Larry Ratliff

'Potter' drives long, hot summer B.O.

 
In the movie industry, bonafied blockbusters are called tentpoles.

When tentpoles hit and sustain, they turn into cinematic money machines.

Summer 2011, up 5 percent from last year according to a post on the Hollywood Reporter website, packed movie houses with a trio of billion dollar tentpoles:  "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2," "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" and "Pirates of the Caribbean:  On Stranger Tides."

If you're concerned about the bottom line profit status of Hollywood's movie studios, you need to know that domestic  box office (meaning U.S.) was, according to the Hollywood Reporter tally, "in a tailspin" until the summer flicks arrived.

The summer season, which runs through Labor Day Weekend, is turning all the dour forecasts around.

"'We're on track to score the biggest summer of all time, and I think domestic revenue will reach $4.4 billion by the end of Labor Day,' says Warner Bros. president of domestic distribution Dan Fellman. "Good movies rise to the occasion,'" the Hollywood Reporter article states.

Good for them, I suppose, if box-office revenue and not necessarily movie quality is what cranks your projector, so to speak.

Today, however, there's good news on the revenue front for a quality film not aimed at teen movie-goers or the Friday night mainstream popcorn-muncher crowd.

"The Help," seemingly unfazed by the general box-office slowdown due to uninvited arrival of blustery Hurricane Irene, topped weekend charts for a second stanza, grossing $20 million.

Just as I hoped it would, "The Help" (click here for my review) continues to clean up.

And that's a good thing.

(Daniel Radcliffe image from "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2" courtesy:  Warner Bros.)

Second shift of 'The Help' cleans up

Change may begin with a whisper as the catchphrase for "The Help" points out.

Staying power, at least in terms of success in the movie business, is what it's all about, however.

Speaking of staying power, "The Help" outdistanced new entries "Fright Night" and Robert Rodriguez's kiddie sequel "Spy Kids:  All the Time in the World in 4D" and held back the apes ("Rise of the Planet of the Apes") to climb to the No. 1 box office spot over the weekend.

According to a post on the Hollywood Reporter website, "The Help" has tallied $71.3 million in box office receipts in the first 10 days of its release.

That includes $20.5 million over the weekend, which was its second.

More importantly, perhaps, revenue for the inspirational drama-with-comedy about the plight of black maids in 1960s Deep South U.S.A. dropped only 22 percent in the second weekend of release.

"'Rise of the Planet of the Apes,' from 20th Century Fox, also remained a worthy contender in its third weekend, falling only 41 percent to an estimated $16.3 million for a domestic cume of $133.8 million and coming in No. 2.

"'The Help' and 'Rise of the Apes' left the weekend’s four new films struggling," the Hollywood Reporter article stated.

Click here to read my review of "The Help" and here for my review of "Rise of the Planet of the Apes."

("The Help" poster courtesy:  Walt Disney/Dreamworks)

'Austin Powers' may return, baby

It's time to rejoice, "Austin Powers" fans.  It looks like Mike Myers, the creative imp behind the James Bond-spoof series, has expressed interest in a third sequel.

Oh behave, it's far from a done deal yet, according to Terri Schwartz's report on the MTV website.

"Apparently all that's happened is that Myers has expressed interest in a proposal for the movie that New Line presented six months ago, and it's not a full-blown deal. The project had seemingly fallen by the wayside after Myers' 2008 flick 'The Love Guru' tanked at the box office, and he disappeared from Hollywood (barring a brief appearance in 'Inglourious Basterds').

"But New Line sought to revitalize the project recently and sent out a new offer about six months ago. Deadline is reporting that Myers' representatives have finally responded that Myers is interested," the MTV article sez.

(Mike Myers photo from "Austin Powers in Goldmember" courtesy:  New Line Cinema.) 

Will 'The Help' help or hinder?

 

Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis) overhears a conversation that includes Skeeter Phelan (Emma Stone, center background) in "The Help."   (Courtesy:  Walt Disney/DreamWorks)

Here's hoping "The Help" will, if you'll excuse the pun, clean up at the box office beginning today.

I saw a screening of the emotion-rattling drama Monday night, and I still can't get the movie based on Kathryn Stockett's No. 1 New York Times best seller from 2009 out of my mind.

For those unfamiliar with the novel or the movie, Emma Stone ("Crazy, Stupid, Love"), Academy Award nominee Viola Davis ("Doubt"), Allison Janney (the mom in "Juno"), Octavia Spencer ("Dinner for Schmucks") and Bryce Dallas Howard ("Hereafter") head a strong ensemble cast.

Set in Jackson, Miss. in the early to mid-1960s, "The Help" takes a frank, heartbreaking and often humerous look at racial tension in the Deep South in general and the strained relationship between black maids and their anglo employers.

Lisa Respers France dives into an interesting question herself in a story posted on the CNN Web Site.  Beginning with a headline that reads "Is 'The Help' heroic or stereotyping?" France compares black actresses portraying maids in Hollywood's Golden Year of 1939 to Davis, Spencer and others who take on difficult roles in "The Help."

