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2010/11/08 at 12:00am

‘Megamind’ is #1 at the box office!

11.8.2010 | By Mack Chico |

After a disappointing few weekends, the US box office enjoyed a healthy bump in the last three days as three new movies opened wide to successful returns. Topping the charts was DreamWorks’ latest 3D ‘toon, Megamind, with the superhero comedy earning $47.6 million, putting it ahead of Todd Phillips’ new comedy Due Date. The Robert Downey Jr/Zach Galifianakis road trip pic nabbed a strong $33.5 million, winning second place.

Tyler Perry’s latest, For Colored Girls, was third with a solid $20.1 million. Rounding out the top five were Red, which is holding strong, and dropped just one place to fourth with $8.8 million, despite having been out for a month now, and Saw 3D, which toppled from the top to land in fifth, adding $8.2 million for a running total of $38.8 million.

But though Jigsaw and co are still ahead of Paranormal Activity 2 in terms of chart placing, the scary sequel is easily outperforming the torture title, adding $7.2 million to a current total of $77.2 million after three weeks. They’re both put to shame by Jackass 3D in seventh, which made $5 million this weekend and is well over $110 million.

Clint Eastwood’s Hereafter slipped to eighth with $4.1 million and Secretariat dropped to ninth with $4 million. Finally, in 10th, we find The Social Network, which will likely leave the top 10 next week and made $3.6 million.

1. Megamind, $47,7 millon

2. Due Date, $33,5 millons

3. For Colored Girls, $20,1 millons

4. Red, $8,9 millons

5. Saw 3D, $8,2 millons

6. Paranormal Activity 2, $7,3 millons

7. Jackass 3D, $5,1 millons

8. Hereafter, $4,02 millons

9. Secretariat, $4 millons

10. The Social Network, $3,6 millons

It’s true! Rubik’s Cube will have its own film

By Jack Rico

2010/11/05 at 12:00am

Movies

It’s true! Rubik’s Cube will have its own film

11.5.2010 | By Jack Rico |

New York (USA), Nov. 5 (ShowBizCafe.com) – We know this sounds like a joke, but I promise you, it’s all true. In recent years, large toy properties have attracted big name directors to bring their toys over to the big screen. An example is Ridley Scott who is in pre-production of ‘Monopoly‘ and Peter Berg who is on the final touches of ‘Battleship‘. Now we learn that CAA (the largest talent agency in Hollywood) is playing and making a movie of ‘Rubik’s Cube.’ The cube has an agent!

A Rubik’s Cube is a puzzle whose sides are divided into squares of one color that can change position. The objective of solving the puzzle is achieved by putting all the squares on one side of the cube with the same color.

Now pardon my lack of creativity, but seriously, can you tell me how these guys are going to make a film with quality and substance from this? All I can think of is the Hellraiser box that opened a door to hell. But that premise is now used.

CAA is one of the most powerful agencies in Hollywood, representing the likes of George Clooney and Oprah, so if anyone knows how to make a movie from a toy, it’s these guys. Richard Lovett, president of the brand of a Rubik’s cube, believes in the potential to make a movie about an iconic toy. However, the notion of making a movie about this toy feels absurd at this time.

Friends … I really think this will happen. For now, there are no more specific details on the movie, but I promise we’ll be following this story closely.

‘Ghostbusters 3’ could start shooting May 2011!

By Jack Rico

2010/11/02 at 12:00am

Movies

‘Ghostbusters 3’ could start shooting May 2011!

11.2.2010 | By Jack Rico |

New York (USA), Nov. 2 (ShowBizCafe.com) – After his appearance as Dr. Peter Venkman, the main character in 1984’s Ghostbusters, at the Scream Awards 2010 on Spike TV a few weeks ago, actor Bill Murray once again fueled speculation that the highly anticipated second sequel is back on track. So will it happen or not?

A new rumor has seeped through the cracks once again, this time from Production Weekly, who says that there is a definite shooting date. According to them, Sony Pictures could have Ghostbusters 3 begin production in May 2011. If this date is true, we could have our long-awaited film for summer 2012! The only uncertainty we have is the truth of the rumor, and boy, have we heard our share of them the past two years. What encourages us though, without doubt, is Murray’s appearance at the Awards. It gives us a good indication that he now seems to be excited to embody his old role again after 26 years.

