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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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Casting Corner: Zach Galifianakis, Connor Cruise and More

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, MGM, Paramount, Action, Adaptation, Drama, Horror, Remakes, Sequels, Comedy, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases

Zach GalifianakisCatalina Sandino Moreno

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

Zach Galifianakis: The Hangover scene stealer has been invited to have Dinner for Schmucks. The comedy focuses on the “most pathetic” person to ever be included in a weekly dinner. Galifianakis will sit alongside Steve Carell and Paul Rudd in this Jay Roach-directed film.

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The 2009 Academy Awards: Live Commentary

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards

The Oscars

After a year away from live Oscars coverage, I’m thrilled to be back for the 2009 Academy Awards.

Even though Dark Knight‘s snub will probably keep a number of viewers away (how many can honestly say they’ve seen The Reader?), I’m eagerly anticipating several moments from this evening’s broadcast.

Will Heath Ledger’s family bring the house to tears? Is Mickey Rourke going to make the producers wince? Will the cameras pan to Brangelina after Jennifer Aniston’s presentation? Are Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron really (really?) going to do a song and dance number?

To find out if this will be the year of the Slumdog or the underdog, stay tuned here for the live results!

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This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: February 17, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Lionsgate, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Drama, Horror, Music, Period, Religious, Sequels, Comedy, Home Entertainment, Lists

Religulous DVDHere are some of the options available this Tuesday:

New Moon News

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Adaptation, Adventure, Science Fiction, Casting, Filmmaking, Upcoming Releases

Twilight posterMelissa Rosenberg, screenwriter for the movie series, was cornered by People magazine at the recent Annual Directors Guild of America Awards…and she offered up a few tidbits on the casting for the upcoming New Moon movie.

“Taylor Lautner will be back as Jacob Black. I can tell you the original cast will all be coming back,” Rosenberg told reporters. She also offered some insight into the gossip that links with the film series. “I had heard Vanessa Hudgens was going up for the part of Leah,” she stated. Leah Clearwater is a werewolf in the books. “But at the moment, the part of Leah doesn’t happen until the third movie,” Rosenberg added.

The writer is also very pleased with New Moon director Chris Weitz, saying that CGI animals “will be a big part of New Moon. I’m delighted we have someone who’s so expert at that.”

Read More | ET Online

Is There a New Moon in Vanessa Hudgens’ Future?

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Adaptation, Drama, Romance, Science Fiction, Casting, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip, Upcoming Releases

Vanessa HudgensUPDATE: Entertainment Weekly says reports about any auditions are completely false.

Now that Taylor Lautner’s job has been secured, let’s move on to the next piece of New Moon casting buzz.

According to Twilight star Ashley Greene (Alice Cullen), High School Musical‘s is working to get a role in a new franchise. Greene confirmed to MTV that the 20-year-old has already auditioned for the role of Leah Clearwater, New Moon‘s disgruntled and heartbroken female werewolf.

What do you think of this possibility? Do you think Vanessa has the ability to sink her teeth into this role? Or should Gabriella Montez focus on her college years?

Read More | MTV Movies

Box Office Breakdown: A Bloody Good Weekend for Twilight

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Disney, Fox Searchlight, MGM, Miramax, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Independent, Musicals, Period, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Twilight

Although Disney features typically find a place at the top of the pack, the studio’s cute puppy was outmatched by a hot vampire this weekend. After pulling in $35.9 million on Friday ($7 million of which was earned at midnight), went on to suck up nearly $70 million in total. The film’s first day take alone was enough for Summit Entertainment to immediately greenlight a sequel. (A script for New Moon had already been in the works.)

The Stephenie Meyers adaptation - which was originally slated to premiere on December 12 - undoubtedly owes Warner Bros. partial credit for its success. Had the studio not chosen to move until next year, Twilight would most likely have debuted in fewer theaters. The Catherine Hardwicke film also wouldn’t have become the highest opener ever for a female director. (Deep Impact, helmed by Mimi Leder, took home $41.2 million in 1998.)

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Read More | Yahoo! Movies

Box Office Breakdown: Record Showing for 007

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Fox Searchlight, MGM, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Music, Musicals, Period, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Quantum of Solace

In the battle of Bond vs. Bourne, Jason won out this time…though not by much.

Although it was initially believed would break the $70 million mark, the final numbers for the Sony/MGM film came up slightly short. The 22nd Bond installment hauled in $67.5 million this weekend, just under $2 million shy of the debut for The Bourne Ultimatum. (The 2007 premiered to $69.3 million.)

But don’t feeling sorry for . The actor has helped to revitalize the franchise in a big way. Quantum officially just became the best opener of all the 007 films. (Die Another Day grossed $47.1 million back in 2002.) The movie is also on pace to to beat the theatrical run record set by Casino Royale. (The 2006 film eventually pocketed $167.4 million domestically.)

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Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Ticket Buyers Escape to Madagascar 2

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Disney, Fox Searchlight, MGM, Lionsgate, Paramount, Universal, Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Music, Musicals, Period, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists

Madagascar 2

Move over High School Musical 3. Another family-friendly movie is taking over.

This past weekend, stormed into theaters in a big way. The animated sequel took in a whopping $63.1 million, making it second biggest debuter this year. (The Dark Knight pulled in $75.2 million in July.) The film - which topped its 2005 predecessor by $2.1 million - also had the 7th best opening for a cartoon ever.

In other noteworthy news, last week’s #2 was pushed aside for another R-rated comedy. , starring Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott, surpassed expectations to rake in an impressive $19.2 million. That amount nearly doubled what Zack and Miri - this week’s #5 - earned during its first three days. Meanwhile, a movie that was critically-panned did fairly well in its limited release. - the wannabe cult musical featuring Paris Hilton - averaged $6,711 over 8 theaters. That’s a number most of the movies in the Top Ten couldn’t match.

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Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: High School Musical Makes it Two for Two

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Disney, Fox Searchlight, Picturehouse, Universal, Warner Bros, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Drama, Family, Horror, Musicals, Period, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists

High School Musical 3

This past weekend, moviegoers showed very little interest in Halloween-themed fare. Despite several horror options, ticket buyers put a G-rated film on top once again.

Although Friday night was slow for cineplexes everywhere, theater attendance thankfully picked up by Saturday. And while there was tight battle for 2nd place, had an easy fight for #1. One week after its $42 million debut, the Disney feature added another $15.3 million to the bundle.

Coming in second was a movie on the opposite end of the wholesome spectrum. - a movie that narrowly escaped an NC-17 rating - pulled in just over $10 million during the past three days. That turnout placed the raunchy comedy amongst Kevin Smith’s highest debuters. (Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back earned $11.1 million in 2001 while 2006’s Clerks II raked in $10.1 million.)

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Read More | Variety

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

High School Musical 3: Senior Year

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 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. , 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

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