Author: Billy Tatum (Page 4 of 8)

Can “The Lone Ranger” handle a bunch of Minions?

July 6, 2013 / Billy Tatum

Don’t be surprised if it’s a Minion filled weekend.

The big budget “The Lone Ranger” hit theaters this weekend, but despite a budget projected to be in the neighborhood of $250 million, it may not be the story of the weekend. Universal’s animated sequel “Despicable Me 2” starring Steve Carell and Kristin Whig is not only getting the buzz, but early box office returns as well.

According to deadline.com, “The Lone Ranger” is running a distant second behind “Despicable Me 2” despite the star power of leads Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer. The Western stars Hammer as the legendary Texas Ranger left for dead and his journey to fight bad guys in the Old West. However, this incarnation has trusty indian sidekick Tonto in the lead role. “Despicable Me 2” follows reformed supervillain Gru as he raises his three adoptive daughters while being enlisted to take down another villain. It also features the voices of Benjamin Bratt, Russell Brand, and of course…minions.

If you’re not into animated hijinx or hearing the William Tell Overture, you have other options…

Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain – The hottest comedian is back in theaters. Don’t expect CGI, costars, or big budgets. Just laughs.

The Way, Way Back – A coming of age film as a 14-year-old boy faces an unfun summer vacation with his family including his jerk of a potential stepdad in Steve Carell.

The Look of Love – A comedic biopic about the late Paul Raymond, who went on to become Britain’s richest man. Stars Steve Coogan, Imogen Poots, and Anna Friel

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“The Heat” takes “White House Down”, but Monsters still rule

June 30, 2013 / Billy Tatum

What megahot sex symbols scored a victory at the box office this week?

Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock, of course.

Women came out in full force to support McCarthy and Sandra Bullock in the cop comedy “The Heat” this weekend to the tune of $40 million in it’s opening weekend. It beat out the duo of Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx in the political actioner “White House Down, which came in fourth with $25.7 million. “White House Down” disappointed Sony studio execs who had predicted at least $30 million for the big budget film that saw the destruction of the U.S. Capitol building.

Perhaps those execs should’ve read the memo that it pays to be first. It was just three months ago that audiences turned up to the see first White House under attack film in “Olympus Has Fallen”. That film opened to $30.4 million. “The Heat” capitalized on the chemistry with director Paul Feig who also helmed Bridesmaids, one of the most successful female comedies ever. It also cemented McCarthy’s draw as a lead. Get ready to see more of her. Not that that’s a bad thing, unless you’re Rex Reed.

However, neither duo was enough to top “Monsters University.” The animated prequel came in first for it’s second straight weekend with a total of $46.2 million. The next number 1 could also be animated as “Despicable Me 2” will arrive in theaters on Tuesday. It’s already earned $46.2 million in overseas markets. Coming in third was the Brad Pitt zombie film World War Z with $29.8 million. “Man of Steel” brought in $20.8 million to take the 5th spot.

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box office roundup

Can “Monsters University” take the “Heat?”

June 28, 2013 / Billy Tatum

Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy will attempt to have a monstrous first week, unless a certain President has his way.

“The Heat”, a buddy film starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy will ride the beat this week in hoping to take down last week’s champ “Monsters University” that pulled in $82 mil in its debut. Bullock and McCarthy star as alpha female cops who have to take down a drug lord without shooting each other first.

Speaking of shots fired, you’ll get a lot of that in White House Down. Nothing defines government gridlock like a missile going through the house of Congress, but that’s just what happens as Jamie Foxx stars as the President with only good luck and a beefy Channing Tatum standing between him and a terrorist field day. The film was directed by Roland Emmerich, so expect a lot of things to get shot at and blown up…loudly.

If you’d like things a bit quieter, you do have options…

I’m So Excited – Director Pedro Almodovar is back with a comedy about flight attendants singing and dancing when a flight suffers a mechanical malfunction. Starring Antonio de la Torre, Hugo Silva, and Miguel Angel Silvestre.

Laurence Anyways – A French film about an author who is engaged, right after he turns 35 tells his fiance that he wants a sex change. I don’t know how good it is, but it’s 3 hours. You were warned. Stars Natahalie Baye, Melvil Poupaud, and Suzanne Clement.

A Band Called Death – Before Punk existed, there was a band called Death. The film chronicles their struggle against social, racial, and creative forces to finally have it’s voices heard. Music historians or fans of punk should not miss this. Stars David Hackney, Dannis Hackney, and Bobby Hackney.

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Box Office Preview

“Monsters University” scares its way to box office gold

June 23, 2013 / Billy Tatum

How do you defeat a superhero? Easy, just bring some monsters.

Superman faced some box office kryptonite this weekend as his colossal debut was clearly a thing of the past as two monster themed films opened up in the top two spots. The “Monsters Inc” prequel “Monsters University” brought in $82 million as Pixar proved to be a true superhero in Hollywood. Pixar continued it’s annual box office domination alive with it’s 14th consecutive film to open at No. 1. “Monsters University” was also the second largest Pixar opening ever, second only to 2010’s “Toy Story 3,” which brought in $110.3 million.

Brad Pitt’s “World War Z” was monstrous in a good way, surprising studio execs with an astounding $66 million in it’s opening weekend. Pitt takes on a world nearly overrun by zombies in the thriller. Zombies aren’t cheap as this movie cost over $200 million to make, but “World War Z” is not only Pitt’s biggest opening, but a sequel has already been confirmed.

So, where does that leave the son of Jor-El? Try a distant third. “Man of Steel” pulled in $41.2 million, falling off 65% from it’s debut last week. In just 10 days, the Superman reboot has pulled in over $210 million. How much gas does the Man of Steel have in the tank remains to be seen, but you can’t count out Superman.

The rest of the top five featured The Seth Rogen comedy “This is the End” pulling in $13 million and the magically criminal “Now You See Me” with $7.9 million.

Movies

box office roundup

Is ‘Man of Steel’ ready to fly over the competition?

June 14, 2013 / Billy Tatum

Can you really have summer with a superhero?

If a franchise needed a layup, it’s today’s opening of “Man of Steel”. The darker Superman reboot stars Henry Carvill and opens this weekend against solid holdovers, but only one major opening release. Much is riding on “Man of Steel”. The film has been rumored to cost well over $200 million and will be used as a barometer in deciding the course of future DC Comics superhero films including the upcoming “Justice League”, based on the adventure of Superman, Batman and others.

It remains to be seen if “Truth, Justice, and the American way” can catch on with a broad audience. So far, Warner brothers is encouraged with midnight showings already having raked in $21 million. Don’t worry about finding a seat. It’ll be playing in 4,207 locations with a majority having 3D options.

From superheroic to super funny “This Is The End” opens features a ton of comedians playing themselves…sorta. It’s the apocalypse, but the end of the world is a bit more fun thanks to James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Craig Robinson and Jay Baruchel. Oh, and Rihanna’s in it, too, but we’ll check it out anyway.

If you’re not into guys in capes or a lot of guys in laughs, you still have choices…

20 Feet from Stardom – If you’ve ever wondered about life as a backup singer, here’s your chance. Hear great voices and likely watch a tear or two shed. Starring Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, and Judith hill.

Fukrey – Bollywood comedy about four college pals who come across wacky characters. Stars Priya Ananad, Ali Fazal, Pulkit Samrat, and Varun Sharma.

The Bling Ring – Directed by Sofia Coppola, the film stars Emma Watson and Leslie Mann as cool kids who decide to rob celebrities like Paris Hilton. Hide your valuables.

Hatchet III – Full disclosure: I haven’t seen the first two, but it’s a horror film, there’s a swamp, massive bloodshed, a voodoo curse…and of course, a hatchet. Knock yourselves out. Stars Danielle Harris, Kane Hodder, and Zach Galligan.

In the Fog – In 1942 USSR, there’s German occupation and when railworker Sushenya is arrested for a crime he didn’t commit, a German officer lets him go. From there, all heck breaks loose. Stars Vladimir Svirskiy, Vladislav Abashin, and Sergei Kolesov.

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