Review: 'The Hangover Part III', starring Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis

When The Hangover first knocked us out four years ago, it was a complete revelation. Here we are with this fresh, uniquely-structured comedy full of gonzo characters, a wacky premise, and enough quotable lines to make it an instant classic. And to be fair, that's exactly what it was and still is; an instant classic. It made nearly $500M, basically guaranteeing a sequel, which took the fabled Wolfpack to Bangkok for an overly-familiar story most couldn't hang with.  For me it was less interesting and certainly predictable, but hardly an utter failure. No, that distinction was saved for The Hangover Part III, a comedy which is never funny, strains to be offensive, and seems to have replaced its memorable group of trouble-finding buds with lame imposters.

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The Hangover Part II, starring Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms

It's completely understandable the line of thinking that went in to The Hangover Part 2. The first film is the highest grossing R-Rated comedy of all-time, no small feat when you consider that none of the cast exactly had the strongest genre pedigree. It succeeded with a raucous marketing campaign, and a hilariously disturbed film that made you feel as if you were part of the infamous "Wolfpack", lost in the lit up maze of Las Vegas right along with them. The Hangover went on to earn well over $450M worldwide, so if you were director Todd Phillips would you screw around with success? I didn't think so.

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Tops at the Box Office: 'Fast & Furious 6' busts Memorial Day record, clobbers 'The Hangover Part III'

1. Fast & Furious 6- $98.5M
The Fast and the Furious franchise really is something remarkable to behold. Beginning back in 2001 as just some street racing film with little in the way of future prospects, it has evolved into one of the most successful homegrown franchises of all-time. Other than the radar blip that was 'Tokyo Drift' (blame Bow-Wow), each installment has grown in box office and stature, with Fast Five upping the ante to ridiculous levels. But it's now been surpassed by Fast & Furious 6, which has just raced into history with the largest Memorial Day weekend in history. Not a small feat considering it faced competition from The Hangover Part III, which was expected to hang close if not pull equal business.  Instead the Wolfpack were sent scurrying off with their tails between their legs as Vin Diesel and his crew more than doubled their tally. The four-day total is expected to clear $122M. It comes at a time when the 'Furious' series is entering a time of transition, with franchise director Justin Lin leaving and James Wan coming aboard for next year's film. With the promise of another huge star joining for the seventh installment, one that could have a similar impact as Dwayne Johnson's debut in Fast Five, we could be looking at an unprecedented string of record-breaking hits for such a long-lived tentpole. Smartly weaving in an internationally flavored cast over the years, the film has already racked up nearly $180M overseas, for a worldwide total of $275M. Audiences loved it, granting it an 'A' Cinemascore.

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Top Shelf at the Box: 6/8/09

It's been a summer jam packed with action flicks so far, even moreso than normal. It seems like every week there's another one ready to snap up our hard earned loot. So it's a welcome surprise that essentially the top 3 films are a cartoon, a comedy, and a family adventure.

1. Up- $44.2M/$137M

Pixar's latest classic about an grouchy old curmudgeon who decides to airlift his house with balloons stayed afloat at #1, only losing about 35% from last week. The critically acclaimed film withstood the challenge of fellow family film Land of the Lost by more than double. Even with Imagine That, Eddie Murphy's next family comedy on the horizon, I still expect Up to remain firmly in the Top 3 if not at #1 for yet another week. No, I don't think The Taking of Pelham 123 will do anything. It looks terrible.

2. The Hangover- $43.3M

Just narrowly missing the top slot was The Hangover, my pick for funniest movie of the year by far. Surprisingly, analyst expectations were fairly low for this, but the amazing word of mouth helped push this ahead of some of the bigger name films around. I'm pretty sure the brilliant ad campaign, which highlighted just a few of the most eye opening moments(Mike Tyson singing Phil Collins, for example) while leaving you enough to wonder how in the heck they all happened. By comparison, The Hangover actually had a better opening than the last true monster comedy, Wedding Crashers, which is appropriate because Crashers sucked and The Hangover rocks.

3. Land of the Lost- $19.5M

Granted, Lost has a lot of competition this week, but that's no excuse. It actually has the distinction of having a lower opening weekend gross than last year's Journey to the Center of the Earth, which brought in $21M. F'real? This is all a Will Ferrell movie is worth nowadays? Homeboy needs to rethink this whole TV movie adaptation thing. Guess he forgot Bewitched blew somethin' fierce. They really screwed the pooch on this one by not being honest about the true nature of the film. The ads promoted this thing as a family friendly adventure, but it's actually pretty vulgar. Not to mention, there never really seemed to be a reason for this film to exist other than to have Ferrell do the same damn thing he does in every movie. It's gotten old.

4. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian- $14.7M/$127M

Ben Stiller's sequel continues to hold up pretty well, even though it's not probably not going to break the previous film's total. The film's total is still helped greatly by IMAX, which I can speak from experience makes the film marginally more enjoyable. Amy Adams on IMAX....yum.

5. Star Trek- $8.4M/$223M

I think Star Trek will still be in the top 10 when the summer finally winds down. It continues to have smallest audience drop of all the returning films, this time only losing 33%. Crazy.

6. Terminator Salvation- $8.18M/$105M

Floperoonie! Fumblerooskie! It's losing out to Terminator 3, yo. Claire Danes Terminator 3.

7. Drag Me to Hell- $7.34M/$28.5M

Feels like this film's been forgotten already, doesn't it?

8. Angels & Demons- $6.5M/$116M

It's the highest grossing film in the entire world at just over $400M according to estimates. But it's domestic gross has to be something of a disappointment, considering the phenomenal success of the original.

9. My Life in Ruins- $3.23M

It's no Greek Wedding, but that's not too shabby for only opening at around 1,100 sites. Then again, that's actually less loot than the dreadful Connie & Carla took in. Hmph.

10. Dance Flick- $2M/$22.7M

Seriously? Who are the people who chose to spend their money on this rather than The Hangover to quench their comedy thirst? They ought to be ashamed and open to public ridicule.

Also: Sam Mendes's Away We Go, featuring Maya Rudolph and John Krasinski, brought in a phenomenal $143,000 in only 4 sites. Wow. Focus Features(my favorite studio) is set to expand the film to more markets this week.

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Review: The Hangover

I'll admit that even though I was highly anticipating The Hangover, I was also ready for disappointment. The trailer was simply too funny, and often times that means all the good jokes have been spent to lure you in. Also, it's directed by Todd Phillips, who has a brutal track record of movies I either hated outright or liked once then learned to hate(Old School the chief culprit). But what he and writers Jon Moore and Scott Lucas have managed to create is without a doubt the funniest, non-stop hilarious movie I've ever seen. And that includes my beloved Superbad and Top Secret.

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The Must-See Movies of May

May 2nd

Iron Man 3
Director: Shane Black
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Kingsley, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall

How successful have Marvel's first two Iron Man movies been? The first two didn't just combine for over $1.1B at the box office, they led to one of the most successful films of all-time in The Avengers, and helped usher in Marvel's dominant movie machine. So what's next? Iron Man 3 kicks off Phase Two, and it finds Tony Stark affected by the tragic destruction of New York after the Avengers' battle with Loki. His vaunted intellect will be put to the test by the Mandarin, a global terrorist utilizing a powerful nano-virus more advanced than anything Stark has ever seen. Expect the usual round of Marvel Easter Eggs and cameos, including a possible appearance from the Guardians of the Galaxy, as the march begins towards The Avengers 2.

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Golden Globe Nominations Announced

I love awards season. In particular, the Golden Globes has always been my favorite. Sure, I attend mostly Oscar night parties, but there's something unique about the Globes. What is it? Ummmm...oh yeah, mostly everybody is hammered off their ass long before the curtains ever roll up. Makes for some truly hilarious speeches. I also dig the breakdown of their categories, which give special attention to genres that always get short shrift at the Oscars(namely comedies). Today, the Hollywood Foreign Press let fly their nominations, and leading the pack is a film I've been hailing for the past two weeks, Up in the Air.