"When the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People complained about Hattie McDaniel's portrayal of slave housekeeper Mammy in the 1939 blockbuster film 'Gone with The Wind,' the actress is reported to have responded, 'I'd rather get paid $700 a week for playing a maid than $7 for being one.'

"As the film 'The Help' opens nationwide today, it faces the same challenges and criticisms of the best-selling novel of the same name," the CNN.com article states.

Click here to read the entire article.

After you do that, I suggest you make a beeline for your local movie house and line up for "The Help," one of the finest films of the year so far.

No 'Glee' for Lynch in concert flick

 

This may shock some "Glee" geeks.

Outstanding tongue-in-cheek funny lady Jane Lynch, who portrays sassy antagonist Sue Sylvester on the Fox chorus line series "Glee," has, according to a report on the Hollywood Reporter Web site, has been axed from the spin-off "Glee the 3D Concert Movie."

"Series co-creator Ryan Murphy told reporters at a news conference for the movie over the weekend that Jane Lynch, who plays Sue Sylvester on Fox's hit musical show, won't be in the movie despite being filmed during the tour and appearing in the trailer," the article sez.

The movie, offered in 3-D (needs special glasses) and the traditional 2-D (no special glasses required), opens Friday sans Ms. Lynch. 

Murphy apparently also told the press conference attendies that Lynch will appear in another version on DVD.

"Jane will be on that. We'll do it that way," the article states.

In true Sue Sylvester and Hollywood hype tradition, Sylvester is urging everyone to boycott the movie.

Yeah, right.  See below.  

    

("Glee the 3D Concert Movie" photo courtesy:  20th Century Fox.) 

Little blue group, 'Aliens' in B.O. draw

 

"The Smurfs" have something B.O.-related to smile about today.   (Courtesy:  Sony)

Holy Smurf!  The little blue guys tied the cowboys and little green men at the box office over the weekend.

I'm sure that says something about pre-opening hype, 3-D flicks, the audacity of co-mingling close encounters with high-tech space aliens and gunslingers of the Old West, the national debt ceiling and my personal addiction to anything frozen resembling ice cream, but let's leave it at this:

Good for the little blue guys.

An article posted on the Hollywood Reporter Web site is calling the tie between Sony's kiddie pic "The Smurfs" and Universal's "Cowboys & Aliens" "one of the biggest box office upsets in recent memory."

Each vastly different movie claimed an estimated $36.2 million over the weekend.  One will no doubt emerge as the winner when Hollywood bean counters get out their magnifying glasses later today.

The "Smurfs," those animated blue dudes from 80s TV cartoons, can celebrate no matter what, however.

"Heading into the weekend, 'Cowboys' held a wide lead over the competition in tracking, with Universal predicting a debut close to $45 million. The disappointing launch means the film—directed by Jon Favreau and costing $163 million to produce after rebates—will need especially strong legs," the Hollywood Reporter article sez.

"The Smurfs," which cost a reported $110 million, turned out to be an overachiever, outgrossing its estimates by just north of $10 million.

"'Cowboys,' starring Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford, played older, likely explaining why the film underperformed," adds the Hollywood Reporter article.

"Of those turning out for Cowboys, 75 percent were over the age of 25—and 39 percent over the age of 50," adds the report.

(Daniel Craig photo from "Cowboys vs. Aliens" courtesy:  Universal Pictures.)

A new star is 'Bourne'

 

Matt Damon drawing down on trouble in "The Bourne Ultimatum" in 2007.   (Courtesy:  Universal Pictures)

Sometimes, the movie franchises move on, even when the movie star the series is built around bails.

Such is the case, apparently, with the "Bourne" adventure-spy franchise.

After globe-trotting to discover his identity ("The Bourne Identity," 2002), displaying some supremacy ("The Bourne Supremacy", 2004) and making good on an ultimatum ("The Bourne Ultimatum," 2007), Matt Damon has moved on to the "Hereafter" and other cinematic projects not "Bourne" related.

An article on the Hollywood Reporter Web site is reporting, however, that the franchise machine will move forward with Jeremy Renner ("The Town," "The Hurt Locker").

Renner will take on the role of a new operative in the upcoming "The Bourne Legacy."

Never fear, though, "Bourne" fans.  Joan Allen, who's probably the nicest female movie star I've ever had the pleasure of interviewing, will continue as CIA agent Pam Landy.

Also, according to the Hollywood Reporter item, Albert Finney, Dr. Albert Hirsch, in "Bourne Ultimatum," will be back for another go as well.

Perhaps just as semi-shocking as the franchise continuing without Damon is the fact that Paul Greengrass, who directed the last two installments, will not be calling the shots on the third sequel.

That task will befall Tony Gilroy, a writer on the first three "Bourne" actioners.  Gilroy will wear two hats in the "Bourne Legacy" as both writer and director.

