Welcome to this week’s edition of “Movie News Monday!” (“MNM!”)!!
What is ‘MNM’ all about?
In case this is your first time here, “Movie News Monday!” (MNM) is the place to visit every Monday for a quick recap of trending entertainment news! I’ve collected info, rumors, etc from all over just for you to keep you updated on movies being released, actors/actresses in roles, dvd releases to keep a lookout for, which movie won in the box office over the weekend, etc! Are you ready for your weekly update? Here it is!
This Just In!!…
#1- “The Weekend Winner.” Last weekend, 2 wide new releases entered the Top Ten of the box office arena but only one of them made it into the Top Ten. (The To-Do List ended at #15.) The Wolverine on the other hand, took top honors. Also over the weekend, Turbo passed the $100M mark while RED 2 sadly barely passed the $35M mark. Fruitvale Station actually crept into the Top Ten this past weekend after being at #17 the previous weekend.
This past weekend also saw the dismissal of World War Z and Monsters University from the Top Ten.
Here are the weekend’s estimated results for Fri, July 26-Sun, July 28:
- The Wolverine ~$55M
- The Conjuring ~$22.1M
- Despicable Me 2 ~$16M
- Turbo ~$13.3M
- Grown Ups 2 ~$11.5M
- RED 2 ~$9.4M
- Pacific Rim ~$7.5M
- The Heat ~$6.9M
- R.I.P.D. ~$5.9M
- Fruitvale Station ~$4.7M
*Actuals may vary as earnings are updated much later on Monday afternoons. For updates, visit boxofficemojo.com.
Congratulations to The Wolverine (My Review).
What did YOU watch this weekend?
#2- “RIDDICK Motion Comic” Vin Diesel’s next appearance on the big screen will be in September’s reintroduction of the constantly hunted darkness dweller Riddick.
Image from Riddick twitter campaign “Furyan Fridays”
After Comic-Con, here is the new motion comic in preparation for the upcoming release starring Vin Diesel, Karl urban, Dave Bautista and more. I like the fact that David Twohy, who directed Pitch Black AND The Chronicles of Riddick, is also directing Riddick.
Check out the motion comic!
Here’s the official synopsis:
The infamous Riddick has been left for dead on a sun-scorched planet that appears to be lifeless. Soon, however, he finds himself fighting for survival against alien predators more lethal than any human he’s encountered. The only way off is for Riddick to activate an emergency beacon and alert mercenaries who rapidly descend to the planet in search of their bounty.
The first ship to arrive carries a new breed of merc, more lethal and violent, while the second is captained by a man whose pursuit of Riddick is more personal. With time running out and a storm on the horizon that no one could survive, his hunters won’t leave the planet without Riddick’s head as their trophy.
Riddick hits theaters on September 6.
Is this your favorite Vin Diesel role?
#3- “The Perfect Score“ Neither a sport analogy nor a reference to the highschool drama starring Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson, this title references my delight in learning that John Williams has confirmed his involvement in composing the scores for Star Wars VII (and through “IX” expectedly).
Hear it straight from the legendary composer’s mouth himself!
It is wonderful knowing that the master will be holding the director’s baton for the continuation of the story from “long ago in a galaxy far, far away.”
Here’s the press release:
John Williams, the legendary composer who crafted the iconic, sweeping music of all six films in the Star Wars saga, is returning to score Star Wars: Episode VII, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy announced today at Star Wars Celebration Europe. Williams’ grand orchestral compositions for Star Wars are among the most beloved and recognizable in movie history, from the classic “Main Title” theme introduced in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope to the ominous “Imperial March” from Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back to the stirring “Duel of the Fates” from the prequel trilogy.
Williams, whose career spans over six decades, has won five Academy Awards and has scored some of the most popular and critically acclaimed films of all time, including Jaws, the Indiana Jones series, E.T. The Extra Terrestrial,Lincoln, and countless others.
The composer joins a growing list of all-star creators including director J.J. Abrams, screenwriter Michael Arndt, and consultants Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg, who are shaping Star Wars: Episode VII, currently set for a 2015 release.
Hooray for Williams. Perhaps they learned their lesson about replacing Williams with the Man of Steel soundtrack.
Now if only they’d get George Lucas to direct! JUST KIDDING! 
#4- “Hollywood brings Reboot!” I wish that somehow the 90′s computer animated cartoon would resurface. Anyone remember that show? I loved it.
No, this article is about two upcoming reboots.
1. Fantastic Four- Still aiming for a March 6, 2015, Marvel plans on this reboot to begin production this September. Josh Trank (director of Chronicle) is directing the reboot and filming is expected to begin in Louisiana instead of Vancouver. Casting is still not announced, but rumors range from Allison Williams as Sue Storm to Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm.
2. The Butterfly Effect- With one of the original script writers Eric Bress (no news on J. Mackye Gruber) attached to pen the script for the reboot, this reboot is reportedly in the works and expected to get more greenlights as time goes on. No word on Ashton Kutcher. haha. Would you expect to see him in it?
Well, there ya have it. Upcoming reboots on the way! I still say an adventure in Mainframe would be better.
Is there a movie you wish did get rebooted?
#5- “This Week’s Blu-ray release.” This week, look for the following films on Blu-ray to possibly add to your collection:
GI Joe: Retaliation- The Joes fight against terrorists both foreign and domestic in this mediocre continuation that also stars “franchise saver” Dwayne Johnson alongside Bruce Willis and several other familiar faces. Read my full review HERE and find out if it is worth a watch, buy or rental this week.
Several other films also release this week. Check it out!
Also releasing:
- Filly Brown
- Black Rock
- Between Us
- …and more.
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Well, that’s it for this round of “Movie News Monday!”
Thanks for reading! Happy Watching!
-T, The Focused Filmographer
up next: ”Time to Vote Tuesday!”