BEST FEATURE - DRAMA
"Avatar"
"The Hurt Locker"
"Inglourious Basterds"
"Precious"
"Up in the Air"

An interesting blend of styles here, as I'm surprised Avatar is in this category. Nice to see Precious getting a nod here, even if it has no shot at winning. My gut tells me Up in the Air takes it, but I'd personally love to see Kathryn Bigelow's The Hurt Locker get the credit it rightly deserves.

BEST FEATURE - COMEDY
"(500) Days of Summer"
"The Hangover"
"It's Complicated"
"Julie & Julia"
"Nine"

Without having seen Nine or It's Complicated, I'm a little behind on the 8-ball here(which infuriates me to no end). As much as I love 500 Days of Summer I think it's going to have a hard time beating out Rob Marshall's musical comedy. The Hangover might have cranked out the most loot, but the nomination is it's real prize this year, and Julie & Julia suffers from only being 50% of a good film.

ACTOR - DRAMA
Jeff Bridges - "Crazy Heart"
George Clooney - "Up in the Air"
Colin Firth - "A Single Man"
Morgan Freeman - "Invictus"
Tobey Maguire - "Brothers"

The buzz swirling around Jeff Bridges right now is crazy(no pun intended), but Morgan Freeman has history on his side and George Clooney has almost universal acclaim on his. This is basically a two-horse race between the two, with Clooney I think edging out for the win.

ACTRESS - DRAMA
Emily Blunt - "The Young Victoria"
Sandra Bullock - "The Blind Side"
Helen Mirren - "The Last Station"
Carey Mulligan - "An Education"
Gabourey Sidibe - "Precious"

There's a groundswell of support for Gaby Sidibe to take the crown, thanks to her powerful and understated performance in Precious. Same goes to Sandra Bullock, who has the benefit of the surprising box office performance of her film on her side. It's arguably the best performance of her career, which could be enough to push her over the top. However, no actress has received more rave reviews than young Carey Mulligan, who carried every single scene of An Education and showed a depth of maturity few matched this year(watch for her small but important role in Brothers, as well). The Globes have a penchant for surprises, and I'm calling for one here as Mulligan takes this one. Hopefully the first of many for her.

ACTOR - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Matt Damon - "The Informant!"
Daniel Day-Lewis - "Nine"
Robert Downey Jr. - "Sherlock Holmes"
Joseph Gordon-Levitt - "500 Days of Summer"
Michael Stuhlbarg - "A Serious Man"

Now this is a toughie. I won't see Sherlock Holmes until next Monday, so I can't comment on how Robert Downey was in it. I doubt he would win anyway. But Damon, Day-Lewis, Gordon-Leavitt, and Stuhlbarg all are deserving candidates here. I don't need to have seen Nine to know that Daniel Day-Lewis is the frontrunner. Michael Stuhlbarg was the best thing about the Coens' off-beat drama, but I think the film lacks the necessary heat to push him forward. I would prefer to see Joseph Gordon-Leavitt take it, but my gut tells me otherwise.
ACTRESS - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Sandra Bullock - "The Proposal"
Marion Cotillard - "Nine"
Julia Roberts - "Duplicity"
Meryl Streep - "It's Complicated"
Meryl Streep - "Julie & Julia

This is another two-horse race, except both runners are the same person. This one's not even a contest. Meryl Streep gave the best performance of the year by anybody as iconic TV personality, Julia Child. She wins hands down.

DIRECTOR - MOTION PICTURE
Kathryn Bigelow - "The Hurt Locker"
James Cameron - "Avatar"
Clint Eastwood - "Invictus"
Jason Reitman - "Up in the Air"
Quentin Tarantino - "Inglourious Basterds"

The only nominee I'm totally discounting strangely enough given his history, is Clint Eastwood. His film isn't strong enough to compete with the rest of these heavyweights. Bigelow probably would be the underdog pick, bolstered by the heat generated by her fabulous lead actor. Cameron's Avatar might rely too much on special effects. Tarantino is the popular pick, and for once he has some actual box office to back him up. Reitman's Up in the Air is the best reviewed film of the entire lot, but it's tough to see where his directing hand really shows. I still think he takes it, though.

SUPPORTING ACTOR
Matt Damon - "Invictus"
Woody Harrelson - "The Messenger"
Christopher Plummer - "The Last Station"
Stanley Tucci - "The Lovely Bones"
Christopher Waltz - "Inglourious Basterds

There are only three contenders this time around. Matt Damon brings a quiet strength to his role as the rugby captain who becomes Nelson Mandela's right hand man. Harrelson had perhaps the most dramatic turn of all, playing a Casualty Notification Officer trying to cope with alcoholism. However it's Christoph Waltz, as the smarmy and devious Hans Landa who had the most fun performance of the year. In a film that was full of larger than life characters, he still managed to stand out above them all.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Penelope Cruz - "Nine"
Vera Farmiga - "Up in the Air"
Anna Kendrick - "Up in the Air"
Mo'Nique - "Precious"
Julianne Moore - "A Single Man"

I'm going to see A Single Man tonight, so maybe I'll have more to say on Julianne Moore's performance tomorrow, but I doubt she stands a chance against the buzzsaw that is Mo'nique's turn in Precious. Playing a sad, pathetic, manipulative shell of a mother, she is the force behind that film's success. By now everybody knows my love for both Vera Farmiga and especially Anna Kendrick, and I'd love to see one of them win, but it's not happening this year.

SCREENPLAY - MOTION PICTURE
Neill Blomkamp, Terri Tatchell - "District 9"
Mark Boal - "The Hurt Locker"
Nancy Meyers - "It's Complicated"
Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner - "Up In The Air"
Quentin Tarantino - "Inglourious Basterds"

Few films came out of nowhere the way Neil Blomkamp's District 9 did. An intelligent, thought-provoking, and highly divisive take on the sci-fi genre, it's the clear runner-up to Up in the Air. Jason Reitman's comedy drama is timely and insightful without being preachy, and paints a unique worldview featuring completely believable fully realized characters. Funny and poignant, heavy yet light hearted at just the right moments. Up in the Air is pretty much a hot knife through butter this year.

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
"Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs"
"Coraline"
"Fantastic Mr. Fox"
"The Princess and the Frog"
"Up"

I saw all of these except for Clody, which I think is only there because someone felt they needed to appease the lowerst common denominator. The other four films demonstrate the strength of this year's animated films, and Tim Burton's 9 and Monsters vs. Aliens aren't even on the list! Pixar's Up is probably the one that's going to take it, but my vote would go to Wes Anderson's brilliant stop-motion adventure, Fantastic Mr. Fox, which thankfully lacks Up's emotionally manipulative tendencies.

The rest of the movie nominees are below! Let us know who you think should win. Who was left out? Who shouldn't even be nominated in the first place? For the TV related categories, check out Variety's coverage by clicking here.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
"Baaria" (Italy) - Medusa Film; Summit Entertainment
"Broken Embraces" (Spain) - El Deseo SA; Sony Pictures Classics
"The Maid" (Chile) - Forastero; Elephant Eye Films
"A Prophet" (France) - Chic Films; Sony Pictures Classics
"The White Ribbon" (Germany) - Wega Films; Sony Pictures Classics

BEST SCORE
Michael Giacchino - "Up"
Marvin Hamlisch - "The Informant!"
James Horner - "Avatar"
Abel Korzeniowski - "A Single Man"
Karen O, Carter Burwell - "Where The Wild Things Are"


BEST ORIGINAL SONG"Cinema Italiano" from "Nine" - Music & Lyrics by: Maury Yeston
"I Want to Come Home" from "Everybody's Fine" - Music & Lyrics by: Paul McCartney
"I Will See You" from "Avatar" - Music by: James Horner, Simon Franglen; Lyrics by: James Horner, Simon Franglen, Kuk Harrell
"The Weary Kind" from "Crazy Heart" - Music & Lyrics by: Ryan Bingham, T Bone Burnett
"Winter" from "Brothers" - Music by: U2; Lyrics by: Bono

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Review: 'Fast & Furious 6', starring Vin Diesel and Paul Walker

There's an interesting contrast between the two major films due out this week: The Hangover Part III and Fast & Furious 6. Both are essentially homegrown franchises that the studios perhaps didn't expect much from, but have grown to become box office lynchpins and true success stories. But whereas The Hangover has failed to sustain the heights of the first film, Fast & Furious has only gotten stronger, and that's with more than its share of adversity. Vin Diesel stepped aside essentially for two movies, appearing at the back end of the sorely underrated Tokyo Drift, and that Justin Lin-directed cameo was like the Mets flipping on their rally caps. Through Lin's four movies, the franchise has only gotten bigger, better, and 'Furious 6' may be the best yet.

