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Weekend Box-Office: The Help is on the Way!
It was a switcharoo at the box office this weekend: The Help took the top spot from Rise of the Planet of the Apes, with neither film suffering too handily much in estimated box office take. The Help received an estimated $20.5 million, while Apes made approximately $16.3 million. Both films are well on their way to being hits; Apes has already hit the $100 million mark, though Help isn’t very far...[Read More]
When Good Comics Turn Into Bad Movies: A Case Study of Dylan Dog: Dead of Night
Comic book characters in movies have been around for a very long time, though not since the age of the serials have they been in such high demand as they seem to be today. Sure, Batman broke box-office records when it came out in 1989, and Superman before that had been a surefire winner (at least, until Superman IV: The Quest for Peace), but for many years, the two DC superheroes were the only one...[Read More]
Ten Great Summer Grindhouse Movies
The proliferation of midnight/cult movie programming at movie theaters great and small during the summer months has made it easier to catch up with the classics many of us were too young to see the first time around, discover new curiosities, and be reminded of the essential communal aspect in truly appreciating the intentions of genre filmmakers. Horror plays best late at night with an anxious an...[Read More]
Weekend Box-Office: Apes Still in Charge
Truly, the planet is going to the apes…Rise of the Planet of the Apes held the top spot for the second week in a row, earning an estimated $27.5 million in weekend take. In only two weeks, the critically-acclaimed film has already broken the $100 million barrier in domestic gross, and even the typical drop in revenue from week to week was noticeably small, with a less than 50% loss. 2nd and 3rd pl...[Read More]
Why I Hate the New Superman Costume!
Last week, Warner Bros. released the first official picture of Henry Cavill as Superman in Zack Snyder’s franchise reboot Man of Steel. After looking at it a few times, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m just as underwhelmed with this reboot of the Last Son of Krypton as I was of Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns in 2006 (although Brandon Routh at least resembled Christopher Reeve). Unfortunately,...[Read More]
Weekend Box-Office: Apes Rise to the Top
Last week, we had two films that went neck and neck during the weekend estimates (contrary to my original assessment, Cowboys & Aliens was the winner by a little over $800K). This week, there is no comparison…Rise of the Planet of the Apes was the big winner, taking the top spot with an estimated $54 million. The PG-13 science fiction film, with CGI apes motion-captured by Andy Serkis (he of G...[Read More]
Weekend Box-Office: The Smurfs and Cowboys & Aliens Tied?
It’s one thing for a film to take the top spot, but two films at the same time? Newcomers Cowboys & Aliens and The Smurfs both took the estimated top spot this weekend, earning approximately $36.2 million each…however, with a higher average at a smaller number of theaters and 3-D ticket sales, The Smurfs may end up being the big winner once the final numbers are counted. On the minus side, the...[Read More]
Weekend Box-Office: Captain America: The First Avenger Knocks Down the Competition
Despite its record-smashing debut last weekend, not even a parade of Wingardium Leviosa spells could keep the boy wizard in the top spot a second time…Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 fell to second place behind the debut of Marvel’s newest comic book-to-film adaptation Captain America: The First Avenger. The story of weakling-turned-superman Steve Rogers and his fight to safeguard Ame...[Read More]
Weekend Box-Office: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Smashes Box Office and Records
Move over, Transformers…Harry Potter is back, and is cleaning up all over the place. Not only did Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 take the weekend with $168.6 million, it also managed to land the #1 spot in numerous categories, including best opening day and best opening weekend of all time. With nearly $500 million worldwide, in one weekend it has made half of Pirates of the Caribbea...[Read More]
Weekend Box-Office: Transformers: Dark of the Moon Reigns Supreme!
Opening a film on a Wednesday, during a holiday weekend, can really give you a leg up…Transformers: Dark of the Moon did a fine job bringing in ticket sales, even if its critical reception left a lot to be desired. During the 4-day weekend, it made $116.4 million (and $181.1 million including the Wednesday and Thursday receipts). Not only is it the highest-earning film opening on Independence Day ...[Read More]
Interview with Selena Gomez, star of Monte Carlo
Selena Gomez has been acting since she was just seven years old when she made her debut on Barney & Friends. After starring in enough TV shows and films for Disney she earned the “Disney Kid” moniker. Then, a recurring role on Hannah Montana led to a starring role on the hit series Wizards of Waverly Place. Ms. Gomez has also dabbled in the field of music, recently releasing her third album. L...[Read More]
Weekend Box-Office: Cars 2 Revs Up the Green
From boom to bust…Green Lantern was handily dethroned atop the box office by two newcomers. Cars 2 led the contention this weekend, the Disney/Pixar production showing a strong opening with $68 million for the top spot. Behind it came the Cameron Diaz comedy Bad Teacher with $31 million. Both films are receiving poor grades, remarkable especially for Cars 2, considering Pixar’s almost stellar trac...[Read More]