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Weekend Box Office for August 28 – 30

#1 The Final Destination from Warner Bros. debuts at #1 this weekend bringing in $28 million in 3121 theaters. Budget for Final was $40 million.

#2 Inglourious Basterds from the Weinstein Co. takes #2 this weekend bringing in $20 million in 3165 theaters. Budget for Inglourious was $70 million.

#3 Halloween II from Weinstein/Dimension debuts at #3 this weekend bringing in $17 million in 3025 theaters. Budget for Halloween II was $15 million.

#4 District 9 from TriStar drops to #4 this weekend earning $10.7 million in 3180 theaters. Budget for District 9 was $30 million.

#5 G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra from Paramount drops to #5 this weekend earning $8 million in 3467 theaters. Budget for G.I. Joe was $175 million

Rounding out the top 10 are:

#6 Julie & Julia Weekend Gross: $7,400,000 down 15% / Theaters: 2503 up 40 / Gross $70,992,000 / Budget: $40 million

#7 The Time Traveler’s Wife Weekend Gross: $6,745,000 down 30% / Theaters: 2961, down 27 / Gross $48,193,000 / Budget: $39 million

#8 Shorts Weekend Gross: $4,870,000 down 24% / Theaters: 3105, unchanged / Gross $13,565,000 / Budget: $38 million

#9 Taking Woodstock Weekend Gross: $3,749,000 / Theaters: 1393 / Gross $3,769,000 / Budget: $30 million

#10 G-Force Weekend Gross: $2,845,000 down 30% / Theaters: 1926 down 635 / Gross $111,801,000 / Budget: unknown

A note on “Gross”: On average, studios will earn approximately 55 percent of the final gross.

Sources:

Box Office Mojo

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Weekend Box Office for August 14 – 16

#1 District 9 from TriStar debuts at #1 this weekend bringing in $37 million in 3049 theaters. Budget for District was $30 million.

#2 G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra from Paramount takes #2 this weekend bringing in $22.5 million in 4007 theaters. Budget for Joe was $175 million.

#3 The Time Traveler’s Wife from Warner Bros. debuts at #3 this weekend bringing in $19.2 million in 2988 theaters. Budget for Wife was $39 million.

#4 Julie and Julia from Sony drops to #4 this weekend earning $12.4 million in 2354 theaters. Budget for Julia was $40 million.

#5 G-Force from Buena Vista. drops to #5 this weekend earning $6.9 million in 3065 theaters. Budget for G-Force is unknown.

Rounding out the top 10 are:

#6 The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard Weekend Gross: $5,350,000 / Theaters: 1838 / Gross $5,350,000 / Budget: unknown

#7 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Weekend Gross: $5,155,000 down 42% / Theaters: 2771, down 684 / Gross $283,893,000 / Budget: $250 million

#8 The Ugly Truth Weekend Gross: $4,500,000 down 33% / Theaters: 2733, down 214 / Gross $77,502,000 / Budget: $38 million

#9 Ponyo Weekend Gross: $3,506,000 / Theaters: 927 / Gross $3,506,000 / Budget: unknown

#10 (500) Days of Summer Weekend Gross: $3,025,000 down 19% / Theaters: 1048 up 231 / Gross $17,955,000 / Budget: unknown

A note on “Gross”: On average, studios will earn approximately 55 percent of the final gross.

Sources:

Box Office Mojo

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American Icon John Hughes dead at 59

John Hughes, the landmark director and voice of awkward disassociated teens everywhere died Thursday of a heart attack in Manhattan while taking a walk. He was 59. The filmmaker, whom critic Roger Ebert once called “the philosopher of adolescence,” was without a doubt a major influence on many of the filmmakers to come since his heyday including Wes Anderson, Kevin Smith and Judd Apatow, who told the L.A. Times last year, “Basically, my stuff is just John Hughes films with four-letter words.”

His vaguely disguised anti-establishment message was uniquely American and certainly help seal his movies appeal with the American public. Called a contemporary J. D. Salinger, Hughes didn’t make movies; his work was social commentary in high school, a slice of the microcosm writ large on the macro. He gave a real voice to the American teenager and in doing so opened up a window on the souls of the rest of us. He reminded us as adults that being young was legitimate and important and that the experiences of youth were real and universal and sweeter than we remember. He would, through his dysfunctional grouping of miscreants and social outcasts, show us where we came from. His lessons were simple and clear and absolutely true, we are all a product of our childhood and we are all the same.

“He understood young people in a way few filmmakers ever have. He tapped into the feelings of teenagers and literally changed the face of the ’80s. The film industry has lost a giant — a gentle, wonderful giant,” said “Home Alone” said actor Devin Ratray in a statement given to the press.

