Weekend bits

@samsjag They keep asking me to watch & learn from Tom Cruise & Angelina Jolie movies. I'm pretty sure they don't run in heels, tho!
— Ginnifer Goodwin (@ginnygoodwin) March 11, 2013

‘Oz’ Wizards For Big $23.5 Million Friday And Tracks 2013′s First Huge $74M Weekend

By NIKKI FINKE, Editor in Chief | Friday March 8, 2013 @ 1:30pm PST

SATURDAY 1:30 PM, 4TH UPDATE: Refining numbers overnight. Disney‘s Oz The Great And Powerful looks like $23.5M for Friday. That figure includes $2 million in Thursday pre-midnights and Friday post-midnights. Based on first-day trends that puts the opening weekend around $70M-$74M. The $215M-costing San Raimi-directed fantasy family fare will by far be the biggest domestic film debut of what has been a disappointing 2013 start for Hollywood pics. And it isn’t even a holiday weekend. Reviews have been lukewarm but a “B+” CinemaScore from audiences should help word of mouth for Saturday’s all-important family bump.





Eonline

Brad Pitt Goes Furniture Shopping in Paris After Sell-Out Wine Launch

 INFphoto.com 
 
In case you didn't hear, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are rolling in a wee bit more dough these days after selling out the entire reserve of their new wine line within hours.
So just how did the 49-year-old Moneyball actor celebrate? Well, by spending some of those earnings on furniture!
Pitt, an avowed architecture aficionado who debuted his own furniture collection last fall, was snapped checking out some interior-design stores in Paris, accompanied by a female companion who helped him suss out some of the items.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's wine sells out within five hours
The actor flew to France earlier this week for the launch of his and Jolie's new wine, a rosé from their new Miraval line, which is produced at their 1,000-acre estate in Correns.
Within five hours, all 6,000 bottles of the rosé had been snapped up by online buyers.
With such runaway success, here's hoping the actor-cum-design enthusiast and his ladylove have designs to release a follow-up line of vino sometime soon.

Just Jared

Heading in: Brad looked like he meant business as he walked into the interiors shop with his sunglasses on

See anything nice? He went into one store in the French capital, stocked full of cushions and curtains

Getting inspiration: The Hollywood star received help from his decoration coach, Sara Giunta as he looked around the interiors on offer

Daily Mail

B.O

The Playlist

Box Office: 'Jack The Giant Slayer' Barely Climbs Beanstalk To Number One

Box Office by Gabe Toro
March 3, 2013 12:50 PM

 

The writing was on the wall as soon as director Bryan Singer retreated to the “X-Men” franchise for next year’s “X-Men: Days Of Future Past.” “Jack The Giant Slayer” was destined to be a money-loser, looking like just another post-”Alice In Wonderland” fantasy epic but costing somewhere in the vicinity of an improbable $200 million. With Warner Bros. putting out a quiet ad campaign for the film, scrimping money off the ad budget was the only way to save face: 'Jack' is poised to take a major bath this weekend, coming in under the minimum $30 million the studio was hoping for.Originally conceived as a D.J. Caruso project (whatever happened to that guy, asked no one), “Jack The Giant Killer,” as it was originally known, was meant to be a darker retelling of the popular fantasy. Somewhere along the line, Singer’s involvement led to a more traditional, family-friendly approach. The problem was that some people in the production didn’t get the memo, resulting in a film that feels commercially schizophrenic. There’s the colorful high adventure save-the-princess element for the kids, but there's also gnarly giant monsters, CG creations with cartoonish appearances who nonetheless engaged in some heavily PG-13 medieval throw downs. Classic tweener problem: too violent for the kiddies, too ridiculous for the teens, and with nothing of interest to adults.

Maybe the project was simply too old-fashioned. No matter what was the case, we knew this was going to have a basic structure dictated by a giant CGI beanstalk. The heroes will climb up. They’ll fight the giants. They’ll escape. Except the giants will probably follow them down, because what else could they do? Not a lot of narrative complexity, and this likely felt like something audiences had seen before. Print ads established the hook being tiny Jack (Nicholas Hoult) contrasted with a towering giant, which used to be a novelty but is now something seen in almost all fantasy films. How spoiled we are that the sight of towering CGI giants is now passé?The plus side is that star Hoult has had two straight $20 million plus opening weekends within a month, the last project being “Warm Bodies.” He doesn’t deserve to be the fall guy for this, even if these piddling 'Jack' numbers were boosted by 3D and IMAX prices. Though perhaps Warner Bros. might want to distance themselves from Singer: after this and “Superman Returns,” that’s two straight Legendary Films projects with Singer that have underperformed at the studio. Singer’s lucky to have the safety parachute that is “X-Men”: he’s one more mismanaged budget away from falling back into the indie world. And after this year‘s “Gangster Squad,“ “Bullet To The Head” and “Beautiful Creatures,” Warner Bros. might have to rethink some of their upcoming ad campaigns, particularly as 'Jack' prepares to be pummeled by next weekend’s “Oz The Great And Powerful.”

Last year we already had a raft of early year hits, but in 2013, we pretty much have “Identity Thief.” The picture crossed $100 million with ease, with some of the strongest audience retention numbers in the top ten, suggesting world of mouth is definitely in play. Universal played this thing like pros, and this is now director Seth Gordon’s third straight $100 million domestic grosser, putting him in the catbird seat for any big comedy in the industry. Which is unfortunate, if you’ve seen “Four Christmases,” “Horrible Bosses” or “Identity Thief,” but money talks louder than us. “21 And Over” was being released on the exact same weekend as last year’s “Project X” but lightning didn’t strike twice, and this opening is less than half of that found footage hit. You can only boast the same associations before it starts becoming nakedly opportunistic -- “Project X” was pushed as being produced by Todd Phillips, director of “The Hangover.” “21 And Over” not only pulled a similar stunt, as it was written and directed by the original “The Hangover” writers, but it also very much looked like “Hangover Jr.” with its plot focused on a night of drunken debauchery centered around a missing friend. Perhaps too many people thought the movie was supposed to be called “Jeff Chang,” which was gratuitously repeated throughout the ads to the point of obscuring the film’s generic title.

Audiences likely crossed their arms in frustration, citing, “I thought LAST TIME it was supposed to be the last exorcism!” “The Last Exorcism Part II” played up to its entirely cynical existence by opening to less than half of the first film’s gross. Even though it’s a gimmick highly familiar to audiences by now, found footage remains a way to visually distinguish your film to audiences. By contrast, this 'Part II' was conventionally shot, putting greater pressure on the visuals during the ads to wow moviegoers. It didn’t work. While the film was an independent pickup from CBS Films, this is well below expectations.Producing modest second weekend results was “Snitch,” which held steady after a quiet debut. The Dwayne Johnson thriller only cost $14 million, and a small ad budget suggests this is going to turn a modest profit. Generic star-centric vehicles like this also have solid appeal on DVD, and overseas, Johnson’s “Fast Five” and “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” both had warmer receptions than they did stateside. In other words, as modest as the final domestic gross may be (likely $40 million or so), this cements Johnson as a legit A-List presence, a status which should only be confirmed by the upcoming “G.I. Joe: Retaliation.”

Surprisingly, the big winners of this year’s Valentine’s Day throw down appear to be “Safe Haven” and “Escape From Planet Earth.” The former, a Nicholas Sparks joint, played strong with its core audience and has managed respectable drops each weekend, suggesting a final tally close to $70 million. 'Planet Earth' came in cheap for a CG-toon, and was dumped into theaters with little marketing. Given that substandard treatment, potentially finishing at $60 million is a solid return, given that CG-kid flicks are routinely huge overseas and on DVD. Meanwhile, that date’s other release mate was “A Good Day To Die Hard,” which has retreated heavily after a decent opening weekend. Internationally, it should perform similar to its predecessor “Live Free Or Die Hard,” but domestically, it looks like it’s going to have to limp to match the lowest grossing film in the series, the $86 million original “Die Hard.” That was 27 years ago, by the way. Man, box office is tough all over.

