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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: No Sluggish Start for Zombieland

Zombieland

Watch out, vampires…there’s still life in the other undead.

Although he was previously known as a director for Jimmy Kimmel Live, Ruben Fleischer now has a new title: box office champ. This past weekend, Ruben saw his first major feature, , attack the competition with a $24.7 million debut. The movie - which only cost approximately $24 million to make - had the highest open for any zombie-themed flick since Dawn of the Dead in 2004.

Meanwhile, another director had an entirely different result with her debut feature. , a roller derby comedy helmed by Drew Barrymore, rolled into 6th place finish with only $4.7 million. (When your film’s been topped by Pixar entries from 10+ years ago, there might have a problem.) Hopefully in a few more weeks, the Ellen Page vehicle will at least cover its $15 million production tab.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: No Sluggish Start for Zombieland

Read More | Variety

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Box Office Breakdown: Meatballs Rolls to Another Victory

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

was no substitute for meatballs.

Despite competition from a Bruce Willis film, a music-based remake and a sci-fi horror entry, remained the theatergoers’ order of choice for the second week in a row. The children’s book adaptation had Sony dining to the tune of $25 million—over $10 million more than the second place finisher.

Many thought Willis, who hasn’t had a major role since 2007’s Live Free or Die Hard, was on track to take first this weekend. Unfortunately, his hair movie was considered a big letdown given its $15 million gross and $80 million budget. Meanwhile, , a remake of the 1980 hit, had no one feeling like they wanted to live forever. The MGM feature only rung up $10 million for third place.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Meatballs Rolls to Another Victory

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Chance of Meatballs is Winning Recipe

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

While it may not have had a Damon, an Aniston or a Fox, had something no other film did this weekend: a win. The animated adaptation raked in $30.3 million over the weekend easily pushing it to the top of the charts. The PG-rated entry towered over the box office and nearly tripled its nearest competitor (The Informant). The 3-D film also gave Sony Pictures Animation its biggest debut to date.

Elsewhere, two Hollywood beauties were struggling to make a respectable showing. Despite (or because of) a number of notable quotes, Megan Fox failed to muster any interest in her first starring vehicle. Jennifer’s Body, a horror film penned by Diablo Cody, raised a whopping $6.9 million for a fifth-place finish. (I’m not even sure that would be enough to fund one day of a Transformers production.) Megan Fox might not be a fan of Michael Bay, but she better be grateful she met him.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Chance of Meatballs is Winning Recipe

Read More | Variety

In Theaters This Weekend: September 18, 2009

Matt Damon in The Informant

Here are a few selections in theaters this weekend:

  • Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (PG): starring Bill Hader, Anna Faris, Andy Samberg (directed by Chris Miller, Phil Lord)
  • The Informant! (R): starring Matt Damon, Scott Bakula, Joel McHale (directed by Steven Soderbergh)
  • Jennifer’s Body (R): starring Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried, Adam Brody (directed by Karyn Kusama)
  • Love Happens (PG-13): starring Aaron Eckhart, Jennifer Aniston, Dan Fogler (directed by Brandon Camp)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: September 18, 2009


First Look: Matt Damon Packs It on for The Informant


Later this fall, Matt Damon will take the lead in yet another Steven Soderbergh project.

In , the Ocean’s Eleven actor plays Mark Whitacre, a real-life tipster for the FBI. Whitacre’s price-fixing information about Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), an agri-industry giant, made him the highest-ranked whistleblower in US history.

The dark comedy - also starring Scott Bakula and Joel McHale - opens in September.

Read More | Warner Bros.

Joel McHale: From The Soup to Soderbergh

Joel McHale, The SoupIt was bound to happen sooner or later.  Another host from E!‘s The Soup would start to get the attention he/she deserved

Back in 1991, actor kicked off what was then known as Talk Soup.  He is now probably better known for his Oscar-nominated work in As Good as It Gets.  Since then, other hosts have moved on from that weekly program to varying degrees of success.  (The most notable ones being Hal Sparks and Aisha Tyler.)  Could current frontman soon be outgrowing the recap roundup as well?

It has just been announced that the 36-year-old comedian will be branching out from the clip show to work on a much larger project.  Joel will soon be starring in The Informant, a new movie from director (Ocean’s Eleven).  McHale is slated to play an FBI agent who will work alongside Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap) and Matt Damon.

Click to continue reading Joel McHale: From The Soup to Soderbergh

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

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