|
Harley Lond - wrote on 10/22/12 at 08:33 PM CT
There's four fairly forgettable films moving from the big screen to DVD this week. Topping the list is the kind and gentle "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World," a quiet dissertation on what it means to be human -- even in times of disaster. Despite the title and premise -- the movie begins when there's 21 days left on Earth before an asteroid smashes into the planet -- there's no de...
|
|
Chris Kavan - wrote on 10/21/12 at 10:31 PM CT
It was another good week for Hollywood, as the top 12 films managed a 10% increase from last year at the same time, but while the numbers were good, considering the prospects, things should have been a bit better.
Leading the charge was perennial Halloween franchise Paranormal Activity. The fourth film took the top spot with $30.2 million. While that number still looks great next to a $5 milli...
|
|
|
Chris Kavan - wrote on 10/18/12 at 06:21 PM CT
After early September brought nothing but bad news, it's looking like October is providing the turnaround Hollywood needs. This week, it's going to be up to a horror franchise to keep those wheels turning. I have good feeling that with Halloween just around the corner, it's going to be another winning weekend. Combined with strong holdovers, the new entries should help make a big mark at the box ...
|
|
|
Harley Lond - wrote on 10/15/12 at 07:01 PM CT
Pick of the week: "Moonrise Kingdom"
It has been three years since director Wes Anderson blessed us with the whimsical "Fantastic Mr. Fox." Though we enjoyed "Fox," we must admit that we've been patiently waiting for an Anderson film to match the pure joy and whimsey of 2004's "The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou" ("The Darjeeling Limited" was Anderson off his game) -- and it has been we...
|
|
|
Chris Kavan - wrote on 10/14/12 at 11:27 PM CT
It was another successful weekend for Hollywood, as the top 12 wound up 59% ahead of the same weekend last year. Two newcomers couldn't quite take the top spot, but still impressed with good numbers - though not every new film could boast exceptional openings.
In first place for the second straight weekend was Liam Neeson's Taken 2. Thought the film took a 55% drop, it managed to take in $22....
|
|
|
Chris Kavan - wrote on 10/11/12 at 05:32 PM CT
For two weeks now, Hollywood has reveled in grosses that, while maybe not wiping out the humdrum September, certainly help. This week, with a broad comedy, a horror in anticipation for Halloween and a potential Oscar contender, not to mention some movies that should have a strong second weekend, I think we're looking at a three-peat up weekend. I have high hopes for some, little to no hope for ot...
|
|
|
Chris Kavan - wrote on 10/09/12 at 07:31 PM CT
It's hard to imagine, but Oscar season is about to heat up. As we get closer and closer to the end of the year, Hollywood always seems to ramp up their contenders for the big awards show. That's not to say something that is released early in the year can't win (Hurt Locker comes to mind) but let's face it, most nominees seem to come out later in the year. This year, if I had to guess, films like ...
|
|
|
Harley Lond - wrote on 10/09/12 at 12:56 AM CT
This week's highlights:
Thirty-three years ago Ridley Scott unleashed a monster on the collective moviegoing consciousness that has never been duplicated for sheer terror and science fiction inventiveness. Like "Star Wars" just before it, "Alien" has been imitated countless times -- with three sequels and numerous knock-offs -- but its legacy is unique in cinematic history. For some thr...
|
|
|
Chris Kavan - wrote on 10/07/12 at 10:18 PM CT
Last week represented a big turnaround for Hollywood and it looks like the beginning of October continues to hold good news for studios. While not every film performed in line with expectations, the good outweighed the bad and the total box office wound up 55% higher than last year over the same weekend.
A lot of the reason for this success was the opening of Taken 2. Liam Neeson's movie may n...
|
|
|
Chris Kavan - wrote on 10/04/12 at 12:17 PM CT
Last week, it was a win for studios as, after many disappointing box office returns, finally we had a reason to celebrate as the one-two punch of Hotel Transylvania and Looper lifted the total to a 21% improvement compared to 2011. Can Hollywood make it two weeks in a row? With a solid action films, a film that has made big waves in limited release and another Halloween-themed animated film, chan...
|
|
|
