Weekend Box Office Estimates for October 18-20, 2013: Horror and Sci-Fi Offerings Dominate

Horror and Sci-fi films captured three of the top ten spots at the weekend box office, including Gravity, which claimed the top spot for the third straight weekend and continues its impressive run. New entry Carrie, starring Chloe Grace Moretz, landed in third place, with an estimated $17 million, which was far below the $31 million take for Gravity. Another horror effort, Insidious Chapter 2, rounded out the top ten, with about $1.5 million. Insidious has grossed over $80 million during its six week run.

Two other new films, the action oriented Escape Plan and the drama The Fifth Estate, captured fifth and eight place, respectively, but both underperformed. On a more positive note, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 cemented its hit status, earning over $10 million in its fourth weekend. The animated effort may pass the $100 million mark next weekend.


Here are the Top Ten Weekend films (numbers are in millions):

1. Gravity - $31.0 (Warner Bros.)

2. Captain Phillips - $17.3 (Sony/Columbia)

3. Carrie - $17.0 (Sony/Screen Gems)

4. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 - $10.1 (Sony/Columbia)

5. Escape Plan - $9.8 (Lionsgate/Summit)

6. Prisoners- $2.1 (Warner Bros.)

7. Enough Said - $1.8 (Fox Searchlight)

8. The Fifth Estate - $1.7 (Disney/DreamWorks)

9. Runner Runner - $1.6 (Fox)

10. Insidious Chapter 2 - $1.5 (FilmDistrict)

"Mischief Night" Debuts in Theaters October 30

Photo courtesy of SpectiCast

Press Release - (LOS ANGELES, CA) – SPECTICAST inks distribution deal with RUTHLESS PICTURES and GMI FILMS for an exclusive one night only theatrical event release for the new home-invasion thriller, MISCHIEF NIGHT.

SpectiCast, the fastest growing all-digital distribution company in the world -- distributing film, cultural arts events and alternative content programs to both theatrical and non-theatrical venues around the globe -- has acquired theatrical rights for Richard Schenkman’s MISCHIEF NIGHT. The recently completed home-invasion thriller will premiere on screens everywhere on October 30, 2013 (popularly known as “Mischief Night”) for a one-time theatrical event on the very same night the film takes place.

MISCHIEF NIGHT tells the story of a terrifying home invasion on the evening before Halloween. Emily Walton, a young woman suffering from psychosomatic blindness ever since the car accident that took her mother’s life, must summon every instinct at her disposal to protect herself and her loved ones from a mysterious intruder.

“When we were putting this project together, our hope was to land a good home video distributor to release the movie, and were excited when Image / RLJ Entertainment acquired the picture before we even began production,” says Richard Schenkman who co-wrote, directed, and co-produced the film. “But once we completed the film, we felt we had something very special that exceeded all our expectations, something that went beyond just a direct-to-video movie.”

Co-producer Eric D. Wilkinson agrees, “We ended up creating something that my fellow producers, Richard, Jesse [Baget] and I all felt should be a shared experience in a dark theater with an audience.  We are thrilled that SpectiCast, a leader in event cinema distribution, has become our theatrical partner.”

Mark Rupp, Co-founder and President of SpectiCast concurs, “When I saw the film, I just loved it. These guys had made a sharp, suspenseful, edgy thriller that was a throwback to some of the legendary horror films of the 1970’s like Wait Until Dark and John Carpenter’s Halloween.”  Rupp is equally excited for the timing of the theatrical release, adding, “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the 35^thAnniversary of Carpenter’s classic than going to the theater on October 30^th and reliving the communal experience of seeing a scary movie on the eve of the scariest holiday of the year! Plus, as a guy who grew up perpetrating – I mean enjoying -- Mischief Night, I want to spread the word.”

The film’s talented ensemble cast is led by experienced young actress Noell Coet (Cowgirls n’ Angels, 5 Time Champion), and also includes veteran actor Daniel Hugh Kelly (Cujo, Someone To Watch Over Me, The Good Son), Charlie O’Connell (Dude, Where’s My Car, Cruel Intentions, “Sliders”), Erica Leerhsen (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Anything Else), Ally Walker (“Sons of Anarchy,” While You Were Sleeping, Universal Soldier), Stephanie Erb (The Ring, Starship Troopers), Richard Riehle (Bridesmaids, A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas) Adam C. Edwards (Flight, The Quiet Ones) and Ian Bamberg (Second Time Around, Warrior Road).

The theatrical distribution deal for MISCHIEF NIGHT was negotiated by Richard Schenkman for Ruthless Pictures and GMI Films, and Mark Rupp, Co-founder and President, for SpectiCast.