Born in Michigan, Hughes used his high school town of Northbrook, Ill., as a location for many of his films. He got his start as an advertising copywriter in Chicago and started selling jokes to performers such as Rodney Dangerfield and Joan Rivers. Hired by National Lampoon magazine after submitting his short story “Vacation ’58,” he wrote his first screenplay, “Class Reunion,” while on staff at the magazine, and it became his first produced script in 1982. His next, “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” based on his short story, became his first big hit and spawned several sequels.

Behind the scenes Hughes would become renowned as the script doctor of choice for Hollywood while his own work was slower in materializing. He worked on a Jaws sequel, and with PJ O’Rourke wrote The History of Ohio from the Beginning of Time to the End of the Universe, neither of which were ever made. He locked horns with the director of his first produced screenplay, the horror-comedy National Lampoon’s Class Reunion, and the film was widely considered a disaster; he also co-wrote the unremarkable swashbuckling adventure Nate and Hayes. Bruce Berman, who was VP of production at Universal and president of production at Warners when Hughes made several films with those studios, told Daily Variety, “He was one of the most challenging relationships an exec could have, but one of the most fun, most talented and gifted.” Berman said that Hughes was one of the fastest writers in the biz, saying “He could write a draft over a weekend” but “he didn’t like to be rewritten.”

Hughes’ first film as a director was 1984’s “Sixteen Candles,” starring Anthony Michael Hall, John Cusack and Molly Ringwald. The teen romance introduced several of the actors who would make up Hughes’ “stock company” a legendary group that would eventually become known as the Brat Pack. In 1985, “The Breakfast Club” became that era’s, and possibly the 20th century’s, most iconic and influential high school film. It starred Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Hall and Judd Nelson as teens who must learn to get along when thrown together during Saturday detention.

After an impressive string of hits — “Home Alone” is one of the top-grossing live-action comedies of all time — Hughes, who never won a major show business award, stopped directing in 1991 and virtually retired from filmmaking a few years later, working on his farm in northern Illinois.

While his work has a visual style that is unique to its era the messages that he conveyed with absolute skill are timeless. He taught us that “society” will always see us as it wants to see us. In the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But what we found out, through his work, is that each one of us is a brain…and an athlete…and a basket case…a princess…and a criminal.
Does that answer your question?
Yes it does Mr. Hughes. Yes it does.
Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club.

John Hughes is survived by his wife of 39 years, Nancy; two sons, John, a musician, and James, a writer; and four grandchildren and he will be missed by us all.

Sources:
Variety
IMDB
NY Times
The Guardian.

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Weekend Box Office For July 31 – August 2

#1 Funny People from Universal debuts at #1 this weekend bringing in $23.4 million in 3008 theaters. Budget for Funny was $75 million.

#2 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince from Warner Bros. holds at #2 this weekend bringing in $17.7 million in 4393 theaters. Budget for Half-Blood Prince was $250 million.

#3 G-Force from Disney drops to #2 this weekend bringing in $17 million in 3697 theaters. Budget for G-Force is unknown.

#4 The Ugly Truth from Sony drops to #4 this weekend earning $13 million in 2882 theaters. Budget for Truth was $38 million.

#5 Aliens in the Attic from Fox. debuts at #5 this weekend earning $7.8 million in 3300 theaters. Budget for Aliens was $45 million.

Rounding out the top 10 are:

#6 The Orphan Weekend Gross: $7,250,000 down 43% / Theaters: 2750 / Gross $26,791,000 / Budget: unknown

#7 Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs Weekend Gross: $5,300,000 down 37% / Theaters: 2757, down 543 / Gross $181,843,000 / Budget: $90 million

#8 The Hangover Weekend Gross: $5,080,000 down 21% / Theaters: 2071, down 214 / Gross $255,776,000 / Budget: $35 million

#9 The Proposal Weekend Gross: $4,848,000 down 24% / Theaters: 2435, down 344 / Gross $148,882,000 / Budget: $40 million

#10 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Weekend Gross: $4,600,000 down 43% / Theaters: 2626 down 611 / Gross $388,101,000 / Budget: $200 million

A note on “Gross”: On average, studios will earn approximately 55 percent of the final gross.

Sources:

Box Office Mojo

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Weekend Box Office for July 24 – 26

#1 G-Force from Disney debuts at #1 this weekend bringing in $32.1 million in 3697 theaters. Budget for G-Force is unknown.

#2 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince from Warner Bros. drops to #2 this weekend bringing in $30 million in 4325 theaters. Budget for Half-Blood Prince was $250 million.

#3 The Ugly Truth from Sony debuts at #3 this weekend earning $27 million in 2882 theaters. Budget for Truth was $38 million.