“Dark Skies” collapsed to the bottom of the top ten, as most horror films tend to do. At least it was able to finish above “Phantom.” Not sure what’s going on when a submarine thriller with a decent cast including Ed Harris and David Duchovny gets put on 1,118 screens and sees almost zero promotion. With such a wide release, the worst case scenario should be $2-$4 million, and yet “Phantom” is going to finish its first weekend with less than half a million. If a movie is released and bombs but no one sees it, did it exist? Yes, but you can’t tell: it’s a “Phantom”!Most of the Oscar-nominated films had run their course, so there weren’t any major bumps to be had by the films honored during last week’s ceremony. “Silver Linings Playbook” is the one film in that group still in the widest release, and it held steady just as it has the last few weeks, a feat that’s pretty unprecedented; the last wide-release film to hold steady like this with either weekend growths or less-than-10% drops is probably... what, “Titanic”? 'Playbook' won’t reach those heights, but there’s a good chance it could become the highest-grossing Best Picture release stateside if it continues this pattern for a few more weeks -- “Lincoln” is a considerable distance ahead, however. Also receiving a 49% boost was “Life of Pi” with $2.4 million outside of the top ten, bringing its domestic total to $117 million, helping the hit inch closer to $600 million worldwide. And “Argo” is on DVD already, but somehow it still pulled in $2.1 million at 985 locations, bringing the domestic total to $133 million.
1. Jack The Profit Slayer (Warner Bros.) - $28 million
2. Identity Thief (Universal) - $9.7 million ($107 mil.)3. Lil’ Hangover (Relativity) - $9 million4. We Left Out One Exorcism (CBS Films) - $8 million5. Snitch (Lionsgate/Summit) - $7.7 million ($24.4 mil.)6. Safe Haven (Relativity) - $6.3 million ($57 mil.)7. Escape From Planet Earth (The Weinstein Company) - $6.2 million ($43.2 mil.)8. Silly Whining Playbook  (The Weinstein Company) - $5.9 million ($115.5 mil.)9. A Good Day To Hold Hands And Say Nice Things About Each Other (Fox) - $4.5 million ($59.6 mil.)10. Dark Skies (The Weinstein Company/Dimension) - $3.5 million ($13.4 mil.)

Deadline

Big Budget ‘Jack The Giant Slayer’ Bombs On Bad Weekend For All New Releases

By NIKKI FINKE, Editor in Chief |

SATURDAY PM, 2ND UPDATE: I’m traveling but will keep you posted about box office. In a word, it’s ugly. Maybe that really lousy Academy Awards show turned off America to the movies. “It’s a bad weekend across the board,” a studio exec warns while one more describes, ”Another soft weekend.” Total filmgoing of $100M looks to be a whopping -37% less than last year with every single new release underperforming tracking by a wide margin. This is usually a good time to release family fare, and even more so now because there’s next-to-nothing in the multiplex. That said, Warner Bros knew well before this weekend that Bryan Singer‘s 3D Jack The Giant Slayer (3,525 theaters, including 317 IMAX screens) was tracking very soft domestically and turning into major trouble. All those effects drove the cost to a ridiculously expensive $200 million shared with Legendary Pictures and New Line. Now it looks like this family fare with no stars (Nicholas Hoult who?) may only open to $26M – far less than the $30M hoped for by the studio which is still too low given the high cost. It’ll do a miserable 2X multiple even with a solid ‘B+’ CinemaScore. And, remember, Friday’s figure of $7.7M was inflated by Thursday 10 PM/Friday midnight showings of $400K. Saturday’s $12.2M was a +60% improvement over Friday but still not good enough.
This bomb continues what has been a disastrous beginning of the year for Warner Bros (despite its Best Picture Oscar win for Ben Affleck’s Argo). Jack is the studio’s 4th straight box office dud – beginning with Gangster Squad in January and continuing through an abysmal February with Bullet To The Head and Beautiful Creatures.  Upcoming The Incredible Burt Wonderstone isn’t likely to deliver, either. By May, the studio’s slate should deliver big grosses again starting with The Great Gatsby, The Hangover Part III, and the hotly anticipated Man Of Steel which by many accounts overdelivers. (That’s the buzz following its first internal screening.) But given Jack‘s jacked-up pricetag, not even big expectations abroad can save it – even though pic has opened to what the studio says are “very strong results” in Asia. Already insider autopsy reports are blaming Singer and the script by Darren Lemke, Christopher McQuarrie and Dan Studney for the lack of edge in this entirely familiar fairy tale twist on the classic Jack And The Beanstalk battle into a PG-13 effects extravaganza. Jeez, enough with this fairy tale crap, puh-leeze. “Problem is it plays like a 12-and-under pic. Everybody’s at fault. It’s just not a great movie.” Shot by Singer in 2011, it originally was set to open in the heart of Summer 2012 (June 15) under the title Jack The Giant Killer. Then it was pushed back to March 22, and shifted again to March 1 where it’s coming out only a week ahead of the Disney juggernaut, Oz, The Great And Powerful.
If Relativity’s cheap frat comedy 21 And Over (2,771 theaters) looks like Hangover for the college crowd with a ‘B’ CinemaScore – it is. It was scripted by Hangover writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. The studio is so embarrassed it’s not even publicizing the pic with me. It’ll make 1/3 what Hollywood expected – under $10M - and those were low expectations to begin with. Same with The Last Exorcism Part II (2,700 theaters), yet another unnecessary low-budget PG-13 horror movie and not even an audience pleaser judging by the ‘C-’ CinemaScore. Good thing CBS Films only paid a few million dollars for the movie. Marketing focus was kept on females under 25 and genre fans influenced by producer Eli Roth receiving a “Presented By” credit above the film’s title. (Who used to find Roth promising? No more…) Last and least, RCR Media’s thriller Phantom (1,118 theaters) looks to be a dreadful debut and won’t even exceed $500K.
Meanwhile, Universal’s Melissa McCarthy-Jason Bateman frenemies comedy Identity Thief now becomes the first 2013 pic to break $100M. And Best Picture winner Argo looks in line for a +17% Oscar bump – about half the usual +35%.


Here’s the Top Ten based on weekend estimates:
1. Jack The Giant Slayer 3D (Legendary/Warner Bros) NEW [Runs 3,525] PG13
Friday $7.6M, Saturday $12.2M, Weekend $26.0M
2. Identity Thief (Universal) Week 4 (Runs 3,230) R
Friday $2.7M, Saturday$4.2M, Weekend $9.7M, Cume $107.5M
3. 21 And Over (Relativity) NEW [Runs 2,771] R
Friday $3.3M, Saturday $3.6M, Weekend $9.1M
4. The Last Exorcism Part II (CBS Films) NEW [Runs 2,700] PG13
Friday $3.2M, Saturday $3.2M, Weekend $7.9M

5. Snitch (Summit/Lionsgate) Week 2 [Runs 2,511] PG13
Friday $2.1M, Saturday $3.5M, Weekend $7.5M (-43%), Cume $24.2M
6. Escape From Planet Earth 3D (Weinstein) Week 3 [Runs 3,110] PG
Friday $1.3M, Saturday $3.3M, Weekend $6.6M, Cume $43.1M
7. Safe Haven (Relativity) Week 3 [Runs 2,951] PG13
Friday $2.0M, Saturday $2.9M, Weekend $6.2M, Cume $57.0M
8. Silver Linings Playbook (Weinstein) Week 16 [Runs 1,836] R
Friday $1.5M, Saturday $2.7M, Weekend $5.6M, Cume $115.2M
9. A Good Day To Die Hard (Fox) Week 3 [Runs 2,589] R
Friday $1.1M, Saturday $2.1M, Weekend $4.4M, Cume $59.5M
10. Dark Skies (Weinstein) Week 2 [Runs 2,313] PG13
Friday $1.0M, Saturday $1.6M, Weekend $3.5M, Cume $13.4M


THR

Box Office Report: 'Jack the Giant Slayer' Wipes Out on Friday, May Not Hit $25 Million

8:51 AM PST 3/2/2013 by Pamela McClintock

Warner Bros.

Hollywood is bracing for another down weekend as new entries "21 and Over" and "Last Exorcism Part II" also turn in soft performances, while independent thriler "Phantom" is looking at one of the worst openings of all time.

New Line and Legendary Pictures are bracing for a tough weekend after a poor showing by 3D tentpole Jack and the Giant Slayer at the Friday box office.

From Bryan Singer, Jack earned a disappointing $7.7 million for a projected weekend opening in the $24 million to $25 million range. That's not enough considering the movie cost nearly $300 million, including a $195 production budget. Last year, Battleship -- costing in the neighborhood of Jack -- debuted to $8.8 million on Friday for a $25.5 million weekend.
REVIEW: Jack the Giant Slayer
New Line and parent company Warner Bros. are hoping that Jack, loosely based on the classic British story Jack and the Beanstalk, picks up the pace on Saturday as families become available. Although it is rated PG, Warners believes the 3D event pic is well suited for older kids.
Jack, starring Nicholas Hoult in the title role, earned a B+ CinemaScore.
New Line and its parent company Warner Bros. already are counting on strong international business to make up for any deficit in North America. Their hopes are being fulfilled so far in seven Asian markets where Jack opened on Thursday, grossing a total of $2.5 million, ahead of Wrath of the Titans ($2.1 million) and Journey 2: Mysterious Island ($1.3 million), both of which were successes.
STORY: 'Jack the Giant Slayer' Cast on the Challenges of Motion Capture
Moviegoing was soft overall on Friday, with new entries 21 & Over and The Last Exorcism Part II placing No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, with a modest $3.4 million and $3.3 million. Each is expected to post gross in the $8 million range for the weekend.
New independent thriller Phantom, from RCR, is only expected to open to a dismal $500,000, one of the worst openings of all time.
Universal's Identity Thief could beat both films and rise to No. 2 for the weekend. On Friday, the Melissa McCarthy-Jason Bateman comedy became the first movie of the year to cross $100 million.