SpectiCast markets and distributes the finest 2D & 3D programs using the industry's most advanced technologies to over 1,500 theaters in 24 countries on six continents. Their fast growing slate includes a great selection of "event cinema" and alternative content, along with some of the best specialty film programs including the Manhattan Short Film Festival, the Women's Edge Film Series and the Laugh Out Loud Film Festival, just to name a few. SpectiCast is a privately owned and operated firm based in Philadelphia, PA.

Following the film’s theatrical release, Image Entertainment (a subsidiary of RLJ Entertainment [NASDAQ: RLJE]) plans to release the film on DVD, VOD and Digital in the fourth quarter of 2013.

MISCHIEF NIGHT

From Ruthless Pictures, GMI Films and Mischief Night, LLC ©2013

Directed by: Richard Schenkman

Story by Jesse Baget and Eric D. Wilkinson

Written by: Jesse Baget and Richard Schenkman

Produced by: Jesse Baget, Richard Scchenkman and Eric D. Wilkinson

Weekend Box Office Estimates for October 11-13, 2013: "Gravity" Holds Strong

You know autumn has arrived when the majority of the top ten films are geared towards mature audiences. In fact, with the exception of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, which continues to impress, the other nine films are for grown ups, who are clearly enamored with Alfonso Cuarón's Gravity, which has grossed nearly $125 million in just ten days. The Sandra Bullock/George Clooney sci-fi adventure dropped only 20% in its second weekend and easily captured the number one spot.

Second place belongs to Captain Phillips, starring Tom Hanks. The film, which is based on true events, earned an estimated $26.0 million and proves that Tom Hanks is still able to attract attention when he appears in a quality film worthy of his talents. The aforementioned Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 landed in third place, with over $14 million, followed by new entry Machete Kills, with just under $4.0 million and Runner Runner, with about $3.7 million.

Here are the Top Ten Weekend films (numbers are in millions):

1. Gravity - $44.3 (Warner Bros.)

2. Captain Phillips - $26.0 (Sony/Columbia)

3. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 - $14.2 (Sony/Columbia)

4. Machete Kills - $3.8 (Open Road)

5. Runner Runner - $3.7 (Fox)

6. Prisoners- $3.67 (Warner Bros.)

7. Insidious Chapter 2 - $2.7 (FilmDistrict)

8. Rush  - $2.4 (Universal)

9. Don Jon - $2.3 (Relativity Media)

10. Baggage Claim - $2.1 (Fox Searchlight)

Movie Recommendation: "Captain Phillips" Starring Tom Hanks

Welcome back Tom Hanks. Truly great roles have eluded the two time Academy Award winner in recent years, but Hanks still has the ability to deliver award worthy work when he has quality material to work with. He has found such material in Captain Phillips, which is based on the true story of Richard Phillips' struggle with Somali pirates in 2009, when they boarded his ship, the MV Maersk Alabama, threatening his life and that of his crew.
 
Before the action begins, Phillips is shown in a casual conversation with his wife, Andrea (Catherine Keener), discussing one of their children, who had recently gone through a tough time. That small scene helps to define the character of Phillips, who truly cares about those who he feels responsible for protecting/keeping safe. However, Phillips is all business when it comes to his ship and his gruff, by the book demeanor does not go over well with his crew. But when their lives are placed in jeopardy by the gun toting pirates, they could ask for no one more emotionally capable and shrewd than their Captain.

The look of terror on Phillips' face when the pirates take over the ship masks his overall awareness of the situation and his ability to think how best to outsmart them. As Captain, Phillips takes charge, as well as responsibility and places his own life in danger to hopefully save his crew. While the pirates pose a significant threat, their leader, Muse (Barkhad Abdi), is a businessman who understands that if they can peacefully work out an agreement, the U.S. government might pay a hefty ransom. Of course that does not stop his three accomplices from waving their guns around in the faces of various crewman, thus ratcheting up the tension with the potential loss of life at any moment.

The tension is palpable before the pirates are even seen because Phillips seems to sense something is not quite right. When his suspicions turn out to be true, he does everything is his power to thwart the pirates and is initially successful. However, when the potential payoff might be huge, the pirates simply refuse to be denied. Hanks, along with director Paul Greengrass, tag team to amp up the suspense for over two hours and with firepower in the hands of the pirates for the majority of that time. When the second act begins, Phillips finds himself in even more danger, partly because of his concern for others that may come back to haunt him. He seems to understand how the ordeal will end, but is less sure if he will survive.

