Box Office: 'Saw 3D' wins weekend with $22M

Lionsgate scored an easy win at the North American box office as Kevin Greutert's horror sequel "Saw 3D" bagged a solid $22.5 million from ticket sales at 2,808 sites, according to studio estimates Sunday.

"Saw 3D," the supposedly last installment in the profitable series, scored a strong average of $8,013 per theater. The seventh film outperformed its 2009 predecessor by $8 million on opening weekend.

Last week's box office winner "Paranormal Activity 2" slipped to second place this weekend, earning another $16.5 million for a cumulative gross of $65.6 million after just a little more than a week in release.

At No. 3, Summit's action comedy "RED" picked up $10.8 million, reaching its total gross to $58.9 million. Following in fourth place with $8.4 million was "Jackass 3D," which brought its total to $101.5 million.

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'Saw 3D' kills at Friday box office with $9M

Lionsgate's "Saw 3D" stormed the North American box office this Friday, earning $9 million in ticket sales from 2,808 locations. That's $3 million more than "Saw VI" scored on its opening day a year ago.

"Saw 3D," directed by Kevin Greutert, kicked off its theatrical run late Thursday, collecting $1.7 million. This brings the film's early cumulative gross to $10.7 million. This is supposedly the last in the series.

Still going strong at No. 2 Friday was "Paranormal Activity 2," which bagged $5.8 million for a total gross of $54.9 million after a superb one-week run. The horror sequel is playing at 3,239 sites currently.

At No. 3, "RED" picked up $3.4 million, reaching a total haul of $51.4 million. Paramount's "Jackass 3D" followed in fourth place with a daily gross of $3.1 million. Cumulative gross stands at $96.2 million.

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'Paranormal Activity 2' bags huge $20M Friday

Wow! What a glorious start it's been for Paramount's "Paranormal Activity 2" at the North American box office: the sequel to last year's horror sensation scored a big $20.1 million in ticket sales Friday.

The Tod Williams-helmed sequel scored a strong average of $6,250 per theater at 3,216 locations. The $20 million daily gross also includes $6.3 million the flick earned from nationwide midnight screenings.

"Jackass 3D" delivered quite a solid performance Friday as well, picking up another $7.5 million for a total domestic gross of $73.1 million. The sequel earned $2,433 per theater at 3,111 locations.

At No. 3, "RED" generated $4.5 million, lifting its total haul to $33 million. Following in fourth place was Clint Eastwood's "Hereafter," which finished Friday with a daily take of $4.1 million (from 2,181 sites).

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Interview with Cécile de France, star of 'Hereafter'

Belgian actress Cécile de France, who stars in Clint Eastwood's new film "Hereafter," recently stopped by in San Francisco and was kind enough to sit down with me and chat about the film, now in release.

In "Hereafter," she plays Marie LeLay, a French journalist whose life changes after she has a near-death experience. Matt Damon, Frankie McLaren, Jay Mohr and Thierry Neuvic co-star in the drama.

In the uncut interview below, Cécile chats about her character, the film's supernatural story, what it was like shooting a feature with Clint Eastwood, and what she thinks about working/promoting overseas.

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This week's new movie releases - Oct. 22, 2010

Opening wide this week in North American theaters are Clint Eastwood's supernatural drama "Hereafter" with Matt Damon and Cecile de France; and Tod Williams' suspense thriller "Paranormal Activity 2."

Paranormal Activity 2: I'm not ashamed to admit I loved "Paranormal Activity." It was an interesting experiment filled with superb suspense, and it had me tied to my seat all throughout. A sequel is quite unnecessary, but as long as it provides tons of solid scares, I'm game. My excitement rating: 7/10.

Hereafter: Clint Eastwood is back in action with "Hereafter," a supernatural movie that could have been much better with a stronger story (Peter Morgan penned the script). That said, the cast is great, the film's pace flows well, and the production values really deliver the goods. My review rating: 7/10.

Trailer for Clint Eastwood's 'Hereafter' debuts

The first trailer for Clint Eastwood's upcoming supernatural drama "Hereafter" has debuted online, and I highly recoomend you check it out right after the jump. It looks weird but incredibly intriguing as well.

Peter Morgan wrote the original script, which follows three people touched by death in different ways. The characters are a retired American psychic, a French journalist and a London school boy.

Matt Damon, Bryce Dallas Howard, Cécile De France, Frankie McLaren, Jenifer Lewis, Richard Kind and Jay Mohr. "Hereafter" will open in theaters Oct. 22, 2010. Yeah, this trailer really has me hooked...

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Bryce Dallas Howard boards Eastwood film

Bryce Dallas Howard is the latest to join the cast of Clint Eastwood's upcoming supernatural drama "Hereafter," which is currently shooting and will more than likely hit theaters December 2010.

Peter Morgan wrote the script, which follows three people touched by death in different ways. The characters are a blue-collar American, a French journalist and a London school boy, according to Variety.

Matt Damon, who can now be seen in Eastwood's "Invictus," is also on board. Also starring is Cecile de France, who will play the journalist. It's unclear what Howard's exact role will be.

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Talented Cecile de France joins Eastwood drama

Belgian star actress Cécile de France has officially boarded Clint Eastwood's upcoming supernatural thriller "Hereafter," which is currently shooting. Matt Damon is also on board.

Peter Morgan wrote the script, which follows three people touched by death in different ways. Variety says De France is set to play a French journalist having a near-death experience.

"Hereafter" is set for release December 2010. Parts of the film will apparently be shot in San Francisco, which is reason enough for me to keep my eyes wide open everywhere I go in the city.

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Matt Damon teams with Eastwood for 'Hereafter'

Matt Damon, who can be seen in Steven Soderbergh's new film "The Informant!" this week, will be reteaming with the great Clint Eastwood for the master's next direction project "Hereafter."

"Hereafter" is a supernatural thriller set up at Warner Bros. (it was previously housed at DreamWoks). Plot details are strictly kept under wraps, but the film is described as a thriller in the vein of "The Sixth Sense."

Peter Morgan, whose credits include "The Queen" and "Frost/Nixon," wrote the script, and as Variety reports, Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall, Morgan and Tim Moore are exec producing. Sweet!

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Eastwood to go supernatural with 'Hereafter'

Clint Eastwood is in negotiations to direct "Hereafter," a supernatural thriller for DreamWorks, according to Variety.

Nothing at all is known about the plot at this point, although the trade says the film is described as in the vein of "The Sixth Sense."

Peter Morgan, whose credits include "The Queen" and "Frost/Nixon," wrote the script.

"Hereafter" would mark the first time Eastwood direct a film of the supernatural genre (I don't think "Space Cowboys" really qualfies as supernatural).

Eastwood most recently helmed "Changeling." His next project, "Gran Torino," opens in limited release Dec. 17, 2008.