Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Box Office Report: Aug. 24-26

It sustained a bit of a drop-off in business, as could be expected, but “Superbad” was good enough to hold onto the top spot at the box office over the weekend, taking in another $18 million. There was a trio of newcomers to the top 10, but none could crack the top three, with “Mr. Bean’s Holiday” taking fourth place, just shy of $10 million. That movie, starring Rowan Atkinson as the accident-prone nitwit, has already enjoyed a health overseas box office run, and is very close to the $200 million mark worldwide.

Speaking of worldwide, “Harry Potter” has supplanted “Spider-Man” for the second slot in the world charts, nearing $900 million. It likely will run out of steam before catching the third “Pirates of the Caribbean” sequel, but it’s an impressive accomplishment, nonetheless.

1. “Superbad”
(Weekend domestic gross - $18.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $68.6 million)
(Budget - $20 million)
2. “The Bourne Ultimatum”
(Weekend domestic gross - $12.5 million)
(Worldwide gross - $218.8 million)
(Budget - $110 million)
3. “Rush Hour 3”
(Weekend domestic gross - $11.7 million)
(Worldwide gross - $135.3 million)
(Budget - $140 million)
4. “Mr. Bean’s Holiday”
(Weekend domestic gross - $9.9 million)
(Worldwide gross - $198.8 million)
(Budget - N/A)
5. “War”
(Weekend domestic gross - $9.8 million)
(Worldwide gross - $9.8 million)
(Budget - N/A)
6. “The Nanny Diaries”
(Weekend domestic gross - $7.5 million)
(Worldwide gross - $7.5 million)
(Budget - N/A)
7. “The Simpsons Movie”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $443.5 million)
(Budget - $75 million)
8. “Stardust”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.9 million)
(Worldwide gross - $35.4 million)
(Budget - $70 million)
9. “Hairspray”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $131.0 million)
(Budget - N/A)
10. “Invasion”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.1 million)
(Worldwide gross - $11.5 million)
(Budget - $80 million)

2007 Year-To-Date
1. “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End”

(Worldwide gross - $957.7 million)
(Budget - $300 million)
2. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”
(Worldwide gross - $895.5 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
3. “Spider-Man 3”
(Worldwide gross - $890.2 million)
(Budget - $258 million)
4. “Shrek the Third”
(Worldwide gross - $736.5 million)
(Budget - $160 million)
5. “Transformers”
(Worldwide gross - $663.0 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
6. “300”
(Worldwide gross - $456.1 million)
(Budget - $65 million)
7. “The Simpsons Movie”
(Worldwide gross - $443.5 million)
(Budget - $75 million)
8. “Ratatouille”
(Worldwide gross - $348.5 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
9. “Live Free or Die Hard”
(Worldwide gross - $348.4 million)
(Budget - $110 million)
10. “Ocean’s Thirteen”
(Worldwide gross - $301.9 million)
(Budget - N/A)

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Fall 2007 Movie Preview (Part 1)

Well, after a summer packed full of sequels, big explosions and raucous comedies – not to mention the ever-escalating budgets of some of these movies, it’s time for some smaller, quieter and award-seeking entries for the fall film season. That’s not to say there won’t be some fun and just plain dumb movies sliding into theaters. Hollywood can’t make them all great, right?

Anyway, here’s a breakdown of some of the more notable releases that will be coming in September. October will be covered next week. Keep in mind, release dates are subject to change.

SEPTEMBER
“3:10 to Yuma”

Starring Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Peter Fonda, Gretchen Mol, Ben Foster, Dallas Roberts
Directed by James Mangold

Coming off the success of “Walk the Line,” director James Mangold is trying to help revive the western genre with this remake of the 1957 film of the same name. On board are two of today’s most committed and intense actors (Crowe and Bale), playing a murderous outlaw and the rancher who has to deliver him to justice, respectively. Western done well can be very successful (see “Unforgiven” and “Dances with Wolves”). However, those came out over 15 years ago. (Sept. 7)
Official Web site

“Shoot ‘Em Up”
Starring Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti, Monica Bellucci, Stephen McHattie
Directed by Michael Davis