Paul Greengrass has mastered the action thriller with his previous work on United 93 and The Bourne Supremacy and Captain Phillips is an equally strong effort that boasts an outstanding performance from Tom Hanks, who is terrific throughout, but then morphs into brilliance during his final scene. Greengrass also elicits fine work from the four pirates, all newcomers, including the aforementioned Barkhad Abdi as well as Barkhad Abdirahman, Faysal Ahmed and Mahat M. Ali. Captain Phillips is a well acted and taut thriller that brings to life an unforgettable true story that showcases the depths one person is able to go to in order to survive while never losing his sense of humanity.

"Lights Camera Booze" Features Drinking Games For Your Favorite Movies

American Pie, Pulp Fiction, Back to the Future and Ghostbusters are just four of the films featured in the new book Lights Camera Booze: Drinking Games for Your Favorite Movies (Ulysses Press) by Kourtney Jason and Lauren Metz, with illustrations by Amanda Lanzone. Over thirty films in all are included, both beloved hits, such as Dirty Dancing, to the lesser known The Sandlot. All types of films are represented, including comedies such as Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy, dramas such as Fight Club and even horror films, such as Scream.

A short description of each film is included, along with a recipe for a specific drink that ties perfectly into the film. In addition, instructions for what will prompt participants to take a drink are featured, along with trivia, games and topics for discussion. Of course, with the number of opportunities to drink throughout each film, I wonder if anyone will still be sober enough to play games and have meaningful discussions afterwards. However, the authors do include tips for light drinkers, so that may help keep someone sober.

The films featured are from the past four decades, from The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Animal House to The Hangover and Magic Mike, so there is something relatable to most readers/participants. I would imagine that The Hangover would be the perfect film to accompany this book and that entry  includes interesting trivia about famous actors who turned down offers to star in the film, as well as surprising information about Ed Helms and his teeth. So, the next time you are planning a movie night with friends, consider livening things up with Lights Camera Booze: Drinking Games for Your Favorite Movies.

Weekend Box Office Estimates for October 4-6, 2013: "Gravity" Pulls in Great Numbers

The critically acclaimed Gravity also won over fans in its opening weekend, earning over $55 million and breaking the record for the biggest October opening of all time. Of course, that may change when the official numbers are released tomorrow, but regardless of the final tally, the Sandra Bullock and George Clooney effort is off to a great start. Also doing well this weekend is Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, which captured second place with an estimated $21.5 million. After ten days, the family friendly film has earned over $60 million. Rounding out the top five is new entry Runner Runner, which failed to impress with less than $8 million, the adult drama Prisoners, with just under $6 million, and Ron Howard's Rush, with $4.4 million.


Here are the Top Ten Weekend films (numbers are in millions):

1. Gravity - $55.6 (Warner Bros.)

2. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 - $21.5 (Sony/Columbia)

3. Runner Runner - $7.6 (Fox)

4. Prisoners- $5.7 (Warner Bros.)

5. Rush  - $4.4 (Universal)

6. Don Jon - $4.2 (Relativity Media)

7. Baggage Claim - $4.1 (Fox Searchlight)

8. Insidious Chapter 2 - $3.9 (FilmDistrict)

9. Pulling Strings - $2.5 (Lionsgate/Pantelion)

10. Enough Said - $2.2 (Fox Searchlight)

Weekend Box Office Report for September 27-29, 2013: Looks Cloudy, with a Chance of Meatballs

The family friendly Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 dominated the weekend box office with a mammoth $35 million take. That far outpaced number two entry Prisoners, which earned just over $11 million. The weekend's other new entries, Baggage Claim and Don Jon, landed in the top five. Baggage Claim earned an estimated $9.3 million, followed closely by Don Jon with $9.0, for a fourth and fifth place showing, respectively. Finally, Ron Howard's new film Rush, starring Chris Hemsworth, expanded into wide release, earning just over $10 million, which was good enough for a third place finish.

Here are the Top Ten Weekend films (numbers are in millions):

1. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 - $35.0 (Sony/Columbia)

2. Prisoners- $11.3 (Warner Bros.)

3. Rush  - $10.3 (Universal)

4. Baggage Claim - $9.3 (Fox Searchlight)

5. Don Jon - $9.0 (Relativity Media)

6. Insidious Chapter 2 - $6.7 (FilmDistrict)

7. The Family - $3.7 (Relativity Media)

8. Instructions Not Included - $3.4 (Lionsgate/Pantelion)

9. We're the Millers - $2.9 (Warner Bros./New Line)

10. Lee Daniels' The Butler - $2.4 (Weinstein Company)

Movie Recommendation: "Rush" Starring Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl

Fierce competitors who respect each other and bring out the best in each other are the driving force behind Rush, the new film from director Ron Howard. Set in the 1970s and based on true events, Rush centers around two Formula One race car drivers, James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl), who have totally opposite ways of approaching their sport. Hunt is a ladies man who loves to party, appears to have great confidence and is a natural behind the wheel. Lauda, on the other hand, is disciplined, focused and takes no unnecessary risks. However, both men are equally talented and become friendly rivals over time.

