'Watchmen' also ruling overseas box office

It's official: "Watchmen" is the ruler of the box office worldwide.

Zack Snyder's anticipated big-screen version of the celebrated graphic novel debuted at the No. 1 spot overseas, scoring an estimated $27.5 million in 45 territories. Domestically, the film pulled in $55.6 million.

At No. 2, Clint Eastwood's "Gran Torino" took home $12 million, lifting its international gross to $33.4 million. Following in third place was "Marley & Me," which collected $8.3 million in 16 markets.

Meanwhile, David Fincher's "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" earned another $7.8 million, bringing its overseas cume to $189.2 million after several weeks in release.

Still going strong was Disney's "Bolt," which finished in fifth place with a weekend gross of $4.2 million and an international total of $171.6 million.

Other results from the overseas box office: "Milk" grabbed another $2.2 million for a $13.7 million total gross; "Valkyrie" pulled in $4 million for a cume of $99.3 million; "The Pink Panther 2" took home $3.7 million; and "Bedtime Stories" brought in $3 million.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

'Benjamin Button' wins international box office race

Oscar-winning drama remains on top overseas

David Fincher's "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" dominated the international box office for the fourth consecutive weekend with an estimated $13.4 million in ticket sales. The film's current total stands at $176.2 million.

At No. 2, Clint Eastwood's "Gran Torino" pulled in $8.3 million, reaching an overseas total of $17.3 million. Following in third place was Tom Cruise's WWII thriller "Valkyrie," which collected $7.6 million for a cumulative gross of $93.2 million.

Meanwhile, Walt Disney's "Bolt" picked up another $7.2 million, lifting its international total to $166.5 million. Steve Martin's latest comedy "The Pink Panther 2" finished fifth with a weekend gross of $6.8 million and a total haul of $22.7 million.

Other results from the overseas box office: "Confessions of a Shopaholic" brought in $4.9 million for a total of $17.6 million; "The International" collected $4.4 million for a cume of $10.8 million; "Slumdog Millionaire" reached a total gross of $10.5 million; and "The Reader" lifted its cume to $15.5 million.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter.

LIVE coverage: 81st Annual Academy Awards

Here are the results from the 81st Annual Academy Awards. Winners are marked in red.

Best Picture
'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'
'Frost/Nixon'
'Milk'
'The Reader'
'Slumdog Millionaire'

Best Director
Danny Boyle for 'Slumdog Millionaire'
Stephen Daldry for 'The Reader'
David Fincher for 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'
Ron Howard for 'Frost/Nixon'
Gus Van Sant for 'Milk'

Best Actor
Richard Jenkins for 'The Visitor'
Frank Langella for 'Frost/Nixon'
Sean Penn for 'Milk'
Brad Pitt for 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'
Mickey Rourke for 'The Wrestler'

Click to read more ...

'Benjamin Button' rules overseas b.o.

Oscar-nominated film wins top spot for third consecutive week

David Fincher's "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" continued its overseas box office dominance this weekend with an estimated $19.6 million in ticket sales. The film's total gross currently stands at $152 million.

Still going strong at No. 2 was Disney's "Bolt," which collected $12.1 million in 40 markets for an international cumulative gross of $155.2 million. Following in third place with $7.5 million was Bryan Singer's WWII "Valkyrie," which brought its total gross to $83 million.

Meanwhile, Ken Kwapis' comedy He's Just Not That Into You" picked up $7.2 million in fourth place, lifting its overseas total to $32 million.

At No. 5, P.J. Hogan's "Confessions of a Shopaholic" pulled in $6.4 million in 10 territories, reaching a cume of $10.3 million after a little more than one week in release.

Click to read more ...

'Button' continues overseas b.o. dominance

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" topped the overseas box office this weekend with an estimated $31 million in ticket sales.

Playing in 53 markets, David Fincher's Oscar-nominated drama lifted its international gross to $118.6 million, compared to $122.2 million domestically.

At No. 2, Walt Disney's "Bolt" scored $16.5 million for a total of $131.8 million. Following in third place was Tom Cruise's WWII thriller "Valkyrie," which took home $11.9 million and reached an overseas total haul of $72 million.

Meanwhile, "He's Just Not That Into You" picked up $11.4 million in 16 territories. Starring Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Bradley Cooper, Drew Barrymore, Ginnifer Goodwin and Scarlett Johansson, among others, the film follows a bunch of individuals making new discoveries about dating and marriage.

While it topped the box office domestically with $42.2 million, Marcus Nispel's remake "Friday the 13th" collected $10.4 million in 30 markets, placing the movie at No. 5.

Click to read more ...

'Slumdog Millionaire' scores big at 2009 BAFTAS

Here are the winners of the 2009 Orange British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards.