#4 The Orphan from Warner Bros. debuts at #4 this weekend earning $12.7 million in 2750 theaters. Budget for Orphan is unknown.

#5 Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs from Fox. drops to #5 this weekend earning $8 million in 3300 theaters. Budget for Ice Age was $90 million.

Rounding out the top 10 are:

#6 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Weekend Gross: $8,000,000 down 41% / Theaters: 3237 down 620 / Gross $379,090,000 / Budget: $250 million

#7 The Hangover Weekend Gross: $6,465,000 down 20% / Theaters: 2285, down 382 / Gross $222,442,000 / Budget: $35 million

#8 The Proposal Weekend Gross: $6,423,000 down 22% / Theaters: 2779, down 264 / Gross $140,086,000 / Budget: $40 million

#9 Public Enemies Weekend Gross: $4,170,000 down 46% / Theaters: 2291 down 827 / Gross $88,096,000 / Budget: $100 million

#10 Bruno Weekend Gross: $2,719,000 down 67% / Theaters: 1895, down 864 / Gross $56,516,000 / Budget: unknown

A note on “Gross”: On average, studios will earn approximately 55 percent of the final gross.

Sources:

Box Office Mojo

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Weekend Box Office for July 10 – 12

#1 Bruno from Universal debuts at #1 this weekend bringing in $30.4 million in 2756 theaters. Budget for Bruno is unknown.

#2 Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs from Fox drops to #2 this weekend bringing in $28.5 million in 4102 theaters. Budget for Ice Age was $90 million.

#3 Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen from Paramount/Dreamworks drops to the #3 spot this weekend earning $24.2 million in 4293 theaters. Budget for Revenge of the Fallen was $200 million.

#4 Public Enemies from Universal drops one this weekend bringing in $14.1 million in 3336 theaters. Budget for Enemies was $100 million.

#5 The Proposal from Buena Vista. drops again this weekend earning $10.5 million in 3158 theaters. Budget for The Proposal was $40 million.

Rounding out the top 10 are:

#6 The Hangover Weekend Gross: $9,930,000 down 11% / Theaters: 3002, down 68 / Gross $222,442,000 / Budget: $35 million

#7 I Love You Beth Cooper Weekend Gross: $5,000,000 / Theaters: 1858 / Gross $5,000,000 / Budget: $18 million

#8 Up Weekend Gross: $4,656,000 down 28% / Theaters: 2201, down 455 / Gross $273,775,000 / Budget: $175 million

#9 My Sister’s Keeper Weekend Gross: $4,180,000 down 27% / Theaters: 2,444 / Gross $35,801,000 / Budget: $30 million

#10 The Taking of Pelham 123 Weekend Gross: $1,600,000 down 36% / Theaters: 1116, down 792 / Gross $61,494,000 / Budget: $100 million

A note on “Gross”: On average, studios will earn approximately 55 percent of the final gross.

Sources:

Box Office Mojo

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Clooney and Smokehouse Going to Sony

Entertainment Weekly reports that George Clooney will be packing up Smokehouse, his production company, and moving from its current Warner Bros. home over to the Sony lot.

Sony is currently negotiating a two-year deal with Clooney and his production partner Grant Heslov. Clooney has spent the last eight years at Warner Bros. producing the films Michael Clayton and Good Night and Good Luck among others. His previous production company, Section Eight which he ran in conjunction with director Steven Soderbergh, was also housed on the Burbank lot.

Smokehouse’s most recent property The Informant, starring Matt Damon and directed by Soderbergh is scheduled for a fall release Warner Bros. Next year Overture Films will debut the Clooney’s Men Who Stare at Goats from director Heslov and pairing Clooney with the talented Ewan McGregor.

Source:
Entertainment Weekly

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Weekend Box Office for July 3 – 5

#1 Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs from Fox debuts at #1 this weekend bringing in $42.5 million in 4099 theaters. Budget for Ice Age was $90 million.

#1 Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen from Paramount/Dreamworks ties for the #1 spot this weekend earning $42.5 million in 4234 theaters. Budget for Revenge of the Fallen was $200 million.

#3 Public Enemies from Universal debuts at #3 this weekend bringing in $26.1 million in 3334 theaters. Budget for Enemies was $100 million.

#4 The Proposal from Buena Vista. drops again this weekend earning $12.7 million in 3099 theaters. Budget for The Proposal was $40 million.

#5 The Hangover from Warner Bros. drops to #5 this weekend earning $10.4 million in 3070 theaters bringing total earnings to $204.1 million. Budget for The Hangover was $35 million.

