Actress Toni Collette discussed her journey from a working-class neighborhood in northwest Sydney to Hollywood star in a masterclass at the Doha Film Institute’s Qumra talent and project development event on Friday.
The Oscar-nominated Muriel’s Wedding, Little Miss Sunshine, Knives Out and Unbelievable acting star is among six top cinema professionals attending Qumra, alongside directors Leos Carax, Claire Denis, Atom Egoyan and Jim Sheridan as well as sound editor and designer Martin Hernández.
Colette said she had been drawn to performance from an early age, firstly through musical theatre and tap dance.
“My father said I came out of the womb with jazz hands towards the light,” she joked.
Looking back on her early career, Collette recalled how she had dropped out of Australia’s National Institute of Dramatic Art Nida after being offered the part of Sonya in a 1992 stage production of Uncle Vanya by Neil Armfield.
This...
The Oscar-nominated Muriel’s Wedding, Little Miss Sunshine, Knives Out and Unbelievable acting star is among six top cinema professionals attending Qumra, alongside directors Leos Carax, Claire Denis, Atom Egoyan and Jim Sheridan as well as sound editor and designer Martin Hernández.
Colette said she had been drawn to performance from an early age, firstly through musical theatre and tap dance.
“My father said I came out of the womb with jazz hands towards the light,” she joked.
Looking back on her early career, Collette recalled how she had dropped out of Australia’s National Institute of Dramatic Art Nida after being offered the part of Sonya in a 1992 stage production of Uncle Vanya by Neil Armfield.
This...
- 3/1/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Actress Soha Ali Khan, along with her husband Kunal Kemmu and daughter Inaaya visited the Melbourne Cricket Ground (McG), on the 82nd birth anniversary of her father and former Indian cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi.
Paying a rich tribute to her father, Soha visited one of her Abba’s favourite places to play, that is — McG, and penned a heartwarming birthday wish.
Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi also known as Tiger Pataudi was appointed India’s cricket captain at the age of 21. He was a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium pace bowler
Soha took to her Instagram handle, where she enjoys 3.7 million followers, and dropped a string of family pictures wherein she can be seen wearing a blue crop top, and paired it with white pants. Kunal opted for a black sweater and matching cargo pants.
The ‘Rang De Basanti’ actress also shared a throwback picture of her father playing cricket at McG.
Paying a rich tribute to her father, Soha visited one of her Abba’s favourite places to play, that is — McG, and penned a heartwarming birthday wish.
Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi also known as Tiger Pataudi was appointed India’s cricket captain at the age of 21. He was a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium pace bowler
Soha took to her Instagram handle, where she enjoys 3.7 million followers, and dropped a string of family pictures wherein she can be seen wearing a blue crop top, and paired it with white pants. Kunal opted for a black sweater and matching cargo pants.
The ‘Rang De Basanti’ actress also shared a throwback picture of her father playing cricket at McG.
- 1/5/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Post-pandemic audiences are much more open to different cultures, thanks to streaming and exposure to new types of content, but some of the world’s biggest film industries are still figuring out how to adapt in a rapidly changing landscape, said speakers on the ‘Cinematic Crossovers’ panel in Red Sea Souk.
Leading producers from three industries with an international footprint – Woo-sik Seo from Korea’s Barunson C&c, a subsidiary of Barunson E&a (Parasite), Dheer Momaya from India’s Jugaad Motion Pictures (Last Film Show) and Jadesola Osiberu, founder of Nigeria’s Greoh Studios (Gangs Of Lagos) – compared their business and funding models with the old world system set up by France’s Cnc and the nascent film industry in Saudi Arabia.
But they concluded by saying that, despite their success in achieving global impact, the current systems face some challenges – particularly in terms of censorship and IP ownership.
Korean reality check
Seo,...
Leading producers from three industries with an international footprint – Woo-sik Seo from Korea’s Barunson C&c, a subsidiary of Barunson E&a (Parasite), Dheer Momaya from India’s Jugaad Motion Pictures (Last Film Show) and Jadesola Osiberu, founder of Nigeria’s Greoh Studios (Gangs Of Lagos) – compared their business and funding models with the old world system set up by France’s Cnc and the nascent film industry in Saudi Arabia.
But they concluded by saying that, despite their success in achieving global impact, the current systems face some challenges – particularly in terms of censorship and IP ownership.
Korean reality check
Seo,...
- 12/6/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Taika Waititi, the filmmaker who won an adapted screenplay Oscar for “Jojo Rabbit” in 2020, has dropped a new trailer for his forthcoming sports-themed feature comedy “Next Goal Wins,” a mini-featurette that plays to the tune of Abba’s “Take A Chance On Me” and teases the film’s charming humor. The film opens in theaters on November 17, capping a lengthy delay for the project that wrapped production nearly four years ago. Watch the trailer above.
The Searchlight Pictures film, which Waititi co-wrote (with Iain Morris) as well as directed, is based on the 2014 documentary “Next Goal Wins” and tells the inspirational true story of the American Samoa soccer team, a squad “infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the World Cup qualifiers approaching, the team hires the down-on-his-luck maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around.”
Besides Fassbender, the film features Oscar Kightley,...
The Searchlight Pictures film, which Waititi co-wrote (with Iain Morris) as well as directed, is based on the 2014 documentary “Next Goal Wins” and tells the inspirational true story of the American Samoa soccer team, a squad “infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the World Cup qualifiers approaching, the team hires the down-on-his-luck maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around.”
Besides Fassbender, the film features Oscar Kightley,...
- 9/27/2023
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
The Coronation was but the warm-up event. This coming Saturday sees the UK play host to the 67th Eurovision Song Contest and venue city Liverpool is pulling out all the stops.
Sunday evening even saw local chart-toppers – from 40 years ago – Frankie Goes to Hollywood reunite after an acrimonious split in 1987. The band, responsible for huge hits ‘Relax’ and ’Two Tribes’, took to the stage at an outdoor event in Liverpool which signalled the beginning of this special Eurovision week for the city.
Frankie fans were delighted to see the band back together, although they were left bemused by them playing only one song ‘Welcome to the Pleasuredome’ before lead vocalist Holly Johnson told fans, “Bless you. Lovely to see you all,” and the band left the stage.
Ukrainian presence
The UK is playing host in place of last year’s winners Ukraine, who would traditionally host but are prevented this year by war.
Sunday evening even saw local chart-toppers – from 40 years ago – Frankie Goes to Hollywood reunite after an acrimonious split in 1987. The band, responsible for huge hits ‘Relax’ and ’Two Tribes’, took to the stage at an outdoor event in Liverpool which signalled the beginning of this special Eurovision week for the city.
Frankie fans were delighted to see the band back together, although they were left bemused by them playing only one song ‘Welcome to the Pleasuredome’ before lead vocalist Holly Johnson told fans, “Bless you. Lovely to see you all,” and the band left the stage.
Ukrainian presence
The UK is playing host in place of last year’s winners Ukraine, who would traditionally host but are prevented this year by war.
- 5/9/2023
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
We hope you had your Kleenex handy. The final episodes of Netflix’s Firefly Lane have arrived, and they packed a serious emotional punch. The time-hopping drama about the decades-long friendship between bookish and awkward Kate Mularkey (Sarah Chalke) and the outgoing and ambitious Tully Hart (Katherine Heigl) went out with a heartbreaking episode that brought the two besties’ story to a fitting close. We break down the ending of Firefly Lane Season 2 and what happened in episode 16, “This Must Be the Place.”
[Warning: This article contains major spoilers for Firefly Lane Season 2 Part 2.]
The ‘Firefly Lane’ series finale reveals Marah is the one getting married in 2016
The first half of Firefly Lane’s second (and final) season concluded with a serious teaser for the show’s last seven episodes. A flash-forward to 2016 at the end of episode nine showed Kate’s husband Johnny (Ben Lawson) and Tully preparing for a wedding at Kate and Johnny’s gorgeous waterfront home.
[Warning: This article contains major spoilers for Firefly Lane Season 2 Part 2.]
The ‘Firefly Lane’ series finale reveals Marah is the one getting married in 2016
The first half of Firefly Lane’s second (and final) season concluded with a serious teaser for the show’s last seven episodes. A flash-forward to 2016 at the end of episode nine showed Kate’s husband Johnny (Ben Lawson) and Tully preparing for a wedding at Kate and Johnny’s gorgeous waterfront home.
- 4/28/2023
- by Megan Elliott
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Edinburgh University has said it is “disappointed” after it was forced to cancel the screening of a film that examines the clash between female rights and transgender ideology.
Adult Human Female, an independent feature from Reality Matters, was due to be screened on Wednesday, but Edinburgh University halted the event after trans rights advocates staged a protest outside the Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre.
It is the second time the screening has been canceled after Ucu Edinburgh, the university union, derailed a similar event last December because it could be “detrimental to the safety and wellbeing of LGBT staff.”
Jk Rowling was among those who noted Wednesday’s cancelation, retweeting criticism from Kathleen Stock, an academic who resigned as a Sussex University professor in 2021 amid a trans rights row.
“Ucu Edinburgh, helping stop the screening of a film on their own campus. Academic freedom of thought is just of no interest to these people.
Adult Human Female, an independent feature from Reality Matters, was due to be screened on Wednesday, but Edinburgh University halted the event after trans rights advocates staged a protest outside the Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre.
It is the second time the screening has been canceled after Ucu Edinburgh, the university union, derailed a similar event last December because it could be “detrimental to the safety and wellbeing of LGBT staff.”
Jk Rowling was among those who noted Wednesday’s cancelation, retweeting criticism from Kathleen Stock, an academic who resigned as a Sussex University professor in 2021 amid a trans rights row.
“Ucu Edinburgh, helping stop the screening of a film on their own campus. Academic freedom of thought is just of no interest to these people.
