Screenhead

Michael Moore sent out a press release today saying “We’re just one day away from the widest opening I’ve ever had for any of my movies. Tomorrow, Friday, October 2nd, Capitalism: A Love Story opens on over a thousand screens across the United States, a record for an independent documentary.

This follows last weekend’s limited opening in New York and L.A. where Capitalism  set the box office record for the highest per screen average of ANY movie released so far this year. Not just any documentary — any MOVIE! It was, as the studio said, a good indicator of just how well the movie may do when it goes wide this weekend. I sincerely hope they’re right because I believe deeply in this film.”

To kick off the national release of Capitalism: A Love Story, Moore has asked the studio to offer a number of screenings in the nation’s hardest hit cities — the ones with the highest unemployment rates and highest foreclosure rates — where those who’ve lost their jobs or who are in foreclosure (or have already been evicted) may attend his film free of charge. The studio has agreed, and so tonight (Thursday), the night before the movie’s opening day, ten cities will grant the public free admission for those who have fallen on hard times. The list of theaters and cities are here at Michael Moore’s website. You don’t need to bring any “proof” of your situation — just show up — it’s the honor system, no questions asked.

So, if you’re going through tough times and you live in one of the areas,  ”Please be my guest tonight, on the eve of my new film’s opening. Seating will be on a first come, first served basis,” says Moore.

Check out who Miley Cyrus picks as her favorite Jonas Brother and her reaction to Kanye West and how she would have handled it if she had been in Taylor Swift’s position.

I dare my colleague, Steve who writes the reviews, to go see The Fourth Kind movie because I am sure not going to see it, too scary and real, which is the worse kind.

UFO sighting is referred to as an encounter of the first kind…
When evidence is collected, it is known as an encounter of the second kind…
Contact with extraterrestrials, is an encounter of the third kind…
The next level, abduction, is the fourth kind. This encounter has been the most difficult to document…
Until now.

I am telling myself I shouldn’t have watched this trailer at ACIN. But as curiosity goes…the trailer has spoilers. That’s why it’s so scary. The trailer says the story is true.  If this story is true, yikes! Harry Potter had a white owl too.

Perhaps this means something.

If you can’t sleep tonight after seeing this trailer, you have been warned, but if it’s any consolation, the shot of the digital clock offers a hint at what time the owl arrives – kind of freaky with actual big names attached to the movie.

THR just sent me this clip of Michael Jackson rehearsing two days before his untimely death.  The quality is not great, but I can clearly see a fit man dancing extremely well with confidence. Which brings to the table the possibility of an accidental drug overdose.  Yikes!

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science announced this week the return to ten best picture nominations for 2009 82nd Academy Awards.  In the official press release President Sid Ganis states the Academy’s reasons for going back to more than five nominations:

“After more than six decades, the Academy is returning to some of its earlier roots, when a wider field competed for the top award of the year,” said Ganis. “The final outcome, of course, will be the same – one Best Picture winner – but the race to the finish line will feature 10, not just five, great movies from 2009.

“Having 10 Best Picture nominees is going to allow Academy voters to recognize and include some of the fantastic movies that often show up in the other Oscar categories, but have been squeezed out of the race for the top prize,” commented Ganis. “I can’t wait to see what that list of ten looks like when the nominees are announced in February.”

I don’t think this decision will affect the general movie goers and those who watch the Oscars for sheer viewing pleasure.  And those who are privy to the behind-the-scenes decision making process, I am sure the Academy has made concessions for members who want to see their movies showcased even more, generating more dollars in the bank.

The Hangover kept the buzz going from last weekend’s race of the box office party against Up and pulling out as the winner until the last ticket sold on Sunday night. 

What I find interesting about the box office score is that Star Trek (PG-13) is number one in the cumulative while placing in the number five spot for the week. Will The Hangover last in the box office race as a R-rated comedy or become sober this weekend by Tony Scott’s film The Take of Pelham 123?

The trades are telling me that it’s rare that the number one and number two movies switch positions once official weekend numbers are reported on Monday. But that is what happened this weekend with The Hangover and Up. 

The trades reported that Up soared over Hangover for the number one spot at the box office. I even posted the tally yesterday.  But Sunday proved to be a very busy day at the box office even with the NBA playoffs in the wings. Thus, the final numbers changed. 

The final numbers for both films indicate Hangover grossed $45 million while Up grossed $44.3 million, meaning Hangover barely squeaked past Up, winning the weekend office score.

Images from The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus arrived on the Internet this week.  Reviews of Terry Gilliam’s film are in the trade publications.  The main excitement is that it’s the late Heath Ledger’s last movie, although Ledger died in the middle of the shooting.  I have seen some clips of his scenes and he is very good and very believable. 

Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell took Ledger’s place to finish up his work.  I have yet to see their work or images from the film.  The Hollywood Reporter’s review by Ray Bennett says it was amusing to see how Gilliam worked in the contribution of the three actors, still he wonders how charismatic Ledger would have played the roles.

The trades report that Angels & Demons is both Ron Howard’s and Tom Hank’s second highest opening day compared to The Da Vinci Code that scored $28 million.

Is the script doctor in?

Tom Cruise is one of my favorite actors.  Waiting for one of his films to be released puts me on pins and needles.  So, I get excited, to say the least, when the trades start reporting Cruise’s next film.  The excitement is getting the best of me because there are several films Cruise has been working on with script doctors.  

Here are the standings as I write this piece. Keep in mind I am bucking for The Matarese Circle because I truly feel that Denzel Washington, David Cronenberg and Tom Cruise formula makes a great film.  I’d love to see Cronenberg take on a topliner. His career is ready for this opportunity. Yet, I’d like to see Cruise star in a comedy.

This is what Variety says are the top choices for Cruise:  DreamWorks drama Motorcade, to be directed by Len Wiseman, followed by Spyglass remake The Tourist (with Charlize Theron), to be helmed by Bharat Nalluri, and Fox action comedy Wichita (with Cameron Diaz), which James Mangold will direct. Also still in the mix is MGM’s The Matarese Circle which potentially matches Cruise with Denzel Washington and helmer David Cronenberg.

Please note: Taking a screenplay to a script doctor is common practice in Hollywood.  Script doctors get paid a pretty dollar for their talent.