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Top Shelf at the Box Office: 7/6/09

If this were a horse race it'd be a photo finish and I'd be clutching onto my claim ticket. Rarely do we get an actual tie in terms of final box office receipts, especially when it comes to the top spot, but that's exactly what we've got this week in the matchup between Transformers 2 and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. Ofcourse, it probably won't end up being a tie in the end. These are all estimates, and eventually a real winner will step forth. But for now, the dinos and 'bots are at a stalemate. Maybe they oughta make a movie where the Transformers battle dinosaurs? Or what if the Transformers could turn into dinosaurs? They could call 'em Dinobots! Oh yeah, they already have that concept but Michael Bay doesn't seem to know it. Or care.

1. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs- $42.5M/$67.5M

I don't know much about Ice Age, to be honest. I saw the first one, and it was tolerable but not enough to make me come back for seconds or thirds. But apparently people around the world love it, because Ice Age was clearly the #1 movie across the globe this week. On top of it's mammoth(no pun intended) 5 day domestic haul, it also was the #1 film globally pulling in $148M. Still, the domestic take is less than the previous Ice Age film brought in on it's first week, which was $75.6M.

1. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen- $42.5M/$293M

Dropping 61% doesn't mean squat when you've pretty much already bested the total of the previous hit film's entire run; already captured the top spot for yearly box office; and after two weeks are already in the Top 30 highest grossers of all-time. But that's just financial crap. Dropping 61% does mean that perhaps the lackluster word of mouth has started to have an impact. Transformers had the #1 IMAX debut ever last weekend, but as far as 2nd weeks go it was third behind Star Trek and The Dark Knight. With Harry Potter on the horizon, it's gonna start getting real crowded near the top of these charts, and it's a wonder how long the robots in disguise can hold on to a share of the top spot. The answer: Not Long.

3. Public Enemies- $26.2M/$41M

Compared to most gangster flicks of this type, Public Enemies' debut stands as one of the best. And considering the intense competition it had to face, $41M seems like a surefire success. However, taking the long view of this I can't help but see this as a bit of a disappointment. This film would've done better debuting in the fall season, where it would have many weeks of uninterrupted success. But with Bruno and Harry Potter right around the corner, the chances of this very adult-themed drama gaining any sortof a foothold are slim. A shame too, because it's quite the enjoyable ride.

4. The Proposal- $12.8M/$94.2M

I can't believe this movie is going to break $100M. By the look of it, it should've gone the way of the dodo by now, but here it is and suffering the smallest decline of the week at only 31%.

5. The Hangover- $10.4M/$204M

$200M is no small feat for a non-Apatow comedy. Actually, an Apatow film has never reached that landmark, so maybe I should stop the comparisons until one actually does. Seriously, though, it does feel like there have been no hit comedies other than an Apatow for the last few years, so The Hangover's phenomenal success feels new. It's actually surpassed the total of Wedding Crashers and There's Something About Mary, two vastly inferior films in my opinion.

6. Up- $6.58M/$265M

The Ed Asner-led Up is now Pixar's 2nd highest grossing film, surpassing The Incredibles. Boooooooooooo. The Incredibles still rules.

7. My Sister's Keeper- $5.25M/$26M

8. The Taking of Pelham 123- $2.5M/$58.5M

Who woulda thought the day would come when Denzel Washington and John Travolta would get their heads handed to 'em by Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. The mind reels!

9. Year One- $2.1M/$38.1M

It might be worse than Bedazzled, but atleast now it can say it's made more money than Bedazzled. Only by a few hundred thousand, but still. It's somethin'.

9. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian- $2.1M/$168M

Hopefully now it'll go away so that I don't have to type out that long ass title anymore.

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Bradley Cooper reveals where The Hangover Part III will take place

This might come as a shock to you, but there will be a third chapter of The Hangover. I know, you just totally spat your Diet Coke  all over the computer screen. I think Todd Phillips started talking about this being a possible trilogy before the second film even came out, with it being pretty much a certainty that it would be a box office smash. It was, with the sequels $580M surpassing the receipts of the first film by more than $100M. Not bad for a film many people felt was a little redundant.

Bradley Cooper was on the Graham Norton Show to talk about the upcoming DVD release of The Hangover Part II, and revealed some previously unknown information about what is expected to be the final film in the boozy trilogy, and those who thought the sequel was too familiar will enjoy what else he has to say....

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Trailer Time: The Hangover part II

The teaser trailer for The Hangover part II was flawless. Short. Sweet. Got you hyped to see the characters you loved the first time around. Hey, the Wolf Pack was Back! What's not to love? Todd Phillips was smart not to blow all the best jokes, and since The Hangover was one of the most successful comedies ever, there was no real reason to.  Now we've got the first full theatrical trailer for the film, and...well, I'll just let you watch it first...

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The Hangover 2, Movin' Out of Vegas!

Far and away the best comedy of 2009(and the best adult comedy since Old School) was The Hangover. Director Todd Phillips' drunken haze film went on to gross over $200M earlier this year, so obviously talk of a sequel couldn't be far behind. We've known for awhile that it was in the works, but Phillips has gone on to reveal a few details about the upcoming story.

-Ed Helms, Bradley Cooper, and Zach Galifianakis are definitely returning. No word on if Justin Bartha, who played the only sane member of the crew last time around would be returning. Personally I'm hoping Heather Graham makes an appearance as well.

-The script is half finished already, and instead of exploring the same territory as last time, the story will take place in an entirely new city. Probably another party town. I can see New Oreleans during Mardi Gras as a potential setting for more craziness.

-Phillips will also be handling the scripting chores this time around rather than writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. That shouldn't be a big deal, though, since Phillips wrote the aforementioned Old School. Which, while great, I have to admit doesn't hold up quite as well as I'm betting The Hangover will.

Phillips also had this to say...

"What people loved about The Hangover was not Las Vegas or the bachelor party but these three characters. I think you can take those characters and put them in other situations, and you don’t need the sell of Vegas and a bachelor party and all that other stuff."

It's good to see that he has a handle on what fans really latched onto with the last film, which was more than just the location. The fact that he has such an affinity for these characters makes me think this sequel could potentially be better than The Hangover was, but we'll just have to wait and see.

You can read more of Todd Phillips' interview with EW right here.

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Top Shelf at the Box Office 7/27/09

Talk about a lackluster week at the movies. When the biggest release features a bunch of yappin' rodents you know the outlook is bleak. Historically, this is one of the slowest in terms of box office in recent memory. In fact, it was so bad that not even the mighty boy-wizard Harry Potter stood a chance.

1. G-Force: $32.2M

Let's keep it in perspective, folks. Yes, G-Force beat out Harry Potter, but $32M by no means qualifies as a breakout hit. I couch the victory on the simple fact that most of this film's target demographic, kiddies, already went to see Harry Potter in massive numbers last week. So G-Force was the only real choice they had. There was another major release, Orphan, starring a kid but she was more interested in bashing nuns in the head with hammers. Not exactly family friendly fodder, although that didn't stop a few too many parents from bringing their kids to the screening I went to. They should have Child Services staff posted outside the doors at some of these theatres, to be honest.

2. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince- $30M/$222M

Spiraling faster than an out of control flying broomstick, Harry Potter's sixth feature film dropped a huge 61% in it's second week. The reason for that probably centers around the rather mixed critical response this film has received, aimed primarily at it's darker tone which some say is too much for younger kids. Still, Potter continues to dominate globally, raking in over $627M worldwide to date.

