Movie News Monday for August 19, 2013.

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, 4 more wide new releases entered the box office arena and hoped for the top 4 spots. Out of all them only one took top honors and actually one didn’t even make it into the Top Ten. The Butler saw great success over Kutcher’s Jobs and We’re the Millers maintained its spot at #2. Elysium dropped by 57% but still came in at #3. Next week, I wouldn’t be surprised if both The Smurfs 2 and The Wolverine say “bye-bye” to the Top Ten.

Here are the weekend’s estimated results for Fri, Aug 16-Sun, Aug 18:

1. Lee Daniels’ The Butler — $25M
2. We’re The Millers — $17.8M
3. Elysium — $13.6M
4. Kick-A$$ 2 — $13.6M
5. Planes — $13.1M
6. Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters — $8.4M
7. Jobs — $6.7M
8. 2 Guns – $5.6M
9. The Smurfs 2 — $4.6M
10. The Wolverine – $4.4M

…and coming in at #13: Paranoia (starring Gary Oldman, Liam Hemsworth, Harrison Ford) with $3.5M

*Actuals may vary as earnings are updated much later on Monday afternoons. For updates, visit boxofficemojo.com.

Congratulations to Lee Daniels’ The Butler (My review will post SOON).

What did YOU watch this weekend?

#2- “New SINISTER photos for The Amazing Spider-Man 2.” Spider-Man will websling his way into theaters once again very soon in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. That being the case, plenty of new photos continue to hit the “web” giving glimpses of what to expect. The gallery below are the latest offerings which include a possible tease for the rumored Sinister Six. (Click any image for fullscreen slideshow, scroll using arrow keys)

I, for one, am very interested in seeing what exactly director Marc Webb has in store for us with the upcoming sequel.

Here is the official synopsis for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 which is scheduled to hit theaters on May 2, 2014:

In The Amazing Spider-Man 2, for Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield), life is busy – between taking out the bad guys as Spider-Man and spending time with the person he loves, Gwen (Emma Stone), high school graduation can’t come quickly enough. Peter hasn’t forgotten about the promise he made to Gwen’s father to protect her by staying away – but that’s a promise he just can’t keep. Things will change for Peter when a new villain, Electro (Jamie Foxx), emerges, an old friend, Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan), returns, and Peter uncovers new clues about his past.

Any guesses on Stan Lee’s cameo?

#3- “Go Joe!…to the Twilight Zone“ No, no G.I. Joes here, but director Joseph Kosinski has his eyes on The Twilight Zone! Kosinski, who recently directed Oblivion and also directed Tron: Legacy, is said to be in talks to direct another full-length feature (one was made in 1983, see the trailer HERE) based on the classic show originally from the mind of host Rod Serling. I expect that Kosinski will find a way to make this contract concrete as he seems to have a knack for science fiction.

Those hoping for more news on the planned sequel to Tron: Legacy…there is currently no word on how or if being attached to The Twilight Zone will affect the proposed scheduling for the Tron sequel. Time will tell.

Apparently there were plans to fly William Shatner in to help facilitate the negotiations, but execs were concerned he would freak out in the plane mid-flight. Something about something on the wing or something like that.

Are you interested in a TZ movie? Who else do you think could direct it?

#4- “Promoting the Hobbit.”The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug has a new set of promo images (including activity books) and a poster.

Check them out: (Click any image for fullscreen slideshow, scroll using arrow keys)

New poster:

This morning, on Reddit, I found a post from someone who didn’t like the new promo poster and made their own. I quite like their edition myself:

Click photo for source

Here’s the official synopsis for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug:

The second in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug continues the adventure of the title character Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) on an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor.

Are you ready for December 13? 

#5- “This Week’s Blu-ray release.” This week, look for the following films on Blu-ray to possibly add to your collection:

Epic- Beautiful visually, this story will be fine for kids to see even if it is highly redundant and plagued with the horrible voice acting of Beyonce. Not to be confused with Fern Gully, Epic did little to impress me and received quite the low score from me, but you can check it out for yourself this week. It has its moments in 3D such as going through the forest on the back of a hummingbird. Check it out if you wish. Read my full review HERE.

Several other films also release this week. Check it out!

Also releasing:

• Amour
• Killing Season
• Shadow Dancer
• …and more.

Which will you pick up?

This week’s WEEKLY WATCHES: I don’t get to review everything I watch. That being the case you don’t get an idea of my thoughts on some of the movies I check out for you that you may be interested in. At the bottom of ‘MNM’ I will attempt to, each week, post the films I DID watch over the week and (if you care to know my thoughts) if you ask about them in the comment section, I will share my feelings toward the film in question.

This week’s watches have all been submissions for the White Sands International Film Festival. More reviews are on the way. Stay tuned. For full coverage, click the photo.

-Also watched: Kick-A$$ 2

Tell me, what did YOU watch this week?

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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!”