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New York Film Critics choose ‘Milk’ as best picture

By Mack Chico

2008/12/11 at 12:00am

Movies

New York Film Critics choose ‘Milk’ as best picture

12.11.2008 | By Mack Chico |

Here’s the winners’ list:

Best picture: “Milk”
Best director: Mike Leigh, “Happy-Go-Lucky”
Best actor: Sean Penn, “Milk”
Best actress: Sally Hawkins, “Happy-Go-Lucky”
Best supporting actor: Josh Brolin, “Milk”
Best supporting actress: Penelope Cruz, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
Best screenplay: Jenny Lumet, “Rachel Getting Married”
Best cinematographer: Anthony Dod Mantle, “Slumdog Millionaire”
Best animated film: “WALL-E”
Best foreign film: “4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days”
Best documentary: “Man on Wire”
Best first film: Courtney Hunt, “Frozen River”

Best Picture: “Milk” won on ballot four with 29 points. “Rachel Getting Married” had 25 points while both “Happy-Go-Lucky” and “Slumdog Millionaire” had 20 points. LA champ “WALL-E” had to settle for a win as best animated picture.

Best Director: Mike Leigh (“Happy-Go-Lucky”) won on ballot four with 31 points. LA winner Danny Boyle (“Slumdog Millionaire”) had 30 points and David Fincher (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”) had 26 points. (Ballot two had Boyle ahead by two and ballot three had Fincher up by one.)

Best Actor: LA pick Sean Penn (“Milk”) won on ballot four with 59 points. Mickey Rourke (“The Wrestler”) had 50 points and Clint Eastwood (“Gran Torino”) had 17 points.

Best Actress: LA champ Sally Hawkins (“Happy-Go-Lucky”) won on ballot two with 39 points. Melissa Leo ( “Frozen River”) had 32 points while Anne Hathaway (“Rachel Getting Married”) and Kate Winslet (“Revolutionary Road”) each had 22 points.

Best Supporting Actor: Josh Brolin (“Milk”) won on ballot three with 33 points. LA winner Heath Ledger (“The Dark Knight” ) had 26 points and Robert Downey, Jr. (“Tropic Thunder”) had 24 points. (On ballot two, Brolin, Ledger and Eddie Marsan (“Happy-Go-Lucky”) were tied with 29 points each.)

Best Supporting Actress: LA victor Penelope Cruz (“Vicky Christina Barcelona”) won on ballot two with 40 points. Viola Davis (“Doubt”) had 31 points and both Rosemarie DeWitt & Debra Winger (“Rachel Getting Married”) had 28 points.

Best Screenplay: Jenny Lumet (“Rachel Getting Married”) won on ballot four with 44 points. LA winner Mike Leigh (“Happy-Go-Lucky”) had 38 points and Robert Seigel (“The Wrestler”) had 19 points.

Best Cinematography: “Slumdog Millionaire” won on ballot three with 37 points.”The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” had 28 points and “The Dark Knight” had 16 points.

Best Animated Picture: LA best pic “WALL-E” won on ballot one with 17 points over LA animated pic “Waltz with Bashir” with 11 points.

Best Foreign Film: “4 Months, 3 Weeks, Two Days” won on ballot four with 45 points. Two French films followed – “A Christmas Tale” had 34 points and “The Class” had 23 points.

Best Documentary: LA pick ” Man on Wire” won on ballot two with 45 points. “Waltz With Bashir” had 25 points and “Trouble The Water” had 22 points.

Best First Picture: “Frozen River” won on ballot two with 39 points. “Ballast” had 26 points and “Reprise” had 18 points.

Mendes, Vega and Scarlett promote ‘The Spirit’ in Madrid

By Mack Chico

2008/12/03 at 12:00am

Movies

Mendes, Vega and Scarlett promote ‘The Spirit’ in Madrid

12.3.2008 | By Mack Chico |

Living it up in Madrid as they promote their new movie, Scarlett Johansson, Paz Vega and Eva Mendes were all on hand for a photocall for “The Spirit” on Tuesday (December 2).

The co-star cuties made their way to the Santo Mauro Hotel press room, playfully posing for photographers along the way.

