The TNU Box Office Rewind: No surprises here

Have moviegoers lost their taste for blood and violence? Not when it comes to flesh-munching zombies. “Warm Bodies” had no trouble claiming the top spot at the box office this weekend. The zombie romance earned an estimated $20 million from 3,009 theaters in its first three days according to studio estimates. That’s not bad, considering the film only cost Summit about $35 million to produce. According to exit polling, the film’s audience was 60% female and 65% under 25. Shocking, ain’t it?

We won?

In second place, we find last weekend’s champ “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters.” Is it too early to call this a flop? Maybe not. The flick dropped a whopping 53 percent this week and earned $9.2 million. For those keeping track, that’s a $34.5 million total after ten days. The long-delayed fairy tale adaptation cost Paramount $50 million. Oh well, maybe it will do better on DVD.

One of my favorite movies, “Silver Linings Playbook” is holding strong in third place after 12 weekends. The film from director David O. Russell fell only 14 percent this weekend and earned $8.1 million, giving it an $80.4 million total. The movie was likely helped by Jennifer Lawrence winning the SAG award last week. “Silver Linings Playbook” is now on track to finish above $100 million. If I were one of the Weinstein’s, I’d be very happy with that.

Hello nurse!

Jennifer Lawrence is probably the hottest actress in Hollywood, but Jessica Chastain isn’t doing too bad either. Recently,  the actress has made a home for herself in the Top 5. Her Guillermo Del Toro-produced horror flick “Mama” continued its surprising run this week. Yes, the film dropped 49 percent and only earned $6.7 million, but it has brought in  $58.3 million in just  17 days. I think its safe to call this a hit, since Universal only spent $15 million on “Mama.” Meanwhile, Chastain’s “Zero Dark Thirty” seems to be slowing down. The movie dropped 45 percent and earned $5.3 million. After seven weeks, the film has earned $77.8 million. Could this have anything to do with the lack of awards its bringing home?

As i mentioned earlier, moviegoers love their zombies, but the same can’t be said for the old school shoot-’em-up flicks. That genre now finds itself in critical condition. Just weeks after Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “The Last Stand” belly-flopped at the box office, Sylvester Stallone’s “Bullet to the Head” sputtered  to sixth place with $4.5 million. That’s lower than what I expected, and it gets worse. The $4.5 million is less than the $6.3 million “The Last Stand” made its opening weekend. Its back to the drawing board for Sly.

Stop, or my mom will shoot.

How the curse of shoot-’em-up flicks will affect Bruce Willis’ “A Good Day to Die Hard” remains to be seen. But I wouldn’t be surprised if Dune Entertainment is getting nervous.

 

TNU Box Office Rewind: The best of the worst

It has become clear to me, that the hottest subjects in entertainment are: Zombies, vampires and fairy tales. In some cases, it doesn’t matter how bad final result is. For instance, “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters” opened this weekend, and rode fairy tale bandwagon to a win. The film starring Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton film took the number one spot with $19 million across 3,372 theaters. “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters,” which reinterprets Hansel and Gretel as fierce fighters of evil, took an early lead on Friday, making $6 million. The win came in spite of some brutal reviews from critics. Laneit saw it, and was surprised that he liked it. While $19 million isn’t record-breaking, a win is a win and its nice to know somewhere in happyland, Will Ferrell is smiling.

Horror flick “Mama” continued its successful and surprising box office run. The Guillermo del Toro produced film took the number two spot with $12.9 million, across 2,682 theaters. “Mama” has made $48.6 million since its Jan. 18 release. I’d be happy with that, and I’m betting Del Toro is too.

Now we turn to this year’s crop of Oscar hopefuls, “Silver Linings Playbook” and “Zero Dark Thirty.”  Up first is “Silver Linings Playbook,” which stars Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. The drama made $10 million across 2,641 theaters enough for a third place finish. The film, also featuring Robert De Niro, Chris Tucker, and Jacki Weaver, has made $69.5 million to date. I finally saw “Silver Linings Playbook” over the weekend, and will be posting about it later on.