In what could easily have fit in on the summer movie schedule, Owen stars in this wall-to-wall action pic about a reluctant protector of a woman (Bellucci) and her newborn baby. The great Giamatti gets his chance to sink his teeth into a villainous role, as he and his henchmen are out for blood. (Sept. 7)
Official Web site

“Eastern Promises”
Starring Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts, Vincent Cassel, Armin Mueller-Stahl
Directed by David Cronenberg

The star (Mortensen) and director (Cronenberg) of “A History of Violence” reunite in a tale of a group of Russian mobsters living in London and their involvement with a midwife (Watts). For those waiting for Cronenberg to step away from such intense dramatic material and make a hilarious comedy can keep on waiting. This is not that movie. (Sept. 14)
Official Web site

“The Brave One”
Starring Jodie Foster, Terrence Howard, Naveen Andrews, Nicky Katt, Mary Steenbergen
Directed by Neil Jordan

In some slight echoes of her Oscar-winning role in “The Accused,” Foster plays a victim of a brutal attack that kills her husband and leads to her desperate desire for vengeance. Few actresses can bring sensitivity and pure emotional intensity to a role like Foster, who will undoubtedly get some Oscar talk for this part. (Sept. 14)
Official Web site

“In the Valley of Elah”
Starring Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, Francis Fisher and Susan Sarandon
Directed by Paul Haggis

With its story involving the father (Jones) of a soldier seeking answers to his son’s mysterious disappearance, “Elah” is certainly not hurting for Oscar-winning talent. Jones, along with co-stars Theron and Sarandon have all won the gold guy, as has writer-director Haggis (“Crash”). (Sept. 14, limited)
Official Web site

“Good Luck Chuck”
Starring Dane Cook, Jessica Alba, Dan Fogler
Directed by Mark Helfrich

Another film that looks like a castoff from the summer movie season, “Chuck” tells the story of a ladies man (Cook) who has a knack as a quasi-good luck charm by sleeping with a woman, who then falls in love with and marries the next man she meets. He then meets and falls in love with a woman (Alba) with the hopes that he can avoid falling into the arms of another man. Is this based on a true story? (Sept. 21)
Official Web site

“The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”
Starring Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Sam Shepard, Mary-Louise Parker and Sam Rockwell
Directed by Andrew Dominik

Certainly consisting of the longest title of the year, “Jesse James” is the second western of the month, albeit one with a much more troubled journey to the screen. The film has evidently gone through a lot of different cuts, including some supervised by star and producer Pitt, who plays the legendary outlaw James. Affleck co-stars as a newcomer to the gang, who becomes obsessed with the thief. (Sept. 21, limited)
Official Web site

“The Kingdom”
Starring Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Jeremy Piven, Danny Huston, Richard Jenkins
Directed by Peter Berg

Dealing with terrorism in post-9/11 isn’t the easiest task for films, but a good cast and strong studio support (the movie was reportedly moved by Universal Pictures from the spring to a higher profile fall spot) should help matters. A group of FBI operatives are sent into Saudi Arabia to investigate a terrorist attack, only to find themselves a target in the process. (Sept. 28)
Official Web site

“The Darjeeling Limited”
Starring Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Jason Schwartzman and Angelica Huston
Directed by Wes Anderson

Having taken a few lumps from critics and audiences with “The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou,” writer-director Wes Anderson isn’t shying away from unusual pictures with his latest, focusing on three estranged brothers (Wilson, Brody and Schwartzman). They take a train journey through India hoping to reconnect, following the death of their father. Two Anderson movie vets (Wilson and Schwartzman) combined with an Oscar-winner (Brody) could be an intriguing combination. (Sept. 29, limited)
Official Web site

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Fall 2007 Preview Cometh

OK, so you might have noticed a general dearth of updates on the site in recent weeks. Sorry about that, as other outside projects have been draining time from providing updates, such as reviews. I have still been seeing some movies on occasion, just not making the time to post reviews. I will try to do better.

But keep your eyes peeled for the annual fall movie preview, which will likely be coming in two installments – the first of which should be arriving by month's end. There's already looking like some good movie watching options ahead, but I'll let you judge for yourselves real soon.