- 4/27/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
In the wake of Disney’s big panel at CinemaCon today, they’ve released the trailer for their fall sports film from Searchlight Pictures, Taika Waititi’s “Next Goal Wins.”
The film, an adaptation of the sports documentary of the same name, is based on the true story of Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender), the soccer coach tasked with turning around the American Samoa national soccer team, considered one of the weakest teams in international play, in their bid to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
Waititi’s humor is on full display in the trailer, with Abba’s “Take a Chance on Me” playing throughout. As blonde Fassbender stars as Rongen, a down-on-his-luck coach engaging in the sports formula of traveling to a different country to turn a ragtag group of soccer players into champions. Waititi himself even plays on this, emphasizing his losses of an Oscar with “Jojo Rabbit...
The film, an adaptation of the sports documentary of the same name, is based on the true story of Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender), the soccer coach tasked with turning around the American Samoa national soccer team, considered one of the weakest teams in international play, in their bid to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
Waititi’s humor is on full display in the trailer, with Abba’s “Take a Chance on Me” playing throughout. As blonde Fassbender stars as Rongen, a down-on-his-luck coach engaging in the sports formula of traveling to a different country to turn a ragtag group of soccer players into champions. Waititi himself even plays on this, emphasizing his losses of an Oscar with “Jojo Rabbit...
- 4/26/2023
- by Kristen Lopez
- The Wrap
At the start of 2023, Nick Cave got angry. Angry at artificial intelligence for making a mockery of his career. Songwriting has long been associated with the inherent ability to be soulful. But now one Google search will throw up endless AI capable of making lyricism universal: Audoir for song lyrics and poetry, Jarvis for banishing writer’s block, and ChatGPT for anything, everything and more. To put it plainly, the 65-year-old singer had had enough of being simulated.
“With all the love and respect in the world, the track is bulls*** and a grotesque mockery of what it is to be human,” he responded in a blog post to a fan who’d sent him song lyrics “in the style of Nick Cave”, generated by ChatGPT.
“Songs arise out of suffering… as far as I know, algorithms don’t feel,” he added. “Data doesn’t suffer. ChatGPT has no inner being,...
“With all the love and respect in the world, the track is bulls*** and a grotesque mockery of what it is to be human,” he responded in a blog post to a fan who’d sent him song lyrics “in the style of Nick Cave”, generated by ChatGPT.
“Songs arise out of suffering… as far as I know, algorithms don’t feel,” he added. “Data doesn’t suffer. ChatGPT has no inner being,...
- 4/18/2023
- by Lydia Spencer-Elliott
- The Independent - Music
Abba have paid loving tribute to their longtime guitarist Lasse Wellander, crediting his “musical brilliance” and saying he played “an integral part in the Abba story.”
The Swedish guitarist, who died on Friday at 70, can be heard playing on hits including ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’, ‘Thank You For the Music’ and the epic ballad ‘The Winner Takes It All’.
Abba said in a statement Monday: “Lasse was a dear friend, a fun guy and a superb guitarist.”
Wellander first joined the Swedish supergroup as a session musician on their eponymous 1975 album, before becoming their main guitarist on subsequent records and joining the band on tour from 1975 to 1980. Following Abba’s split, Wellander worked with Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson on the album for the musical Chess, and he played on the soundtracks of hit musicals Mamma Mia! The Movie and its sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Besides all his in-demand session work,...
The Swedish guitarist, who died on Friday at 70, can be heard playing on hits including ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’, ‘Thank You For the Music’ and the epic ballad ‘The Winner Takes It All’.
Abba said in a statement Monday: “Lasse was a dear friend, a fun guy and a superb guitarist.”
Wellander first joined the Swedish supergroup as a session musician on their eponymous 1975 album, before becoming their main guitarist on subsequent records and joining the band on tour from 1975 to 1980. Following Abba’s split, Wellander worked with Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson on the album for the musical Chess, and he played on the soundtracks of hit musicals Mamma Mia! The Movie and its sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Besides all his in-demand session work,...
- 4/10/2023
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Abba’s long-time guitarist Lasse Wellander has died aged 70.
The news was announced by the Swedish musician’s family, who told Wellander’s fans that he had died on Good Friday (7 April) “surrounded by his loved ones”.
“It is with indescribable sadness that we have to announce that our beloved Lasse has fallen asleep,” their statement read, adding: “You were an amazing musician and humble as few, but above all you were a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather.
“Kind, safe, caring and loving... and so much more, that cannot be described in words. A hub in our lives, and it’s unbelievable that we now have to live on without you.”
The musician died of cancer.
In tribute, Abba released a statement to Pa, reading: “Lasse was a dear friend, a fun guy and a superb guitarist. The importance of his creative input in the recording studio as...
The news was announced by the Swedish musician’s family, who told Wellander’s fans that he had died on Good Friday (7 April) “surrounded by his loved ones”.
“It is with indescribable sadness that we have to announce that our beloved Lasse has fallen asleep,” their statement read, adding: “You were an amazing musician and humble as few, but above all you were a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather.
“Kind, safe, caring and loving... and so much more, that cannot be described in words. A hub in our lives, and it’s unbelievable that we now have to live on without you.”
The musician died of cancer.
In tribute, Abba released a statement to Pa, reading: “Lasse was a dear friend, a fun guy and a superb guitarist. The importance of his creative input in the recording studio as...
- 4/10/2023
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - Music
Rylan Clark will appear in a special Eurovision-themed episode of Radio 4 soap The Archers.
In an episode of the long-running radio show, Clark will stop by the fictional village of Ambridge on his way to Liverpool to judge the village’s Eurovision Variety Show.
The former X Factor star is part of this year’s Eurovision presenting team, and will be commentating on the semi-final shows alongside Scott Mills.
Clark said: “I’m looking forward to getting my wellies on and checking out what Eurovision excitement Ambridge’s residents have to offer as I pop into the iconic Archers.
“I’ve seen some drama throughout my time but nothing compares to what’s about to unfold in Ambridge.”
The episode will air on Friday 12 May, ahead of the Eurovision final in Liverpool on Saturday 13 May.
The Archers editor Jeremy Howe said: “We’re delighted to have Rylan stop over in...
In an episode of the long-running radio show, Clark will stop by the fictional village of Ambridge on his way to Liverpool to judge the village’s Eurovision Variety Show.
The former X Factor star is part of this year’s Eurovision presenting team, and will be commentating on the semi-final shows alongside Scott Mills.
Clark said: “I’m looking forward to getting my wellies on and checking out what Eurovision excitement Ambridge’s residents have to offer as I pop into the iconic Archers.
“I’ve seen some drama throughout my time but nothing compares to what’s about to unfold in Ambridge.”
The episode will air on Friday 12 May, ahead of the Eurovision final in Liverpool on Saturday 13 May.
The Archers editor Jeremy Howe said: “We’re delighted to have Rylan stop over in...
- 4/5/2023
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
David Walliams was among those vying for Britain’s spot at the next Eurovision Song Contest in a comedy sketch for the BBC’s Comic Relief broadcast.
After performing “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor in a tight leather suit, judges Graham Norton, Lulu and Sam Ryder declared that Walliams had failed to secure the gig.
Upon hearing their verdict, the comedy actor approached the judge’s table and placed a gold, Britain’s Got Talent buzzer on it.
“Well, you might not have liked it but I loved it,” Walliams said, hitting the buzzer, prompting a stream of confetti to fall around him. “Yes! I’m through to the live Eurovision final!” he declared.
“He’s not even on that show anymore,” a bemused Norton said.
It was an odd choice for the sketch considering Walliams was so recently replaced on the ITV talent show after a leaked set recording...
After performing “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor in a tight leather suit, judges Graham Norton, Lulu and Sam Ryder declared that Walliams had failed to secure the gig.
Upon hearing their verdict, the comedy actor approached the judge’s table and placed a gold, Britain’s Got Talent buzzer on it.
“Well, you might not have liked it but I loved it,” Walliams said, hitting the buzzer, prompting a stream of confetti to fall around him. “Yes! I’m through to the live Eurovision final!” he declared.
“He’s not even on that show anymore,” a bemused Norton said.
It was an odd choice for the sketch considering Walliams was so recently replaced on the ITV talent show after a leaked set recording...
- 3/18/2023
- by Tom Murray
- The Independent - TV
David Walliams was among those vying for Britain’s spot at the next Eurovision Song Contest in a comedy sketch for the BBC’s Comic Relief broadcast.
After performing “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor in a tight leather suit, judges Graham Norton, Lulu and Sam Ryder declared that Walliams had failed to secure the gig.
Upon hearing their verdict, the comedy actor approached the judge’s table and placed a gold, Britain’s Got Talent buzzer on it.
“Well, you might not have liked it but I loved it,” Walliams said, hitting the buzzer, prompting a stream of confetti to fall around him. “Yes! I’m through to the live Eurovision final!” he declared.
“He’s not even on that show anymore,” a bemused Norton said.
It was an odd choice for the sketch considering Walliams was so recently replaced on the ITV talent show after a leaked set recording...
After performing “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor in a tight leather suit, judges Graham Norton, Lulu and Sam Ryder declared that Walliams had failed to secure the gig.
Upon hearing their verdict, the comedy actor approached the judge’s table and placed a gold, Britain’s Got Talent buzzer on it.
“Well, you might not have liked it but I loved it,” Walliams said, hitting the buzzer, prompting a stream of confetti to fall around him. “Yes! I’m through to the live Eurovision final!” he declared.
“He’s not even on that show anymore,” a bemused Norton said.
It was an odd choice for the sketch considering Walliams was so recently replaced on the ITV talent show after a leaked set recording...
- 3/17/2023
- by Tom Murray
- The Independent - TV
Mike Shinoda wouldn’t want to perform with a hologram of Linkin Park’s late lead vocalist Chester Bennington.
