May 18 2009 Weekend Box Office: Tom Hanks Narrowly Beats Out Kirk
These films were considered the "top" movies of the weekend:
1. Angels & Demons - The only major new release this weekend took in $48 million, barely besting Star Trek and making far less than The Da Vinci Code's $77 million opening. Ron Howard really should have caved to studio pressure to add more albinos. Unless there were more albinos in this but they just weren't in the trailer, in which case they really should have sold us on those albinos.
2. Star Trek - $43 million, bringing it within $4 million of Wolverine's total gross, but still no closer to my mom not calling it Star Track.
3. X-Men Origins: Wolverine - $14.8 million, a drop of another 44%, but a fall that is reportedly still not affecting sales of Wolverine X-Treme Capuccinos.
4. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past - $6.9 million. Remember when Matthew McConaughey was in Amistad?
5. Obsessed - $4.5 million, putting the sleeper hit over $40 million above its $20 million budget, not to mention how much it's made in Beyonce action figure sales.
Weekend Box Office Results [Box Office Mojo]
May 11 2009 'Star Trek' Entertains Another... GENERATION
Your weekend box office results:
1. Star Trek - $72.5 million, proving this new Star Trek film is not just for nerds. Luckily, all the old ones still are though, so everyone still has something to talk about at the conventions.
2. X-Men Origins: Wolverine - Still keeping its claws in the top two with a $27 million weekend. Note that I used the word "claws" to describe the film's ability to maintain a relatively high gross in its second week. That didn't happen by accident.
3. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past - $10.5 million. I hear they're already at work on a sequel in which we'll see the nefarious means Matthew McConaughey used to murder so many girlfriends.
4. Obsessed - $6.6 million. In the end, Beyonce kills Obsessed. Now stop seeing this awful movie.
5. 17 Again - Another $4.4 million--a testament to the eternal popularity of black arts-based comedies.
Weekend Box Office Results [Box Office Mojo]
May 6 2009 X-Men Begets Wolverine Begets Deadpool
Deadpool, Marvel Comics' "merc with a mouth," who some may know better as Ryan Reynolds in a tank top (see X-Men Origins: Wolverine, web-slingers), is getting his long-awaited shot at a solo film. Variety has the stoy:
Twentieth Century Fox has begun development on "Deadpool," an "X-Men" spinoff that will be crafted as a star vehicle for Ryan Reynolds, who played the character in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."The character is one of the most popular in Marvel Comics' X-Men universe. Deadpool is Wade Wilson, a mercenary who, dying of cancer, submits himself to the Weapon X genetic alteration experiment and emerges as an indestructible semi-sane anti-hero. Reynolds seemed destined to play the character. In one reference in the Marvel Comics, Deadpool is described as a mix between "a Shar Pei and Ryan Reynolds."
In one of the "Easter egg" endings of "Wolverine," Deadpool is seen rising from the rubble and whispering "Shhh" to audiences.
Sounds like Fox is ready to deliver another chapter in their rapidly-declining mutant franchise that will make you say, "Only the casting was anywhere near acceptable."
Even with the after-the-credits hint at a true-to-character, fourth-wall-breaking Deadpool, I just can't see them making a film as self-aware as it needs to be. Particularly because a really well-written Deadpool would open the film by immediately acknowledging and apologizing for participating in Wolverine.
May 5 2009 Wolverine: He's Goin' to Japan, Dudes! Wooo!
X-Men Origins: Wolverine is sitting on a 35% rating at Rotten Tomatoes, which, by the standards of 100% being really good, is not very good. But it also made like $85 million last weekend, so it's sequel time. Logan's going to Japan!:
Fox and Seed are in development on a sequel to "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," which topped the domestic box office over the weekend.The Seed partners have begun planning the sequel, which they are squarely focusing on the samurai storyline originated in the comic series, and whose Japanese locale was teased after the film's final credits. A writer has yet to be hired.
Why do I have the sneaking suspicion that "squarely focusing on the samurai storyline" means "squarely focused on the samurai storyline--but also with subplots involving Cyclops, Psylocke, Apocalypse, Evil Wolverine, the Devil, and a deadly serial rapist"?
Hugh Jackman, Seeds planting pics [Variety]
May 4 2009 'Wolverine' Made So Much Money
Movie audiences this weekend, as expected, heavily favored movies about guys with claws:
1. X-Men Origins: Wolverine - Neither an early internet leak nor hundreds of awful reviews could stop Hugh Jackman-cuts-through-things from grossing $87 million.
2. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past - $15.3 million. It's like no one even cares about Matthew McConaughey learning valuable lessons by magically revisiting his sexual past.
3. Obsessed - $12.2 million. With so many losing their jobs, Americans needed to be reminded how great it was before the economic crash, when everyone had a great career, a hot temp at work obsessed with them, and Beyonce as a wife.
4. 17 Again - $6.4 million. Ah, to be 17 again. I would waste so much time playing StarCraft, again.
5. Monsters vs. Aliens - $5.8 million. Still?
Weekend Box Office Results [Box Office Mojo]
Apr 22 2009 Final 'Wolverine' Trailer: Your Last Chance to Debate Bone Claws
The plan to advertise Wolverine by attaching the superhero to a massive, cheese-smothered pizza isn't doing so well in promoting the film (though I assume it's doing great in promoting artery clogging), so Fox has released one last trailer to give the film a final push before its May 1 release. Seems a bit excessive after that two-hour trailer a couple weeks back, but here you go:
Continue Reading " Final 'Wolverine' Trailer: Your Last Chance to Debate Bone Claws "
Apr 6 2009 'Wolverine' a Lot Better Than I Thought It Would Be
Welp, I did it. I finally gave it and watched the leaked Wolverine movie online, and man, this thing is not at all what the trailers make it out to be. IT'S BETTER. You all really need to see this. So... I've decided to post the full movie. This is surely illegal, but we're all friends here. Keep it under your hat. And even if you're conflicted about watching it, at least check out the first minute. For me. It's mind blowing:
Continue Reading " 'Wolverine' a Lot Better Than I Thought It Would Be "
Mar 5 2009 Everything Happens in New 'Wolverine' Trailer
I lost track of the times in this trailer I thought, "That's going to happen too?" Wolverine fights in every war, meets half the mutants in the Marvel universe, jumps onto a moving helicopter--he's basically a feral Forrest Gump. Either this movie is going to be four hours long or half the story will be told in a montage set to CCR's "Fortunate Son".
Continue Reading " Everything Happens in New 'Wolverine' Trailer "
Feb 26 2009 How Do They Advertise 'Wolverine' in France?
As if Wolverine has released a new single about maintaining your faith despite adversity. Because even superhuman healing can't always mend your relationship with Him.
New Wolverine Poster and Photo [Coming Soon]
Feb 18 2009 'Wolverine' Television Spot Number Three
Yahoo! Movies has posted the third and final X-Men Origins: Wolverine TV spot. This is the one that reminds you that Wolverine's origin somehow involves a maskless Deadpool, young Cyclops, Emma Frost turning into diamond, and the presence of Will.i.am. Enjoy.
(Oh, and thanks to Carter.)
Jan 30 2009 'Wolverine' Poster: We Get It, You Have Claws
I think I did this same chin-resting-on-fist pose for my senior pictures. Except instead of claws, I had a trumpet.
The X-Men Origins: Wolverine One-Sheet! [Coming Soon]
Jan 19 2009 A Somber Moment with the Cast of 'Wolverine'
I'll accept that someone has seen fit to simplify every superhero/villain costume in this universe down to either a sleeveless shirt or trenchcoat, but what is with this forced mournfulness? The best way to show a movie has the dark, brooding quality of The Dark Knight isn't necessarily to take a photo of the actors doing some kind of stilted group-brood.
Dec 2 2008 'Wolverine' Shall Have a Vast Toy Line
20th Century Fox (best Fox century) has released four new production photos from Wolverine. There aren't any new looks at Gambit, Blob, or Deadpool, who are all in the movie for some reason, but there are some new shots of Wolverine and Sabretooth that reveal that the film is going to produce so many action figures. What kid isn't going to want their mom to buy them a Normandy Wolvie with Post-Traumatic Flashback Projector (above)! Or...
Dec 1 2008 Hey, It's the Gambit Guy from X-Men
From Empire Magazine, here's the first look at Taylor Kitsch as the cajun, energized playing card-throwing hero Gambit in Wolverine. You can really see the intense thought that went into the casting and wardrobe: "Just get some shady but good-looking dude with long hair, let him grow a day of stubble, boom. There you have it. Gambit. Wait, Gambit is also typically portrayed with red eyes, and wearing a fuschia and black spandex bodysuit, trenchcoat, weird metallic collar thing and earless black fabric head adornment? Yikes. Give ours a purple button-up and a velvet vest. Done. Next."