Lauda's no-nonsense demeanor does not win him many friends, but he uses his intelligence, consummate skills and confidence to become the world champion. However, Hunt is equally as good, but does not have the same focus as Lauda, who he chides for being too serious. Even though Lauda is not necessarily likable, his brutal honesty and determination will likely win over many viewers who will also come to empathize with him after he suffers serious burns from a racing accident. However, even that will not stop Lauda from competing, especially since Hunt receives the lions share of attention while he is incapacitated.

Part of Hunt's story is told via his many relationships. The ladies love his charming demeanor, but when times get tough, Hunt drinks to excess and is particularly nasty to his wife, Suzy (Olivia Wilde), who eventually takes comfort in the arms of another man. Lauda does not seem all that interested in a relationship, but when he meets Marlene Knaus (Alexandra Maria Lara), he finds a soul mate in the sense that she will stick by him and support him, no matter what happens, but they do not appear to share any great love or passion. Their relationship serves Lauda well, especially when he needs support during his recovery from serious burns.

I expected Rush to center around James Hunt throughout, but Niki Lauda receives an equal amount of attention and deservedly so. They are different in many ways, including looks. Hunt is obviously better looking and physically gifted. Lauda understands that he cannot measure up and even states that he knows that he looks like a rat. Daniel Brühl is a good looking actor, but make-up is used to transform him into Lauda, which adds another degree of realism to the film. In addition, the way Rush is filmed has a grainy look and feel to it, which perfectly captures the time period.

Rush takes place during the years 1970-1976 and showcases how Lauda and Hunt moved their way up from Formula Three to Formula One racers and also examines how Lauda essentially bought his way into the sport, which is fascinating. I was not familiar with their story, which made the various racing scenes all that more exciting. There is an aura of danger during each race, so I never knew what to expect or even if Hunt or Lauda would survive. Ron Howard is able to slowly build suspense throughout the racing scenes that will literally leave viewers on the edge of their seats. The brisk pace of the film is appropriate considering the subject matter and the two hour run time goes by quickly. Howard also elicits strong performances from Chis Hemsworth, Olivia Wilde and Daniel Brühl, who is fantastic as Lauda. Rush is an action packed thrill ride that features outstanding character development and one of the most fascinating rivalries in the history of the sports world. It also happens to be one of the best films of the year.

Screenplay: Peter Morgan

Movie Recommendation: "Don Jon" Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a triple threat in the new film Don Jon. Not only does the talented actor portray the lead character, but he also serves as writer and director. The film focuses on a young man who has no trouble scoring with the ladies, but actually prefers watching porn (and lots of it, all of the time) to having real sex. His porn obsession/addiction causes problems with his new girlfriend, Barbara (Scarlett Johansson), who finds porn to be disgusting and asks that Jon (a modern day Don Juan) not look at it anymore. Don Jon agrees, but soon finds himself looking for release in front of his computer as his waits for the familiar start up sound, which becomes a character in its own right as the film moves along.

Don Jon has other interests beside sex. He visits his family often, works out regularly, likes to spend time with his guy friends and goes to church every week. After the service, he goes to confession and relates the same sins over and over again to an aloof priest who appears to be tired of the repetition. In addition to his porn addiction, Don Jon has road rage, which leads to cursing outbursts and even vandalism. Of course, one trip to confession wipes all of those sins out. Despite not appearing to be happy, Don Jon eagerly goes about his daily routine until he meets an older woman, Esther (Julianne Moore), while taking a college course. Esther is also unhappy and is dealing with significant loss. Their initial encounters do not go smoothly, as Don Jon is not comfortable with Esther's honesty, but he begins to understand himself better as their friendship evolves and she helps his along his journey.

There are many amusing and a few laugh out loud moments during Don Jon's 90 minute run time, but there is also a degree of sadness to the main character who clearly has problems relating to real people. Addiction is only part of the problem. Establishing healthy relationships is also an issue for the young man who appears to believe that as long as he attends church and confesses his sins, everything will be alright. Don Jon is clearly comfortable with his routine and does not appear to like change, which he desperately needs.

