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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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Fahrenheit 9/11 Sequel Planned

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Documentary, Sequels, Upcoming Releases

Fahrenheit 9/11 - never one to shy away from controversy - is back at it again.  The writer/producer/director has chosen to follow up last year’s Sicko with a sequel to his 2004 hit, Fahrenheit 9/11.

While this movie will chronologically pick up where the original left off, it will not be about one specific event.  It will instead have a much broader focus.  According to the chief for Paramount Vantage (one of the two companies Moore is partnering with), the film “is going to tackle what’s going on in the world, and America’s place in it.”

Those already worried about the timing of Oliver Stone’s upcoming Bush project should feel at ease with this new documentary.  Moore is not planning to release the film until sometime next year - long after the presidential election is over.

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

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In Theaters This Weekend (5/2)

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Columbia Pictures, Paramount, Sony, Action, Adventure, Foreign, Political, Romance, Comedy, Lists, New Releases

Made of Honor

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

Martin Scorsese Reteams with Leonardo DiCaprio

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Adaptation, Drama, Thrillers, Casting, Upcoming Releases

Put Description HereMuses can come in all different shapes and sizes.  Woody Allen has Scarlett while Spielberg has Tom Hanks.  For , his actor of choice has clearly become Leo.

The Academy Award-winning director and will soon be reteaming for their fourth project together.  Shutter Island will follow their work on The Gangs of New York, The Aviator and last year’s winner, The Departed.

Shutter is based off a book written by Dennis Lehane, the same man behind two critically-acclaimed films: Mystic River and .  The story focuses on two marshals who become trapped on a Boston-area island while searching for a criminally insane escapee.  (Lehane’s stories are primarily set around Boston.)

The movie, which starts production next month, already boasts an all-star cast.  Joining DiCaprio will be Mark Ruffalo (Reservation Road), Max von Sydow (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), Emily Mortimer (Lars and the Real Girl), Jackie Earle Haley (Little Children), Ben Kingsley (You Kill Me), (Brokeback Mountain) and Patricia Clarkson (No Reservations).


Box Office Breakdown: Will Smith a Legend in December

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, New Line, Warner Bros, Yari Film Group Releasing, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Period, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

I Am Legend

You have to wonder whether is just a wee bit jealous of his friend’s success…

This weekend, not only smashed the box office debut of Cruise’s , he pounded everything in his path.  - the third adaptation of the 1954 Richard Matheson novel - nearly doubled the take of its nearest competitor while breaking the record for a December release.  Legend’s $77 million debut surpassed the bar set by Oscar-winner .  The final installment in the Lords trilogy brought in $72.6 million back in 2003.

Although was far behind in second place, its $44 million weekend was nothing to sneeze at.  The movie not only exceeded most expectations, it downright embarrassed third place finisher, .  How could anyone possibly explain freaky-looking chipmunks taking down a large polar bear? The latter film only added another $8.8 million to its total, putting it a smidge closer to its $180 million budget.  (Granted, it has done better overseas.)

But let’s not be fooled by the large numbers at the top of the charts, the weekend’s most notable turnout was made by #11: .  The comedic charmer earned an impressive $35,686 per screen.  Meanwhile, (which opened in 3566 more theaters) averaged only $21,411.  Take that, Fresh Prince!

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Will Smith a Legend in December

Read More | Yahoo!

In Theaters This Weekend (12/14)

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Fox Searchlight, Magnolia, Warner Bros, Yari Film Group Releasing, Adaptation, Documentary, Drama, Family, Foreign, Musicals, Political, Religious, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases

The Kite Runner

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

Box Office Breakdown: The Golden Compass Lacks Luster

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, MGM, New Line, Paramount, Warner Bros, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Music, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Golden Compass

A Narnia-esque adaptation partnered with a holiday release date and an A-list cast should have conjured box office magic for .  Surprisingly, this weekend’s release from brought in barely enough money to cover the film’s catering budget.

Compass, based on Philip Pullman’s children’s series His Dark Materials, was and second disappointing collaboration this year (the first being ).  While it was enough for a first place finish, the $25 million debut was hardly impressive given the film’s $180 million price tag.

In other news, holiday flick remained in third place while the critically-panned bumped up two spaces from last week.  Meanwhile, and did well with their very limited releases.