3. The Ugly Truth- $27M

I'm convinced that the exact same people go to see all these generic looking romantic comedies. Why? Because they all start with the same exact opening weekend tally. All of 'em. Somewhere there are a group of poor dudes, stuck in what has to be a nighmarish relationship, knowing weeks in advance what movie they'll be dragged to on opening night. I pity them, for I have been in their shoes. Sony says that 62% of the audience was female, and 64% of them were 25 years or older, winning Sony the award for "Least Surprising News of the Day".

4. Orphan- $12.8M

I'm beginning to change my mind on Orphan. The more I think about it, the more I'm appreciating it's fun little twist. Orphan's opening weekend is pretty standard for a slasher film of this sort, just slightly below Drag Me to Hell's opening, but this film lacks the big name talents to hook in viewers. I'm predicting that relatively strong word of mouth, and continued buzz about the revelation regarding the titular killer, will push Orphan into a respectable second week.

5. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs- $8.2M/$171M

Might be the only time dinosaurs get their collective asses kicked by a bunch of gerbils, but Ice Age thawed about 53% this week probably because G-Force stole it's core audience. G-Force also hijacked it's 3-D screens, adding to the humiliation. Ice Age continues be large globally, surpassing the $500M mark worldwide.

6. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen- $8M/$379M

Yeah...ummm, it just past Lord of the Rings: Return of the King for 10th place all-time. That kinda pisses me off, I won't lie. But it's also set to overtake Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith for 9th place, which I'm kinda ambivalent about.

7. The Hangover- $6.46M/$247M

It won't go away. This is the longest hangover ever. Hair of the dog might be necessary.

8. The Proposal- $6.42M/$140M

Last week I said the only thing I was interested in seeing this week was how The Proposal would perform against The Ugly Truth. The answer? Pretty damn well, only dropping about 23% from last week.

9. Public Enemies- $4.17M/$88.1M

At this rate, Michael Mann's Dillinger biopic will cross the $100M threshold in about 3 weeks. Still, this has to be somewhat disappointing. Not just because of the middling box office tally, but because of the way this film completely failed to latch on with the public.

10. Bruno- $2.72M/$56.5M

Also....

As predicted, 500 Days of Summer performed mightily as it expanded to 60 more theatres. The quirky romantic comedy starring Joseph Gordon-Leavitt and Zooey Deschanel charmed it's way to $1.6M for a total of $3M. I stand by the idea that this will be the highest grossing indie of the year, and considering it's high per site average I expect it will be in the Top 10 next week.

Kathryn Bigelow's highly acclaimed war film, The Hurt Locker, also did booming(no pun intended) business as it expanded this week to over 230 theatres, increasing it's total to $4M.

The best debut of the week in terms of per site average, goes to In The Loop, a British/US comedy about a botched attempt to start war in the Middle East. The film(which was brilliant, I might add. Review to come), which stars James Gandolfini and Steve Coogan amongst others, pulled in $201,000 in only 8 theatres for an average of over $25,000. Not bad. Here's hoping it expands to more sites soon.

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Top Shelf at the Box Office: 6/15/09

Turns out the battle between The Hangover and Pixar's Up wasn't just a one-rounder. The two evenly matched but completely different flicks decided to extend this fight into the next round. Unfortunately for Pixar, the result remained the same as the the unexpected powerhouse comedy reigned supreme yet again.

1. The Hangover- $33.4M/$105M

Nobody could've seen it coming just how huge of a hit this film would be. Thanks to a remarkable ad campaign that highlighted just a few of the eye catching moments without giving away the joke, The Hangover has far exceeded expectations and typical returns for a comedy of this sort. In fact it only slipped in estimated 26% from last week, best of the top 10. Personally I'm just glad it's doing well enough that maybe people will stop talking about Wedding Crashers and Knocked Up as the best comedies of the last few years.

2. Up- $30.5M/$187M

Pixar's Up is well on it's way to taking the top spot as highest grossing film, rapidly gaining on both Monsters vs. Aliens and Star Trek. By comparison to last year's hit, Wall-E, Up is actually performing better by the tune of some $20M. Not too shabby.

3. The Taking of Pelham 123- $25M

Yet another mediocre Denzel Washington film doing middling business at the box office. I'm sure this is probably about what the studio expected, but that alone tells me that there aren't a ton of expectations for Denzel films anymore. This opening is about what all of his films make, which is average. Pelham's advertising was bland and uninspiring. The only real reason to see this thing is if you want to see Washington vs. Travolta, otherwise there were better options elsewhere.

4. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian- $9.6M/$143M

It won't go away. In fact it's pulling ahead of more recent films, a testament to this film's staying power and continued popularity.

5. Land of the Lost- $9.15M/$35M

On the other hand, this turkey is fading fast. It dropped 51% from last week and fell behind Museum 2, which has been out seemingly forever at this point.

6. Imagine That- $5.7M

I got somethin' you can imagine: an Eddie Murphy family film that's actually good. Both critically and commercially. What was the last one? Meet Dave? Crashed 'n burned. This one, which had an awful ad campaign featuring imaginary faeries from CNBC or something, was dying on the vine the instant it was announced. At this point, Murphy can't buy a hit film and I'm starting to wonder how much longer studios will invest in him.

7. Star Trek- $5.6M/$232M

8. Terminator Salvation- $4.7M/$114M

Continues to kick much robot ass overseas, where it was the numero uno film for a second straight week. That alone might be reason enough to continue the franchise.

9. Angels & Demons- $4.2M/$123M

10. Drag Me to Hell- $3.86M/$35.1M

Also: One of the most anticipated films for me is Moon, a sci-fi film starring Sam Rockwell and directed by Duncan Jones(David Bowie's son). At only 8 sites, it clocked in at a hefty $145,000. Moon will be expanding to more theaters over the course of the next month and I can hardly wait.

Francis Ford Coppola's new film, Tetro, starring Vincent Gallo as part of a family of contentious artists, opened well at only 2 sites for a total of $38,000. Tetro will be expanding to more markets in the coming weeks.

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New posters for 'The Wolverine', 'The Hangover Part III', 'The Lone Ranger', and 'The Bling Ring'

What's the deal with Logan (Hugh Jackman) rockin' a sword in the new poster for The Wolverine?  Shouldn't a guy with an adamantium-laced skeleton and claws to match already have more than enough weaponry at his disposal? The sword is possibly the Muramasa Blade, and judging by the duality hinted at in the image, it may retain the dark spirit of the man who forged it. Or it could just be a regular old sword and nothing more than that. It's tough to tell which elements of Logan's many adventures in Japan will be folded into James Mangold's film, which is loosely based on the cherished work of writer Chris Claremont. Separated from his X-men, Logan finds himself in a life-or-death battle against a samurai foe strong enough to put his vaunted immortality to the test. The Wolverine opens on July 26th.

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Review: 'Last Vegas' Starring Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, and Morgan Freeman

Old folks are funny. Everybody knows this, right? Especially in movies they are hi-larious. And Las Vegas? Also a place where funny movies tend to take place, like in The Hangover. Hey, The Hangover didn't suck until it got away from the "sin city", right? So old folks and Vegas should be like mana from comedy heaven in Last Vegas, but it's really the combination of Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Kline that the film manages to overcome some glaring shortcomings with the script.

The screen vets play lifelong friends, known in their reckless Brooklyn youth as the Flatbush Four, but now are dealing with the effects of old age. Archie (Freeman) is a military vet who has suffered a stroke, and thus his son (Michael Ealy in a throwaway role) has him on a short leash. Sam (Kline) has retired to Florida where he's stuck in a boring, passionless marriage. Paddy (De Niro) has fared the worst, having become a shut-in after the death of his wife, a woman he and former best pal Billy (Douglas) were both vying for back in the day. Resentment still brews between them for reasons that are dangled in front our noses like a carrot, but really aren't that difficult to figure out. Despite the script by Crazy Stupid Love writer Dan Fogelman, this isn't a film sturdy enough to support long-lasting mysteries.

