Other Topics : Art Culture - Fashion - Tourism

Latest & Hot Hollywood Film News : * hourly updation

Back to Hollywood Current News Section

  
Even 'King Kong' can't save US box office
DPA

Los Angeles, Dec 20 (DPA) He was the invincible gorilla that was meant to save the US cinema industry from one of its worst years on record. But then "King Kong" hasn't yet managed to get the cash registers ringing.

The blockbuster movie about a giant ape who falls in love with a Hollywood actress debuted over the weekend with a less than stellar box office take of $66.2 million. Not peanuts for sure, but far less than the $100 million that many insiders were predicting.

Their hope had been that the $206-million spectacular by Peter Jackson, director of the stunningly successful "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, would bring back the movie-going crowds that seem to be forsaking the multiplexes in ever increasing numbers.

In 2005, North American attendance will total about 1.4 billion tickets, down more than six percent from last year, and marking the first time in history that the US film industry has recorded three years of consecutive decline.

Total box-office receipts should be about $8.7 billion, down from $9.2 billion in 2004, according to tracking firm Nielsen EDI Inc.

"This was one of the films that was supposed to help get the business back to last year's levels, and clearly it didn't happen," Richard Greenfield, a media analyst with Fulcrum Global Partners, told the Los Angeles Times." "The bottom line is that this is a surprisingly low figure."

Executives at Universal Pictures, which produced "King Kong", are putting on brave faces and betting that the movie will defy recent box office patterns and continue to draw large crowds long after the opening weekend.

Prior to the lack-lustre opening, some even privately dreamed that the seemingly broad attraction of the movie - a classic tale reinterpreted with modern technology by a supremely gifted and successful director - could make it the next "Titanic". 

On Sunday, the Hollywood elite was reduced to noting that even the best selling film of all time barely failed to beat the James Bond movie "Die Another Day" on its opening weekend.

"I'm incredibly encouraged by where we are right now," said Marc Shmuger, Universal's vice chairman, adding that positive word of mouth could make "King Kong" a box-office monster for weeks to come. "I couldn't be more bullish."

The thinking is that people were simply too busy on the last Saturday before Christmas to spend three hours and seven minutes watching a movie, never mind the time to queue for tickets and popcorn and sitting through the commercials.

"I think we're going to do better as a movie with sustained playability, rather than a typical blockbuster," Shmuger said. 

If that prediction proves to be less than totally accurate, Shmuger will join a long list of film executives with egg on their faces in 2005.

Among the high-powered flops of 2005 were Ridley Scott's "Kingdom of Heaven" and Ron Howard's "Cinderella Man", while the failure of "XXX: State of the Union", "Stealth" and "The Island" caused executives to wonder whether the entire action-movie genre was dead.

More likely is that audiences now have more choices than ever to avoid mediocre cinema, especially if they know that within three months they will be able to see the same movies in the comfort of their own homes.

But Hollywood's true believers still argue that audiences will return for quality fare.

"The initial reaction was, 'Wow, we thought the box office would be more,'" said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Exhibitor Relations, which monitors box office results. "There were high expectations placed on this movie. The bottom line is, it's going to do more, but it's going to take longer. This is a must-see movie that people have to find the time to see."

Indo-Asian News Service

  
Clinton's message for Elton
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 20 (IANS) Former US President Bill Clinton has recorded a video message for Elton John's "hen night".

According to ananova.com, the one minute long film will be played during his cabaret party. A source says: "We knew Elton had good connections, but to see the ex-US president was something else." 

Guests, expected to include Sting and George Michael, will get to hear Clinton's message when they attend the wedding ceremony of Elton John and David Furnish.

Clinton says: "If there were more people in the world like Elton, then the world would be a better place."
 
Steve Buscemi to star in Van Gogh remake
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 20 (IANS) Actor Steve Buscemi is set to star in a Hollywood remake of "Interview" by late Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh.