Bennington died by suicide in July 2017, and his death is, understandably, “a very sensitive subject,” Shinoda said.
In a new interview with 94.5 The Buzz, Shinoda shared when talking about performing with holograms: “I feel like those are creepy. Even if we weren’t talking about us, if we weren’t talking about Chester, which is a very sensitive subject, and we would have our feelings about how we would represent that.
“For me, that’s a clear no. I’m not into that.”
Read More: Chester Bennington’s Widow Honours Late Linkin Park Frontman On 45th Birthday
Talk turned to Abba’s “Voyage” show in London, U.K., with fans paying to watch holograms perform on stage.
Insisting that’s different than performing when a band member has passed away, Shinoda shared,...
Bennington died by suicide in July 2017, and his death is, understandably, “a very sensitive subject,” Shinoda said.
In a new interview with 94.5 The Buzz, Shinoda shared when talking about performing with holograms: “I feel like those are creepy. Even if we weren’t talking about us, if we weren’t talking about Chester, which is a very sensitive subject, and we would have our feelings about how we would represent that.
“For me, that’s a clear no. I’m not into that.”
Read More: Chester Bennington’s Widow Honours Late Linkin Park Frontman On 45th Birthday
Talk turned to Abba’s “Voyage” show in London, U.K., with fans paying to watch holograms perform on stage.
Insisting that’s different than performing when a band member has passed away, Shinoda shared,...
- 3/16/2023
- by Becca Longmire
- ET Canada
Saim Sadiq’s film explores the unsettled social and sexual identities of a widower and his children with delicacy and tenderness
The right way to feel love, and the right way to feel part of a family, are the insoluble difficulties at the heart of this mysterious, sad and tender movie from Pakistan, a drama brimming with life and novelistic detail, directed by the first-time film-maker Saim Sadiq. He has been rewarded with the Un Certain Regard jury prize at Cannes, an official entry-shortlisting for the Academy Awards (though not a final nomination), and derision and censorship from Pakistan’s sterner political classes for his film’s supposed sexual immorality.
It is the story of an extended family in Lahore. Rana Amanullah, or “Abba” (Salmaan Peerzada), is an elderly widower in a wheelchair who presides over a large clan in a cramped apartment, near an amusement park called Joyland. One son,...
The right way to feel love, and the right way to feel part of a family, are the insoluble difficulties at the heart of this mysterious, sad and tender movie from Pakistan, a drama brimming with life and novelistic detail, directed by the first-time film-maker Saim Sadiq. He has been rewarded with the Un Certain Regard jury prize at Cannes, an official entry-shortlisting for the Academy Awards (though not a final nomination), and derision and censorship from Pakistan’s sterner political classes for his film’s supposed sexual immorality.
It is the story of an extended family in Lahore. Rana Amanullah, or “Abba” (Salmaan Peerzada), is an elderly widower in a wheelchair who presides over a large clan in a cramped apartment, near an amusement park called Joyland. One son,...
- 2/22/2023
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
The 65th Grammy Awards take place on Sunday 5 February, with music fans preparing for the rematch of the century: Adele vs Beyoncé.
Both artists are up for Album of the Year, six years after Adele took home the top prize for her third record, 25. The win over Beyoncé’s critically adored surprise album Lemonade was highly controversial; Adele herself famously declared that Beyoncé deserved the prize during her acceptance speech.
This year, the British singer is competing with her record-obliterating fourth album, 30, released in 2021. A four-star review in The Independent praised the songs as “handsomely crafted ballads about love and its various agonies”, with Adele’s voice, as ever, the main draw. “Adele possesses that perfectly imperfect voice, gargantuan and frail all at once,” critic Annabel Nugent wrote. “It’s epic without resorting to showy, melismatic affectations. It yawns into unexpected shapes and makes intonation fun.”
Beyoncé, meanwhile, surprised fans...
Both artists are up for Album of the Year, six years after Adele took home the top prize for her third record, 25. The win over Beyoncé’s critically adored surprise album Lemonade was highly controversial; Adele herself famously declared that Beyoncé deserved the prize during her acceptance speech.
This year, the British singer is competing with her record-obliterating fourth album, 30, released in 2021. A four-star review in The Independent praised the songs as “handsomely crafted ballads about love and its various agonies”, with Adele’s voice, as ever, the main draw. “Adele possesses that perfectly imperfect voice, gargantuan and frail all at once,” critic Annabel Nugent wrote. “It’s epic without resorting to showy, melismatic affectations. It yawns into unexpected shapes and makes intonation fun.”
Beyoncé, meanwhile, surprised fans...
- 2/4/2023
- by Roisin O'Connor
- The Independent - Music
In a new set of pictures that have emerged on the Internet, Taimur Ali Khan can be seen in the company of his father within the confines of an airplane. Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan’s sister Saba Pataudi took to her Instagram on Saturday to share the adorable pic of the father-son duo.
She wrote in the caption, “My Turn. Says #timtim. To sit on Abba’s lap”.
In the pictures, Taimur could be seen sitting on the lap of his father in casual outfits.
Soon after Saba shared the pictures, fans flooded the comment section with red heart emoticons.
One fan wrote, “Mashallah Gorgeous pic.”
“God bless,” another fan commented.
Saif and Kareena tied the knot on October 16, 2012 and in 2016, the two became parents to Taimur. Their younger son Jeh was born on February 21, 2021.
She wrote in the caption, “My Turn. Says #timtim. To sit on Abba’s lap”.
In the pictures, Taimur could be seen sitting on the lap of his father in casual outfits.
Soon after Saba shared the pictures, fans flooded the comment section with red heart emoticons.
One fan wrote, “Mashallah Gorgeous pic.”
“God bless,” another fan commented.
Saif and Kareena tied the knot on October 16, 2012 and in 2016, the two became parents to Taimur. Their younger son Jeh was born on February 21, 2021.
- 1/28/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
Strictly Come Dancing is set to pay tribute to the BBC’s 100 years this weekend.
The main show on Saturday (22 October) will see each couple dance to a theme tune to a BBC show, or a song heavily featured on the broadcast network.
This will mark the first time that Strictly has based its entire week’s theme on the corporation.
The episode will begin with a group number that will show the Strictly professionals and judges gate crash some of the BBC’s best-known shows.
With several of this year’s celebrity contenders being stars of BBC shows, this week’s theme will feature some of them dancing to the songs that have been a large part of their careers.
James Bye, who plays Martin Fowler in EastEnders, will dance the foxtrot with Amy Dowden to the soap’s theme tune.
Wildlife presenter and cameraman Hamza Yassin, who achieved...
The main show on Saturday (22 October) will see each couple dance to a theme tune to a BBC show, or a song heavily featured on the broadcast network.
This will mark the first time that Strictly has based its entire week’s theme on the corporation.
The episode will begin with a group number that will show the Strictly professionals and judges gate crash some of the BBC’s best-known shows.
With several of this year’s celebrity contenders being stars of BBC shows, this week’s theme will feature some of them dancing to the songs that have been a large part of their careers.
James Bye, who plays Martin Fowler in EastEnders, will dance the foxtrot with Amy Dowden to the soap’s theme tune.
Wildlife presenter and cameraman Hamza Yassin, who achieved...
- 10/17/2022
- by Nicole Vassell
- The Independent - TV
"Voulez-Vous" some more ABBA music? Are you saying "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" right now? ABBA is making a comeback here in 2018, preparing to release new music for the first time in 35 years. And we're so happy, we can't stop making puns!
The news comes a year and a half after the Swedish pop quartet — which includes Benny Andersson, 71, Agnetha Fältskog, 68, Björn Ulvaeus, 73, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, 72 — announced they would be reuniting for a live "entertainment experience" through virtual reality avatars.
And that VR experience inspired the new music!
The news comes a year and a half after the Swedish pop quartet — which includes Benny Andersson, 71, Agnetha Fältskog, 68, Björn Ulvaeus, 73, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, 72 — announced they would be reuniting for a live "entertainment experience" through virtual reality avatars.
And that VR experience inspired the new music!
- 4/27/2018
- by Dan Clarendon
- Closer Weekly
Amanda Holden wants Abba played at her funeral. The 'Britain's Got Talent' judge has already started thinking about when she pops her clogs and has written in her will that she wants the Swedish pop group's 1976 upbeat hit 'Dancing Queen' blasting out the speakers when she's laid to rest. After watching an act performing the track at an audition for the talent show in London over the weekend, the blonde beauty made the morbid revelation: ''That is my all-time favourite song. I have it written in my will that I want that song playing when I am lowered into my...
- 1/25/2016
- Virgin Media - TV
Ridley Scott’s adaptation of “The Martian” stays rather true to the novel that inspired the movie. But for you fans of the book about an astronaut stranded on Mars, you may still be wondering about some parts of the book that were altered for the movie. Specifically, we’re betting you’re curious about what happened to astronaut Mark Watney’s Aquaman quip, Beth’s shocking conversation with her dad, and that memorable first line of the book. Earlier this week, HitFix presented you with our Andy Weir Q&A about his book largely free of spoilers about just how the movie adaptation plays out. Now that you’ve had a chance to see the film (which opened in theaters yesterday), here’s more of what the software engineer-turned-bestselling author had to say about the movie: Spoilers For “The Martian” Book And Movie Lie Ahead! On the book moment...
- 10/3/2015
- by Emily Rome
- Hitfix
If we can get over Billy Joel being kind of a creep, we can look to his fun song catalog. Ok, I've just pored over the Billy Joel songbook and I have a different conclusion than the word "fun." It can be fun, yes, but it's not completely malleable to everyone. Honestly, I feel a little annoyed and exhausted by Billy Joel as a theme week. It just doesn't make sense for so many of the contestants. It barely makes sense in a singing competition.
