#BOXOFFICE: “FOCUS” SHOWS DETERMINATION WITH DEBUT AT #1

FOCUS puts a stop to FIFTY SHADES OF GREY‘s two-week reign with a solid debut, opening with $19.1 million for Warner Bros. from 3,323 theatres. Will Smith certainly maintains his bankability as a Star, topping the Box Office once again after a number one opening in 2012 also with Men in Black 3. Critics gave the Romantic Comedy-Action mixed reviews with a 56% on the Tomatometer and Audiences gave it a B CinemaScore.

KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE lands in second once again with $11.7 million for 20th Century Fox. In three weeks, it has grossed $85 million domestically.

THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER in its fourth week, finds itself in third with $11.2 million. In its domestic run, it has made $140 million for Paramount Pictures.

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY slips to fourth spot with $10.9 million in its third week.  The former two-week Box Office Champ is approaching the $150 million mark in earnings.

 THE LAZARUS EFFECT debuts in fifth with $10.6 million for Relativity Media/D Films. The Horror starring Olivia Wilde was received harshly by Critics with 12% on the Tomatometer and a C- CinemaScore from Audiences.

AMERICAN SNIPER continues to perform exceedingly-well in seventh this weekend with $7.7 million for Warner Bros.  To-date, it has grossed $330 million in its North American run.

STILL ALICE gets a post-Oscar boost with Julianne Moore‘s win last weekend, in ninth with $2.6 million for Sony Pictures Classics/Mongrel Media.  The Alzheimers Drama cracks the Top Ten finally after seven weeks of release.

HOT TUB TIME MACHINE 2 rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.4 million for Paramount Pictures, with a total of $10 million in two weeks out.

#INTERVIEW: ADRIAN MARTINEZ ON “FOCUS”

You know him quite literally as the Sidekick in pretty much everything. Adrian Martinez has starred in over 80 titles, stealing scenes alongside an A-list Resume of talent including Ben Stiller, Will Ferrell, Christian Bale and now Will Smith in smart new Action-RomCom, FOCUS.

The personable Funnyman was in Toronto recently to promote the Blockbuster which hopes to whet the appetites of Moviegoers craving both tough punches and romance this Valentine’s Day. The Movie centers on an experienced Con Artist Nicky (Smith) and the stunning Jess (Margot Robbie), whom he takes under his wing. Passions flare after he finds himself with conflicting emotions, careful not to let her in too deep,  ultimately the two are torn apart. Fast-forward a few years and the two reunite under the most unlikely circumstances. The bonds of trust are broken and the Story takes us through several unexpected twists and turns. Will Nicky and Jess be able to make it through together, or will danger separate them as the stakes (and risks) are multiplied exponentially as other powerful figures enter the picture?

Chatting with a select group of Digital Journalists, Martinez gives candid responses about the many talented Actors he has worked with, coming a far way certainly since his one-liner debut in an Unsolved Mysteries re-enactment.

Martinez in FOCUS plays the frank, forward and multi-disguised Sidekick Farhad to Smith‘s slick Nicky, one of the few people whom the latter trusts fully. He tells us that truly he connected with this Character. “I read the Script and didn’t see the ending coming. A lot of Movies are formulaic. This one took a lot of nice twists and turns and I wanted to be a part of it”, says Martinez. “Farhad is extremely faithful to Nicky and I am faithful to-the-death to my Family and Friends being a Scorpio, and that was common ground in how to build the Character.”. “He doesn’t know everything, but he knows he has to protect his Boss (Nicky).”.

On how to play a Criminal, he says “You have to be authentic when bullsh*tting. Same thing with acting. You’re using real emotions to sell imaginary situations”.  “It’s similar to being a Con-Man in that regard.”.

But does Martinez consider himself a Character Actor? “I consider myself a Lead Actor in a character suit. Like Wilson in Cast Away” he jokes, “Now he has balls.”. He adds, “Character Actors represent a tradition in acting that you need in Movies.”. “We need these kind of Actors. Not everyone can look like Will Smith or Margot Robbie, so you need these Actors to counterbalance that by grounding and putting it all into perspective.”.

I ask him of the many people he has worked with, just who inspires him most. He equates Will Ferrell much like a “Banker” off-camera – not particularly funny. “The moment he yells ‘Action!’, he is right there with the humour and timing.”. Ben Stiller is commended for what Martinez calls “mind-blowing work ethic”, pulling-in easily 16 hour work days on-set and after the day has wrapped. And although most of his work was cut from American Hustle, he jokes “Thankfully the cheque cleared!”.  “I do still love Jennifer Lawrence.”.