According to contactmusic.com, Van Gogh was murdered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, by an Islamic extremist who was sentenced to life imprisonment earlier this year.

In the new version of the movie, Buscemi will play a political reporter reluctantly interviewing a soap opera actress played by Sienna Miller. 

Buscemi will also direct one of the remakes of Van Gogh's films but it is not confirmed if he will direct "Interview".

Some of the stars in the movie include Tony Shaloub and Patricia Clarkson.
 
Paul Theroux slams Bono's ideas
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 20 (IANS) Author Paul Theroux has criticised Bono's poverty awareness tactics saying the singer has no idea what third world countries really need to handle their problems.

According to contactmusic.com, Theroux, who has written extensively about Africa, is concerned Bono is doing more harm than good by "badgering people for money" when education is the real key for Africa's redemption.

He says: "There are probably more annoying things than being hectored about African development by a wealthy Irish rock star in a cowboy hat, but I can't think of one at the moment. I would not send private money to a charity, or foreign aid to a government, unless every dollar was accounted for - and this never happens. 

"Dumping more money (in Africa) in the same old way is not only wasteful, but stupid and harmful; it is also ignoring some of the more obvious points. Bono not only believes that he has the solutions to Africa's ills, he is also shouting so loud that other people seem to trust his answers."
 
Spielberg hires Sharon's advisor for movie
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Dec 20 (IANS) Oscar winning director Steven Spielberg has recruited one of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's advisers to help him promote his new movie about the 1972 Munich Olympic terrorist attacks.

According to hollywood.com, the film follows an Israeli hit squad's hunt for the Palestinian terrorists who held the Jewish athletes hostage. Eleven of the hostages were killed when a German rescue attempt went wrong.

Although unreleased, the movie has received criticism and been accused of historical inaccuracy. 

Therefore, the director has hired Eyal Arad to help the film's acceptance in Israel. Arad helped plan the recent Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. 

Arad had arranged a screening in Tel Aviv for the widows of the murdered Israeli athletes and said: "We are talking about a film that has generated a lot of interest. Naturally that sort of interest can entail some negative reactions as well as positive reactions."
 
Sylvester Stallone knocked unconscious
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Dec 20 (IANS) Actor Sylvester Stallone was knocked unconscious while filming a scene for the sixth "Rocky" movie "Rocky Balboa" and needed urgent medical attention.

According to hollywood.com, Stallone suffered an injury while shooting the film scenes in the ring. He fell unconscious but the film crew failed to raise the alarm believing he was still acting.

Stallone's mother Jackie said: "At first everyone thought Sylvester was acting when he fell to the floor, but it was serious. Fortunately he's recovered now."
 

Shirley MacLaine says she's no Hilton
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Dec 20 (IANS) Movie legend Shirley MacLaine pointed out that she is no Paris Hilton when someone suggested she was an icon.

According to newsweek.com, MacLaine was slightly offended when she was referred to as an icon. She said: "Oh, hell, they're calling Paris Hilton an icon. It doesn't mean a thing to me." 

MacLaine also defended her co-star from the movie "Rumour Has It" Jennifer Aniston concerning her alleged romance with actor Vince Vaughn. She said: "If I were Jennifer, I would slug most of you." 

She then joked: "Vince Vaughn prefers older women. Jennifer is my beard. And the truth is that I am basically having a ball and she's taking all the guff."

Jim Carrey proud to be US citizen
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Dec 20 (IANS) Canadian born actor Jim Carrey says he is glad he became a US citizen even though the country has been criticised so much the world over.

According to newsweek.com, Carrey says: "I love this country. What's going on overseas has very little to do with the ideal that is America. 

"I think there is a lot of corruption right now... The basic corporate conglomerate that is America is out of control in certain ways." 

He adds: "I'm proud to be here in this country. It's given me huge blessings in every way. It's recognised what I do and given me the opportunity to live out my dreams. I love it here. I'm happy to be here."