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'Lego Batman' Tops Presidents' Day Weekend, 'Great Wall' Leads Newcomers
4 hours ago | Box Office Mojo | See recent BoxOfficeMojo.com news »
The Lego Batman Movie topped the weekend box office for a second week in a row, holding off a trio of newcomers led by Universal's The Great Wall. Fellow new releases, Fist Fight and particularly Fox's A Cure for Wellness, fizzled in their respective debuts as the start of 2017's Presidents' Day weekend saw the top twelve come in 47% behind last year. While that was mostly to be expected, it's a rather significant dip as 2017 is currently pacing 10.4% behind 2016's yearly grosses. With an estimated $34.2 million, WB's The Lego Batman Movie finished #1 by a considerable margin, dropping 35.4% and raising its domestic cume to $98.7 million after ten days in release. The film should top $43 million for the four-day weekend, pushing it over $100 million by end of day Monday. Internationally, Lego Batman is up to $72 million after bringing in an estimated $21.5 million from 62 markets this weekend elevating its worldwide total over $170 million. »
- Brad Brevet <mail@boxofficemojo.com>
‘La La Land,’ ‘Game of Thrones’ Win Cinema Audio Society Awards
15 hours ago | Variety - TV News | See recent Variety - TV News news »
“La La Land” and “Game of Thrones” walked away with top film and television honors at the 53rd Cinema Audio Society Awards Saturday night.
“Finding Nemo” won the theatrical animated prize, while “The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and The Silk Road Ensemble” took the documentary award. Other television winners included “Modern Family” and “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.”
“The Jungle Book” director Jon Favreau received the organization’s Filmmaker Award. Previous recipients include Quentin Tarantino, Richard Linklater, Bill Condon, Rob Marshall and Jonathan Demme.
“La La Land” is nominated for the sound mixing Oscar this year, along with “Arrival,” Cas nominee “Hacksaw Ridge,” Cas nominee “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” and “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.”
“Game of Thrones” and “The People v. O.J. Simpson” won sound mixing Emmys last year.
Full list of Cas Awards winners below.
Motion Picture – Live Action
Production Mixer: Steven Morrow, Cas »
- Kristopher Tapley
‘Logan’ Director James Mangold Wants to Make an X-23 Spinoff
17 February 2017 3:30 PM, PST | Slash Film | See recent Slash Film news »
Hugh Jackman‘s Logan is the undisputed star of Logan (you know, as indicated by the title), but its resident scene-stealer is definitely Laura, a.k.a. X-23. As played by 11-year-old Dafne Keen, she’s a force of nature who’s more than capable of holding her own against veteran X-Men like Wolverine and Professor X. I’ve got a strong feeling she’ll […]
The post ‘Logan’ Director James Mangold Wants to Make an X-23 Spinoff appeared first on /Film. »
- Angie Han
‘Toni Erdmann’ Wins Five Awards From International Cinephile Society
1 hour ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
Maren Ade’s “Toni Erdmann” won five awards from the International Cinephile Society Sunday, including best picture, best director, best actor, best original screenplay, and best foreign film.
The film’s star, Peter Simonischek, was joined by Isabelle Huppert (“Elle”), Andre Holland (“Moonlight”), and Lily Gladstone (“Certain Women”) for acting honors, while “Elle” also claimed the adapted screenplay prize.
Crafts category wins included “Embrace of the Serpent” for cinematography, “Elle” for editing, “The Handmaiden” for production design, and “Jackie” for score.
“Moonlight’s” ensemble cast won a prize, while animation honors went to “The Red Turtle” and “Fire at Sea” won the documentary award.
Films included on a list of top pictures that played festivals but were not released in 2016 were “The Death of Louis Xiv,” “The Lost City of Z,” and “Personal Shopper,” among others.
