Weekend Box Office Report 'Hansel & Gretel' Slays 'Parker,' 'Movie 43'
On a relatively slow weekend at the box office, newcomer Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters easily claimed the top spot with a decent $19 million opening. Meanwhile, Parker and Movie 43 had terrible debuts, and as a result the Top 12 was off over 10 percent from the same weekend last year.
Hansel and Gretel's estimated $19 million start is better than Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter's $16.3 million and The Brothers Grimm's $15.1 million, though it's about even with Grimm in estimated ticket sales. While that's definitely not a great start, it's passable for a $50 million production that's been wasting away on the shelf for the last year. The movie benefited from a clearly articulated premise (it's right there in the title), action-packed commercials, and a lead actor (Jeremy Renner) who has seen his stock go up significantly in the last two years.
While Hansel and Gretel has been savaged by critics (15 percent on Rotten Tomatoes), audiences gave it a "B" CinemaScore, which suggests it might be able to come close to $50 million by the end of its run. Add in an overseas total that will be way above $100 million and it looks like Hansel and Gretel is going to avoid being labeled a flop.
The movie's audience was 55 percent male and 57 percent were 25 years of age or older. 3D showings accounted for 66 percent of the gross (55 percent regular 3D, 11 percent IMAX 3D).
In second place, last weekend's winner Mama fell 55 percent to an estimated $12.9 million. While that's a pretty steep decline, it is fairly standard for a January horror release. The movie is already at $48.6 million, and is on pace to out-gross any of 2012's horror offerings.
Silver Linings Playbook held on to third place this weekend with an estimated $10 million. That's off just seven percent from last weekend, which once again reinforces just how strong the word-of-mouth is on this Oscar-nominated romantic comedy. Silver Linings has now earned $69.5 million, and if it continues to hold well through the Academy Awards ceremony (which is four weekends from now), it will wind up with over $100 million.
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In its third weekend in nationwide release, Zero Dark Thirty dipped 38 percent to an estimated $9.8 million. While that's definitely a good hold, it is starting to seem like the buzz has evaporated on this title (what happened to all the torture controversy?). The Oscar-nominated CIA thriller has grossed $69.9 million so far, and it now looks like there's a good chance it winds up below $100 million.
Parker opened in fifth place with an estimated $7 million from 2,224 locations this weekend. That's less than Jason Statham's last solo outing, Safe, which bombed last year with just $7.9 million. It is at least slightly higher than 2009's Crank: High Voltage ($6.96 million), though it could fall below that level when actuals report on Monday afternoon.
Jason Statham clearly has a fan base, but it's starting to look like it's only good for about $7 million on opening weekend. To get higher there needs to be something else presented that connects with other audiences, and that doesn't seem to have happened with Parker.
The movie at least received a good "B+" CinemaScore, which means it could wind up near $20 million by the end of its run.
Black Nativity Movie Beings Filiming Soon
Fox Searchlight’s adaptation of Langston Hughes’ 1961 gospel musical Black Nativity — will start filming later this month with Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson, Tyrese Gibson and Jacob Latimore. Writer-director Kasi Lemmons (best known for Eve’s Bayou) is writing and directing the film. Black Nativity follows the story of Langston, a teenage boy from Baltimore , who is sent to Harlem to spend Christmas with grandparents he has never met. Through his grandfather’s Christmas Eve sermon, he learns the importance of faith and family.
Jennifer Hudson will play the mother who hasn’t spoken to her father since they had a falling out after she got pregnant. Angela Bassett and Forest Whitaker will play the boy’s estranged grandparents, Rev. Clarence and Aretha Cobbs.
Black Nativity, which was first performed in 1961, is a retelling of the Bible’s nativity story with an all-black cast and features traditional Christmas carols sung in gospel style. It was one of the first plays written by an African-American to be staged on Broadway.
Bobby Valentino ROBBED at GUNPOINT in Atlanta
Glad he’s safe!
Kaepernick Real Mom Come Lately?
The biological mother of San Francisco
With less than two weeks to go until Kaepernick takes to the field against the Baltimore Ravens in New Orelans for the Super Bowl, Heidi Russo opened her heart up about the decision to give her son up for adoption as a scared 19-year-old, 25 years-ago.
And having watched Kaepernick's stellar performances in this, his break out year, Russo said, 'Don't get me wrong, I am not 'coming out' to share in any of the success Colin is having, I just want him to know I never stopped thinking about him.'
