: Nicolas Cage, Sarah Jessica Parker, Robert De Niro

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Drama, Comedy, Thrillers, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases

Nicolas Cage

Here’s a quick look at some of the casting announcements made recently:

Ghost Rider‘s may soon getting off the bike and heading behind bars. The actor, last seen in National Treasure, is currently in negotiations to play an inmate serving a life sentence in Scared Straight.

The movie, based on the program that tries to ‘scare’ temporary inmates into leading a clean life, will focus on an incarcerated teen held hostage during a prison riot. Cage, unable to sit back and watch this unfold, will reluctantly come to the kid’s rescue.

Scared - which will be directed by (Halloween) - should begin filming this October.

Click to continue reading Casting Corner: Nicolas Cage, Sarah Jessica Parker, Robert De Niro

Read More | Variety

UPDATE:  Nicolas Cage vs. Kathleen Turner

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip

Kathleen Turner, Nicolas CageA while ago we told about you Nicolas Cage’s beef with his former Peggy Sue Got Married co-star.  In a new autobiography, actress Kathleen Turner claimed Cage was a bit of troublemaker around the time the two worked together.

“He caused so many problems. He was arrested twice for drunk-driving and, I think, once for stealing a dog. He’d come across a chihuahua he liked and stuck it in his jacket.”

Well Cage was so irked by the accusations he had a defamation and libel suit filed in London’s High Court.  The actress’ UK publishers and Britain’s Daily Mail (a newspaper that printed an excerpt from the book) were also named in the complaint.

Click to continue reading UPDATE:  Nicolas Cage vs. Kathleen Turner

Read More | Reuters

Kathleen Turner Talks About Nic Cage Lawsuit

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Sony, Drama, Comedy, Celeb News, Celebrity Controversy

Put Description HereAlthough they survived a tumultuous relationship in Peggy Sue Got Married, and may now be heading to court.  The Ghost Rider star has just filed a defamation and libel case in London’s High Court based on statements his former co-star has made.

In Turner’s new autobiography, Send Yourself Roses: Thoughts on My Life, Love, and Leading Roles, the actress alleges Cage had problems with theft and drinking during the production of their 1986 movie.  In the book, she states:

“He caused so many problems. He was arrested twice for drunk-driving and, I think, once for stealing a dog. He’d come across a chihuahua he liked and stuck it in his jacket.”


Well Cage, 44, was not too pleased by those remarks (as proven by the suit) and has gone on the record denying her claims.  (I would think a quick background check would quickly settle this matter.  In fact, didn’t her book have a fact checker?)

Click to continue reading Kathleen Turner Talks About Nic Cage Lawsuit

Read More | BBC News

Box Office Breakdown: Rambo Outgunned by Spartans

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, Buena Vista, Disney, Fox Searchlight, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Drama, Horror, Satire, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Rambo

Although was hoping to end the series on an up note, it appears the actor/writer/director will just have to settle for second place.  Many had expected the fourth installment would come away with the weekend’s spoils, unfortunately the aging action hero was overpowered by a group of toga-clad warriors.

It should be said though that had an extremely narrow victory.  The spoof of 2007’s edged out the action flick by just $300,000.  But a win is still a win, right? The satire also had the best per screen average of any movie in the Top Ten ($7104).

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Rambo Outgunned by Spartans

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Cloverfield Attacks the Charts

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, FOCUS, Disney, Fox Searchlight, Paramount, Sony, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Independent, Period, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Books, Lists, New Releases

Cloverfield

Final numbers for the three-day weekend revealed what many had suspected: toppled New York and the competition.  The strong numbers were a result of smart marketing.  In addition to the eerie trailers, the film debuted in January - usually a fairly quiet month for decent films.  Cloverfield’s $46 million take has already covered the movie’s budget (estimated at around $25 million).  That dollar amount also earned the flick the title for best MLK and January opener ever.