Billy is the only one of the group who has chosen to remain a swingin' spring chicken, and after a rather awkward funeral speech he decides to ditch bachelorhood and marry his 30-year-old girlfriend.  Sam and Archie, eager for an escape, are totally gung-ho for throwing their millionaire pal a bachelor party in Vegas, but the fuming Paddy has to be tricked into it, and even when he arrives he's little more than a dark cloud.

Directed with a brisk pace by Jon Turteltaub, the film easily bypasses any threads that (rather ironically) would be too mature for a sophomoric comedy such as this. Instead it's a constant barrage of old age stereotypes (did you know old people are bad with technology and use Viagra?) delivered in a fairly conventional package. Archie hits the black jack tables and stumbles into some cash, good enough to earn the gang a swanky hotel upgrade and a resentful concierge (Romany Malco).  In one of those storylines that could have really gone somewhere with a little effort, Sam's wife has given him free reign to basically sleep with whoever he wants (armed with Viagra and condoms) in an effort to bring some spark back to his life. Of course what we get is a creakier version of Hall Pass but his attempts to get laid do provide some of the biggest chuckles. It's Freeman and Kline who carry much of the comedic burden, and the former seems especially jazzed to get drunk, party with models, and down one too many Red Bulls.

It's Douglas and De Niro who are expected to carry the marginally heavier stuff, which amounts to a resurgence of Billy and Paddy's old beef. The always-welcome Mary Steenburgen enters the picture as Diana, a sultry lounge singer who seems to have an eye for both guys, rekindling their feud. She's actually one of the more refreshing aspects of the story and takes it in some interesting directions, mainly because Diana is feisty and completely open about whom she is. She doesn't stand for Paddy's gloom 'n doom, but nor does she totally buy into Billy's playboy attitude. We come to learn that she hit Vegas to live out her golden years doing what she always dreamed of doing, an experienced lesson that is imparted on the gang in numerous ways without being heavy-handed. But for every instance of nuance there are a half a dozen more where Sam gets hit on by drag queens or De Niro punches out some young jerk (usually the victim is Jerry Ferrara), or the gang pretend to be mobsters.

Last Vegas is basically The Bucket List meets The Hangover, and if that sounds like it would make for a schizophrenic combination then you're absolutely right. Its sillier aspects far outweigh the endearing ones, and more jokes miss than hit, but the film breezes through enjoyably enough that this is one Vegas experience you'll be happy to remember.

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Comic-Con Reveals Full Schedule for "Preview Night" and Thursday, July 9th

San Diego Comic-Con is right around the corner, people! It promises to be another jam-packed event for pop culture fans of every kind, whether you're into comics, superhero movies, TV shows, or My Little Pony. Comic-Con has just announced the full line-up for Wednesday, July 8th's "Preview Night" and the first full day on Thursday, July 9th. Highlights include previews of Supergirl and Lucifer, plus a panel for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 and Doctor Who.

Check out the full line-up below, and keep in mind that unless you can clone yourself it's not possible to get into everything. Plus, if you're planning to hit Hall H at any point, count on lining up the day before. Seriously. I'm packing a sleeping bag this year, f**k that sleeping on the pavement nonsense again. I'll be trying to hit up that Capcom panel to pitch them a live-action Rival Schools movie.

Wednesday, July 8 at Comic-Con

Special Sneak Peek Pilot Screenings
Comic-Con and Warner Bros. Television proudly continue their annual Preview Night tradition, with exclusive world premiere screenings of the pilot episodes of four of the most highly anticipated series of the 2015-16 television season.

Supergirl-In the vast DC Comics Universe of superheroes, the rich mythology of Superman, the planet Krypton and the House of El is perhaps the most famous and instantly recognizable. Enter Supergirl! Born Kara Zor-El on the doomed planet Krypton, the preteen Kara escaped at the same time as the infant Kal-El but didn’t arrive on Earth until many years later after being lost in the Phantom Zone. Protected and raised by her adopted family, the Danvers, Kara grew up in the shadow of her foster sister, Alex, and learned to hide the phenomenal powers she shares with her famous cousin. Years later, at age 24, living in National City and working as an assistant for Catco Worldwide Media mogul Cat Grant, Kara has spent so many years trying to fit in that she forgot to ever stand out. All that changes when she decides to embrace her superhuman abilities and become the hero she was always destined to be. With the help of Daily Planet photographer James Olsen, her bioengineer sister Alex, and the research of the super-secret, off-the-grid Department of Extra-Normal Operations (DEO) and its head, Hank Henshaw, who are tasked with keeping the Earth safe from aliens, Kara takes to the skies to protect her world. Her foes include both a sinister extraterrestrial menace and the high-tech terrestrial threat of clever villains with powerful weaponry. The series stars Melissa Benoist (Whiplash, Glee), Chyler Leigh (Grey’s Anatomy), and Mehcad Brooks (True Blood), with David Harewood (Homeland) and Calista Flockhart (Brothers & Sisters), and is executive produced by Greg Berlanti (The Flash, Arrow), Ali Adler (Chuck), Andrew Kreisberg (The Flash, Arrow) and Sarah Schechter (Pan, The Flash). From Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, Supergirl premieres Mondays at 8/7c on CBS this November.

Blindspot-Sullivan Stapleton (300: Rise of an Empire) and Jaimie Alexander (Thor films) star in Blindspot, a one-hour action thriller from Berlanti Productions (The Flash, Arrow, Pan) and writer/executive producer Martin Gero (Stargate: Atlantis). Stapleton plays hardened FBI agent Kurt Weller, who is drawn into a complex conspiracy when a naked amnesiac, Jane Doe (Alexander), is found in Times Square covered in a series of cryptic tattoos…including his name on her back. As Weller and his teammates at the FBI begin to investigate the veritable treasure map found in Jane Doe’s tattoos, they are drawn into a high-stakes underworld that twists and turns through a labyrinth of secrets and revelations-the information they uncover might ultimately change the world. In addition to Stapleton and Alexander, the series stars Rob Brown (Treme), Audrey Esparza (Public Morals), Ukweli Roach (Eternal Law), Ashley Johnson (The Killing), and Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Without a Trace). From Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television Blindspot premieres this fall Mondays at 10/9c on NBC.

Containment- When a mysterious and deadly epidemic breaks out in Atlanta, a vast urban quarantine is quickly enforced, forcing those stuck on the inside to fight for their lives while local and federal officials desperately search for a. Torn apart from their loved ones, the survivors trapped within the cordon are fighting against not only fatal infection but also isolation, fear, and the disintegration of society around them. But as they begin to gain each other’s trust, hope remains, and on either side of the cordon unlikely heroes will rise. Containment stars David Gyasi (Interstellar), Christina Moses (How We Met), Chris Wood (The Vampire Diaries), Kristen Gutoskie, Claudia Black (The Originals), George Young, Hanna Mangan Lawrence ( Spartacus: Vengeance), and Trevor St. John (One Life to Live). Based on the original Belgian series created by Carl Joos for Eyeworks, Containment is produced by My So-Called Company in association with Warner Bros. Television, with executive producers Julie Plec (The Vampire Diaries, The Originals) and David Nutter (The Flash, Arrow).

Lucifer-Lucifer is the story of the original fallen angel. Bored and unhappy as the Lord of Hell, Lucifer Morningstar has resigned his throne and retired to the City of Angels, where he owns an upscale piano bar called Lux. When a beautiful pop star is murdered, for the first time in roughly 10 billion years, he feels something awaken deep within him. Is he actually capable of feelings for a human being? The very thought disturbs him. The murder attracts the attention of LAPD homicide detective Chloe Dancer, who finds herself both repulsed and fascinated by Lucifer. At the same time, God’s emissary, the angel Amenadiel, has been sent to Los Angeles to convince Lucifer to return to Hell. But with the City of Angels at his feet and a newfound purpose, Lucifer’s having too much fun to go back now. Sexy, dark and irreverent, Lucifer stars Tom Ellis (Rush), Lauren German (Chicago Fire), DB Woodside (24, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Lesley-Ann Brandt (Spartacus series), Nicholas Gonzalez (Sleepy Hollow), Scarlett Estevez, and Rachael Harris (The Hangover) and is executive produced by Jerry Bruckheimer (Pirates of the Caribbean films), Jonathan Littman (CSI series), Tom Kapinos (Californication), Ildy Modrovich (Necessary Roughness), Len Wiseman (Underworld films), and Joe Henderson (Almost Human). From Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Aggressive Mediocrity in association with Warner Bros. Television, and based on characters created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, and Mike Dringenberg for DC Entertainment’s Vertigo imprint, Lucifer premieres Midseason on FOX.

