Crazy to think how in just a few years, Lance Armstrong went from being one of sports' greatest heroes to one of its biggest villains. That reverential cameo in 2004's Dodgeball looks completely dated now, doesn't it? Ben Foster looks like a good choice to play him though, with The Queen's Stephen Frears directing. It is funny to think how different a Lance Armstrong biopic would have looked not so long ago, though.
BOX OFFICE 6/12-6/14: 'Jurassic World' Stuns with $200 Million Weekend
Now there's a shocker. The third sequel in the Jurassic Park franchise just blew open the record books with $204 million over the three day weekend- something no one expected, with most surprised it was tracking for a possible $100 million opener a few weeks ago. That's the second biggest opening of all time, and with actuals to come in Monday there's a very real chance it will earn enough to surpass the $207 million The Avengers earned in 2012, to become the biggest opening weekend ever. Why did this happen? Well, I guess I can speak for the majority of this audience, since I too was about 6 or 7 when the original JP came out. Forget the sequels, that first movie left a very real impact on my generation, one that apparently hasn't let up in the slightest. This is all about nostalgia, folks. Never mind the fact that the dinosaurs for some reason have never looked as good as they did in that first movie- this is entirely about wanting to relive how it felt when we saw the first Jurassic Park in theaters, which was something of a transformative experience for a lot of little kids.
I say we, but I didn't even see it this weekend, because even though I'll never forget every frame of the first one either, I don't expect anything in this one to live up to or have anything to do with the original, really. If I wanted to relive that, I'd probably watch it on blu-ray (which there's no need to because I've seen it so many times I probably have it memorized from the VHS copy I wore out years ago). But, with this incredible feat, I think you can expect revivals of a lot of 90's phenomenons to start making their way to theaters, because that's the only explanation for how this happened. It's not Chris Pratt's star power, although with this kind of success, we can expect him to become one of the biggest new movie stars in a while, coming right after Guardians of the Galaxy. Yeah, he'll be sticking around. In other news, Spy held relatively well in second place, while San Andreas, Insidious and Pitch Perfect 2 rounded out the top five. But the weekend belonged to the island of Isla Nublar once more.
Top 5:
- Jurassic World- $204.6 million
- Spy- $16 million
- San Andreas- $11 million
- Insidious Chapter 3- $7.3 million
- Pitch Perfect 2- $6 million
In limited news, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl had a decent start on 15 screens with a $14k average, but not a spectacular debut, coming off the Sundance jury prize. Meanwhile, Love & Mercy has been doing well, making it into the top ten for a cumulative gross of $4 million so far. Next week, Pixar's Inside Out will have to go up against Jurassic World, while the indie releases of another Sundance hit Dope, and Mark Ruffalo's Infinitely Polar Bear come out. Expect the dinos to keep hold of #1, unless the nostalgia craze was only good for one weekend.
Bill Murray in 'Rock the Kasbah' Trailer
In a role that looks to be tailor made for him, Bill Murray stars as an over the hill rock manager who gets stranded in Afghanistan, where hijinks ensue. Is he having something of a comeback in terms of starring roles lately? After last year's St. Vincent, it looks like it may be the case. This one's directed by Barry Levinson, of Rain Man, Good Morning Vietnam, Diner, etc. I don't know- it could be good I guess. St. Vincent was way too cheesy in the end, but this one looks a little less sentimental.
Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer are Spies in 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.'
Guy Ritchie is very hit and miss, and even his hits (the Sherlock Holmes franchise for example) aren't really that great, but the two leads look appealing enough in this. It could have a kind of period James Bond flair to it, but I suspect it's going to get bogged down in explosions and chaotic action, like the Holmes movies did. Alicia Vikander and Elizabeth Debicki are the femme fatales- it's quite a year for spy movies though, isn't it? First Spy, then MI5, this one and of course Spectre in November. Looks like old school espionage action will never go out of style.
Jason Bateman Narrates the Teaser for Disney's 'Zootopia'
Disney hasn't actually done an anthropomorphic cartoon in a long time. Just from the teaser for this one it brings back memories of things like Robin Hood and The Rescuers, doesn't it? Actually, Jason Bateman's signature snarky, wiseass delivery would seem to make him a perfect voice for one of these guys. Zootopia's coming out in March 2016.
Christopher Lee 1922-2015
One of the movies' great villains, Sir Christopher Lee, died today at the age or 93. A career that spanned 70 years, he was most known for some of his iconic villainous roles, like Count Dracula in a series of Hammer Horror films from 1957-1976, Lord Summerisle in the 1973 cult classic The Wicker Man (my favorite), Comte de Rochefort in The Three Musketeers (1973/74), Francisco Scaramanga in the 007 film The Man With the Golden Gun (1974), Count Dooku in the Star Wars prequels (1999-2005) and of course, Saruman in The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003). Few actors have ever been associated with so many iconic bad guy roles, not to mention years of theater, television (he said hosting Saturday Night Live in 1978 was the hardest thing he ever did) and other film work. He was knighted by Prince Charles in 2009.
New TV Spot for 'Spectre' Gives Us More 007 Action
I'm more excited every time I see a new promo for this! Daniel Craig returns as Bond, with Christoph Waltz as the villain (who they maintain is not Blofeld, but we'll see- I have my doubts). We finally get a look at the two new Bond girls here, Monica Belluci and Lea Seydoux. Spectre is coming November 9th.