Weekend

Deadline

OSCARS: Who Went Where This Weekend

By NIKKI FINKE AND MIKE FLEMING JR | Sunday February 24, 2013 @ 1:20am PST

 2ND UPDATE: An eclectic mix of current and former moguls, executives, producers, directors, and of course actors attended the marquee pre-Oscar parties as well as famed artists, museum directors, fashion designers, music icons, and star athletes. Barry Diller’s luncheon for Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter Saturday was smaller than usual. That night, Jeffrey Katzenberg’s ‘Night Before’ Oscar MPTF Fundraiser narrowly avoided a union picket line. The agency parties dominated Thursday and Friday nights. CAA’s was bigger than in past years when 200-300 guests crowded Bryan Lourd’s home. This time about 500 gathered at Greystone Mansion for Old Hollywood glamour with the men dressed in white dinner jackets and the women in evening gowns and gardenia corsages. WME’s was held at Ari Emanuel’s home as usual and UTA’s at Jim Berkus’ house again. ICM Partners held theirs at the home of agent Hildy Gottlieb. Few of these names need introductions and most are in random order:

Jeffrey Katzenberg’s ‘Night Before’ Oscar MPTF Fundraiser Saturday night: Robert iger, Jim Gianopulos, Brad Grey, Rupert Murdoch, Wendi Murdoch, Ryan Kavanaugh, David O Russell, Brett Ratner, Chris Albrecht, Jerry Bruckheimer, Ari Emanuel, Jim Berkus, Ron Perelman, Ron Meyer, Steve Tisch, Ron Burkle, Brian Grazer, Alan Horn, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Bryan Cranston, Chris Evans, Hugh Jackman, Ed Helms, Ed Westwick, Emily VanCamp, Eric Stonestreet, George Clooney, Will Smith, Jean Dujardin, Jennifer Garner, Ben Affleck, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jessica Chastain, Jim Parsons, Kristin Davis, Liam Hemsworth, Michael Keaton, Michael Strahan,
Octavia Spencer, Robin Thicke, Rita Wilson, Samuel L. Jackson, Jack Black, Theresa Palmer, Viola Davis, Aaron Paul, Adrien Brody, Ahna O’Reilly, Alexander Skarsgard, Alyssa Milano, Amy Poehler, Andy Samberg, Nathan Fillion, Anna Faris, Chris Pratt, Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Armie Hammer, Brittany Snow, Camryn Manheim, Carla Gugino, Chace Crawford, Christoph Waltz, Daniel Day Lewis, Don Johnson, Emily VanCamp, Ellie Kemper, Emma Watson, Paul Rudd, Gerard Butler, Henry Cavill, Jacki Weaver, James Marsden, James Spader, John Hawkes, Judy Greer, Julie Bowen, Kate Capshaw, Steven Speilberg, Kerry Washington, Laura Dern, Malin Ackerman, Marcia Gay Harden, Marisa Tomei, Matthew Morrison, Michael Chiklis, Michael Sheen, Nina Dobrev, Olivia Munn, Patrick Stewart, Robert DeNiro, Rebel Wilson, Rashida Jones, Russell Crowe, Salma Hayek, Samuel L. Jackson, Sam Rockwell, Sean Hayes, Seth Rogan, Taylor Lautner, Tommy Lee Jones, Zooey Deschanel

Barry Diller’s Party Saturday luncheon: Russell Simmons, Tom Brokaw, Fran Leibowitz, Andy Lack, Les Moonves, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Michael Eisner, Ron Perelman, Eric Schmidt, Penny Marshall, Brett Ratner, Rupert Murdoch, Wendy Murdoch, Irwin Winkler, Quincy Jones, Larry Mark, Steve Gaghan, Kevin McCormick, Jim Berkus, Joel Silver, Jim Brooks, Steve Martin, Jane Fonda, Richard Perry, Terry Semel, Bob Daly, Valentino, Jonathan Dolgen, Larry Gordon, Jim Wiatt, Brian Grazer, Scott Berg, Rick Rubin, Warren Beatty, Jeremy Thomas, George Hamilton, Donald DeLine, Dawn Hudson, Eric Fellner, Brad Grey, Ron Meyer, Tobey Maguire, Stacey Sher, Philippe Dauman, Gus Van Sant, Mitch Glazer, Steve Tisch, Harvey Weinstein, Tom Freston, Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane, Bob Evans, Vivi Nevo, Kelly Lynch, Tom Hooper.

WME Party Friday night: Charlize Theron, Michael Moore, Russell Simmons, Ben Affleck, Viola Davis, Ryan Coogler, Ahna O’Reilly, Michael B. Jordan, Harvey Weinstein, Gael Garcia Bernal, Chris Tucker, Dermot Mulroney, Catherine Zeta Jones, Shawn Levy, Joel Silver, Emma Watson, Jake Hoffman, Dustin Hoffman, Lara Spencer, Amber Heard, Morrissey, Kenny Sharpe, Mark Bradford, Jeffrey Deitch, Adam Scott, Molly Simms, Taylor Lautner, Larry David, Diablo Cody, Jay Roach, Tyra Banks, Amy Adams, Chloe Moretz, Benh Zeitlin, Tom Shadyac, Albert Brooks, Liam Hemsworth, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Garrett Hedlund, James Marsden, Michael Bay, Jack Black, Jonah Hill, Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Les Moonves, Julie Chen, Brian Grazer, Tom Thayer, Joaquin Phoenix, Rob Riggle, Kelsey Grammer, Tracey Ullman, Conan O’Brien, Octavia Spencer, Tom Brady, Gisele Bundchen, Tobey Maguire, David Spade, Hugh Jackman, Jenna Elfman, Armie Hammer, Joel McHale, Emile Hirsch, John C Reilly, Shepard Fairey, Philipe Dauman, Brad Grey, Lupe Fiasco, Russell Brand, Neill Blomkamp, Jeff Robinov, Jennifer Garner, Casey Affleck, Allen Hughes, Patrick Stewart, Joel McHale.

UTA Party Friday nght: Daniel Radcliffe, John Gatins, Stephen Gaghan, Will Forte, Neve Campbell, Mark Ruffalo, Amy Pascal, Brian Grazer, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Naomi Campbell, John Gatins, Paul Rudd, Kirsten Dunst, Joachim Ronning, Espen Sandberg, Brad Grey, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Kevin Tsujihara, Adam Goodman, Lorne Michaels, Jeffrey Deitch, David Ellison, Sean Bailey, Brad Bird, Philippe Dauman, Paul Walker, Joel Kinnaman, Olivia Munn, Mike White, Li Bing Bing, Tom Freston, Jerry Bruckheimer, Les Moonves, Rashida Jones, Noomi Rapace, Stephen Gaghan, Sue Naegle, Steve Levitan, Will Forte, Scott Burns, Jai Courtney, Lake Bell, John Krokidas, James Ponsoldt, Juno Temple, Michael Angarano, Reid Carolin, Jack Rapke, Greg Silverman, Steve Tisch, Jerry Weintraub, Robert Kyncl, Darren Star, Jeff Robinov, Victor Garber, Vivi Nevo.

CAA Party Friday night: Lorne Michaels, George Clooney, Bill Maher, J.J, Abrams, Vivi Nevo, Les Moonves, Philippe Dauman, Brad Grey, Alexander Payne, Jason Statham, Madonna, Graydon Carter, Jim Gianopulos, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Downey Jr, Madonna, Gerard Butler, Valentino, Eric Schmidt, Naomi Watts, Anne Hathaway, Robert De Niro, Matt Weiner, Helen Hunt, Chris Pine, Amy Adams, Sandra Bullock, Tommy Lee Jones, Sally Field, Bradley Cooper, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Barkin, Barry Diller, Bob Daly, Harvey Weinstein, Jeff Robinov, Jessica Chastain, Jane Rosenthal, Jerry Bruckheimer, Emma Watts, Tom Rothman, Elizabeth Gabler, Greg Silverman, Kevin Tsujihara, Donna Langley, David O Russell, Harvey Weinstein, Reese Witherspoon, Eva Longoria, Chris Paul, Valentino, Tom Ford, Diane von Furstenberg.

ICM Partners Party Thursday night: Christoph Waltz, Tom Hooper, Eddie Redmayne, Jacki Weaver, Quvenzhane Wallis, PES, Katie Holmes, Sidney Poitier, Michael Keaton, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Meredith Viera, Alfre Woodard, Chris Tucker, Leslie Bibb, Mark Duplass, Katie Aselton, Don Rickles, Judy Sheindlin, Anthony LaPaglia, Piper Perabo, Emmy Rossum, Danny Huston, David Twohy, Diane English, Topher Grace, Ray Romano, Julia Stiles, Taye Diggs, Michael Mann.