But they have to choose Something. If it was good enough to make a mostly-dancing Broadway musical out of, it's good enough for American Idol I suppose. Why can't we do an Abba week? It just seems like more of a challenge for the band than the singers. Here's what I'll pick for them, albeit at times an arbitrary choice.
But they have to choose Something. If it was good enough to make a mostly-dancing Broadway musical out of, it's good enough for American Idol I suppose. Why can't we do an Abba week? It just seems like more of a challenge for the band than the singers. Here's what I'll pick for them, albeit at times an arbitrary choice.
- 3/19/2012
- by editor@buddytv.com
- buddytv.com
Given how bad the last few season of American Idol were, and the new addition of The Voice into our infinite and hungry DVR abyss, it wouldn’t surprise me in the last if many of you have given up on Idol completely. And you’re not completely wrong. They’re already down to 12 contestants, now 11 given that Jermaine Jones was booted from the finalists for lying about outstanding arrest warrants. (Is being a lovable giant bear illegal where he is from? No thank you.) But seeing as it’s still fairly early in the season, Fox is cranking out two-hour long performance shows followed by an hour long results show every week. Three hours of your time that could be spent doing something else, like filing or listening to Abba in the dark. So rather than recap the entire episode, why not save both of us some much needed...
- 3/15/2012
- by Michelle Collins
- BestWeekEver
I thought I knew everything about the Academy Awards, but the ceremony is only the tip of the iceberg. The real action happens at the after-parties
By the time I left my hotel room for the after-parties, I had been watching the Oscars on TV for, by my reckoning, seven hours. Pre-red carpet coverage, red carpet coverage, post-red carpet pundit discussion: that kind of stuff takes hours on American TV, and that's before the ceremony itself is close to starting. My eyes felt radioactive and square, which is perhaps not quite as good a party-eye look as smoky and sultry.
But even seven hours is a serious understatement. I have been watching the Oscars for decades. I love the Oscars. After enough to drink – say, one orange juice – I will happily do, from memory, a rendition of Billy Crystal's opening montage from 1991 ("I'll tell Nick Nolte 'Stand there!' Tight on my legs,...
By the time I left my hotel room for the after-parties, I had been watching the Oscars on TV for, by my reckoning, seven hours. Pre-red carpet coverage, red carpet coverage, post-red carpet pundit discussion: that kind of stuff takes hours on American TV, and that's before the ceremony itself is close to starting. My eyes felt radioactive and square, which is perhaps not quite as good a party-eye look as smoky and sultry.
But even seven hours is a serious understatement. I have been watching the Oscars for decades. I love the Oscars. After enough to drink – say, one orange juice – I will happily do, from memory, a rendition of Billy Crystal's opening montage from 1991 ("I'll tell Nick Nolte 'Stand there!' Tight on my legs,...
- 2/28/2012
- by Hadley Freeman
- The Guardian - Film News
The ultra-starry cast for the upcoming feature film version of the international smash musical sensation Les Miserables finally got one step closer to finding its Eponine and Cossette this week, as offers have gone out to pop music superstar Taylor Swift and breakout screen starlet Amanda Seyfried for the hotly anticipated Tom Hooper adaptation of the tuner which will also star Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe as Jean Valjean and Javert, respectively, Anne Hathaway as Fantine and Tony-winner Eddie Redmayne as Marius. While Seyfried is perhaps best known to Broadway babies for her lovable and memorable turn in the role of Meryl Streeps daughter in the Abba jukebox movie musical Mamma Mia, Swift has displayed her ample affection for all things theatrical with her recent Broadway-themed Speak Now tour as well as her memorable appearance on Saturday Night Live and on concert stages around the world. Both ladies certainly have...
- 1/7/2012
- by Pat Cerasaro
- BroadwayWorld.com
“We got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark and we’re wearing sunglasses….Hit it!!!”
That immortal line was one of the many attributes which helped The Blue Brothers attain the status of cult classic before such a term was commonly discussed and debated about. It’s also a film whose iconic poster adorned the walls of student residences across the land well before likes of Transpotting and Pulp Fiction infiltrated the scene.
Turning two key members of the Saturday Night Live alumni, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, into fully-fledged movie stars, and further cementing the reputation of director, John Landis (who had scored a huge hit the previous year with Animal House), the film still has its many fans and followers some thirty plus years since its initial cinema release.
Now out on Blu-Ray, we recently caught up with Landis to...
That immortal line was one of the many attributes which helped The Blue Brothers attain the status of cult classic before such a term was commonly discussed and debated about. It’s also a film whose iconic poster adorned the walls of student residences across the land well before likes of Transpotting and Pulp Fiction infiltrated the scene.
Turning two key members of the Saturday Night Live alumni, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, into fully-fledged movie stars, and further cementing the reputation of director, John Landis (who had scored a huge hit the previous year with Animal House), the film still has its many fans and followers some thirty plus years since its initial cinema release.
Now out on Blu-Ray, we recently caught up with Landis to...
- 9/5/2011
- by Adam Lowes
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
At Saturday night's Eurovision Song Contest, a trippy X Factor-meets-Idol sing-off, performers will compete in one of Europe's strangest annual exports. To catch up on the contest's 54-year history, Watch Video of the oddest performances yet.
Less Cowbell, Please!
Related story on The Daily Beast: Who's Behind the Turkish Sex Tapes?
Since the competition began in 1956, singers chosen by their respective countries have gained notoriety with campy and strange performances on Eurovision. The Swedish pop group Abba had its breakthrough moment when it won the 1974 competition with the future hit "Waterloo," and later Celine Dion won the 1988 contest for Switzerland before taking the world by storm. While Germany's Guildo Horn didn't quite achieve international stardom with his 1998 performance of "Guildo Hat Euch Lieb," aka "Guildo Loves You," he triggered Guildo fever in his home country with the song. In the performance, which took seventh place, Horn parades around the stage in a cape,...
Less Cowbell, Please!
Related story on The Daily Beast: Who's Behind the Turkish Sex Tapes?
Since the competition began in 1956, singers chosen by their respective countries have gained notoriety with campy and strange performances on Eurovision. The Swedish pop group Abba had its breakthrough moment when it won the 1974 competition with the future hit "Waterloo," and later Celine Dion won the 1988 contest for Switzerland before taking the world by storm. While Germany's Guildo Horn didn't quite achieve international stardom with his 1998 performance of "Guildo Hat Euch Lieb," aka "Guildo Loves You," he triggered Guildo fever in his home country with the song. In the performance, which took seventh place, Horn parades around the stage in a cape,...
- 5/14/2011
- by Alex Berg
- The Daily Beast
You can't spit on the host and then show up with your B game. Kanye West knows this, which is why his pair of performances on this weekend's "Saturday Night Live" were among the most arresting in the show's 30-plus year history. You might recall that West took a hard shot at the long-running late night staple on his single "Power," unfavorably name-checking the sketch comedy show with the line "F--- 'SNL' and the whole cast. Tell 'em Yeezy said they can kiss my whole ass."
But when he showed up to perform the song on Saturday (October 2), Kanye paid the biggest compliment he could to the show: He delivered one of his typically eye-popping visual spectacles, one which will undoubtedly go down in the books. And keep in mind, everybody has played on SNL, from U2 and Abba, to Frank Zappa, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Queen, R.E.M., Public Enemy,...
But when he showed up to perform the song on Saturday (October 2), Kanye paid the biggest compliment he could to the show: He delivered one of his typically eye-popping visual spectacles, one which will undoubtedly go down in the books. And keep in mind, everybody has played on SNL, from U2 and Abba, to Frank Zappa, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Queen, R.E.M., Public Enemy,...
- 10/4/2010
- by Gil Kaufman
- MTV Newsroom
Simon Cowell has reportedly complied a list of popular songs that this years X Factor wannabes are banned from performing.
The News Of The World reports that Simon Cowell is worried that the public will be bored by the same songs being performed repeatedly and has ordered that the contestants and mentors think outside the box when the show returns this month.
This list of forbidden songs includes Kings Of Leon ‘Sex On Fire’ and Jason Mraz ‘I’m Yours’, but noticeably misses out the classic song ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow,’ which has been performed on the live shows by Leona Lewis, Shayne Ward, Laura White and Stacey Solomon to name a few.
A source said: “This is about people’s real honesty and personality. It’s about them and their stage presence.”
The list of banned songs is:
Kings of Leon – ‘Sex on Fire’
Jason Mraz – ‘I’m Yours...
The News Of The World reports that Simon Cowell is worried that the public will be bored by the same songs being performed repeatedly and has ordered that the contestants and mentors think outside the box when the show returns this month.
This list of forbidden songs includes Kings Of Leon ‘Sex On Fire’ and Jason Mraz ‘I’m Yours’, but noticeably misses out the classic song ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow,’ which has been performed on the live shows by Leona Lewis, Shayne Ward, Laura White and Stacey Solomon to name a few.
A source said: “This is about people’s real honesty and personality. It’s about them and their stage presence.”
The list of banned songs is:
Kings of Leon – ‘Sex on Fire’
Jason Mraz – ‘I’m Yours...
- 8/9/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
The world continues to talk about Lady Gaga's video for "Alejandro," her latest and most provocative foray into the music video universe. It's an incredibly graphic, dark clip that features all sorts of religious imagery, out-of-this-world fashion and Madonna references. "Alejandro" has also elevated the name "Alejandro" to new heights.
But Gaga also references gentlemen named Fernando and Roberto in the song (which, if you remember, won the 2010 MTV Summer Jam poll), which begs the question: Even though the song is called "Alejandro," does the track also introduce the most famous men named Roberto and Fernando? Let's take a look.
Roberto
Roberto Benigni: Famous Italian film actor and director who won three Academy Awards for his work on "Life is Beautiful" (including Best Actor and Best Foreign Film). Famously told the Oscar audience that he wanted to make love to them all during one of his acceptance speeches.