Emma Watson and Ethan Hawke Star in Trailer for Horror Movie 'Regression'
Emma Watson may be the nicest, sweetest girl in the world, but I don't think anyone has benefited more from being a pretty face than she has, because she simply cannot act to save her life. It seems to be a strain to change her facial expressions. Alejandro Amenabar has directed some really good movies (Open Your Eyes, The Others, The Sea Inside), so this one may be worth looking out for when it comes out in August, save for the poor Emma factor.
Teen Choice Nominations Go For Big Names; Action Movies
The 2015 Teen Choice Award nominees are here, and as usual it's a wacky collection of random names alongside recognizable stars. The usual suspects were there, like Hunger Games, Furious 7, Avengers, etc. Don't even try to fool me though, that any of these people actually saw Aloha. Seriously? I guess the names of Bradley Cooper and Emma Stone were enough to land that epic bomb three TCA noms by itself. The Surfboard winners are announced in August.
Choice Movie: Action/Adventure
Furious 7
Insurgent
Kingsman: The Secret Service
San Andreas
The Maze Runner
Tracers
Choice Movie Actor: Action/Adventure
Ansel Elgort – Insurgent
Dylan O’Brien – The Maze Runner
Paul Walker – Furious 7
Taylor Lautner – Tracers
Theo James – Insurgent
Vin Diesel – Furious 7
Choice Movie Actress: Action/Adventure
Alexandra Daddario – San Andreas
Jordana Brewster – Furious 7
Kaya Scodelario – The Maze Runner
Maggie Grace – Taken 3
Michelle Rodriguez – Furious 7
Shailene Woodley – Insurgent
Choice Movie: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Cinderella
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Hobbit: Battle of the 5 Armies
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
Tomorrowland
Choice Movie Actor: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Channing Tatum – Jupiter Rising
Chris Hemsworth – Avengers: Age of Ultron
George Clooney – Tomorrowland
Josh Hutcherson – The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
Liam Hemsworth – The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
Robert Downey Jr – Avengers: Age of Ultron
Choice Movie Actress: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Mila Kunis – Jupiter Ascending
Britt Robertson – Tomorrowland
Jennifer Lawrence – The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
Lily James – Cinderella
Scarlett Johansson – Avengers: Age of Ultron
Mackenzie Foy – Interstellar
Choice Movie: Drama
Fury
If I Stay
McFarland, USA
The Age of Adaline
The Longest Ride
The Theory of Everything
Choice Movie Actor: Drama
Scott Eastwood -The Longest Ride
James Franco – True Story
Jonah Hill – True Story
Chris Hemsworth – Blackhat
Eddie Redmayne – The Theory of Everything
Logan Lerman – Fury
Choice Movie Actress: Drama
Blake Lively – The Age of Adaline
Britt Robertson – The Longest Ride
Felicity Jones – True Story/The Theory of Everything
Reese Witherspoon – Wild
Kristen Stewart – Still Alice
Chloe Grace Moretz – If I Stay
Choice Movie: Comedy
Aloha
Dumb and Dumber To
Night At The Museum: Secret of The Tomb
Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2
Pitch Perfect 2
The Duff
Choice Movie Actor: Comedy
Ben Stiller – Night At The Museum: Secret of The Tomb
Bradley Cooper – Aloha
Jim Carrey – Dumb and Dumber To
Kevin James – Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2
Robbie Amell – The Duff
Sylar Astin – Pitch Perfect 2
Choice Movie Actress: Comedy
Anna Kendrick – Pitch Perfect 2
Emma Stone – Aloha
Mae Whitman- The Duff
Raini Rodriguez – Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2
Rebel Wilson – Pitch Perfect 2
Reese Witherspoon – Hot Pursuit
Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger in New Poster for 'Black Mass'
I'm looking forward to seeing Johnny Depp turn in a great performance again, but the one thing that kind of concerns me about this film is the release date. September is kind of a strange no man's land where studios place movies that aren't big enough to be summer blockbusters, but also not quite good enough to be prime Oscar contenders. It's the area of the semi-commercial, good "enough" type of film. Sometimes they get remembered for awards, sometimes not, but if they're keeping it Sept 18th, that makes me think Depp's performance might be all there is to this movie.
Katniss Leads the Revolution in First 'Mockingjay Part 2' Trailer
It's here guys- a first look at the final installment in the Hunger Games series. Mockingjay Part 2 is coming out in November as usual, but it looks like a dour war movie if you ask me. When they're not in the arena everything just seems bleak and grey, and it lacks the colorful costumes of the Capital guys. Meh.
Movie of the Day: "Clerks" (1994)
Okay, so in honor of National Best Friends Day (a holiday I have to admit not knowing the existence of until a few hours ago), I'm taking the opportunity to nod one of my favorite movie duos and best pals here, and that is the eternal Dante and Randal from Kevin Smith's 1994 cult classic Clerks. This film will forever be a monument to what you can do on a limited budget and with amateur actors, as long as you have a way with words. Dante works at the local convenience store, Randal the local video store, and the two casually bemoan their existence as they hang out all day and shoot the breeze, commenting on everything from milk maids to Star Wars and run-ins with another great movie duo (two for one here), the eponymous Jay and Silent Bob of their own, much later film adventure. I always watch this movie whenever it's on- it doesn't get old despite capturing what was very much a moment in time from the mid-90's. Randal is my spirit animal- I never get tired of hearing him dismiss a random customer, each in a ruder and more verbally colorful way. This was Kevin Smith's breakthrough as a unique film voice, and boy did it make people sit up and take notice. Probably still his best work.
Original 1994 Trailer: