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‘Paranormal Activity’ Sweeps America…
Oct 31st
New indie horror flick Paranormal Activity, which is currently sweeping America, is the most profitable movie of all time, reports say.
TheWrap.com has been doing some number crunching and says because the film cost just $15,000 (£9,120) to make and raked in $22m (£13.3m) over its first weekend, it is the single most profitable movie in history.
The site found the film delivered a staggering 434,000% return on investment, a number which will grow in the coming weeks as it has just received a wide US release due to unprecedented demands.
In profit terms, Paranormal Activity has already exceeded the film it is most often compared to, The Blair Witch Project.
It tells the story of a young couple who move into what seems like a typical suburban house.
But they soon become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be demonic but is most active in the middle of the night.
Being the most profitable film is not the only accolade being attributed to the film.
E! Online has described it as “one of the decade’s scariest films”.
This Is It makes $20m in one day…
Oct 30th
The Michael Jackson concert documentary This Is It earned $20.1m (£12.1m) at worldwide box offices in its first day, the studio that made the film has said.
The movie, which is based on rehearsal footage for the star’s ill-fated comeback shows, was premiered around the world on Tuesday.
Steve Elzer from Sony Pictures said the movie is a “reaffirmation of the global appeal of Michael Jackson”.
The film made $7.4m (£4,4m) in the US and $2m (£1.2m) in the UK.
Oscar nomination
“The studio believes that the worldwide launch, with very strong performance across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia, represents an amazing beginning for the film,” Mr Elzer said in a statement.
He has also revealed that the studio will submit the movie to the Academy Awards for consideration this year in the best picture category.
To be a contender for Oscar shortlisting, the film must complete a seven-day run in Los Angeles County and film-makers would need to “submit the proper paperwork,” Academy spokeswoman Leslie Unger said.
Director Kenny Ortega said the late star “deserves” to win an Oscar.
Jackson’s brothers attended the film’s screening in LA on Tuesday and simultaneous premieres were held in 18 other cities around the world.
The movie was then released to cinemas on Wednesday for a two-week run only.
However, Sony has said the movie will be extended beyond its planned stint if ticket demand is high.
The movie, which runs to nearly two hours, features Jackson singing and dancing to his biggest hits, including Beat It, Black or White and Man in the Mirror.
Jackson, who died on 25 June aged 50, had spent the previous four months rehearsing in LA for the record 50 concerts which were to be held in London.
More than 800,000 tickets had been sold for the concerts, with organisers promising one of the “most expensive and technically advanced” live shows ever.
He was just two weeks away from the opening night at the time of his death.
By the weekend, it will be shown in 110 countries.
Actor Hopper has prostate cancer….
Oct 30th
Actor Dennis Hopper has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and is cancelling all forthcoming appearances to focus on treatment, his manager has said.
Sam Maydew revealed the star is undergoing a “special programme” of treatment in California, adding, “we’re hoping for the best.”
Earlier on this month the 73-year-old was admitted to hospital in New York.
It was disclosed the Easy Rider star was treated for severe flu-like symptoms and dehydration.
Hopper had been expected to appear at an exhibition in Australia, entitled Dennis Hopper And The New Hollywood, which was a collection of his artwork and photography.
Tony Sweeney, a spokesman for the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, said: “Obviously his health is the number one priority and we wish him a very speedy recovery.”
The Oscar-nominated actor, who is also an accomplished writer, director and artist, is also known for films including Blue Velvet and Apocalypse Now.
He is currently appearing in a TV adaptation of the 2004 Oscar-winning film Crash.
Good news girls….Robert Pattinson splits from Stewart?…
Oct 28th
Robert Pattinson has been dumped by Kristen Stewart – because he wanted to marry her.
The 19-year-old actress reportedly called time on her romance with her ‘Twilight’ co-star because the 23-year-old British actor was making her feel pressured and smothered.
A source told America’s OK! magazine: “Robert was talking marriage but she told him they needed a break.”
It has also been claimed Kristen felt their relationship was stopping her from spending time with friends and family.
The couple – who have never confirmed their romance, despite being pictured looking intimate on several occasions – were also said to have been arguing over how to continue their relationship while living in different countries.
An insider explained: “Now ‘The Twilight Saga: Eclipse’ has finished filming, there’s been a lot of tension about the logistics of their relationship as Robert wants to go back to the UK, while Kristen prefers to stay in Los Angeles.”
While filming the third movie in the series, Robert – who plays vampire Edward Cullen – had been sharing a luxury penthouse apartment with Kristen, who stars as love interest Bella Swann.
The pair had rented out the entire 34th floor of the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel in Vancouver, Canada, at a cost of $850 a suite each night.
