'Iron Man 2' rules overseas box office again

Jon Favreau's "Iron Man 2" is ruling the worldwide box office. On the international circuit, the anticipated action sequel collected a strong $57.2 million this weekend, lifting its overseas total to $194 million. The film is currently playing in 61 territories, and globally, it has already grossed $327.6 million. Nice start!

Still going relatively strong after such a long time in release is "Alice in Wonderland," which bagged $12.5 million for a foreign total of 629.5 million. With $960.3 million worldwide, the Tim Burton-directed 3D flick is closing in on $1 billion, although I'm not sure it will actually reach that mark.

Following in third place this weekend was "Clash of the Titans," which picked up $8.8 million and brought its international cume to $295.1 million. Samuel Bayer's "A Nightmare on Elm Street" remake came in fourth, pulling $6.7 million from ticket sales in just a few markets.

Meanwhile, Shawn Levy's comedy "Date Night" finished fifth overseas, taking home $4.7 million for a cumulative gross of $41.7 million. Also, "How to Train Your Dragon" bagged $4.5 million ($212 million total), while "The Back-Up Plan" managed to generate a weekend gross of $4.3 million.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Box Office: 'Iron Man 2' generates strong $133M

Paramount won the weekend race at the North American box office as Jon Favreau's sequel "Iron Man 2" crushed its competition with a strong $133.6 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. The film beat its predecessor on opening weekend by $31 million, and that's a good start for "Iron Man 2."

The movie, which is now No. 1 worldwide, scored a massive $30,502 per theater at 4,380 locations. Robert Downey Jr. returns as Tony Stark, who this time must face Sam Rockwell's Justin Hammer and Mickey Rourke's Whiplash. Don Cheadle, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson and Gwyneth Paltrow co-star.

"Babies," this week's second release, finished at No. 10 with a decent $1.5 million at only 534 locations. The documentary about one year in the life of four babies from around the world delivered a surprisingly strong average of $2,949 per theater.

Meanwhile, "A Nightmare on Elm Street" took a big dive this weekend, earning only $9.1 million in second place. Domestically, the horror remake directed by Samuel Bayer has collected a total gross of $48.5 million. Following at No. 3 was "How to Train Your Dragon," which lifted its total to $201 million.

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'Iron Man 2' makes solid $52M Friday

Jon Favreau's "Iron Man 2" kicked off its North American box office run with a big $52.4 million in ticket sales Friday. That's a big victory over its predecessor "Iron Man," which brought in only $35.2 million on opening day. The one-day gross of the sequel includes $7 million generated via midnight screenings.

"Iron Man 2," which stars Ronert Downey Jr. in the lead role, will probably finish the weekend with a gross of around $120 million. It will not be as high as expected, but it will still be huge nonetheless. The film, also starring Don Cheadle, Sam Rockwell and Mickey Rourke, is now playing at 4,380 locations.

This week's other release, "Babies," only made it to No. 12 Friday, bringing in $380,000. The documentary about the first year in the life of four babies is now playing at 534 locations. Coming in second on the circuit Friday was "A Nightmare on Elm Street," which bagged $3.3 million for a total of $42.6 million.

Meanwhile, "Date Night" finished third, earning $1.6 million. Domestically, the comedy by Shawn Levy has reached a total haul of $77.1 million. Following closely in No. 4 was "How to Train Your Dragon," which collected $1.5 million for a cumulative gross of $195.8 million.

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Box Office: 'Nightmare on Elm Street' wins race

Samuel Bayer's "A Nightmare on Elm Street" isn't exactly a winner in terms of quality, but the Warner Bros. remake of the horror classic slashed its competition at the North American box office this weekend with a solid $32.5 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

"Elm Street" debuted at 3,332 locations and scored an average of $9,665 per theater. The film stars Jackie Earle Haley as the famous horror icon Freddy Krueger, who sets out to kill youngsters in their sleep. The film lacks suspense and innovation, but its quick success prompted Warner to consider a sequel already.

This week's other wide release, "Furry Vengeance," tanked at the box office after finishing fifth with only $6.5 million. The Brendan Fraser comedy is a terribly embarrassing mess, and I think it got what it deserved. The story follows a developer entering a war with a bunch of angry forest animals.

At No. 2, "How to Train Your Dragon" picked up $10.8 million, reaching a total gross of $192.3 million. Although the film is now finally losing some of its momentum at the top of the box office chart, it is expected to cross the $200 million mark next week. The 3D-animated adventure has had quite the solid run.