Danny Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire" topped the award ceremony with seven wins, including best film, best director, best adapted screenplay, best music, best editing, best cinematography and best sound.

Taking home 3 prizes was David Fincher's "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," which won best production design, best make up and hair and best special effects.

Mickey Rourke won best actor for his role in "The Wrestler," while Kate Winslet was named best actress for "The Reader." Heath Ledger won best supporting actor, while Penelope Cruz took home the award for best supporting actress.

"WALL-E" picked up the award for best animated film, while "In Bruges" won best original screenplay. "The Duchess" received the award for best costume design.

Click to read more ...

‘Benjamin Button’ dominates overseas box office

David Fincher’s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” climbed to the top of the international box office with an estimated $31 million in ticket sales. The film’s total currently stands at $72.5 million.

At No. 2, Tom Cruise’s WWII thriller “Valkyrie” collected $11.2 million, reaching an overseas total of more than $56 million. Following in third place was Disney’s family adventure “Bolt,” which reached a total gross of $111 million after this weekend’s earnings of $9.6 million.

Meanwhile, Sam Mendes’ drama “Revolutionary Road” took home $6.3 million at No. 4, bringing its cumulative gross to $37 million. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, the film follows a couple struggling to escape their conventional lifestyle.

“Bride Wars” pulled $6.1 million at No. 5 for a total of $32.1 million, while “Seven Pounds” picked up another $5.4 million ($79.4 million cume).

Other results from the overseas box office: “Yes Man” earned $5.2 million for a cumulative gross of $107.3 million; “Gran Torino” pulled $1 million; “Doubt” brought in $2.5 million; and “Frost/Nixon” finished with $1.2 million.

Source: Variety

'Valkyrie' defeats competition at international b.o.

Tom Cruise's WWII thriller "Valkyrie" topped the international box office for the second consecutive weekend with an estimated $18.6 million in ticket sales. The film's total gross currently stands at $38.9 million.

At No. 2, David Fincher's drama "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" took home $11.5 million in 24 markets, lifting its overseas total to $37.7 million. The film is nominated for a total of 13 Oscars.

Meanwhile, Sam Mendes' drama "Revolutionary Road" collected $11 million in 44 territories, lifting its international cumulative to $26.2 million. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as a married couple struggling tp escape their conventional lifestyle.

Following at No. 4 was Jim Carrey's comedy "Yes Man," which brought its total haul to $96.5 million after weekend earnings of $8.5 million. At No. 5, Will Smith's drama "Seven Pounds" pulled $8.2 million to bring its total gross to $72 million.

Other results from the overseas box office: "Twilight" reached $160 million; "Bride Wars" picked up $4.6 million for a total of $24 million; "Australia" pulled $3.6 million; and "Doubt" collected $2 million in 11 markets.

Source: Box Office Mojo (www.boxofficemojo.com)

'Gran Torino' wins Friday box office race

Clint Eastwood's drama "Gran Torino" topped the North American box office Friday with $9.6 million in ticket sales. The film's domestic total currently stands at $20.6 million.

Debuting at No. 2 with $8.15 million was David S. Goyer's latest horror flick "The Unborn," which stars Odette Yustman as a young woman haunted by an evil spirit that wants to be born.

Closely following in third place was Gary Winick's comedy "Bride Wars," which collected $8.1 million. Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson star as two best friends who launch into a bitter feud when their weddings are booked on the same day.

Meanwhile, "Marley & Me" picked up $3.2 million at No. 4, lifting its cumulative gross to $115.5 million. David Fincher's "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" pulled in $2.9 million in fifth place, reaching a total gross of $87.8 million.

Other results from Friday's box office results: "Bedtime Stories" earned $2.2 million; "Valkyrie" took home $2.1 million; Jim Carrey's "Yes Man" pulled $2 million; and new entry "Not Easily Broken" collected $1.9 million.

Source: Box Office Mojo (www.boxofficemojo.com)

Box Office: 'Marley & Me' easily passes $100M

Weekend of January 2 – 4, 2009

“Marley & Me” topped the North American box office for the second consecutive weekend with $24 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

David Frankel’s family comedy starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston easily dominated its competition all week long, bringing its domestic total to an impressive $106.5 million after barely two weeks in release.

At No. 2, Adam Sandler’s latest comedy “Bedtime Stories” picked up another $20.3 million, reaching a total haul of $85.3 million. In the film, Sandler plays a hotel handyman whose bedtime stories become true the next day.

Meanwhile, David Fincher’s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” picked up $18.4 million in third place, lifting its cumulative gross to $79 million. Starring Brad Pitt, the movie follows the story of a man who mysteriously ages backwards.

Click to read more ...