A source said: “They have two rooms joined by a door. They use a third suite on the floor to listen to music or watch Blu-ray movies on a large, flat screen, when they stay in after a day’s shooting or on weekends.
“They’re great. Every room has floor-to-ceiling windows and large, flat screen TVs and chandeliers. The baths double as Jacuzzis. And, best of all, that floor has its own butler and security. Robert and Kristen are transported to and from the set by accessing a private elevator system in the hotel that leads to a gated and guarded garage.”
Ricky Gervais to host Golden Globes….
Oct 27th
Ricky Gervais has been announced as the host for January’s Golden Globe Awards.
The 48 year old British comedian will be the first official host of the ceremony since 1995.
Gervais, who has made several films in Hollywood, said: “I have resisted many other offers like this, but there are just some things you don’t turn down.”
Paul Telegdy, head of alternative programing at NBC which will broadcast the ceremony said Gervais, who is also a stand-up comic, “has provided some of the most hilarious and memorable awards show moments in recent history.”
Winners of the Golden Globes are often considered frontrunners for the world’s top film honors, the Oscars.
Nominations for the 67th annual Golden Globes will be announced on December 15 and handed out in Beverly Hills on January 17.
HMV launches first instore cinema….
Oct 23rd
HMV is opening its first instore cinema in London, causing some to question what this means for the future of high street music retailers.
The music store is launching a three-screen digital cinema in its Wimbledon branch in collaboration with independent cinema chain Curzon.
With the disappearance of stores like Zavvi and Woolworths, HMV is one of the few places you can still buy music on the high street.
The chain has already had to branch out into selling things like DVDs and video games to help stay afloat, thanks to the fact that high street music stores are losing millions to online downloads.
HMV Chief Executive Simon Fox explained: “Our mix of sales now is about a quarter music, a quarter is computer games and half is DVD.
“Music has declined, as you’d expect. One of the reasons why we are putting cinemas into our stores is because we know the brand has to stretch, it has to stretch beyond the traditional music store into new areas.”
‘Last man standing’
“We are described as the last man standing on the high street and indeed we are, in terms of being the last entertainment specialist.”
However Fox is keen to deny that HMV is struggling, saying that 30 new stores have opened this year and 10 temporary stores are planned in the run up to Christmas.
Joe Mount from electro pop band Metronomy told Newsbeat why he thinks HMV have made the move.
“People don’t think music is worth any money.
“That’s why HMV’s opening cinemas and that’s why Virgin tried to re-brand itself as like a hang-out spot and all that phone stuff,” he said.
However he doesn’t blame music retailers for moving from music to movies and thinks the problem runs deeper.
‘Crippling the industry’
He said: “You need to educate the people who think music is worth nothing, you have to teach them that it is worth something because otherwise they’re accidentally crippling the whole music industry.
“Young people have to be taught that music is actually worth money otherwise you’re just going to lose shops, and you’re going to lose record labels and you’re going to lose new bands.”
Depending on the success of the first instore cinema HMV say more could follow.
The space will come from unused areas like basements but Fox admits that in the future there might be more space available when product sales change.
It remains to be seen whether this means that music will end up making room for movies.
Wimbledon HMV’s screens have between 70 and 103 seats and will start by showing films like The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus and The Fantastic Mr Fox.
Seyfried says Mamma Mia 2 on way….
Oct 23rd
Mamma Mia! star Amanda Seyfried has confirmed there are plans for a follow-up to the hugely successful movie.
The actress, who played Sophie in the musical, has denied knowledge of a sequel in the past. However, she has now suggested that there are serious talks underway about releasing a second film.
She told Newsbeat: “I’ve been talking to some insiders and it’s not something that they haven’t been working on. I don’t actually know anything other than that.
“I know it’s still going to be Abba music, because what else would it be. Come on, I wouldn’t do Mamma Mia 2 without Benny and Bjorn.
The 2008 film version of the West End musical grossed more than half a billion dollars worldwide.
Seyfried, who’s currently promoting new movie Chloe, admitted that she was slightly intimidated by some of her co-stars on Mamma Mia! who included Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth.
She said: “I’ve got to say that was a big cast. It was so much fun that nothing was very serious on that so it was a completely different type of project.
“Maybe it would give me an opportunity to not be intimidated by Meryl any more. Especially because now after doing Chloe I feel so much more capable than I’ve ever felt before.
“If I go back I’ll probably have enough confidence in myself to not be so intimiated by anybody.”
However, the 23-year-old admitted that they all had fun on the Greek Island set.
She said: “I think we all had the best time and we all got along so well. It was like some days it felt like we were just people on vacation.”
