Archive: April 2011 (1-10 of 185)

Apr 30 2011 03:34 PM ET

Box office update: 'Fast Five' posts April's largest opening day ever with $33.2 mil on Friday

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Categories: Box Office, Movie Biz
Fast-Five-Walker-Vin

Image Credit: Jaimie Trueblood

UPDATE: Fast Five sets April weekend box office record, opening at No. 1 with $83.6 million

Vroom! Onomatopoeic openings aside, Friday’s box office consisted of two groups: Fast Five and everything else. Universal’s $125 million street-racing action film — the fifth in the Fast and the Furious franchise — collected an estimated $33.2 million on Friday, including $3.8 million from Thursday midnight showings. That result gives Fast Five the largest opening day ever in April, passing its predecessor Fast and Furious‘ $30.6 million opening-day tally in 2009. Fast Five, which stars Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, and Dwayne Johnson, is on track to finish the weekend with about $78 million. Assuming the PG-13 movie does so, a whole slew of other records will be set: April’s biggest opening weekend (beating Fast and Furious‘ $71 million debut); Universal’s best opening ever (passing The Lost World: Jurassic Park‘s $72.1 million); and, naturally, 2011′s top debut to date (destroying Rio‘s $39.2 million opening from two weeks ago). READ FULL STORY »

Apr 30 2011 10:30 AM ET

Why Robert Pattinson can't wait for 'Breaking Dawn Pt 2'

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Categories: EW Exclusive, Movies, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, This Week's Cover
Taylor-Lautner-Dawn

Image Credit: Andrew Cooper

 It’s clear that the stars of The Twilight Saga have become close over the years — particularly during the long process of shooting Breaking Dawn Part 1 and Part 2 (in theaters November 2011 and 2012). “Having to spend so much time with people…it’s just nice when you like them. There is a real bond. I think also there’s something humbling about wearing the makeup and contacts,” says Robert Pattinson.

But of course all that bonding doesn’t stop him from teasing one of his co-stars. “Except Taylor [Lautner]–he doesn’t have to do a thing. He’s managed [to do] no work on this last one,” Pattinson laughs. “He’s always a wolf!” However, as Pattinson is quick to point out, Lautner will face plenty of challenges when it comes to Breaking Dawn Part 2 (beware, spoilers ahead!). “He has to fall in love with a baby,” Pattinson says (kinda gleefully). “Oh, God, I can’t wait to see how that goes.”

Lautner doesn’t seem too surprised to hear about Pattinson’s ribbing. “Oh my gosh. That sounds like him,” he says. “Everyone is always complaining to me that I don’t have to wear the contacts, I don’t have to wear the white makeup or wear wigs and all that stuff. And I’m like, ‘I’m the one in the freezing rain and cold not wearing a shirt! I paid my dues in New Moon and Eclipse.’”

For more behind-the-scenes details on Breaking Dawn, plus exclusive photos — including one of Bella and Edward in a steamy waterfall embrace — pick up the new issue of Entertainment Weekly, on stands now.

Apr 29 2011 08:04 PM ET

Crime memoir 'Five Finger Discount' to be adapted into documentary

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Categories: Documentary, Movies

Helene Stapinski’s best selling memoir Five Finger Discount: A Crooked Family History has been optioned to become a feature documentary by producer Charles Hobson’s Vanguard Documentaries. The company plans to pitch the project to TV broadcast networks.

Stapinski’s book recounts the criminal history of her Jersey City-based family starting roughly 40 years ago, including the grandfather who tried to kill her immediate family when she was five years old, her cousin who was arrested on 57 counts of burglary, and the aunt who became involved with the notoriously crooked local government.

“For many years, I have ogled this wonderful story,” Hobson said in a statement. “It will really snap, crackle, and pop when brought to a new life as a brutally visual film.” The doc will also cover the corruption permeating Jersey City itself, beginning with its infamous 30-year mayor Frank Hague.

“I trust Vanguard will help breathe new vitality into the many characters through interviews, photos and archival footage,” Stapinski notes in the statement “A documentary seems like the natural next step for Five-Finger.”

Apr 29 2011 06:52 PM ET

'One Day' trailer shows Anne Hathaway in a decades-spanning relationship with Jim Sturgess

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Categories: Anne Hathaway, Book Adaptations, Movie Trailers, Summer Movies, Tearjerkers

Perhaps it wasn’t the wisest choice to release the trailer for the eagerly anticipated film adaptation of One Day, out July 8, on the same day as the Royal Wedding, considering we’re all pretty much on romantic British people overload at this point. Nevertheless, the preview for the swoon-worthy dramedy, based on David Nicholls wonderful best-selling novel, hit the Web and it’s complete with a decades-spanning tale about heartache, friendships, weddings, babies, British accents, and bad 90′s haircuts. Just like the book, the movie will catch up on the same day every year (July 15 in the novel) with the will-they-or-won’t-they relationship between friends Emma (Anne Hathaway) and Dexter (Jim Sturgess). Good luck trying not to get choked up!  READ FULL STORY »

Apr 29 2011 05:53 PM ET

Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, and Lenny Kravitz all contenders for 'Hunger Games' roles

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Categories: Casting, Rumor Police!, The Hunger Games
Woody-Harrelson

Image Credit: Paul Morigi/WireImage.com

EW has confirmed that Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, and (this one’s a surprise!) Lenny Kravitz are all contenders for some of the pivotal roles remaining to be cast in The Hunger Games. A source close to the movie tells EW that “all of these actors are possible, but some a lot more possible than others.” The scoop was first reported on Vulture, along with the claim that Harrelson was fielding an offer to play the role of Seneca Crane, Head Gamemaker of the 74th Hunger Games. (Though dare I ask, and having never once considered him in the part before, would Harrelson make a surprising yet excellent choice for Haymitch as well?)