Related stories2016's Top 10 Films With Box Office, Awards and Critical AcclaimJack Nicholson, Kristen Wiig »
- Variety Staff
Angela Lansbury Joins Emily Blunt in Disney’s ‘Mary Poppins Returns’
17 February 2017 12:38 PM, PST | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
Angela Lansbury has joined the cast of Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns,” starring Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Meryl Streep. It is directed and produced by Rob Marshall and will be set in the 1930’s Depression-era London. Michael and Jane are now grown up. Michael (Ben Whishaw) lives with his three children and their housekeeper, but when he suffers a personal loss, enigmatic Nanny Mary Poppins (Blunt) re-enters their lives. The film is produced by Marshall, John DeLuca (“Chicago”) and Marc Platt (“La La Land”). The screenplay is by David Magee (“Life of Pi”) based on the “Mary Poppins” stories by P. »
- Beatrice Verhoeven
Donald Glover to Play Simba in Live Action ‘Lion King’
17 February 2017 4:52 PM, PST | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
Donald Glover will play Simba in Disney’s live action “Lion King,” The Wrap has learned. I just can’t wait to be king. #Simba pic.twitter.com/wUYKixMBJI — Jon Favreau (@Jon_Favreau) February 18, 2017 The director also revealed on twitter that James Earl Jones will reprise his role as Mufasa, the father role he played in the 1994 animated original. Looking forward to working with this legend. #Mufasa pic.twitter.com/1LszbWrcYT — Jon Favreau (@Jon_Favreau) February 18, 2017 After the success of Favreau’s “The Jungle Book,” the director is teaming up with Disney to create a live-action version of “The Lion King. »
- Umberto Gonzalez
‘Last Jedi’ Title Translations Reveal There Are Multiple Jedi
17 February 2017 2:37 PM, PST | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
The international titles for the upcoming “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” appear to confirm that said “Jedi” are in fact plural. The official Star Wars twitter accounts of France, Germany, Spain, Brazil, Italy, and more revealed the titles in their respective languages — all of them calling out multiple Jedi. Because of this development, we now know that the title is supposed to mean more than one Jedi, as in, Luke and Rey… and maybe even more of masters of the Force.
Not A Drill I Repeat This Is. »
- Umberto Gonzalez
‘The Batman’: Negotiations Break Down Between Studio and Director Matt Reeves
17 February 2017 3:40 PM, PST | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
In another setback for the superhero tentpole, talks have broken down between Warner Bros. and director Matt Reeves about becoming the director of “The Batman,” Variety has confirmed.
A studio source indicates that negotiations have stopped, but adds that talks could resume down the road. WB is still intent on making the film, the source insisted, whatever means necessary.
The news comes after star Ben Affleck stepped down as director in order to focus on playing the Caped Crusader.
“There are certain characters who hold a special place in the hearts of millions,” Affleck said in a statement on Jan. 30. “Performing this role demands focus, passion, and the very best performance I can give. It has become clear that I cannot do both jobs to the level they require. Together with the studio, I have decided to find a partner in »
- Justin Kroll
‘Shazam’: Superhero Movie Eyes ‘Lights Out’ Director
17 February 2017 2:20 PM, PST | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
“Lights Out” director David F. Sandberg is in talks to direct New Line’s “Shazam” superhero movie.
“Lights Out,” based on Sandberg’s short film, was a breakout success last summer for New Line with the horror film grossing nearly $150 million on a $5 million budget. Several months before the release of “Lights Out,” New Line hired the Swedish filmmaker to direct “Annabelle 2,” which will be out in August.
Shazam first appeared in 1939 as Captain Marvel in comic books published by Fawcett Comics as a creation of artist C. C. Beck and writer Bill Parker. He is the alter ego of teenage Billy Batson, who becomes the superhero when he says the word “Shazam!” — an acronym for the gods of the ancient world with the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Aries, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles and the speed of Mercury.
- Dave McNary
‘On Body and Soul’ Wins Golden Bear Award at Berlin Film Festival
18 February 2017 11:11 AM, PST | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
The Hungarian love story “On Body and Soul” has won the Golden Bear award as the best film at the 2017 Berlin Film Festival. Acting awards went to Georg Friedrich for “Bright Nights” and Kim Minhee for “On the Beach at Night Alone,” while the prize for the festival’s best director went to Aki Kaurismaki for “The Other Side of Hope.” The awards were announced at a ceremony in Berlin on Saturday night, at the conclusion of a festival that began on Feb. 9. Also Read: 'The Dinner' Berlin Review: Laura Linney, Steve Coogan Cram Too Much on Their Plate The winners were. »
- Steve Pond
Alibaba Pictures Warns of $140 Million Losses
34 minutes ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
Alibaba Pictures has warned of massive losses for the calendar 2016 that could reach $137 -140 million (RMB950 million – RMB1 billion.) It blamed the losses on continuing start up and promotional costs at its online ticketing business Tao Piao Piao.
