Monday, March 21, 2011
Thriller ‘Limitless’ tops lackluster box office
Thriller “Limitless” topped North American box offices with $19 million in ticket sale over a lackluster weekend that continued Hollywood’s losing streak versus last year.
The movie, in which Bradley Cooper portrays a man who is able to exponentially increase his brainpower by taking a drug, beat animated family film “Rango,” which maintained the No. 2 spot in its third weekend in theaters with $15.3 million, according to studio estimates on Sunday.
Rounding out the top three was last week’s No. 1, alien invasion flick “Battle: Los Angeles,” which saw its box office slide nearly 60 percent from last weekend to $14.6 million.
The weekend’s two other new films were drama “The Lincoln Lawyer,” which claimed the No. 4 spot with $13.4 million, and road trip comedy “Paul,” rounding out the top 5 at just under $13.2 million.
Overall ticket sales in the United States and Canada were down roughly 10 percent from the same weekend one year ago, and it was the fourth straight weekend of a decline at box offices versus 2010, according to tracker Hollywood.com Box Office.
Year-to-date ticket sales are off 20 percent and attendance in theaters is down 21 percent against last year when “Avatar” and “Alice in Wonderland” captured moviegoers’ imaginations.
Box offices have been in the doldrums since November 2010, but Hollywood hopes that will change when its summer movie season starts in early May with a series of big-budget flicks.
“The first quarter of 2011 has been one we’d like to forget with comparisons to last year making things tough, week after week,” said Hollywood.com president Paul Dergarabedian. “Luckily help is on the way with a potentially huge and record breaking summer season.”
Where this past weekend was concerned, Relativity Media was happy with the $19 million mustered by “Limitless,” given that pre-weekend forecasting had all three of the weekend’s new releases opening in the mid-teen’s.
“To be in the high-teens and closer to $20 (million) was a pleasant surprise,” said Kyle Davies, president of theatrical distribution for closely-held Relativity. He said the movie played broadly across all age groups.
Similarly, Lions Gate distribution head David Spitz had expected an opening in the $10 million to $12 million range for adult-oriented legal drama “The Lincoln Lawyer,” starring Matthew McConaughey. Spitz said the movie enjoyed good scores from audience polling, and given its appeal to older audiences, should enjoy a “nice long run in theaters.”
Family-oriented animated comedy “Rango,” in which Johnny Depp voices the role of a chameleon cowboy, continued to surprise box office watchers with its hold on second place with only a 32 percent drop in ticket sales from last weekend. It now has accumulated $92.6 million in three weeks.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is Disney’s animated “Mars Needs Moms!” which at a reported cost of $150 million has been an expensive flop. In its second weekend, it dropped to No. 8 on box office charts from a debut at No. 5, and now has only $15.4 million in total ticket sales.
“Limitless” was released by closely held Relativity Media, “Rango” by Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc, and “Battle: Los Angeles” by Columbia Pictures, a part of the media division of giant Sony Corp. “The Lincoln Lawyer” was distributed by Lions Gate, and “Paul” by Universal Pictures, which is controlled by Comcast Corp.
Read the original story on in.movies.yahoo.com
Ex-Bollywood star Tania Zaetta arrested in Oz nightclub
Former Bollywood actress Tania Zaetta, whose dominance in the Indian film industry came to a swift end in 2008, will reportedly face court early next month after being arrested at a Gold Coast nightclub.
The Australian actress and television host spent several hours in the cells before being processed and given watch house bail, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.
She is due to face Southport Magistrates Court on April 4.
Police, however, refused to divulge her name and said a 41-year-old NSW woman was arrested at a nightclub in Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise, and charged with obstructing police and causing a public nuisance.
Her Bollywood ascendancy came to end when a scandal erupted over baseless allegations about her personal conduct while entertaining Australian troops in Afghanistan.
Claims that she had sex with Australian servicemen were leaked in a Defence briefing paper and the ensuing negative publicity tarnished her reputation at home and abroad.
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The Australian actress and television host spent several hours in the cells before being processed and given watch house bail, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.
She is due to face Southport Magistrates Court on April 4.
Police, however, refused to divulge her name and said a 41-year-old NSW woman was arrested at a nightclub in Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise, and charged with obstructing police and causing a public nuisance.
Her Bollywood ascendancy came to end when a scandal erupted over baseless allegations about her personal conduct while entertaining Australian troops in Afghanistan.
Claims that she had sex with Australian servicemen were leaked in a Defence briefing paper and the ensuing negative publicity tarnished her reputation at home and abroad.
Read the original story on in.movies.yahoo.com
Mel Gibson to start ordered community service soon
Actor Mel Gibson will begin his court ordered community service at a kid’s charity in L.A. soon.
And the ‘Braveheart’ star is already getting support from some of the parents, reports TMZ.
In fact, one set of parents associated with Mending Kids International said they are more than happy to help give the actor a ‘brand new start’ because Gibson has helped fund a life-changing series of operations for their foster son over the past couple of years.
James Nicol said his Ethiopian-born son Berhanu was only able to undergo an expensive series of medical procedures to help fix severe spinal issues because of the actor’s generosity.
Nicol said his family is still active with the organization and they are excited for any assistance Gibson can provide despite the fact his community service is the result of a plea deal in a domestic violence case.
“If Mel was coming over to our house to play ball with my son, I would not be the least bit concerned,” said Nicol, adding he completely trusts the actor around his child.
Read the original story on in.movies.yahoo.com
http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail/117609/Mel-Gibson-start-ordered-community-service-soon.html
And the ‘Braveheart’ star is already getting support from some of the parents, reports TMZ.