Teen Titans Go!- The Teen Titans are back at it again, in Teen Titans Go!, with all new comedic adventures both in and out of Titans Tower and Warner Bros has you covered by screening a brand-new episode. Based on DC Comics characters and produced by Warner Bros. Animation, Teen Titans Go! airs Thursdays at 6/5c on Cartoon Network.
Wednesday July 8, 2015 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Ballroom 20

Thursday, July 9 at Comic-Con

Amazon: Hand of God
Amazon will introduce the Comic-Con audience to Hand of God; a one-hour drama series that stars Golden Globe winner Ron Perlman in his first lead television role since Sons of Anarchy, as the honorable justice Pernell Harris. The series centers on Harris, a powerful and corrupt judge who comes apart at the seams in the aftermath of a family tragedy. Stricken by grief, and in the midst of a mental and emotional breakdown, he experiences what he believes to be a religious epiphany. Compelled by forces he can’t understand, he sets out to get vengeance for the heinous crime that ultimately caused his only child to attempt suicide. Joining Perlman will be series creator Ben Watkins (Burn Notice), Garret Dilahunt (Justified), Andre Royo (Happyish), Alona Tal (Supernatural), Julian Morris (Pretty Little Liars), Emayatzy Corinealdi (Criminal Minds), and Elizabeth McLaughlin (Betrayal).
Thursday July 9, 2015 10:00am – 11:00am
Room 6A

Open Road
TBA
Thursday July 9, 2015 10:45am – 11:45am
Hall H

The Super Story Behind the Pixar Short Sanjay’s Super Team
Director Sanjay Patel and producer Nicole Grindle present a peek behind the curtains at Pixar Animation Studio’s latest short, Sanjay’s Super Team. The filmmakers will discuss the production process as well as the unique inspiration for this incredibly personal film that features superheroes like you’ve never seen them before.
Thursday July 9, 2015 11:00am – 12:00pm
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

Transformers Generations: More Than Meets the Eye
Come see what the Transformers characters are up to as you are entertained with sneak peeks of the all new Activision video game trailers, IDW comic prints, and other special surprises. Then get your collector action on as you get an exclusive glimpse at the latest and greatest Transformers generations combiner wars toys that have yet to hit toy shelves. The Transformers team members will also host a Q&A session to answer your burning questions.
Thursday July 9, 2015 11:00am – 12:00pm
Room 25ABC

The Player Sneak Peek Screening and Q&A with Cast
Wesley Snipes (Blade Trinity) and Philip Winchester (Strike Back) are joined by the executive producers of the new action series The Player for a Comic-Con preview screening and Q&A before the broadcast series premiere this fall on NBC. From the executive producers of The Blacklist comes an action-packed Las Vegas thriller about a former military operative turned security expert (Winchester) who is drawn into a high-stakes and high-tech game, where an organization of wealthy individuals gamble on his ability to stop some of the biggest crimes imaginable from playing out. Join Wesley, Philip, and the executive producers for a compelling conversation about what fans can expect from this new exhilarating series.
Thursday July 9, 2015 11:15am – 12:15pm
Room 6A

Street Fighter V
Moderator Francis Mao (Capcom) and a panel of Capcom’s Street Fighter experts share the latest news on Street Fighter V, the exciting, new entry in the world’s greatest fighting game franchise coming out console exclusive to the PS4 and on PC in 2016! Ultra-special guest Yoshinori Ono (executive producer, Street Fighter franchise) returns to SDCC for another of his trademark special appearances, and who knows what exclusives, surprises, and hijinks are in store? Learn how you can earn big money and everlasting fame by competing in the Capcom Pro Tour, culminating in the Capcom Cup Finals later this year. Plus, get a first look at all the must-have Street Fighter and SFV-licensed products and promotions in store for the rest of the year! A must-see for any video game fighting fan. Hadoken!
Thursday July 9, 2015 11:45am – 12:45pm
Room 6BCF

Dark Horse Presents
For years, Dark Horse has brought the creations of the most talented creators in the comics industry to stands; now’s your chance to jump onboard! Dark Horse president and publisher Mike Richardson heads up a panel of Dark Horse’s incredible creative talent, including Rafael Albuquerque (EI8HT), Cullen Bunn (Harrow County), Joëlle Jones (Lady Killer), Paul Tobin (Colder), Gene Ha (Mae), and more!
Thursday July 9, 2015 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Room 23ABC

Robert Kirkman’s Skybound Comics
Skybound’s Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead franchise, Outcast) explores the ever-changing comic landscape with Skybound creators and artists, including Paul Azaceta (Outcast) and Josh Williamson (Birthright, Ghosted). The panel will be moderated by Skybound editorial director Sean Mackiewicz.
Thursday July 9, 2015 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Room 7AB

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2
Lionsgate presents an exclusive first look at one of the studio’s highly anticipated films coming to theaters this fall. Get a sneak peek into the powerful final chapter of the epic The Hunger Games film franchise. Attendees will be shown exclusive, never-before-seen footage from Mockingjay: Part 2 and treated to a cast and filmmaker Q&A session revealing details on the big-screen finale.
Thursday July 9, 2015 12:00pm – 1:15pm
Hall H

CBS TV Studios Comic-Con Lineup, including Extant, Limitless, Scorpion, Under The Dome, and Zoo.
Extant Exclusive Sneak Preview and Panel – The mystery summer thriller series is back for its second season, bigger than ever with higher stakes and new faces. When Molly Woods discovers she has unwittingly put the human race on a path to destruction, she and a mysterious stranger may be the only hope for survival. An exclusive sneak peek at what’s to come in Season 2, followed by a panel discussion with cast members Halle Berry (X-Men), and Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Watchmen), executive producer Craig Shapiro, and executive producer and creator Mickey Fisher.

Zoo Exclusive Sneak Peek and Panel- The wild shall inherit the earth with Zoo, CBS’s newest summer blockbuster series, based on the #1 bestselling novel by James Patterson. Zoo is a global thriller about a wave of violent animal attacks against humans sweeping the planet. The series will span across eight countries and feature real-life lions, tigers, bears and more. Join series stars James Wolk (Mad Men), and Billy Burke ( Revolution) and executive producer Jeff Pinkner (Fringe) for an exclusive sneak peek of the first season, followed by a panel discussion. Ballroom 20

Under The Dome Exclusive Sneak Preview and Panel – It has been weeks since the dome descended upon Chester’s Mill and we last saw Barbie and the residents being urged to follow Melanie “home.” Season 3 will pick up where last season left off, and viewers will see the community rise to new heights of ingenuity, courage, and often darkness in their quest for freedom. There will be new faces, new alliances, and betrayal of trustm and what you “see” will not always be the truth as the residents find out that the enemy is within. Series stars Dean Norris (Breaking Bad) and Mike Vogel (Bates Motel) and special guest star Marg Helgenberger (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) join executive producers Neal Baer and Tim Schlattmann for an exclusive sneak peek of the new season, followed by a panel discussion.

Limitless Exclusive Premiere Screening and Panel- What if you had access to 100% of your brain and nothing was impossible? Based on the feature film, and picking up where it left off, Limitless follows Brian Finch (Jake McDorman) as he discovers the power of the brain-boosting drug NZT. From executive producer Bradley Cooper, the fast-paced drama will explore what happens when there are no limits to man’s potential, as Finch will be coerced by the FBI to use his newfound extraordinary abilities for good. The exclusive screening of the pilot episode will be followed by a panel discussion with the series stars Jake McDorman (American Sniper), and Hill Harper (CSI: NY), director Marc Webb (The Amazing Spiderman 1 & 2), and executive producers Craig Sweeny, Alex Kurtzman and Heather Kadin.

