Ridley Scott to Direct Film Version of Monopoly
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Universal, Adaptation, Upcoming Releases
If you’ve found yourself needing to enjoy Monopoly in one more possible form, you’re in luck. An adaptation of the classic game is now being prepared for the big screen, nearly 25 years after the same was done for Clue. (Yes, it was that long ago.)
And while some may choose to write this project off completely - I mean, the game only has like one character - there could be reason to take note. A few high-profile names have already been attached to the Hasbro-Universal collaboration. Ridley Scott, the same man behind Gladiator and American Gangster, will be co-producing and directing the film. (He reportedly would like to give the film a “futuristic sheen” like he did with 1982’s Blade Runner.) Meanwhile, Pamela Pettler, the woman who penned Corpse Bride and Monster House, is in charge of the script.
Other games that could eventually end up in theaters include Ouija Board and Battleship.
Read More 
| Hollywood Reporter
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Box Office Breakdown: High School Musical at the Top of the Class
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Disney, Fox Searchlight, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Drama, Family, Horror, Musicals, Political, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists
This past week, the multiplexes had a little bit of something for everyone: politics, animals, music, dancing, thrillers, Oscar contenders and even horror. Not surprisingly, this meant a lot of dollars were shelled out in return.
As expected, the big screen debut of High School Musical 3 had tweeners (and their loving parents) all atwitter. Thanks to a $42 million debut, the G-rated film officially became the best musical opener of all time. (Mamma Mia! - with its $27.8 million - was the previous leader.)
Meanwhile, a film on the other end of the ratings spectrum was scaring up some decent dollars of its own. Saw V, which probably could have waited to premiere on Halloween, took in approximately $30 million over the last three days. Although it was pitted against the highly-anticipated Disney sequel, the movie carved out its own audience and raised first place-worthy numbers. Although the series is currently on its fifth life, the 2008 installment came within $4 million dollars of Saw III, the franchise’s best performer to date.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: High School Musical at the Top of the Class
Read More | Variety
Box Office Breakdown: Max Payne Outvotes W for #1
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Disney, Fox Searchlight, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Drama, Family, Horror, Political, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists
Even though Josh Brolin was the host of last Saturday’s SNL, it was Mark Wahlberg - a minor player on that same show - who ended up on top.
This past weekend, Max Payne finally managed to do what no other movie has done yet: take Beverly Hills Chihuahua down. The video game adaptation earned $17.6 million putting nearly $6 million between itself and the family flick.
Surprisingly, a whole Oprah show dedicated to The Secret Life of Bees couldn’t provide that star-studded cast enough buzz. Despite a $10.5 million take, the drama still placed behind the four-legged film. (Bee did, though, earn more per theater than any Top Ten entry.) Meanwhile, Oliver Stone’s latest project did a respectable job for a politically-themed movie. W. also raked in $10.5 million this weekend, narrowly missing third place.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Max Payne Outvotes W for #1
Read More | Variety
Box Office Breakdown: Chihuahua Refuses to Kneel Down
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Disney, Miramax, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Drama, Family, Horror, Period, Religious, Romance, Comedy, Sports, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases
Put a couple of Oscar-nominees in a Middle East-based film and what do you get? Answer: Third place.
Despite the star-wattage in Ridley Scott’s new CIA movie, Body of Lies failed to meet expectations this weekend. The Russell Crowe/Leonardo DiCaprio thriller pulled in a surprising $12.9 million for Warner Bros. That turnout is especially low given the film’s reported $100 million budget.
On the flip side, an entry with a relatively small price tag did better than Lies this week. Quarantine, Sony Screen Gem’s horror contribution, earned $14.2 million and a second place finish. In just three days, the film has already surpassed its $12 million production costs.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Chihuahua Refuses to Kneel Down
Read More | Variety
In Theaters This Weekend: October 10, 2008
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, Miramax, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adventure, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Horror, Period, Political, Romance, Science Fiction, Comedy, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases
Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:
- Body of Lies (R): starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Carice van Houten (directed by Ridley Scott)
- City of Ember (PG): starring Bill Murray, Tim Robbins, Saoirse Ronan (directed by Gil Kenan)
- The Express (PG): starring Dennis Quaid, Rob Brown, Omar Benson Miller (directed by Gary Fleder)
- Quarantine (R): starring Jennifer Carpenter, Jay Hernandez, Columbus Short (directed by John Erick Dowdle)
Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: October 10, 2008
Body of Lies Trailer
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Warner Bros, Adaptation, Drama, Thrillers, Trailers, Upcoming Releases
Russell Crowe and director Ridley Scott, collaborators on three movies, have reteamed for a fourth due out this fall. The CIA thriller, Body of Lies, comes just under a year after their last project, American Gangster, debuted.