In fact, one set of parents associated with Mending Kids International said they are more than happy to help give the actor a ‘brand new start’ because Gibson has helped fund a life-changing series of operations for their foster son over the past couple of years.
James Nicol said his Ethiopian-born son Berhanu was only able to undergo an expensive series of medical procedures to help fix severe spinal issues because of the actor’s generosity.
Nicol said his family is still active with the organization and they are excited for any assistance Gibson can provide despite the fact his community service is the result of a plea deal in a domestic violence case.
“If Mel was coming over to our house to play ball with my son, I would not be the least bit concerned,” said Nicol, adding he completely trusts the actor around his child.
Read the original story on in.movies.yahoo.com
http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail/117609/Mel-Gibson-start-ordered-community-service-soon.html
Comic Stan Laurel’s childhood home up for grabs
The home where comic Stan Laurel once lived will be auctioned later this month.
The two-bedroom property in Bishop Auckland where Laurel, one half of duo Laurel and Hardy, lived with his thespian parents when he was a baby, is up for auction through Keith Pattinson estate agents, reports the Daily Express.
Bids for the unoccupied house start at 40,000 pounds.
Although Laurel was born in Cumbria, he spent much of his childhood in Bishop Auckland and was educated at King James Grammar School, in the town.
There is a blue commemorative plaque above the front door of the mid-terraced house, which reads: ‘Stan Laurel (Arthur Stanley Jefferson) of Laurel and Hardy lived in this house with his parents. He was baptised in St Peter’s Church on 21st October 1891’. A spokeswoman for the estate agents said she hoped the property would attract Laurel and Hardy fans.
The auction will take place at the Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club ground on March 29.
Read the original story on in.movies.yahoo.com
The two-bedroom property in Bishop Auckland where Laurel, one half of duo Laurel and Hardy, lived with his thespian parents when he was a baby, is up for auction through Keith Pattinson estate agents, reports the Daily Express.
Bids for the unoccupied house start at 40,000 pounds.
Although Laurel was born in Cumbria, he spent much of his childhood in Bishop Auckland and was educated at King James Grammar School, in the town.
There is a blue commemorative plaque above the front door of the mid-terraced house, which reads: ‘Stan Laurel (Arthur Stanley Jefferson) of Laurel and Hardy lived in this house with his parents. He was baptised in St Peter’s Church on 21st October 1891’. A spokeswoman for the estate agents said she hoped the property would attract Laurel and Hardy fans.
The auction will take place at the Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club ground on March 29.
Read the original story on in.movies.yahoo.com
Filming starts, at last, on much-delayed “Hobbit” movies
Filming began on Monday on the long-awaited “Hobbit” movies, ending years of delay due to funding problems and a labour dispute which nearly saw the project shifted out of New Zealand.
The two films are being directed by New Zealand native Peter Jackson, 49, who made the hit Oscar-winning “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
Filming will take place at Stone Street Studios in Wellington and at a number of locations around New Zealand, with the exact whereabouts a closely guarded secret.
The first of the two movies will be released in December 2012 and the second is expected a year later.
The movies have been beset by a succession of problems, most notably the threat last year by Time Warner Inc unit Warner Bros. to move production overseas because of fears unions would impose a boycott to back demands for a collective contract.
The government last year changed labour laws to keep the estimated $500 million production and increased tax breaks for Warner Bros, citing the damage that might be done to the country’s small film industry.
Before that, issues around the funding of the films saw original director Guillermo Del Toro quit in 2010.
The final challenge came from Jackson’s hospitalisation earlier this year for emergency surgery for a perforated ulcer.
“The Hobbit” is based on the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who lives in the land of Middle-earth and goes on a quest to find treasure guarded by a dragon.
The book, first published in 1937, is the precursor to the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, which also takes place in Middle-earth.
The cast for the movies includes Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Ken Stott and Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins.
Read the original story on in.movies.yahoo.com
The two films are being directed by New Zealand native Peter Jackson, 49, who made the hit Oscar-winning “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
Filming will take place at Stone Street Studios in Wellington and at a number of locations around New Zealand, with the exact whereabouts a closely guarded secret.
The first of the two movies will be released in December 2012 and the second is expected a year later.
The movies have been beset by a succession of problems, most notably the threat last year by Time Warner Inc unit Warner Bros. to move production overseas because of fears unions would impose a boycott to back demands for a collective contract.
The government last year changed labour laws to keep the estimated $500 million production and increased tax breaks for Warner Bros, citing the damage that might be done to the country’s small film industry.
Before that, issues around the funding of the films saw original director Guillermo Del Toro quit in 2010.
The final challenge came from Jackson’s hospitalisation earlier this year for emergency surgery for a perforated ulcer.
“The Hobbit” is based on the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who lives in the land of Middle-earth and goes on a quest to find treasure guarded by a dragon.
The book, first published in 1937, is the precursor to the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, which also takes place in Middle-earth.
The cast for the movies includes Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Ken Stott and Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins.
Read the original story on in.movies.yahoo.com
Small plane crashes in California
A small aircraft crashed Sunday in the US state of California, but there was no report of casualties, authorities said.
The plane was believed to be a Cessna 210, which crashed at about 12.40 p.m. local time (1940 GMT) near Barstow city, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
The airplane, which can carry up to six people, was fully engulfed in flames.
Read the original story on in.movies.yahoo.com
The plane was believed to be a Cessna 210, which crashed at about 12.40 p.m. local time (1940 GMT) near Barstow city, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
The airplane, which can carry up to six people, was fully engulfed in flames.
Read the original story on in.movies.yahoo.com
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