But Gaga also references gentlemen named Fernando and Roberto in the song (which, if you remember, won the 2010 MTV Summer Jam poll), which begs the question: Even though the song is called "Alejandro," does the track also introduce the most famous men named Roberto and Fernando? Let's take a look.
Roberto
Roberto Benigni: Famous Italian film actor and director who won three Academy Awards for his work on "Life is Beautiful" (including Best Actor and Best Foreign Film). Famously told the Oscar audience that he wanted to make love to them all during one of his acceptance speeches.
- 6/10/2010
- by Kyle Anderson
- MTV Newsroom
Lena from Germany performs her song Enlarge Photo Lena from Germany performs her song "Satellite" after winning the Eurovision Song Contest final in...Nineteen-year-old German Lena won the 55th Eurovision song contest with the British-styled pop number "Satellite" on Saturday, beating 24 other contestants in one of Europe's most watched TV programmes.Lena, the second German winner of Eurovision, was an unknown before she won Germany's qualifiers for the contest and delighted the crowd in the Norwegian capital Oslo with her youthful and energetic personality."This is so absolutely awesome. I feel that this is not real," said the teenager, whose full non-stage name is Lena Mayer-Landrut."I'm kind of freaking out. This feels incredibly good."Eurovision, which drew 124 million viewers last year, parades a wide array of musical styles in original songs, mostly from relatively unknown artists.In the self-proclaimed European song championships,...
- 5/29/2010
- Filmicafe
Will the folks at Glee hurry up and book Chris Klein on the show already? Behold, a video purporting to be Klein's audition for the 2008 Abba-driven musical Mamma Mia!; frankly, we have no idea how he failed to make the cut. (It's the American Pie stigma, isn't it?) Let its melodiousness coat your ear canals like nectar. Bask in Klein's vocal prowess. And just hope that, when American Idol is lining up musical mentors for next season, they make the right call:...
- 5/17/2010
- by Celebuzz
- Celebuzz.com
New York (AP) — If it worked for Abba, why not the Spice Girls? Producer Judy Craymer says her company will create and produce a new stage musical based on the songs of the girl-power group whose recordings have sold more than 75 million copies. The show is tentatively titled, "Viva Forever." No production timetable was announced Thursday. Craymer will produce "Viva Forever" with "American Idol" creator Simon Fuller, who has managed Kelly Clarkson, Annie Lennox, Carrie Underwood and the Spice Girls. Craymer produced both the stage and screen versions of "Mamma Mia!" The musical featuring Abba songs has been a...
- 1/21/2010
- by Associated Press
- Hitfix
Broadway already has a dancing queen, but it's about to get some spice. With musicals based on the music of Abba, the Four Seasons and Billy Joel already making a splash on the Great White Way, it was only a matter of time before theatergoers got what they wanted, what they really, really wanted. Viva Forever, a new musical based on the music of—you guessed it—the Spice Girls, is headed our way. Judy Craymer, who produced both the film and stage versions of Mamma Mia!, has teamed with the infamous girl group, Universal Music and American Idol mastermind Simon Fuller's new company, Xix. Like the Abba show, this theater entry will tell its own story rather than be a tribute to the artists...
- 1/21/2010
- E! Online
Sad about the Glee hiatus? Impatient for the return of American Idol? NBC is hoping to capitalize on this situation with The Sing-Off, a Nick Lachey-hosted reality competition in which eight a cappella teams compete for $100,000 and a recording contract. EW has an exclusive peek at the set list for tonight's two-hour premiere, which begins at 8 p.m. Check it out: Opening all-group number: "Under Pressure," Queen/David Bowie "Unwritten," Natasha Bedingfield "I’m Yours," Jason Mraz "Watcha Say," Jason Derulo "Magical Mystery Tour," The Beatles "Dancin’ Queen," Abba "Somebody to Love," Queen "Livin’ On A Prayer," Bon Jovi "Think,...
- 12/14/2009
- by Dan Snierson
- EW - Inside Movies
Frontman talks about lending 'Pick U Up' to 'American Idol' runner-up's debut album.
By Kyle Anderson
Weezer's Rivers Cuomo
Photo: MTV News
There's no mistaking a Weezer song: the faux-metal riffs, big hooks, infectious choruses and Rivers Cuomo's sweet, slightly nasal croon. Cuomo has spent a career crafting these quirky pop songs that leap across genre boundaries, which is why it makes perfect sense that he would collaborate with "American Idol" runner-up and erstwhile glam rocker Adam Lambert. Cuomo wrote a song for Lambert for his upcoming debut album, For Your Entertainment.
"I wrote a song called 'Pick U Up' for Weezer. It's one of my favorite songs I ever wrote. For some reason, Weezer didn't want to record it for Raditude," Cuomo told MTV News, referencing his band's new album, which hit stores Tuesday (November 3). "I figured it would end up on the next record and it just didn't fit this time around.
By Kyle Anderson
Weezer's Rivers Cuomo
Photo: MTV News
There's no mistaking a Weezer song: the faux-metal riffs, big hooks, infectious choruses and Rivers Cuomo's sweet, slightly nasal croon. Cuomo has spent a career crafting these quirky pop songs that leap across genre boundaries, which is why it makes perfect sense that he would collaborate with "American Idol" runner-up and erstwhile glam rocker Adam Lambert. Cuomo wrote a song for Lambert for his upcoming debut album, For Your Entertainment.
"I wrote a song called 'Pick U Up' for Weezer. It's one of my favorite songs I ever wrote. For some reason, Weezer didn't want to record it for Raditude," Cuomo told MTV News, referencing his band's new album, which hit stores Tuesday (November 3). "I figured it would end up on the next record and it just didn't fit this time around.
- 11/3/2009
- MTV Music News
There's a lot of news to digest here, so let's start with the highlights: Keanu Reeves is starring in a web series. It's called Spärhusen and is actually a spin-off of Ikea-backed Easy to Assemble. It's part of a 7-show slate of web series from My Damn Channel premiering October 8, 2009. You know the medium is growing up when we get news of not only another A-lister headlining a web series, but the fact that it's a spinoff of another web series. Keanu Reeves is starring in Spärhusen, a spinoff series about fictional Swedish rock band of the same name that despite oozing musical talent, never quite hit the Abba level. It actually came out of an episode of Easy to Assemble from last season. For the first season, Spärhusen is basically a Behind the Music look at the "in-studio tensions" from the recording sessions of the band’s 1972 single "Apples & Fish.
- 9/14/2009
- by Marc Hustvedt
- Tubefilter.com
The third and final batch of 12 hopefuls in "American Idol", are giving their last shot to vie for a stool in the Top 12. Performing on Tuesday, March 3 are the candidate who replaces disqualified Joanna Pacitti, the blind guy and mother of three who wants to get her family back to their feet after tornado demolished their house.
First in line is Von Smith who has a rather extravagant stage act while in audition rounds. He sings Marvin Gaye's "You All I Need to Get By", and apparently struggles not to scream by making his voice softer. The judges love it, with Simon Cowell commenting, "You remind me of Clay Aiken".
Taylor Vaifanua is only 17 but she is taller than anybody there. She is up next, singing Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You". Kara DioGuardi thinks the performance doesn't show her personality and Randy Jackson says it straightforwardly,...
First in line is Von Smith who has a rather extravagant stage act while in audition rounds. He sings Marvin Gaye's "You All I Need to Get By", and apparently struggles not to scream by making his voice softer. The judges love it, with Simon Cowell commenting, "You remind me of Clay Aiken".
Taylor Vaifanua is only 17 but she is taller than anybody there. She is up next, singing Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You". Kara DioGuardi thinks the performance doesn't show her personality and Randy Jackson says it straightforwardly,...
- 3/4/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
The BBC has confirmed that gay comic Graham Norton will be stepping into the sparkly hosting shoes of the Gayest Show on Earth, the Eurovision Song Contest.
Graham takes over for Sir Terry Wogan, who has hosted the show for a whopping 35 years. Last year Wogan notably made critical comments following the poor voter turnout for UK acts this past year, saying that the contest was no longer about music but about who can dial more telephones. Sound familiar, American Idol?
Upon the announcement of his succession, Norton commented, "I can't wait to get to Moscow. With a combination of cheap vodka and a language barrier what could possibly go wrong?" With that attitude (and his trademark razor-sharp wit), the music competition that launched Abba in to the global consciousness just got a much-needed shot in the arse.
- 12/5/2008
- by brian
- The Backlot
Los Angeles -- You can't keep 'em down. The blockbusters of summer, led by Universal's musical miracle "Mamma Mia!" persisted as the top draws at overseas multiplexes during a period without any semblance of new competition.
The stage-to-film adaptation featuring the music of '70s Swedish pop stars Abba dominated the international market for a second weekend, pulling in $19.5 million from 4,434 locations in 43 markets for an eye-catching foreign gross of $309 million. At the same time, "Mamma Mia!" solidified its position as the top-grossing movie musical of all time in the overseas market and has more than doubled its domestic take of $139.2 million.
Sony's "Hancock," a major overseas force from late June through most of July, returned to the fray after a short siesta, taking in $10.6 million over the weekend from 1,425 screens in 31 markets, fueled mostly by an $8 million opening from 678 screens in Italy.
Universal's comic book adaptation "Wanted," slowly winding up its overseas run,...
The stage-to-film adaptation featuring the music of '70s Swedish pop stars Abba dominated the international market for a second weekend, pulling in $19.5 million from 4,434 locations in 43 markets for an eye-catching foreign gross of $309 million. At the same time, "Mamma Mia!" solidified its position as the top-grossing movie musical of all time in the overseas market and has more than doubled its domestic take of $139.2 million.
Sony's "Hancock," a major overseas force from late June through most of July, returned to the fray after a short siesta, taking in $10.6 million over the weekend from 1,425 screens in 31 markets, fueled mostly by an $8 million opening from 678 screens in Italy.
