The whole “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” racism controversy may make me laugh, but the film has made some serious cash. It had the biggest opening for a Wednesday release ever pulling in $60.6 million. According to Variety the film was expected to have secured another $27 million on Thursday putting the flick on track to a possible $160 five-day total. “Dark Knight” currently holds the record for the biggest five-day count with $203.8 million followed by "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith" with $172.8 million and "Spider-Man 3" with $169.4 million. While taking down “Dark Knight” is unlikely, it is possible we’ll see a new #2 by the end of the weekend. In the meantime, the Skids and Mudflap criticism continues. (Check out Slash Films article on the issue here.)
“Saw V” and “The Box” better make room for another Halloween horror film. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Magnolia Pictures’ Magnet Releasing branch acquired the domestic distributions rights to “The House of the Devil.” The Ti West film, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, is about a college student (Jocelin Donahue) who’s terrorized while at a babysitting job. The movie hits theaters on Halloween and will also be available on demand in late September.
When I first heard a trailer for “Daybreakers” hit the web, I was sure I was going to begin this news tidbit by bashing Hollywood for the overabundance of vampire movies. “Daybreakers” is no “Twilight.” The year is 2019 and the majority of the world’s population has been transformed into vampires due to an outbreak of plague. With so few humans left, the vampires must plan for the time at which there is no blood remaining. While the majority of bloodsuckers work to find a nourishment substitute a rogue group tries to find a way to save the human race. Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe look like they’ll be great player in this film, but it’s Sam Neill that stuck out most. The guy has had little success since starring in one of my all-time favorite films, “Jurassic Park,” so I’m elated to see him in something with potential. Vampires invade theaters, yet again, on January 8th 2010.
How could a cast consisting of Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner, Shirley MacLaine, Bradley Cooper and Ashton Kutcher get any better? I know! Why not add Topher Grace, Emma Roberts and Hector Elizondo to the list? The cast of New Line’s romantic comedy “Valentine’s Day” keeps getting better and better. According to The Hollywood Reporter, in a “He’s Just Not That Into You” style, the film focuses on five stories that are somewhat connected. Grace will play a mailroom worker who is dating Hathaway’s character while Roberts will play a young girl hoping to lose her virginity. Fun Fact: This is the first time Robert will be working with her aunt Julia.
Columbia Pictures may have found El Dorado El Dorado. The Hollywood Reporter says the studio will turn the popular video game “Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune” into a feature film. The game is about the descendent of Sir Francis Drake, Nate Drake. Nate thinks he knows where to find El Dorado, the golden city of South America. Not only does Nate battle a rival in his attempt to reach the fabled city first but he also encounters a number of vicious creatures along the way.
Lorenzo di Bonaventura must be a pretty happy guy right now. Not only is “Transformers” rocking the box office, but he’s also been recruited to produce “Hellified” for Paramount. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Andy Burg will be responsible for writing the script, which will involve a journey to hell, while Dan Bradley is attached to direct. Burg secured a massive six-figure deal to switch gears and go from comedy and family-film writing to penning the script for this supernatural action film.
Could Hilary Swank be flying straight to the Oscars? She already won twice for her roles in “Million Dollar Baby” and “Boys Don’t Cry” and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her nab a third for her role in “Amelia.” This trailer is deeply riveting and I wouldn’t expect any less from Mira Nair. If “Amelia” is anything like “The Namesake” there’s no doubt in my mind this film will be prominent during award season.