Be looking for the highly-promoted (and ) to enter next week’s charts.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: The Golden Compass Lacks Luster

Read More | E! Online

Box Office Breakdown: Jessica Alba Can’t Keep Audiences Awake

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, MGM, Paramount, Warner Bros, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Awake

There’s nothing like a good snub to restore your faith in moviegoers. 

Although was the only new wide release this past weekend, discerning audiences kept it from succeeding by default.  (NOTE: Cute squirrels will always trump .) The movie, also co-starring Star Wars’ , opened with a dismal $6 million - less than half of what Alba’s last stellar film, Good Luck Chuck, did.  (The latter opened at $13.7 million.) I wonder if this currently makes the most successful Jessica out there.

Aside from Awake’s entry, the rest of the Top Ten changed very little from last week.  refused to budge from its perch and earned another $16 million over the past three days.  Meanwhile, surged back up a notch, trading spots with holiday flick, .

Although the box office numbers were unspectacular overall, we can expect big changes in just a few days; that’s when New Line’s makes its debut.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Jessica Alba Can’t Keep Audiences Awake


In Theaters This Weekend (11/9)

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: MGM, Sony, Warner Bros, Warner Independant Films, Adaptation, Documentary, Drama, Family, Foreign, Independent, Music, Romance, Science Fiction, Comedy, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases

Lions for Lambs

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

UPDATE: ‘The Kite Runner’ Delayed Due to Controversial Scene

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Paramount, Adaptation, Drama, Upcoming Releases

The Kite RunnerAs reported earlier, controversy surrounding a violent scene threatened the big-screen premiere of The Kite Runner.  The adaptation of the popular Khaled Hosseini novel will now be delayed six weeks.

The family of the young Afghan actor raped in the film wanted the segment removed because it would be considered culturally offensive.  They feared they would become victims of retaliation in their own country once the movie premiered.  The family claims 12-year-old Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada would never have participated in the production had they been given a script and/or advance warning of the scene.

Although director (Monster’s Ball, Finding Neverland) and the producers all insist Ahmad’s father was briefed on the situation, they have expressed concern for those involved.  In hopes of retaining the crucial scene—and because of increased violence in Kabul—Paramount Vantage is finalizing plans to temporarily move Ahmad and two other actors out of the country.  The movie, originally slated for a Nov. 2nd release, will now be released on Dec. 14th.... several days after the boys finish school.  It’s believed they may return sometime in March—after their summer vacation ends and the movie dust clears.  This decision appears to be something Ahmad’s father is comfortable with.

The movie’s new premiere date will now pit it against another highly-anticipated film, I Am Legend.

Read More | USA Today

Will Rape Scene in ‘The Kite Runner’ Be Removed?

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: DreamWorks, Adaptation, Drama, Books, Upcoming Releases

The Kite RunnerA best-selling novel’s film adaptation is now facing trouble only one month away from its theatrical release.  The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini (A Thousand Splendid Suns), tells the story of two friends who grew up together in Afghanistan.  In one important scene, Amir, does nothing to help his friend, Hassan, who is being raped.

Unfortunately, the family of the young boy who filmed this crucial plot point wants those frames left on the cutting room floor.  Rape is considered completely undignified and against Afghan culture.  If the movie is seen in their country, they worry they’ll be ostracized or harassed for making Afghans look poorly.  They don’t think people will be able to separate fact from fiction.  According to 12-year-old Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada, the actor who was paid $10,000 for the role, he was never given a script and would not have accepted the job had he known about the violent scene.  (Why he chose to shoot the scene anyway is not made clear.  The family admits they did find out about the rape several days before it was filmed.)

Kite’s producers, Bennett Walsh and Rebecca Yeldham, claim they’ve spoken to the family since the scene was filmed last year.  According to Walsh and Yeldham, they were given the greenlight provided the content was portrayed in a sensitive manner.  Conversely, Ahmad’s father asserts the producers told him the scene would be cut when they were confronted about it.  He also says the company has promised to ‘take care of the family’ if they became victims of any backlash.

At this point, the producers have not said whether the scene will stand.  Meanwhile, the Marc Forster film is scheduled for release on Nov. 2nd.

Click here for an update on the now-delayed film.

Read More | USA Today

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