05.14.2012 | By Karen Posada |
The latest film Battleship is based on the classic Hasbro naval combat game. While expectations for a board game adaptation typically lean toward mindless explosions and shooting, the film fulfills exactly that premise. Beyond the impressive special effects, there is little substance to be found in this high-budget spectacle. Read More
05.14.2012 | By SBC Staff |
‘The Avengers’ continues breaking records on its second opening weekend with $103.2 million dollars, exceeding 1 billion dollars worldwide. This action movie only dropped by 50%, which is the smallest decline that any blockbuster has ever had. It surpassed the second box office weekend record that ‘Avatar’ held.
Tim Burton and Johnny Depp’s obscure film, ‘Dark Shadows’ took second place with $28.8 million dollars. This movie which is typical Burton style, might stay in the box office for a while given its star power.
The comedy, which has remained high in the box office, ‘Think Like a Man’, ended up in third place with $6.3 million dollars. Followed by ‘The Hunger Games’, both have fought endlessly to continue in the prestigious list.
The Top 10 Movies in the Box Office are:
1.The Avengers – $103.2 mil
2. Dark Shadows – $28.8 mil
3. Think Like a Man – $6.3 mil
4. The Hunger Games – $4.4 mil
5. The Lucky One – $4.1 mil
6. The Pirates! Band of Misfits – $3.2 mil
7. The Five-Year Engagement -$3.1 mil
8. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel -$2.7 mil
9. Chimpanzee -$1.6 mil
10. Girl in Progress -$1.4 mil
05.9.2012 | By Karen Posada |
*Updated February 2026
Anyone would say that director Tim Burton decided to jump on the vampire bandwagon by adapting Dark Shadows. Taking the popular gothic soap opera from the 60s and making it into a movie is an ambitious move. The idea might even bleed into a couple of extra projects under the same theme. Read More
05.7.2012 | By SBC Staff |
‘The Avengers’ makes history becoming the biggest box office movie of all time, setting a new record with $200 million dollars; obviously premiering at number one. This superhero packed movie, has gotten high praises from critics and fans alike. It is not surprising that it stole the number one spot, since the buzz around this film has been loud and clear for months even before it opened.
The previous leader of the box office ‘Think Like a Man’ falls to number two, with $8 million dollars. This comedy although it fell one spot, is still holding on strong.
‘The Hunger Games’ is steadily at number three with $5.7 million dollars. This movie has a grand total of $380 million dollars as of now, which shows how big ‘The Avengers’ amount for the first weekend is in the U.S.
The Top 10 Movies in the Box Office are:
1.The Avengers -$200 mil
2. Think Like a Man -$8 mil
3. The Hunger Games -$5.7 mil
4. The Lucky One -$5.5 mil
5. The Pirates! Band of Misfits -$5.4 mil
6. The Five-Year Engagement -$5.1 mil
7. The Raven -$2.5mil
8. Safe! -$2.5mil
9. Chimpanzee -$2.4mil
10. The Three Stooges -$1.8mil
05.3.2012 | By Karen Posada |
The Avengers hasn’t even opened in theaters in the United States and it has already made about $260 million worldwide. This alone describes the craze and buzz this movie has created. It is hard to deny, even without being part of the phenomenon, that this is a great action packed movie. Read More
05.1.2012 | By Karen Posada |
The Tony Awards are celebrating 66 years and are only 40 days away, the ceremony will be held in New York’s Beacon Theater hosted by Neil Patrik Harris. The Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards are presented every year to professionals in the theater community for their great performances. Today Kristin Chenoweth and Jim Parsons announced all the nominations for the 26 competitive categories. The 2011/2012 eligibility season began April 29, 2011 and ended April 20, 2012. 851 members of the theatrical community voted on all of the 26 competitive categories.
This year ‘Once’ the musical got the most nominations, with 11 under its’ belt.The Lifetime Achievement in Theater Award will be presented to producer Emanuel “Manny” Azenberg. Also, the Tony Awards Administration Committee will bestow two Special Tony Awards this year to Actors’ Equity Association and Hugh Jackman.