Universal's comic book adaptation "Wanted," slowly winding up its overseas run,...
- 9/15/2008
- by By Hy Hollinger
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Toronto -- Mamma Mia! That's some overseas business.
Universal's Abba musical adaptation earned the No. 1 spot on the overseas circuit for the second frame running with an estimated $17.5 million take from 4,296 screens in 44 territories during the weekend.
"Mamma Mia!" opened on top in France, with an estimated $2.4 million from 462 screens; Belgium, with $1 million from 55 dates; and Mexico, with $850,000 at 294 dates.
The movie's international cume is $307 million.
Holdovers include Korea, with $3.4 million in its second stanza bringing its local total to $9.5 million, and Britain, where "Mamma Mia!" pulled in $1.9 million at 444 dates for a 66-day count of $116 million.
"Mamma Mia!" has another 15 markets to launch, including Italy on Oct. 3 and Japan on Jan. 30.
Placing No. 2 overall was Sony Pictures' "Hancock," which drew an estimated $10 million on 1,540 screens in 34 markets to bring its international total to $375.2 million. A No. 1 opening in Italy pulled in an estimated $7.4 million on 678 screens for the Will Smith starrer.
Universal's Abba musical adaptation earned the No. 1 spot on the overseas circuit for the second frame running with an estimated $17.5 million take from 4,296 screens in 44 territories during the weekend.
"Mamma Mia!" opened on top in France, with an estimated $2.4 million from 462 screens; Belgium, with $1 million from 55 dates; and Mexico, with $850,000 at 294 dates.
The movie's international cume is $307 million.
Holdovers include Korea, with $3.4 million in its second stanza bringing its local total to $9.5 million, and Britain, where "Mamma Mia!" pulled in $1.9 million at 444 dates for a 66-day count of $116 million.
"Mamma Mia!" has another 15 markets to launch, including Italy on Oct. 3 and Japan on Jan. 30.
Placing No. 2 overall was Sony Pictures' "Hancock," which drew an estimated $10 million on 1,540 screens in 34 markets to bring its international total to $375.2 million. A No. 1 opening in Italy pulled in an estimated $7.4 million on 678 screens for the Will Smith starrer.
- 9/14/2008
- by By Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Universal's "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" triumphed at the international boxoffice over the weekend, seizing the No. 1 spot for the second consecutive stanza with an estimated $56.1 million from 6,453 screens in 49 territories.
The China-set adventure thriller has nearly doubled its domestic gross to date, racking up an overseas cume so far of $141.1 million. Finishing No. 1 in 16 of 22 new territories, "Mummy" racked up notably muscular debut tallies in France ($5 million from 572 sites), Germany ($6.6 million from 650 locations) and Taiwan ($3.6 million from just 91 locations for an amazing per-screen average of $39,560).
"Mummy" easily bested the weekend's No. 2 title, Warners' "The Dark Knight," which registered $35.1 million from 7,000 screens in 56 markets. The latest Batman adventure has grossed $263.1 million overseas so far, a sum far outpaced by its domestic cume of $441.5 million.
"Dark Knight" opened at No. 1 in Korea, garnering $6.9 million over five days from 461 situations for a per-screen average of nearly $15,000. In Japan, it debuted at No. 2 -- behind Toho's "Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea" from renowned animator Hayao Miyazaki -- with an estimated $3 million (previews included) from 460 situations. The film opens this week in Spain, France and Russia.
Sony's stoner action-comedy "Pineapple Express," the weekend's No. 2 domestic title, opened at No. 4 in Australia with an estimated $1.1 million from 195 screens.
The weekend's No. 3 title, Pixar/Disney's "Wall-E," had No. 1 openings in Spain, Korea and Venezuela, grossing an estimated $18.1 million from 3,177 screens in 28 territories and moving its international cume to $121.6 million. Worldwide, the tally is $331.6 million. Spain, the biggest of the new markets, registered $4.7 million from 498 sites for a feisty $9,438 per-screen average.
Finishing fourth was Universal's "Mamma Mia!" which continued like gangbusters overseas -- the buoyant musical has grossed nearly $70 million more internationally than it has domestically -- with a weekend take of $14.7 million from 2,400 screens in 24 markets. The overseas cume is $173.4 million (versus $104 million domestic).
Starring Meryl Streep and featuring an array of Abba songs, "Mamma Mia!" remains very strong in the U.K., where it ranked No. 3 in its fifth weekend with an estimated $5.6 million from 515 sites for a 31-day market cume of $77.8 million. Universal expects "Mamma Mia!" to soon overtake "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" as the U.K.'s biggest 2008 grosser.
Fifth was DreamWorks Animation/Paramount's "Kung Fu Panda," which racked up an animated $8 million from 5,560 in 60 territories, pushing its overseas cume to $347.5 million.
Sony's "Hancock" raised its international total to $332.1 million with a $6.5 million weekend from 4,050 screens in 70 markets. Worldwide, the Will Smith superhero vehicle has generated $553.8 million.
20th Century Fox International's "The X-Files: I Want To Believe" grossed an estimated $5.7 million from 4,000 screens in 48 markets, elevating its overseas cume to $31.4 million. The latest feature version of the TV series grabbed the No. 2 spot in Mexico with a debut tally of $1.2 million from 432 situations.
Disney's "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" hiked its international gross to $253.7 million (versus $141 domestically) with a $3.6 million weekend from 2,925 screens in 31 markets. Universal's "Wanted" generated $3 million from 1,372 dates in 39 territories for an international total of $120.6 million.
In France, the Weinstein Co. premiered director Agnes Merlet's "Dorothy" -- a Fidelite Prods./Octagon Films production to be titled "Dorothy Mills" when it opens later via Dimension Films in the U.S. -- in the No. 8 spot in Paris and suburbs. The mystery-thriller grossed an estimated $800,000 in the territory.
In Spain, Fox premiered "Taken," an action drama from Europa Corp. starring Liam Neeson, for an estimated $1.2 million from 320 situations, enough to qualify for the market's No. 3 spot. Lakeshore Entertainment's "Elegy," a drama with Ben Kingsley and Penelope Cruz, played 39 U.K. screens for an estimated $170,000, ranking No. 16 in the market.
Other international cumes: Paramount's "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," $461.5 million; Fox's "Meet Dave," $18.7 million; Universal's "Hellboy II: The Golden Army," $24.8 million; Fox's "The Happening," $94.8 million; Sony's "You Don't Mess With the Zohan," $29.2 million; Paramount's "The Bank Job," $800,000 (from Australia-New Zealand only); New Line's "Journey to the Center of the Earth," $34.1 million (as of Aug. 7); Fox's "Shutter," $19.3 million; Sony's "Prom Night," $10.8 million; New Line's "Sex and the City," $236.3 million (as of Aug. 7); Paramount's "Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging," $8.5 million (U.K. only); and Warners' "Get Smart," $73.6 million (thanks to a weekend tally of $2.2 million from 1,471 screens).
The China-set adventure thriller has nearly doubled its domestic gross to date, racking up an overseas cume so far of $141.1 million. Finishing No. 1 in 16 of 22 new territories, "Mummy" racked up notably muscular debut tallies in France ($5 million from 572 sites), Germany ($6.6 million from 650 locations) and Taiwan ($3.6 million from just 91 locations for an amazing per-screen average of $39,560).
"Mummy" easily bested the weekend's No. 2 title, Warners' "The Dark Knight," which registered $35.1 million from 7,000 screens in 56 markets. The latest Batman adventure has grossed $263.1 million overseas so far, a sum far outpaced by its domestic cume of $441.5 million.
"Dark Knight" opened at No. 1 in Korea, garnering $6.9 million over five days from 461 situations for a per-screen average of nearly $15,000. In Japan, it debuted at No. 2 -- behind Toho's "Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea" from renowned animator Hayao Miyazaki -- with an estimated $3 million (previews included) from 460 situations. The film opens this week in Spain, France and Russia.
Sony's stoner action-comedy "Pineapple Express," the weekend's No. 2 domestic title, opened at No. 4 in Australia with an estimated $1.1 million from 195 screens.
The weekend's No. 3 title, Pixar/Disney's "Wall-E," had No. 1 openings in Spain, Korea and Venezuela, grossing an estimated $18.1 million from 3,177 screens in 28 territories and moving its international cume to $121.6 million. Worldwide, the tally is $331.6 million. Spain, the biggest of the new markets, registered $4.7 million from 498 sites for a feisty $9,438 per-screen average.
Finishing fourth was Universal's "Mamma Mia!" which continued like gangbusters overseas -- the buoyant musical has grossed nearly $70 million more internationally than it has domestically -- with a weekend take of $14.7 million from 2,400 screens in 24 markets. The overseas cume is $173.4 million (versus $104 million domestic).
Starring Meryl Streep and featuring an array of Abba songs, "Mamma Mia!" remains very strong in the U.K., where it ranked No. 3 in its fifth weekend with an estimated $5.6 million from 515 sites for a 31-day market cume of $77.8 million. Universal expects "Mamma Mia!" to soon overtake "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" as the U.K.'s biggest 2008 grosser.
Fifth was DreamWorks Animation/Paramount's "Kung Fu Panda," which racked up an animated $8 million from 5,560 in 60 territories, pushing its overseas cume to $347.5 million.
Sony's "Hancock" raised its international total to $332.1 million with a $6.5 million weekend from 4,050 screens in 70 markets. Worldwide, the Will Smith superhero vehicle has generated $553.8 million.
20th Century Fox International's "The X-Files: I Want To Believe" grossed an estimated $5.7 million from 4,000 screens in 48 markets, elevating its overseas cume to $31.4 million. The latest feature version of the TV series grabbed the No. 2 spot in Mexico with a debut tally of $1.2 million from 432 situations.
