Box Office: 'Apes' beats 'Help,' 'Final Destination'

"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" continued its wild ride at the North American box office, beating its competition and hanging on to the No. 1 spot with a solid weekend gross of $27.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The Rupert Wyatt-directed action adventure about the origin of the "Apes" franchise scored a strong average of $7,451 per theater at 3,691 locations this weekend, bringing its domestic gross to $104.6 million after a two-week run.

Coming in second was "The Help," which earned $25.5 million from ticket sales at 2,534 locations. Helmed by Tate Taylor, the big-screen adaptation of Kathryn Stockett's popular novel focuses on the lives of three women in a small town.

Meanwhile, new entry "Final Destination 5" landed in third place, picking up $18.4 million. It looks like the franchise is losing some steam, considering the fifth film bagged considerably less than its 2009 predecessor ($27.4 million).

Click to read more ...

Oh no! We will be 'smurfed' again

Sure, the big-screen version of "The Smurfs" sucks big time, but unfortunately, the Raja Gosnell-directed flick has already bagged $75 million at the box office, which is reason enough for Sony to go ahead with a sucky sequel.

Luckily enough, it will take some time to develop "The Smurfs 2," and we won't have to go into hideout until Aug. 2, 2013. No word yet on who will return for this unnecessary project (except for the annoying CGI Smurfs).

Anyway, Deadline reported Sony's plans for what seens to be the next "Alvin in the Chipmunks" franchise. If only we could get rid of shitty movies like this, maybe the world would be a little better off. Hey, let's head outside and riot!

Adam Sandler to voice Dracula in 'Hotel Transylvania'

Adam Sandler will be the voice of Dracula in Sony Pictures Animation’s upcoming “Hotel Transylvania.”  This is the same studio that brought us “Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs” and is currently gearing up to release “The Smurfs.” 

According to Deadline, the film, directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, also boasts the voice talent of Kevin James, Fran Drescher, David Spade, Molly Shannon and Steve Buscemi. 

Talk about your list of washed up comedians, and yes, I’m including Sandler in that group. He's got "Jack and Jill" coming soon and is currently filming "I Hate You, Dad." "Transylvania" is set for release Sept. 21, 2012

Terrible new trailer for 'The Smurfs' debuts

Oh boy. I already had a bad feeling back when it was annouced that the big-screen version of "The Smurfs" would be a mix of live action and CGI, but now after seeing this new feature trailer, my expectations couldn't be lower. Sorry to say this, but this thing sure looks like a painful disaster.

Either way, check out the trailer for yourself after the jump. To me, this looks just like another "Alvin and the Chipmunks" kind of torture, and I simply don't get why audiences don't get sick of this crap. "The Smurfs," directed by Raja Gosnell, opens July 29, 2011.

Click to read more ...

First 'Smurfs' teaser trailer debuts

What do you expect from a mix of live-action and CGI? Well, anything better than "Garfield" is probably watchable in one way or another, but still, I just can't get overly excited about these movies.

Another CGI/live-action hybrid is "The Smurfs," which debuts in theaters Aug. 3, 2011. The first teaser trailer showed up at Yahoo!Movies, and you can check it out below. No big expectations though please...

So yeah, this is a quick preview, and we do get a good look at the Smurfs as well. They do look like CG of course, but that's something I may be able to somewhat accept as long as the story rocks.

Click to read more ...

Gargamel spotted on 'Smurfs' set

"The Smurfs" will be coming to theaters in 2011, and the film is currently shooting in New York City. Raja Gosnell is directing, and Coming Soon recently posted a few set images of Hank Azaria in the role of Gargamel in the CG/live-action flick. Check some above and right after the jump. He does look the part.

Gargamel will invade the Smurfs' village and drive them into our world. Of course, the little blue folks will be in CG. The cast of "The Smurfs" also includes Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays, Sofia Vergara, Anton Yelchin, Jonathan Winters, Katy Perry, Alan Cumming, Fred Armisen, George Lopez and B.J. Novak.

Click to read more ...

Casting alert: Sofia Vergara joins 'Smurfs' movie

Sofía Vergara, one of the stars of "Modern Family," has joined the cast of Raja Gosnell's upcoming 3D "Smurfs" flick. Heat Vision says the actress will play Odile, an executive at a French cosmetics company. She plays the boss of Neil Patrick Harris' character. Jonathan Winters, Hank Azaria, George Lopez, Katy Perry and Alan Cumming are also on board. "The Smurfs" just got more pleasing visually.

'Smurfs' casting update: George Lopez joins

Raja Gosnell is currently working on Sony's 3D "Smurfs" flick, which is on scheduled to hit theaters July 29, 2011. Variety now reports Jonathan Winters, George Lopez, Katy Perry and Alan Cumming have boarded the cast for the CG/live-action project.

They are all in talks to voice some characters, with Winters going for Papa Smurf, while Lopez may voice Grouchy Smurf. Cumming will be Gutsy Smurf, and Perry may voice Smurfette. Also starring is Neil Patrick Harris, who will be playing the main live-action character.

Quick look at a Smurf from upcoming 'Smurfs' flick

As you may have heard already, Sony Pictures is prepping a 3D "Smurfs" flick that is currently set for release Dec. 17, 2010. The film will be a blend of CG and live-action, and Raja Gosnell will direct the project.

A first look at one of the blue CGI guys has popped up online via PVCBlue.com, and the folks at ComingSoon said it's a legit pic. It's a promo that recently ran in a magazine. Check it out after the jump.

Click to read more ...