Currently living and working in Thornton , Colorado as a dental nurse with an eight-year-old son, Russo explained to Fox 11 the heart-breaking decision she went through to give him up as a teenager living in Milwaukee
'It is the toughest decision that I have ever made. But, for him, it was the right decision,' said Heidi.
'For me personally, I was in a situation that wasn't planned, certainly wasn't in a position to give Colin the life that i Wanted him to have.'
Heidi explains that she has only ever spent six weeks with her son and is thankful to Rick and Terersa Kaepernick for taking her son out of her hands.
Speaking from her home in Thornton , Colorado
This has been Colin Kaepernick's break-out year and he has starred as the quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers on their way to the Super Bowl in New Orleans
'He was born in 1987 and I took care of him for six weeks and I was fortunate enough and blessed with Rick and Teresa who adopted him.'
Explaining that Colin never left her thoughts, Heidi says that updates from the Kaepernick's including photographs and letters about Colin's progress had to stop when he was seven as they were affecting her ability to move on with her own life.
'I couldn't move forward with my life - I would wait for her letters, I would wait for pictures. It was really hard.'
'His whole life I have thought about him, every birthday. You think about him, you don't just forget.'
In December, Heidi spoke to the Mercury News about her exposure to the media as the parent of a 'celebrity' that she doesn't really know, describing it as 'obviously a strange experience.'
'But I've been interested in getting a chance to see Colin, to be with him, since the day he was given up for adoption,' she added.
Heidi Russo received regular correspondence from Colin's adoptive parents up until she asked them to stop when he was seven years old because the pain was too great
Heidi has made numerous attempts to get back into contact with Colin over the past 18-years and each one has been rebuffed in a polite or lukewarm manner.
'I have to respect his wishes,' explained Russo.
'If and when he changes his mind - he may never change his mind - I'll watch him from home.
'When I have a chance to get out to a game, I'll watch him from there.'
During one of the brief exchanges they did have, Colin asked Heidi about his biological father.
Heidi explained to the Mercury News that she tried to contact him, but got no reply.
'I never got a response,' explained Russo. 'He has denied him for 25 years, so nothing has changed.'
Having given birth to another child Heidi wondered how things might have worked out had she been more prepared in 1987.
'I made my call on Colin a long time ago,' she says. 'I have to live with that.
'It's his life. The Kaepernicks have been great. They have given Colin everything he could want and more. They were able to raise him in the same kind of athletic environment that I grew up in. I wanted him to have a great life, and that's what he has.'
Colin Kaepernick has kept contact with his biological mother to a minimum and has not met her since she gave him up for adoption
From Kaepernick's point of view, he has reportedly made his feelings clear about resisting the public calls from his biological mother to reunite.
VIDEO
'I think he would view it as almost treasonous to them to meet with his biological mother or father,' said former University of Nevada
'They did such a great job giving him everything he needed to be successful in life.'
Rick and Teresa Kaepernick have indicated to Colin that they will support any decision he makes regarding his biological parents.
After having failed to meet any adoptive parents she liked during her pregnancy, Heidi had come to terms with keeping Colin when a family friend who works for the Lutheran Social Services in Wisconsin
The couple had two children of their own and had lost another two to heart defects.
'I knew they were the right people immediately,' said Heidi, who was living in Milwaukee
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick will rise to national prominence if the 49ers defeat the Baltimore Ravens to win Super Bowl XLVII
'The first thing Teresa did when she met me was give me a hug. They were such giving, wonderful people from the moment I met them.'
Under Wisconsin
'I refused to have him in foster care, there was no way. I raised him for the first six weeks,' said Heidi.
During those six weeks, she developed a mother-son bond that complicated giving up her child.
'I think your mind and your body do things to help you forget truly painful experiences like that,' said Heidi.
'I remember going to the courthouse to sign all the papers, then we went somewhere else for the exchange. It might have been the Lutheran Social Services building, but I really can't remember.
'All I remember is that we had to be in separate rooms. The adoption officials came and got Colin from me and then took him to the Kaepernicks.
'That's the one thing I wish I had done differently. I wish I had given him directly to the Kaepernicks.'
Jennifer Hudson & Christina Aguilera Set To Tribute Donna Summer At ‘Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’ Ceremony
Now, the divas are teaming up to honor another musical monarch – Queen of Disco Donna Summer…
Indeed, it was announced today the ‘Spotlight’ and ‘Dirrty’ singers would be lending their signature sounds to one of Summer’s greatest hits as she is finally being inducted into the prestigious ‘Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’.