As for the movie, “The Spirit” tells the story of “a rookie cop named Denny Colt, who returns from the beyond as The Spirit, a hero whose mission is to fight against the bad forces in Central City.”

Directed by Frank Miller, the film is scheduled to be released in theaters on Christmas Day (December 25).

‘Four Christmas’ merries in a #1 gift at the box office

By Mack Chico

2008/12/01 at 12:00am

Movies

‘Four Christmas’ merries in a #1 gift at the box office

12.1.2008 | By Mack Chico |

Thanksgiving weekend movie crowds gobbled up the Reese Witherspoon-Vince Vaughn holiday comedy “Four Christmases,” which premiered at No. 1 with $31.7 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The film raised its total to $46.7 million since opening Wednesday.

In terms of revenue, it was Hollywood’s second-biggest Thanksgiving period ever. The top 12 movies took in $223.7 million from Wednesday to Sunday, trailing only the $232.2 million haul over 2000.

“Twilight,” which had a huge No. 1 opening the previous weekend, took a steep 62 percent decline from its $69.6 million premiere.

Based on Sunday’s estimates, Disney’s animated “Bolt” had a slight lead on second place with $26.6 million for the weekend, to $26.4 million for “Twilight.”

In San Francisco, Focus Features’ film “Milk,” directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Sean Penn as slain Supervisor Harvey Milk, set a box-office record at the Castro Theatre. From Wednesday through Friday, the single-screen theater grossed $109,440 on “Milk,” breaking the previous three-day record of $50,584 set in May by “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” according to film promoters Terry Hines and Associates.

The film opened nationally on 36 screens, two of which, the Sundance Kabuki and the Embarcadero, didn’t begin showing the film until Friday. “Milk” opened at No. 10 nationwide with $1.4 million in just 36 theaters. The film had a strong average of $38,375 a cinema, compared with $9,571 in 3,310 theaters for “Four Christmases.”

The weekend’s other new wide release, “Australia,” opened at No. 5 with $14.8 million for the weekend and $20 million since premiering Wednesday.

By Mack Chico

2008/11/27 at 12:00am

Movies

Salma Hayek returns to primetime TV

11.27.2008 | By Mack Chico |

There’s nothing but love between Alec Baldwin and Salma Hayek, who recently shot a five episode arc on “30 Rock” where the 42-year-old beauty will be playing Jack Donaghy’s love interest.

“She was literally the most fabulous woman that I’ve ever worked with,” Baldwin, 50, told People Magazine.

Ditto, according to Hayek. “We had such a great time!” she said at the CNN Heroes event on Saturday, “I love Alec to death. He energizes me … because he’s so talented. He really, truly inspires me.”

“This is the gift that Alec gave me,” she said of the wrap, “just for being his girlfriend for five episodes. I feel like he’s coming with me tonight!”

Check out some of the pics of her Salma (sans daughter) caught idling by in Manhattan.

The Weinstein Company lays off 24 people

By Jack Rico

2008/11/24 at 12:00am

Movies

The Weinstein Company lays off 24 people

11.24.2008 | By Jack Rico |

Recently we heard many conversations about Hollywood being recession-proof. Doesn’t look like that’s the case for big honcho Harvey Weinstein, owner of The Weinsten Company. This goes to show you that no one is escaping the topsy-turvy times of the economy.

The Weinstein Co. has succumbed to the economic pressure by laying off 11% of its staff, or 24 people.

The indie outfit is slimming down from 224 people to 200. The cuts affected all departments in offices in Gotham, L.A., the U.K. and Hong Kong.

No offices or departments are being shuttered. Staffers were notified of the layoffs Friday afternoon.

Formed three years ago by Harvey and Bob Weinstein with more than $1 billion in backing from Goldman Sachs and other investors, TWC has had a bumpy ride. After a spate of deals across the media spectrum yielded spotty results, the company refocused on its film slate and has touted its official detachment in January from distrib partner MGM and a pay TV deal with Showtime.

The Weinstein slate, however, has not borne a lot of fruit. “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” the Kevin Smith-helmed comedy released on Halloween, is the latest under-performer. Woody Allen’s “Vicki Cristina Barcelona” is the only notable pic to far exceed expectations in 2008.

