The Finnish hit movie “Christmas Story” is now being dubbed for English with John Turturro joining to a part of the voice cast. “Christmas Story” is delightful story about how Santa became Santa. “Christmas Story” opened in Finland late last year and took $2.6 million, making it the biggest domestic hit of the year for Finland.

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“Juno” stands with the big studio titles now that the specialty film moved up the box office chart to No. 3.

Showing in 1,952 theaters, “Juno” grossed an estimated $16.2 million and totals $52 million for its fifth week, speculating to become one of the highest grossing specialty titles ever.

“I am Legend” inched passed “Juno” for the No. 2 spot, with as estimated $16.4 million for a total of $228.7 million

“Alvin and the Chipmunks” managed well but ended up behind “June” at No. 4 with an estimated $16 million for a total of $176.7 million.

Interestingly, “Atonement” came in No. 10, which is awesome for only playing in 583 theaters. The love story made an estimated $5.1 million for a total of $19.2 million in the fifth weekend as a limited release.

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE

Jan. 04 - Jan. 06

Weekend Box Office Estimate in the millions

1. National Treasure 2 (DISNEY) $20.2

2. I Am Legend (WB) $16.4

3. Juno (FOX SEARCHLIGHT) $16.2

4. Alvin and the Chipmunks (FOX) $16

5. One Missed Call (WB) $13.5

6. Charlie Wilson’s War (UNIVERSAL) $8.2

7. P.S. I Love You (WB) $8

8. The Water Horse (SONY) $6.3

9. Sweeney Todd (D’WORKS/PAR) $5.4

10. Atonement (FOCUS) $5.1

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“A Christmas Story” with Ralphie Parker’s personal drive to obtain a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas still captivates TV viewers.

Records were set on TBS last week during its 11th annual 24-hour marathon of the 1983 holiday movie. The marathon started at 8 p.m. Christmas Eve. The story revolves around a youngster, Ralphie, in 1940s Indiana. He desires very much a BB gun for Christmas despite frequent admonitions that he will shoot his eye out.

Reuters reported that according to Nielsen Media Research, the marathon showing of “A Christmas Story” scored its best-ever average delivery in total viewers (2.8 million) as well as in such key demos as adults 18-34 (775,000), adults 18-49 (1.6 million) and adults 25-54 (1.5 million).

I saw “A Christmas Story” performed as a play at the B Street Theater in Northern California. It was quite good and recommend anyone who has a chance to see it as a play, do so, you will be entertained.

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Besides the Happy Holidays we’re sending you here at Screenhead, we thought why not, in the spirit of the tradition, give you a present also? For me the highlight of 2007 was not a particular movie or event. Instead, it was two relatively unknown Kiwi musicians who play spoof songs. Called Flight of the Conchords, they even managed to make a TV series on HBO. And it is hilarious. Normally comedy music can become boring, especially when coming to the repetitive chorus, but these guys manage to pull it off with their, unknowingly-stupid humour. Their show incorporates jokes about music videos too. Think Curb Your Enthusiasm meets Spinal Tap, with a dash of The Office (especially their New Zealand Tourism rep and manager Murray). The entire First Series is out on DVD in Europe and the US, and is highly recommended to combat those upcoming January Blues. Enjoy the clip above (my personal favourite), and for another…. Read on »

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“Christmas in Connecticut,” directed by Peter Godfrey, is sure to calm your nerves from the stress of holiday cheer.

Introduce Journalist Elizabeth Lane (Barbara Stanwyck), one of the country’s most famous food writers, describes herself as a hardy farm woman, caring for her children and being an exceptional cook.

However, this is only a yarn made out of whole cloth. In reality, she is an unmarried New Yorker who never cooks and can’t even boil an egg.

Her affable friend Felix (S.Z. Sakall) supplies Miss Lane with recipes for her column.

The owner of the magazine that publishes her column decides that a heroic sailor (Dennis Morgan) must spend his Christmas on her farm – it’ll make a great story. Miss Lane knows that her career is over if the truth comes out.

Now, the story really begins with Miss Lane still knitting her lies while trying to keep her career intact. Funny escapades will lift your spirits as a love story develops between the sailor and Miss Lane.

Turner Classic Movies will broadcast this film over Christmas. Check your local listings.

