“Iron Man 3″ proved that “Gatsby” wasn’t great enough to take it from the top spot, but this week he faces a very angry Vulcan.
“Star Trek: Into Darkness” takes fans once again where no fans have boldly gone before. The sequel of the reboot brings Captain Kirk (Chris Pine), Spoke (Zachary Quinto) and company back as they hunt down the superman known as Khan. Can Iron Man fight off a Starship captain and a Gatsby that still managed to pull in $50 million in it’s debut?
If you’re not into Spaceships, guys in 1920s fashions or metal-clad superheroes, there are still options for you in theaters.
Black Rock – Three women hang out on a deserted island and end up fighting for their lives. Stars Katie Aselton (The League), Lake Bell (Children’s Hospital), and kate Bosworth.
Stories We Tell - A family of Storytellers are featured in this documentary.
Frances Ha – Greta Gerwig is a dancer who doesn’t really dances. That’s right, more awkward moments and awkward characters from the Queen of Mumblecore, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Critics weren’t blown away by the latest incarnation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic, but that didn’t stop audiences from packing theaters to the tune of $51.1 million in the U.S. to end second only to “Iron Man 3″. Starring box office titans Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire, the 1920s period piece was directed by director Baz Luhrmann and almost gave a superhero a run for it’s money.
“Iron Man 3″ carried the weekend with a dominant $72.5 million in it’s second weekend atop the box office charts. The Marvel sequel also pulled in $89.3 million overseas to bring it’s worldwide total to almost $950 million. The Robert Downey, Jr starrer may be on it’s way to where no man has gone before, but expect the Star Trek sequel opening this weekend to have a say in that.
Coming in third was the muscles and kidnapping drama “Pain and Gain” with $5 million. The weekend’s other opening film was Tyler Perry’s “Peeples” starring Kerry Washington and David Alan Grier which grossed $4.85 million. Rounding out the top 5 was The Jackie Robinson biopic “42″ which raked in $4.7 million.
Rounding out the top 10…
6. Oblivion – $3.86 million 7. The Croods - $3.6 million 8. The Big Wedding - $2.5 million 9. Mud - $2.4 million 10. Oz the Great and Powerful – $802K
It’s a showdown of two guys who are no stranger to posing in really nice suits.
Warner Bros. “The Great Gatsby” is seeking to show industry execs that it has a special superpower, knocking down reigning #1 box office champ “Iron Man 3″. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey McGuire, the period piece epic is seen as the ultimate counterprogramming to the superhero sequel. Set in the 1920s, “The Great Gatsby” follows Midwest writer (Tobey McGuire) as he gets sucked into the rollercoaster lifestyle of his millionaire partyboy neighbor, Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio).
“Iron Man 3″ pulled in $174 million last week and destroyed all of its competition. It remains to be seen if “Gatsby” can cause a changing of the guard with an audience that is likely to skew heavily female.
So you don’t want guys who can fly or decadent millionaires with a jazz soundtrack? No problem, there are athletes, laughs and even a natural disaster to keep your attention.
Peeples - Craig Robinson is out of “The Office” and headlining this comedy about a man who crashes his girlfriend’s snooty family reunion to ask for her hand in marriage. Kerry Washington stars as the girlfriend and David Alan Grier as the patriarch. Also stars melvin Van Peeples and S. Epatha Merkerson.
Venus and Serena – There’s a reason we’re still relevant in international tennis: Venus and Serena Williams. They’ve dominated for over a decade and provided inspiration and scorn from fans and detractors. In this documentary, see how the sisters fought career and life-threatening disease with the heart of a champion.
Aftershock – What happens when you mix a horror film with an earthquake? A group of people who happened to be in an underground club in Chile finds out the hard way. Stars Eli Roth and Selena Gomez.
The folks over at Marvel are starting to prove that their heroes are larger than life on and off the screen.
“Iron Man 3″ kicked off the summer movie season bringing in $175 million over the weekend, giving it the second largest box office opening ever. This came in second only to last year’s men-in-tights fest “The Avengers”, which is credited to helping boost “Iron Man 3′s” debut. Overall, the movie has brought in over $680 million in worldwide receipts, bringing Disney past the $1 billion mark for it’s 19th straight year.
Although its star, Robert Downey, Jr, left room to speculation that it would be his last time donning the armor, this latest box office development should put that to rest as it’s turning into one of the most lucrative franchises of all time.
No movie lacked the power of old Shellhead, but spring standbys did manage to pull in the leftovers from Iron Man 3. The testosterone fueled “Pain & Gain” starring Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson” finished 2nd with $7.6 million.
Surprise baseball hit “42″ continued to bring acclaim and crowds who liked a different kind of hero, bringing in $6.2 million for the weekend. Tom Cruise’s “Oblivion” came in 4th with $5.7 million. The prehistoric kid flick “The Croods” bright in 4.2 million to take the 5th spot.
A couple of indies managed to make a name for themselves. Mud starring Matthew McConaughey managed to break into the top 10 brining in $2.1 million on only 576 screens (an increase from last week’s 363), but Michael Shannon’s assassin biopic “The Iceman” managed to pull in $93,000 on only 4 screens in it’s debut. That was only on 4,249 less screens than “Iron Man 3″.