Throughout the film, voice over is used to convey Don Jon's intimate feelings, which are often funny and usually true. He talks about what attractive women will and will not do in bed, expresses his thoughts about the various types of porn that he enjoys watching and the many different sexual positions that he has experienced. His views about contemporary relationships, which may be offensive to some, ring true overall. Clearly, Gordon-Levitt is speaking to his generation through the screenplay and not just about sex.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt proves to be a fine director and screenwriter and delivers another winning performance as the not always likable Don Jon. He is ably supported by the aforementioned Julianne Moore and Scarlett Johansson, as well as Tony Danza, who portrays his father, Jon Sr. The soundtrack/score is also quite good and adds to the storytelling in this contemporary, often amusing and brutally honest tale of a young man who reaches his destination in a way that he never expected. I just wish that when he reached his destination, the film did not end so abruptly as to give some viewers whiplash.

Weekend Box Office Estimates for September 20-22, 2013: "Prisoners" Leads the Pack

The summer is over and moviegoers are growing more apathetic at the box office. The only bright spot is the well reviewed drama Prisoners, starring Hugh Jackman (pictured above), which dominated the three day frame with an estimated $21.4 million. The other wide release opening, Battle of the Year, starring Chris Brown, languished in fifth place, with a paltry $5.0 million. The only other new entry in the top ten is the re-release of The Wizard of Oz in 3D, which earned an estimated $3.0 million. Finally, kudos to holdovers We're the Millers and Planes, which continue to perform well long past their original release dates.

Here are the Top Ten Weekend films (numbers are in millions):

1. Prisoners- $21.4 (Warner Bros.)

2. Insidious Chapter 2 - $14.5 (FilmDistrict)

3. The Family - $7.0 (Relativity Media)

4. Instructions Not Included - $5.7 (Lionsgate/Pantelion)

5. Battle of the Year - $5.0 (Sony/Screen Gems)

6. We're the Millers - $4.7 (Warner Bros./New Line)

7.  Lee Daniels' The Butler - $4.3 (Weinstein Company)

8. Riddick - $3.7 (Universal)

9. The Wizard of Oz 3D - $3.0 (Warner Bros.)

10. Planes - $2.9 (Disney)

Paperback Spotlight: "Finding Funds for Your Film or TV Project" by Gini Graham Scott

It’s no secret that it takes money to create a film, but it may not be obvious to beginning filmmakers what each of the fundraising phases is and what opportunities they have available to them.

In Finding Funds for Your Film or TV Project (Limelight Editions, Oct. 2013), Gini Graham Scott gives a complete overview of each phase—from creating promotional material to preparing documentation to the banking details of what to do when funds are received—and walks the reader through different methods of fundraising, such as crowd-funding and getting the attention of investors. This includes designing a business plan, editing trailers and sizzle reels, creating private placement memorandums, and writing the crowd-funding pitch. She makes clear certain legal requirements filmmakers should adhere to, such as Securities and Exchange Commission requirements.

Finding Funds for Your Film or TV Project also covers:

• The overall workings of the film industry and trends in film production
• Deciding what to produce, preparing a script or treatment, determining your needed cast and crew, and coming up with a rough estimate of budget
• Closing the deal and getting the money

No beginning filmmaker should be without this Quick Guide!

New in Theaters: "The Family" Starring Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer

Hiding from the Mafia is no easy task. Even those in the Witness Protection Program, like the Blake family in the recently released film The Family, must always be wary of being located. Despite the best efforts of FBI Agent Stansfield (Tommy Lee Jones) and his team, the Blakes just cannot stay hidden. The patriarch, Giovanni Maznoni (Robert De Niro), has started a new career as a writer, but when he should be at home working, he creates a decoy so he can go into town and interact with the locals in their new home near Normandy, France. Matriarch Maggie (Michelle Pfeiffer) does not take criticism well and decides to blow up a small grocery store after an employee makes rude remarks about Americans. Daughter Belle (Dianna Agron) falls in love with a college student/substitute math teacher and son Warren (John D'Leo) starts a mini-Mafia at his school after being brutalized during his first week. I suppose you can take The Family out of the Mafia, but you cannot take the Mafia out of The Family.

Maggie also confesses her sins to a priest, who orders her not to come back to the church, while Giovanni agrees to participate in a discussion about film criticism, which is fine until the subject matter changes from history to the mob. However egregious those errors in judgment are, mobsters looking for the family find them through a rather innocent mistake made by Warren, who is also feeling heat from school officials for his "mob" and decides to leave town, until he realizes that a team of hit men have arrived with orders to kill the entire Blake family. The walls are closing in on the Blakes but they know how to take care of themselves.

As you might expect, The Family is a violent film and a few early scenes take the brutality a bit too far. Thankfully, those scenes are the exception and not the rule. Over time, the violence becomes more amusing than disturbing, especially when viewers know what is coming. For instance, Giovanni hates to be disrespected and he will go to any length to "correct" the behavior of those who cross him. Robert De Niro plays irritation extremely well with his passive aggressive smile that always elicits laughter. Not to be outdone, Tommy Lee Jones' FBI agent also must find an outlet for his irritation, but he uses verbal barbs to express his displeasure, which is usually directed at Giovanni.