I'm telling you, movie producers, just make the characters look exactly like the comic. That's practically all that will keep the fans happy. Some costumes may seem ludicrous or even impossible in the real world, but that can be glossed over using a Will Smith-style turn to the camera and the line, "I make this look good."
First Photo of Gambit in Wolverine [Coming Soon]
Nov 26 2008 'Wolverine' Trailer! ...News. Trailer News.
Fox has confirmed that the first trailer for Wolverine, the movie about the claw X-Man, will be attached to The Day the Earth Stood Still, to be released December 12. According to Coming Soon, "The trailer will be exclusively available in theaters and will not debut online or on TV until some time later," so it sounds like if you want to see the trailer on the 12th, you're just going to have to go to theaters and ask whoever is recording it with their phone what title they plan to use to hide it on YouTube.
Jul 28 2008 'Wolverine' Trailer from Comic Convention
While it lasts, here's a cell phone's interpretation of the Wolverine trailer. I haven't heard this many people screaming and cheering at mutton chops since Chester A. Arthur took the oath of office with his shirt off. Which I also have cell phone footage of.
(Thanks, Joshua.)
Continue Reading " 'Wolverine' Trailer from Comic Convention "
Jul 7 2008 Wolverine Still Vogueing
Hmm, new promotional still for Wolverine? Better check it against the list of known qualities all Wolverine poses must have:
1. The pose must be very unlikely to occur naturally - Holding arms out and back, squatting and grimacing, crossing claws--these things don't traditionally happen during a battle for your life. They must be forced for the sake of coolness.
2. The pose must prominently display his claws - Anything with the claws coming at the camera is good, as is anything with them crossed. Besides looking cool, the crossing also resembles an "X", recalling that he is, in fact, part of the X-Men.
3. The pose must be really cool (i.e., imitates a drawing you made of Wolverine in junior high study hall).
Yeah, this is genuine, alright. And extremely boring. Was school portrait background the only option? (Thanks, Joe.)
New Wolverine Pic [Filmonic]
Mar 4 2008 Schreiber 'Nails' His Role as Sabretooth in 'Wolverine'
Seeing these first shots of Liev Schreiber as Sabretooth in Wolverine, I was at an utter and complete loss as to how I could possibly work an effective pun into the headline. Fortunately, Page Six was kind enough to supply the headline "Liev Nails His Role," cleverly drawing attention to the artificial nails he's wearing for the role while also highlighting his acting ability. I probably would have gone with something like "Get Ready For Your Next Shot, Liev--Looks Like You Already Took a Few!" or "Schreiber Shows His Acting Chops--Muttonchops, That Is!" and I would have sounded really stupid.
Liev Schreiber Nails His Role [Page Six]
Feb 27 2008 Wolverine Loves to Pose
I know I've said this before, but Wolverine really loves to pose. But not just any run-of-the-mill pose. Said pose must have very specific qualities, such as:
1. It must be very unlikely to occur naturally - Holding arms out and back, squatting and grimacing, crossing claws--these things don't traditionally happen during a battle for your life. They must be forced for the sake of coolness.
2. It must prominently display his claws - Anything with the claws coming at the camera is good, as is anything with them crossed. Besides looking cool, the crossing also resembles an "X", recalling that he is, in fact, an X-Man.
3. It must be really cool (i.e., imitates a drawing you made of Wolverine in junior high study hall).
New Wolverine Shot [Empire]
Feb 21 2008 Monaghan Joins 'Wolverine' as Beak
When it was announced earlier this week that Wolverine's solo film wouldn't be quite so solo, featuring a cast that includes Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool, Taylor Kitsch as Gambit, will.i.am as John Wraith, Liev Schreiber as Sabretooth, Danny Huston as Stryker, and Lynn Collins as Silver Fox, most people had the same reaction: couldn't they squeeze in some more characters? Heck yeah they can! Just Jared reports Lost's Dominic Monaghan will join the cast as Beak, another b-side of a character who's been mutated into a somewhat bird-like form.
This addition to the cast should help those who might have otherwise been overwhelmed by so many more obscure Marvel characters. Now they have a real classic character to latch on to: Beak. Classic character, Beak. Classic.
Dominic Monaghan is Beak [Just Jared]
