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Box-Office Wrap-Up: Dec. 4 - Dec. 6, 2009
6 hours ago
Nick, Miley Fan's first guess, and Jm were the closest calls on the board, correctly prognosticating a near 50 percent drop for The Blind Side. I was lured in by last weekend's strong showing, underestimating the general public's last weekend off before a flood of huge movies. #1 movie predicted correctly: 6 Weeks In A Row 1. The Blind Side Still, I'll take the win. And I stand by my "Bullock gets an Oscar nom" prediction. Result: 20.4 million (My rank: #1, $9.7m off) 2. The Twilight Saga: New Moon It fell almost 70 percent again. It's an interesting dilemma for Summit because it looks like this franchise is only going to get more frontloaded as we reach 2010 - 2011. Result: 15.7 million (My rank: #2, $2.3m off) 3. Brothers A little over a million people were willing to risk depression to buy a ticket here. It's not like I'm against sad movies... just sad ones without much of a point or plot cohesion. »
- Laremy Legel
Sunday Morning Movie Jumble: December 6, 2009
15 hours ago
[jumble_form]
Clue: Been nominated for a Best Directing Oscar four times (won twice), and nominated twice as an actor (never won). Has seven children, one of which posed nude for the February 2003 issue of Playboy and has since directed her first film in 2007. He's an accomplished jazz pianist. Additional Clue: (Highlight for the clue if you are about ready to give up) At the 2005 Oscars (covering the films of 2004) he was the only nominee for the Best Actor that played a fictitious character. Give Up? Click Here
Don't give away the answer in the comments, but help me out... What did you think of this one? Clues too easy? Which one gave it away for you? »
- Brad Brevet
What I Watched, What You Watched: Installment #20
15 hours ago
This week it was a pair of Italian cinema greats and one of the best films of 2009. I also watched Inglourious Basterds on Blu-ray as well as a second helping of Public Enemies, but reviews of both of those will be just around the corner so no further mentions here.
Ginger and Fred (1986) Quick Thoughts: If you're any kind of fan of Italian cinema and/or Federico Fellini you know the names of Marcello Mastroianni and Giulietta Masina. If you don't you really should. Might I recommend picking up La Strada, 8 1/2, Nights of Cabiria and La Dolce Vita. That should be a good primer and should have you falling in love with these two. Once you've done that, pick up Ginger and Fred as this is a film to be watched only after enjoying these two charismatic actors in their younger years as they are both much older in this film, »
- Brad Brevet
Check Out the 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' Sneak Peek Trailer
19 hours ago
The upcoming December 8 DVD and Blu-ray release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince contains a 50 second sneak peek at Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and thanks to Jeremy at Hpana we have it for your enjoyment.
As Hpana points out, the video includes brief introductions from David Yates and David Heyman, as well as behind the scenes footage and the 50-second long teaser to the film, centered around the three hallows.
You can check it out directly below.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I hits theaters on November 19, 2010 and Part II arrives July 15, 2011. The first two images from Part I are now online and can be viewed in our gallery here. »
- Brad Brevet
'Beverly Hills Cop' is 25 Years Old Today... Can You Believe It?
5 December 2009 2:38 AM, PST
Reading up on the history of Beverly Hills Cop, it never should have worked. By the time the movie went into production, there were about 8 billion different versions of the script. The final product was basically scotch-taped together from those different versions and whatever else didn't work was improvised by the cast.
Way back when, the story looked like a star vehicle for Al Pacino or James Caan in what would have been a much more serious take on the story. Then Mickey Rourke was attached. Then Rourke walked. Sylvestor Stallone came on board for an even bloodier version that never came to fruition because it would have been too expensive (reportedly Stallone took many of that version's ideas and made Cobra. I'm assuming it was most of the really bad ideas). So what did the studio do with what was once a serious tale of revenge? They made it a comedy. »
- Andre Rivas
Pfriday's Poster Puzzles: December 4, 2009
4 December 2009 5:54 PM, PST
My apologies for the delay, I completely forgot this week... Thanks to Kevin for the reminder.
The rules for this one are simple. I have washed away all the credit details from the poster snippet above leaving only the cast names. Your job is to guess the title of the movie. Be sure to spell correctly, misspelled titles are wrong answers.