Scorpion Exclusive Sneak Preview and Panel- CBS’s high-octane breakout hit, about a team of brilliant misfits who use their smarts to solve the nation’s crises while helping each other fit in, will be back at Comic Con with the entire team. Team Scorpion will unveil an exclusive sizzle reel highlighting all of the best action scenes and fan favorite moments from the first season. Fans will have the chance to hear firsthand about what’s ahead in Season 2 and discuss the series with starsElyes Gabel (World War Z), Robert Patrick (Terminator 2), Katharine McPhee (Smash), Eddie Kaye Thomas (American Pie), Jadyn Wong (Broken Trail), andAri Stidham (Huge), and executive producers Nick Santora and Nicholas Wootton.
Thursday July 9, 2015 12:00pm – 3:30pm
Ballroom 20

Return to Gravity Falls
Creator and executive producer Alex Hirsch (Grunkle Stan) and other special guests uncover the mysteries of Disney XD’s hit series Gravity Falls. Find out what’s next for the Pines Family after Season 2’s shocking cliffhanger with an exclusive look at the upcoming episodes and an audience Q&A. The panel will also feature sneak peeks of Pickle and Peanut and Future-Worm!, two new animated shows coming to Disney XD!
Thursday July 9, 2015 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Room 6A

Call of Duty Black Ops III: Zombie World Reveal
Call of Duty invades Comic-Con for the reveal of Black Ops III’s highly anticipated new Zombies Mode. Be on-hand as Zombies director Jason Blundell unveils Treyarch’s new mind-bending tale of the undead. Don’t miss the onstage reveal of the star-studded cast. Attendees will also get an exclusive first look at the Zombies reveal trailer and receive limited edition Zombies memorabilia only available at Comic-Con. Plus, catch additional Black Ops III news as it breaks live, including the official announcement of the Call of Duty: Black Ops III Collector’s Editions.
Thursday July 9, 2015 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Room 6BCF

Science Channel: Raiders, Raptors, and Rebels: Behind the Magic of ILM
Fans will get to see exclusive clips and receive unprecedented access behind the scenes at Industrial Light and Magic, as science and creativity give birth to some of today’s top films. The secrets behind Avengers: Age of Ultron, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and many more will be revealed during this once-in-a-lifetime panel. Join Science Channel as they celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Industrial Light and Magic at this year’s Comic-Con like no one else can. Surprise guests and exclusive footage along with a very special prize will be given away at this VIP experience where the science behind the movies is unveiled for the first time ever.
Thursday July 9, 2015 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Room 25ABC

The Last Ship: Panel and Exclusive Sneak Preview
TNT’s post-apocalyptic drama The Last Ship is back for its second season, bigger than ever with higher stakes and catastrophic developments that leave no one safe without the cure. Captain Chandler and the USS Nathan James crew found the cure that could potentially save the world from a deadly virus. As they return to what was once their home, they face new threats as their world has been turned upside down. How will they spread this cure, and is the world left worth saving? An exclusive sneak preview of what’s to come this season will be followed by a discussion with the cast, including Eric Dane, Rhona Mitra, and Adam Baldwin.
Thursday July 9, 2015 1:45pm – 2:45pm
Room 6A

Blizzard Entertainment Showcase
Chris Metzen (Blizzard Entertainment SVP story and franchise development) and a team of esteemed panelists reveal never-before-seen products and plans for 2015 and 2016. Talk to the designers, writers, and artists themselves, as the panelists dig into toys, books, collectibles, and more. The panel and an extended game Q&A session will be moderated by Kim Phan (host of BlizzCon coverage on DIRECTV).
Thursday July 9, 2015 2:15pm – 3:15pm
Room 6BCF

Doctor Who: BBC America’s Official Panel
Following his record-breaking first season as the Doctor, Peter Capaldi will make his first ever appearance at Comic-Con with stars Jenna Coleman (Clara Oswald) and Michelle Gomez (Missy), lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat, and executive producer Brian Minchin. Doctor Who follows the adventures of the Doctor, the time traveler who will continue to journey through all of space and time in epic adventures in the new season premiering this fall. Capaldi’s first season delivered BBC America its highest rated season ever and is available now on all digital platforms.
Thursday July 9, 2015 2:15pm – 3:15pm
Hall H

Powers: Ordinary Heroes, Extraordinary Possibilites: A Deeper Look at the Hit PlayStation Series
The executive producers/co-creators of the Powers comics, Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming, are joined by showrunner Remi Aubuchon and cast members Susan Heyward (Det. Pilgrim), and Olesya Rulin (Calista) for a sneak peek at the upcoming Season 1 Blu-ray, and what’s to come in the second season of PlayStation’s hit original series.
Thursday July 9, 2015 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Room 6A

Transformers: Robots in Disguise
Roll out with the cast and creatives behind Transformers: Robots in Disguise as they share details of the making of the popular animated series and give a sneak peek into the rest of Season 1, now airing on Cartoon Network. Followed by a Q&A.
Thursday July 9, 2015 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Room 5AB

Robert Kirkman’s Skybound Entertainment Celebrates Five Years
Join panel host Geoff Keighley for a discussion with Skybound Entertainment’s Robert Kirkman and David Alpert (The Walking Dead franchise, Outcast) as they celebrate the company’s fifth anniversary. Kirkman and Alpert will explore Skybound’s various projects that include properties such as The Walking Dead, Outcast, and the company’s first feature film, AIR, starring Norman Reedus and Djimon Hounsou. The producing duo will also dive into the bustling world of Skybound Interactive, discussing the critically acclaimed Telltale’s The Walking Dead with Telltale CEO Kevin Bruner, and Skybound’s upcoming first-person-shooter game, Overkill’s The Walking Dead, produced by Starbreeze Studios. Expect exclusive news, special guests, and a first look at the full-length feature trailer for AIR.
Thursday July 9, 2015 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Room 6BCF

Sherlock
Steven Moffat (co-creator, executive producer, and writer), Sue Vertue (executive producer) and Rupert Graves (actor, DI Greg Lestrade) discuss the latest adventures of Sherlock Holmes and his long-suffering faithful friend, Dr. John Watson. Sherlock will return to PBS Masterpiece in a forthcoming special.
Thursday July 9, 2015 3:45pm – 4:45pm
Ballroom 20

Comedy Central’s Moonbeam City
Prepare to be dazzled; Moonbeam City is back in San Diego with an exclusive Comic-Con sneak peek. Moonbeam City is an absurdist, retro-futuristic ’80s cop extravaganza. The series follows Dazzle Novak (voiced by Rob Lowe), a handsome, idiotic detective who commits more crimes than most criminals. His sexy, tyrannical chief Pizzaz Miller (Elizabeth Banks) won’t get off his back. His obnoxious rival Rad Cunningham (Will Forte) will stop at nothing to destroy him. Dazzle must team up with the city’s only competent police officer, Chrysalis Tate (Kate Mara), to protect their beloved, neon-soaked metropolis. Rob Lowe, Moonbeam City creator Scott Gairdner, and executive producer Tommy Blacha reveal details on Comedy Central’s next big animated series.
Thursday July 9, 2015 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

Gears of War: Ultimate Edition: The Art of Improving on an Xbox Classic
Reigniting the passion and fervor of Gears of War fans, Xbox and The Coalition take fans behind the scenes of one of their favorite franchises, reimagined and reloaded for Xbox One. The panel features Rod Fergusson (studio head, The Coalition), one of the most prominent members of the industry, and will discuss not only the visual improvements but also what it takes to modernize an all-time fan favorite that is launching on Xbox One this summer. Also appearing from The Coalition: Peder Skude (senior game designer), Kyle Gaulin (cinematics director), and Ben Huyghe (former pro gamer/QA).
Thursday July 9, 2015 4:15pm – 5:15pm
Room 6A