Developing the next installment of Ghostbusters has been a tremendous mess, mostly due to Bill Murray. His disinterest in being Venkman again and his disenchantment with the screenplay by Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky have by far been the most difficult challenges. Dan Aykroyd, part of the core four, has been doing several rewrites trying to intertwine the old and the new generation of Ghostbusters fans. As we understand, Murray and Aykroyd are on a path to agreement.

Does the picture of Bill Murray scream out anything to you? This is happening!

The film’s original director, Ivan Reitman, is willing to start shooting as soon as possible with the rest of the cast – Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson and even Rick Moranis, who might come out of a 20 year retirement to reprise his role as Louis Tully.

We will have to cross our fingers and wait patiently for these Ghostbusters finally agree on giving us the latest installment of one of the most beloved films of the decades of the 80’s and 90’s.

Spielberg and Jackson reveal first stills from ‘Tintin’!

By Jack Rico

2010/11/01 at 12:00am

Movies

Spielberg and Jackson reveal first stills from ‘Tintin’!

11.1.2010 | By Jack Rico |

New York (USA), Nov. 1 (ShowBizCafe.com) – Tintin, on of the most famous and iconic European cartoon characters in history finally returns to silver screen. After having six films in his name, Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson reveal the first movie stills, via England’s Empire Magazine, from the seventh chapter in The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn.

The pair of photos shows Captain Haddock (voice of Andy Serkis) alone screaming at someone and the other with Tintin (voice of James Bell) and Haddock caught at sea seeking help.

The film was not made with traditional animation, but 3D motion capture in which the actors movements are captured digitally, and then in post, are converted to animation.

Steven Spielberg, the director of the film, talks about the plot: “The first part of the film, which is the most mysterious part, certainly owes much to not only film noir but the whole German Brechtian theatre — some of our night scenes and our action scenes are very contrasty. But at the same time the movie is a hell of an adventure.”

Master filmmaker and producer Peter Jackson, whose company Weta is in charge of special effects, says the visuals “With live action you’re going to have actors pretending to be Captain Haddock and Tintin. You’d be casting people to look like them. It’s not really going to feel like the Tintin Hergé drew. It’s going to be somewhat different. With CGI we can bring Hergé’s world to life, keep the stylised caricatured faces, keep everything looking like Hergé’s artwork, but make it photo-real.”

The film also stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as Thompson and Thomson, respectively, and Daniel Craig as Red Rackham. It also features Cary Elwes, Toby Jones, Mackenzie Crook and Daniel Mays.

For those unaware of the lore of Tintin, he is one of the most influential twentieth-century cartoons. He was created by the Belgian author Georges Remi (Hergé) in 1930.

Although it’ll take more than a year for the release of Tintin’s movie (the film comes out in theaters on December 28, 2011 in the USA) you can behold the first images of the film.

The New York City Horror Film Festival awards Krueger

By Jack Rico

2010/10/31 at 12:00am

Movies

The New York City Horror Film Festival awards Krueger

10.31.2010 | By Jack Rico |

{New York, NY, October 31, 2010) – The New York City Horror Film Festival (www.nychorrorfest.com) today announced their full programming slate of short and feature films, featuring over 50 films submitted from the United States and some 15 countries from around the world. The 2010 NYCHFF takes place November 9 thru 14, 2010 at the Tribeca Cinemas, located at 54 Varick Street at Canal Street. The Festival’s Opening Night Gala will take place this year at Soirée (199 Bowery at Spring Street) on November 10 at 8:00pm. The gala is open to the public and will feature live performances, short films, complimentary cocktails, and more.

