You probably have heard about “In Bruges” opening the Sundance Film Festival this January in Park City, Utah. It stars Colin Farrell and Brandon Gleeson about two hit men spending their pastime in a historically preserved city frequented by tourists called Bruges, Belgium. The hit men cross paths with offbeat characters and confront emotional aspects of their wayward lives. The movie is an action comedy that opens February 8, 2008.

Below you might find helpful in understanding the title of the movie. Focus Features offered this insight concerning the word “Bruges.”

• Pronunciation: “broozh” (rhymes with “rouge”)
• Bruges is known for its lace and chocolate (these are best enjoyed together)
• Tony Parker of the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs was born in Bruges but raised in France (and now lives in the U.S. with wife Eva Longoria Parker)
• Arch-fiend Doctor Evil, from the Austin Powers movie series, is also rumored to be from Bruges
• Several beers are named after Bruges; Brugge Blond, Brugge Tripel, Brugs, Brugse Straffe Hendrik, and Brugse Zot (there may be more, but we passed out after the Zot)
• Bruges is known as the “Venice of the North” because of its many canals.

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Screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna, “The Devil Wears Prada,” brings “27 Dresses.” The film stars Katherine Heigl (”Grey’s Anatomy”) as Jane, a selfless bridesmaid, who is never the bride. She has a secret crush on her boss, Ed Burns, but her younger sister captures his heart. Jane needs to rethink her life. Of course, there is another guy, James Mardsen, as a possible rebound guy.

Anne Fletcher, choreographer by trade, directs the film which is pretty predictable from what I can tell. The movie opens January 11, 2008. A sneak peek happened last Thursday with packed theaters, and all indicators sound like a hit. But, we shall see. In the meantime, check out “27 Dresses” web site and see for yourself.

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The box office is up over last year’s mark. At the fourth spot is “Charlie Wilson’s War,” increasing in numbers as is “Alvin and the Chipmunks!” “Alvin” bumped “I am Legend” to the third spot of the weekend box office since they both opened December 14. “Juno” gross sales increased a whooping 201%, taking the fifth spot.

Even though “The Great Debaters” took the eleventh spot, the film’s gross sales increased by 17%.

All in all, the box office proves to be fruitful this holiday season. With New Years Day coming up and another week of vacation from school, it can only get better.

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE ESTIMATE

Dec. 28 - Dec. 30
1. National Treasure: Book of Secrets (DISNEY) $35.6 million

2. Alvin and the Chipmunks (FOX) $30 million

3. I Am Legend (WB) $27.5 million

4. Charlie Wilson’s War (UNIVERSAL) $11.8 million

5. Juno (FOX SEARCHLIGHT) $10.3 million

6. Aliens Vs. Predator - Requiem (FOX) $10 million

7. The Water Horse (SONY) $9.2 million

8. P.S. I Love You (WB) $9.1 million

9. Sweeney Todd (PAR/DW) $8 million

10. Enchanted (DISNEY) $6.5 million

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Looks like I fell for a yellow piece of journalism. I am so sorry.

Kidman says the baby talk is unreliable gossip; so I learned my lesson well.

Reliable source says that she’s in Australia making a film and her family are in Australia. She’s happily ensconced away somewhere having a few days’ break.

I am going to stick with movie production information that is reliable and factual.

Wish me luck for 2008.

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Sunday, December 30, 2007 Lindsay Lohn will be honored at Capri Film Festival in Italy for her contribution to the film industry.”The Mean Girls” and “Herbie Fully Loaded” star will be praised for her film roles at the Festival.

The Festival organizers are delighted to recognize Lohan as a performing artist and her position as an icon in the entertainment world.

Oscar winners Geoffrey Rush, Mira Sorvino, Vanessa Redgrave and Faye Dunaway are some of the previous recipients of the honor.

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Madonna makes her directorial debut with her film “Filth and Wisdom” at the Berlin Film Festival’s Panorama. The film is observed as a low-budget comedy-musical that stars Stephen Graham (”Gangs of New York”) and Richard E. Grant.

I have found conflicting reports on the length of the film. It is either 30 minutes or 45 minutes long.

“Filth and Wisdom” definitely has my curiosity. If anyone has any information about Madonna’s film please post it here.

The Berlin Film Festival runs February 7 to 17, 2008.

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“There Will Be Blood” scored one of the best recent per-location averages with openings in two theaters in New York and Los Angeles.

Paul Thomas Anderson directed “Blood” and Daniel Day-Lewis stars. Based on a true story, the film grossed an estimated $67,951 in its opening averaging $33,976 per theater. Film is one of the last three specialty titles to come to the screen as the year ends. The other two films are mentioned in a previous story on this page: “The Orphanage” and “Honeydripper.”

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A Spanish horror film, “The Orphanage” and a John Sayles film “Honeydripper” opened Friday.

“The Orphanage” opened only to 18 theaters. For some who have left notes at message boards regarding the film, claim it is more than a horror film. Its tone is similar to “The Others” and “Pan Pan’s Labyrinth,” very intelligent. The acting is incredible; especially Geraldine Chaplin as the medium.

“Honeydripper,” which opened only in New York and Los Angeles, is based on short stories that the filmmaker turns into a fable about the birth of rock n’ roll—a quintessentially American subject, but with a fidelity to time and temperament. The film enters on Tyrone “Pine Top” Purvis (Danny Glover) needs to save his struggling juke joint, The Honeydripper. He persuades a guitar-toting youngster (Gary Clark, Jr., in his film debut) to pose as a famous musician.

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Because the Italian movie industry sales are up, Italy predicts by the end of 2007, the industry will be up 13 percent over last year, the best in two decades, a standing ovation year for the Italian movie business.

Hollywood plays an important role in Italy as shown in the top three at the Italian box office this week: “Shrek the Third,” which took $30 million, local romancer “Manual of Love 2,” which made $28 million, and “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” which pulled $27 million.

Go to “Manual of Love 2″ to find out about the Italian movie.

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