Stay tuned ...

- MC

Box Office Report: Aug. 17-19

It’s proven to be a pretty good summer for Seth Rogen and Judd Apatow. Both have been involved in two hit movies (“Knocked Up” and “Superbad”), with Rogen starring in the former while co-starring and co-writing the latter. Apatow directed “Knocked Up” and was a producer on “Superbad,” which opened to $33.1 million over its opening weekend.
The only other major debut, “Invasion,” starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, looks to be a clear flop, taking in just $6 million, good for fifth place. Warner Bros. did a terrible job in marketing the film, and has had the sci-fi flick sitting on the shelf for months. Guess it should have stayed there.

1. “Superbad”
(Weekend domestic gross - $33.1 million)
(Worldwide gross - $33.1 million)
(Budget - $20 million)
2. “Rush Hour 3”
(Weekend domestic gross - $21.4 million)
(Worldwide gross - $97.3 million)
(Budget - $140 million)
3. “The Bourne Ultimatum”
(Weekend domestic gross - $19.9 million)
(Worldwide gross - $192.4 million)
(Budget - $110 million)
4. “The Simpsons Movie”
(Weekend domestic gross - $6.8 million)
(Worldwide gross - $400.4 million)
(Budget - $75 million)
5. “Invasion”
(Weekend domestic gross - $6.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $6.0 million)
(Budget - $80 million)
6. “Stardust”
(Weekend domestic gross - $5.7 million)
(Worldwide gross - $28.6 million)
(Budget - $70 million)
7. “Hairspray”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.5 million)
(Worldwide gross - $121.4 million)
(Budget - N/A)
8. “Underdog”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.8 million)
(Worldwide gross - $31.9 million)
(Budget - N/A)
9. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.7 million)
(Worldwide gross - $872.8 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
10. “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $115.7 million)
(Budget - $85 million)

2007 Year-To-Date
1. “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End”

(Worldwide gross - $956.2 million)
(Budget - $300 million)
2. “Spider-Man 3”
(Worldwide gross - $890.2 million)
(Budget - $258 million)
3. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”
(Worldwide gross - $872.8 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
4. “Shrek the Third”
(Worldwide gross - $736.4 million)
(Budget - $160 million)
5. “Transformers”
(Worldwide gross - $660.2 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
6. “300”
(Worldwide gross - $456.1 million)
(Budget - $65 million)
7. “The Simpsons Movie”
(Worldwide gross - $400.4 million)
(Budget - $75 million)
8. “Live Free or Die Hard”
(Worldwide gross - $338.2 million)
(Budget - $110 million)
9. “Ratatouille”
(Worldwide gross - $315.9 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
10. “Ocean’s Thirteen”
(Worldwide gross - $296.2 million)
(Budget - N/A)

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Box Office Report: Aug. 10-12

While not raking in as much money as the opening weekend of its predecessor, “Rush Hour 3” was still strong enough to pull in nearly $50 million to take the top position at the box office. Still, it remains to be seen if the big-budgeted action sequel, yet another third in a series, can hold up in subsequent weekends. Maybe audiences are going to start to realize that wasn’t a whole lot to this franchise beyond its concept introduced in the first “Rush Hour.”

Looking at the worldwide charts, “300” now stands alone as the only non-summer movie release to have a spot in the top 10.

1. “Rush Hour 3”
(Weekend domestic gross - $49.1 million)
(Worldwide gross - $49.1 million)
(Budget - $140 million)
2. “The Bourne Ultimatum”
(Weekend domestic gross - $32.9 million)
(Worldwide gross - $135.7 million)
(Budget - $110 million)
3. “The Simpsons Movie”
(Weekend domestic gross - $11.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $342.3 million)
(Budget - $75 million)
4. “Stardust”
(Weekend domestic gross - $9.2 million)
(Worldwide gross - $12.1 million)
(Budget - $70 million)
5. “Hairspray”
(Weekend domestic gross - $6.4 million)
(Worldwide gross - $108.7 million)
(Budget - N/A)
6. “Underdog”
(Weekend domestic gross - $6.35 million)
(Worldwide gross - $24.6 million)
(Budget - N/A)
7. “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry”
(Weekend domestic gross - $5.9 million)
(Worldwide gross - $106.5 million)
(Budget - $85 million)
8. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”
(Weekend domestic gross - $5.4 million)
(Worldwide gross - $822.0 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
9. “No Reservations”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.9 million)
(Worldwide gross - $35.5 million)
(Budget - N/A)
10. “Daddy Day Camp”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.4 million)
(Worldwide gross - $4.9 million)
(Budget - $150 million)