Overall, the performances are strong and I particularly enjoyed the chemistry between De Niro and Jones. I was also impressed with John D'Leo, who is a promising young actor and delivers a confident, self assured performance as Warren. Director and co-writer Luc Besson has crafted an entertaining, amusing and intelligent film that also features an eclectic use of music, from the old world sounds of Italy to the contemporary gem "The Greatest" by Cat Power. As much as I enjoyed The Family, it does take a while for the film to hit its stride and the final scenes are a bit far fetched, but those are small complaints in this otherwise solid effort.

Screenwriters: Tonino Benacquista, Luc Besson and Michael Caleo

Weekend Box Office Estimates for September 13-15, 2013: "Insidious Chapter 2" Dominates

Insidious Chapter 2 easily won the weekend box office race, with a $40 million plus take. The Patrick Wilson/Rose Byrne frightfest did not have much competition, as the only other new film in wide release, The Family, a black comedy starring Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer, only managed to pull in $14.5 million. Third place belongs to Riddick with $7.0 million, but that represents a 60% drop from last weekend and the film looks to be fading fast. Two strong holdovers, Lee Daniels' The Butler and We're the Millers, rounded out the top five, earning $5.6 and $5.4 million, respectively. When the final weekend box office totals are released, those film may switch places.

Here are the Top Ten Weekend films (numbers are in millions):

1. Insidious Chapter 2 - $41.1 (FilmDistrict)

2. The Family - $14.5 (Relativity Media)

3. Riddick - $7.0 (Universal)

4. Lee Daniels' The Butler - $5.6 (Weinstein Company)

5. We're the Millers - $5.4 (Warner Bros./New Line)

6. Instructions Not Included - $4.3 (Lionsgate/Pantelion)

7. Planes - $3.1 (Disney)

8. One Direction: This Is Us - $2.4 (Sony/TriStar)

9. Elysium - $2.1 (Sony/Tristar)

10. Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters - $1.8 (Fox)

The 36th Annual Kennedy Center Honorees: Martina Arroyo, Herbie Hancock, Billy Joel, Shirley MacLaine and Carlos Santana

KENNEDY CENTER TO HONOR MARTINA ARROYO, HERBIE HANCOCK, BILLY JOEL, SHIRLEY MACLAINE AND CARLOS SANTANA ON "THE 36TH ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS," TO BE BROADCAST SUNDAY, DEC. 29 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

Press Release: Opera singer Martina Arroyo, pianist, keyboardist, bandleader and composer Herbie Hancock, pianist, singer and songwriter Billy Joel, actress Shirley MacLaine and musician and songwriter Carlos Santana will receive honors for 2013 on THE 36TH ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS, to be broadcast Sunday, Dec. 29 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. The special has been broadcast on CBS each year since its debut.

In a star-studded celebration on the Kennedy Center Opera House stage, the 2013 Honorees will be saluted by great performers from Hollywood and the arts capitals of the world. Seated with President and Mrs. Obama, the Honorees will accept the thanks of their peers and fans through performances and heartfelt tributes.

"The Kennedy Center celebrates five extraordinary individuals who have spent their lives elevating the cultural vibrancy of our nation and the world," said Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein. "Martina Arroyo has dazzled the world with her glorious soprano voice and continues to share her artistry with a new generation of opera singers; Herbie Hancock has established himself as one of the most innovative musicians in the world, constantly breaking musical barriers and redefining the art of jazz; Billy Joel's melodies have provided the soundtrack of our lives for over four decades, making him one of pop music's most prolific and memorable singers and songwriters; the remarkable breadth and range of Shirley MacLaine's acting has left an indelible impression during a nearly 60-year career on stage and screen; from his legendary performance at Woodstock to his sweep at the 2000 Grammys and beyond, Carlos Santana's artistry transcends genres while entertaining millions."

The President and Mrs. Obama will receive the Honorees, along with members of the Artists Committee who nominate them and the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees, at the White House prior to the gala performance taping on Dec. 8. The 2013 Kennedy Center Honors Gala concludes with a supper dance in the Grand Foyer.

The Honors recipients are recognized for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts - whether in dance, music, theater, opera, motion pictures or television - and are selected by the Center's Board of Trustees. The primary criterion in the selection process is excellence. The Honors are not designated by art form or category of artistic achievement; the selection process, over the years, has produced a balance among the various arts and artistic disciplines.

Kennedy Center President Michael M. Kaiser expressed the national cultural center's continued gratitude to the many individuals involved in the success of the Honors program. "In addition to recognizing some of the world's most treasured artists, the Kennedy Center Honors supports a wide variety of artistic programming, as well as the Center's educational and national outreach efforts."