Reports indicate more performers and inductees will be unveiled in the coming days. Tickets for the Los Angeles-based ceremony go on sale to the public Feb. 1, but for those unable to attend, the show will also broadcasted live on HBO May 18.
Your thoughts?
15-Year-Old Bronx Teen Robs Bank, Arrested After Hidden Dye Pack Blew Up In His Face
Hart was covered in the substance when he was arrested outside of the Amalgamated Bank branch in the Bronx . He attempted to escape the scene with $1,000 in cash before being apprehended, at around 2:40 p.m.
Upon entering the bank, Hart reportedly passed a note to the teller that said he had a bomb. The quick-thinking employee placed the exploding matter under the bills, without Hart's knowledge.
“Police officers ran over quickly and started picking up all the red bills,” said a witness. “These kids today are so stupid. How did he think he could get away with robbing a bank? The teller was very smart to do what she did.”
Teen bank robbers are uncommon, but there have been cases of youngsters who have— like Hart—inadvertently implicating themselves. Last month, a teen girl in Nebraska posted an 8-minute video on YouTube bragging about holding up the Cornerstone Bank in the city of Waco
Shots Fired: Joan Rivers READS Michelle Obama for her Bangs!
“Our President for the next four years, Barack Obama. Love you!”
“I love Michelle Obama. And to address the most significant event of this weekend, I love her bangs!”
He added, “She looks good. She always looks good.”
She tweeted:
“Today starts President Obama’s next four years in the White House, Let’s hope the same isn’t true about the First Lady’s new hairdo.”
No shade I feel the same way about your face Joan!
Rivers’ negative comments pale to the amount of approval our First Lady received for her bangs. “E! News” called them “flawless,” and the “LA Times” described the new look as a “glamorous sleek pageboy featuring bangs.”
Is there anyone out there that agrees with Joan Rivers’ comments?
Erica Mena, Angela Lee and Chaundrea Nicole are having a TWITTER WAR?
Erica shot back at Angela saying,
“This cabbage patch slore bag loves talking about me so when I run into let’s see if she can still say all this to my face. You need to really be asking what people are going to think when I slap the blood out your face @angelayee.”
While many of Angela followers responded in support of Angela and commented on Erica's "lifestyle" which may or may not include bad parenting and alleged drug use, Angela tweeted, “So sad that this person has a child somewhere in the world…”
We're pretty sure Erica is scared that Angela could drop that dime we ALL know about--Erica allegedly cheating with Ange's very married co-host DJ Envy.
Now here's where it REALLY gets rachet. We told you that Chaundrea Nicole REALLY took issue with Erica laying up with Rich (a man who doesn't honor his responsibility as a father) and what message that puts out to their daughter.
On the Twitter side of this, Erica never addresses Rich's alleged paternity but instead focuses on how Chaundrea drives a broken down truck and has nappy hair.
And to make it even worse, there are rumors going around that Rich has hired a "Crackhead" to follow Chaundrea around and take photos of her.
The women these men choose....
Chaundrea shot back with a few tweets of her own that seemed to threaten legal action....
The real loser in this mess is Chaundrea's teenage daughter who is watching all this play out in public (and we're sure her friends are watching it too). Really wish people would stop playing out custody issues and catfights on Twitter. But then again, how would we ever find out how truly ratchet these fools are?
SMH.
Eve Announces Album Release Date
That’s right, 11 years after the release of her last album ‘Eve-olution‘, the Rap mogul has now confirmed the release date for its follow up ‘Lip Lock‘.
All the details below…
Set for launch on May 14th, ‘Lip’ will boast collaborations with Pusha T, Snoop Dogg and the ever impressive Chrisette Michelle, and will feature her club smash ‘She Bad Bad’ and the freshly squeezed ‘Make It Out This Town’.
As far as production goes, the world can look forward to jams crafted by ‘Tambourine‘ producer Swizz Beatz and Claude Kelly, the man responsible for Christina Aguilera‘s digital hit, ‘Just A Fool’
Are the Obama’s and Oprah Beefing?