Rounding out the top 10…
6. The Big Wedding – $3.8 million
7. MUD – $2.1 million
8. Oz the Great and Powerful – $1.8 million
9. Scary Movie 5 – $1.4 million
10. Place Beyond the Pines – $1.2 million
Big muscles took the weekend box office before a real superhero shows them how to do it. Meanwhile, one wedding showed that moviegoers were left at the altar.
Paramount’s “Pain & Gain” led a slow box office over the weekend, pulling in $20 million, according to THR.com. Directed by Michael Bay, the film starred Dwayne Johnson and Mark Wahlberg as bodybuilders who get entangled in a kidnapping scheme. Based on a true story, the film only cost $26 million to make, so producers were ecstatic.
A film with a lot more star power came up short in its box office debut. “The Big Wedding” boasted a cast featuring Robert De Niro, Katherine Heigl, Amanda Seyfried, Topher Grace, and Robin Williams, but no one wanted to appear at this wedding as it brought it only $7.5 million. It cost $30 million to make and will probably be on Netflix before you know it.
The other big name film to open this week was “Mud” starring Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon. Reese’s recent arrest didn’t seem to harm the film, playing in limited release. “Mud” earned $2.2 million on 363 theaters.
Here’s how the top ten shook out….
1. Pain & Gain – $20 million 2. Oblivion - $17.4 million 3. 42 - $10.7 million 4. The Big Wedding - $7.5 million 5. The Croods - $6.6 million 6. G.I. Joe Retaliation - $3.6 million 7. Scary Movie – $3.5 million 8. Olympus Has Fallen - $2.8 million 9. The Place Beyond the Pines - $2.7 million 10. Jurassic Park 3D – $2.3 million
While Superhero season doesn’t kick in until next week, there are still people muscular enough to warrant wearing a cape in theaters this week.
Wrestling superhero Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson headlines the movies debuting this week with “Pain & Gain”. Co-starring Mark Wahlberg, the two star as bodybuilders who get entangled in extortion, kidnapping, and probably way too much HGH. It’s directed by Michael Bay (“Transformers”), so I’m sure pecs won’t be the only thing exploding.
It’s not the cleanest movie title, but “MUD” opens this week with a star most women wouldn’t mind getting dirty with. Matthew McConaughey stars as Ellis, who along with his friend Neckbone (Tye Sheridan) team up to help a criminal escape bounty hunters and reunite with his lady love Juniper (Reese Witherspoon).
The most intriguing debut this week may be “The Big Wedding”. Slammed by RottenTomatoes, the rom-com has enough star power for an awards show or a pre-summer trainwreck. It’s about a divorced couple that pretends to be the married couple for their adult kids. It stars Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, Susan Sarandon, Amanda Seyfried, Topher Grace, and Robin Williams. I mean, how bad can it be?
Also opening this week:
Arthur Newman - A man fakes his death and starts over with a woman with a forgettable past. It stars Emily Blunt, Colin Firth, and Anne Heche.
The Numbers Station – John Cusack stars as a CIA black ops agent on the road to redemption. Also stars Malin Akerman.
Kon Tiki - In 1947, Thor Heyerdahl crossed the Pacific ocean in a balsa wood raft. Not just because it was there, either. Stars Pal Sverre Hagen
Tom Cruise’s latest pic may have dealt with a bleak future, but in the present, he’s proving that he’s still box office gold.
The sci-fi actioner “Oblivion” opened to $38.2 million this weekend, blowing away it’s competition in it’s debut. In the film, Cruise stars as one of the last people on the planet 60 years after an alien invasion. It also stars Morgan Freeman and Olga Kurylenko. “Oblviion” is already in it’s second week overseas and has pulled in $150.2 million in worldwide receipts.
An unexpected sleeper continued to make its way around the bases as the Jackie Robinson biopic “42″ took the #2 spot with $18 million. The film starring Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford is in it’s second weekend and has already grossed $54 million.
“The Croods” continued to make studio execs live in the past, passing the $400 million mark worldwide and earning the No. 3 spot for the weekend, with a domestic haul of $9.5 million.
The low-budget laugher “Scary Movie 5″ continued in the top 5, placing 4th in it’s second weekend with a gross of $6.5 million for the week.
Ryan Gosling may want to reconsider going on a hiatus. His indie drama “The Place Beyond the Pines” has taken on more theaters and more dollars at the box office. It also stars Bradley Cooper as both men’s lives take startling turns after a chance encounter. “Pines” explanded” into 1500 theaters this week and earned the No. 6 spot for a total of $4.7 million and and overall gross of $11.4 million.
Rounding out the top ten…
5. G.I. Joe: Retaliation - $5.8 million 6. The Place Byond the Pines - $4.7 million 7. Olympus Has Fallen - $4.5 million 8. Evil Dead - $4.1 million 9. Jurassic Park - $4 million 10. Oz The Great and Powerful - $3 million
Expect to see more than a bit of synergy tomorrow as the top movie in the nation ties in with what was once the top game in the nation, as they both pay tribute to Jackie Robinson.