George Stevens, Jr. and his Honors producing partner Michael Stevens will again produce and write the Honors. They have received four consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Variety, Musical or Comedy Special. The KENNEDY CENTER HONORS telecast has also been recognized with the Peabody Award for Outstanding Meritorious Service to Broadcasting and seven awards from the Writers Guild of America. George Stevens created the Honors in 1978 with Nick Vanoff.

Weekend Box Office Estimates for September 6-8, 2013: "Riddick" Dominates

Vin Diesel's Riddick, the third installment in the sci-fi franchise, easily won the weekend box office race, earning an estimated $18.7 million, which was almost double that of its closet competitor, Lee Daniels' The Butler, which captured second place with an estimated $8.9 million. The little movie that could, Instructions not Included, continued its impressive box office run by adding slightly more than $8 million in its second weekend. Fourth place belongs to We're the Millers, which has held up well after five weeks of release and earned nearly $8 million over the three day frame. Since its debut, We're the Millers has earned almost $125 million. Finally, Disney's Planes flew into fifth place, with just over $4 million.

1. Riddick - $18.7 (Universal)

2. Lee Daniels' The Butler - $8.9 (Weinstein Company)

3. Instructions Not Included - $8.1 (Lionsgate/Pantelion)

4. We're the Millers - $7.9 (Warner Bros./New Line)

5. Planes - $4.3 (Disney)

6. One Direction: This Is Us - $4.1 (Sony/TriStar)

7. Elysium - $3.1 (Sony/Tristar)

8. Blue Jasmine - $2.7 (Sony Pictures Classics)

9. Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters - $2.5 (Fox)

10. The World's End - $2.3 (Focus)

Ben Affleck as Batman? Why Not?

I found the furor surrounding the recent announcement that Ben Affleck will portray Batman/Bruce Wayne in the upcoming Superman/Batman film to be completely silly. I remember the reactions when Michael Keaton was cast as Batman for the 1989 film (and again in 1992's Batman Returns). The fanboys were not happy, to say the least, but Keaton proved that he was a solid choice for the role. Affleck, like Keaton, is a talented and sometimes underrated actor and I suspect he will prove his worth in the iconic and coveted role. Of course, having a great screenplay and director would also help, so I am cautiously optimistic about the upcoming film, which is scheduled to be released in 2015.

Weekend Box Office Estimates for August 30-September 2, 2013: "The Butler" Wins Again

The extended Labor Day weekend box office yielded more than one surprise. After leading the traditional three day weekend, the music documentary One Direction: This Is Us (pictured above) fell to second place, earning an estimated $18 million, while Lee Daniels' The Butler claimed the top spot, with just over $20 million. Third place belongs to the comedy We're the Millers, which continues to do well and has now surpassed the $100 million mark. The family friendly Planes captured fourth place, with $10.7 million, and rounding out the top five is the comedy Instructions Not Included, which is in limited release (under 350 locations), but managed to earn around $10 million. Its per screen average of over $28,000 eviscerated all of the competition.

The news was not so good for the latest film from Ethan Hawke, the action oriented Getaway, which floundered in ninth place with an estimated $5.5 million. Woody Allen received better news, as his latest effort, Blue Jasmine, starring Cate Blanchett, rounded out the top ten, with $5.3 and is playing in about 1,000 fewer theaters than Getaway. Finally, Brad Pitt's World War Z surpassed the $200 million mark domestically, making it one of the top grossing films of the year.

Here are the Top Ten Weekend films (numbers are in millions):

1. Lee Daniels' The Butler - $20.0 (Weinstein Company)

2. One Direction: This Is Us - $18.0 (Sony/TriStar)

3. We're the Millers - $15.9 (Warner Bros./New Line)

4. Planes - $10.7 (Disney)

5. Instructions Not Included - $10.0 (Lionsgate/Pantelion)

6. Elysium- $8.3 (Sony/TriStar)

7. The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones - $6.8 (Sony/Screen Gems)

8. Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters - $6.0 (Fox)

9. Getaway - $5.5 (Warner Bros.)

10. Blue Jasmine - $5.3 (Sony Pictures Classics)

Weekend Box Office Report for August 23-25, 2013: "The Butler" Leads, "We're the Millers" a Strong Second

Lee Daniels' The Butler topped the weekend box office for the second time in as many weeks, with an estimated $17 million, while We're the Millers (pictured above) continues to hold up well after three weeks, with $13.5 million and a solid second place showing. The three new wide release entries are all off to a weak start. The comedy The World's End, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, captured fourth place, with an estimated $8.9 million, which is just slightly behind The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, with $9.3 million. Of course, The World's End is playing in less than half as many locations as The Mortal Instruments, and its per screen average is the highest of any film in the top ten, so it deserves recognition. The third new release, the horror fest You're Next, landed in seventh place, with just over $7 million.