Renner, a superb actor who might even have a little more pure acting talent that Damon, will be fine.

"Bourne" sans the contibution of Greengrass in the director's chair, however, might just be another matter.

(Jeremy Renner picture from "The Town" courtesy:  Warner Bros.)

Ford's Western omelet: 'Aliens' to old Earp

 

Yep, that's an alien ship that's down in "Cowboys & Aliens."  Somebody's heading for Boot Hill.    (Courtesy:  Universal Studios and DreamWorks)

If you thought it was strange that iconic movie star Harrison Ford is getting into a showdown with aliens from outer-space beginning Friday in "Cowboys & Aliens," you're right.

I haven't even seen the sci-fi Western set in the Arizona Territory circa 1873.  But I wouldn't rule out this line:

"Get off my stagecoach!"

OK, maybe not.  A Western where Ford (Indiana Jones, Han Solo of "Star Wars") co-stars with Daniel Craig (Bond, James Bond) as gunslingers taking on space invaders, however, ranks as plenty out there to me.

Until, that is, we consider what a post on the Hollywood Reporter Web site is calling Mr. Ford's next Western role.

That would be "Black Hats," where Ford will reportedly portray an aging Wyatt Earp.

Or as I like to call it, Old Earp.  I don't know why, really.  It just has a splashy ring to it in a middle schoolish frame of mind.

"'Black Hats' blends fact with fiction in its telling of the story involving an older Earp, the one who spent his last years as a private detective and movie consultant in Los Angeles.

"The spin involves Earp learning that his friend and compatriot Doc Holliday had a son, now living in Prohibition-era New York City. While Holliday is long dead, the son has gotten himself in trouble with a rising mobster, Al Capone," the Hollywood Reporter Web article sez.

Anyhoo, to sum up:  "Cowboys & Aliens" begins pumping lead at unwanted visitors to the Old West on the big screen this Friday.

"Black Hats," according to the Hollywood Reporter, is in the works for some future showdown.

Possible line for Ford when he squares off against mobster Al Capone in "Black Hats":

"Reach for the sky, Al, and I hope you saved all your receipts.  The IRS is gunning for you too, hombre."

(Harrison Ford photo courtesy:  Universal Studios and DreamWorks)

From 'Pottersville' to Broadway, other films

 

Daniel Radcliffe (left), Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, the "Harry Potter" lead trio, look ahead to what's next.   (Courtesy:  Warner Bros.)

So, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, your final bad warlocks and broomsticks fantasy, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2," set a box-office record over the weekend, so where are you off to now ... Disney World?

Not exactly.  Would you believe Broadway for Radcliffe, who has portrayed young wizard Harry Potter for a decade, and various film projects for Watson (Hermione Granger) and Grint (Ron Weasley).

According to the box-office numbers crunching Web site Box Office Mojo, the eighth and final (so we hear) "Harry Potter" adventure "soared into the record books with the highest-grossing opening weekend ever.

"The series finale drew an estimated $168.55 million on around 11,000 screens at 4,375 locations, dethroning 'The Dark Knight's $158.4 million," sez Brandon Gray and the bean counters over at Box Office Mojo.

Meanwhile, the inquiring minds at the Hollywood Reporter have been busy compiling what's next for the former lead trio of the "Harry Potter" franchise.

Radcliffe may be the busiest.  According to a story posted on the Hollywood Reporter Web site, the former young Mr. Potter is hitting the boards eight times a week in the Broadway revival of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."

Methinks Radcliffe, now 21, has already figured that one out.

As for what Watson and Grint have on their post-"Potter" plates, click here to read the complete Hollywood Reporter article.

The cinematic flops of 0h-11 ... so far

 
Russell Brand bottoms out in a top hat as "Arthur."  (Courtesy:  Warner Bros.)

Sometimes you just know.

When I learned last year that actor-comedian Russell Brand was putting his own brand on "Arthur," the happy drunk classic comedy of 1981that drew a Best Actor Oscar nomination for the late Dudley Moore, something just didn't feel right.

Call it karma or just a pretty lousy remake or whatever you like, but the new "Arthur" didn't fare well with mainstream movie-goers or many film critics.

It makes perfect sense to me, then, that "Arthur" figures prominently in the Movie Report Card's "10 Biggest Flops of 2011 (So Far)," which is posted on the Hollywood Reporter Web site. 

And Ward, I'm a little worried about "The Beaver." 

(Click here to check out the 10 most unlikely.) 

For the most part, this year's early candidates for bottom-feeders of 2011 deserve to be on the list.

I don't agree with all of them, though.  "Mars Needs Moms," for instance.

Robert Zemeckis' motion-capture animated tale of a boy transported to outer-space as a stowaway on an alien ship that kidnapped his Mom, is fascinating and perhaps a little too sophisticated for many who flock (or don't) to animated films.

Remember, though.  The year is still relatively young.  I'm sure there will be plenty more cinematic dregs to sort through before the year ends.