· After shattering a number of records in Asia, 3 is now making a mockery of European ticket-buying benchmarks.
Based on this preliminary data, we now predict a $400 million opening weekend in America, kicking off an eventual $3 billion domestic run. [ ]
We much prefer THR's "Tom Poston, master of sidekicks" obit headline to yesterday's weak effort. [ ]
· Emma Roberts will star "as a spoiled Malibu princess" in the Universal comedy Wild Child; accusations that Auntie Julia somehow got her the role by promising Universal a favor to follow.
[ ]
NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg honors late copyright enforcer Jack Valenti's legacy by announcing a "three-pronged" attack on the city's movie pirates. [ ]
· Still giddy over the huge piles of cash Frank Miller's 300 generated for them, . options the rights to his graphic novel Ronin.
They plan to shoot in the same CGI-heavy way, hoping that hordes of well-muscled "gangs of mutants and thugs" with computer-enhanced six-packs will prove as wildly popular as the first project's sweaty, ripped Greeks. [ ]
You spent the weekend in an alcohol-induced coma that helped to blot out the mentally scarring memories of the previous five days; unfortunately, you've awakened just in time for another week of humiliation and pain, with nothing but the numbers to cling to in this hour of desperation.
1.
Blades of Glory-$33 million
DreamWorks was prepared for a strong Blades of Glory opening that nonetheless fell far short of the $47 million that blockbuster Talladega Nights earned for Sony , as tracking data from regions where Talladega did huge repeat business contained comments such as, "When did Ricky Bobby turn into a Gay?" indicated a disinclination to see a big screen romp set in the world of man-on-man figure-skating competitions. Still, $33 million is more than a healthy enough first weekend number to guarantee that we'll enjoy a steady supply of " is a lovable jackass in a high-profile occupation for which he seems hilariously ill-suited" movies for years to come.
It's time once again to soothe the festering wounds of the weekend by slathering ourselves in the miraculous, healing unguent of the numbers:
(Also: , motherfuckers!)
Buena Vista's marketing department really should have trusted 's instincts earlier in the campaign for Wild Hogs. A senior VP, relieved by Hogs' big opening, that "the tracking services had us at best in the mid-$20 million range.
" Had Travolta's groundbreaking idea to go on daytime talk shows to reenact some of the poignant scenes in which its disaffected protagonists finally throw off the shackles of their dishonest, suburban breeder lives and been implemented weeks ago, the movie might have cleared the $50 million barrier.
· hands out its awards, with Padre Nuestro winning the dramatic competition's grand jury prize, the John Cusack-starring Grace is Gone winning the drama audience award, and Brazilian corruption film Manda Bala (Send a Bullet) taking the documentary jury prize. [ ]
· joins Will Ferrell's ABA basketball comedy Semi-Pro as a "hard-drinking sports commentator," probably reducing the chances that audiences will get to see him in knee-high tube socks and nut-hugging shorts, but increasing the chances he will appear in a mustard-colored sportsjacket while openly swigging from a whiskey bottle at courtside. [ ]
· is forced to cancel Armed and Famous after 's Nielsen death ray disintegrates its audience, while moves fledgling Knights of Prosperity out of Idol's competition-annihilating path.
[ ]
· Hoping to lock up the coveted Ron Silver endorsement, Rudolph Giuliani plans to visit L.A. to raise money for his exploratory committee for a 2008 presidential run.
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We think Sartre said it best: "Hell is other people; also, Monday mornings." As you embark on yet another seemingly endless work week, distract yourselves from your existential dread with the numbers:
1. Stomp the Yard--$13.
3 million
2. Night at the Museum--$13 million
With their minds preoccupied with getting their Oscar hopefuls onto some more screens in anticipation of tomorrow's nominations announcement, the studios couldn't be bothered to provide the moviegoing public with new options this weekend, save an ill-advised remake of The Hitcher. Those not inclined to seek out contenders like The Queen or Babel, but who were still committed to their obligatory weekly trip to the multiplex, found themselves joylessly engaged in repeat viewings of yard-stomping and Ben Stiller while daydreaming of the Eddie-Murphy-in-a-rubber-fat-lady-suit delights that Norbit will deliver in early February.
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