Ron Meyer’s Dinner: Robert Iger, Julia Roberts, Robert Downey Jr, Chelsea handler, Barbra Streisand.

Great British Film reception: Henry Cavill, Gina Carano, Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Jacqueline Durran, Joanna Johnston, Tom Hooper, Dario Marinelli, Chris McGurk, John Battsek, Lucy Walker, Melena Ryzik, Jane Seymour, Paco Delgado, Jared Harris, Jason Isaacs.

Women In Film party: Jared Harris, Viola Davis, Molly Sims, Stacy Sher, Cathy Schulman, Jenna Elfman, Quvenzhane Wallis, Lucy Alibar, Ahna O’Reilly, Paz Vega, Kate Walsh, Jacki Weaver, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clifton Collins Jr, Octavia Spencer, Tracee Ellis Ross.

Oscar Wilde U.S.-Ireland Alliance party: Colin Farrell, Michael Burns, Michele Burke, Steven Spielberg, Kate Capshaw, Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Peter Gallagher.

Holdover ‘Identity Thief’ Steals Anemic Weekend; ‘Snitch’ And ‘Dark Skies’ Weak

By NIKKI FINKE, Editor in Chief | Sunday February 24, 2013 @ 1:10am PST
SUNDAY AM, 3RD UPDATE: Seriously, why do studios open movies on Oscar weekend? With attention otherwise diverted, it’s hard for me or Hollywood to care about these two newcomers Friday. Audiences didn’t either. That’s why the Melissa McCarthy/Jason Bateman frenemies comedy Identity Thief is #1 in its third weekend after going up +63% from Friday to Saturday for $14M through Sunday.
Summit Entertainment/Lionsgate’s father/son actioner Snitch (2,511 theaters) opened #1 Friday and dropped to #2 Saturday despite bumping +40%. It logged a mediocre $13.2M weekend. That’s a rare failure for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. (No harm, no foul: I hear he really excels in surefire hit Fast & Furious 6.) Audiences gave Snitch a ‘B’  CinemaScore which won’t help or hurt the pic.
Dimension Films/The Weinstein Company’s new extraterrestrial thriller Dark Skies (2,313 theaters) from Paranormal Activity‘s Jason Blum fell out of the Top Five altogether by the ed of the weekend. It received only a ‘C+’ CinemaScore from audiences to hurt word of mouth for just an expected $8.2M weekend.
Finally Twentieth Century Fox’s first-place finisher from last weekend, A Good Day To Die Hard, fell apart Friday and struggled through Sunday. Guess those horrible reviews finally caught up with it.
Total moviegoing this weekend looks $100M, down -25% from last year. Top Ten based on weekend estimates:
1. Identity Thief (Universal) Week 3 [Runs 3,222]
Friday $4.0M, Saturday $6.5M, Weekend $13.4M, Cume $93.0M
2. Snitch (Summit/Lionsgate) NEW [Runs 2,511]
Friday $4.1M, Saturday $5.8M, Weekend $13.2M
3. Escape From Planet Earth (Weinstein) Week 2 [Runs 3,353]
Friday $2.3M, Saturday $5.6M, Weekend $10.4M, Cume $34.6M
4. A Good Day To Die Hard (Fox) Week 2 [Runs 3,555]
Friday $2.8M, Saturday $4.9M, Weekend $9.2M, Cume $51.0M
5. Safe Haven (Relativity) Week 2 [3,223]
Friday $3.5M, Saturday $4.7M, Weekend $10.8M, Cume $48.3M
6. Dark Skies (Dimension/Weinstein) NEW [Runs 2,313]
Friday $3.0M, Saturday $3.5M, Weekend $8.5M

7. Silver Linings Playbook (Weinstein) Week 15 [Runs 2,012]
Friday $1.5M, Weekend $5.8M, Cume $107.2M
8. Warm Bodies (Summit/Lionsgate) Week 4 [Runs 2,644]
Friday $1.4M, Weekend $4.5M, Cume $58.0M
9. Beautiful Creatures (Warner Bros) Week 2 [Runs 2,950]
Friday $1.0M (-54%), Weekend $3.2M, Cume $16.2M
10. Side Effects (Open Road) Week 3 [Runs 2,070]
Friday $1.0M, Weekend $3.4M, Cume $25.1M

bit

From boxoffice.com

'A Good Day to Die Hard': What Went Wrong?

on February 16, 2013 by Shawn Robbins
Before Thursday, it was widely expected that A Good Day to Die Hard would win its debut weekend by a significant margin. Despite a heavy marketing campaign that tried to pitch the fifth entry of the 25-year-old franchise as 2013's first "event" film, the flick was neck-and-neck with the romantic drama Safe Haven on Friday (after outright losing to it, as expected, on Valentine's Day).
For the 3-day weekend, Boxoffice.com is projecting a $23.5 million take for Die Hard 5, but that's not enough to say that first place is locked when considering that Identity Thief is projected at $22.5 million and Safe Haven itself should be close behind with $22 million.
Overseas results are yet to come, but the franchise is clearly on life support now. A $100 million domestic run is off the table. It would even be incredibly lucky just to reach 1988's non-adjusted $83 million domestic run of the original Die Hard. Ouch.
What happened? Take your pick from the crop of reasons. The franchise had been dormant for almost seven years. Live Free or Die Hard received decent word of mouth in 2007, but it still didn't reach the heights of its predecessors. There simply wasn't a lot of demand for another movie--not even from die hard fans (pun intended).
You can read the rest at boxoffice.com




Weekend Projections

From boxoffice.com

Title	Release Date	Distributor	Opening Weekend	Cumulative
A Good Day to Die Hard	Feb 14, 2013	Fox	$41,300,000	$49,300,000
Safe Haven	Feb 14, 2013	Relativity Media	$25,800,000	$35,000,000
Identity Thief	Feb 8, 2013	Universal	$22,300,000	$69,800,000
Escape From Planet Earth	Feb 15, 2013	Weinstein Company	$17,100,000	$17,100,000
Beautiful Creatures (2013)	Feb 14, 2013	Warner Bros.	$14,200,000	$18,200,000
Warm Bodies	Feb 1, 2013	Lionsgate / Summit	$7,700,000	$48,000,000
Silver Linings Playbook	Nov 16, 2012	Weinstein Company	$6,700,000	$99,500,000
Side Effects (2013)	Feb 8, 2013	Open Road	$6,200,000	$19,200,000
Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters	Jan 25, 2013	Paramount	$3,700,000	$49,800,000
Zero Dark Thirty	Dec 19, 2012	Sony / Columbia	$3,300,000	$88,300,000
Mama	Jan 18, 2013	Universal	$2,700,000	$68,000,000

From boxofficemojo

Forecast (Feb. 15-Feb. 18)
1. Die Hard 5 - $44.9 million ($56.5 million 5-day)
2. Identity Thief - $25 million (-30%)
3. Safe Haven - $21.7 million ($29.2 million 5-day)
4. Beautiful Creatures - $19 million ($25.2 million 5-day)
5. Escape from Planet Earth - $11.3 million

bits

BAFTA Leading Actor Winner in 2013 - Daniel Day Lewis

Posted by Baftaonline


From Boxoffice.com

‘Identity Thief’ Exceeds Expectations with $34.55 Million StartFebruary 11, 2013 12:10 PM