Disney's "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" hiked its international gross to $253.7 million (versus $141 domestically) with a $3.6 million weekend from 2,925 screens in 31 markets. Universal's "Wanted" generated $3 million from 1,372 dates in 39 territories for an international total of $120.6 million.
In France, the Weinstein Co. premiered director Agnes Merlet's "Dorothy" -- a Fidelite Prods./Octagon Films production to be titled "Dorothy Mills" when it opens later via Dimension Films in the U.S. -- in the No. 8 spot in Paris and suburbs. The mystery-thriller grossed an estimated $800,000 in the territory.
In Spain, Fox premiered "Taken," an action drama from Europa Corp. starring Liam Neeson, for an estimated $1.2 million from 320 situations, enough to qualify for the market's No. 3 spot. Lakeshore Entertainment's "Elegy," a drama with Ben Kingsley and Penelope Cruz, played 39 U.K. screens for an estimated $170,000, ranking No. 16 in the market.
Other international cumes: Paramount's "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," $461.5 million; Fox's "Meet Dave," $18.7 million; Universal's "Hellboy II: The Golden Army," $24.8 million; Fox's "The Happening," $94.8 million; Sony's "You Don't Mess With the Zohan," $29.2 million; Paramount's "The Bank Job," $800,000 (from Australia-New Zealand only); New Line's "Journey to the Center of the Earth," $34.1 million (as of Aug. 7); Fox's "Shutter," $19.3 million; Sony's "Prom Night," $10.8 million; New Line's "Sex and the City," $236.3 million (as of Aug. 7); Paramount's "Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging," $8.5 million (U.K. only); and Warners' "Get Smart," $73.6 million (thanks to a weekend tally of $2.2 million from 1,471 screens).
- 8/10/2008
- by By Frank Segers
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Opening in just 20 foreign markets at 4,500 screens, "The Dark Knight" grossed an estimated $40 million during the weekend, pushing distributor Warner Bros.' overseas boxoffice total this year past the $1-billion mark.
The sixth in the series of live-action Batman features beginning in 1989, "Dark Knight" scored a solid $8,889 per-screen average but still came in second on the weekend to Sony's "Hancock," which played in nearly four times the overseas markets. "Dark Knight's" very early worldwide cume is $195.3 million.
"Hancock" grossed an estimated $44.8 million in its third weekend overseas, playing 8,286 screens in 71 territories. The international total so far is $253.5 million, tracking 32% ahead of the Will Smith super-hero vehicle's domestic boxoffice pace. Worldwide cume stands at $445 million.
"Dark Knight's" biggest single territory was Australia, where it scored the fifth biggest market opening for a Warners' title and largest opening weekend of any superhero title, says the distributor. The five-day tally was $13.1 million from 473 sites for a mighty per-screen average of nearly $28,000.
In Mexico, the Batman title grossed $6.6 million from 1,433 screens. Its Brazil bow generated $4.3 million from 548 sites. "Dark Knight" openings this week are scheduled in the U.K., Italy and Holland.
"Hancock" -- No. 1 for the third consecutive frame -- has no foreign openings scheduled until August. It premiered this round in four markets, taking the top spot in two: Spain ($8.6 million from 562 sites, the market's 17th biggest opening ever) and Norway ($1 million from 60 sites for a $16,667 per-screen average).
Even though it dropped 54% from the prior weekend in France, "Hancock" held firmly to the No. 1 position with an estimated $4.4 million from 741 screens, for a market cume of $16.8 million.
Finishing third was DreamWorks Animation/Paramount's "Kung Fu Panda," which opened in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Overall weekend tally was an estimated $27.8 million from 6,525 screens in 58 territories, for an international cume of $270 million.
No. 4 was Universal's "Mamma Mia!" which held remarkably well from its opening weekend with an estimated $26.8 million from 2,407 situations in 21 markets, raising its 11-day cume to $72.6 million. Worldwide, the Meryl Streep starring feature version of the stage musical -- with a musical score by Swedish pop group Abba -- has surpassed the $100 million gross mark ($100.2 million).
"Mamma Mia!" finished No. 1 in seven of its nine new markets grossing a per-screen average of $11,134. The musical remained solid in the U.K. in its second round there with an estimated $9.3 million from 498 screens, down just 11% from the preceding frame. U.K. market total is $33.7 million in 10 days.
Pixar/Disney's "Wall-e" wound up No. 5 this weekend, with an estimated $14.4 million from 4,125 screens in 20 markets, raising its international total to $53 million and its worldwide cume to $235.5 million. The animation title finished No. 2 in the U.K. behind "Mamma Mia!" with an estimated $8.8 million from 420 locations.
Poised to reach the $100-million gross mark overseas this week is Universal's "Wanted," which logged a $10.6 million weekend at 2,959 dates in 38 markets for a cume of $95.4 million. The fantasy action sequel "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" opened via Universal No. 1 in Russia and Italy, scoring $9.1 million from 1,385 situations in 10 markets for an overseas cume of $16 million. Worldwide tally stands at $72.4 million.
Disney's "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" became 2008's fifth biggest overseas hit as it grabbed $7 million from 3,655 screens in 41 markets for an overseas cume of $230 million (versus a domestic total of $139 million). Warner's spy spoof "Get Smart" lured $6.6 million from 2,500 screens in 32 markets for a foreign cume so far of $56 million.
Walden Media/New Line's "Journey to the Center of the Earth" raised its worldwide cume to $44.8 million and its early foreign total to $11.7 million thanks to a $5.6 million weekend at just 1,261 screens in 11 markets. Biggest was France where the adventure title finished fourth in Paris, and generated $2 million in the territory overall from 363 situations for a per-screen average of $5,510.
Fox's "Meet Dave" with Eddie Murphy continued sluggishly overseas with an estimated $3.3 million on the weekend from 1,334 screens in 24 markets for a cume of $8.5 million. Paramount's "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" raised its overseas cume to $448.4 million thanks to a $3.6 million weekend from 1,684 situations in 62 markets.
Other international cumes: New Line's "Sex and the City," $224.8 million; Marvel Prods./Universal's "The Incredible Hulk," $104.5 million; Fox's "The Happening," $84.3 million; Sony's "You Don't Mess With the Zohan," $26.6 million; Paramount's "The Love Guru," $2 million; Fox's "Meet the Spartans," $46.2 million; and Fox's "Battle of Red Cliff," $4 million (in Taiwan only).
The sixth in the series of live-action Batman features beginning in 1989, "Dark Knight" scored a solid $8,889 per-screen average but still came in second on the weekend to Sony's "Hancock," which played in nearly four times the overseas markets. "Dark Knight's" very early worldwide cume is $195.3 million.
"Hancock" grossed an estimated $44.8 million in its third weekend overseas, playing 8,286 screens in 71 territories. The international total so far is $253.5 million, tracking 32% ahead of the Will Smith super-hero vehicle's domestic boxoffice pace. Worldwide cume stands at $445 million.
"Dark Knight's" biggest single territory was Australia, where it scored the fifth biggest market opening for a Warners' title and largest opening weekend of any superhero title, says the distributor. The five-day tally was $13.1 million from 473 sites for a mighty per-screen average of nearly $28,000.
In Mexico, the Batman title grossed $6.6 million from 1,433 screens. Its Brazil bow generated $4.3 million from 548 sites. "Dark Knight" openings this week are scheduled in the U.K., Italy and Holland.
"Hancock" -- No. 1 for the third consecutive frame -- has no foreign openings scheduled until August. It premiered this round in four markets, taking the top spot in two: Spain ($8.6 million from 562 sites, the market's 17th biggest opening ever) and Norway ($1 million from 60 sites for a $16,667 per-screen average).
Even though it dropped 54% from the prior weekend in France, "Hancock" held firmly to the No. 1 position with an estimated $4.4 million from 741 screens, for a market cume of $16.8 million.
Finishing third was DreamWorks Animation/Paramount's "Kung Fu Panda," which opened in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Overall weekend tally was an estimated $27.8 million from 6,525 screens in 58 territories, for an international cume of $270 million.
No. 4 was Universal's "Mamma Mia!" which held remarkably well from its opening weekend with an estimated $26.8 million from 2,407 situations in 21 markets, raising its 11-day cume to $72.6 million. Worldwide, the Meryl Streep starring feature version of the stage musical -- with a musical score by Swedish pop group Abba -- has surpassed the $100 million gross mark ($100.2 million).
"Mamma Mia!" finished No. 1 in seven of its nine new markets grossing a per-screen average of $11,134. The musical remained solid in the U.K. in its second round there with an estimated $9.3 million from 498 screens, down just 11% from the preceding frame. U.K. market total is $33.7 million in 10 days.
Pixar/Disney's "Wall-e" wound up No. 5 this weekend, with an estimated $14.4 million from 4,125 screens in 20 markets, raising its international total to $53 million and its worldwide cume to $235.5 million. The animation title finished No. 2 in the U.K. behind "Mamma Mia!" with an estimated $8.8 million from 420 locations.
Poised to reach the $100-million gross mark overseas this week is Universal's "Wanted," which logged a $10.6 million weekend at 2,959 dates in 38 markets for a cume of $95.4 million. The fantasy action sequel "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" opened via Universal No. 1 in Russia and Italy, scoring $9.1 million from 1,385 situations in 10 markets for an overseas cume of $16 million. Worldwide tally stands at $72.4 million.
Disney's "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" became 2008's fifth biggest overseas hit as it grabbed $7 million from 3,655 screens in 41 markets for an overseas cume of $230 million (versus a domestic total of $139 million). Warner's spy spoof "Get Smart" lured $6.6 million from 2,500 screens in 32 markets for a foreign cume so far of $56 million.
Walden Media/New Line's "Journey to the Center of the Earth" raised its worldwide cume to $44.8 million and its early foreign total to $11.7 million thanks to a $5.6 million weekend at just 1,261 screens in 11 markets. Biggest was France where the adventure title finished fourth in Paris, and generated $2 million in the territory overall from 363 situations for a per-screen average of $5,510.