“Zero Dark Thirty,” starring Jessica Chastain, made $9.8 million across 2,929 theaters, good enough for a fourth place finish. The $9.8 millions helps bring its domestic gross to $69.9 million. Both films are up for Best Picture, among other awards at this year’s Oscars, but if other award shows are any indication, the Oscars may belong to “Argo.”

As for the rest, crime thriller “Parker,” starring Jason Statham and box office poison Jennifer Lopez, completes this weekend’s top five. The film saw a $7 million opening. Looks like the box office blues continue for Lopez, but to be fair, $7 million is probably on par with other Jason Statham movies.

The other new release this weekend was “Movie 43” which, despite its laundry list of Hollywood heavyweights, made just $5 million. This movie didn’t just flop, it landed with a “thud.” Its $5 million haul keeps it out of the top five and could be out of the top 10 by next week.. The comedy stars Dennis Quaid, Seth MacFarlane, Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Naomi Watts, Anna Faris, Chris Pratt, Emma Stone, Richard Gere, Kate Bosworth, Jack McBrayer, Justin Long, Jason Sudeikis, Kristen Bell, Gerard Butler, Halle Berry, and Uma Thurman, among others.

It’s no surprise to find Halle Berry in another flop. Her career has fallen so far that she’s next starring in a WWE Studios film. “Movie 43” woes are particularly bad news for Gerard Butler, who adds to his streak of box-office blunders. His two films prior to “Movie 43,” “Playing for Keeps” and “Chasing Mavericks,” made $12.9 million and $6 million, respectively.

TNU Box Office Rewind: It’s Chastain’s World

For the second week in a row, Jessica Chastain won the weekend box office, but not with the movie you’d expect. Jessica Chastain’s horror movie “Mama” climbed to the top, upsetting the critically acclaimed “Zero Dark Thirty” and “Silver Linings Playbook.” The Guillermo del Toro produced film opened to a $28.1 million, despite mixed reviews.

Thanks to the success of “Mama” and “Texas Chainsaw 3D” don’t be surprised if studios drop a bunch of horror flicks next January. To those studios I say take a deep breath and think twice. “Texas Chainsaw 3D” may have opened at number one, but now finds itself out of the top 10 after only three weeks. Same thing could happen to “Mama.”

Oscar contenders fared well this weekend, as “Zero Dark Thirty” and “Silver Linings Playbook” took the number two and number three spots, respectively. “Zero Dark Thirty” made $17.6 million across 2,946 theaters. The latest film from director Kathryn Bigelow has made $55.9 million to date. The Jennifer Lawrence Bradley Cooper film “Silver Linings Playbook” made $11.3 million across 2,523 theaters bringing its domestic total $55.3 million. The SAG awards are next weekend, and if they win any awards,  both films could stay near the top.

Coming in at number four was Ryan Gosling’s “Gangster Squad.” The crime movie made $9.1 million across 3,103 theaters. The movie has made $32.2 million since its debut. Is it too early to call “Gangster Squad a flop? The new Mark Wahlberg film “Broken City” took the number five spot. The movie opened this weekend at 2,620 theaters and made $9 million. I thought “Broken City” would do better than $9 million. It would seem Russell Crowe and Catherine Zeta-Jones don’t bring in the crowds like they used to.

Wasn’t there another new release this weekend? think, think, think. Ahh right, Arnie’s new flick!

Please see my movie.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “The Last Stand” turned out to be a flop of epic proportions. The action movie made $6.3 million this weekend across 2,913 theaters. With this total, the movie barely made it to the number ten spot. Looks like this may indeed be Arnold’s Last Stand.

TNU Box Offiice Preview: He said he’d be back.

It’s been a good week for Kathryn Bigelow’s manhunt drama “Zero Dark Thirty.” Last week the film topped the weekend box office with $24.4 million. On Sunday, star Jessica Chastain walked off with a Golden Globe award for her performance in the film. But “Zero Dark Thirty” has a tough road ahead if it hopes to repeat as box office champ. Standing in Zero’s way are three new releases.

First up is  the Guillermo Del Toro-produced horror flick “Mama.” I don’t think this movie looks very good, but as “Texas Chainsaw 3D” proved two weeks ago, horror movies are doing well in January. Considering “Mama: was made on a $15 million budget, it should have no trouble bringing in a solid opening weekend. I’m thinking this horror flick will do around $18 million or so.

