Mamma Mia! Surpasses Titanic’s UK Record

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Universal, Adaptation, Musicals, Romance, Comedy, Box Office

Even though The Dark Knight is still far from surpassing Titanic’s box office record, the 1997 blockbuster did just see one of its titles sink.

Just days after receiving several Golden Globe nominations, Mamma Mia! broke a 10-year old UK record. The musical - having now earned over £69.1 million ($105.8 million) - is officially the top grossing movie in the United Kingdom. By the time Titanic had completed its run in 1998, it had raked in £69 million.

The Universal Pictures entry means Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (a.k.a. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone) has now been pushed to third place. That film went on to gross £66,096,060 after it was released in 2001.

Read More | The Hollywood Reporter

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2009 Golden Globe Nominations (Film)

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Disney, Fox Searchlight, Paramount, Universal, Warner Bros, Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Foreign, Foreign Language, Independent, Musicals, Period, Political, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Awards, Lists

Although a looming SAG strike may threaten next year’s Academy Awards, the Golden Globes ceremony should finally go on as planned. The 66th annual event is scheduled to air on Sunday, January 11th, just 11 days before the Oscar nominations are announced.

Here are some of the noteworthy mentions from this year’s list of film nominees:

• Frost/Nixon and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button both led the field with five nominations each.
• Despite being chosen Best Film by the New York Film Critics, Sean Penn was the only nod Milk received by the HFPA.
• Meryl Streep earned two nominations for her work in Doubt and Mamma Mia.
• Kate Winslet is also up for two awards. Her films - Revolutionary Road and The Reader - are also up for Best Picture.
• Heath Ledger did get a posthumous nomination as expected.
• Although he was recently recognized for his acting work in Gran Torino, director Clint Eastwood (Changeling) was only acknowledged for his musical achievements.

(You can find the full list of film nominees after the jump. Click here for the TV nominations.)

Click to continue reading 2009 Golden Globe Nominations (Film)

Read More | Hollywood Foreign Press Association

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A Christmas Carol Medley: The Many Ways You Can Enjoy Dickens

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Adaptation, Animation, Short Films, Drama, Family, Musicals, Period, Comedy

It’s that time of year when it’s unsafe to enter a department store, when televised specials are vying to offer you the biggest stars and most touching moments. When ancient movies get dredged up for our entertainment. There is one holiday-themed tale which is so predominant, no winter season would be complete without it. This only begs one question: which version will you watch?

A Christmas Carol is one of the most re-made movies in cinematic history - even Disney is in on the action. But the story itself is even older than Hollywood. A Christmas Carol was originally written by Charles Dickens, and first hit the scene way back in 1843. More than one hundred years later, it’s still one of the most widely-recognized holiday stories in history.

And if you want to enjoy this time-honored tale of redemption, you’ll have more than your fair share of opportunity. How many ways can you enjoy Dickens this year?

Click to continue reading A Christmas Carol Medley: The Many Ways You Can Enjoy Dickens

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Remake News: The Karate Kid, Oldboy, Pinocchio and More

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, DreamWorks, MGM, Paramount, Universal, Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Family, Horror, Musicals, Period, Comedy, Rumors, Upcoming Releases

Fame: The previously announced remake has just secured its administrative lineup. The film, an update of the 1980 original, will once again follow the lives of students at New York High School of Performing Arts. Those guiding the talented crop include Megan Mullaley, Bebe Neuwirth, Kelsey Grammar and Charles S. Dutton. Debbie Allen - a veteran of the first film - will also join the cast as Principal Simms, an entirely new character.

Click to continue reading Remake News: The Karate Kid, Oldboy, Pinocchio and More

Read More | Variety

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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

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), Twilight 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 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 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.)

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: A Bloody Good Weekend for Twilight

Read More | Yahoo! Movies

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Beauty and the Beast to Go 3-D

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Animation, Classics, Family, Musicals, Technology

As hard as it is to believe, it’s already been 17 years since Beauty and the Beast first premiered. And though it’s still nice to still along with Gaston and Lumiere via the DVD, we will soon have a new way to experience the movie all over again.

Come 2010, Disney will rerelease the Oscar-nominated film - it was the first full-length animated movie to be up for Best Picture - as a new 3-D theatrical feature. This update is just one of several reissues the studio has in store. Plans for a revamped Toy Story and Toy Story 2 have already been in the works.

In addition to this weekend’s release of Bolt, upcoming 3-D titles for Disney include the Jonas Brothers 3-D Concert Movie, Toy Story 3, Up, G-Force, Alice in Wonderland and Rapunzel.

Read More | Variety

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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

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

Although it was initially believed Quantum of Solace 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 Daniel Craig. 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.)

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Record Showing for 007

Read More | Variety

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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

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

This past weekend, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa 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. Role Models, 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. Repo! The Genetic Opera - 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.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Ticket Buyers Escape to Madagascar 2

Read More | Variety

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No Rave Reviews for Hilton’s Repo!

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Lionsgate, Horror, Musicals, Science Fiction, Filmmaking, New Releases

The press for Repo! The Genetic Opera has been going strong for a long, long time now…and I have to be honest in saying that I never was sold on the idea. Set in the year 2056, the movie illustrates a scary world where one company controls all organ transplants and high-end plastic surgery. Easy financing leads to some of the most gruesome repossessions you could imagine - hence, the title. The movie’s biggest claims to fame have always been a cult-like appeal and the name Paris Hilton, who was attached to the project early.

Did I mention it’s also a musical? But if you’re expecting something sort of oddball and fun like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, or something dark and grim like Sweeny Todd, you could be taken by surprise. Reviews for the movie are in…and no one seems to be raving for Repo! or Miss Hilton, either.

Click to continue reading No Rave Reviews for Hilton’s Repo!

Read More | LA Times

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In Theaters this Weekend: November 7, 2008

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, MGM, Miramax, Lionsgate, Universal, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Documentary, Drama, Family, Foreign, Horror, Music, Musicals, Period, Political, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

• Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (PG): starring Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer (directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath)
• Role Models (R): starring Seann William Scott, Paul Rudd, Christopher Mintz-Plasse (directed by David Wain)
• Soul Men (R): starring Samuel L. Jackson, Bernie Mac, Isaac Hayes (directed by Malcolm D. Lee)

Click to continue reading In Theaters this Weekend: November 7, 2008



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