Marvel: Uncanny Inhumans
Terrigenesis is upon us! Editor-in-chief Axel Alonso and writer Charles Soule give the 4-1-1 on Marvel’s Royal Family and the first superhuman race. What does the future have in store for Black Bolt, Queen Medusa, Lockjaw, and the rest of the Inhuman race? Find out here!
Thursday July 9, 2015 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Room 6DE

Thunderbirds Are Go
ITV Studios and Pukeko Pictures, in association with Weta Workshop are bringing the U.S. premier of Thunderbirds Are Go exclusively to Comic-Con. Join executive producer Richard Taylor (Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit) and head writer Rob Hoegee (Teen Titans, Generator Rex), to watch an episode and ask your questions of some of the team responsible for creating this beautiful re-imagining of the much-loved classic series that is already entertaining and delighting millions of fans in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, with further international roll out planned for 2015 and 2016
Thursday July 9, 2015 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Room 24ABC

MTV’s Teen Wolf
Teen Wolf cast members and executive producer are taking Comic-Con by storm for the sixth consecutive year. The pack of MTV’s hit series Teen Wolf will dish secrets, share a sneak peek of the upcoming season, and answer fan questions.
Thursday July 9, 2015 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Ballroom 20

Sense8
On June 5 Netflix debuted one of their most controversial and provocative new series, Sense8. Be on hand for the very first panel discussion of this new series, hosted by co-creator/writer and executive producer J. Michael Straczynski.
Thursday July 9, 2015 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Room 5AB

World of Capcom
Moderator Francis Mao (Capcom) and a panel of Capcom staff members share the latest updates on all the new and upcoming Capcom games including Street Fighter V, Resident Evil 0, Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition, and more; plus sneak peeks at all the latest Capcom merchandise and licensing products coming your way soon. Also, some exclusive first-looks and reveals just for SDCC.
Thursday July 9, 2015 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Room 7AB

FUNimation Industry Panel
From Akira to Dragon Ball Z, hear the latest news and information from North America’s largest anime distributor, FUNimation.
Thursday July 9, 2015 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Room 24ABC

Damien
From executive producer Glen Mazaara (The Walking Dead, The Shield), Damien follows the adult life of Damien Thorn, the mysterious child from the 1976 motion picture who has grown up seemingly unaware of the satanic forces around him. Haunted by his past, Damien must now come to terms with his true destiny: that he is the Antichrist. StarringBradley James (Merlin), Barbara Hershey, Megalyn Echikunwoke, and Omid Abtahi. Get an exclusive first look at the show followed by a Q&A with cast and producers, plus a special guest appearance.
Thursday July 9, 2015 6:45pm – 7:45pm
Room 6A

Dark Matter
Dark Matter (a new series on Syfy Channel, based on the Dark Horse graphic novel) invites you to join the crew of the Raza. Actors Melissa O’Neil, Anthony Lemke, Roger Cross, and Jodelle Ferland join executive producer Jay Firestone (Lost Girl), and creator and show runner Joseph Mallozi (Stargate ) to discuss the mysteries of the show’s first season.
Thursday July 9, 2015 7:15pm – 8:15pm
Room 6BCF

Robotech: The Next 30 Years
Kevin McKeever (VP of marketing at Harmony Gold) showcases all the latest merchandise, along with the latest updates on the live-action Robotech film.
Thursday July 9, 2015 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Room 24ABC

Cartoon Network: Adventure Time Royal Ball
It’s the 2nd annual Adventure Time Royal Ball! Last year Cartoon Network filled a ballroom with the most righteous of warriors and the fairest in all the Land of Ooo, and this year they’re returning with more fan-favorites, another first-look Adventure Time episode, and a very special world premiere screening of the newest Cartoon Network hit series We Bare Bears! Don’t forget to dress up in your most inspired outfit for the royal procession and your chance to win righteous prizes. Now come one, come all for a night of mathematical magic!
Thursday July 9, 2015 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Room 7AB

Dominion
All hell is breaking loose as the battle between angels and mankind continues in a second season of Syfy’s hit show Dominion. Join executive producer Vaun Wilmott for an exclusive screening of the first two episodes of Season 2. See episode 2 one week before it premieres on Syfy!
Thursday July 9, 2015 8:15pm – 10:00pm
Room 6DE

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Top Shelf at the Box Office: 8/3/09

Was this the most lackluster movie weekend ever? Si. Was this the most underwhelming #1 of the year so far? Si. Ok, G-Force is probably worse but atleast it stirs up severe animosity in most people. I find it hard to get worked up over Funny People, however. I'm sure it'll come through in my review once I get it done.

1. Funny People- $23.4M

It looks like I wasn't the only one less than excited by the awkwardly marketed 3rd feature film from Judd Apatow. By comparison, it's opening weekend falls short of both Knocked Up and The 40 Year Old Virgin, both of which were of the straight forward comedy variety. It's the lamest #1 opening for a comedy since Yes Man. I think there are a number of reasons why this movie fell so short of expectations. The previously mentioned marketing is one. The subject matter is a whopper at #2. Frankly, people don't enjoy watching rich people complain about their lives, which is basically the point of this film and it comes through in the TV spots. I think there's a bit of Seth Rogen fatigue still out there due to his overexposure. With so little else out there to be seen this week, there's no excuse for this sort of opening other than that people just plain didn't want to see this movie.

2. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince- $17.7M/$255M

I don't know how much these studios pay IMAX to show their movies, or if it's vice-versa, but it ain't enough. It's been proven over the past year that any film featured on the extra large screens is going to have an extended shelflife well beyond it's natural course. This week Harry Potter debuted on IMAX at over 160 screens, which amped up it's box office an extra $3.2M. Potter has taken in an estimated $492M worldwide so far.

3. G Force- $17.1M/$66.5M

Ouch. 46% is a steep spill even for a bunch of movie rodents. Hard to believe this film was numero uno just last week. At this rate it'll be off the radar in a couple weeks, and I can start feeling good about this column again.

4. The Ugly Truth- $13M/$54.5M

So...yeah, that's a 53% drop from last week. I think this confirms that all the couples went to see this mess the first weekend, and then all the dudes finally put their feet down and sent their ladies to see it again by their lonesome. It's about time you guys sacked up.

5. Aliens in the Attic- $7.8M

Last week I mentioned that I wanted to see this movie for some reason. Couldn't put my finger on it. Then I was barraged with TV spots for it over the weekend, now that enthusiasm has disappeared. As far as debuts go, this is pretty horrible considering the film cost something like $45+ to make. Another poorly marketed film considering the high expectations of the studio, they never really highlighted the high profile voice talent they had at their disposal, instead focusing on a cast of relative unknowns facing off against non-threatening creatures.

6. Orphan- $7.25M/$26.8M

As I expected, Orphan held on to a stronger than expected percentage of it's box office based mostly on word of mouth. The horror/suspense dropped 44%, which is pretty standard for this point, but in my opinion it's prospects are better than some of the underwhelming niche films surrounding it.

7. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs- $5.3M/$182M

8. The Hangover- $5.08M/$256M

Again, The Hangover had the lowest drop of all returning films at only 21%. Unbelievable. Judd Apatow would kill for these numbers.

9. The Proposal- $4.85M/$149M

Continues to be unaffected by the similarly themed The Ugly Truth.

10. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen- $4.6M/$388M

Buh bye now.

Also of Note...

Proposed Saw prequel, The Collector, failed to collect any actual loot in it's debut weekend. Opening at roughly 1,300 sites it only brought in an estimated $3.6M.

500 Days of Summer nailed down another $2.8M as it climbed to 266 sites this week. At it's current rate, it should steamroll past Sunshine Cleaning as the top indie of the summer, and deservedly so.

The Hurt Locker pulled in $1.9M as it grew to 523 sites nationwide, which is actually a bit below expectations. I'm thinking that people still aren't into the idea of another Iraq war film, despite the glowing reviews and apolitical nature of the story.

The highest per-site average of the week goes to the debuting Adam, which opened at only 4 sites and brought in an estimated $94,800. The romantic comedy, which stars Hugh Dancy and Rose Byrne(on my list) about a man with Asperger Syndrome who falls in love with his beautiful neighbor, is set to expand to more theatres next week.

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