The company, which is controlled by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, but has two separate share listings in Hong Kong and Singapore, issued a profit warning to regulators in both markets.
In 2015 Apg managed a profit of RMB466 million, but in the first half of 2016 it returned to losses of an almost identical RMB465 million.
Describing Tao Piao Piao as ” a key operating asset,” Apg said that the unit “continued to use its financial resources to implement its marketing strategies in order to grow its business, and has further enhanced its user experience and strengthened its market position by the end of 2016.”
It is understood that video streaming business Youku Tudou, integrated into »
- Patrick Frater
Sorry, Donald Trump: Oscars have always welcomed the world when it comes to acting winners
53 minutes ago | Gold Derby | See recent Gold Derby news »
One certainly can’t accuse the Academy Awards of any homegrown bias. Last year’s Oscars numbered two foreign-born talents — England’s Mark Rylance (“Bridge of Spies”) and Sweden’s Alicia Vikander (“The Danish Girl”) — among the four acting champs. In total, 11 of the 20 acting nominees were from other countries. This year, there are a lucky seven foreign-born folk in […] »
- Paul Sheehan
China Box Office: ‘xXx’ Holds Off Newcomers ‘Sing’ and ‘La La Land’
1 hour ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
“xXx: Revenge of Xander Cage” held off new releases “Sing” and “La La Land” to win its second successive weekend at the Chinese box office.
Starring Vin Diesel and giving prominence to Donnie Yen in local marketing, the film clocked up $26.6 million in mainland Chinese theaters according to data from Ent Group. After 10 days its cumulative total is a smashing $134 million, more than triple its $41.4 million achieved in North America.
Animated feature “Sing” opened quietly on Friday in third place, but found its voice on Saturday and Sunday to claim second place for the weekend with $11.9 million. “La La Land,” which opened to big numbers on Valentine’s Day (Tues, Feb. 14) took $8.58 million over the weekend. Its 6-day cumulative is $24.6 million.
Behind the Hollywood trio, “Kung Fu Yoga” added another $5.78 million, for a 23-day total of $245 million. Also proving long-legged, Han Han’s “Duckweed” added $5.26 million for a 23-day score of $143 million. »
- Patrick Frater
Berlin Film Review: ‘Close-Knit’
1 hour ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
In recent years, the humble art of knitting has acquired an increasingly young, hip following for its supposedly therapeutic benefits — and finally has a film to show for it in “Close-Knit.” That’s not to trivialize the wider social issues of Naoko Ogigami’s gentle, sweet-souled celebration of alternative family structures, in which a maternally neglected young girl finds security in the care of her uncle and his transgender partner. But the knitting motif is one the film returns to repeatedly as a bonding metaphor, and one that’s wholly indicative of its snuggly feel-good appeal: This is a warm, practical, pastel-shaded cardigan of a film, even if, at over two hours, it gets a bit droopy in the sleeves. Some light cutting might make “Close-Knit” an even comfier fit for international distributors, particularly those specializing in Lgbt fare.
