Author: Billy Tatum (Page 1 of 8)

“Thor” nearly edged out by “Best Man”

November 17, 2013 / Billy Tatum

This week featured a battle of the sequels with an Avenger nearly needing help from Captain America.

“Thor: The Dark World” held on to the top spot at the box office, fending off Malcolm D. Lee’s “The Best Man Holiday” grossing $38.5 million in domestic receipts.

It took 14 years for “The Best Man’ Holiday” to hit theaters, but audiences were lined up to see it. “The Best Man Holiday” outperformed all predictions pulling in $30.6 million in it’s opening debut. Film execs were even happier considering the film was projected to open at about $20 million. The film features Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long, Monica Calhoun, Melissa De Sousa and Terrence Howard as a group of college friends who reunite after 15 years to realize some things haven’t changed.

Rounding out the top five was “Last Vegas” with $8.9 million. The Hangover for seniors has shown it has some legs…old, creaky legs. With turkey day around the corner, it’s no surprise that “Free Birds” is still in the box office mix with $8.3 million to gobble up fourth place. The Jackass spinoff “Bad Grandpa” showed there’s still life in those false dentures with $7.7 million to hold on to fifth place.

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‘Thor’ hammers down the box office

November 10, 2013 / Billy Tatum

Where there’s a hammer, there’s a way.

“Thor: The Dark World” racked up over $86 million and beat down all comers to grab the number one spot at the box office this week, according to studio estimates. The Disney sequel debuted internationally last week and had already earned $108.4 million overseas. It’s total global box office is already $327 million. The Marvel Comics superhero sequel stars Chris Hemsworth in the title role as he battles a mysterious threat to the universe, while reuniting with human love interest Jane Foster (Natalie Portman).

While one man was saving the world, another was making a jackass of himself to claim the number 2 spot on the list. “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa” starring Johnny Knoxville proved an oldie is a goody in it’s second weekend earning $11.3 million for a three week tally of $78 million.

Thanksgiving is still weeks away, but that didn’t stop a couple turkeys from gobbling up big box office as “Free Birds” captured third place for $11.2 million in it’s second weekend. Rounding out the top 5 was the senior driven “Last Vegas” starring Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Douglas and the sci-fi blockbuster “Ender’s Game” with $10.3 million

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Box Office Preview: ‘Ender’s Game’ faces off against ‘Last Vegas’

November 1, 2013 / Billy Tatum

If you’re in need to save the planet or head to a place stranger than space, then the studios have just what you’re looking for.

The long awaited sci-fi film “Ender’s Game” hits theaters today and is expected to make a run at the box office crown. The film stars Asa Butterfield in the title role as the child soldier tasked with saving the human race from an alien invasion. The film co-stars another space veteran, Harrison Ford.

If you’re tired of those pesky kids and their spaceships and what not, “Last Vegas” features a lot of fun from the AARP contingent. Starring Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Kline as four old friends who hit Vegas to celebrate the upcoming nuptuals of Michael Douglas.

For kids who don’t want to watch aliens blown up or jokes about Cialis, there’s “Free Birds.” Woody Harrelson and Owen Wilson star as two turkeys who plot to change Thanksgiving menus to something a bit more turkey friendly. Yes, they go back in time and no, I don’t know how it affects the cranberry space-time continuum.

In limited release, you’ll find Matthew McConaughey as AIDS pioneer Ron Woodroof in “Dallas Buyers Club” and “About Time”, a romantic comedy about time travel (sorry no turkeys) and of course, love. “About Time” stars Domhnall Gleeson (Anna Karenina) and Rachel McAdams.

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“Gravity” remains high above the competition

October 20, 2013 / Billy Tatum

Even a classic horror remake couldn’t take down a couple of middle-aged astronauts.

It seems the only thing scaring up the box office this week was “Gravity” starring George Clooney and Sandra Bullock. The story of the duo lost in space held on to the top box office spot for the third straight week, a feat accomplished on twice this year. Gravity managed to earn $31 million this weekend blowing away the competition.

Tom Hanks got a step closer to another Oscar nod with the pirates drama “Captain Phillips” which continued to connect with audiences to the briny tune of $17.3 million earning the No. 2 spot.

The horror remake “Carrie” starring Chloe Grace Moretz scared up a tidy $17 million for the third spot in its opening week. Analysts had expected it to open closer to $25 million, but audiences were more excited about going to space than to the prom.

Rounding out the top 5 was the animated sequel “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2” with 10.1 million for fourth place. “Escape Plan” starring Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzennegger proved that 80s action stars still have some juice as it opened with $9.8 million for fifth place.

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“Gravity” takes off to Number 1 at the box office

October 6, 2013 / Billy Tatum

NASA may be shut down, but the country’s minds and wallets were surely in space as “Gravity” ruled the box office.

The Sandra Bullock and George Clooney lost in space 3D epic “Gravity”epic opened to $55.6 million in domestic receipts. That total proved to be out of this world setting a record for the biggest October ever. Driven by older moviegoers, the highly rated film got most of it’s crowd from the over 35 set, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The space race wasn’t limited to the US as the film opened in over 2 dozen other markets grossing $27.4 million.

Adults may have ruled this weekend, but last weekend’s kidfest still showed some legs as another 3D film “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2” held on to the No. 2 spot grossing $21.5 in it’s second week. The other big studio debut was “Runner Runner” which stumble stumbled at the box office with a mediocre $7.6 million. Despite starring Justin Timberlake and future Batman, Ben Affleck, the drama about online gambling came up short with critics and moviegoers.

Speaking of superheroes, Hugh Jackman’s drama “Prisoners” held on to the No. 4 spot this week with $5.7 million. The former X-Man stars as a father who takes the law into his own hands when police fail to find his missing daughter.

Rounding out the top 5 is the Formula 1 racing film “Rush” with $4.4 million. Directed by Ron Howard, the drama is proving that although F1 racing isn’t big in the US that this vehicle still has a few laps left at the box office.

Already getting Oscar buzz, “Captain Phillips” got an early, but quiet release on 800 theaters. Box office numbers haven’t been revealed, but it’s rumored to have gotten decent numbers ahead of it’s high profile debut this weekend.

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