Rounding out the top 10 are:

#6 Up Weekend Gross: $6,579,000 down 49% / Theaters: 2656, down 831 / Gross $264,873,000 / Budget: $175 million

#7 My Sister’s Keeper Weekend Gross: $5,255,000 down 57% / Theaters: 2606 / Gross $25,964,000 / Budget: $30 million

#8 The Taking of Pelham 123 Weekend Gross: $2,500,000 down 54% / Theaters: 1908, down 1087 / Gross $58,471,000 / Budget: $100 million

#9 Year One Weekend Gross: $2,100,000 down 61% / Theaters: 2240, down 784 / Gross $38,088,000 / Budget: $60 million

#10 Night at the Museum: Battle for the Smithsonian Weekend Gross: $2,100,000 down 42% / Theaters: 1419, down 831 / Gross $167,763,000 / Budget: $150 million

A note on “Gross”: On average, studios will earn approximately 55 percent of the final gross.

Sources:

Box Office Mojo

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Weekend Box Office for June 26 – 28

#1 Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen from Paramount/Dreamworks debuts at #1 this weekend literally destroying the competition and earning $112 million in 4234 theaters, beating out the #2 spot by almost $100 million. Budget for Revenge of the Fallen was $200 million.

#2 The Proposal from Buena Vista. drops to #2 this weekend earning $18 million in 3058 theaters. Budget for The Proposal was $40 million.

#3 The Hangover from Warner Bros. drops to #3 this weekend earning $17.2 million in 3525 theaters bringing total earnings to $183.2 million. Budget for The Hangover was $35 million.

#4 Up from Disney drops to #4 earning $10 million in 3487 theaters bringing total earnings to $250.2 million. Budget for Up was $175 million.

#5 My Sister’s Keeper from Sony debuts at #5 this weekend earning $12 million in 2606 theaters. Budget for Year One is unknown.

Rounding out the top 10 are:

#6 Year One Weekend Gross: $5,800,000 down 70% / Theaters: 3024, up 2 / Gross $12,030,000 / Budget: $60 million

#7 The Taking of Pelham 123 Weekend Gross: $5,400,000 down 55% / Theaters: 2995, down 82 / Gross $53,406,000 / Budget: $100 million

#8 Star Trek Weekend Gross: $3,606,000 down 34% / Theaters: 1823, down 484 / Gross $246,225,000 / Budget: $150 million

#9 Night at the Museum: Battle for the Smithsonian Weekend Gross: $3,500,000 down 55% / Theaters: 2250, down 712 / Gross $163,248,000 / Budget: $150 million

#10 Away We Go Weekend Gross: $1,678,000 up 92% / Theaters: 495 up 363 / Gross $4,056,000 / Budget: $17 million

A note on “Gross”: On average, studios will earn approximately 55 percent of the final gross.

Sources:

Box Office Mojo

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News

Michael Jackson suffers heart attack, reported dead.

Variety, the NY Times, the LA Times and the Associated Press are all reporting that pop icon Michael Jackson has died of a heart attack after being rushed comatose from his home in Bel-Air to UCLA Medical Center, where he could not be revived. As of this writing, CNN still had not confirmed Jackson’s death and there has been no official report.

UPDATE: CNN has just confirmed with the LA coroner that Jackson has in fact died.

Firefighters were called to the popstar’s home around midday on reports that he was not breathing. A spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department told CNN that rescuers were called to Mr. Jackson’s home at 12:21 p.m. Pacific. “When paramedics went on the scene, they treated the patient, then they immediately transported the patient to UCLA.”

Television news is showing images of large crowds gathering outside the UCLA Medical Center with security blocking all entrances to emergency room. The reports of Mr. Jackson’s death rocketed around the world at the speed of the internet with the news leading Friday morning newscasts in Japan.

The pop music icon from Gary, Indiana, widley known as the “King of Pop, was attempting a comeback after years of tabloid headlines, most notably his trial and acquittal on child molestation charges in 2005. Jackson was scheduled to perform as many as 50 sell-out concerts in the O2 arena in London, beginning in July and continuing into 2010. The shows were widely seen as a possible comeback for the “King of Pop”, with the potential to earn him up to $50 million.

The seventh child of the famous Jackson family, Michael started in the music business at the age of 11 as a member of the Jackson 5 with his brothers. The group had a number of hits at Motown in the 1970s. Five of his solo albums are counted among the top-selling albums of all time: Off the Wall, 1982’s Thriller, Bad, Dangerous and HISstory. He was twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and had 13 Grammy awards and 13 number one singles. He has sold over 750 million albums worldwide and his total earnings have been estimated at $500 million dollars.

Jackson has three children, Prince Michael I, Paris and Prince Michael II.

Sources:
Variety
NY Times
LA Times
CNN