2007 Year-To-Date
1. “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End”

(Worldwide gross - $954.7 million)
(Budget - $300 million)
2. “Spider-Man 3”
(Worldwide gross - $890.1 million)
(Budget - $258 million)
3. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”
(Worldwide gross - $822.0 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
4. “Shrek the Third”
(Worldwide gross - $733.1 million)
(Budget - $160 million)
5. “Transformers”
(Worldwide gross - $631.7 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
6. “300”
(Worldwide gross - $456.0 million)
(Budget - $65 million)
7. “The Simpsons Movie”
(Worldwide gross - $342.3 million)
(Budget - $75 million)
8. “Live Free or Die Hard”
(Worldwide gross - $325.8 million)
(Budget - $110 million)
9. “Ocean’s Thirteen”
(Worldwide gross - $285.3 million)
(Budget - N/A)
10. “Ratatouille”
(Worldwide gross - $277.7 million)
(Budget - $150 million)

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Box Office Report: Aug. 3-5

Matt Damon grabbed the top spot at the box office for the second time this summer (“Ocean’s Thirteen” being the first), as “The Bourne Ultimatum” fought its way to an easy victory over the weekend, pulling in nearly $70 million. That makes it easily the biggest opener of the film series, a rarity in the world of sequels.

Last week’s number one, “The Simpsons Movie” fell to second, earning $25.1 million, or about 66 percent less than its first weekend. Still, it’s pulled in more than $235 million worldwide, so it would seem far from sad news for the Simpson clan.

1. “The Bourne Ultimatum”
(Weekend domestic gross - $69.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $69.3 million)
(Budget - $110 million)
2. “The Simpsons Movie”
(Weekend domestic gross - $25.1 million)
(Worldwide gross - $235.8 million)
(Budget - $75 million)
3. “Underdog”
(Weekend domestic gross - $11.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $11.6 million)
(Budget - N/A)
4. “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry”
(Weekend domestic gross - $10.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $93.7 million)
(Budget - $85 million)
5. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”
(Weekend domestic gross - $9.5 million)
(Worldwide gross - $771.0 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
6. “Hairspray”
(Weekend domestic gross - $9.2 million)
(Worldwide gross - $90.4 million)
(Budget - N/A)
7. “No Reservations”
(Weekend domestic gross - $6.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $24.9 million)
(Budget - N/A)
8. “Transformers”
(Weekend domestic gross - $6.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $591.4 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
9. “Hot Rod”
(Weekend domestic gross - $5.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $5.3 million)
(Budget - N/A)
10. “Bratz”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.2 million)
(Worldwide gross - $4.3 million)
(Budget - N/A)

2007 Year-To-Date
1. “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End”

(Worldwide gross - $951.8 million)
(Budget - $300 million)
2. “Spider-Man 3”
(Worldwide gross - $889.8 million)
(Budget - $258 million)
3. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”
(Worldwide gross - $771.0 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
4. “Shrek the Third”
(Worldwide gross - $727.1 million)
(Budget - $160 million)
5. “Transformers”
(Worldwide gross - $591.4 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
6. “300”
(Worldwide gross - $456.0 million)
(Budget - $65 million)
7. “Live Free or Die Hard”
(Worldwide gross - $308.8 million)
(Budget - $110 million)
8. “Ocean’s Thirteen”
(Worldwide gross - $279.3 million)
(Budget - N/A)
9. “Wild Hogs”
(Worldwide gross - $252.6 million)
(Budget - N/A)
10. “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer”
(Worldwide gross - $240.1 million)
(Budget - $130 million)