[poster_form]
Give Up? Click Here »
- Brad Brevet
'The Road' is Expanding On December 18 and Here are the Target Cities
4 December 2009 4:44 PM, PST
I obviously don't do this for most films, or really any films for that matter, but considering I alerted you to the markets The Road would first be hitting on its November 25 release I figured I may as well keep you up-to-date as the information continued to roll in. And guess what, information has rolled in.
On December 18, The Road will be expanding and I have been told by a Weinstein Co. rep they are targeting 53 additional markets around the Us. Now when I say "targeting" that means they are still working on confirming theatres. So while your city's name may be on this list it still isn't 100-percent confirmed. Cleveland Indianapolis Hartford and#038; New Haven Charlotte Raleigh-Durham Nashville Cincinnati Milwaukee Columbus, Oh Greenvll-Spart-Ashevll-And Salt Lake City Memphis Norfolk-Portsmth-Newpt Nws West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce Buffalo Louisville Albuquerque-Santa Fe Providence-New Bedford Las Vegas Fresno- Visalia Albany-Schenectady-Troy Little Rock-Pine Bluff »
- Brad Brevet
First Looks at Natalie Portman and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in 'Hesher'
4 December 2009 3:05 AM, PST
Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Hesher I have plenty of images for films that will be showing at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, but I have been previewing so many images lately I don't want this site to turn into some sort of image machine where people don't read anymore so I am going to space them out a little bit. However, when I have your first look at Natalie Portman and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Spencer Susser's Hesher it seems a little silly to hold out.
The film is written by Susser and David Michod from a story by Brian Charles Frank, in which an awkward 13-year-old boy living with his pill-popping father (Rainn Wilson) and grandmother. His mother recently passed away and a loser twenty-something named Hesher (Gordon-Levitt) has entered the young man's life serving as both a good and bad influence. Portman, who is producing the film with Lucy Cooper, »
- Brad Brevet
This Weekend at the Movies: December 4, 2009
4 December 2009 3:01 AM, PST
Brothers and Everybody's Fine are getting the widest distribution, Armored wasn't screened for critics, Up In the Air is landing in only 15 theaters and The Last Station is only in New York and L.A. before expanding on January 15. Hmmm, not a lot to pick from when it comes to "new" releases.
Armored Armored wasn't screened for critics, which is a shame considering it looks so dumb it could be a lot of fun. Unfortunately, if I'm going to pay for anything in the theaters at the moment it will be for a second helping of Fantastic Mr. Fox.
This film is rated PG-13 for sequences of intense violence, some disturbing images and brief strong language. Click Here For The Gallery Of 22 Pictures Get More Info
Brothers Brothers is an extremely well-acted film, but the story just doesn't come together. I guess if you are into extremely depressing films, with »
- Brad Brevet
Movie Review: Up In the Air (2009)
4 December 2009 1:56 AM, PST
Anna Kendrick and George Clooney in Up In the Air
Photo: Paramount Pictures Considering how much time he spends in the air, Ryan Bingham's (George Clooney) goals in life aren't too lofty. His sights are currently set on reaching 10 million miles on his frequent flier account and beyond that I guess the friendly skies are his oyster, but he doesn't seem to show any interest in grabbing hold of the pearl.
Ryan flies 270 days a year and lives out of his carry-on as he moves from city-to-city as, what he calls, a Termination Facilitator. Yup, how's that for reflecting the nation's current employment climate? Ryan works for a termination outsourcing company that sends people out to do the job corporate big wigs are too scared to do. He'll fire you, hand you a packet and give you a few words of encouragement to help you along your way to a "better" life. »
- Brad Brevet
Movie Review: Brothers (2009)
4 December 2009 1:48 AM, PST
Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal in Brothers
Photo: Lionsgate Sam (Tobey Maguire) is the good brother. He followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Marines. He married Grace (Natalie Portman) and has two young daughters. Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal) is the bad brother. He just got out of jail and enjoys a good drink (or six) at the local bar. Jim Sheridan's Brothers, a remake of Susanne Bier's 2004 film, uses the differences between the two siblings to establish a setting for a devastating domestic melodrama highly proficient in telling its story, but it will send you home in a heap.