In this David Ignatius adaptation, Leonardo DiCaprio co-stars as a a CIA operative (Roger Ferris) on the hunt for a terrorist in Jordan. Crowe plays Ed Hoffman, Leo’s “manipulative” boss.
Body of Lies - penned by Academy Award winner William Monahan (The Departed) - hits theaters on October 10.
Proposed New Year’s Resolutions for Movie Studio Executives
Posted by Johnny Mercedes Categories: Distribution, Filmmaking, Lists, Technology, Trailers, Upcoming Releases
A quintessential holiday morsel:
‘Tis the season to be jolly
Fa la la la la … la la la la
And there must be no shortage of jolliness for big-name film studios as we enter the last days of the year—2007 has been one of the most lucrative in film history. But after the holiday parties end, and the final box-office spreadsheets have been tucked under the pillow (or thrown on the fire), the time comes for rebirth and renewal. After all, the target demographic will be looking for something new, and the critics certainly weren’t impressed with much of this year’s fare. Perhaps everyone can be happy in 2008, as the medium returns to its glory days of content-rich, engaging filmmaking.
Alright, you people aren’t buyin’ it.
Click to continue reading Proposed New Year’s Resolutions for Movie Studio Executives
2008 Golden Globe Nominations (Film)
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Foreign, Foreign Language, Independent, Music, Musicals, Period, Political, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Awards, Lists
Assuming the ongoing writers’ strike doesn’t put a wrench into everyone’s plans, the 65th Annual Golden Globes ceremony is scheduled to air on Sunday, Jan. 13th. (The NBC telecast will come just 9 days prior to the Academy Award nominations.)
Here are the most notable omissions/additions in this year’s list of film honorees:
- Atonement led the nominations with seven; Charlie Wilson’s War came in second with five.
- Musicals (Sweeney Todd, Across the Universe, Hairspray) dominated the Comedy/Musical category.
- Cate Blanchett received two acting nominations (Elizabeth: The Golden Age, I’m Not There).
- Philip Seymour Hoffman was also a double-nominee (The Savages, Charlie Wilson’s War)
- Hoffman’s Savages co-star, Laura Linney, was not nominated for her performance.
- The Kite Runner was nominated in the Foreign Film category.
- Javier Bardem was the only actor nominated from No Country for Old Men.
- Into the Wild was left out of all major categories.
(Click below for the full list of film nominees; click here for the TV nominations.)
Click to continue reading 2008 Golden Globe Nominations (Film)
Read More | Hollywood Foreign Press Association
Box Office Breakdown: Audiences Enchanted With Disney
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Disney, MGM, Paramount, Universal, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Music, Romance, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases
Throw comedy, drama, animation, romance, sci-fi, hunky actors, pretty actresses, singing, dancing, kids and cute animals all into one film and you’ll get Enchanted. You’ll also have Disney’s latest holiday success.
The film, starring Oscar-nominated actress Amy Adams, grossed nearly $50 million over the 5-day weekend ($34 million from Friday-Sunday). Enchanted’s take places it behind 1999’s Toy Story 2 - the film with the largest Thanksgiving debut ever ($80.1 million).
Last week’s champion, Beowulf, fell into 3rd place right behind another holiday opener, This Christmas. The movies took in $23.3 and $26.3 million, respectively, during the long stretch.
Although the sappy August Rush opened in a disappointing 7th place, the DVD release of Waitress this week should make actress Keri Russell - and her fans - feel a bit better.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Audiences Enchanted With Disney
Read More | E! Online
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
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