The Robinson biopic “42″ topped the weekend box office bringing in $27.3 mil, making it the highest debut ever for a baseball film. The previous being “The Benchwarmers” which opened to $19.7 mil. in 2006. Critics gave the film high marks and the audience crossed all demographics. On Monday, Major League Baseball will commemorate their annual Jackie Robinson Day where all players and umpires will wear Robinson’s number 42.
“Scary Movie 5″ wasn’t as scary as its predecessor at the box office, but made studio execs happy enough. The horror spoof pulled in $15.2 million. In contrast, 2006′s “Scary Movie 4″ raked in $40.2 million in it’s debut. Starring “Phineas and Ferb’s” Ashley Tisdale, Lindsay Lohan, and Charlie Sheen, will easily make it’s money back having cost The Weinstein/Dimension group a mere $20 million to make.
The animated caveman movie “The Croods” came in at third for $13.2 million. So far, “The Croods has pulled in $142.5 in the U.S and $207 million overseas. Apparently there’s big money in evolution.
Last week’s winner, “Evil Dead” fell to number 5 earning $9.5 million at the box office. So far, the horror remake has grossed $41.5 million. “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” fought off bad guys to the tune of $10.8 million this weekend, bringing it’s total to $102.4 million.
Rounding out the top 10: 6. Jurasssic Park - $8.8 million 7. Olympus Has Fallen – $7.3 million 8. Oz The Great and Powerful - $4.9 million 9. Tyler Perry’s Temptation - $4.5 million 10. The Place Beyond the Pines - $4.1 million
Last week’s no. 1 movie “Evil Dead” faces some stiff competition by a horror franchise of a different type, a lesson in baseball history and a movie that most having heard of but boasts a couple Oscar winners.
Ashley Tisdale (“Phineas and Ferb”) and Simon Rex headline the latest in the “Scary Movie” franchise. With comedic cameos including Lindsay Lohan and Charlie Sheen, “Scary Movie 5″ hits theaters this week taking satiric shots at “Mama”, “Paranormal Activity”, “Planet of the Apes”, and believe it or not “Evil Dead”.
For those of you who couldn’t wait for the boys of summer to take the field, “42″ tells the life story of revered baseball player Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) who broke the color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers and his friendship with Dodgers GM Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford).
“To The Wonder” stars Oscar winners Ben Affleck and Javier Bardem and Bond girl Olga Kurylenko, but if you haven’t seen many ads for it, you’re not alone. The story follows couple Marina (Kurylenko) and Neil (Affleck) who visit Oklahoma and get wrapped in a story of lies, betrayals, sex…and of course, a priest.
Other films opening:
The Angels Share - A comedic tale of redemption and whiskey. Four Scottish parolees band together to escape their hard life.
It’s a Disaster - For those “Arrested Development” junkies, David Cross stars as part of four couples who are stuck in a house before a possible Armageddon.
Disconnect – Wait, did I say “Arrested Development”? Jason Bateman stars as one of a group of people who get more than a case of “Identity Theft” when things go wrong online.
South by Southwest (SXSW) is an annual festival that takes place in the spring in Austin, TX showcasing a wide variety of conventions with film, music, and technology. It typically lasts for about 10 days in March and is one of the biggest events of the year.
The 2013 SXSW once again brought in audiences from all around the United States who are looking to see the latest in creativity. Some of them participated in the festival. Many of the guests worked around the clock during the other months of the year just to bring their creations to light in front of the thousands of people who attend the festival every day. Some attendees traveling in from Dallas, TX had even found it useful to store their tools and supplies at an Uncle Bob’s self storage unit they were ready to head to Austin for the big event.
This year’s festival brought with it a lot of new faces and brilliant minds to the table. One of the most popular panels at the upcoming conference was the creative job market exhibit that lasted for several hours throughout the day. These exhibitions were designed to help those innovative minds meet with many large creativity based companies to see what it’s like to work in the arts as well as make contacts within the industry. It’s a great opportunity for creators to learn how to better utilize their skills in music, design, and technology to ensure a great career ahead of them.
Another extremely popular conference that took place this year was the app conference–so sought after that prospective audience members had to RSVP in advance for the panel. Lead by several well-known technology developers, this particular period during South by Southwest covered everything that goes into creating apps. Apps are the way of the future, but to be successful, one must have the dedication, creativity, and design skills to truly make a great app worth selling. This panel instructed members just what they need to do, including how to come up with a great idea and how to market it after it’s already been designed.
Another great presentation included an informative panel all about the creative process from start to finish. In the past it has helped teach those who desire to be creative, or optimize the creative zeal they already have, setting themselves up for success through some very simple steps. From paying attention to detail, the latest trends in the markets, and where to take creations after they’re finished, this panel helps guide aspiring artists, writers, photographers, and even business entrepreneurs into making their creative dreams a reality.
Everyone should keep their ears to the ground for what next year’s SXSW will bring, though it will invariably involve a variety of creative industry innovations.