Fox’s  latest thriller is Allen Hughes’ “Broken City.” From what I’ve seen, film critics are not being kind to”Broken City.” The way I see it, the film’s star power should help it in its opening weekend. If nothing else Mark Wahlberg has proven to be a proven box office draw. The same can’t be said of Russell Crowe, although his recent work on “Les Miserables” may help him. “Broken City” had a budget of $35 million, and most of that probably went to the cast. “Broken City” won’t break any records, but it should make about $15 million this weekend.

To those too young to remember, there was a time in this world when Arnold Schwarznegger was the biggest movie star of all, and his acting had nothing to do with it. He followed years of success with a series of flops and later spent  few years as governor of California. Now, the 65-year-old is attempting to relaunch his movie career with “The Last Stand .”

Not his best work.

If there’s one thing standing in the way Arnold Schwarznegger’s  it’s probably Arnold Schwarznegger. Have audiences forgiven him for his cheating scandal? We’re about to find out.

Making “The Last Stand” cost Lionsgate $45 million, and it won’t be easy making that back. Especially is “the Last Stand” is fighting it out with  “Broken City” for the same audience. Ahhhhnold may have to settle for a third or fourth place finish with about $14 million.

The wildcard this weekend will be David O’Russell “Silver Linings Playbook.” Strong word of mouth has helped the film gross $43.3 million in limited release, not bad considering it cost $21 million to produce. Now, thanks in part to Jennifer Lawrence’s Golden Globe win, the studio is bumping the movie from 810 theaters into 2,523 screens. “Silver Linings Playbook” should make around $12 million this weekend. But like I said, this is the wildcard, “Silver Linings Playbook” could make more.

TNU Box Office Rewind: Back to reality

Although most people were probably watching the NFL playoffs or staring at J.Lo’s latest see through number, many still made it to the movies.  “Zero Dark Thirty” easily won the top spot at the box office this weekend. The Sony Pictures manhunt drama nabbed first place with $24 million in its first weekend in wide release, according to studio estimates Sunday. The movie opened in a limited run last month. Last week, the film earned five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Original Screenplay and Best Actress for Jessica Chastain as a dogged CIA operative. The nominations likely helped boost the movie to the top.

Up next was Open Road Films’ horror parody “A Haunted House” starring Marlon Wayans. Somehow, some way this “film” made enough to earn it a second place finish with a solid $18.8 million. I will never understand why so many people watch these movies, but hey, at least it wasn’t number one.

Meanwhile, The Warner Bros. mobster drama “Gangster Squad,” opened below expectations in third place with $16.7 million. The film stars Josh Brolin and Ryan Gosling as off-the-books police officers battling a mob boss played by Sean Penn, it also co-stars America’s favorite girl-next door, Emma Stone. Even with that cast, “Gangster Squad” failed to make an impact with audiences.

Two Christmas Day releases rounded out the top five thus weekend. Quentin Tarantino Western “Django Unchained” landed in fourth place with $11.1 million at North American (U.S. and Canadian) theaters. In fifth place, musical “Les Miserables” took in $10.1 million. Both flicks won Golden Globes and earned Oscar nods. They should stay on the chart for weeks to come.

The TNU Box Office Preview: Triple threat match

The stage is now  set for a triple threat match for box office supremacy. Just a day removed from the Oscar nominations, and  “Zero Dark Thirty” is already battling it out with newcomers “Gangster Squad” and “A Haunted House.” Who will rise to the top of the box office? I’d like to say “Zero Dark Thirty” or even “Gangster Squad” will win. But in this crazy world we live in, it will probably be  the travesty known as  “A Haunted House.”

Have you noticed Hollywood can’t think of anything original anymore? “A Haunted House” is another one of those terrible spoof movies that for unknown reasons always make money. Every time one of these flicks open at #1, real movie fans die a little inside. Sadly, you won’t be able to avoid “A Haunted House” because the damn thins is playing in 2,160 theaters this weekend. This spoof of anything made in the last couple of years should take the top spot. *sigh*

For several reasons, “Zero Dark Thirty” has turned into a controversial film. Not long ago I thought the movie would be an Oscar darling. And while the film received five Oscar nominations, director Kathryn Bigelow was left out. This week “Zero Dark Thirty” goes to wide release after earning $5.2 million after three weeks of limited release. I’m a fan of Bigelow and I hope “Zero Dark Thirty” does well this weekend.