Fox's "Meet Dave" with Eddie Murphy continued sluggishly overseas with an estimated $3.3 million on the weekend from 1,334 screens in 24 markets for a cume of $8.5 million. Paramount's "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" raised its overseas cume to $448.4 million thanks to a $3.6 million weekend from 1,684 situations in 62 markets.
Other international cumes: New Line's "Sex and the City," $224.8 million; Marvel Prods./Universal's "The Incredible Hulk," $104.5 million; Fox's "The Happening," $84.3 million; Sony's "You Don't Mess With the Zohan," $26.6 million; Paramount's "The Love Guru," $2 million; Fox's "Meet the Spartans," $46.2 million; and Fox's "Battle of Red Cliff," $4 million (in Taiwan only).
- 7/20/2008
- by By Frank Segers
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It was a sizzling weekend at the international boxoffice as vacationing school kids turned out in droves and soccer aficionados returned to the cineplex following the Euro Cup finals to greet superheroes, family fare and a surprise musical offering.
The Will Smith starrer "Hancock" led the summer assault with a huge $70.4 million from 8,125 screens in 67 markets in its second weekend of overseas release, raising its foreign gross to $180.6 million.
The Paramount/DreamWorks animated entry "Kung Fu Panda" reached an international cume of $218.4 million as it pulled in $42.2 million from 5,384 playdates in 44 territories, and Universal's film adaptation of stage musical "Mamma Mia!" had audiences singing along to the tune $24.3 million from 1,405 showings in 12 territories.
Disney/Walden Media's "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian," meanwhile, went up to $216.5 million as it tallied $11 million from 33 countries, and Disney/Pixar's much-heralded "Wall-e" picked up $7.5 million from 2,101 screens in 12 markets as it continues a gradual rollout that will end in December in Japan.
Another weekend surprise was Asia's move into tentpole territory. John Woo's period war epic "Red Cliff" -- at $80 million, the most expensive Asian film ever made -- brought in an estimated $20.8 million from six markets.
At the same time, a couple of high-profile films scheduled for three-to-four-month rollouts are showing early promise in limited release, including Universal's "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" and New Line's "Journey to the Center of the Earth."
Superhero and action holdovers also are attracting big audiences. Russian director Timur Bekmambetov's violent "Wanted" registered another $9.2 million to hoist its foreign gross to $80.5 million, and the Steven Spielberg-directed "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" hit an impressive $440.8 million as it enticed $5.3 million from 1,835 screens in 44 markets.
In its second overseas session, which included 12 new bows, "Hancock" held the No. 1 slot in 30 markets, opening to $11.4 million from 589 screens in Russia, $9.9 million from 739 in France, $4.6 million from 783 in Mexico, $2.2 million from 429 in India, $1.7 million from 90 in Holland, $1.3 million from 69 in Belgium and $1 million from 81 in the Ukraine.
Holdovers saw the U.K. dip 45% for a two-weekend total of $33.4 million; Germany was off 37% for a cume of $24.2 million; Korea fell 38% for a cume of $14.7 million; and Australia dropped 47% for a cume of $14.4 million.
"Panda" launched in France ($7.4 million from 761 screens), Spain ($6.3 million from 581), Belgium ($1.7 million from 102) and the Netherlands ($1.9 million from 154). Territorial cumes to date include $27.8 million in six weeks from Korea; $20.2 million in three from Australia; $11.1 million in two from Germany; $20.5 million in five from Russia; and $21.5 million in 10 days from the U.K.
The U.K., where the stage musical "Mamma Mia!" originated nine years ago, welcomed the film version at No. 1 with $13.1 million from 494 prints. Australia also had a No. 1 opening, registering $5.2 million from 258 sites, while Sweden -- home of popular '70s group Abba whose songs are featured in the film -- opened at No. 1 with $1.7 million from 144 screens, hailed as Universal's fourth-biggest opening ever in the market.
"Red Cliff," for which Summit Entertainment holds the distribution rights for a great part of the world, grossed $15.8 million in its first weekend in China (non-Summit), $1.4 million in Hong Kong (non-Summit) and $2.5 million in Taiwan via 20th Century Fox International. Summit territories in which the film opened include Singapore ($760,000) and Thailand (402,000).
"Hellboy II" kicked off with $4.7 million from 481 playdates in Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore and is set for release around the world in the next four months.
The 3-D version of "Journey to the Center of the Earth" opened to $3.9 million in five markets, with the U.K. delivering $3.9 million and Brazil, $1.2 million.
Fox's Eddie Murphy comedy "Meet Dave" failed to impress as it took off in 18 markets, tallying only $3.4 million from 949 screens, with Russia providing $1.2 million from 442 and Australia, $1 million from 188.
Warner Bros.' "Get Smart," provided a weekend gross of $6.4 million from 2,170 screens in 27 markets, lifting its cume to $46.2 million.
The Will Smith starrer "Hancock" led the summer assault with a huge $70.4 million from 8,125 screens in 67 markets in its second weekend of overseas release, raising its foreign gross to $180.6 million.
The Paramount/DreamWorks animated entry "Kung Fu Panda" reached an international cume of $218.4 million as it pulled in $42.2 million from 5,384 playdates in 44 territories, and Universal's film adaptation of stage musical "Mamma Mia!" had audiences singing along to the tune $24.3 million from 1,405 showings in 12 territories.
Disney/Walden Media's "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian," meanwhile, went up to $216.5 million as it tallied $11 million from 33 countries, and Disney/Pixar's much-heralded "Wall-e" picked up $7.5 million from 2,101 screens in 12 markets as it continues a gradual rollout that will end in December in Japan.
Another weekend surprise was Asia's move into tentpole territory. John Woo's period war epic "Red Cliff" -- at $80 million, the most expensive Asian film ever made -- brought in an estimated $20.8 million from six markets.
At the same time, a couple of high-profile films scheduled for three-to-four-month rollouts are showing early promise in limited release, including Universal's "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" and New Line's "Journey to the Center of the Earth."
Superhero and action holdovers also are attracting big audiences. Russian director Timur Bekmambetov's violent "Wanted" registered another $9.2 million to hoist its foreign gross to $80.5 million, and the Steven Spielberg-directed "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" hit an impressive $440.8 million as it enticed $5.3 million from 1,835 screens in 44 markets.
In its second overseas session, which included 12 new bows, "Hancock" held the No. 1 slot in 30 markets, opening to $11.4 million from 589 screens in Russia, $9.9 million from 739 in France, $4.6 million from 783 in Mexico, $2.2 million from 429 in India, $1.7 million from 90 in Holland, $1.3 million from 69 in Belgium and $1 million from 81 in the Ukraine.
Holdovers saw the U.K. dip 45% for a two-weekend total of $33.4 million; Germany was off 37% for a cume of $24.2 million; Korea fell 38% for a cume of $14.7 million; and Australia dropped 47% for a cume of $14.4 million.
"Panda" launched in France ($7.4 million from 761 screens), Spain ($6.3 million from 581), Belgium ($1.7 million from 102) and the Netherlands ($1.9 million from 154). Territorial cumes to date include $27.8 million in six weeks from Korea; $20.2 million in three from Australia; $11.1 million in two from Germany; $20.5 million in five from Russia; and $21.5 million in 10 days from the U.K.
The U.K., where the stage musical "Mamma Mia!" originated nine years ago, welcomed the film version at No. 1 with $13.1 million from 494 prints. Australia also had a No. 1 opening, registering $5.2 million from 258 sites, while Sweden -- home of popular '70s group Abba whose songs are featured in the film -- opened at No. 1 with $1.7 million from 144 screens, hailed as Universal's fourth-biggest opening ever in the market.
"Red Cliff," for which Summit Entertainment holds the distribution rights for a great part of the world, grossed $15.8 million in its first weekend in China (non-Summit), $1.4 million in Hong Kong (non-Summit) and $2.5 million in Taiwan via 20th Century Fox International. Summit territories in which the film opened include Singapore ($760,000) and Thailand (402,000).
"Hellboy II" kicked off with $4.7 million from 481 playdates in Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore and is set for release around the world in the next four months.
The 3-D version of "Journey to the Center of the Earth" opened to $3.9 million in five markets, with the U.K. delivering $3.9 million and Brazil, $1.2 million.
Fox's Eddie Murphy comedy "Meet Dave" failed to impress as it took off in 18 markets, tallying only $3.4 million from 949 screens, with Russia providing $1.2 million from 442 and Australia, $1 million from 188.
Warner Bros.' "Get Smart," provided a weekend gross of $6.4 million from 2,170 screens in 27 markets, lifting its cume to $46.2 million.
- 7/14/2008
- by By Hy Hollinger
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
'I Can sing better than she can. If Madonna gets it [the lead role in 'Evita'] I'll rip her throat out!" said Meryl Streep back in 1996.
Speaking Of singing, this very Sun day the actress supreme, Christine Baranski, will depart the Longacre Theatre after the matinee of "Boeing Boeing" and step onto Jeff Zucker's Ge helicopter. That will land her in Southampton in time for the gala Hamptons premiere of the new big hit movie musical "Mamma Mia!"
Although she's the star of the film, Meryl Streep, won't be attending - her co-star, the handsome Pierce Brosnan,...
Speaking Of singing, this very Sun day the actress supreme, Christine Baranski, will depart the Longacre Theatre after the matinee of "Boeing Boeing" and step onto Jeff Zucker's Ge helicopter. That will land her in Southampton in time for the gala Hamptons premiere of the new big hit movie musical "Mamma Mia!"
Although she's the star of the film, Meryl Streep, won't be attending - her co-star, the handsome Pierce Brosnan,...
- 7/10/2008
- by By LIZ SMITH
- NYPost.com
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