The 9th Annual NYCHFF Feature Presentations are:

DON’T GO IN THE WOODS (Noncompetition) Directed by Vincent D’Onofrio.
– An indie rock band of five young men heads into the woods for a weekend of creative inspiration away from modern distractions. New songs are sung and written but female groupies crash the creative jam session causing distraction. In traditional slasher movie style, characters begin disappearing and are violently killed by a crazed murderer. Unlike a traditional horror film, DON’T GO IN THE WOODS is a musical with scenes of characters singing while being murdered. The film oozes with thrills and a dark sense of humor complemented by a solid rock soundtrack. {US}

YELLOWBRICKROAD (Competition) Directed by Frank Holland
– In the Fall of 1940, the entire population of Friar, New Hampshire walked together up a winding mountain trail and into the wilderness. Without warning, they left behind everything: their homes, their clothes, and their money. The only clue where they went was a single word etched into stone near the forest’s edge: YELLOWBRICKROAD. In 2009, the coordinates for the ‘YELLOWBRICKROAD’ trail head are declassified. An expedition begins in hope of answers. A few among them believe they will find something terrible in the forest. But it is the forest that will find something terrible in them. {US}

BEREAVEMENT (Competition) Directed by Stevan Mena
– The horrific account of 6 year old Martin Bristol, abducted from his backyard swing and forced to witness the brutal crimes of a deranged madman. {US}

THE PACK (Competition) Directed by Franck Richard
– In the middle of a snowy no man’s land, Charlotte picks up Max, a hitchhiker; they stop in a truck-stop restaurant, and when Max doesn’t come back from the bathroom, Charlotte starts looking for him in vain. She decides to return during the night but gets kidnapped by the bartender, La Spack, who turns out to be Max’s mother and needs to feed her kids, ‘The pack’, a bunch of blood lusting ghouls. Alone and in the middle of nowhere, she quickly realizes… she’s next on the menu! {France}

OUTCAST (Competition) Directed by Colm McCarthy
– OUTCAST is the tale of Petronella, a Scottish/Romany girl, and Fergal, her mysterious Irish traveler boyfriend. As their doomed relationship plays out, a Beast stalks the estate, killing locals, working its way towards our protagonists. Meanwhile Cathal and Liam, two mysterious travelers from Ireland use ritual and magic on a blood hunt. Mary, Fergal’s mother performs ritual and magic of her own. In a vicious finale we know one thing: the Beast must die. {UK}

TICKED OFF TRANNIES WITH KNIVES (Competition) Directed by Israel Luna
– A group of trannies are violently bashed and left for dead. The surviving ladies regain consciousness, confidence, and courage ready to seek out revenge on the ones who attacked them. {US}

KISS THE ABYSS (Competition) Directed by Ken Winkler
– When a young woman is brutally killed by an intruder, her husband and estranged father conspire to bring her back from the dead with the help of a mysterious desert dweller. Soon after she awakens, she begins to realize that something is horribly wrong… {US}

WON TON BABY (Noncompetition) Directed by James Morgart
Thirty years ago brothel owner Rachel “Madam” Won Ton found herself one drug-filled night involved with her wildest client. That encounter leaves the Madam pregnant. She decides to move on for “cleaner” life. Today, her brothel converted into a Chinese restaurant, the Madam’s past continues to haunt her. However, her continued social scorn is the least of her concerns when she learns her adult daughter, Lily, has a parasitic twin growing in her belly! When the fetus is removed, it is not only alive; it possesses a mutated umbilical cord. The baby’s mass murdering and eating of the locals forces the Madam to confront a secret she’s hidden for years. Can the Madam solve things before it’s too late or has she sealed her family’s fate by the release of the child? {US}

A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET
Lifetime Achievement Award Presentation to Actor/Director Robert Englund
– In the dreams of his victims, a spectral child murderer stalks the children of the members of the lynch mob that killed him. A print of this film will screen as part of the Lifetime achievement program dedicated to Actor /Director Robert Englund. {US}

Also part of the program this year’s program are the four audience choice award winners of the Killer Shorts Sudden Death Competitions that was held in conjunction with Wizard Conventions throughout the spring and summer of 2010. The winners are:

Wizard Anaheim –              WRITTEN BY, directed by Karni Baghdikian
Wizard Philadelphia –        NOW THAT YOU’RE DEAD, directed by Patrick Rea
Wizard Chicago –                GET OFF MY PORCH, directed by Patrick Rea
Wizard New York –              LET’S MAKE A TAPE, directed by Jorge Abreu

NYC HORROR FILM FESTIVAL (NYCHFF) was founded in 2001 by Film Producer and Director