Using the war in Afghanistan as the catalyst to tell this bleak and depressing story we are entrenched as Sam is presumably killed and lay witness to the resulting depression his death causes at home. Predictably, Tommy helps Grace around the home and the two form something of an ambiguous relationship. »
- Brad Brevet
Movie Review: Everybody's Fine (2009)
4 December 2009 1:40 AM, PST
Robert De Niro in Everybody's Fine
Photo: Miramax Films Directed by Kirk Jones (Nanny McPhee), Everybody's Fine is this year's family Christmas film. Unfortunately, it never really becomes anything more than a semi-sweet story, good enough for a weekend rental, not necessarily worthy of your theatrical dollar.
Robert De Niro stars as Frank, a man who's just lost his wife. We first meet him as he is preparing for the arrival of his children for a family get together. Unfortunately, after the wine is purchased and a new barbeque is in place, each of them cancels at the last minute. As a result, he decides if they won't come to him, he'll go to them. Against his doctor's wishes, Frank packs up and leaves his home where he eats alone and his only true joy is his garden and sets out on his cross-country journey.
Each visit offers its own difficulties, »
- Brad Brevet
The 2010 Warner Bros. Preview Brings 'Sex,' 'Titans,' 'Potter' and Much More
3 December 2009 7:43 PM, PST
Warner Bros. has debuted their 2010 picture preview giving us our first look at select films out of the 23 features they have set for the new year. I have added new images from the likes of The Book of Eli starring Denzel Washington, Edge of Darkness with Mel Gibson, our first look at Sex and the City 2, Kevin Smith's currently untitled new comedy with Tracey Morgan and Bruce Willis, Jonah Hex, Ben Affleck's The Town, and, of course, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
All the cast, director and synopsis information is listed over the course of the next few pages as well as all the release dates for 23 upcoming films. Gallery links have been added for all films and remember, the links open in a new browser window so just close the new window to return to this article and continue the preview.
The Book Of Eli January 15 Photo: Warner Bros. »
- Brad Brevet
Box-Office Oracle: Dec. 4 - Dec. 6, 2009
3 December 2009 4:32 PM, PST
#1 movie predicted correctly: 5 Weeks in a Row 1. The Blind Side This prediction is high, I know, I'm only knocking it 25 percent. But it's only getting stronger, and word of mouth is carrying the day. Get ready for a flood of Sandra Bullock stories come Monday. Estimate: $30.1 million 2. The Twilight Saga: New Moon This, on the other hand, is soooooo November. The teens have moved on, and it will fall 58 percent this weekend. Twilight went from a 62 percent drop to a 50 percent drop. So it follows that New Moon will go from a 70 percent bleed to a 58 percent dip. Estimate: $18.0 million 3. 2012 It performed admirably last weekend, and the lack of competition will help prop it up for one more round. Estimate: $11.1 million 4. Old Dogs Where did all the new releases go? Has anyone seen them? Estimate: $9.3 million 5. A Christmas Carol I read on another site that this wasn't a "flop" but the numbers don't lie. »
- Laremy Legel
Sundance 2010 Non-Competition Line-Up Looks Strong
3 December 2009 3:30 PM, PST
Yesterday we got the list for the films playing in competition at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and today we get the rest of the films that will be featured and there are quite a few that make 2010 look much stronger based on pedigree alone than I have seen in quite some time. Variety has a big write-up detailing the categories and more on the festival right here, but I am just going to offer up the titles and let you sort it all out.
The titles already in the RopeofSilicon database are linked.
Premieres
All films are from the United States unless otherwise noted Abel (Mexico-u.S.), the directorial debut of actor Diego Luna, written by Luna and Agusto Mendoza, about a peculiar young boy who, as he blurs reality and fantasy, takes over the responsibilities of a family man in his father's absence. With Jose Maria Yazpik, Karina Gidi, »
- Brad Brevet
'Up In the Air' Takes Top Film Award from National Board of Review
3 December 2009 12:47 PM, PST
Hey there, my prediction came true, and perhaps this gut feeling I have about Jason Reitman's Up In the Air is accurate as the National Board of Review just named the Paramount pic the best film of 2009.
Continuing its reign, George Clooney also won Best Actor in a shared prize with Morgan Freeman who stars in Invictus as Nelson Mandela, and my current pic to win the Oscar Best Actress, Carey Mulligan, took top honors in the Best Actress category for An Education.