Although raked in $20 million less than the horror flick, had nothing to cry about.  Thanks to more strategic marketing - this time by - the film was able to take advantage of those looking for something less dark.  Dresses was originally scheduled to debut last week but was repositioned so it could open during the busy weekend.

Unfortunately, female focus on the romantic comedy didn’t help the female-filled .  The movie - co-starring , and - cashed out in 8th place.  This makes two disappointing debuts in a row for the Clan (the first being Tom’s ).  Let us not forget that Katie opted to do this film instead of the for her post-Tom movie return.  Come to think of it, maybe it was for the best.  I could just hear Tom telling us now that if he had known Heath was doing drugs, he would have cured Ledger himself.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Cloverfield Attacks the Charts

Read More | Yahoo! Movies

Box Office Breakdown: The Bucket List Rises to the Top

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

Morgan Freeman, Jack Nicholson

After placing 23rd last week, - starring and - soared 22 spots to take the #1 spot this past weekend.  It seems a simple case of addition was all that was needed to accomplish this feat.  Up until now, the movie had only been playing in 16 theaters total; it expanded to nearly 3000 on Friday.  Bucket’s impressive finish was not only a win for 70-year-olds everywhere, it was a win for director .  His biggest opener had been 1992’s .  (That film grossed $15.5 million.) Maybe Reiner should write Jack into all his films.

Debuting at #2 was the latest comedy.  , co-starring (30 Rock), earned an impressive $8000 per screen average.  That was the best median performance for any movie in this week’s Top Ten.  (, this week’s #17, averaged $14,421 over the past three days.)

Will this yesterday’s Golden Globes have any effect on financial future?  After only 4 weeks in release, the dark feature dropped off the chart and landed at #12.  Assuming theatergoers are still interested in watching potential nominees, I’m guessing the win for Best Comedy/Musical will give the movie a nice boost next weekend.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: The Bucket List Rises to the Top

Read More | Yahoo! Movies

This Week on HD DVD and Blu-ray: January 08, 2008

Posted by Neil Estep
Categories: 20th Century Fox, Buena Vista, Fox Searchlight, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Foreign, Foreign Language, Horror, Independent, Science Fiction, Sequels, Thrillers, Home Entertainment, New Releases

Zodiac HD DVDThis week marks the release of the first batch of high-definition DVDs since on-the-fence Warner landed decidedly on the Blu side; I must admit, as an HD DVD man, the day feels a bit colder than normal. But no matter—the format war is far from over.

On a lighter note, both formats have some exciting titles to speak of, including the Blu-ray release of one of my favorite movies from 2007, Sunshine; Roman Polanski’s Oscar-winning film, The Pianist, on HD DVD; and the long-awaited special edition of David Fincher’s Zodiac, also on HD DVD. The DVD release from July contained nary a special feature, so this two-disc director’s cut ought to please those Fincher fans waiting for a decent version.

Check out the full list of high-def releases after the jump.

Click to continue reading This Week on HD DVD and Blu-ray: January 08, 2008


Box Office Breakdown: Juno Makes An Impressive Surge

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Disney, Fox Searchlight, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Music, Musicals, Period, Political, Romance, Satire, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Juno

Come Wednesday morning, the box office chart saw very few changes at the top.  That’s not to say the five-day holiday weekend didn’t have any notable moments at all:

  • Strong word of mouth helped boost last week’s #10, , up five whole spaces.  The movie - already in it’s 4th week - continues to soar despite its fairly limited release.  It’s $15,788 per screen average even topped $14,232.

  • Golden Globes buzz also contributed to the success of seven-time nominee .  Although it only placed 14th overall, the romantic weeper scored a $15,764 average.

  • outmuscled last week’s #2, .  The family-friendly flick traded spots with the blockbuster thanks to its $2.5 million edge.

  • narrowly missed a place in the Top Ten despite its connection to both and .  You heard it right - the talk show host’s touch does not always mean gold.

  • followed up its disappointing debut with another out of tune performance.  The musical satire plummeted five spots all the way down to #13.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Juno Makes An Impressive Surge

Read More | Yahoo! Movies

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