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With all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, “The Bishop’s Wife” may bring you back to the true meaning of Christmas.

Starring David Niven, Cary Grant and Loretta Young, an Episcopal Bishop, Henry Brougham (David Niven) big plans for a new cathedral is stalled as he tries to charm a stubborn widow with no avail. He loses his reasons why he prayed for the clergy in the first place. He is more interested in creating an image of God versus helping those in need, which puts a strain on his family.

Materialize Dudley (Cary Grant), an angel sent to help the Bishop. Dudley helps everyone he meets, although not in the way they can easily understand.

Spiritually, Dudley is helpful and everyone loves him, except the Bishop. He suspects Dudley is there to replace him at work and the affections of his family, as Christmas approaches.

Inspirationally, directed by Henry Koster (”The Robe,” “Harvey,” “My Cousin Rachael”). Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett (”Sunset Boulevard”) offer their writing talents (uncredited).

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“Free Frosty! Free Frosty! Free Frosty!”

Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis and Dan Aykroyd star in “Christmas With the Kranks,” a comedy based on a novel by John Grisham, which Chris Columbus adapted for the screen and Jim Roth directed.

Luther and Nora Kranks only daughter leaves and goes to another country. Without their daughter to celebrate Christmas, Luther and Nora decide to skip Christmas and take a cruise, leaving on Christmas Day. Breaking tradition with their neighbors and friends by not participating in the house decorations contest and carolers, they keep to there holiday wish until their daughter calls on Christmas eve and says shes coming home for Christmas. The holiday rush begins as the Kranks get the meaning of waiting until the last moment to celebrate Christmas. They only having 12 hours to get set up for their daughter and her fiancée, which includes a full blown Christmas party with all the neighbors and friends.

Support cast is fantastic: M. Emmet Walsh as the grumpy old neighbor; Cheech Marin as Officer Salino and Austin Pendleton as Umbrella Santa.

“Kranks” has moments that are hilarious like “Free Frosty!” or Nora desperately buying the last hickory honey ham.

For you continuity enthusiasts, count how many times the Christmas wreath is on the Krank’s front door and then off the door throughout the film.

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Christmas Day is a big day for movies.  I know this because after many giant family get-togethers on Christmas day, we sometimes like to carry the fun on over into the evening by heading out to the local movie theater.  Surprisingly, it’s pretty crowded and seems like a lot of other people enjoy this tradition as well.

So if you’re planning on hitting the theater this holiday, here’s what you can expect to be opening this Christmas Day 2007:

• Alien vs. Predator: Requiem - The bestial baddies go disgusting-toe-to-disgusting-toe in this follow-up to the sci-fi smash Alien vs. Predator.
• The Great Debaters - Oscar winner Denzel Washington directs and stars in this drama set in the segregated South. Washington plays a debate coach who takes a Texas college team from obscurity to a showdown with Harvard’s renowned students.
• The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep - The story begins when Angus, a young Scottish boy, finds an enchanted egg. Taking it home, he soon finds himself face-to-face with an amazing creature: the mythical “water horse” of Scottish lore. Angus begins a journey of discovery, facing his greatest fears and risking his life to protect a secret that would give birth to a legend.

In addition to these wide releases, there are also a few Christmas Day limited release films include Persepolis (NYC), The Bucket List (NYC/LA), and Imaginary Witness: Hollywood and the Holocaust (NYC).

If none of the new releases strike your fancy, you’ve also got your choice of this week’s newly released films, which include: Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Charlie Wilson’s War, P.S. I Love You, and National Treasure: Book of Secrets.

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Available nationwide throughout the U.S. today, the last movie release date before Christmas, and next week on Christmas Day, are a handful of films that would make great stocking stuffers.  The biggest release of them all is definitely The Simpsons Movie, which is sure to be on any Simpsons fan’s list.

Other releases before or on Christmas Day include:

• The Kingdom
• The Heartbreak Kid
• Stardust
• Eastern Promises
• Rob Zombie’s Halloween
• Rush Hour3
• Underdog
• The Last Legion
• Balls of Fury
• Blade Runner (5 Disc Ultimate Collectors Edition)

There are a few good ones in there, as well as a few stinkers.  Choose wisely.

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