by Daniel Garris

Despite Friday's marketplace being slowed on the East Coast by Winter Storm Nemo, Universal's Identity Thief was still able to exceed expectations this weekend with a first place debut of $34.55 million. The R-rated comedy starring Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy proved to be critic proof this weekend, as it registered the 14th largest February debut of all time without adjusting for ticket price inflation. Compared to previous February comedies that launched the frame before Presidents Day Weekend, Identity Thief opened 1 percent stronger than the $34.19 million start of 2007's Norbit and 13 percent stronger than the $30.51 million start of 2011's Just Go with It (both of which were rated PG-13). Identity Thief also opened stronger than the $28.30 million debut of 2011's Horrible Bosses (which featured Bateman) and the $26.25 million debut of 2011's Bridesmaids (which featured McCarthy). There is no doubt that the paring of McCarthy and Bateman was the key to the film's opening weekend success.
The opening weekend audience for Identity Thief skewed towards female moviegoers (58 percent) and towards older moviegoers (57 percent of the film's audience was 30 and older). Identity Thief received a respectable B rating on CinemaScore and registered an opening weekend to Friday ratio of 3.12 to 1. While that ratio was inflated a bit from Friday's snow storm deflated grosses, it is still a good early sign for the film going forward nonetheless.
Warm Bodies held up relatively well for its genre this weekend. Lionsgate's PG-13 zombie comedy fell a respectable 44 percent in its second weekend to claim second with $11.36 million. Horror themed films aimed at teenage audiences on Super Bowl weekend are typically quite front-loaded, but Warm Bodies looks like it will be an exception thanks to good word of mouth and the continued limited amount of PG-13 rated fare in the marketplace. Warm Bodies has grossed $36.48 million in ten days, which places it 3.5 percent ahead of the $35.26 million ten-day take of last year's The Woman in Black (which fell 52 percent in its second weekend) and 23 percent behind the $47.60 million ten-day take of 2009's Zombieland (which fell 40 percent in its second weekend).
Open Road's Side Effects debuted in third with $9.30 million. The Steven Soderbergh directed thriller opened a bit below pre-release expectations. Despite strong reviews and an ensemble cast that includes Jude Law, Rooney Mara and Channing Tatum in a supporting role, Side Effects simply couldn't compete with Identity Thief this weekend. In comparison to recent Soderbergh directed films, Side Effects performed much more line with the $8.43 million start of last year's Haywire than it did with the $22.40 million debut of 2011's Contagion. One bright spot for Side Effects this weekend was that the film increased 47 percent on Saturday over Friday's snow storm deflated performance, which helped it generate a strong opening weekend to Friday ratio of 3.32 to 1. Side Effects received a B rating on CinemaScore.
The Weinstein Company's Silver Linings Playbook continued to display tremendous holding power, as it fell just 17 percent to place in fourth with $6.43 million. The Best Picture nominee has grossed $89.52 million to date, meaning it is on the verge of surpassing the $93.62 million total domestic gross of 2010's The Fighter.
Weekend grosses for other Best Picture nominees still in major release included $4.01 million for Zero Dark Thirty (down 23 percent), $2.38 million for Argo (up 17 percent after expanding into an additional 470 locations), $2.30 million for Django Unchained (down 23 percent), $1.87 million for Lincoln (down 22 percent), $1.75 million for Life of Pi (down 7 percent) and $1.56 million for Les Misérables (down 36 percent). Respective total grosses to date stand at $173.62 million for Lincoln, $154.52 million for Django Unchained, $143.98 million for Les Misérables, $123.61 million for Argo, $108.53 million for Life of Pi and at $83.57 million for Zero Dark Thirty.
In limited release, fellow Best Picture nominee Amour grossed an estimated $376,233 from 125 locations this weekend. The Sony Pictures Classics release has grossed $3.02 million to date domestically.
Also in limited release, Paramount's Top Gun 3D grossed $1.97 million to place in eleventh among all films this weekend. The IMAX re-issue of the 1986 blockbuster slightly outpaced Paramount's recent IMAX re-issue of Raiders of the Lost Ark, which debuted with $1.67 million from 267 locations this past September. The lifetime unadjusted domestic gross for Top Gun currently stands at $178.75 million.

#	Title	weekend		Locations		Avg.	Total	Wks.	Dist.
1	Identity Thief	$34,551,025	--	3,141	--	$11,000	$34,551,025	1	Universal
2	Warm Bodies	$11,356,090	-44%	3,009	0	$3,774	$36,481,172	2	Lionsgate / Summit
3	Side Effects (2013)	$9,303,145	--	2,605	--	$3,571	$9,303,145	1	Open Road
4	Silver Linings Playbook	$6,425,271	-17%	2,809	0	$2,287	$89,519,510	13	Weinstein Company
5	Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters	$5,753,165	-39%	3,285	-90	$1,751	$43,836,018	3	Paramount
6	Mama	$4,229,665	-36%	2,677	-104	$1,580	$63,951,810	4	Universal
7	Zero Dark Thirty	$4,006,860	-23%	2,562	-309	$1,564	$83,567,450	8	Sony / Columbia
8	Argo	$2,375,344	17%	1,405	470	$1,691	$123,608,957	18	Warner Bros.
9	Django Unchained	$2,303,495	-23%	1,502	-275	$1,534	$154,516,627	7	Weinstein Company
10	Bullet to the Head	$2,078,192	-54%	2,404	0	$864	$8,269,214	2	Warner Bros.
11	Lincoln	$1,873,537	-22%	1,517	-239	$1,235	$173,621,006	14	Disney / DreamWorks
12	Parker	$1,867,411	-43%	2,004	-234	$932	$15,848,064	3	FilmDistrict
13	Les Miserables (2012)	$1,555,550	-36%	1,447	-401	$1,075	$143,983,705	7	Universal
14	The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey	$1,468,374	-23%	1,001	-299	$1,467	$298,333,426	9	Warner Bros. / New Line
15	Parental Guidance	$1,071,766	-28%	1,219	-261	$879	$74,344,256	7	Fox

From Vulture

Your Box Office Explained: Identity Thief Is 2013’s First Comedy Hit

• By Claude Brodesser-Akner

This Weekend’s Winners: Even with most of the Northeast unwillingly starring in “Finding Nemo,” Universal’s Identity Thief (No. 1 with $36.6 million) overcame Mother Nature’s frosty reception to open big. Meanwhile, Silver Linings Playbook (No. 4 with $6.9 million) gave up barely a tenth of last week’s audience.

This Weekend’s Loser: It ends not with a bang but a whimper for Steven Soderbergh. Side Effects (No. 3 with an estimated $10 million) marks one of his weakest openings ever.

How It All Went Down: Box office was less than half of what it was last year (thank you, Superstorm Nemo) and Identity Thief suffered for it — which of course, only served to underscore both what a winner it was and just how long it’s been since Hollywood uncorked a comedy of any kind at all. “If not for the weather they would have done $40 million,” insists one distribution capo at a rival studio. "It's just that simple."

But whether this is merely pent-up demand in the form of comedy cabin fever or an actual star-driven attraction is a matter of debate. After a steady diet of R-rated action and a smattering of PG-13 dreck, audiences were certainly ready to laugh. “When was the last comedy?” sniffed one rival studio chief. “Look at this Christmas season — nothing! I don't think it's anything more than that.”

But another studio’s vice-chairman is ready to credit the star wattage of McCarthy and Bateman.

“It was really impressive, considering the weather,” said this senior studio suit. “You have to say, when it comes to comedy, Melissa McCarthy is a real star. I also think Jason Bateman is always underrated but a great No. 2.”

This is a sentiment echoed by a former head of studio marketing turned consultant. “She's a star: Mike and Molly is hugely popular, if not in Brentwood and Manhattan. The weekly sitcom exposure cannot be underestimated,” said this consultant, pausing to salivate, “Imagine if the film had better reviews and the East Coast better weather.”

It also helps that McCarthy has been a continuous presence in home entertainment, too, thanks to the enduring success of Bridesmaids. “As you know, Bridesmaids did very well at the box office, but its DVD, video on demand, and cable numbers are — to quote the late Steve Jobs — 'insanely great.'  People are exposed and re-exposed to her in all of these windows and the audience flat out loves her,” explains one savvy writer-producer. “There has also been a real gap in comedy films of late and I think that Universal released this at the perfect time — right after all the super-serious, emotional ‘Oscar’ films hit the end of their runs.”

Certainly, McCarthy’s female fan base seemed to turn out. The Identity Thief crowd was 58 percent females, with well more than half (57 percent) age 30 or older. The film was clearly both date night and ladies' night fodder.

Weekend

THR had Hansel's & Gretel doing a bit better than expected on Friday but updated numbers have it to coming in just in line with expectations.