The irresistible Stanley Tucci seems like he could play anyone really, from the most vile and pungent President Snow to the gleaming TV announcer Caesar Flickerman. Lenny Kravitz, where might you fit into all of this? Perhaps the man could be forgiven his lack of red hair and make an interesting Darius, the District 12 Peacekeeper with too much humanity for his own good? Or perhaps he’s the one in the running for Flickerman? And for the love of Suzanne Collins, whither our Cinna?

Let this lottery of casting news be over soon. The Hunger Games, with director Gary Ross at the helm, goes into production in late May.

Read more:
‘Hunger Games’ Central
‘Hunger Games’ finds its Foxface
‘The Hunger Games’: Elizabeth Banks officially cast as Effie
‘The Hunger Games’: Meet the Cast

Apr 29 2011 05:45 PM ET

Kristen Stewart on the 'Breaking Dawn' baby decision: 'I'm so on Bella's Side'

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Categories: Movies, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, This Week's Cover
Bella-Edward-Breakfast

Image Credit: Andrew Cooper

We won’t get a chance to see Breaking Dawn until it’s in theaters in November, but in this week’s issue of Entertainment Weekly we got a first look at some of the action, as well as hearing from The Twilight Saga‘s cast and stars (warning: spoilers ahead!). READ FULL STORY »

Apr 29 2011 05:28 PM ET

Steven Soderbergh signs on for Channing Tatum male-stripper movie 'Magic Mike'

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Categories: Deals, Movie Biz, Steven Soderbergh
Dear-John-Channing-Tatum

Image Credit: Scott Garfield

Looks like Steven Soderbergh isn’t quite ready for the gold watch after all. Earlier this year, the famed director of films like sex lies and videotape, Out of Sight, Erin Brockovich, and Oceans 11 vowed that he would retire from filmmaking after finishing two final projects on his plate: Liberace, starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon, and a potential big-screen reboot of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. with George Clooney. “For the last three years, I’ve been turning down everything that comes my way,” Soderbergh told NPR in March. “You’re not gonna have Steven Soderbergh to kick around anymore.” Well, apparently he found one more project too appealing to turn down: Soderbergh has signed on to direct Channing Tatum in Magic Mike, a project based on Tatum’s real-life experiences working as a male stripper at age 19. Tatum, who recently completed the film Haywire with Soderbergh, will play a veteran stripper who mentors a younger newbie.  READ FULL STORY »

Apr 29 2011 05:09 PM ET

'Hunger Games' finds its Foxface

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Categories: The Hunger Games
Chris-Mark--jackie-Emerson

Another day, another Hunger Games casting notice: Just one day after Elizabeth Banks tweeted that she will indeed play Effie Trinket in the adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ dystopian novel, Lionsgate has revealed the identity of the actors playing the Hunger Games’ District 5 tributes. Jacqueline Emerson is set for Foxface, the sly and clever tribute who never speaks a single word in the book. Like the other tributes cast in the film — with the exception of Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) and Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) — Emerson is an unknown actress for most audiences, having only voiced a role in 2004′s Father of the Pride TV series.

Chris Mark — an actor with a stunt work background who has also had roles in projects like The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emporer and Unnatural History — has been cast as Foxface’s fellow District 5 tribute, who goes unnamed in the book. Emerson and Mark joins Lawrence, Hutcherson, Banks, Liam Hemsworth, Paula Malcomson, and Willow Shields in the film, directed by Gary Ross.

Read more:
‘Hunger Games’ Central
‘The Hunger Games’: Elizabeth Banks officially cast as Effie
‘The Hunger Games’: Meet the Cast

Apr 29 2011 11:53 AM ET

And the winners of the Tribeca Film Festival are...

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Categories: Tribeca Film Festival

Carice-Van-Houten

Image Credit: Dario Cantatore/Getty Images

The winners of the 10th Annual Tribeca Film Festival were announced last night, chosen from 12 narrative and 12 documentary features, as well as prizes for first-time directors and short films. Jane Rosenthal, co-founder of the film festival (along with Robert De Niro), said, “It’s wonderful to have reached our 10th edition and to be able to celebrate with all of these gifted filmmakers. We’ve been fortunate that as we have grown we have remained a place that welcomes a diverse range of stories told by compelling and exciting filmmakers. We are truly honored that the community has supported the Festival all these years — the community of New York and the international film community.”

Here is the complete winner’s list: READ FULL STORY »

Apr 29 2011 10:30 AM ET

Disney's 'Prom': Can the House of Mouse tell an edgy teen story without sex, nudity or drugs?

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Categories: '80s delinquent B movies that foretell the future, John Hughes, Movies
Prom_320.jpg

Image Credit: Richard Foreman Jr.

There were plenty of doubters when Disney said last year that the new film Prom aspired to follow the tradition of John Hughes and Cameron Crowe. Studio chairman Rich Ross said he wanted the movie to be “honest and authentic,” an announcement that would make any of the kids from Fast Times at Ridgemont High, The Breakfast Club, or any of those daring — and, in hindsight, extremely risque — ’80s teen flicks say, “Yuh, sure.”

Could the home of the ultra-peppy High School Musical franchise tell a heartfelt high school story without an R-rating?

READ FULL STORY »

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