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The Couch Potato reviews (the original) 'A Nightmare on Elm Street'

Ah, the images. Freddy Krueger cutting off two of his own fingers and giggling like a schoolgirl. Amanda Wyss, belly sliced open, rebounding off the walls and ceiling of her parents' bedroom. A bed sheet slithering like a snake around the neck of a teenaged ass and hanging him from the bars of a jail cell. The iconic finger-blades poking out of the bubbles in a tub occupied by an unsuspecting teen girl.

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'Nightmare on Elm Street' scares up $15M

I was convinced it wouldn't collect this much, but the 2010 remake of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" brought in $15 million at the top of the North American box office Friday, and the film directed by Samuel Bayer could be heading towards a $35 million weekend. I guess that's not bad for the new Freddy Krueger flick.

"Furry Vengeance," this weekend's other new release, completely failed at the box office Friday, earning only $1.7 million, enough for No. 6. Starring Brendan Fraser, the film follows a guy who's terrorized by animals because he wants to turn their forest into a shopping and housing center.

Meanwhile, DreamWorks Animation's "How to Train Your Dragon" slipped to second place, generating $2.5 million. Following at No. 3 was Shawn Levy's comedy "Date Night," which picked up $2.4 million. Jennifer Lopez's comedy "The Back-up Plan" finished with $2.4 million also in fourth place.

Also, "The Losers" took the No. 5 spot Friday with a daily gross of $1.9 million. This looks to be yet another weak weekend in terms of box office earnings, even though "Elm Street" will managed to set itself apart from the competition. I didn't expect the horror remake to make this much. Expect a sequel for sure.

Source: Deadline Hollywood

Movie Review: "A Nightmare on Elm Street"

Seen on: April 30, 2010

The players: Director: Samuel Bayer, Writers: Eric Heisserer, Wesley Strick, Cast: Jackie Earle Haley, Kyle Gallner, Rooney Mara, Katie Cassidy, Thomas Dekker

Facts of interest: Produced by Michael Bay.

The plot: Freddy Krueger returns to haunt a bunch of youngsters in their sleep. Meanwhile, they try to stay awake.

Our thoughts: With “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” New Line Cinema has created an unnecessary horror remake that desperately tries to use plenty of cheap scares and the popularity of a classic movie character to keep cinemagoers entertained for a dreadful 95 minutes. To tell you the truth, there is absolutely no need for this film to exist, and I doubt it will be around for long.  At least I hope it won’t.

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This week's new movie releases - April 30, 2010

It doesn't look like this upcoming weekend will be an intriguing one in terms of new movie releases. Opening this week are Samuel Bayer's remake of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" with Jackie Earle Haley, as well as Roger Kumble's comedy "Furry Vengeance" with Brendan Fraser and Brooke Shields.

A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (starring JACKIE EARLE HALEY)

Synopsis: Freddy Krueger returns in "A Nightmare on Elm Street," a contemporary re-imagining of the horror classic. A group of suburban teenagers share one common bond: they are all being stalked by Freddy Krueger, a horribly disfigured killer who hunts them in their dreams.

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Visually, the new 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' trailer delivers

I'm not a fan of remakes. I say it over and over again, but it's the truth. Another flick pulled through the remake machine in Hollywood is "A Nightmare on Elm Street," and a brand-new feature trailer for the Samuel Bayer-directed horror film is now online.

Now, visually, it looks intriguing for sure. I like the lighting in these shots, and it looks like they managed to deliver some decent effects as well. The atmosphere seems creepy enough, and I'm liking the look of Freddy Krueger. His voice though? Not so much.

The great Jackie Earle Haley will be playing Krueger, a ruthless killer who sneaks into people's dreams and kills them while they're sleeping. Michael Bay is a producer on the flick, and I know that doesn't sound all too promising. But who knows... it may be entertaining.

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New pics from 'Nightmare on Elm Street' remake

Warner Bros. just released three new photos from Samuel Bayer's upcoming horror remake "A Nightmare on Elm Street," which will make its way to theaters April 30, 2010. Check them out above and below.

Jackie Earle Haley plays Freddy Krueger, the ruthless killer who sneaks into people's dreams and kills them while they're sleeping. Rooney Mara, Kyle Gallner, Thomas Dekker and Kellan Lutz co-star.

A first trailer debuted back in September, and although it failed ot impress me, I admit I am quite excited to see Haley take over this role. He's just the right guy to play Krueger. See the trailer here.

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