Premiering in Berlin’s Panorama sidebar, where it has been overshadowed »
- Guy Lodge
Fox News Defends Media to Reince Priebus: ‘You Don’t Get to Tell Us What to Do’ (Video)
2 hours ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and Fox News’ Chris Wallace clashed Sunday morning over Donald Trump’s labeling of mainstream media as “the enemy of the American people,” with Wallace saying, “we don’t have a state-run media” in this country, to which Priebus responded by criticizing the media for publishing “unsourced” stories. Priebus argued that the media was giving too much coverage to Trump’s perceived failures rather than policy, but Wallace responded by saying Fox News covered both. “When the President says that we’re the enemy of the American people,” Wallace noted, “it makes it »
- Jeremy Fuster
Before ‘The Good Fight': The 27 Best ‘Good Wife’ Characters, Ranked (Photos)
2 hours ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
When a character played by Margo Martindale (Ruth Eastman) is only No. 27 on the list of best characters, you’re talking about a pretty excellent show. Join us as we say goodbye to “The Good Wife.” From Alicia Florick (Juliana Margulies) to Eli Roth (Alan Cumming) and Peter Florrick (Chris Noth), here are the best “Good Wife” characters. Also Read: 'The Good Wife's' Matthew Morrison Laughs Off Terrible Movie He Did With Christine Baranski You know how Batman is maybe the fourth most-interesting person in Gotham? So it is with St. Alicia. There’s no show without her, »
- Tim Molloy
Syria’s ‘White Helmets’ Rescue Workers Obtain Visas to Attend Academy Awards
2 hours ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
Rescue workers depicted in Syria’s Oscar-nominated documentary “White Helmets” have obtained U.S. visas and will now be able to attend the Academy Awards on Feb. 26. Although Raed Saleh, leader of the group, and cinematographer Khaled Khatib, received their visas Friday, the film’s producer Joanna Natasegara said they “remain cautious about the physical part of entering the country.” Syria's 'White Helmets' makers have obtained Us visas for next week's Oscars https://t.co/LRufrJIUIK pic.twitter.com/li8w9rg49m — Al Jazeera News (@AJENews) February 19, 2017 Also Read: Syrian Heroes May Miss Oscars After Trump Travel Ban, Filmmakers »
- Rosemary Rossi
‘Fifty Shades Darker’ Stays Hot at International Box Office With $43.7 Million
3 hours ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
Universal’s erotic sequel “Fifty Shades Darker” has scored its second consecutive win at the international box office with $43.7 million in 59 territories.
“Fifty Shades Darker” declined 52 percent from its opening weekend for a foreign total of $187.2 million and a worldwide gross of $276.9 million.
The film is holding in first place in Germany, Austria, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Panama, Paraguay, Trinidad, Uruguay, Venezuela, Hong Kong, and Australia. Germany is the top market with $6.2 million, declining just 27 percent for a $20.9 million total.
Related
Box Office: ‘Lego Batman’ Flies High Over ‘Great Wall,’ ‘Fist Fight’
The film finished second in the U.K.-Ireland market behind “Lego Batman” as “Darker” declined 52 percent to $4.5 million for a total of $21 million. France saw a 49 percent decline to $4.2 million for a total of $15.1 million.
Brazil has totaled $13.7 million, followed by Italy at $12.9 million, Russia at $10.7 million, Australia at $10.6 million, and Spain at $9.6 million. Japan will »
- Dave McNary
Why Matt Damon’s ‘The Great Wall’ Became a Great Big Bomb
4 hours ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
After years of hype, Legendary’s would-be China-u.S. crossover epic “The Great Wall” crumbled at the box office, earning just $18.1 million during its opening weekend in North America on an estimated $150 million production budget. (The projection for the four-day holiday is $21 million.) Worse, director Zhang Yimou’s English-language fantasy epic starring Matt Damon didn’t prove to be much of a blockbuster in China either, reeling in a disappointing $170.4 million since it opened in December. “That movie became one of the worst movies in China,” Wang Haige, chairman of the Huading Awards (China’s version of the People’s Choice Awards) told TheWrap. »
- Matt Pressberg
Box Office: ‘Lego Batman’ Flies High Over ‘Great Wall,’ ‘Fist Fight’
5 hours ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
“The Lego Batman Movie” is dominating the North American box office with an estimated $44 million this President’s Day weekend — nearly matching the combined haul of “Fifty Shades Darker” and “The Great Wall.”
Universal’s second weekend of “Fifty Shades” is heading for $24 million at 3,714 sites and its action-fantasy “The Great Wall” was projected to wind up with $21 million at 3,325 locations for the Friday-Monday period. Lionsgate’s second weekend of “John Wick: Chapter 2” is finishing in a solid fourth place with $19.5 million at 3,113 venues as holdovers propped up the holiday weekend business.
New Line’s opening of high school comedy “Fist Fight” showed only a modest punch in fifth with around $14 million at 3,185 locations. And Fox’s horror-thriller “A Cure for Wellness” was scaring up a modest $4.9 million at 2,704 screens as it was projected to finish 11th.
Related
Box Office: ‘I Am Not Your Negro’ Shaping Up to Be Documentary Hit
“Lego Batman, »
- Dave McNary
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