'Avatar' generates another $143M overseas!

'Avatar' scores massive weekend at international box office; worldwide total rising fast

James Cameron's "Avatar" shows no intention of slowing things down at the international box office after scoring a stunning $143 million in 111 territories this weekend. That brings the film's overseas total to a fantastic $906.2 million.

Domestically, "Avatar" reached $429 million this weekend. Fox's sci-fi action flick is now closing in on Cameron's "Titanic," which grossed $1.242 billion overseas. The film is expected to pass the $1 billion mark later this week or this coming weekend at the latest.

At No. 2 on the international circuit, Guy Ritchie's "Sherlock Holmes" bagged $25.7 million, reaching a cumulative gross of $130 million. Following in third place was "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel," which pulled $22 million for a total of $136.3 million.

Meanwhile, "Did You Hear About the Morgans?" finished fourth this weekend with $8.4 million, lifting its cume to $15.6 million in 18 markets. No. 5 was Nancy Meyers' "It's Complicated," which reached a total gross of $23.4 million after weekend earnings of $8 million.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

'Avatar' reaches $670M overseas, trails 'Titanic'

"Avatar" reaches $1 billion worldwide in 17 days; "Alvin and the Chipmunks" still going strong overseas

James Cameron's "Avatar" is on its way to the very top of the list of all-time top-grossing films worldwide. Fox's sci-fi action adventure reached a stunning $670.2 million overseas after weekend earnings totaling $133.5 million in 110 territories, which explains why the film has now reached a global cume of $1.02 billion.

Cameron's "Titanic" is still leading the pack with $1.84 billion, followed by "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" and "The Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest." A lot of folks out there are pretty confident "Avatar" will soon knock some of them out. Given its current results, that may indeed be possible.

Following in second place on the international circuit this weekend was "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel," which earned $32 million for an overseas total gross of $99.1 million. At No. 3, "Black Lightning" opened with $9.7 million.

Click to read more ...

Box Office: 'Avatar' welcomes 2010 with $68M!

Weekend of January 1 – 3, 2010: "Avatar" races past $1 billion worldwide; 'Holmes' still strong

James Cameron’s “Avatar” has done it! The sci-fi action adventure raced past $1 billion worldwide this weekend after earning another stunning $68.3 million domestically and reaching a total of $670.2 million on the international circuit.

Domestically, “Avatar” lifted its total gross to $352.1 million after only 17 days in release. The film scored a solid average of $19,724 per theater at 3,461 locations, easily beating its competition at the North American box office.

At No. 2, Guy Ritchie’s “Sherlock Holmes” bagged $38.3 million, reaching a cume of $140.6 million after a superb two-week run. The film starring Robert Downey Jr. finished with an average of $10,586 per theater at 3,626 locations.

Also performing well was “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel,” which picked up another $36.6 million and brought is domestic total to $157.3 million at No. 3. To compare, the first film finished its domestic run with $217.3 million. 

Click to read more ...

Ten Worst Films of 2009

Yes, the year 2009 is history, so it's time for me to pick the films I hated most. Unfortunately, I've seen many terrible films this year, which makes it all too easy to find the 10 flicks I couldn't stand at all in '09.

It is a sad truth, but the quantity of lame movies always overpowers the selection of good films each year, and 2009 was no different. Hence, I found myself thinking about leaving the theater more than once.

Films such as "Bride Wars," "Shorts," "Whiteout" and "New in Town" were really painful to watch, yes, but to be honest, I encountered a whole bunch of flicks that were far worse. Enjoy the selection below.

Click to read more ...

Box Office: 'Avatar' shines with another $75M!

Weekend of December 25 – 27: ‘Avatar’ outruns ‘Sherlock Holmes’ & ‘Chipmunks’

James Cameron’s “Avatar” prevailed at the North American box office this weekend as the sci-fi action spectacle regained the No. 1 spot with another stunning $75 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Even though “Avatar” was dethroned Friday by new entry “Sherlock Holmes,” the film regained momentum Saturday and Sunday to emerge as the weekend’s winner. “Avatar” brought its domestic total to a solid $212.2 million.

Guy Ritchie’s “Holmes” also delivered a strong performance at the box office, bagging a superb $65.3 million from ticket sales at 3,626 locations. The film starring Robert Downey Jr. in the lead role scored an average of $18,031 per theater.

Click to read more ...

Box Office: 'Avatar' wins race with $73M!

Updated on Monday, December 21, 2009 at 11:01AM by Franck Tabouring

Weekend of December 18 – 20, 2009: 'Avatar' scores big while the 'Morgans' crash & burn

James Cameron’s new sci-fi epic “Avatar” landed at the No. 1 spot at the North American box office this weekend with a solid $73 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. Early estimates predicted the film could bag up to $80 million, but it fell a little short.

Fox’s action spectacle, which is currently playing in 2D, 3D and IMAX at 3,452 locations, scored a superb average of $21,147 per theater. The film is budgeted at around $230 million, the most expensive project the studio has ever developed.

In “Avatar,” Sam Worthington plays a former marine who is sent into the wild to win over the trust of a native population on a distant planet that boasts minerals invaluable to the human race.

Click to read more ...

'Avatar' scores solid $27 million Friday

James Cameron's sci-fi epic "Avatar" stormed the North American box office Friday with a daily gross of $27 million in ticket sales at 3,452 locations. This includes $3.5 million from midnight screenings.

"Avatar," which is now playing in 2D, 3D and Imax, is currently bound for a solid opening weekend gross of around $80 million. The anticipated Fox adventure cost around $230 million to make.

At No. 2, Disney's "The Princess and the Frog" scored $3.4 million Friday, lifting its cume to $35.9 million. Following in third place with $3.1 million was "The Blind Side," which reached a total of $157.8 million.

Click to read more ...

Movie Review: “Did You Hear About the Morgans?”

Seen on: December 14, 2009

The players: Director: Marc Lawrence, Writer: Marc Lawrence, Cast: Hugh Grant, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sam Elliott, Mary Steenburgen

Facts of interest: Lawrence also directed "Music and Lyrics."

The plot: A New York couple is forced to enter a witness protection program and relocate to Wyoming after witnessing a cold-blooded murder.

Our thoughts: Marc Lawrence’s new romantic comedy “Did You Hear About the Morgans?” is the epitome of ultra-boring, completely unnecessary cinema. It’s a movie in which nothing really works and the actors don’t seem to have a clue about what they’re doing. Alas, it turns out this one may just as well be among the most disappointing films of 2009.

Click to read more ...

'Did You Hear About the Morgans?' trailer hits

It's been a while since we last saw Hugh Grant on the big screen, but he'll soon return in Mark Lawrence's comedy "Did You Hear About the Morgans?," which is scheduled to hit theaters Dec. 11, 2009. Grant also worked with the director on "Music and Lyrics" and "Two Weeks Notice."

A trailer for the "Morgans" has popped up online, and you can check it out after the jump. My first reaction is rather negative, because to be honest, this doesn't look funny to me at all. Okay, I admit I laughed once (pay attention to the Sarah Palin joke in the preview). But see for yourself and share you opinion below.

"Morgans" focuses on a troubled New York couple forced to enter a witness protection program in Wyoming after they witness a murder. It's in the middle of nowhere that they finally seem to understand who they really are and stuff. Oh, and Hugh Grant gets to run from a bear as well. By the way, his wife is portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker.

Click to read more ...

Hugh Grant's next comedy has a title!

Last October I reported about an upcoming untitled comedy starring Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker, and now the project has an official title.

According to Empire Online, the film will be called "Did You Hear About The Morgans?"

Directed by Marc Lawrence, the plot focuses on a troubled New York couple forced to enter a witness protection program in Wyoming after they witness a murder.

In related news, Elisabeth Moss ("Mad Men") has joined the cast. She will be playing Parker's executive assistant.

For Grant, this project already marks his third collaboration with Lawrence, following “Two Weeks Notice” and “Music and Lyrics.” Grant was last seen in "Lyrics."

Parker recently starred in "Sex and the City." Besides a sequel, she's also got "The Ivy Chronicles" in development.