FLOP POP FIZZLE: FLOP POP FIZZLE: The Obligatory Weekend B.O. Report: ‘Alice’ Reigns Supreme For Second Week, ‘Green Zone’ Fails To Deliver, Apatow Laugher Scores

March 14th, 2010 Filed under: Filed under: Flop Pop Fizzle

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Alice in Wonderland easily took the top spot for the second week in a row. There wasn’t much good news for Universal, as their $100M+ investment in Green Zone will be impossible to recoup. Despite the fact the movie starred Matt Damon and was directed by Paul Greengrass (who have teamed up before on the successful Bourne movies), stale subject matter (concerning the search for weapons of mass destruction in 2003) appeared to be a turnoff to audiences more interested in 3D escapism. It joins the list of other Iraq themed movies turned out to be box office disappointments like Home of the Brave, Rendition, In the Valley of Elah and Stop-Loss. …Read More

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VULTURE DROPPINGS OF THE WEEK: Celebrities Hawking Products

March 14th, 2010 Filed under: Filed under: Vulture News

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In the past, when A-list movie stars wanted to cash in on the big bucks they’re offered to shill everything from fast food to pantyhose, they would quietly take the cash and make sure the ads would only played in the far flung reaches of South Korea. That attitude has went the way of the economy and in the YouTube age, it’s impossible to keep those ads a secret anyways. Now even A-listers are embracing endorsement deals more than ever before. After all, these are trying times for everyone and even celebrities need financial help more than ever. …Read More

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THE WEEKEND MARQUEE: Universal Gambles On The ‘Green Zone’, ‘Alice In Wonderland’ Set To Dominate Again

March 12th, 2010 Filed under: Filed under: Weekend Marquee

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The search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, which remains a haunting reminder of the Bush era, is the premise of, Green Zone, the latest collaboration between Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass. They’re hoping to repeat the success they’ve had with the Bourne movies that have been audience favorites. With a budget of over $100M, it’s a big gamble for Universal since Iraq-themed movies as diverse as Home of the Brave, Rendition, In the Valley of Elah and Stop-Loss have all been financial disappointments. Even The Hurt Locker, …Read More

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‘California Dreams’ Cast Reunites On Jimmy Fallon

March 12th, 2010 Filed under: Filed under: Reunions

When you can’t get the Saved By The Bell cast to reunite, it’s time to either drop the idea or aim lower. We all know which one Jimmy Fallon chose, as the above clip demonstrates. Next week he’ll probably stage a Hang Time reunion. His desperation for viewers in the 18-49 demographic — particularly those with a nostalgic reverence towards the crappy Saturday morning sitcoms of their youth — is as obvious as a weird Johhny Depp character in a Tim Burton pic.

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Quentin Tarantino At Career Crossroads: Contemplating 3D, Rom-Coms & The Future

March 11th, 2010 Filed under: Filed under: Quentin Tarantino

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After completing several projects that were years in the making like Kill Bill and Inglourious Basterds (which he wrote the script for in 1998) Quentin Tarantino is finding himself, for the first time in a long while, without a clear idea of what his next project will be. Despite the record breaking success of Avatar, he told MTV, directing a 3D movie isn’t on his radar. Although he added that he does regret that Kill Bill wasn’t filmed in three dimensions. He said: …Read More

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‘CoCo’ On The Road: Former ‘Tonight Show’ Host To Headline 32 City Tour

March 11th, 2010 Filed under: Filed under: Conan O'Brien, Tours

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After more than month since being banished from The Tonight Show on NBC, Conan O’Brien is ready to get back to being a host…only this time he’ll be doing it live. His tour, dubbed The Legally Prohibited From Being Funny On TV Tour, will hit up 32 cities in the U.S. and Canada, including a stop at this summer’s Bonnaroo music festival. Sidekick Andy Richter will also …Read More

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Corey Haim: 1971 – 2010

March 10th, 2010 Filed under: Filed under: Corey Haim, R.I.P.

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Former child star Corey Haim, seen above in his heyday, was found dead in his North Hollywood apartment this morning of an apparent overdose. His short life was riddled with drug addiction, rehab stints and other PR nightmares. Haim’s big break, and first starring role, came with the release of the 1986 film, Lucas, about a 14-year-old whiz kid who falls in love with the new girl at school (played by Kerri Green). In his original review, critic Roger Ebert wrote the following about Haim: …Read More

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Ricky Gervais Podcast Comforts Chilean Earthquake Survivor

March 10th, 2010 Filed under: Filed under: Ricky Gervais

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In the last few years, comedian Ricky Gervais has been productive; writing, producing, acting and hosting awards shows like the Golden Globes. Last year, he also recorded a series of audio podcasts with broad topics ranging from art to the human body. On his blog, he recently posted a letter he received through his agent, written by a man from Chile, who says the shows gave him comfort in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that left hundreds dead and more than 1.5 million Chileans without a home. The letter reads: …Read More

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New Trailer For ‘Tron: Legacy’

March 10th, 2010 Filed under: Filed under: Coming Soon, Trailers

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WORST. OSCARS. EVER.

March 7th, 2010 Filed under: Filed under: Oscars

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Unintentionally hilarious red carpet coverage, awkward banter between celebrity presenters, annoying speeches and groan inducing musical numbers; all of the usual elements were in place for the 82nd Academy Awards, and still, it was one of the most indulgent, badly produced versions in recent memory. The director of this year’s Oscar ceremony, Adam Shankman, revealed in an interview with Terri Gross on NPR’s Fresh Air last week that the Academy vetoed his original idea to have comedian Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat) for the more baby boomer friendly alternatives, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. Cohen may have …Read More

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