As the company seeks to get into a theatrical groove, it’s also been hit with a wave of staff turnover. Senior-level vets Glen Basner (international sales), Michelle Krumm (production) and Maeva Gatineau (U.K. acquisitions) are among those who have exited in recent months.

Matthew Frankel, who spent just a few months heading corporate communications, departed in the spring (he’s since resurfaced at AOL) and has not officially been replaced.

‘Quantum of Solace’ – 8 best clips of the film!

By Mack Chico

2008/11/04 at 12:00am

Movies

‘Quantum of Solace’ – 8 best clips of the film!

11.4.2008 | By Mack Chico |

We’re just 10 days away from the US release of ‘Quantum of Solace’ and we already have 8 scenes from the film. This is a great sneak peak for you guys to judge whether it’s any good. We think it’s gonna make a killing at the BO, perhaps do better that Casino Royale’s $167 million domestically.

Here’s a synopsis of the film to get you more… acquainted.

Quantum of Solace continues the high octane adventures of James Bond in Casino Royale. Betrayed by Vesper, the woman he loved, 007 fights the urge to make his latest mission personal. Pursuing his determination to uncover the truth, Bond and M interrogate Mr White who reveals the organisation which blackmailed Vesper is far more complex and dangerous than anyone had imagined. Forensic intelligence links an MI6 traitor to a bank account in Haiti where a case of mistaken identity introduces Bond to the beautiful but feisty Camille, a woman who has her own vendetta. Camille leads Bond straight to Dominic Greene, a ruthless business man and major force within the mysterious organisation, Quantum. On a mission that leads him to Austria, Italy and South America, Bond discovers that Greene, conspiring to take total control of one of the worlds most important natural resources, is forging a deal with the exiled General Medrano.

Michelle Rodriguez films in the Dominican Republic

By Mack Chico

2008/11/03 at 12:00am

Movies

Michelle Rodriguez films in the Dominican Republic

11.3.2008 | By Mack Chico |

Notorious Hollywood actress Michelle Rodríguez goes back to her Dominican and Puerto Rican roots to film ‘Tropicos de Sangre’ (Tropical Blood) in the Dominican Republic. The story, based on the true story, revolves around the death of the three Mirabal sisters. Filming begins in November, in different localities of the country. Rodríguez is immersed in merengue classes, spanish dictionin preparation for the role.

“When I got the offer to be a part of this project, I thrusted myself in it 100% and saw it as a great challenge in my career”.

“Understanding the importance that this story marked in the history of the Dominican’s democracy and the world is important to me”, Rodríguez added. Together with Juan De Láncer, the director of the movie, Michelle has been visiting the the locations where it will be filmed. Some of the other stars are César Evora as Antonio de la Maza and Juan Fernandez as Rafael Leónidas Trujillo, both stand-out local actors.

By Mack Chico

2008/10/29 at 12:00am

Movies

Joaquin Phoenix retires from Hollywood

10.29.2008 | By Mack Chico |

Joaquin Phoenix, at a benefit for Paul Newman’s camps for kids Monday, announced his plans to quit acting.

“I want to take this opportunity … to give you the exclusive and just talk a little bit about the fact that this will be my last performance as an actor,” the two-time Oscar nominee said at the San Francisco event. “I’m not doing films anymore.” According to reporters there, he said, “Yeah. I’m working on my music,” Phoenix insisted. “I’m done. I’ve been through that.”

His rep confirmed the retirement.

The 34-year-old performer gave no further details on his career plans – but he has been working on a record for some time British band The Charlatans.

Phoenix, who costars in the upcoming romantic drama Two Lovers with Gwyneth Paltrow, first learned to play guitar for his Academy-Award-nominated role as Johnny Cash in 2005’s Walk The Line.

He was also nominated in 2000 for his supporting role in Gladiator.

"High School Musical 3 sings itself to #1 at the box office!

By Pau Brunet

2008/10/27 at 12:00am

Movies

"High School Musical 3 sings itself to #1 at the box office!