 From Deadline

By NIKKI FINKE, Editor in Chief | Friday January 25, 2013 @ 6:11pm PST

SUNDAY 3:30 AM,  4TH UPDATE: Saturday’s box office was big after Friday’s business slowed when R-rated newcomers dominated North American movie theaters. The turnaround put this weekend around $100M for all moviegoing but that’s still -15% from last year. “Tough sledding for the new films this week – and next week won’t get any easier with the Super Bowl,” one studio exec warned me. First up: fairytale characters who are heavily armed. Not exactly PC for the serious gun control discussion begun in this nation over recent violence in real life and entertainment. Paramount‘s Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters 3D co-financed with MGM playing on 3,372 theaters opened to $5.9M Friday then went up +40% to $8.4M Saturday. That still makes for a disappointing $18M for the weekend, especially with the 3D premium. On 2,000 screens for its midnight opening, this mashed mash-up masquerading as an action comedy made $500K in midnight grosses, less even than Warner Bros’ recent disappointing Gangster Squad. Even though Hansel & Gretel will be #1 this weekend, Paramount has another underperformer. The R-rated pic only had one semi-star, machinegun-toting Jeremy Renner. Good thing Paramount claims it only cost $50M (though sources say budget was $83M). Audiences gave it a ‘B’ CinemaScore which won’t hurt or help its prospects. Exit polls showed filmgoers were 55% male with 57% over 25.
This reimagined dark twist on the classic Grimm tale kept moving its release date – never a good sign – from March 2nd, 2012, to January 11th, to now. “This should really set up the international,” a studio exec gave me as an excuse back then. ”Jeremy Renner’s international profile should be in great shape after being in Mission: Impossible 4, then The Avengers, then The Bourne Legacy.” Nope. Renner’s Bourne grossed only so-so: he just can’t carry a movie solo. It didn’t help that guns are falling out of favor. So I was surprised that Paramount didn’t change the TV ads to delete that shoot-em-up nonsense and instead show more comedy. Then again, this new film picks up the fairy tale 15 years after Hansel and Gretel’s evil encounter at the gingerbread house. They’ve become bounty hunters tracking and killing wicked witches. Tommy Wirkola directed and co-wrote the script with Dante Harper. Will Ferrell’s and Adam McKay’s Gary Sanchez Prods produced.
Major studios are great marketers but only if they have the goods. To announce the IMAX release, Paramount debuted pic on MGM’s Skyfall IMAX screens – but without generating any buzz. The studio also negotiated coverage of an exclusive custom content piece with talent intros that launched at all Regal theatres on January 18th with Django Unchained, Broken City, and The Last Stand. Problem is, filmgoers only turned out for Quentin Tarantino’s pic. On opening night, the first 100 Hansel And Gretel fans at all Cinemark XD theatres across the country received a free movie shirt, while the first 60,000 Regal IMAX 3D audience members received a collector’s print of exclusive movie art. Kinda late for that. Media-wise, Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton did the usual press junket and talk show circuit plus Hispanic and African-American targets. Street teams visited nearly 50 high profile sporting events covering the NBA, NFL, NGL and College Football. New Years Day featured male-targeted cable marathons. H&G also had presence three weeks in a row in NFL playoff games. There was partnering with MTV. The online campaign focused on movie’s red band trailer. A custom Hansel & Gretel Play & Win sweepstakes on Xbox aligned with the rabid Halo 4 audience. And still pic’s grossed domestically underwhelmed.
But international prospects look good after Russia opened to huge $8.6M. Latin America and Southeast Asia are debuting after a strong lead by Brazil and Mexico. These markets represent 30% of the international box office.

#2 is last week’s PG-13 suspense thriller topper Mama from Universal in 2,682 theaters. Developed and presented by Guillermo Del Toro and starring Zero Dark Thirty‘s Best Actress Oscar likely Jessica Chastain as a brunette, pic had a second Friday of $3.8M and $6.2M Saturday for a weekend of $13.2M (-54%) for an expected cume through Sunday of $49M.

#3 is The Weinstein Company’s R-rated Oscar-buzzed Silver Linings Playbook in 2,641 theaters with a $2.3M Friday and $4.3 Saturday for a $9.3M weekend and $68.8M cume through Sunday. “Notice that Silver Linings is going to beat Zero Dark Thirty this weekend which is pretty impressive in my book,” a Weinstein exec gushed to me. “It is the best hold of the top films by far and that is after 11 weeks!”

#4 is another R-rated Oscar-touted pic. Zero Dark Thirty financed by Annapurna Pictures and distributed by Sony Pictures. Playing in 2,929 theaters, it made $2.3M Friday and $4.3M Saturday for a $9M weekend and cume of $69.1M through Sunday.

#5 is FilmDistrict’s barely registering R-rated crime drama Parker despite a ‘B+’ CinemaScore which could help word of mouth. It was directed by Taylor Hackford and stars Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez who only is in shadow on the main one-sheet and whose film career truly is DOA. in 2,224 theaters. Parker opened to $2.1M Friday and +40% for $3.1M Saturday for a lousy weekend of
$7.2M. FilmDistrict licensed the U.S. distribution rights and knew pic would only gross in the single digits. Film had been tracking strongest with males ages 17-34 so primary media focused heavily on channels and programming tailored to men as well as actions fans
and Hispanics. Based on the series of bestselling novels by Donald E. Westlake, Parker was financed by Sierra/Affinity, Incentive Filmed Entertainment, and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment. Doubtful whether future films based on the franchise will be made given this outcime. Current Entertainment’s Steven Chasman produced along with Sidney Kimmel, Les Alexander and Jonathan Mitchell via their Alexander/Mitchell banner, and Taylor Hackford.

Falling from #6 to #7 is Relativity’s $6M R-rated ensemble comedy Movie 43 that earned a dreaded ‘D’ CinemaScore from audiences to hurt word of mouth. Playing in 2,023 theaters, its gimmick is 12 directors, 30 name actors, and 18 writers working on different shorts stitched together. I’m already hearing a lot of them regret taking part. Movie 43 debuted at $1.8M Friday and +10% to $2M Saturday for a weekend of $4.0M. That’s only half what Relativity predicted. “If you are going to take a creative risk, what better way to do it than on a $6M budget with the opportunity to work with a large pool of writers, directors and actors including Peter Farrelly and Charles Wessler – two comedic geniuses.” Actors worked for scale and the production moved to accommodate schedules. This explains why the film was shot over 3 years. Seriously, how much longer is Relativity going to keep claiming its risk is mitigated by international pre-sales, outputs and Netflix before P&A spend? Meanwhile Ryan Kavanaugh, listed as a producer, may well be in the Witness Protection Program because he’s mercifully stopped publicizing himself. With Alliance Films distributing in Canada, Relativity owns worldwide rights and Lionsgate International handled international sales and distribution. Movie 43 has supposedly taken in $10M overseas.

Here are the Top 10 films based on weekend estimates:
1. Hansel And Gretel: Witch Hunters 3D (MGM/Paramount) NEW [Runs 3,372] R
Friday $6.0M, Saturday $8.4M, Weekend $18.0M
2. Mama (Universal) Week 2 [Runs 2,682] PG13
Friday $3.8M, Saturday $6.2M, Weekend $13.2M (-54%), Cume $49.0M
3. Silver Linings Playbook (Weinstein) Week 11 [Runs 2,641] R
Friday $2.3M, Saturday $4.3M, Weekend $9.3M, Cume $68.8M
4. Zero Dark Thirty (Annapurna/Sony) Week 6 [Runs 2,929] R
Friday $2.3M, Saturday $4.3M, Weekend $9.0M, Cume $69.1M
5. Parker (FilmDistrict) NEW [Runs 2,224] R
Friday $2.1M, Saturday $3.1M, Weekend $7.2M
6. Django Unchained (Weinstein) Week 5 [Runs 2,007] R
Friday $1.2M, Saturday $2.2M, Weekend $4.8M, Cume $146.1M
7. Movie 43 (Relativity) NEW [Runs 2,023] R
Friday $1.8M, Saturday $2.0M, Weekend $4.0M
8. Les Miserables (Universal) Week 5 [Runs 2,210] PG13
Friday $1.0M, Saturday $1.9M, Weekend $4.1M, Cume $137.4M
9. Gangster Squad (Warner Bros) Week 3 [Runs 2,590] R
Friday $1.1M, Saturday $1.8M, Weekend $4.1M, Cume $39.5M
10. Broken City (New Regency/Fox) Week 2 [Runs 2,622] R
Friday $1.0M, Saturday $1.8M, Weekend $3.8M (-54%), Cume $15.1M




From THR

Box Office: 'Hansel & Gretel' Headed for No. 1, Eyeing $25 Million Weekend

12:38 PM PST 1/25/2013 by Pamela McClintock  

 

UPDATED: The R-rated version of the classic fairy tale stars Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton as the famous siblings; fellow new entries "Parker" and "Movie 43" struggling despite plenty of star power.

Paramount and MGM's R-rated Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters is leading the Friday box office after scoring a healthy $500,000 in Thursday night grosses.

The 3D film rolled out in north of 2,000 screens at 10 p.m. Thursday before expanding into a total of 3,372 locations Friday.

Based on Thursday night and early Friday grosses, box-office observers expect the action-comedy -- a more violent rendition of the classic fairy tale that stars Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton as the famous siblings -- to gross $24 million to $25 million for the weekend.
Hansel & Gretel, costing $50 million to produce, is already a crowd-pleaser overseas. It debuted in Russia last weekend, grossing more than $8 million to place No. 1.
The movie is one of three R-rated titles opening in North America this weekend.

VIDEO: 'Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters' Trailer: Jeremy Renner Bloodies a Fairy Tale

So far, the Jason Statham-Jennifer Lopez action-thriller Parker and irreverent sketch comedy Movie 43 -- featuring one of the more ambitious ensemble casts in history -- appear to be in a relatively close race with best picture Oscar nominees Zero Dark Thirty and Silver Linings Playbook, with each pacing to gross in the $8 million to $10 million range for the weekend.
Directed by Taylor Hackford (Ray), Parker is being distributed domestically by FilmDistrict.