Anna Kendrick continued the Up In the Air love with a Best Supporting Actress win and Reitman was also recognized for Best Adapted Screenplay.
However, Eastwood maintained his Nbr presence with a Best Director win as well as seeing Invictus get listed as one of the top ten films of the year alongside the likes of Star Trek, Where the Wild Things Are, Inglourious Basterds and 500 Days of Summer. »
- Brad Brevet
Oscar Update: Latest Batch of Predictions Find 'Up In the Air' In the Lead
3 December 2009 3:05 AM, PST
Next week I see Invictus, Nine and Avatar and if this week's screening of The Lovely Bones hadn't been bumped I would pretty much have the major Oscar contenders in the bag. I recently received screeners for Broken Embraces and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus which means The Last Station and Crazy Heart are really the only other two films evading me at the moment. Even though I would like to see what all the fuss about The White Ribbon is, but due time should take care of that.
Now, before we get to the predictions you should know we are coming up on the time of year when critic circles and organizations begin handing out their top ten lists and today will see the first of those lists as the National Board of Review will be doling out their awards later today. Last year Slumdog Millioniare won the org's »
- Brad Brevet
New Oscar Scripts: 'Basterds,' 'Nine,' 'The Road' and 'A Single Man'
3 December 2009 3:01 AM, PST
Photo: The Weinstein Co. The Weinstein Co. has opened up the doors to their awards site and with it comes four new scripts bringing the total number of Oscar contending scripts available online up to 23. The films we now have screenplays for include Inglourious Basterds, The Road, Nine and A Single Man. I have added direct links to each screenplay directly below along with the previous 19 scripts for films from Sony Pictures Classics, Focus Features, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, Overture Films and Universal Pictures.
Below you will get links to the award sites as well as links to each screenplay, with the newest scripts marked as such. Remember to bookmark our The Contenders section and/or subscribe to the Contenders RSS Feed for continuous awards updates.
The Weinstein Co. (visit awards site) Inglourious Basterds Download the Scriptandlaquo; New! Nine Download the Scriptandlaquo; New! The Road Download the Scriptandlaquo; New! A Single Man Download the Scriptandlaquo; New! »
- Brad Brevet
Film Stars Recreate Their Iconic Roles for Empire
2 December 2009 8:39 PM, PST
Mel Gibson recreating his role from Braveheart
Photo: Empire Magazine Empire has debuted a 30 image gallery featuring the likes of Christian Bale, Tom Cruise, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mel Gibson, Gerard Butler, Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Matt Damon, Clint Eastwood, Jack Nicholson, Laurence Fishburne and so on and so on, recreating some of their iconic film roles.
I have included a select few in this post, but to check all of them out click here. Too bad they didn't get Ewan McGregor in there to recreate his Trainspotting toilet scene.
Arnold Schwarzenegger recreating his role from The Terminator
Photo: Empire Magazine Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster recreating their roles from The Silence of he Lambs
Photo: Empire Magazine Tom Cruise recreating his role from Minority Report
Photo: Empire Magazine Christian Bale, Gerard Butler and Laurence Fishburne recreating their roles from American Psycho, 300 and The Matrix
Photo: Empire Magazine »
- Brad Brevet
First Looks at Kristen Stewart in Sundance Entry 'Welcome to the Rileys'
2 December 2009 6:39 PM, PST
Kristen Stewart in Welcome to the Rileys
Photo: Argonaut Pictures One film sure to make a splash at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, whether it is liked or not, is Jake Scott's Welcome to the Rileys starring James Gandolfini, Kristen Stewart and Melissa Leo and I have your first five looks at the film. Yes, it's because it stars the Twilight star Kristen Stewart, but it's the role she is playing that is going to attract watchful eyes.
Stewart plays a lap dancer and prostitute in the film, which follows a damaged man (Gandolfini) who seeks salvation while on a business trip to New Orleans. Salvation is apparently sought by caring for Stewart's character, Mallory, a troubled young woman. Gandolfini's character and his wife (Leo) were driven apart by grief after losing their daughter.
The first stills from the film have just come in and while they don't show any skin, »
- Brad Brevet
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