I guess I am not the only person who noticed Oprah’s absence our friends at CottenKandi had this to say
Back in 2009, Oprah was one of Obama’s biggest supporters. She even invited the then governor on her daytime talk show, and single-handedly, introduced him to millions of Americans. She was even given credit for helping him win the election when she donated millions to his 2008-2009 campaign. However, this time around Oprah has been surprisingly quiet. So we’re curious. Could something be wrong between the Obamas and the talk show queen? We certainly hope not!
Maybe they forgot to send her an invite, maybe Oprah was too busy??
Aliens Inspire Kevin Durant, LeBron James & Kobe
Nike Basketball used "extraterrestrial species, undiscovered planets, new constellations" and a general theme of discovery in these special colorways of the LeBron X, Kobe 8 System and Zoom KD V.
Per a Nike press release:
LEBRON X
An indestructible force originating from fictional Nike Space Program (NSP) planet NSP-LJ6, LeBron James' dominance was born from the volcanic surface in the planet's mantle. He is rumored to have journeyed to earth on a meteor made of the galaxy's hardest substance – black diamonds.
Technical benefits of the LEBRON X shoe include full-length visible Nike Zoom cushioning, dynamic Flywire technology and Hyperfuse construction -- a trilogy set to unleash its fury in Houston
Engineered to the specifications of Kobe Bryant's Houston
Built for Bryant's lightning speed and precision, the KOBE 8 SYSTEM shoe is Nike+ Basketball enabled for the first time and this shoe also features Nike Zoom in the midsole insert. Nike Engineered Mesh upper and tactile traction complete the shoe.
KD V
Identified as Dark Matter, the biological and molecular breakdown of this figure remains a puzzle for scientists. Early readings of its origin, NSP-KD35, have sent back conflicting reports of a planet that is simultaneously solid, liquid, and gas – properties that make his game adaptable to any situation.
Joining with Bryant for their quest to lead the West to victory, this KD V shoe is designed to the specifications of Kevin Durant's Houston
All the shoes will be available at select retailers on February 15. This is when you may have to decided between a gift for your significant others, or a pair of these. Choose wisely.
Cissy Houston
Nearly one year after Whitney Houston’s shocking death, her mom Cissy Houston often asks herself: “Could I have saved her somehow?” In a revealing new memoir, Remembering Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss and the Night the Music Stopped, Cissy, writes candidly about her daughter’s severe drug problems and the downward spiral that led to her death. “She started partying and she didn’t really know how to stop,” says Cissy. “I used to wonder what she was doing at night, where she was.” But when she tried to contact her, Whitney often didn’t return her calls.
“Whitney hid from me,” says Cissy. And when she did see her, she was often afraid to confront her daughter. Shocked at her skeletal appearance at the Michael Jackson tribute concert in 2001, she never expressed concern. “What was the point?” she asks. “I didn’t want her to run completely away from me.”
Cissy doesn’t believe former husband Bobby Brown was the cause. “I blame him for the way he treated her,” she says, “but I don’t blame him for her drug problems.” Still, she adds: “He was no help to her at all.”
Cissy also writes for the first time about her daughter’s relationship with former assistant Robyn Crawford, who became her creative director. “I just didn’t want her with my daughter,” she says. “I know nothing about a romantic relationship. That’s what everybody said but, they didn’t know either.”
She admits, Robyn Crawford “cared for her” and reveals for the first time that she was the first one to come tell her Whitney had a drug problem.
Cissy is still tormented by her daughter’s sudden death. “I’m angry she died alone, in those conditions,” she says. “I’m still mad about that.” Still, she hopes her book will remind people “what a good person she was. I want people to know the truth about her, how she really was.” The book comes out January 29th, it was written with Lisa Dickey.
To commemorate the passing of Whitney, Oprah has sat down with Cissy for what’s sure to be a somber and reflective exclusive interview. Whitney’s brother, Michael Houston, will also appear during the special airing of Oprah’s Next Chapter, this coming Monday, January 28th at 10 p.m. on OWN.
D’angelo Still Hard At Work On New Album
The in-house drummer for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon also strongly suggested that the album should be released by February of this year. “If this record is not turned in by February, then something is extremely wrong. Because we worked to the bone in the entire month of January just to tighten up all the loose ends.”
Kelly Ripa Furious with Michael Strahan
Kelly Ripa is angry with her co-host Michael Strahan taking credit for their show's bump in ratings.
KELLY RIPA is more than livid – she’s FURIOUS at newbie co-host MICHAEL STRAHAN for boasting that he’s the reason the show’s ratings have been booming, say insiders.