10.27.2008 | By Pau Brunet |

In one of the more unusual duels at the North American box office, a perky Disney romantic musical trumped the fifth installment in the grisly “Saw” horror series, according to studio estimates issued on Sunday.

“High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” the first big-screen adaptation of Walt Disney Co’s popular TV movie franchise, sold $42 million worth of tickets during its first three days. The opening sets a new record for a musical, surpassing the $27.8 million bow of the ABBA-themed romance “Mamma Mia!” in July.

“Saw V” followed with $30.5 million, in line with the previous three installments. Moviegoers can expect additional sequels of both films.

The one-two punch of the disparate duo propelled overall weekend sales to their highest level in 10 weeks. The top 12 films grossed $120 million, according to tracking firm Media By Numbers, up about 40 percent from both last weekend and the year-ago weekend.

But the news was not all good. The new cop drama “Pride and Glory,” starring Edward Norton and Colin Farrell, opened at No. 5 with just $6.3 million. It marks the second consecutive dud for Time Warner Inc’s Warner Bros. following “Body of Lies,” starring Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio, two weeks ago.

Disney, on the other hand, is enjoying a strong fall, first with “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” three weeks ago, and now with “High School Musical 3.” The movie also opened in 19 international markets, and was No. 1 in each of them, led by Britain with $13 million.

“Saw V” is the latest installment in the spectacularly profitable torture franchise that kicked off in 2004. Every October since then, a new “Saw” movie has opened at No. 1 in the $30 million range. Total sales peaked at $87 million for “Saw II,” and the film’s distributor, Lionsgate, hopes the new one will finish up in the $60 million range.

The studio, a unit of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp, said “Saw” will soon become the biggest horror franchise, with total domestic sales about $1 million short of the $318 million haul of the 11 “Friday the 13th” films.

Last weekend’s champ, the Mark Wahlberg thriller “Max Payne,” slipped to No. 3 with $7.6 million, taking its 10-day haul to $29.7 million. The film was released by 20th Century Fox, a unit of News Corp.

#	TITLE	%	GROSS	THEATERS	AVG.	CUME.	DIST.	BUDGET
1	High School Musical 3	–	$41’5M	3’623	$11’590	$41’5M	Disney	$11M
2	Saw V	–	$30M	3’060	$8’960	$30M	Lionsgate	$10’8M
3	Max Payne	-57%	$7’5M	3’381	$2’240	$29’4M	Fox	$35M
4	Beverly Hills Chihuahua	-39%	$6’9M	3’190	$2’160	$78M	Disney	–
5	Pride & Glory	–	$6’2M	2’585	$2’440	$6’2M	NL/Warner	$30M
6	The Secret Life Of Bees	-44%	$5’9M	1’650	$3’640	$19’1M	Fox Serch.	$11M

Javier Bardem partners with Iñárritu in ‘Biutiful’

By Mack Chico

2008/10/23 at 12:00am

Movies

Javier Bardem partners with Iñárritu in ‘Biutiful’

10.23.2008 | By Mack Chico |

Javier Bardem will star in Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s “Biutiful,” the Mexican helmer’s first project after his much-publicized bust-up with former screenwriting partner Guillermo Arriaga.

Spanish-language pic “Biutiful,” which Gonzalez Inarritu wrote, shoots on location in Barcelona next week.

Pic is about a man embroiled in shady dealings who is confronted by a childhood friend, now a policeman.

Arriaga and Gonzalez Inarritu were Mexico’s most successful filmmaking duo, starting with their breakout hit “Amores Perros” in 2000 and the subsequent leap into Hollywood with English-language pics “21 Grams” and “Babel” that formed a trilogy.

Quibbles over writing credits on the three films came to a head with “Babel” when Arriaga was reportedly shut out from attending its debut at the Cannes Film Festival in 2006.

“Biutiful” will be co-produced by Fernando Bovaira‘s Mod shingle and Cha Cha Cha, Gonzalez Inarritu’s three-way partnership with Alfonso Cuaron and Guillermo del Toro.

Cha Cha Cha is a $100 million, five-feature production partnership with financing, distribution and international sales handled by Universal Pictures and Focus Features Intl.

Arriaga recently helmed “The Burning Plain,” based on his own screenplay, starring Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival.