Box Office: 'Resident Evil: Afterlife' wins big!

With no real competition threatening to take over the top spot, new release "Resident Evil: Afterlife" easily jumped to No. 1 at the North American box office this weekend with $27.7 million in ticket sales.

It's a solid estimate for sure for the 3D sequel, which is already the fourth installment in the popular series. "Afterlife" scored an average of $8,646 per theater at 3,203 locations. The film stars Milla Jovovich.

Finishing second this weekend was "Takers," which grabbed another $6.1 million for a solid domestic total gross of $48.1 million. The film starring Idris Elba and Matt Dillon is budgeted at $32 million.

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'Resident Evil: Afterlife' kills at Friday box office

Paul W.S. Anderson's 3D sequel "Resident Evil: Afterlife" scored a strong debut at No. 1 Friday at the North American box office with a solid $10.9 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates.

With no new competition fighting for the top spot, "Afterlife" easily won the race via an average of $3,403 per theater at 3,202 locations. The film based on the video game stars Milla Jovovich and Ali Larter.

Coming in second Friday was "The American," George Clooney's drama that bagged $1.79 million for a total haul of $24.2 million. "Takers" followed closely with $1.77 million for a cume of $43.7 million.

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Box Office: 'The American' triumphs with $13M

Anton Corbijn's drama "The American" topped the North American box office this weekend, proving lead actor George Clooney even manages to pull large audiences for a slow-moving film with a simple plot.

"The American" is not exactly your action-packed thriller, but it scored an average of $4,650 per theater at 2,83 locations, enough for first place this weekend. Heck, it even beat the utterly explosive "Machete."

"Machete" is definitely the more fast-paced flick of the two, but it only came in second with $11.4 million rom ticket sales at 2,670 locations. Not the worst result, but it could have been a tad better, for sure.

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'Machete' leads Friday box office!

Ladies and gentlemen, we're in for another tight race at the North American box office this weekend as "Machete" and "The American" face off for the cherished No. 1 spot. It's too close to call right now.

According to estimates, "Machete" came in first with $3.9 million Firday, although "The American" followed closely with $3.8 million. It will come down to the actuals to really determine what film won the race.

The one new release out of the race for the top spot is "Going the Distance," which only pulled $2.2 million, enough for fifth place. Strangely enough, it's the flick with the widest release this weekend.

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'Takers' wins box office race after all!

It was a race too close to call yesterday, but today's actuals show that "Takers" took the No. 1 spot at the North american box office this weekend after all. "The Last Exorcism" debuted in solid second place.

Essentially, "Takers" grabbed $20.5 million via an average of $9,298 per theater at 2,206 locations, while "The Last Exorcism" only bagged $20.3 million (average of $7,087 per theater at 2,874 sites).

It doesn't really matter what film took the crown, but what surprised me is that both low-budget flicks managed to pull quite an audience this late in the summer season. I can't but applaud both films.

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'Going the Distance' pushed back to September

Nanette Burstein's "Going the Distance" will not open Aug. 27, 2010, because Warner Bros. Pictures has decided to postpone the romantic comedy with Drew Barrymore and Justin Long until Sept. 3, 2010.

"Moving to the Labor Day weekend not only allows us to take advantage of the long holiday weekend, but gives us some distance from the other female-driven films releasing in August," said Warner's D. Fellman.

"Additionally, we have an opportunity to build more awareness and word-of-mouth for a movie we believe has strong appeal for a broad audience," he said. The film was screened for press earleir this week.

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'Going the Distance' trailer with Drew Barrymore

The first trailer for New Line Cinema's romantic comedy "Going the Distance" has debuted on the Web, so check it out below. Drew Barrymore and Justin Long star, and the film focuses on a couple’s attempt to maintain a long-distance relationship. The cast includes Christina Applegate and Jason Sudeikis.

The trailer below looks a tad lame, and even though I generally like to watch Long and Barrymore on the screen, "Distance" just doesn't seem like a movie I could get excited about. What this thing has going for it is director Nanette Burstein, who helmed "American Teen" and "The Kid Stays in the Picture."

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This and that in film news: Richard Linklater to direct 'Liars;' LaGravenese seeks 'Man and Wife'

Here are some cool film news you really shouldn't miss on this July 28, 2009:

• Richard Linklater is in final negotiations to direct "Liars (A-E)" for Miramax. Emma Forrest wrote the script, which follows a woman who stumbles across lost items from her ex-boyfriends on her way to Barack Obama's inauguration. Kat Dennings is attached to play a supporting character. (Variety)

• Richard LaGravenese, director of the decent "Freedom Writers" and the horrible "P.S. I Love You," is in talks to write and direct "Man and Wife" for Universal. The love story centers on an immigrant's love for the U.S., accoring to Variety.

• Joe Morton, Daniella Alonso (pictured above) and John Fiore have signed on to star in Mark Heller's "The Mulberry Tree," Written by Louis Crugnali, the film centers on a convicted murderer seeking redemption via conversations with a young man. (The Hollywood Reporter)

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SNL's Jason Sudeikis is 'Going the Distance'

Funny guy Jason Sudeikis is keeping himself busy signing to quite a few upcoming big-screen projects, and the latest he's about ready to join is a romantic comedy.

The "Saturday Night Life" comedian is indeed in talks to join Nanette Burstein's upcoming film "Going the Distance," according to the Hollywood Reporter.

That means he'll be joining Drew Barrymore, Justin Long and Christina Applegate, who already signed on. Newcomer Geoff LaTulippe, who’s been working at New Line Cinema for several years, wrote the script.

Essentially, the film focuses on a couple’s attempt to maintain a long-distance relationship. One lives in Chicago while the other is located in Los Angeles.

Sudeikis, who delivered quite a funny performance in "The Rocker," also recently signed on to star in "The Bounty" (aka. "Bounty Hunter"). He's also got "A Good Old Fashioned Orgy" coming up soon.

Daily news dose: Jason Lee boards 'Couple of Dicks;' Christina Applegate is 'Going the Distance'

Here is your dose of film news for July 1, 2009:

• Jason Lee and Michelle Trachtenberg are the latest to join Kevin Smith's upcoming Warner Bros. comedy "A Couple of Dicks." Robb and Mark Cullen wrote the script for the action comedy, which also stars Bruce Willis, Tracey Morgan, Seann William Scott and Adam Brody. Willis plays a cop who, along with his partner (Morgan), encounters a mysterious gangster and rescues a Mexican chick during their investigation into the theft of a valuable baseball card. (Variety)

• Charlie Day and Christina Applegate have signed on to star alongside Drew Barrymore and Justin Long in Nanette Burstein's upcoming romantic comedy “Going the Distance" for New Line Cinema. The film focuses on a couple’s attempt to maintain a long-distance relationship. One lives in Chicago while the other is located in Los Angeles. Day will play Long's best friend, while Applegate stars as Barrymore's sister. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker will star in Thom Fitzgerald's upcoming comedy "Cloudburst." The film follows on two female lovers who decide to break out of the nursing facility where one of them is staying. Dukakis recently starred in "Away From Her" and "In the Land of Women." (Variety)

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