Here are the Top Ten Weekend films, according to early estimates (numbers are in millions):

 1. Lee Daniels' The Butler - $17.0 (Weinstein Company)

2. We're the Millers - $13.5 (Warner Bros./New Line)

3. The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones - $9.3 (Sony/Screen Gems)

4. The World's End  - $8.9 (Focus)

5. Planes - $8.6 (Disney)

6. Elysium - $7.1 (Sony/TriStar)

7. You're Next - $7.05 (Lionsgate)

8. Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters - $5.2 (Fox)

9.Blue Jasmine - $ 4.3 (Sony Pictures Classics)

10. Kick-Ass 2 - $4.27 (Universal)

New in Theaters: "Kick-Ass 2" Starring Aaron Johnson and Chloë Grace Moretz

Not having watched the original Kick-Ass, I went into the screening of its sequel, Kick-Ass 2, with an open mind and only one expectation - that the performances from the mostly younger cast members would be serviceable. That expectation was met and, frankly, the performances are one of the few reasons to watch the film. The story centers around Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson) and Mindy Macready (Chloë Grace Moretz), two high school teenagers who also happen to be super heroes/vigilantes known as Kick-Ass and Hit Girl, respectively. After a brief retirement, Dave is back in the game and joins a team of "everyday" heroes called Justice Forever, led by Colonel Stars and Stripes (Jim Carrey). However, their combined strength may not be enough to defeat Chris D'Amico, who becomes a super villain (whose name is rather vulgar and sounds like Mother Focker) after accidentally killing his mother. Chris forms his own team, which includes a seemingly unstoppable Mother Russia (Olga Kurkulina).

Meanwhile, Mindy's father, Marcus (Morris Chestnut), realizes that she is still acting as a super hero and makes her promise to quit, which she does. She tries to lead a normal life by making new friends at school and thinks about dating. However, after being embarrassed by her new "friends," Mindy seeks revenge, which gets her suspended. Shortly thereafter, someone close to Dave is targeted and killed by Chris's team, who then attack Dave, Mindy and their friends at the funeral. This prompts Mindy to once again become Hit Girl and join forces with the other so-called heroes to take down the villains in an extremely violent clash.

As a life long fan of the superhero genre, I appreciated the comedic take on the subject matter, from the obvious comments about the form fitting outfits, especially the ones worn by the males, to the appropriately over the top performance by Christopher Mintz-Plasse, as the evil villain. In addition, Aaron Johnson's low key, but confident, performance is impressive, as is Chloë Grace Moretz, who is formidable for her age and size. The youngsters elevate the material, but not nearly enough for me to recommend the film. While some viewers may find the violence troubling, I found it hard to take seriously in a film such as this one, when tongues are planted firmly in cheeks. However, I hope parents/guardians would not allow younger children to see Kick-Ass 2, which more than earns its "R" rating. Finally, the gross out gags are completely unnecessary and do not look remotely realistic. They serve only to diminish what little the film has going for it. With that being said, it appears that a third installment may be on the way, pending box office approval.

Director/Screenwriter - Jeff Wadlow

Weekend Box Office Estimates: Lee Daniels' "The Butler" is Number One

As the summer movie season draws to a close, many films are under performing, including The Smurfs 2 and Elysium. Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters is also off to a slow start, but its overseas take is expected to be much greater, similar to the first installment, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. Even newly released films are having a tough time, including Jobs, which opened with under $7 million, and Paranoia, which failed to crack the top ten. However, Lee Daniels' The Butler (pictured above) is off to a strong start and captured the top spot, with an estimated $25 million. In addition, the comedy We're the Millers is nearing the $70 million mark in its second week of release and only dropped about 30% from its debut, making it very profitable for Warner Bros. and New Line.

Here are the Top Ten Weekend films, according to early estimates (numbers are in millions):

 1. Lee Daniels' The Butler - $25.0 (Weinstein Company)

2. We're the Millers - $17.8 (Warner Bros./New Line)

3. Elysium - $13.6 (Sony/TriStar)

4. Kick-Ass 2 - $13.6 (Universal)

5. Planes - $13.1 (Disney)

6. Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters - $8.4 (Fox)

7. Jobs - $6.7 (Open Road)

8. 2 Guns - $5.6 (Universal)

9. The Smurfs 2 - $4.6 (Sony/Columbia)

10. The Wolverine - $4.4 (Fox)