STORY: 'Movie 43': What the Critics Are Saying

The roster of stars appearing in Movie 43, a series of comic shorts and the brainchild of Peter Farrelly, includes Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Emma Stone, Halle Berry, Gerard Butler, Naomi Watts and many others. A raft of filmmakers and talent directed the various vignettes, including Elizabeth Banks, Brett Ratner, Griffin Dunne and Bob Odenkirk.
Relativity Media spent a modest $6 million to make Movie 43 and says it was a creative risk worth taking.




From BoxOffice.com

Weekend Predictions: 'Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters', 'Movie 43' & 'Parker'

Featured Stories - on January 23, 2013 by BOXOFFICE Staff

Coming off of last weekend's 4-day MLK holiday, things should be a bit slower this weekend as Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, Movie 43 and Parker make their way into theaters.

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters
PROS:
- Jeremy Renner's recent box office successes might give it some needed appeal.
-  The recognizable name could pull in viewers.
CONS:
- The R rating will push away teen audiences and families that otherwise go to these fairy tale-inspired movies.
- The number of adult-driven / R-rated movies in the market will limit the film's potential.
- Twitter buzz has been trailing that of last summer's Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

Movie 43
PROS:
- A large ensemble of known actors could pique the interest of audiences.
- This is the first bona fide comedy to release since Christmas.
CONS:
- The obscure title.
- Marketing has struggled to sell the seemingly erratic, plot-less concept behind the movie.

Parker
PROS:
- Jason Statham boasts a consistent box office history, albeit a humble one. The addition of Jennifer Lopez could help as well.
- Marketing has been consistent and the comedy/action hybrid might sell with male audiences.
CONS:
- Statham's not known for box office breakouts.
- Competition for adult audiences is still very stiff.

Title	Release Date	Distributor	Opening Weekend	Cumulative
Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters	Jan 25, 2013	Paramount	$17,000,000	$17,000,000
Mama	Jan 18, 2013	Universal	$15,500,000	$51,400,000
Movie 43	Jan 25, 2013	Relativity Media	$11,100,000	$11,100,000
Zero Dark Thirty	Dec 19, 2012	Sony / Columbia	$10,300,000	$70,400,000
Parker	Jan 25, 2013	FilmDistrict	$9,400,000	$9,400,000
Silver Linings Playbook	Nov 16, 2012	Weinstein Company	$8,500,000	$68,000,000
Les Miserables (2012)	Dec 25, 2012	Universal	$5,300,000	$138,600,000
Django Unchained	Dec 25, 2012	Weinstein Company	$5,200,000	$146,500,000
Gangster Squad	Jan 11, 2013	Warner Bros.	$4,500,000	$40,000,000
Lincoln	Nov 9, 2012	Disney / DreamWorks	$4,200,000	$167,400,000
Broken City	Jan 18, 2013	Fox	$4,000,000	$15,300,000

Phil Contrino, Daniel Garris, Alex Edghill and Shawn Robbins contributed to this article.

Weekend

From boxoffice.com

4-Day Studio Weekend Estimates

(Jan. 18 - Jan. 21) Extended Weekend

Wide (1000+)

#	Title	weekend		Locations		Avg.	Total	Wks.	Dist.
1	Mama	$33,035,000	--	2,647	--	$12,480	$33,035,000	1	Universal
2	Zero Dark Thirty	$18,700,000	-23%	2,946	9	$6,348	$57,044,757	5	Sony / Columbia
3	Silver Linings Playbook	$13,019,000	159%	2,523	1713	$5,160	$56,978,270	10	Weinstein Company
4	Gangster Squad	$10,305,000	-40%	3,103	0	$3,321	$33,415,060	2	Warner Bros.
5	A Haunted House	$9,700,000	-46%	2,160	0	$4,491	$31,313,179	2	Open Road
6	Broken City	$9,500,000	--	2,620	--	$3,626	$9,500,000	1	Fox
7	Les Miserables (2012)	$9,246,000	-4%	2,579	-348	$3,585	$131,804,020	4	Universal
8	Django Unchained	$9,235,000	-16%	2,516	-496	$3,671	$139,353,735	4	Weinstein Company
9	The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey	$7,715,000	-16%	2,323	-689	$3,321	$288,704,741	6	Warner Bros. / New Line
10	The Last Stand	$7,190,000	--	2,913	--	$2,468	$7,190,000	1	Lionsgate
11	Lincoln	$6,805,000	7%	2,174	147	$3,130	$161,941,079	11	Disney / DreamWorks
12	Parental Guidance	$5,250,000	-14%	2,337	-620	$2,246	$67,275,154	4	Fox
13	Life of Pi	$4,200,000	55%	1,256	499	$3,344	$100,037,305	9	Fox
14	Jack Reacher	$2,640,000	-45%	1,707	-1000	$1,547	$76,817,333	5	Paramount
15	This is 40	$2,455,000	-44%	1,232	-1088	$1,993	$65,336,000	5	Universal
16	Wreck-It Ralph	$1,871,000	184%	1,312	836	$1,426	$181,378,304	12	Disney

‘Mama’ Scores Strong $33.0 million Four-Day StartJanuary 21, 2013 10:00 AM

by Daniel Garris

Revised 3-Day Weekend Estimates:
Mama -- $28.495 million
Zero Dark Thirty -- $15.8 million
Silver Linings Playbook -- $10.754 million
Gangster Squad -- $8.65 million
Broken City -- $8.275 million
A Haunted House - $8.1 million
Django Unchained -- $7.756 million
Les Misérables -- $7.518 million
The Last Stand -- $6.19 million
The Hobbit -- $6.185 million
Lincoln -- $5.451 million
Parental Guidance -- $4.25 million
Life of Pi -- $3.4 million
The Impossible -- $2.461 million
Argo -- $2.265 million
Jack Reacher -- $2.244 million
This Is 40 -- $2.033 million

Universal's Mama debuted with an estimated $33.0 million over the four day-frame to lead this weekend's holiday box office with ease. The PG-13 horror film starring Jessica Chastain grossed $28.495 million over the three-day frame, which represented the ninth largest three-day opening weekend ever for the month of January. Mama greatly exceeded pre-release expectations, which were in the $20 million range for the four-day frame. Clearly, Mama was helped out in a big way by the lack of non-R rated films in the current marketplace, especially among films released within the month of January. As evidence, the audience breakdown for Mama skewed heavily towards younger moviegoers (63 percent of the film's audience was under 25 and 35 percent of the film's audience was under 17). Mama also skewed towards female moviegoers (61 percent). Making this weekend's debut even sweeter was the film's production budget of just $15 million.
With a B- CinemaScore rating (which is very solid for a horror film) and all three of next weekend's wide releases being R-rated, Mama will have a good chance of holding up well next weekend by horror film standards. Internationally, Mama grossed $1 million from six smaller foreign markets this weekend.
Jessica Chastain also found herself in second place this weekend, as Sony's Zero Dark Thirty remained strong with an estimated four-day take of $18.7 million. Strong word of mouth and continued Oscar Buzz continues to help the Best Picture nominee, which was down a solid 23 percent from last weekend's three-day frame. Zero Dark Thirty has grossed $57.04 million to date. That places the film 29 percent ahead of 2007's The Bucket List and 25.5 percent behind 2008's Gran Torino at the same point in their respective runs.
The Weinstein Company's Silver Linings Playbook had a healthy expansion this weekend with an estimated third-place four-day gross of $13.0 million. After expanding into an additional 1,713 locations, the Best Picture nominee starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence was up a terrific 159 percent over last weekend's three-day frame. Silver Linings Playbook has grossed $56.98 million to date and should continue to remain a factor at the box office throughout the rest of the Oscar season.
Turning to the bad news this weekend, Fox's Broken City and Lionsgate's The Last Stand both proved to be major disappointments. Broken City debuted in sixth pace with an estimated four-day take of $9.5 million, which represented Mark Wahlberg's poorest debut in years. Meanwhile, Arnold Schwarzenegger's comeback attempt, The Last Stand, landed all the way down in tenth with an estimated four-day gross of just $7.2 million. With so many other R rated films having been released into the marketplace over the past month, there was ultimately no demand for either Broken City or The Last Stand this weekend.
Two of last weekend's R-rated releases, Warner's Gangster Squad and Open Road's A Haunted House experienced relatively better results, but were still down significantly nonetheless. Gangster Squad placed in fourth with an estimated $10.3 million, while A Haunted House claimed fifth with an estimated $9.7 million. Respective percentage declines from last weekend's three-day frame were 40 percent for Gangster Squad and 46 percent for A Haunted House. Through eleven days, Gangster Squad has grossed $33.42 million. A Haunted House has grossed $31.31 million over the same span and boasts the far more impressive performance of the two films when taking price-tags into account.

From THR

Box Office Report: Arnold Terminated by 'Mama,' 'Zero Dark Thirty'

by Pamela McClintock

Schwarzenegger's "The Last Stand" flops, while Mark Wahlberg-Russell Crowe thriller "Broken City" likewise struggles; "Silver Linings Playbook" rockets up the chart as it expands nationwide.