The former NFL defensive end has been mighty offensive as far as the 42-year-old blonde beauty is concerned because he’s claiming viewers are flocking to the show to watch him since he replaced Regis Philbin in September.
The gridiron-star – who was just named a fi¬nalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame – is also taking credit for “Live Kelly and Michael” beating TV powerhouse “Dr. Phil” in the ratings. And he already wants a raise because of it, the insiders add.
“Kelly’s seething,” said a source close to the show. “The way she sees it, it’s basically been her show since Regis left and she was the one who championed Michael for the job!
“Now she’s left wondering what kind of monster she created.”
“Live Kelly and Michael” recently edged out “Dr. Phil” for the first time this season. Some 3.6 million people viewed “Live” during the week of Dec. 16, while 3.5 million watched “Dr. Phil,” which had been No. 1 among talk shows since the season began 13 weeks ago. What’s more, the talk fest also topped “Dr. Phil” in the critical 25- to 54-year-old female demographic, which is especially important to advertisers.
“Michael’s been puffed with pride ever since the good news came out,” said the source. “He’s full of ideas for the show. He even wants to bring his bride-to-be (Eddie Murphy’s ex-wife Nicole) onto the program.
“Now the two hosts are headed for a showdown.”
Ahmad Rashad and Sale
Johnson & Johnson heir Sale Johnson has banned estranged hubby Ahamd Rashad from their swanky social club in Jupiter, Florida
The split between NBA TV analyst and former NFL star Ahmad Rashad, and his multimillionaire socialite wife of eight years is getting downright ugly.
Rashad, 63, is no longer allowed in the fancy Jupiter community of The Bears Club after wife Sale Johnson asked security guards not to let him in unless she approves it, a Club insider tells Gossip Extra.
Sale Johnson, the ex-wife of Johnson & Johnson heir Woody Johnson, owns a $5 million-home at the Club developed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus around a world-class golf course.
According to records, the five-bedroom house is considered to be Rashad and Johnson’s marital home, even if the deed is solely under her name.
–Get it before The Palm Beach Post: Sign up for the Gossip Extra daily dirt alerts Ex-fashion model Johnson’s move came on the day last week when Gossip Extra revealed exclusivelythat the two were negotiating a settlement despite the fact that the divorce has yet to be filed.
“Sale
“Ahmad and Sale
Rashad and Johnson were married in 2007. He had just gone through a public split with actressPhylicia Rashad while Sale
A second source, meanwhile, is telling me that Sale
His fortune is estimated at about $8 million.
Last week, the New York Post reported that the bad blood between Rashad and Johnson started when Johnson allegedly tried to ban Rashad from seeing buds Michael Jordan, the NBA legend who’s building a home near Johnson’s pad at the Club, and golfer Tiger Woods, who lives in nearby Jupiter Island
Neither Johnson nor Rashad returned calls for comment.
2013 BMI TRAILBLAZERS OF GOSPEL
Congrats to All of them. Well deserved!
Keyshia Cole: ‘No More Singles From ‘Woman To Woman’
Yes, despite selling more units at a faster rate than any other female R&B release in 2012, the ‘Trust & Believe‘ singer has revealed that there will be no more singles from the album.
Find out why below…
Lol. No more singles! Album not selling good enough.RT @amerikanskitzo: Okkkkkay @keyshiacole im waiting for some … tmi.me/HCCEI
— Keyshia Cole Gibson (@KeyshiaCole) January 21, 2013
However, perhaps in realizing her mistake, she then implemented a little damage control with the below
What’s unfortunate about Keyshia’s Tweets, even when her ‘clarification’ is taken into account, is that they undermine the support her fans have shown her week on week on the Billboard 200.
For, while it may not be obvious to all, ‘Woman To Woman’ is what some might call a slow burner. The kind of LP, that starts off modestly but sells enough units each week to guarantee it doesn’t go down as a commercial failure.
It’s for this reason that her comments will confuse many of her fans, who in their support for her will be aware that stand as one of the only fan bases to support their ‘fave’ with their mouths and money, while other support groups are guilty of doing one but not the other.
Let’s just hope these Tweets haven’t burnt her chances of going Gold, and the loyalty that has ensured she sells more than 90% of the ‘R&B girls’, even on her worst day.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘Pillow Fight!’
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD EVERYBODY!!!
EFREM
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