Will Smith’s Nepotism Streak Continues

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, Drama, Casting, Upcoming Releases

First, he introduced son Jaden to theatergoers in The Pursuit of Happyness.  Then he let daughter Willow take on a much smaller role in last year’s I Am Legend.  Now another kid will be participating in a Will Smith movie: Connor Cruise.

Yes, I know.  Connor is not exactly related to Will.  (He’s actually Tom Cruise‘s adopted son.)  But that doesn’t make the whole situation smell any less nepotistic to me.

In Seven Pounds, Will Smith stars as a man who affects the lives of seven strangers.  Connor, in a minor part, will play a younger version of the main character.

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Box Office Breakdown

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Paramount, Universal, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Musicals, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Although theater audiences were not offered much new to watch over the four-day weekend, I must say that I was bit surprised as to how the box office totals shook out.  I was certain that Primeval would reign supreme. I mean—when when does a movie about a serial-killing crocodile not come out on top??  And despite Madonna’s participation, I thought Arthur and the Invisibles would place higher than 9th.  Parents are always desperate to find something for their rug rats, right?

Here are the totals for last week (as compiled by Media By Numbers LLC):

1. Stomp the Yard, Sony Screen Gems, $25,876,318
2. Night at the Museum, Fox, $21,847,867
3. The Pursuit of Happyness, Sony, $10,703,352
4. Dreamgirls, Paramount, $10,259,911
5. Freedom Writers, Paramount, $8,849,005
6. Children of Men, Universal, $7,449,555
7. Alpha Dog, Universal, $7,411,750
8. Primeval, Disney, $6,792,318
9. Arthur and the Invisibles, MGM, $5,702,789
10. Charlotte’s Web, Paramount, $5,348,867

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The Pursuit of Happyness Review

Posted by Johnny Mercedes Categories: Columbia Pictures, Sony, Drama, New Releases, Theatrical Reviews

Chris Gardner (Will Smith) is a gifted, but struggling salesman trying to raise a family and make a decent living in 1980s San Francisco.  One fateful day, he stumbles upon an unpaid internship opportunity at a successful stock brokerage firm, and applies, hoping to start a new life for his family.  When the daily strain becomes too much to bear, his unhappy wife, Linda (Thandie Newton), decides to seek her own future, leaving Gardner to care for their five-year-old son Christopher (Jaden Smith).  Unable to pay the bills on his marginal income, the two are forced to live on the streets, finding shelter in subway bathrooms and homeless shelters.  Inspired by a true story, The Pursuit of Happyness is a reflective and poignant rags–to–riches story that, while embellished for dramatic effect, displays what one can do with enough diligence and determination.

The Pursuit of Happyness is directed by Gabriele Muccino and written by Steven Conrad.  Rated PG–13.

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