Michael J. Hein. The festival is dedicated to the international genre film community and there are no restrictions on the films screened during the festivals. Programs include short and feature films screened both in and out of competition. The Festival jury presents awards to films in the categories of Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Best Cinematography, Best Special Effects, Best Actor / Actress, Best Screenplay for films showcased, and an Audience Choice Award. The NYCHFF also presents an annual Lifetime achievement award. Past recipients include director George A. Romero, Special Effects Artist and Director Tom Savini, Producer and Director Roger Corman, and Producer and Director Mick Garris. Over the last nine years the festival has grown into America’s largest and most recognized genre film festival focusing solely on Horror, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Thrillers. Each year the NYCHFF celebrates both the horror classics we grew up with and new genre films & filmmakers who created them and fills the city with special screenings, parties, celebrity guests and free giveaways. For more information visit the festival’s website at www.nychorrorfest.com

‘Justin Bieber 3D’ makes its trailer debut

By Jack Rico

2010/10/26 at 12:00am

Movies

‘Justin Bieber 3D’ makes its trailer debut

10.26.2010 | By Jack Rico |

New York (USA), Oct. 26 (ShowBizCafe.com) – With the shocking success of ‘Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert’ and ‘Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience,’ Paramount Pictures decided to take the story of the young Canadian singer Justin Bieber to the big screen in a biopic directed by Jon Chu entitled ‘Justin Bieber: Never Say Never 3D’. The film, which premieres on February 11, 2011, Valentine’s Day, had its debut last night at his concert in Los Angeles and now you can see it in the video below.

The trailer begins with images of Justin as a child singing and playing musical instruments, all as part of his daily life. The focus then switches to his beginnings as a star and famous people who helped him along the road to fame. Finally we see testimonies of love from his fans and the songs they all obsessively sing as ‘Baby’ and ‘Somebody to Love’. The film ends with Bieber giving words of encouragement to his audience – “there will be times when people tell you you cannot live your dreams,” says Bieber. “This is what I say: Never say never”

The business of ‘Bieber’ continues to boom all around – I mean he has even signed a deal with publisher Harper Collins to create a memoir on his life and his path to the top of the music industry. This guy has become an economic attraction for film executives and publishers who see enormous potential to make money in a variety of properties.

Initially, the documentary filmmaker Davis Guggenheim (It Might Get Loud, An Inconvenient Truth) was going to make the Bieber project, but looks his fans got on him. Guggenheim left the project after receiving a deluge of criticism via the web by his own fans. Scooter Braun, his manager and LA Reid, chairman of Island Def Jam, will produce the film.

‘Paranormal Activity 2’ is #1 at the box office

By Mack Chico

2010/10/24 at 12:00am

Movies

‘Paranormal Activity 2’ is #1 at the box office

10.24.2010 | By Mack Chico |

A week away from Halloween, film goers chose to see a horror movie this weekend, in which “Paranormal Activity 2” topped the box office and moved up on last week’s, “Jackass 3D.”

The sequel to the successful 2009 horror film in which a family is haunted by strange presences, generated $41.5 million.

Meanwhile, “Jackass 3D”, the new film about the adventures of Johnny Konxville and his crazy team of stuntmen, had to settle this week for second place, to raise revenues by $ 21.6 million, published DPA.

“Red” by Robert Schwentke, was third. The action comedy about a retired FBI agent starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren generated $15 million. Since its debut last week, the film earned more than $43 million in total.

1. Paranormal Activity 2 — $41.5 mil
2. Jackass 3D — $21.6 mil
3. Red — $15 mil
4. Hereafter — $12 mil
5. The Social Network — $7.3 mil

Michael Peña joins ‘Tower Heist’ from Brett Ratner

By Mack Chico

2010/10/21 at 12:00am

Movies

Michael Peña joins ‘Tower Heist’ from Brett Ratner

10.21.2010 | By Mack Chico |

Michael PeÃ±a joins 'Tower Heist' from Brett Ratner

Director Brett Ratner has added two more cast members to his upcoming project Tower Heist, with Gabourey Sidibe and Michael Peña both joining the cast, according to Deadline New York.

Gabourey Sidibe and Michael Peña will play employees in a luxury apartment building who, lead by Ben Stiller‘s character, attempt to rob the scheming man in the penthouse. He is on house arrest for fraud, and he robbed these same employees of their pensions.

The two actors join a cast that already includes Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy. Alan Alda will play the white-collar criminal responsible for stealing the employees’ pensions.