“I will do it. And I know Meryl’s game as well, so bring it on. It will be so cool.”
England stars net movie premiere….
Oct 23rd
England footballers Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole have left the pitch to attend the premiere of a Brit gangster film the pair produced.
Manchester United defender Ferdinand put up the money for Dead Man Running, starring his friend Tamer Hassan who grew up on the same Peckham estate in south London.
But Ferdinand’s involvement in the film, which was screened in London, was on one condition – that 15 work placements were found for disadvantaged youngsters he supports through the Rio Ferdinand Live the Dream Foundation.
He said: “We’re in the credit crunch so getting the children some work was the main element for me when I spoke to the director.
“I said: ‘Can you please make sure the children get a chance?’ Now they’re going to be involved in future projects so it’s going to be a win win situation for everybody involved.”
Co-producer and Chelsea defender Ashley Cole, who is used to seeing wife Cheryl Cole in the limelight, admitted he was less comfortable with the attention himself.
Cole said: “I never thought I’d see my name in the credits of a film… but I’m not counting this, it’s only small writing on the poster.”
Veteran actress Brenda Blethyn, who has appeared in everything from Shakespeare to Jane Austen adaptations and worked with stars from Brad Pitt to Keira Knightley, said a film produced by footballers was a first for her.
She said: “It made no difference to the way the film was made, it just meant that it got made at all and I’m grateful to them for that. How’s that for a hat-trick for you?”
My Top 10 Comedy Films…..
Oct 21st
Here is my top 10 comedy films of all time, I’m sure I have missed out a few, but in reverse order they are:
10. The Big Lebowski: Great performances from Jeff Bridges, John Goodman & Steve Buscemi.
9. The Naked Gun: Loved all of these, a film that you can watch over and over! Like Airplan & Hot Shots part deux!
8. Meet the Parents/Fockers: What a great cast, especially the oldies! Following on from ‘Analyze This’ Rob De Niro really suits comedy roles. Dustin Hoffman is a legend, and I forgot how well Barbara Streisand could act.
7. The 40 Year Old Virgin: Great Idea, Steve Carrell’s First Hollywood lead after finding fame in Bruce Almighty & The American Office, also introduces Seth Rogen.
6. Happy Gilmore: I love all of Adam Sandlers films, but this is probably my favourite of his. Love that Rob Scneider crops up in all of them too! Cut his f*****g head off!
5. Ferris Buellers Day Off: A classic! I only got round to watching this recently, but since then I have watched it 3 times, love this film!
4.Step Brothers: One of Will Ferrells best films, so many great moments, like licking dog poo & building bunk beds!
3. I love you man!: Only need to say one thing about this film, and that is ‘Slappin’ de Bass, Man!’
2. Bruce Almighty: This film has arguably the funniest moment EVER, when Bruce is in the newsroom effecting what Steve Carrell’s character is saying, PURE COMEDY GENIUS!
1. Anchorman: Love this film, so many great bits, ‘I love lamp’ being one of the best!
There are so many other films I would love to put into this list but these are my top 10! And I’ve just realised that Steve Carrell is in 3 of them! I could also include many of Jim Carreys films like Ace Ventura, the mask. Also other Adam Sandler films like Big Daddy, The Waterboy etc.
Comment on this post and let me know your favourite movies.
Daniel Radcliffe expands property empire…
Oct 20th
Daniel Radcliffe has splashed out almost £4 million on a New York home.
The ‘Harry Potter’ star – who already owns two other lavish properties in the US city – has spent the enormous sum on a five-bedroom townhouse in the West Village, which boasts four luxury bathrooms, six fireplaces and a 39 ft “beautiful” garden.
The estate agents brochure reads: “The property is on one of New York’s most picturesque tree-lined landmark cobblestone blocks.
“The 18 plus-foot-wide house faces south, and is soaked in sunlight throughout the day. The sizeable open garden and backyard is cooled by beautiful old trees and landscaping.”
The house – which includes a separate apartment on the ground floor and cost £3.76 million – is one of three adjoining properties built in 1847 by a sea captain for his daughters.
The 20-year-old actor’s property empire is now worth over £10 million.
Daniel, who fell in love with the city when he starred in the Broadway theatre production of ‘Equus’, rents out his two other properties in New York.
In 2007, he splashed out £3.2 million on a fifth floor apartment in the SoHo district, for which he is believed to get £3,000 a week.
Later that year, he spent another £3 million on a three-bedroom condo in the city’s West Village with plans to move into the 11th floor apartment while he appeared in ‘Equus’.
Daniel is expected to return to New York once he has finished filming ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’ and will appear in Broadway show ‘How To Succeed In Business Without Trying’ next year.