Nominations for the 2012 American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards®
Presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing
Best Play
Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris
Other Desert Cities by Jon Robin Baitz
Peter and the Starcatcher by Rick Elice
Venus in Fur by David Ives
Best Musical
Leap of Faith
Newsies
Nice Work If You Can Get It
Once
Best Revival of a Play
Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman
Gore Vidal’s The Best Man
Master Class
Wit
Best Revival of a Musical
Evita
Follies
The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
Jesus Christ Superstar
Best Book of a Musical
Lysistrata Jones by Douglas Carter Beane
Newsies by Harvey Fierstein
Nice Work If You Can Get It by Joe DiPietro
Once by Enda Walsh
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Bonnie & Clyde Music: Frank Wildhorn
Lyrics: Don Black
Newsies Music: Alan Menken
Lyrics: Jack Feldman
One Man, Two Guvnors Music & Lyrics: Grant Olding
Peter and Starcatcher Music: Wayne Barker
Lyrics: Rick Elice
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
James Corden One Man, Two Guvnors
Philip Seymour Hoffman Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman
James Earl Jones Gore Vidal’s The Best Man
Frank Langella, Man and Boy
John Lithgow The Columnist
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Nina Arianda Venus in Fur
Tracie Bennett End of the Rainbow
Stockard Channing Other Desert Cities
Linda Lavin The Lyons
Cynthia Nixon Wit
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Danny Burstein Follies
Jeremy Jordan Newsies
Steve Kazee Once
Norm Lewis The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
Ron Raines Follies
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Jan Maxwell Follies
Audra McDonald, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
Cristin Milioti, Once
Kelli O’Hara Nice Work If You Can Get It
Laura Osnes Bonnie & Clyde
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Christian Borle Peter and the Starcatcher
Michael Cumpsty End of the Rainbow
Tom Edden, One Man Two Guvnors
Andrew Garfield Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman
Jeremy Shamos Clybourne Park
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Linda Emond, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman
Spencer Kayden Don’t Dress for Dinner
Celia Keenan-Bolger Peter and the Starcatcher
Judith Light, Other Desert Cities
Condola Rashad Stick Fly
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Phillip Boykin The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
Michael Cerveris Evita
David Alan Grier The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
Michael McGrath Nice Work If You Can Get It
Josh Young Jesus Christ Superstar
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Elizabeth A. Davis Once
Jayne Houdyshell Follies
Judy Kaye Nice Work If You Can Get It
Jessie Mueller On A Clear Day You Can See Forever
Da’Vine Joy Randolph Ghost the Musical
Best Scenic Design of a Play
John Lee Beatty Other Desert Cities
Daniel Ostling Clybourne Park
Mark Thompson One Man, Two Guvnors
Donyale Werle Peter and the Starcatcher
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Bob Crowley Once
Rob Howell and Jon Driscoll Ghost the Musical
Tobin Ost and Sven Ortel Newsies
George Tsypin Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark
Best Costume Design of a Play
William Ivey Long Don’t Dress for Dinner
Paul Tazewell A Streetcar Named Desire
Mark Thompson One Man, Two Guvnors
Paloma Young Peter and the Starcatcher
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Gregg Barnes Follies
ESosa The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
Eiko Ishioka Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark
Martin Pakledinaz Nice Work If You Can Get It
Best Choreography
Rob Ashford Evita
Christopher Gattelli Newsies
Steven Hoggett Once
Kathleen Marshall Nice Work If You Can Get It
Best Direction of a Play
Nicholas Hytner One Man, Two Guvnors
Pam MacKinnon Clybourne Park
Mike Nichols Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman
Roger Rees and Alex Timbers Peter and the Starcatcher
Best Direction of a Musical
Jeff Calhoun Newsies
Kathleen Marshall Nice Work If You Can Get It
Diane Paulus The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
John Tiffany Once
Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre
Emanuel Azenberg
Regional Theatre Award
The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Washington, D.C.