Brett Ratner will direct from a script by Jeff Nathanson, who is rewriting Ted Griffin‘s original screenplay. It was said that production was set to start next month in New York.

Tower Heist comes to theaters in 2011 and stars Ben Stiller, Alan Alda, Eddie Murphy, Gabourey Sidibe, Michael Peña. The film is directed by Brett Ratner.

It’s official – Hellraiser will have a remake!

By Mack Chico

2010/10/19 at 12:00am

Movies

It’s official – Hellraiser will have a remake!

10.19.2010 | By Mack Chico |

Recently Bloodydisgusting.com posted news of a new teen version of Hellraiser being developed by The Weinstein Company. The rumor is that the horror film will be made with the highest quality and with a huge budget. Producers are currently negotiating with Christian E. Christiansen (The Roommate) to direct and actress Amber Heard (Zombieland, The Stepfather, The Joneses) to star. The film has in mind to attract teenage kids to the theater and to obtain a PG-13 rating.

The idea of doing a version for teenagers is catching on among many studios, but we don’t think it necessarily is the right move for every ocassion. The original ‘Hellraiser’ is a classic of the horror genre and to dilute it to a teen audience that demands a lot of Hollywoodisms is perhaps a bit inconsiderate to the reputation of the film.

Meanwhile, the Weinsteins, as we speak, are in production of a low-budget version of the film with the intention of preserving the rights to the franchise. The film is called ‘Hellraiser: Revelations’ and will be helmed by Spanish director Victor Garcia who has made ‘Mirrors 2’ and ‘Return to House on Haunted Hill,’ all straight to DVD.

The Christiansen ‘Hellraiser remake’ has been a project that has been making the rounds since 2006, with several directors and actors attached to the production. Originally scheduled for a premiere in 2009, the film has had trouble seeing the day of light until now.

For those who have not seen the original Hellraiser, 1987, the plot revolves around Frank Cotton, a young man, violent and ambitious China acquires a box from an oriental bazaar and endowed with powers. According to ancient legend, is a kind of door to beings from another dimension. Cotton calls to open these creatures from hell fantastic, but these storms to infringe You can kill it. Twenty years later, two new tenants settle in Frank’s old house: his brother and his wife. The emergence of the spirit of Frank is the beginning of a maelstrom of horror in its purest form that your family will go crazy. A drop of blood spilled accidentally by his brother on the floor of loft, is the trigger of the tragedy. Frank, in order to regain his old form, humans need blood to provide it, secretly the wife of his brother.

Jackass 3D is #1 at the box office. Unbelievable but true!

By Mack Chico

2010/10/18 at 12:00am

Movies

Jackass 3D is #1 at the box office. Unbelievable but true!

10.18.2010 | By Mack Chico |

Johnny Knoxville and his “Jackass” gang are even bigger hits in three dimensions. “Jackass 3D,” their latest big-screen collection of crazy stunts and antics, opened with a whopping $50 million, soaring past the debuts of their first two movies, according to studio estimates Sunday.

It was the third-straight No. 1 opening for Paramount’s franchise, which launched with a $22.8 million opening for 2002’s “Jackass: The Movie” and then a $29 million debut for 2006’s “Jackass Number Two.”

“Jackass 3D” set a record for biggest October debut, topping the $48.1 million opening weekend for “Scary Movie 3” in 2003. Premiering at No. 2 with $22.5 million was Summit Entertainment’s action comedy “Red,” starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, John Malkovich and Mary-Louise Parker in the tale of retired black-ops agents targeted by the CIA.

Despite the huge opening for “Jackass 3D,” Hollywood was unable to pull out of a box-office slide that has persisted this fall. Overall revenues totaled $133 million, down 4 percent from the same weekend last year.

Sony’s acclaimed Facebook drama “The Social Network,” which had been No. 1 the previous two weekends, held up well as it slipped to third-place. Estimated ticket sales, in millions, for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com.

1. “Jackass 3D” … $50

2. “Red” … $22.5

3. “The Social Network” … $11

4. “Secretariat” … $9.5

5. “Life as We Know It” … $9.2

6. “Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole” … $4.2

7. “The Town” … $4

8. “My Soul to Take” … $3.2

9. “Easy A” … $2.7

10. “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” … $2.4