On his experience working with Will Smith, he recalls some fond memories and feeling gratitude. “There was a sense of community and party in the air. Will would start dancing at 3 am around the Superdome (a key scene involves a high stakes Football bet). He brings this relentless sense to every take of ‘I’m really gonna f*ckin’ go for it, man!'”. Martinez recalls Smith‘s gym-equipped Trailer being the size of a block. “He is in another league in terms of work ethic”, he comments on Smith‘s physical preparation for the role of Nicky. “Meanwhile I’m like, do I choose the multigrain bagel or Cheerios?”, he laughs.

Martinez also has high praise for the stunning Margot Robbie, whom he works closely with in a few scenes in FOCUS, crediting her for making “smart choices”. “She was all ‘I’m not gonna let this guy throw me!’ and it really was a Chess Match with her.”. “She’s gorgeous, intelligent and grounded. Awesome like a Jane Bond.”.

Although often we see a comedic side to Martinez on-screen, he reveals plans for something big in-the-works. “Time-Warner and I are co-creating a Project. It’s still funny, but saucy”, he tells us before stopping himself. “I’m not supposed to talk about it, but it’s gonna be good.”.

And speaking of good, word is Martinez is a huge Fan of Poutine! We hear he loved the Pasta Poutine at his Toronto Hotel very much. Honourary Canadian.

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release FOCUS on Friday, February 27, 2015.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “FOCUS” STARRING MARGOT ROBBIE + WILL SMITH

We’ve waited long and hard for FOCUS to be made and the wait has been even more grueling since seeing its first Trailer! Another new Trailer has surfaced for the Action/Comedy starring Margot Robbie and Will Smith! This brand new look gives us a fiery look at the explosive chemistry between the two Leads.

Official Synopsis:
Will Smith stars as Nicky, a seasoned master of misdirection who becomes romantically involved with novice con artist Jess (Margot Robbie). As he’s teaching her the tricks of the trade, she gets too close for comfort and he abruptly breaks it off. Three years later, the former flame—now an accomplished femme fatale—shows up in Buenos Aires in the middle of the high stakes racecar circuit. In the midst of Nicky’s latest, very dangerous scheme, she throws his plans for a loop…and the consummate con man off his game.

See the Trailer:

Warner Bros. release FOCUS on Friday, February 27, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros.)

#FIRSTLOOK: TRAILER FOR WILL SMITH + MARGOT ROBBIE STAR IN “FOCUS”

We’ve been waiting so long for this! Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling once were considered for it. Then Ben Affleck and Kristen Stewart were attached and now ultimately, we have Will Smith and Margot Robbie. We don’t care who’s in it, we just need to see it. FOCUS from Crazy, Stupid, Love. Directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa has far too long been in development but alas, Warner Bros. has just released these first images and a Trailer from the Action-Comedy (above).

Official Synopsis:
Seasoned con man Nicky Spurgeon (Will Smith) takes a young woman named Jess Barrett (Margot Robbie) under his wing and becomes romantically involved with her. When she gets too close, he abruptly breaks up with her.

Three years later, Jess, now an accomplished con artist herself, shows up in Buenos Aires posing as a billionaire international race car owner and throws a loop into Nicky‘s latest, very dangerous scheme.

 See the Trailer:

Warner Bros. releases FOCUS on Friday, February 27, 2015.

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

#FIRSTLOOK: INTRODUCING MARGOT ROBBIE IN “THE WOLF OF WALL STREET”

Brace yourselves for an Aussie Invasion, Moviegoers!  After winning much acclaim back in her native Australia, 23-year-old Actress Margot Robbie has her sights set stateside  and although she’s currently filming the Comedy Focus, opposite Will Smith, she next can be seen opposite another Hollywood Heavyweight, Leonardo DiCaprio.

She certainly didn’t start right at the top though.  In fact, the Gold Coast-born and raised Actress is a bit of an acting Veteran after winning LOGIE Awards in Australia for her work on long-running Soap Opera Neighbours as Donna Freedman, originally intended only as a Guest Role.  Those of you who saw About Time last month starring Rachel McAdams and Domhnall Gleason, will remember her as Charlotte and Fans of ABC’s short-lived PAN AM will remember her as Laura Cameron.

The stunning Star, most easily recognized by her sunny blonde locks and brunette eyebrows, appears in Martin Scorecese‘s almost NC-17-rated The Wolf of Wall Street as Naomi Lapaglia, love interest of Jordan Belfort (DiCaprio).  “What’s wrong Daddy?”, she  asks teasingly in its mega-mesmerizing Trailer.

See the Trailer below:

As a bit of a Fun Fact, Robbie apparently has been known to visit Canada to snowboard!

Official Artwork:

Paramount Pictures releases THE WOLF OF WALL STREET on Christmas Day.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)