Isabelle Stevenson Award
Bernadette Peters
Special Tony Award
Actors’ Equity Association
Hugh Jackman
Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre
Freddie Gershon
Artie Siccardi
TDF Open Doors
Tony Nominations by Production
Once – 11
The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess – 10
Nice Work If You Can Get It – 10
Peter and the Starcatcher – 9
Follies – 8
Newsies – 8
Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman – 7
One Man, Two Guvnors – 7
Other Desert Cities – 5
Clybourne Park – 4
End of the Rainbow – 3
Evita – 3
Ghost the Musical – 3
Bonnie & Clyde – 2
Don’t Dress for Dinner – 2
Gore Vidal’s The Best Man – 2
Jesus Christ Superstar – 2
Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark – 2
Venus in Fur – 2
Wit – 2
The Columnist – 1
Leap of Faith – 1
The Lyons – 1
Lysistrata Jones – 1
Man and Boy – 1
Master Class – 1
On A Clear Day You Can See Forever – 1
The Road to Mecca – 1
Stick Fly – 1
A Streetcar Named Desire – 1
05.1.2012 | By Karen Posada |
There’s not much to expect from ‘New Year’s Eve’, unfortunately this movie with so many well known actors doesn’t have much to give; not even entertainment value. I can’t help but compare it with Garry Marshall’s ‘Valentine’s Day’, the director used the exact same recipe here: tie in about 7 stories and try to use some humor along with drama on the biggest holiday of the year. It’s tough to get the audience to care about a character with so many things going on and so many stories to follow, you don’t get much of a background on the characters and just when you are starting to get into one of the stories it changes to the next one. The biggest star in the movie is of course New York City, a place where the holidays; New Year’s Eve in particular is like no other.
The film is an analogy to new beginnings, looking back in the past and pushing the rewind button to not make the same mistakes and to accomplish the resolutions we procrastinated on. The only story that has a little substance is that of Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer) a woman who has followed the same routine for years and worked endlessly without being appreciated until one day she decides to change it all and we have a little fun with her exploring NYC. We basically follow around the whole cast as they prepare for midnight, some are anxious about their midnight kiss, others are anti-holiday, others are nostalgic about the year that has passed and others are too busy working to care about the holiday. The love stories are predictable and boring, there are some minor twists but not exiting enough to improve the movie.
The audience was surprised with some guest appearances, but we already had enough of a cast for me to find it necessary. The Hispanics in the movie Ava (Sofia Vergara) and Kominsky (Hector Elizondo) have small supporting roles, Vergara plays the exact same character she does in her hit show ‘Modern Family’ with awkward anecdotes and childish behavior, who knows if they’ll ever cast her as something besides a stereotype. Elizondo is always a Marshall aka the help, so no surprise there.
A 2 hour-long movie of running around is exhaustingly boring, the movie has a nice (not original) concept but it’s not enough. I’m not sure how I feel seeing Academy Award winners such as Halle Berry and Hilary Swank in such petty roles that seem to be for amateurs. The only thing this movie inspired in me is a curiosity to actually be crazy enough to see the ball drop live in Times Square and I enjoyed recognizing the different sights in NYC, such as Smith Street in Brooklyn towards the end of the film.
05.1.2012 | By Karen Posada |
‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ is charming, I would say even funny at points, but despite of the star-studded cast the story is too feeble to be worth your money at the movies. This film brings together English actors that are considered royalty to many because of their extensive CVs and talent; this alone will make many people want to check out this dramedy. But once more the formula of putting too many stories together in one movie is exhausting and unsatisfying.
In this film 7 British retirees are lured to spend their retirement in exotic India, in what once was a beautiful palace, now a place in ruins for the elderly. They are enticed by the owner of the hotel Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel) who is the most positive person on earth no matter the circumstances. Evelyn Greenslade (Judi Dench) a recent widow begins to learn how life works, since her husband was the decision maker of the household. Graham Dashwood (Tom Wilkinson) tired of his job, goes into early retirement to relive past memories of his life in India. Douglas & Jean Ainslie (Bill Nighy, Penelope Wilton) venture into a cheaper life, where they hope to find peace in their marriage. Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith) is a sour woman that has no choice but to go on this trip for health reasons. Norman Cousins (Ronald Pickup) is a helpless romantic, who despite his age is still looking for love. Finally, Madge Hardcastle (Celia Imrie) realizes time is catching up with her and although she’s had various divorces this might be her last chance at finding true love.
There’s no denying that this film is full of warm, heartfelt moments but notwithstanding its length there are many holes in the story and the predictability of it leaves very little mystery behind it. Like most movies that use this formula of trying to tie seven stories into one, it fails because the public can’t connect with any of the characters. Of course these actors are still top notch, their stories are interesting and India is a perfect exotic place because of the noise and the color, but the film tries to embark on too many subjects which makes it hard for it to fulfill even one.