Meanwhile, he long-delayed crime drama “Gangster Squad” finally hits theaters today. The film starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone was pushed back from a September release to January, because the original cut  contained a movie theater massacre scene. The studio recut the film following the shootings in Aurora Colorado. “Gangster Squad” should bring in over $15 million thanks Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.

It will be interesting to see how the Oscar nominations affect the weekend box office. I’m thinking “Django Unchained” and “Les Miserables” will see a boost in ticket sales. How big of a boost, that remains to be seen.

The TNU Box Office Preview: Season’s Greetings

Hmm, so much for the Mayan calendar. Well, since we’re all still here, I guess I need to write something.  After a few slow weeks, the flood gates are now open. A bunch of movies are opening this week, and they feature something for everyone. Some of the following movies are now playing near you, and some will open on Christmas Day. However, some are playing in limited release, so be sure to check  for times near you. So take a deep breath, ’cause away we go…

 

Monsters Inc. 3D

Pixar movies are hit or miss with me, I either love them or hate them. But for what its worth, in my opinion “Monsters Inc.” is one of Pixar’s best. “Monsters Inc.” is a movie young and old can enjoy. If you’ve never seen it, you’re missing out. The 3D version of the movie should contend for second place with around $20 million.

 

On the Road

“On the Road” is based on the novel by Jack Kerouac. The film stars Garrett Hedlund, Sam Riley, Kristen Stewart, Amy Adams, Tom Sturridge, Danny Morgan, Alice Braga, Elisabeth Moss, Kirsten Dunst and Viggo Mortensen.  You’d think with a cast like that we’d hear more about the movie itself. But the only thing I keep hearing is that Kristen Stewart gets naked.

I really hope there’s more to “On the Road” than that.

 

Jack Reacher

Tom Cruise is probably hoping that “Jack Reacher” will launch another franchise. Before last Friday, I would have agreed. But considering the movie is about a random shooting, that may not happen. I think “Jack Reacher” will come in third, but if it manages more than that I’ll be surprised.

 

This Is 40

“This is 40” is a kinda-sorta sequel to “Knocked Up.” This flick will be raunchy, funny and sweet. I expect no less from Judd Apatow. Fan of his earlier films will show up, but can it find a bigger audience? I say yes, and “This is 40” will battle it out for second place.

 

The Impossible

“The Impossible” tells the true story of a family caught in the 2004 tsunami. The film is directed by Juan Antonio Bayona, and stars Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor. The  couple they play are from Spain, but since this is a movie they needed some big name stars I guess.

 

The Guilt Trip

Two words: Barbra Streisand

or maybe the two words should be “Stay Away.”

 

Django Unchained

I’m not sure how to describe this movie, so I’ll just say this: If you like Quentin Tarantino movies, you’ll enjoy “Django Unchained.” If you don’t know who Quentin Tarantino is, you’re better off seeing “The Guilt Trip.”

“Django Unchained” is getting a lot of Oscar Buzz, and has been nominated for the Golden Globes. Can’t wait to see this.

 

 

Les Miserables

Laneit’s favorite musical comes to life this Christmas day. Featuring an all-star cast that includes Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe. Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Samantha Barks, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter, and Aaron Tveit.  “Les Miserables” will be a smash hit, at least for a week. The airwaves have been flooded by advertising for the film, and it should find a decent audience in its first few days. After that, who knows? “Les Miserables”  doesn’t seem like a movie you’d watch over and over, but I could be wrong.

 

Parental Guidance

Yuck.

 

 

Zero Dark Thirty

“Zero Dark Thirty” is playing in limited release, but will go wide in early January. Oscar buzz is growing on Kathryn Bigelow’s film, just like it did for “The Hurt Locker” a couple of years ago. From what I’ve seen, the film looks amazing and I look forward to seeing it. Even in limited release “Zero Dark Thirty” should bring in a tidy sum, and it will only get bigger in the coming weeks.