Hasta la vista, baby.
 In a box-office upset, new horror pic Mama -- starring Zero Dark Thirty's Jessica Chastain -- is easily winning the long Martin Luther King weekend and badly beating two R-rated films packing plenty of male heat: the Mark Wahlberg-Russell Crowe action-thriller Broken City and Arnold Schwarzenegger's The Last Stand.
Mama, from Universal, is projected to top the four-day holiday weekend with a better-than-expected $33.2 million after taking in $28.1 million for the three-day stretch. Studio insiders say the movie clearly is benefiting from its teen-friendly PG-13 rating.
Broken City is expected to gross $10 million for the four-day weekend after a disappointing three-day take of $9 million. The movie, from Emmett/Furla Films and New Regency, earned a B CinemaScore though it received dismal reviews. Broken City all but tied with holdover Gangster Squad for No. 4.
From Lionsgate, Last Stand came in at a lackluster No. 10 after earning $6.3 million for the three-day weekend. The gun-laden action pic, which is expected to gross $7.4 million for the four days, marks Schwarzenegger's first leading role since 2003 and doesn't bode well for the actor's planned return to stardom. Nearly 80 percent of the audience was older than 25.
Chastain has plenty of reason to celebrate: Sony and Annapurna's Zero Dark Thirty is holding at No. 2 with a three-day gross of $17.6 million and a projected four-day take of $21.4 million, pushing its cume to nearly $60 million. That gives her the top two spots at the domestic box office.
Zero Dark Thirty is among a handful of best picture Oscar contenders enjoying a bump from awards attention. David O. Russell's Silver Linings Playbook is the weekend's most noticeable example as it expanded nationwide, grossing $11.4 million to come in No. 3. The film's total is nearing $60 million.
Silver Linings is expected to take in $14.2 million for the four-day holiday weekend in a win for The Weinstein Co. Many box-office observers had thought Harvey Weinstein made a fatal mistake in deciding not to open the film nationwide in November, opting instead for a limited rollout.
"I never thought we'd come in third place," said Erik Lomis, president of distribution for The Weinstein Co. "This is a big victory for our strategy and the great word-of-mouth the film is getting. The sky's the limit."
Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained, another best picture contender, also enjoyed an awards bump as it opened in 54 markets overseas, scoring a stellar $48.1 million despite much of Europe being buried under snow. From The Weinstein Co. and Sony, Django opened at 30 percent of Tarantino's previous film, 2009's Inglourious Basterds.
In North America, Mama prospered thanks to young females; women and teenage girls made up 61 percent of the audience, while an impressive 63 percent of the audience was under 25. The horror pic was made for a modest $15 million.
"There's a void in the marketplace for PG-13 fare," said Universal president of domestic distribution Nikki Rocco.
Universal also won the MLK weekend last year when Contraband, also starring Wahlberg, opened to $28 million.
Broken City and Last Stand had to compete for older males (78 percent of Broken City's audience also was over 25).
At the specialty box office, best picture contender Amour continued to overperform, grossing $413,261 from nine theaters for a location average of $11,479.
Here are the full results for the weekend of Jan. 18-20 at domestic box office (* denotes best picture Oscar contender). Final numbers for the four-day holiday weekend will be released Monday.
Title, Weeks in release/theater count, studio, three-day weekend total, cume
1. Mama 1/2,647, Universal, $28.1 million
2. *Zero Dark Thirty, 5/2,946, Sony/Annapurna, $17.6 million, $55.9 million
3. *Silver Linings Playbook, 10/2,523, The Weinstein Co., $11.4 million, $55.3 million
4. Gangster Squad, 2/3,103, Warner Bros., $9.1 million, $32.2 million
5. Broken City, 1/2,620, Fox/New Regency, $9 million
6. A Haunted House, 2/2,160, Open Road Films/IM Global, $8.3 million, $30 million
7. *Django Unchained, 4/3,012, The Weinstein Co., $8.2 million, $138.4 million
8. *Les Miserables, 4/2,579, Universal, $7.8 million, $130.3 million
9. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, 6/2,323, Warner Bros./New Line, $6.4 million, $287.4 million
10. The Last Stand, 10/2,027, Lionsgate, $6.3 million


From Deadline

By NIKKI FINKE, Editor in Chief | Friday January 18, 2013 @ 1:11pm PST
 

FRIDAY 1 PM: I can spend the next four days making fun of Arnold Schwarzenegger flopping in 6th place The Last Stand. The actioner featuring The Guvernator’s first solo comeback movie is just one of the major newcomers opening today for the long Martin Luther King holiday weekend (which Arizona doesn’t recognize). According to my sources knowledgeable about matinee trends, Universal’s horror flick Mama (2,647 theaters) will debut #1 today and through Monday with about $28M. In #2 is last weekend’s topper Annapurna Pictures/Sony Pictures’ Zero Dark Thirty (2,946 theaters after 5 weeks) with the Best Picture Oscar nominee looking like $4.5M today and $20M for the four-day holiday. In #3 is New Regency’s dramatic thriller Broken City (2,620 theaters) starring Mark Wahlberg, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Russell Crowe (thankfully, not singing) and distributed by Fox. It, too, should do $4.5M today and finish its opening with an underwhelming $16.5M for the four days. That kind of star power should be generating at least $25M for the long weekend. as #5, The Weinstein Company’s Best Picture Oscar nominee Silver Linings Playbook (2,523 theaters after 10 weeks) finally expands for $4.3M today and $13.5M for the four-day holiday. Warner Bros’ disappointing holdover Gangster Squad (3,103 theaters) isn”t going to get much richer with measly box office of $2.7M today and  $11.4M for MLK. Finally, Lionsgate’s The Last Stand (2,913 theaters) should demand its money back from Arnie who clearly can’t open a movie anymore making only $3M today and $11.4M for the long weekend. I don’t think that even pays for Schwarzenegger’s cigar bill.  More later as I refine the numbers.

From boxoffice.com

Weekend Predictions: 'Broken City', 'The Last Stand' & 'Mama'

January 16, 2013 by BOXOFFICE Staff

Three new films go into wide release this weekend as part of the extended 4-day weekend in honor of Martin Luther King Day (Monday). Broken City, The Last Stand and Mama will each debut on Friday, January 18.


Broken City
PROS:
- Mark Wahlberg has a reputation for being able to exceed expectations at the box office recently. Last January's Contraband particularly comes to mind.
- The added appeal of Russell Crowe and Catherine Zeta-Jones, while beyond their peak as draws, could play a role too.

CONS:
- Competition for the adult audience is stiff right now with Oscar nominees getting a boost.
- Opening against The Last Stand will cut into its potential.
- Twitter and Flixster activity have been lacking.


The Last Stand
PROS:
- Arnold's return to a leading role will entice his fans.
- The film's early critical response is better than many expected. Could this sway some last minute viewers?

CONS:
- Again, current market competition limits any potential breakout.
- The Expendables 2 opened softer than expected last summer despite heavy marketing that featured Arnold and a number of other action stars.
- Social media activity has been slow.


Mama
PROS:
- The PG-13 rating guarantees a teenage audience's ability to show up.
- Recent horror breakouts, namely 2012's The Devil Inside, give the genre a strong track record on opening weekend.
- Guillermo del Toro's name has been featured heavily in the marketing which will at least bring out some of his niche fan base.
- Jessica Chastain is riding a wave of buzz thanks to her award-winning presence in last week's #1 film, Zero Dark Thirty. Could there be some spillover to Mama for her growing fan base?

CONS:
- Facing two new openers plus existing competition is more than Devil Inside faced last year when it opened January practically by itself.
- Did Texas Chainsaw 3D dilute any of the demand for another horror flick so soon?

Title	Release Date	Distributor	Opening Weekend	Cumulative
Mama	Jan 18, 2013	Universal	$19,300,000	$19,300,000
Zero Dark Thirty	Dec 19, 2012	Sony / Columbia	$19,000,000	$57,500,000
Broken City	Jan 18, 2013	Fox	$15,800,000	$15,800,000
Silver Linings Playbook	Nov 16, 2012	Weinstein Company	$12,500,000	$56,500,000
Gangster Squad	Jan 11, 2013	Warner Bros.	$12,000,000	$35,300,000
The Last Stand	Jan 18, 2013	Lionsgate	$11,000,000	$11,000,000
A Haunted House	Jan 11, 2013	Open Road	$10,900,000	$32,500,000
Django Unchained	Dec 25, 2012	Weinstein Company	$10,000,000	$140,300,000
Les Miserables (2012)	Dec 25, 2012	Universal	$8,500,000	$131,000,000
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey	Dec 14, 2012	Warner Bros. / New Line	$7,800,000	$288,800,000
Lincoln	Nov 9, 2012	Disney / DreamWorks	$6,200,000	$161,400,000
Parental Guidance	Dec 25, 2012	Fox	$5,800,000	$67,800,000