They say, as we get older we go backwards and live over our teenage years and childhood; so at some point in this film these grandparents begin acting like teenagers, which becomes a bit irritating more than it is funny. We get some clichés along the way, that: it’s never too late to start over, a person who risks nothing has nothing, and we all have a fear of making the same mistakes again. The movie hopes to be inspiring and it might touch people that have had to start over at a later age in their lives, but although there are obstacles here it fantasies it all too much and it becomes a Disney movie where the characters are too old and most of their problems have extremely easy solutions. However, if you still feel like catching these actors that have made cinematic history, I suggest doing it from the comfort of your home.
04.30.2012 | By Karen Posada |
‘Think Like a Man’ once more took over the first place with $18 million dollars. Obviously the public agrees that this hilarious romantic comedy should continue headlining the box office.
‘The Pirates! Band of Misfits’ a perfect movie for the whole family follows it, with $11.4 million dollars. Hugh Grant’s first animated film along with other actors like Salma Hayek, has earned this spot because of the intricate details that form this wonderful story.
The romantic movie ‘The Lucky One’ fell to third place with $11.3 million dollars. Leaving ‘The Hunger Games’ in fourth place, which indicates that possibly it will loose a place in the top 10 rapidly.
The Top 10 Movies in the Box Office are:
1. Think Like a Man – $18 mil
2. The Pirates! Band of Misfits – $11.4 mil
3. The Lucky One – $11.3 mil
4. The Hunger Games – $11.3 mil
5. The Five Year Engagement – $11.2 mil
6. Safe – $7.7 mil
7. The Raven – $7.3 mil
8. Chimpanzee – $5.5 mil
9. The Three Stooges – $5.4 mil
10. The Cabin in the Woods – $4.5 mil
04.26.2012 | By Karen Posada |
Here’s another great family adventure, ‘The Pirates! Band of Misfits’ is a fun, clever, colorful and fantastic film for children and adults to enjoy. Aardman Animations executed such a detailed film, which is no surprise seeing that they did ‘Arthur Christmas’, and all the ‘Wallace & Gromit’ films along with director Peter Lord who also did ‘Chicken Run’. This was a great combination of talent that is easily perceived on screen. I had the chance to see the film in 3D and although I think the graphics are beautiful, you can enjoy it just as much on the regular screen.
Pirate Captain (Hugh Grant) has a crew that idolizes him, even though they are very unsuccessful as pirates. Pirate Captain decides to enter the Pirate of the year Award, one more time despite of having lost various times. His main pirate rivals are: Black Bellamy (Jeremy Piven), and Cutlass Liz (Salma Hayek); these two are great fighters, treasure hunters and mock Pirate Captain and his crew endlessly. Either way Pirate Captain is determined to win the award this year, with his right hand the Pirate with a Scarf (Martin Freeman) and his comedic crew. He not only has to worry about his fellow pirates, but also for Queen Victoria (Imelda Stauton) who hates pirates and will do anything to see them go extinct. On his journey Pirate Captain will encounter endless adventures and memorable people, but he will learn one of the most valuable lessons of all: how important friendship is.
This is Grant’s first animated film and he told me in our interview that the story and his character itself really attracted him and he felt connected to them automatically; so much so that if they decide to make a second part he won’t allow anyone to take his place. Just seeing the images of this movie you can appreciate all the detail that went into it, for example the ship built for the crew was hand crafted, had 44,569 parts, weighted 770 pounds, was 14 feet long and 15 feet high. The intricate work can be perceived in each scene. In the U.K. the film is called ‘The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists ‘, because wonderfully enough it mixes in some science by having Charles Darwin (David Tennat) be one of its characters. Also, the mascot of the ship’s crew is a dodo bird, Polly that was just adorable!
Pirate Captain and his crew entertain easily because of their good nature, innocence and thrill for adventure. Pirates are such an overplayed subject, but somehow they continue to entertain in family films. So, if you are looking for a film that the whole family can enjoy this weekend I recommend this one, for the laughs, story and wonderful images it offers.
